I'm Boycotting Christmas...

At least until December.

You see, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, hands down.  It's an entire holiday based around hanging out with the people you love, eating delicious food, and watching football.  There are no presents to stress over.  It's always on a weekday, so you are guaranteed a day off (umm, unless your not, sorry, in which case let me know next year and I'll bring you a plate!). 

This year we have so much to be thankful for, that it just seemed wrong to jump into all things Christmas the very next day.  Seriously, I tried to listen to Christmas music, and it just didn't work.  So, for the next 3 days I'll be basking in the buttery glow of a heightened sense of gratitude, leftovers and fall colors. 

Our Thanksgiving day was fantastic.  We started out at my parents' house with tons of relatives and food and ended up at Sam's parents' house where Avery got to meet her Aunt Linda, Uncle Doyle, and Greatgrandpa Forbes for the first time.  Magic.  Well, almost magic. 

We had such a cute little "I'm Stuffed" Thanksgiving outfit for Avery to wear.  She managed to have a blowout in it approximately 5 minutes after getting to my parents' house, so no pictures in that. 

In case you weren't keeping track, that now makes the count:
Avery - 139 Alison's attempts to dress her daughter in adorable outfits for special occasions - 0. 

Luckily, there was enough cuteness going around to overcome the lack of fall themed fashion.

I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving!  Have you succumbed to the Christmas craziness yet? 

Big Plans

I had big plans for today.  A list of chores to accomplish and errands to run.  Things like bedroom organization and menu planning and, well, showering.
But every time I put little bit down in her swing or under her activity mat to hang out for a minute while I got things done, she would express her displeasure.  So finally, I got the message.  I sat and held my baby for the better part of the afternoon.  We read stories and made faces at each other and had a good long heart to heart.

Then the hubs came home and he felt awful.  So I sent him to bed, grabbed Avery and we made a quick trip to the store for supplies.  When we got home I unloaded and made Sam soup and toast and tea, and took it to him on a tray.

Then I nursed Avery and we read some more.  (Side Note: in addition to actual children's books, we're currently reading Her Fearful Symmetry, because, well, she can listen to me read for really extended periods of time, and you can only do so much Cat in the Hat.)

Now, the day is over, and my kitchen and the nursery are still the only clean rooms in my house.  The errands did not get run.  And, um, I never did get a shower.  But I got to see every new smile that crossed tat sweet girls face, and my husband feels well loved (if not actually well), and that makes today a pretty productive day in my book.

Weekend Wrap-Up

This weekend Sam was off Friday and Saturday, which is a not-so-minor miracle in this household.  Now I know how all you normal families feel :)

Friday night I put on actual lady clothes for the first time in months (as opposed to maternity clothes and / or sweatpants) and Sam and I went out for sushi and Starbucks.  I made Sam take a picture of Avery and I when we got home because there are 3,496 photos of Sam and Avery and 2 of her and I. 

I just have a few comments regarding this photo. 

a) Thanks to Ain't No Mom Jeans for convincing me to try skinny jeans.  I'm not 100% sold, but for $17 (thank you sale at Old Navy!) it was a worthy experiment.  Also, I'm hoping that wearing something with the word "skinny" in it will send a message to my muffin top (or really, let's just call it what it is... mom top) to get it in gear. b) I totally signed up for Weight Watchers again after I saw this photo.  c)Why is my child looking at me like, "Who the crud are you??" Sigh.

"I'm sorry... Do I know you?

Whatever, we had fun and the sushi was delicious!  It was a much needed date night, so thanks to my mom and dad for babysitting. 

Saturday Avery got to experience her first Rangers game!

Avery got too nervous to watch when they were down 2-1.  Man up, Avery.

We were bummed that we weren't there last night when they clinched the division, but it was a happy festive day today knowing that they were in the playoffs for sure.  Naturally, Avery attracted tons of attention for being completely tiny and adorable. 

Unfortunately, we didn't make it all the way through the game because we live on the face of the sun it is still ridiculously hot here, and our seats crept out of the shade.  We didn't think giving her heat stroke would make Avery a fan for life, so we headed out early.   We did, however, stop by the gift shop on our way out and purchase Avery's post-season outfit as all of her other Rangers gear is still too big for her.  Matching Mommy/Daughter shirts aren't lame if they are sports related, right?