Yep, still here

Thanksgiving can be a very busy time of year normally, but this year was exceptionally busy.
This past week has run us all a bit ragged. Nothing dramatic or anything like that, just really busy with life. We started out getting the remainder of the items we needed for making Thanksgiving dinner for my folks (2 shifts worth, about 30 people at that point) on Wednesday, followed by DH picking up Auntie J (his sister).
Miss C loves her Auntie J to pieces so she has had a great time since Auntie J's arrival.
Thursday we all spent time at my work getting the meal together and helping serve. Understandably, Miss C got tired about an hour into it, so she left with DH and Auntie J. By the time i got home, they had all gotten a 2 hour nap, lucky dogs! We spent the remainder of the day playing hide and seek and making all sorts of pictures.
Yesterday we avoided the crowds (can't even imagine how Miss C would have handled the crowds that are normally out on Black Friday). We ended up having a nice dinner here at home and playing all day. It was a great time!
Today was adventure day. We went to the "new playground" again and Miss C got to "play baseball", as she refers to the batting cages. She has definitely gotten her swing down! This time we even ventured into the reading area and read a few good kids books they had. They actually have a nice selection considering the general audience of the place. When we got home, it was time for more games and the making some stained glass (we use plastic and markers but the effect is similar) and some paintings. Miss C had pretty much decided that we are making our Christmas cards tomorrow so that will be fun!
In all, a very busy and very fun weekend so far!
I do have one thing on my mind though. We can get Miss C a flu shot on Thursday (the one day they are doing it) but they are currently only offering the H1N1 shot, the regular shot is still for high risk patients only due to the limited number. At this point in the flu season, I am unsure of whether or not to get her a shot. Thoughts anyone?

What a busy week we have had!

Ok, so when we last visited Miss C's doctor, we discussed some signs that Miss C might be ready to start on cereals. For example, does she eat more than normal? Is she teething? Does she show an interest in our food? Can she hold her head up? Can she sit unsupported in a chair? Well, the answer was yes to all of the above. One of the main reasons we chose to start cereals recently is that Miss C seems to need them. She is still primarily getting breast milk, but she has been getting some cereal in the evenings lately. We are going to start with breakfast soon.

Speaking of which, check out this great photo of Miss C and her Daddy!

In addition to that major change, DH's sister, J, came out for a week. She did us the great favor of organizing what we are now calling our library (its a ton of books in both our office and the family room but they are only separated by a set of double doors so...). It looks great and will look even better once we get our drapes but please, don't ask about those! We took some time and put up some wallies on Miss C's ceiling fan and in her bathroom. Check out this picture from her bathroom.

Pretty neat, eh? Miss C loves yellow and seems to like the fish!

In addition, Miss C got to spend lots of time with her Auntie J. They get along great and had a blast playing together. It only took Miss C about 3 days to become really relaxed with her. As you can see, they get along famously.

I went back to work today. First "real" work day here in the great Northwest. It's a neat job and I am looking forward to learning a lot and working with the folks here. My only concern is the fact that there are shifts here and there may be times when I have to have someone stay with Miss C at night for a few nights or in the evening for a few evenings if DH is gone. I am trying not to stress the possibility out, but its there. This is also the longest I have had Miss C at day care. She was at Ms. J's house today from 7 am to 330 pm. It will probably be 4 pm tomorrow. I feel like I am not doing something right because she is there so much, but my working hours, right now, are 730 am to 4 pm so I am struggling to make sure Miss C isn't there too much longer than she has to be. I don't really have a choice because DH's hours are about the same as mine. I keep telling myself something that DH's Mom told me once, "It's not the quantity of time you spend with your daughter but the quality." I hope she's right.