Seeing Red

Halloween is over, thanksgiving is behind us, time to put the orange and brown away and get out the RED! The stroller got an update for the season. All she needs is an integrated iPod for me to take credit for pimping her ride - all the other cars have it...

Swimming in December

I'm considering switching up the holidays. Birthdays near xmas totally suck and as the saying goes "xmas in July". I'm thinking that might not be such a bad idea!

Good lookin' bird

The most work on Tday we planned was figuring out which drive-thru to hit...but something got the best of me and I found myself at the grocery store and all these thanksgiving ingredients found their way into my cart. Very happy they did because this bird is perhaps my best yet. I've steamed a turkey I didn't give enough time to thaw, burnt one and must have undercooked one - but this time I finally got the perfectly browned skin figured out. I believe the secret to my success was room temp, right size and olive oil. Also, PBS and America's Test Kitchen. Olivia enjoyed Turkey the most, tolerated yams and basically liked green beans. She thought pumpkin pie and whip cream were worth the messy hands and took a bite or two. My favorite accomplishment this week is the use of a straw!! YAHOOO. I hate the sippy cups we live with they drip drip drip - but a straw - oh the possibilities. I might actually take her to a drive thru.

Jail Bird

We finally got the baby gate, resistance was futile. The result is sooo nice. I sat on the couch about 5 seconds after it was installed and watched her crawl around the corner out of sight. Suddenly a sense of relief (instead of dread) passed over me as I remembered I could just stay put...she's in lock down. Ahhhh...but relief is short lived. A baby gate is great but it seems you can't do this....

'cause she'll do this....

Ins and Outs

Just learning the ins and outs of pit ball...errr I mean the ball pit. This little contraption (who am I kidding - this ain't little) has been a real hit. We've all enjoyed it from time to time. Currently we are getting most of the laughs as we watch a swan dive into and out of 'the pool'. She's learning to stand unassisted - its the throwing herself over an object I'm concerned about. The crib rails were promptly lowered.

In addition to squirming in the balls, Olivia is quite adept at 'palming' a ball. Here's little Michelle Jordon at it now.

Pictures are worth a thousand words....but video can be used to embarrass you forever!