Giving Thanks

While at first I was a little dismayed that we were going to stay home for Thanksgiving this year, I now understand why people like staying home for the holidays. (Staying in PJs until noon sure was a pleasant treat.) With so much to be thankful for, we celebrated this year with a low-key feast with just Jon, Fiona, myself and Mara.

For our first attempt at a turkey, it could have been MUCH worse. (And it sure looks very pretty.)

Homemade pies, potatoes, stuffing and gravy rounded out our ridiculously large meal...Fiona even got a little sample of potato...which she didn't like much better than bananas. Maybe it was the obscene amount of garlic...

All in all, it was a wonderfully lazy day with lots of entertainment from our sweet little Fi. I can't believe how big she's gotten, and I feel like every week she has a new trick. She finally started getting some clearance in her crawling attempts. I'm guessing it will be any day now. But I think I said that about some teeth a while back, and she still doesn't have any of those, so who knows...

Oh, and Jon was VERY excited about football on the new TV and made me take a picture.

Long story how that came about...

Sarah and Jim got married!!!

As I was preparing to write a Hawaii post, I realized I never got to posting our trip to KC for Sarah and Jim's wedding. For some reason, it's much harder to post about "events" than little things that happen every day. I guess it kind of makes sense...it's more overwhelming. So six weeks late, here we go.

Fiona and I headed out to Kansas City the day after we got back from Jamaica for Sarah's wedding to James Jablonski, Jr, Aka: Jim. (Yes, Jon came too, but couldn't make it until Thursday evening.) Not only were we super excited about the wedding, but Fiona got to meet all of her Deacon-side cousins for the first time.

We're hoping Bess and Jacob and Sarah and Jim add to the mix soon.

Caroline wanted to hold her, but got bored with that pretty quickly. She definitely had more fun playing. I can't wait until they can actually play together without Fiona being in a bouncy seat.

And Raya was SO sweet with her. You should have seen the look on Fiona's face before Raya calmed her down.

Fiona also got to attend her first bachelorette party at only four months old.

Jon came and picked her up when he got in--thank you!--and as it turned out she got to attend her first (and probably only) bachelor party that night too.

The wedding was beautiful, as was the bride, and we are so lucky to welcome Jim in the family! Unfortunately, these are the best pictures I have. That's what professionals are for, right?

Thanks to Sarah and Jim for a great party, and of course for great hospitality Aaron and Kate!!!...whom I somehow have no pictures of. Sorry guys. We can fix that at Christmas.

And as if that wasn't enough, when Jon headed back home Sunday, Fiona and I were picked up by my dear friend Jessica and her sweet baby Annabelle to spend a couple days with the Kessels in Leavenworth. Only six weeks apart, we have high hopes that Fiona and Annabelle too will one day be good friends!

Hopefully this is accidental rather than Fiona showing Annabelle her place.

SO sweet! She looks SO much like her big brother, Gus.

Thanks for the great visit Kessels! Can't wait to see you again!

Problem Solved

I must admit that before Fiona was born, I was not sure about my feelings for pacifiers. After a rough first month, and a constant finger in her mouth, I was beyond thrilled when she finally took one at 2 months. Believe it or not, she was VERY particular about the kind and shape. You should see our stash of rejections. I swear we tried over 15 different kinds. She finally settled on a NUK...but you better not dare give her silicon, latex only. Jon says she takes after me...not in the latex vs. silicon department, but her particularity in general.

Anyhow...the downside to the pacifier is that now she cannot fall asleep without one in her mouth. (There are rare exceptions, such as hiking in Hawaii...) Which wasn't a problem until recently when she started pulling it out, playing with it for awhile and then trying to stick it back in. She's actually gotten quite good at getting it back in...when she's awake, her eyes are open and she's not already fussing. (It would also be convenient if she wasn't stuck on the NUK because not only does she have to make it to the mouth, but apparently it's not satisfying if it's upside down.)

I thought I was a genius the day I thought to shove this between her NUK and her hand.

I'll probably regret this later when she won't sleep without her little chick. I guess ultimately I'm just adding to the "stuff" she needs to sleep well, but since becoming a parent I've realized I'm definitely of the mindset that if the end result is peace, it's worth it. We'll see how long that lasts.

Someone please intervene if I have spoiled brats.

Johnny Jumper

Although Fiona's loved her Johnny Jumper for some time now (likely due to her preference for being upright), only recently has she figured out that actually jumping in it can be pretty fun. She's still a novice, but I have a feeling she'll take off any day now.

Stylin'

After 4 and 1/2 months, I decided the "I just had a baby" excuse is wearing thin (pun not intended). Since the weather here has cooled down and Fiona actually really likes her umbrella stroller (and can sit in it relatively well), I decided we should start taking long walks. So I got to a "park" (it was in Irving) the other day with high hopes of making at least 3 laps around the pond. Unfortunately, I forgot to take into account sun + baby's eyes = bad news. Needless to say, I spent 1/2 of of the first (and only) lap pulling Fiona backwards in the stroller.

So I came up with a solution:

She didn't take them off once. :)

When we got home, Fiona had lots of fun reading her new favorite book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

And then mugged once for the camera.

Football with Daddy...

A Visit from Nanny

Nanny came to stay with us for a few days on her way to Phoenix. She made fast friends with her youngest granddaughter reading her books, singing her songs, and sitting in the back seat keeping her entertained while running errands...quite a luxury.

And she stayed with Fiona one night so Jon and I could go to the U2 concert. It was our first baby-less night out since her arrival, and based on how well she did we just might get some date nights in without coaxing Nanny into town...unless, of course, she wants the excuse. The concert was awesome, and the new Cowboys Stadium is ridiculous. Also, Bono made mention of their Spaceship...which reminded me of Spaceship Peach. :)

Thanks so much for coming Nanny!!!!

*Thanks for the book, Mom and the outfit, Arlene.