JOLI'S FIRST TRIP TO FLORIDA!

Joli took her first trip to Orlando this weekend! We met up with her Lola and Lolo, stayed at the Polynesian Resort at Disney, and met lots of Jorge's relatives. We met his grandmother (Eva's mom), Yolanda and Albert (Eva's sister and brother in law), cousins Melinda and Albert, Jr., and Anelle and Eric. She also met cousin Adam and Evalise as well as her aunt Elizabeth and cousin OJ (but we forgot to get pics of them! Sorry!).

Joli was also lucky enough to go to Disney's Animal Kingdom! She hung out there with Lola while Mommy and Daddy rode the rides. Joli met gorillas, hippos, crocodiles, and even dinosaurs! While walking (strolling) around the park, she also met her friends Lilo and Stitch!

Lola and Lolo were nice enough to arrange for Joli to have breakfast with one of her favorite Disney characters, Mickey Mouse! She even tried to kiss him! We all had a Universal good time, even though we all were a bit "goofy!"

Thanks, Lola and Lolo for flying us down to Florida! We had a wonderful time, and we are truly thankful we could spend time with you in the w-a-r-m sun!

As a side note, Joli was great on the airplane! It luckily was only a 2 hour flight. We just kept her entertained (yes, she was awake the whole time!) and made sure to bring lots of toys. I know every parent likes to say this about their kid, but people were actually stopping us in the park and on the bus to tell us how cute she is. One lady even told us to enter her into a "beautiful baby contest." Yeah, she's cute.....

I think Uncle Paulie missed Joli the most. He was having his website withdrawal.

Thanks for everything, Lola and Lolo! That was really generous of you to treat us to a much needed weekend in the sun!

HAVIN' SOME CAKE!

Joli was finally awake enough to eat her cake (no, of course, we didn't give her any)! A Happy Birthday to you, a Happy Birthday to You! Six month birthday, yum!

SIX MONTHS OLD!

Joli turned 6 months old yesterday on January 17, 2004! She was delighted and thrilled. She wore herself out all day and didn't even get to eat her birthday cake before falling asleep. Unfortunately, her mom and dad were not too tired to eat her birthday cake-- but don't worry, we did leave a piece for her! Happy Six Months, Joli Irene!

Check out how big she has gotten! If you get a chance, compare her pics from her other months (each month we've taken a body and face shot of her with her best friend, Tigger!).

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS!! JOLI EATS!! THE PEOPLE REJOICE!!

Once again, proving that this is the ONLY site to get your Joli fix, ilovejoli.com has secured photos of another "Joli First".

Now, Joli is quite the adventurer. We all know about her nudist days. We were all amazaed when she announced that she was moving up North to join the eskimos. But yesterday, she shocked us once again...

Joli started eating solid food!!

SOLID FOOD AND PROGRESS!

Joli update:
As of today, she is 5 3/4 months old (she turns 6 months on Saturday). She had her doctor's appointment today and weighs 15 1/2 pounds and is 25 1/2" long. She also had 2 shots today and was very very sore from them. I had to give her some Infant Tylenol about 2 hours after her appointment because she was very upset!

Jorge and I have been letting Joli join us at the table while we eat dinner to get her used to seeing people eat and taking part in that process. She usually just ignores us, but today she started drooling and staring at our food! She also was getting really irritable. So, we gave her a sippy cup with water, and she was eagerly trying to slurp it up. Then, we figured we'd go and try the cereal. Yes, folks, the first foray into solid foods! Joli took to it like a "fat kid to cake" (where did that saying come from anyways???). She LOVED it! She was swallowing it like crazzzzy! She was screeeaaaming for more! We ended up giving her about a 2 teaspoons total, and then she had some water. This is only her second time with her sippy cup, and she was drinking from it (with our help). Go, Joli! Go, Joli!

Okay, Jorge took video and pics and should be posting them soon!

Enjoy!

THE FUSSIES AND A SIPPY CUP

Joli has been increasingly fussy this week, but we think it's because she's growing! She's no longer content with me or Jorge just looking and her and making weird faces. She wants to be entertained, and things only hold her attention for so long. I feel bad for her sometimes. It's clear she's trying to communicate something but doesn't know how to say it. So, instead she just makes this weird "whiny grunting" noise until she gets what she wants. I'm sure we'll be able to decode those noises some day soon.

I also tried experimenting with a sippy cup today. Joli drank a small amount of milk from the cup, and she did pretty well. I think she'll be well on her way in the next few weeks!

Jorge and I figured we'd start her on solids on January 17 -- her 6 month birthday.

Later!

A RATHER GENERAL BLOG....

In response to "Tita Mari's" recent comments in the comment section, we've decided to give you a quick update of Joli's vacation!

On Dec 19th -- Lola and Tita Mari came all the way from MA to visit and to babysit while Liza and Jorge spent a romantic adventure in NYC, where they visited Sean (see the Thanksgiving blog) and went to Sue and Jay's wedding (congratulations!).

Joli, Liza and Jorge (and Gordon) opened their stocking presents on Dec 22nd before leaving for Massachusetts. Joli got the best presents, of course -- a Spiderman bobblehead doll and an Ernie crib attachment. She was delighted!

We then left for MA the next day to meet up with Liza's family. There Joli got to spend more time with Tita Grapes, Uncle Paulie, Uncle Jon, Tita Mari and the grandparents. Joli discovered she loved laying in Tita Mari's arms -- limply. We nicknamed it "The Plank Position." (see "Family Pics: Tita Mari"). We stayed until Dec 26th and came back to NY.

On Monday, Joli got to see her Ita, Grandpa Jorge, and Uncle Ped where she, of course, got even more presents!

Okay, sorry for the long update! The next one will be "The Adventures in Solid Food" , I imagine!

Happy New Year!

JOLI'S NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

1. Start eating SOLID FOOD! (yeah!)

2. Start making SOLID POOP! (yuk!)

3. Learn to use my superpowers.

THE CHRISTMAS EQUATION

I know math may not be everyone's strong suit, but I felt it important to share what might be the most important mathematical discovery since Einstein theorized E=mc2!

Here is the "Christmas Equation", as derived by Professor Joli:

Joli(presents)=[Parent(preJoli presents)] - [Parent(postJoli presents)]

A simpler form of the equation might be expressed as: Joli(presents) > Parent(presents)

Professor Joli's equation redefines Einstein's "Theory of Relativity" by demonstrating that a relative's proximity to Joli is in direct proportion to the number of Christmas gifts.

The equation has been validated by scholars such as Tuft's Professor Grace, Dr. Roderic and Mary Talusan (PhD pending).

HOLIDAY ELF

It a little know fact that, while most of Santa's elves are pretty industrious, there are a couple of lazy elves.

They pretty much lie around all day eating, snoozing and telling other elves "Happy Holidays. Can I have a hug?"

HEADLINE: JOLI SPEAKS OUT AGAINST THE RECENT ATTACKS AGAINST HER PARENTS!
The following is an excerpt from a recent interview that 20/20 did with Ms. Joli Irene Talusan Vega. It concerns the recent allegations that her parents have "dropped the ball" in regards to her website.

BARBARA WALTERS: You claim your parents haven't mishandled your website, Joli. Then why is it that your site has gone so long without an update?

JOLI VEGA: It's really very simple, Barbara. I have a very busy schedule and my parents simply aren't able to keep up with me. Of course, this makes it very difficult to keep an up-to-date photojournal of me.

BW: I see. Well, what is it that keeps you so busy these days?

JV: Well, aside from all the charity work I do, I spend a considerable amount of time in meetings with business associates. I also spend a lot of the day at my desk, responding to fan mail. When I'm not doing all of that, I try to catch a little bit of sleep. A girl needs her beauty rest, Barbara!

BW: (laughing) Don't I know it, sister! But seriously, many members of your family have been very vocal about the website's current state. What would you say to them if they were here?

JV: Chill.

BW: Strong words, indeed. And what of the recent boycott threats made by your nefarious Uncle Pedro? What would you say to that?

JV: Threats? THREATS?! You call those threats? Barbara, please, I have a whole diaper full of "threats" for my Uncle Pedro (why is he smelling his finger?). He can stop by and pick them up any time.

BW: Er... I see. Well, since we're on the topic, your fans have begun to wonder exactly when they can expect to hear that you've graduated to a "potty"?

JV: No comment.

BW: Well, what about the rumors that you infrequently soil your bathtub?

JV: This interview is over.

Joli became very emotional at this point and stormed out of the studio.

COMING SOON!

Okay, so before all the aunts and uncles get all riled up ... Jorge will be posting pictures (3 of them!) before the end of the day. Stay tuned (and thanks for being so interested in our little Joli-polie!).
-liza

ANNIVESARY --- TIMES 2!

December 9th -- a date that holds a very special place here at the Talusan and Vega household! Today is our 3rd wedding anniversary, and it's also the 1 year anniversary of finding out we were having a baby! That's right.... we found out we were pregnant on our anniversary!

Okay, for those of you who haven't heard the story, it's pretty cool.

We were trying to get pregnant for a loooooooong time. On our 2nd wedding anniversary (Dec. 9, 2002), Jorge and I were out to dinner at our favorite restaurant -- East Wok. We had a lovely dinner, and we started talking about pregnancy. I told him that I had felt "different" lately. I wasn't sure exactly what "different" was, but I wasn't feeling quite the same. At the beginning of dinner, we decided not to take a pregnancy test for a few more days - we had already experienced the disappointment of having negative tests time and time again. But, by the end of dinner, we had convinced ourselves to at least go and buy the test. So, after dinner, we went to the store and bought one.

We came back to the house, and I was expecting my acappella group to show up in about 10 minutes. Jorge went upstairs, and, although I promised him I wouldn't take it, I took the pregnancy test. I waited anxiously before going upstairs, knowing that the acappella group would show up in a matter of minutes. Then... it happened.... there was a very faint pink line showing up on the test. This sort of thing happened before (where the line looked like it was there, but then it disappeared), so I didn't run upstairs to tell Jorge. Then... the line got darker....and darker.

I ran upstairs with the test and showed Jorge. We both couldn't believe it! The line was getting darker and darker, and there was no denying it now! We were both still in shock, then.... the doorbell rang. The group was here and I had to go downstairs to start rehearsal.

Needless to say I couldn't concentrate at all! Jorge came downstairs a few minutes into the rehearsal and whispered in my ear, "The line is reallllly dark now!" That was the longest rehearsal of my life.....

Once the group was gone, I ran back upstairs and we both started to call our family. Of course.... even in this age of advanced technology with cell phones/pagers/instant messenger ... no one picked up there phones. Go figure.

Eventually we got in touch with everyone and told them. Our families didn't believe us at first because Jorge would often call them and say something like, "Mom. Dad. We have something to tell you....(long pause).... Liza and I......(long pause).....ate chicken for dinner." The Boy Who Cried Wolf.

So, this is why December 9th is a really special day in this house. Marriage. Baby. Love.

Yes, we will post some pictures.

-liza

LET THERE BE... JOLI!! (and the people rejoiced)

Yes, Liza and I have been a little... slow.

And, yes, we missed the Thanksgiving pics.

So... here are two Thanksgiving Day turkeys!

Oh, and Sean thank you for stopping in to visit Joli! Congratulations on graduating and becoming a certified teacher!

YES... WE KNOW.....


Okay, we get it. We've neglected our Joli website duties. We've been... oh.. a little busy!

She had a doctor's appointment yesterday and here are the stats: 14.5 pounds, 25 inches long. Had her second polio shot. She did a great job of course!

On Monday, Nov 30th, we bought her an activity center (which she is too tiny for at this point), and she really seems to like it. Although, she can't really sit up in it yet. It's really cool, though!

Her new favorite thing is to scream at the top of her lungs for 5 minutes while she chews on her hand. She's what we call, pre-teething. Her gums are starting to get a little achy, and she finds relief by chewing on her fingers and drooling all over her cute little outfits. But, the screaming only lasts about 5 minutes, or just long enough for one of us to make her laugh (which we usually do by blowing on her tummy or doing some ridiculous dance).

Joli has started to sleep in her crib, and it wasn't too bad a transition. Actually, I think Jorge and I are having a much tougher time with it. While it's nice to have the bed to ourselves again, we miss her!! I certainly don't sleep as well because I'm so sad she's in the other room. Joli totally doesn't mind, though, and she is sleeping somewhere between 10-10 1/2 hours a night! Go, Joli! Go, Joli!

Okay, pictures to follow. Our neighbors Trista and James came over last night and helped us take our family photo (Jorge wouldn't let Gordon in it, though!!), so that'll be in the mail soon!

Sooo.... you happy now?? Probably not. You all won't be happy until we post some of those cutie pie pics, right??
-liza

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POPS!!

Forty-nine years ago (not too long after the death of Christ), on a day much like this (except we have electricity and indoor plumbing) Joli's grandfather, "Pops", was born into the world.

Joli recently had this to say about him:

** Aah-ee aah-ee. Coo-cah aah-ee. [fart] Gurgle. **

Translation: I LOVE YOU, POPS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

FOUR MONTHS OLD!

Yes, I know... we've been neglecting our Joli website duties! It's been a busy few weeks here. Last week, we took a trip up to Easton to visit my family. The family babysat while Jorge and I went out for our first dinner together at Legal Seafood. We also went shopping and hung out at the mall -- something we haven't done since Joli was born. Again, we didn't have to change any dirty diapers and didn't really have to do much of anything except watch television! Speaking of televisions, we also walked away with some cool stuff! Uncle Paulie graciously let us buy his tv from him - it's a 55 inch television. Woah! We had to attach a trailer to the back of our car to bring it back to NY. Lola and Lolo also bought Joli a digital video camera, and, of course, we taped tons of footage already!

This past weekend, Lola and Grace came to visit because Grace had her NYC premiere at a reading in the NY Public Library. She did a great job and people were asking for her autograph! Joli's auntie is famous!

When Lola and Grace left, I was having what my Uncle Paulie would call a "postpartum emotional experience." I wish they lived closer! It's always nice to have family around. Let's just hope Joli stays close by when she gets older!

So, Joli is 4 months old today! I can't believe it! She's come so far! One of the biggest leaps that we forgot to blog about is that Joli now sleeps soundly through the night! We can usually count on 6-8 hours of continuous sleep from her! Also, she's pretty darn close to sitting up by herself these days! We can usually prop her up on the couch or in her Boppy, and she stays put. She also is more interested in her baby videos and the different toys we have in her crib. I think she was so overwhelmed by the stimulus when she was younger, but now she really loves playing with her crib toys. Yay!

Coming soon: Thanksgiving photos with the Vega family (they come over our house for Thanksgiving).....

BONUS - LIMITED EDITION PIC!!

Okay, we know we've been slacking in the update department. So, we thought we'd give all those diehard Joli fans what they've been asking for... SMILING JOLI!!

SHE DOESN'T FIT!


Last night, I was getting Joli changed and ready for bed. I put her down in her crib and got out her favorite yellow footed pajama. In went one foot.... in went the other. Then, I stopped and was shocked... her body didn't fit in the clothing! SHE WAS TOO LONG FOR THE PAJAMA! It was like it happened overnight. Honestly. I tried to fool myself, so I put her arms in and began to button the front. But, then I noticed that she couldn't fully extend her legs. In this pajama, her legs had to stay bent in order for me to button it up! Oh, no! She's getting bigger :(

Well, I looked at the tag, and it did say "0-3 months", and Joli is well on her way to 4 months. So, I guess this is normal. But, it breaks my heart to see that she's getting bigger. Where did my little baby go??

So, if you're one of the many relatives gettin' ready to buy Joli some clothes, go for the 6-9 months stuff. I don't think she'll be in 3-6 months stuff for long!

SUPER-JOLI: ISSUE #1

"Faster than a speeding stroller, able to leap tall cribs in a single bound... it's a bird, it's a plane, it's SuperJoli!!"

By day, she is the mild mannered, cheerfully gurgling Joli Irene Talusan Vega. But, when danger (or a soiled diaper) calls, she unleashes the power of Super-Joli!

With her trusty sidekick, The Milk Maid, Super-Joli stands (or rolls) as a protector of truth, justice and the American way!