December was a busy month for us. We had been home 6 months - it had just flown by - and it was time for our six-month post-placement visit from our social worker (for a report required by the CCAA) . Of course, she thought I was a fabulous mother! She assured me that all the “terrible twos” behavior was perfectly normal.

We attended an event to meet Barry Zito, San Francisco Giants pitcher, under the dome in San Francisco Centre. Barry was kind enough to sign Isabella’s Oakland A’s Zito jersey (sorry, Giants, but I grew up in Oakland) even though he is currently playing for S.F.

Bella LOVED her photo op. In fact, she would not get off his lap for 40 minutes! I had time to step away and enjoy a cup of coffee! I even had time to shoot a short video. Barry is not a bad babysitter, but his rate may be a little high. When I decided it was finally time to leave (there was shopping to be done!), I tried to bribe her with her favorite goldfish crackers, to which she responded with “Nooo!” and a tantrum on the floor. We were out of there!

We peeked at the kitties in Macy’s windows and then headed over to Union Square for a photo in front of the tree. It’s not as cold as it looks - we are just California weather-wimps. We have to settle for faux snowflakes (the lights at Saks).

We had our annual Oakland High School (Go, Wildcats!) Christmas gathering at Rob & Grace’s in Orinda, as usual. Yes, when you have not moved your entire life, you still see your friends from high school. We all reconnected at our 20th reunion and have celebrated Christmas together every year since then. Isabella was the youngest party girl there, as everyone’s else’s children are nearly off to college!

Bella’s first public performance was at her daycare’s Christmas program. This photo is not very sharp (hey, aren’t these things supposed to be auto-focus?), but she ”clearly” was not a happy camper and had to leave the stage.

The pressure’s off, so no more tears. She prefers to be a spectator.

Of course, she’s all smiles when it’s time for presents.

I haven’t had a Christmas tree since childhood, so it was fun decorating one for Bella’s first Christmas. We didn’t have any ornaments, but I had a few strings of Hello Kitty lights, which lit up the tree beautifully. She loves Hello Kitty, but who doesn’t?

Bella is not an easy one to photograph. Sometimes I wish she would just ham it up, but these are a couple of decent shots out of hundreds (at least it felt like it). Bella received lots of presents. Thank you, everyone, for thinking of my Little Angel on Christmas! We enjoyed celebrating Jesus’ birthday together.

Our California Golden Bears were playing the Air Force Falcons in the Armed Forces Bowl on New Year’s Eve, so of course we had to christen Ed’s new widescreen TV with all the other Cal fans.

Bella and her fellow cheerleader, Olivia Jie Jie. Go, Bears!

Bella had a “ball” with Ken’s team-autographed pigskin. She thought the wasabi chips were hot, hot, hot! - but that didn’t keep her from eating them.

It was Isabella’s first Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for! I thank God every day for bringing Bella and me together, connected by the red thread of destiny, as the Chinese proverb says. We are perfectly matched. She is obsessed with shoes, too! As usual, Po Po (Grandma) roasted the best turkey ever! (Why didn’t I inherit her fabulous cooking skills?) The turkey is almost as big as Bella!

Having a child will not cramp my shopping style, so it’s off for post-Thanksgiving shopping on black friday. We hit Staples and Target. OK, so it may cramp the QUALITY of my shopping style. We were at the “exciting” Bayfair Mall and encountered LaToya London from “American Idol,” promoting “The Color Purple,” and stopped for a photo op.

Who could have ever imagined that Bayfair Mall could be so fun?

Well, fun for SOME people!

After all the thrills at the mall, it was time for Ellie Jie Jie’s 4th birthday party at Pump It Up! More jumpy fun!