Breakfast With Santa at Macy's on State Street

She sat on Santa's lap for the first time today.  She almost cried.  She ate french toast and fruit with her Mommy, Aunt Melissa, and Cousin Henry.  She made a mess.  She never cried though.  She was such a good girl today!  (She must know that's where Mommy used to work when she first moved to Chicago.)  She wore a red velour top and matching ivory pants with red "shoes" her Nana gave her.  She kept trying to eat Henry's crayons.  She was entertained by Henry.  She saw the Christmas windows at Macy's in the rain.  She entertained the children ahead of us in the line to see Santa.  She loved the little Christmas bear given to her for sitting on Santa's lap.  She probably didn't have nearly as much fun as Mommy.  She made Mommy so happy.  She was beautiful.

Mommy Television

Little do you know Lucy that Mommy's watching you while you sleep...or while you're supposed to be sleeping.

Now I know video monitors are overkill.  I've been made fun of for how obsessed I am at watching this little "TV".  Maybe it's because this is my first baby, but I only get one day...ONE day to spend alone with my baby a week.  The weekends are chock full of errands and obligations, with naps on the go.  So I take advantage of the time I get and watch her even when she's trying to fall asleep.  I wonder if she knows she's not alone.  I guess it's my way of being with her, even if she doesn't know it.

I sometimes think that people must assume that I watch a lot of TV on my one day off.  But when Lucy's awake I spend time feeding and nursing her, playing with her and teaching, photographing her, and today she had a bath.  When she's down for her morning nap I either shower or enjoy a cup of coffee and breakfast and just relax...usually watching this monitor until she falls asleep.  The second nap I try to check email, clean up, maybe update this blog, and finish any other "to-dos".  And 50% of the time I'm usually trying to take Lucy somewhere fun: playdates, shopping, etc. which can eat up the whole day.  Next week Lucy has a professional photo shoot scheduled!  That should be fun.

Well, I'm rambling now (something I'm good at), but here's the result of that nap after Lucy played in her crib for half an hour...Lucy with her puppies.  I think my version of TV is much better.

Happy 4th Birthday Party Henry!

Ice cream cake in honor of Cousin Henry's 4th Birthday Party!  I can't believe he is turning 4 already.  He looks like such a big boy now.  I remember holding him for the first time just hours after he was born, when he opened his eyes and looked straight into mine.  It was that moment that sold me.  I needed a plan to "get me one of those"!  And then came Lucy.  

Henry's not my short, pudgy little old-soul of a nephew anymore.  He's turned into quite the big boy, lanky and still blonde, and more daring every day.  And Miles isn't too far behind him!  But he wasn't above giving Lucy a genuine kiss and hug as a thank-you for coming, and he still calls me Babe.  I hope that part of him never grows old.

December Playdate

Toys, toys, toys!  Lucy got to have a playdate again with her friend Brendan.  He and Mommy Kim invited us over to their house and were so sweet to share all of their toys with Lucy.  She stared at Brendan during lunch time (was too distracted to even eat!) and then had so much fun burning off energy in his playroom.  It was so cute to watch her explore and see her in new surroundings with toys galore.  She wasn't shy one bit!  I also scored a couple of cute photos with my baby girl...these are so few and far between for me to get the two of us captured together, so I just had to post both.