First Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Well, as it would turn out, I have been diagnosed with pneumonia. I am actually feeling really good today, my third day of crazy antibiotics and codeine. You all know it takes a lot for me to take drugs like this, but I knew when I went in to see the MD that I was coming out with the big guns... Anelya seems to be feeling ok. She still has a runny nose and a cough, especially when she wakes up, but the biggest problem seems to be teething. She has a big old red bump under her nose now and she is tugging her ears and shaking her head no a lot. She's also constantly chewing everything and drooling everywhere. However, no fever and no misery.

My dream baby slept for 13 hours last night and then took two solid naps today. As you all know, I am completely over the top about pretty much everything and so, she had a special Thanksgiving high chair...

After her 1,5 hour morning nap, we packed up and drove (ok it's only 7 miles) to Baba and Hoovie's house. Anelya continues to go absolutely bananas every time she sees Hoovie. When she sees Baba she smiles and reaches for her to hold her. When she sees Hoovie she starts jumping and yelling and laughing. It's so funny.

Today I managed to give Anelya her first pigtail rocket on the top of her head. YESSSSSSS!!!!!

She snacked on sweet potato puffs while dinner cooked and cooked forever. Check the pigtail (which I later added a flower clip too so it could be seen, but sorry, no pictures of that)

Hoovie tickled Anelya for a while and she chewed her teething rings, everyone's fingers, the furniture...

With Baba too...

Gigi and Bob (who I call Gram and Cob) arrived about an hour after we did and my sister and her family arrived shortly after. Anelya looked TOO CUTE in her Thanksgiving dress and turkey bib (ok so there were several Thanksgiving bibs. Zip it.)

In her usual style, Anelya insisted on standing, walking and jumping all day. Thankfully, her cousins were happy to help! Anelya just loves her cousins! (Note the Kazakh slippers she is wearing = LOVE)

But, because of the teething the binky was a highly sought after commodity by my girl, who KNOWS what she wants! GRUNT! GRUNT!

Anelya has learned to sign for more, although she knows that if she screams and grunts she will get what she wants anyway. I need to stop that asap ;-)

Hi - look at my pigtail rocket, please.

This is me starting the meal.

This is me, 100% American on Thanksgiving, having stuffed my face and let myself go a little after the meal of the year!

Mommy (that's me) didn't really get to finish her dinner, as Anelya's nap time approached way too quickly and a nap in Baba and Hoovie's room was so not happening. So, we quickly packed up and went home in time for a 2 hour nap. I am a firm believer that consistent nap routines make for a happy baby, so I am pretty crazy about sticking to Anelya's schedule. Now that she is sick, I am even more of a stickler.

After her 2+ hour nap, we went back to Baba and Hoovie's for dessert. Anelya got to try Gigi's famous Mimi Eisenhower's Pumpkin Chiffon Pie. She took a bite and looked at me and then started grunting. Three bites was all she wrote for Miss Anelya, as it was her first sugar (and last until Christmas when she will get to partake in our family tradition that my sister started of eating Peppermint Stick Ice Cream once a year on Christmas Eve). But MAN, were those bites yummy!

It's almost 8:30p.m. and Anelya has been happily asleep since 6:30p.m. I have so much to be thankful for this year. I am thankful for Anelya and her magical cheeks, who are sound asleep as I write. I am thankful for all of my friends, family and others who have been so incredibly supportive of this journey. I am thankful for my two furry kids, who have adjusted beautifully to their demotions. AND, I am very thankful for the cleaning leprechauns who I know will appear tonight while I sleep to clean every corner of my house. Hey, I'm creating my reality.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends!