tree shopping

Mason,

One highlight of the Christmas season is selecting and enjoying our fresh Christmas tree. No fake trees are allowed in our house! We buy our tree each year from the same farmer at Eastern Market.

When we arrived, the tree farmer, who remembers Daddy and me from previous years, came over to say hello and congratulate us on your arrival. He said, "How old is he? Four months?" He was surprised when we told him you were only two months old.

You do look quite mature for your age.

We also bought a fresh wreath for our front door.

Despite your calm appearance in these pictures, you were quite fussy on this excursion. You're just not a shopper, are you? We'll keep working on it!

Hugs and kisses,

Mommy

one turkey picks up another

Mason,

A few years ago, I discovered the delight of cooking and eating a fresh turkey on Thanksgiving. Part of the experience includes joining the masses in picking up turkeys at Eastern Market a day or two before the holiday. What a joy to take you with me this year!

Grandma and Grandpa helped us prep for Thanksgiving dinner--I couldn't have pulled off this meal without their help this year. I would get 10 minutes into a recipe, you would start fussing, and I would return 30 minutes later to find the dish completed by Grandma and Grandpa. They did all the work while I cared for you--what lifesavers!

Here we are at the end of the turkey line.

We waited in line 40 minutes. You were a doll and put yourself to sleep in your car seat.

But then you woke up and helped me select fresh flowers for the table.

You weighed more than the turkey, but not much. You will have less patience for the turkey line in future years, if you accompany me on this errand. I hope you will, though. It's one of my favorite DC Thanksgiving traditions. I loved having you with me this year!

XOXO,
Mommy

weekend fun

Mason,

Isn't Daddy a great writer? I knew he'd enjoy contributing to your blog once he finally sat down and did it. The Tennessee/LSU game wasn't the only fun you had this weekend. Daddy and I also took you to one of our favorite places in our neighborhood: Eastern Market.

You helped us shop for Honeycrisp apples and vegetables.

We admired the flowers.

And you slept through all of it. Just wait until we take you back for breakfast one Saturday morning, Sweetie. With your appetite, you'll be demanding your own plate of blue bucks before long.

On Sunday morning, we all managed to wake up, eat breakfast, get dressed, and walk the six blocks to church. Even after spending extra time figuring out how to lock up your stroller outside the church, we still made it inside and sat down before the service started. Don't underestimate the major accomplishment that this was.

To our amazement, you slept strapped in your car seat for over three hours and barely made a peep, persevering throughout the walk there, the service, and the walk home. While at church, you met your baby friend Holden, who was born two days after you, and weighed two pounds less than you did at birth.

You're becoming a little more portable, Cupcake, which means we have all sorts of fun outings in store for us!

Love you,
Mommy