Thanksgiving antics

Learning the etiquette of dipping - "no double dips Emery!"

Riding horsie with Grandpa

Trying out seats ...

Yes, this one is just right!

Time to eat yet?

Peek-a-boo!

 Peek-a-boo again!

Thankfully Emery kept us very entertained while the turkey took longer than anticipated. Her antics were also interspersed with a few mishaps, including one broken serving platter, but I think (and hope!) we will all remember the day as one of fellowship, feasting and definitely more than enough football.

The dish I can't wait to make again, but on a weeknight?  Brussels Sprouts with Fig and Bacon - so simple, and best eaten right away, which didn't exactly happen yesterday. So all the more reason to give it another try soon!

Thankful in all things

For a long time now, I've been trying to practice the discipline of giving thanks in all things, even when circumstances don't make sense or are unpleasant. In things big and small and in between.

Well, I'm tired today and have lots of Thanksgiving tasks in front of me, plus a wiggly, whiny, 20-month who isn't as happy to just watch me cook and putter around the house as she was last year.

This morning I was holding her in the kitchen, along with a container of oats and probably a few other things and boom, there went the oats, all over the kitchen floor. My first reaction was "Ughh, what a pain! I do not feel like cleaning those up."

So I didn't, and I kept getting ready for the day ... while lo and behold Emery fell strangely silent and self-sufficient as she busied herself in the pile of oats for just enough time for me to finish getting ready and get us out the door.

So today I am reminded, again, of why we are to be thankful in all things - in part because much of the time, the things we don't feel grateful for right away, actually wind up being unexpected blessings.

Emery and baby (bump)

Emery is beginning to point to my tummy and say "baby." What that indicates she really understands, who's to say, but it's a start! The scab on her nose is sadly not the result of walking, but of her many dining room chair climbing endeavors.

A "closet" walker?

Many of you know that Emery is 19 months old and still. not. walking. Fear not, we've had progress along the way and things aren't hopeless, at least according to our pediatrician, but nevertheless this mama is ready to get the show on the road. Walk, Emery, walk!

On Friday, she amazed us all with a feat of standing, unsupported, for 48 seconds. Oh the applause, the accolades she received! As if she had actually walked on water or something.

But as Friday turned into Saturday and then Sunday and so on, Emery's interest in standing waned and by this morning, I was met with repeated "No want to's" whenever I asked her if she wanted to practice standing.

Fine. Whatever. I committed to not ask her too much anymore.

Well, fast forward a few hours later and I was picking her up from the Bible study nursery, where I got the report that she was "Great! So happy. She was talking and walking and really having fun."

EXCUSE ME? Walking? I begged them to clarify. Did they mean cruising while holding onto furniture, or standing up in the middle of the room near nothing waist-high or higher and taking steps all by her sweet little self?

They meant the latter and didn't seem surprised in the slightest at her accomplishment of multiple baby steps. As if she's been doing it all along. (Has she???)

So now I'm a little perplexed, wondering if these were Emery's virgin steps or if she's been doing this all along, whenever I'm out of sight?

All I know is that it's time to get real with the YMCA ladies tomorrow who watch Emery every morning while I work out - if she's been walking for them, too, then Emery, you have some explaining to do!

Decisions, decisions

Thank goodness for festive friends like Auntie Shannon who keep me accountable to get in the spirit of whatever holiday is quickly approaching. I don't think I'm exactly a Scrooge, but let's just say I've never put up a Christmas tree because it seemed like too much effort when we wouldn't be in town anyway for Christmas day itself. This year will be different, though, Emery, I promise! You will have a Christmas tree.

This week, Shannon decided it was time to try on Emery's Halloween costume options, of which there are two.

We have last year's giraffe costume.

It's precious, but a little small. Then there's the ballerina costume Henny got Emery a while back.

After a few minutes in her tutu, Emery had made up her mind I think - ballerina it is! (not that we're actually going trick or treating or anything ... so what's this all for Shannon?? :) )

I don't want this costume to go to waste, though, so I think I'll let Emery wear it to the YMCA on Monday as part of an early New Year's resolution to BE. MORE. FESTIVE!

On a side note, I am starting to think that seeing Auntie Shannon is the equivalent of Christmas for Emery, seeing as how Emery saved her major meltdowns for after Shannon left the other day ... after all, what can top a fabulous friend who is always so excited to see you, doesn't have to enforce any rules, really, almost always has fun jewelry (or "bling bling" as the two of them call it) on, is always up for a dance party, reading books or just about anything else Emery can charm her way into making happen. 

When Shannon leaves, it's like the day after Christmas, when that holiday high sinks like an elevator to the bottom floor and you're forced to face real life again.

Not sure what the solution to all of this is, since we don't have a spare room for "Shanu" to move into ... unless, Shannon, you're up for bunking with Emery? Let us know! :)

This is what happens

when you don't prick a few holes in your baked potato.

One last time

in my childhood home in Annapolis this weekend, which has finally sold. Ahhh ... it's all too sad and nostalgic to think about very hard, so I'm choosing not to think about it much at all and just enjoy all the memories that have been made here, especially this weekend!

 We celebrated cousin Molly's first birthday and she was ALL smiles ...

Emery was never far from cousin Tucker and repeatedly attacked him with hugs and cuddles, which thankfully didn't seem to bother him in the slightest.

The birthday celebration continued ...

 Uncle Austin was very nice to read with Emery ... one last story on the family room couch (sniffle).

An attempt at a decent family photo in front of the blue house.

Catching some sun on the front stoop ... let's not start thinking about how it was just yesterday that it was ME in little overalls sitting on the front stoop. (sniffle)

 Here is Emery in one of my favorite childhood spots on the side of our house - I'll always remember going to sit on this box when I got bent out of shape about something not going my way while playing outside. It's actually the neighbor's box, but I think he's going to give it to me!

Emery checking out the stove that used to heat our house. (sniffle)

Just being cute at the front door. Good thing these smiles will keep me from sniffling too much tomorrow when we leave for good.