One Big Holiday

Another exciting week on the Lily front. She has slept great every night this week -- the whole night -- and she is now eating seven ounces per feeding and down to a comfortable four feedings per day.

It was a pretty quiet week overall but yesterday we drove out to Northern Virginia to see Marcy's family. Lily's relatives from Louisville (part of the Louisville contingent) were in town for the weekend so she got a chance to meet her Great Uncle Mike and Cousins Allie and Davis. The gathering was hosted by her Great Aunt Jenny and Great Uncle Carlton and Cousin Alex in their fancy new basement. A good time was had by all.

After hanging out we trekked down to the Mall in D.C. to see the National Christmas Tree and the National Menorah. It was pretty cold so we just took a quick peek and then headed back to the car to warm up.

Pictures are below. This should be a fun week. We are currently in the middle of Lily's first snow storm, she may come visit at my office this week, her first Christmas comes up this weekend and then her first plane ride on Sunday to Florida. Should be interesting ... stay tuned.



Lily and her cousin Allie from Louisville getting to know one another.

Lily and her Great Uncle Mike looking at her new sock monkey that was a gift from the Louisville clan.

"I am eating my hands."

Lounging around with her super-cool bumble bee rattle bracelet.

Just taking it all in.

Lily with her mom, cousin Davis and Uncle Stan.

Lily and her monkey posing together. Monkey aka "Richard" has borrowed Lily's bib.

Lily, Marcy and Grandma Gail at the National Christmas Tree in Washington.

Lily and Marcy posing in front of the National Menorah. It was really crowded so we did not go in for a closeup.

Autumn in New York

Well we have returned from an exciting weekend in New York. Lily did great. She slept the whole way up and the whole way back. She also, as per our arrangement (under which she sleeps the night on my feeding nights in exchange for more allowance in a few years), slept the night both Friday and Saturday.

Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of "baby as urban accessory pictures" becase our camera was lodged under the stroller -- Cousin Em has some pictures out and about that she needs to forward to us. We used the jogging stroller this weekend and it was great - the Mac3 handled the streets with ease.

On Sunday we stopped by to see Lily's Great Aunt Paula and had a great breakfast with her. Unfortunately, the car was packed to the gills -- let's just say Marcy packed just about everything we could need for this trip ... even if the trip had been about three weeks longer :) -- and the camera bag was packed away behind everything else. She has some non-digital pics so if we get copies we will be sure to add them.

Lily is eating and growing like crazy. She broke a new sleep record last night -- from 10:30 to 8:30 straight ... let's keep our fingers crossed that this happens again. Enjoy tonight's pictures. Lily's first Christmas and her big trip to Florida are coming up. Stay tuned.


Lily relaxing in the big city at her cousin Emile and Stephanie's fancy New York digs.

Right at home.

"Look at my fancy new bracelets."

Lighting the Menorah with Cousin Emilie.

A present from Great Aunt Donna and Great Uncle Stephen.

"I like Hanukah!! Look at all my great gifts from Emilie and Stephanie."

Recovering from a rough night in the big city.

Lighting the Menorah the next night at home.

Another neat gift from Donna and Stephen.

"I am glad to be back in my own bouncy seat."

Today was the first really cold day of fall/winter. Lily had to really bundle up.

Daddy's Girl

Okey dokey, this is the first entry from Mom and let's just say I am clueless. Stuart is out of town for the rest of the week and not only am I trying to hold down the fort with Lily and Gypsy, I decided that I would make it all the more tougher by trying to prepare my first blog entry...let's just say that it is pretty complicated. The pics are all out of order but I tried...

We have been pretty busy the last few days. Sunday we helped put up the Christmas tree at Grandma and Grandpa's (Tom and Gail) house. Yesterday we actually didn't do much but we did take the jogging stroller out for a spin, much smoother ride - Lily seemed to enjoy!! Last night Lily slept from about 10pm - 6am so I'm hoping for another good night tonight!! Today we shopped at Tysons and Lily visited with Santa. We are keeping busy the rest of the week just waiting for Dad to get home and packing for the trip to NYC.

Lily wishes everyone a Happy Hanukkah and wants to thank her Aunt Donna and Uncle Stephen for the cute outfit for Hannukah. She wanted to open all of the presents tonight but I am making her hold off...need to teach her some discipline even at this early age. Also Lily wants to thank her Great Bubbie for her menorah, she is going to light it before bedtime which should be very shortly...

Well might try another entry later in the week or I might just retire and wait for Stuart to get home...anyways enjoy.

Lily spends a special shout out to her daddy - she misses him and hope he gets home safely!!



Having fun with Grandpa.


Lily smiling for Grandma.


Sleeping in her cap with her husky friend.


Can't you see I'm trying to sleep...


Lily showing off her duck shoes given to her by Aunt Kelly...Auntie I can't wait to show you how big I have gotten, hurry home!!


Getting ready to go on a power walk with Mom and Gypsy in the jogging stroller.


Hi Santa, can you point me in the direction of Hanukkah Harry...but while I'm here, let's discuss my list...


Thanks Auntie Donna for my new outfit, tastes delish.


Lily hanging with her dad.


A little winded after my walk...

Something to Sleep to

So Lily was lying to us last week. She went a whole week sleeping the night and then decided that she missed her middle of the night feeding. Of course she was considerate enough to sleep the night on Friday and Saturday nights (my nights) but I think Marcy thinks that we have conspired against her ... and we have.

Lily is doing great. She is now drinking out of the level two nipples and counting on her fingers and toes.

We are off to New York next weekend and we will be sure to hold Lily up to the Empire State Building so everyone can get some perspective as to how big she has gotten. Of course, in the middle of the week is her first hanukah, she thinks is just about playing with matches but we will clear that up on Tuesday night.

Marcy is watching over my shoulder to learn how to do this so expect more entries in the future ... maybe. Anyway, onto the pictures.



Lily hanging out with her friend Mr. Turtle ... Mr. Turtle's bottom is a mirror - our daughter is very vain!!


Lily -- when she thinks she is off camera and the paparazzi has gone home. Her true colors are revealed. She is such a primadonna.


Trying to stick her toungue out.


Lily with her pacifier and Gypsy with her bone. Partners in crime.


Daddy's little princess and she knows it.


Listening to her dad describe another day at work.


"You mean I am going to have get a job one day ..."


a close up


Lily lounging in her own furniture ... an early Hanukah present from Grandma and Grandpa (the Jewish ones).


"How comfortable is this? Get rid of that bouncy seat."


listing to the side ... maybe not quite ready to sit up yet.


One big happy family. Even Gypsy is sitting down.