SANTA!

This first picture was taken at my parents house, when Ivy got a first glimpse of Santa before the main event at Sally's house last Thursday! She studied Santa very carefully, but didn't cry or laugh... I'm glad we did a run through!

The Randolph Christmas party was fun! Ivy was only one of a few babies there- next year she'll be right in the mix of kids waiting to hop up on Santa's knee!

It was a really fun night-- such a difference from last year. I can't believe how our lives have changed!

Happy Holidays!

I had to take advantage of the fall foliage one last time and take some posed pictures outside! The weather here has been gorgeous in the middle of the afternoons- perfect for hanging out in the back yard!

Ivy's first Thanksgiving was fun! My parents came over for dinner- above you can see Ivy's place card... oh how long we waited to see that at our table! So much to be thankful for!

I made her some brussel sprouts and carrots for her dinner- she's liking food alot! I think oatmeal is her favorite- but she'll eat anything we give her pretty much.

On Friday, we headed up to Apple Hill to pick out a Christmas tree for baby's first Christmas! We think the tree is the prettiest one we've ever chosen. Brian insisted on colorful lights this year, because he thought Ivy would like to look at them-- so we have colorful lights inside and out! I have to admit I like the way it looks. People say that Christmas is totally different with kids- and so far I'd say that's pretty acurate. Normally I've got a lot of handmade gifts for everyone in the works- but this year I'm kind of focused on the baby! We bought her a chair that she'll get for Christmas-- so cute- its a club chair made of "leatherette" and it matches out couch! We can all hang out in the living room and read together!

Last week we had our 3rd visit of 4 with our social worker to complete the requirements for Ivy's adoption. We are such proud parents showing Melissa all the new things Ivy can do since last month-- lots of sitting, moving around on her blanket, playing with her toys, vocalizing, etc. It's pretty clear that she is teething in earnest- I simply can't believe there isn't a tooth popping through yet. We feel bad for the little scamp- it must hurt her, but she remains her sweet natured self through it all.

Next week is our neighborhood visit with Santa... we'll see if she freaks out like a lot of other babies do!

Parade Day!

Parade day was so much fun! We had a pretty good turn out- despite a wave of sickness that seems to be going around! It was clear, crisp weather- perfect for an ambiance fire in the fireplace! We had lots of goodies to eat, thanks to everyone bringing lots of tasty treats! Ivy was content to be passed around from lap to lap to enjoy the festivities!

As you can see, she's sitting up really well now. She likes to move from this position to her stomach, and then quickly followed by a flip to her back. Sometimes it looks like she is a contortionist! I guess it won't be too long before she is scooting all over the place! Maybe by Christmas!

Part 2

So we left Louisville on Friday morning, heading to Lexington where we would spend the night and visit a couple of Brian's friends from high school. The drive to Lexington is gorgeous! Beautiful farms on both sides of the road, rolling green hills, horse pastures and barns. Ivy was a delightful traveller- sleeping the majority of the way! On the way to Lexington, we visited Brian's cousin Kenny and his wife Kim. They have a gorgeous log home that they built on top of a hill-- the view is incredible! I thoroughly enjoyed the drive to their home, and on the way back to Lexington, we took a different route that involved crossing a small ferry. The ferry could carry 3-4 cars at a time across the river-- so cute! I guess it is one of the longest continually opperating businesses in the country- I'm so glad we got a chance to go that way!

The picture of Ivy sleeping is when we were out to dinner with friends-- Ivy was so tired! I think this picture makes her look like a pirate with her hair clip slipping over her eye!

On Saturday morning, we had a delicious breakfast at the Cracker Barrel, where we purchased for Ivy a UK cheerleading dress-- for next year maybe. I don't care about basketball... but a lot of other people do apparently! We headed for the hills (litterally!), making our first stop at Brian's uncle Clinton's house. We visited with him and with his cousin Debbie and her boys before hopping in the truck and driving up to "Lick Fork", the family land where Brian and his relatives hunt for turkey and deer. I'd never been up there, and it was a beautiful drive through the leafless trees. Brian's cousin Debbie watched Ivy for us, since it is a dirt road and can be pretty bumpy...

I got a chance to see the family cemetary and the place where the family farm used to be.

We were out in the woods for a couple of hours-- so pretty! But I couldn't wait to get back to Ivy! We picked her up and headed to Brian's parents house. We made some dinner and visited for a while before heading to Hazard where our hotel was. Ivy was plumb worn out with it all, but as usual, a good sport.

Sunday morning we went to the church Brian attended in his youth, and Ivy was doted on by all kinds of admirers! Afterwards, we headed to Aunt Elderee's house for a delicious country lunch! Everyone pitched in and made food- Brian especially requested chicken and dumplings- which we really enjoyed. I especially liked the green beans canned from the garden this summer! I got a chance to meet some family I hadn't met before- and Ivy got passed around from lap to lap as usual!

It was a long trip- we covered a lot of ground and visited tons of people- but we were glad that most everyone got a chance to meet our precious girl!

Ivy distinguished herself as a great traveller- rolling with each new situation as it presented itself! She got really good at sitting up that week- playing with her toys and moving around a lot more! It's fun to got on trips- but it's always nice to get home!

Kentucky part 1

Ok, so here's the first set of pictures from our busy trip to Kentucky! We enjoyed a wonderful visit with Aunt Phoebe at her house (Granny Phoebe to Ivy!). The bacon pictured below is from a big country breakfast we ate together. We certainly didn't need the calories, but it was delish!

The other food pictured was a Louisville Hot Brown and Derby Pie from the Brown Hotel in downtown Lousiville. I love a good hot brown, and wanted to try one from the source! We went there on Thursday- Brian's parents watched Ivy for us while we had our first "date" since we got Ivy! We had lunch and then toured a forge. Not your normal idea of a date, but hey- it worked for us. It definitely felt strange to be by ourselves. I kept looking in the back seat at the carseat! Brian's parents did well with Ivy, but she did cry a fair amount-- missing us I suppose. Brian's sister, Vonda came over and helped entertain her and got her to go to sleep for a while. We did enjoy our time out on the town though!

We got together with family every day during our time in Lousiville. I love the picture below of Ivy in the center of a circle of admirers.... her first hen party! Ivy enjoyed lots of cuddling from everyone! She was a good sport, as usual and seemed delighted at all of the attention. She slept well each night in her little tent and woke up refreshed.

The next blog entry will cover when we left Lousiville to head into the hills of Southeastern Kentucky!