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Day after Christmas

Shoes!
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

It's only 12:30 on the day after Christmas, but Cate's on her third outfit. Good times! The one constant, however, is the shoes on her feet. Aunt Alyssa bought Cate her first pair of shoes for Christmas and we love them!

We have had a lot of firsts the last few days. In keeping with tradition, Telfer and I went out to a nice dinner a couple of days before Christmas, marking our first date alone as parents. Cate stayed with a babysitter who got paid to watch a Christmas movie at our house with her husband (Cate goes to bed at about 6:30!). On Christmas Eve, Cate slept in her own room for the first time. I can't quite put her in the crib, so she's still in the bassinet, but she's sleeping really well down in her room. And now, shoes! What's next?

Merry Christmas

smiles
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

Telfer and I have enjoyed Cate on her first Christmas. She is so smiley and so sweet...love to you all. We hope your Christmas Day is memorable and celebratory!

Proof

cate sleeping 2
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

For those of you concerned that Cate's hair follicles aren't being properly aired, here is proof that she is occasionally without a hat.

'Tis the Week of Christmas

second tree!
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

And there's lots happening at our house...well, not a lot, but just enough to be fun. 

As of last night, we are now on our second Christmas tree of the season...our first tree was literally dead. Yes, we watered it. Telfer was a little embarrassed to be seen in the neighborhood wrestling a second tree into the house but it is so worth it. And regardless, we like the second one even better!

henry loves elizabeth
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

Elizabeth came for the weekend. After a looong drive down from the Bay area (I-5 was closed due to weather and then she got stuck in LA traffic, yes, it's as bad as they say), we had such a jolly time baking, walking, drinking coffee, watching Little Women and Elf, and all the other things sisters do together. I love her.

yulekage bread
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

As one component of our baking extravaganza, I attempted my mom's yulekage recipe, one part of our family's traditional Norwegian Christmas breakfast. Last year my attempt failed spectacularly, but this year! Success! So good. I sent a loaf home to my parent's house with Elizabeth...we'll see what my mom thinks.

Anesthesia Santa!

first visit with santa
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

The party featured Santa Claus but Cate didn't seem really impressed this year. Maybe next year we can get the classic screaming in the arms of Santa Claus picture. One can only hope...

A little too much

elfin cate
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

We attended Telfer's Anesthesia Christmas party on Saturday night. This outfit was deemed "a little too much" by her parents. Good call.

Button tree

button garland - close up
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

At the request of Mom & Alyssa, here's a picture of my button tree. I think it turned out very cute except looking at it now, I think, my goodness, that's a lot of buttons, who would actually spend the time sewing buttons onto wire? Oh wait, that would be me.

Two months +

smiley girl
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

Cate is a little over two months now and yesterday was the dreaded two month vaccination appointment. Cate was not impressed with the proceedings. She actually turned purple. Traumatic, yes, but she took the best nap ever, even allowing her parents to meet at a local restaurant for a glass of wine. Very thoughtful of her. And, as you can see by this picture, yesterday's events have done no lasting damage. She spent a good ten minutes smiling and cooing at her daddy this morning.

Next generation of Young-ish Girls

All four girls
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

Is it possible to find four cuter girls?

Thursday Night

tales of beedle the bard
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

While Telfer was working and Cate was sleeping, I spent an enjoyable evening reading The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Sigh.

Our little traveller

Cate in her oft repeated Thanksgiving outfit
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

I have been a little negligent in posting this week. It's been a strange one. Telfer is really busy at work, we've had trauma/drama with cars, but mostly, my days slip by, busy with feedings, naps, laundry, baths, poopy diapers and a smiley, darling baby.

Also, I have been preoccupied with decorating for Christmas. I love decorating for Christmas but what used to take me one day now took three. The baby is certainly one reason, but I became obsessed with making button garlands (I got the idea in my favorite home store in Richland while shopping with Mom). Literally, I spent every spare moment for three days threading buttons on thin wire. Ridiculous but! the little tree in our library looks so cute. I will post pictures soon.

Our Washington Thanksgiving trip was such a success. Cate was a successful traveller, conking out at every available opportunity. Her parents even caught up on issues of the New Yorker and The Week. On our first flight, the passenger sitting next to Telfer didn't even realize we were traveling with a baby for quite some time...Even if she is a horrible frequent flyer in the future, we will look back on her first flight with fondness.

In Olympia, Cate met her Aunt Claire, Uncle Nate, and Aunt Eleanor for the first time. She approved. RaChelle drove down from Vancouver to meet Cate while we were in Olympia. So fun. The two of us went to coffee to chat and mini-celebrate RaChelle's 30th birthday. We then spent Thanksgiving In Richland at my parent's house (my mom's Thanksgiving dinner is still my favorite). Cate met her Papa, Uncle Nate (yes, she has two), and cousins Eden and Cora for the first time. She approved of them too. How blessed is this baby to have two sets of loving grandparents and a host of wonderful aunts, uncles and cousins? This is a blessing we certainly don't take for granted.