The Troublemaker

First of all, I really don't know if troublemaker is one word, two, or a hyphenate. Secondly, our boy Zeus has eaten a lot of things in his short four years: pacifiers, a table, expensive photo books, marriage licenses, spoons, thermometers, a pen, a coaster, the mail, and sprinklers. But we can never stay mad at him long for his transgressions because he looks like this:

I sorry.

Hittin' the Gym...the Jungle Gym

98...99...100!

Coming Unraveled

Dillon seems eager to help take care of Zeus. While not quite old enough to clean up the backyard, she has learned to unspool all of his doggie bags from their holder.

Hmm...what's this?

Do you mind if I take one?

I saw a clown do this once with some scarves.

Where are my parents???

Perfect Pouter

Not sure what Dillon has to be so unhappy about, but she has perfected her pout face in no time at all! That look could slay dragons with its cuteness.

Whadya mean I don't get my way?

That Was Then / This Is Now (I)

I'm starting a new semi-regular feature called "That Was Then / This Is Now" where we take a look at just how fast Dillon is growing up (although, technically, not any faster than the rest of us). First up, here is a picture of Dillon enjoying the fall leaves last year at just under 2 months old (you can read the original post here). Please note size of baby to leaves.

Now here she at 13 months old:

Have these leaves gotten smaller??

This is Dillon's "old Asian lady" squat.

Is This Why Our Vet Bill is So High?

About a year ago our vet moved from a converted house to a giant, gleaming concrete and glass palace. The furniture also got an upgrade. Check out this sweet carved wood chair in the waiting room. Also, please note Dillon's very apropos top!

I feel like Eddard Stark in Game of Thrones.

Gobble Gobble

Yes, we're well into Christmas season now, but here are some photos from our Thanksgiving holiday. No, there aren't any pictures of our actual dinner, but I will say we had a nice meal with Marc and our friends John, Beata and little Aleksander. Next year, however, we would like to eat at someone else's house!

Zeus says, "This year I am thankful Uncle Marc visited."

Fall leaves arrive late in San Diego.

At least two of us are looking at the camera.

Best dressed hiker at Mission Trails.

Pancake breakfast.

Walkie Talkie

Dillon has been a full-fledged walker for quite some time, but has only recently been able to so deftly combine walking and talking. Check out this short video of her recent trip to the dog park, where she has much to say. If you look closely you can also catch a glimpse of her "Love Rollins" t-shirt.

Museum of Contemp Art

We recently visited the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla (you know, the one with the surfboards sticking out of it). It was another beautiful day in San Diego (ho hum) and Dillon had fun interacting with the exhibits. She also got a few Christmas presents from the gift shop, but sssh!  — she doesn't know.

No, I don't understand it either, Dillon.

THIS dog doesn't mind when I tug his ears.

  

About to get stomped by Niki de Saint Phalle's "Big Ganesh."

This Knoll Bertoia chair sure is uncomfortable!

Swing time! "Instant House" by Vito Acconci.

Feeling a little of that Pacific breeze.

Let's Get Ready to Rumble

Once when Dillon was very little, I saw her punch one of her stuffed animals in the face. Not much has changed. Dillon's wrestling nickname: Asian Chaos!!

The old "tickle foot" maneuver.

Body slam!

Pile driver!

Hanging Out with the G'rents

My parents recently visited us to celebrate Dillon's birthday. It was hard corralling everyone together for picture time, but somehow we managed to snap this photo:

Grandpa and I have matching bellies!

Honey's Boo Boo

As with most babies, walking involves as much falling down as it does actual locomotion. Dillon took her first hard knock when a door jamb recently reminded her about things like gravity and Newton's First Law of Motion. She settled into a warm bubble bath to ease her pains, but the evidence remained: goose egg!

Ouchie.

1950s Halloween

Despite the fact that Dillon wore her Halloween poodle skirt many times, it proved difficult getting a photo. But here she is relaxing in the grass in front of my office after attending the company's Family Day Event. She was very interested in all the pine needles--something we don't see a whole lot of where we live. Oh, did I mention I made the poodle skirt myself? I even embroidered her name on it.

Smooth Criminal

When flying back from Las Vegas, Dillon and I had some time to kill before boarding our plane. Here she tries my hat on for size:

I am ready for Buena Vista Social Club.

Some of you may also remember when we took Zeus to PetCo's Dog Days of Summer and he did his best impersonation of The Gloved One. Now Dillon gets in on the act too:

The Party

Dillon's Halloween/Birthday/Korean Festival birthday was a success! We celebrated with lots of family and friends, including both sets of grandparents. And only one hammock accident with minimal bloodshed! Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun.

First, some decorations:

Festive and creepy.

Real pumpkins spray-painted silver.

Tombstones by the front door.

Dusty piano with black candles.

Then there were the guests:

Alek shows off his dance moves.

Kim tries to contain a squirmy teeny bopper.

The Starkeys get ready for cake.

General party chaos.

A wonderful array of birthday cards.

Then there was cake:

Candy corn cake.

Marc instills in Dillon a lifelong fear of clowns.

Everyone helps Dillon with her first taste of refined sugar.

Zeus would also like to taste refined sugar.

Learning to do it on her own.

My fingers taste soooo goooood.

Then later that night:

I can't believe I got all this tissue paper! I'm so lucky!

Nifty Thrifty

I picked up this adorable dress for a few bucks at the baby consignment shop. Adorable dress + adorable baby = Adorable ∞.

Bargain shopper in the making.

A Year in Photos

On October 15, 2011 not only did Craig and I embark on the new journey of parenthood, but we also embarked on the new journey of taking at least one photo of Dillon every day for a year. At times onerous, but generally enjoyable, we now have quite a collection of images. If you've got 4 min 40 sec and a hankering for John Mayer, click the video below!

Viva Las Vegas!

As mentioned in a previous post, we recently took a short trip to Las Vegas. Dillon was an excellent air passenger and barely made a whimper there and back. She loved the Venetian: crawling around the room, down the hallway, around the pool deck; strolling through the canal shops; and playing with friends in the pool. Craig and I even managed to have dinner by ourselves one night!

Man, this caterpillar sure is hungry!

Guess where we are!

I never realized Vegas had so many leaves to play with!

Tired of crawling...gonna take a lie down.

Lucky Dillon gets to cruise around in her PJs!

Wading pool is the perfect size for Dillon.

Date night!