Baby Girl Turns ONE!

Hadley turned ONE on Thanksgiving Day! To commemorate this monumentous occasion, we all (DGs sister Jinnie, Bloom, and Mark) travelled 9+ hours to DGs home town of Yankton, SD. She did really well in the car, especially with me in the back seat sitting next to her acting like a one person variety show the entire trip to entertain her.


Upon arriving, the night before TG, we celebrated with DGs whole family eating cupcakes and opening presents. I made Martha Stewart's Yellow Butter Cake and Chocolate Frosting recipe. Nothing like adding butter and sugar to your baby's diet. As you can see from the Joker's smile, the cupcakes were a hit.


We stayed with the most gracious hosts, Carol and John who took us in as if we were their own family. We loved staying with them and had so much fun, we threatened to move into their basement apartment. Every night until 11pm, we all played Uno ATTACK A.K.A., my new favorite game. We also had our TG Feast at their house. Check out this spread.


Grandma Mary and Carol did the majority of the cooking. For the 1st time in several years, I practically sat back and twiddled my thumbs. Ok, well, I simply whipped up some Sweet Potatoes with a pecan steusel topping and some fresh cranberry sauce.


Hadley and Bloom got some good Grandparent time.


When we were in Yankton, SD, there was a Santa set up at the end of the mall. Compared to the 3 hours lines of fuss and glitz at our she-she mall here in Colorado, this was more my speed.



About a week before her birthday, Hadley had started standing and taking steps on her own. Each day she goes a little bit further. She is also dying to talk and communicate. She has started to say and do things in an appropriate manner without being prompted. She will say "All Done" and give me the sign when she wants a meal to be over. She requests bananas, and when she wants something, she points to it and says "Dat". I've tried this method with DG for years with fancy jewelry and ponies, but I'm just not as cute as Hadley.

She's perfect and since she listens so intently to what we say and has started to mimic us, I am officially trying to tone down my language around her. You may say FTSB, but SOB it's MoFo hard. Especially since I am so fiery these days over just about anything. Glad I got that out of my system.

Happy Thanksgiving

DG has our holiday lights up, it's 20 degrees, the Macy's Day parade is on, the Xmas shopping is done, and I got all of my work done last night, so I'm lounging about in pjs, drinking decaffeinated coffee and reading ads. My most relaxing Thanksgiving ever.

Our little turkey is still cooking today. We feel so blessed by the love and support of all of our friends that call to check on us. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday.

Thanksgiving 2007

In all the excitement, I haven't mentioned that we are hosting Thanksgiving this year for 14, including us. Luckily I am only making the turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and pecan pie. Easy.

Though everyone is convinced that I could go any day (including the doctor), I would like to hold off another week on giving birth so no more walking and swimming for me until next Monday. And wouldn't you know that we have tickets to White Christmas next week. Something I've been looking forward to ALL year. Keeping my legs crossed that we can go. Now what is this cramping that I'm feeling in my belly? Oh well, I guess if I have to go and have a baby I will.

Gobble gobble gone

Before


We ate so much that dinner was not an option, though the cook drank her way through dinner after the work of cooking for two days.

After


Notice in the after who has licked the plate clean (DG and CAG) and who has not. Hmmm.

Cage free, hormone free, hopefully not taste free

Slept in to the late hour of 8:30am, rolled out of bed, into clothes on the floor and out the door to the supermarket. It was tank top day here as it was v. warm outside. Had a great day with the dogs listening to music and cooking. Here is tomorrow's menu:
Appetizers at 1:00pm
Flat Bread Crackers
White Bean dip
Saint Albray Cheese - from the Aquitaine region of France. It is soft and creamy like Camembert.
Wenslydale Cheese with Cranberries - Harder young white cheese from England.
Cranberry Orange Martini's

Dinner at 2:00pm
11lb cage free, hormone free, vegetarian fed turkey, brining as I type
Cheesy potatoes au gratin
Gravy
Cranberry Pecan Dressing
Lemon herb biscuits
Cranberry Orange Relish
Pumpkin Pie
Chocolate Pecan Pie

Jinnie (SIL) is also bringing several sides (green beans and sweet potatoes) and wine. It will be a feast.

The relish and bean dip are done, and I am making stock with the giblets for my gravy tomorrow. Later tonight I'm moving on to pies. Cooking can be fun when it is done ahead of time. Check back with me tomorrow at 12:45 though!