Lucy's First Turkey Day

It was a great first Thanksgiving for Lucy!  Every year we switch between Thanksgiving in Schaumburg with the Muskovich/Wennerstrom families and in Arizona with the Blandford family.  We were lucky this year because Grandma Chris and Grandpa Bill stopped by so Lucy got to see everyone on Thanksgiving!  In keeping with tradition, we had way too much food but every bit of it was delicious although the "Rita Rice" turned out to be a clear favorite :)  We continued tradition with the annual lighting of the Muskovich Christmas lights which involves all of us taking a shot of vodka on the front lawn as the lights turn on.  (Much classier of an event than it sounds).  My dad usually turns them on and runs out to join us on the lawn but next year we have challenged him to devise a way to turn them on from the lawn so we can't wait to see what contraption he comes up with! 

It was a great Thanksgiving and of course we have so much to be thankful for this year with our little turkey here!  

We are ready to finally eat!  More stuffing for Joe!

Caitlin LOVES turkey day

Almost ready to see the lights...

Cheers!

Best buddies

Lucy with the chef du jour, Grandma Kathy

We got a first family shot with all 3 of us smiling - makes me smile every time I see it!

Thanksgiving Break Week!

This weekend started Thanksgiving Break Week in our house.  Joe is off work all week so we are loving all of our time with daddy around!!  To kick off the week we hosted our friends for our 7th annual Thanksgiving dinner and as always it was a hilarious night and everyone was overserved on the wine.  It is a tradition we love with our friends but sorry, no pics (and probably better that way) because I thought I lost my phone earlier in the day.  

On Sunday we went to visit Grandma Chris who is recovering from back surgery.  Of course she is doing great.  Most people would hate to hear that they can't sit down for 8 weeks, but for Grandma Chris it will fly by because she never sits anyways.  We had such a relaxing evening and are so happy you feeling better Grandma :)!  

Lucy is getting to spend a lot of time with daddy this week and I am excited because I am getting to things that have been on my to-do list since September, teach some extra classes at work and visit with friends!  We will have lots of pics from the week, Thanksgiving and the circus which we are seeing on Saturday night.  Just a few from the weekend....

When we drive as a family (including Miles) I sit in the back with Lucy because anyone who has met Miles knows he can be a bit rambunctious and we don't want to chance him jumping over/on her.  I thought this was a funny view from the back seat.  Miles helps Joe navigate :)

Feel better Grandma!! We have a lot of walking to do in a few weeks in Disney! 

Daddy joined me for massage class at my favorite place, Bubbles Academy. 

I love my dad!

Lucy attended her first baby shower this weekend!  Hanging out with mommy's friends Marissa and Katy, who is the mom of my newest friend Isla.  

Oh no! More gifts to open?! Let's move this thing along. 

Me and mommy

Eat, Sleep, Massage

I would like to go back to being a baby - wearing footie pajamas, eating as much as I want whenever I want, sleeping at any point in the day, and getting my evening massage.  Yep, massage.  Last week, Lucy and I started a baby massage workshop and I was surprised how much Lucy loved it.  I thought she would fuss the entire time because who really wants olive oil rubbed all over them? But, she smiled and was the happiest baby through the whole class - particularly during the leg and butt massage!  Then, as if the life of a baby couldn't get any better, we went to a mommy/baby group in the afternoon and the guest was a massage therapist! So, Lucy got a second massage for the day!  What a life. 

But, really, we are learning massages have tons of benefits for babies - helping them to relax, aids in digestion, increases body awareness, and improves sleep among other benefits.  And, it is really relaxing for me to spend quiet time alone with her.  So, we are trying to incorporate into her nightly bedtime routine and will see how it goes.  Bath time isn't going as smoothly.  But, for now, she seems to love her massage time!!   

A little more pressure on my legs, mom...

After a long, stressful day I deserve a little R & R!

One Packed Weekend

We had a busy weekend!!

On Saturday cousin Caitlin celebrated her first birthday with a Wizard of Oz themed party.  She was the cutest little birthday girl ever, having so much fun with her gifts (talking Elmo was a favorite!) and loved being the center of attention.  Saturday night went to a wedding reception for Joe's cousin, Renee and Mike.  They got married in Mexico and had an amazing reception back here.  Renee looked so beautiful and we are so happy for them!!

Sunday was Lucy's baptism and she loved all the attention on her special day.  My sister Beth and my brother-in-law Rob are Lucy's Godparents and they are so amazing to her.  Lucy slept all through church in Beth's arms and I can tell she has a very special bond with both of them.  She must have been exhausted from all the work it took to get baptized - she slept through the night for the first time on Sunday night! Thank you so much Beth and Rob for all you do for Lucy!  And, thank you to both of our families who shared it with us - especially Aunt Jill and Uncle Jake who flew in from Colorado for the weekend!

A few pics from the weekend...

The birthday girl with Aunt Katie

 

Caitlin cutting into her impressive rainbow cake

  

Caitlin loved the mobile on Lucy's car seat and kept going back to it...it was so cute!

Lucy with her Godparents Uncle Rob and Aunt Beth

I look bored but was having fun...

Lucy wearing her special bracelet from her Godparents - it is her "old" for her wedding bouquet

A cousin pic - Caitlin looks like she is sitting still but she is actually plotting her climb off of the chair which happened about two seconds later 

Lucy with her Great Godmother, my Aunt Pam

                                         

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!

Happy 1st Birthday Caitlin!!!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Caitlin, happy birthday to you!!! We hope you had a special first birthday and can't wait for all of the exciting things we will do together in the year ahead! You are an awesome big cousin to Lucy and make us all laugh so hard with your wild personality.  

We LOVE YOU!!! 

Love, Uncle Joe, Aunt Julie and Lucy

Happy 2 Months Lucy!!

Lucy turned two month yesterday - where did the past two months go?!  Lucy, we make us happier than ever and we love you so much.  Happy 2 month bday! (sorry, I can't figure out how to rotate the photos. I need to get in touch with my expert blogger sister for this technical glitch.)

Just one month ago...

Smile!

Over the past few weeks Lucy has been smiling all the time...at us, at her toys, even in her sleep. Nothing makes us happier than when we see that little smile.  I haven't been able to catch many on camera but here are a few.  So sweet!
   

Lucy's First Halloween!

Our little ladybug had a great first Halloween!

Lucy helped us to carve her first pumpkin - and although didn't seem to enjoy the process as much as we had hoped....

(Lucy during carving)

...the outcome was successful.  We will hope for a bit more enthusiasm next year!

On Saturday Lucy met her cousins Abigail and Caitlin to trick-or-treat at Great Grandma Fran's home.  Lucy met Grandma Fran for the first time and it was very sweet.  My grandma gave her tons of kisses on her forehead and my grandma was so peaceful and happy around her great grandchildren. We then visited with Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Joe to celebrate Grandpa Joe's FIRST PLACE in his division at the Haunted Hustle Marathon in WI!!  Forget cash prizes, for his first place finish my dad got a beer mug!

Ready to head out trick-or-treating!

Lucy getting kisses from Great Grandma Fran (they are separated by 97 years)

Lucy hanging out with her Uncle Rob

All the girls (and one lucky man)

Lucy telling Grandpa how proud she is of his marathon place!

Hope everyone had a great Halloween!!