While this monthiversary is practically ignored by Hallmark—who consistently fail to even offer a card for it—we can’t help celebrate for a number of reasons. First, we like to celebrate stuff. Second, it’s right after Thanksgiving so we are already thinking about things we are happy about. Third, it’s right after Thanksgiving so I have a little time to write and peace and quiet as Grace is in bed with Nana, Poppy and Jenn watching Sesame Street (I think they ALL might learn a little something). Finally, Layla and Nicole Fanucci our favorite art and wine family (they make both) took some great pictures, which means less work for me. It’s a Happy and Lazy weekend for me!
Turkey Day and Chicken Day
We had a wonderful, quiet Thanksgiving Dinner with Nana and Poppy and Marcia and Homer (who go by “Mimi” and “Popau” to Grace). For what it is worth, Grace was thankful for: all these people giving her lots of love, Elmo, the right to throw tantrums, (Big) Baby, Bla Bla, (Little) Baby, Bear and (New) Baby…oh and Lincoln (kind of).
The day after Thanksgiving, we visited the Fanucci compound in the heart of St Helena specifically to see how Rob and Layla have filled their empty nest and give Grace a chance see where two of her favorite things, eggs and chicken nuggets, come from. Maggie, Matilda, Mia, Merdel, Mabel, Maybeline, Madison, Madeline and Marabella did their part in delighting our little girl giving her another 9 things to be thankful for. We look forward to seeing them all when we go to Napa for visits. Fortunately, M&M&M&M&M&M&M&M&M can be thankful that they are there purely for the eggs and entertainment, they’ll never be nuggets!
Mmmm tastes like chicken!
Walking, Talking and…um…more.
At 20 months, Grace is hitting milestones like they are going out of style. In the last month she has taken to walking more than ever before and is getting better and better at it everyday. Her vocabulary is also improving and she is able to name almost everything that she tries to kiss. There are even some word combos coming out that imply a sentence, though they generally include one real word and something in gibberish. She repeats her gibberish with such conviction that the words are sure to mean something, if we were only smart enough to know what.
Her greatest and latest accomplishment—other than the appearance of several drool-inducing, cheek-reddening, sleep-depriving, food-averting teeth—has been in the bathroom. I will try to exercise some discretion here, but where she has been slow in the walking department, Grace has more than made up for in the potty training. Before we could crack open even one of our dust-gathering parenting manuals to the bathroom chapter, Grace started to ask to sit on the potty. Soon after that we hit the #1 jackpot and as of about half and hour ago, she managed the #2 coup de grace and a well-deserved royal flush.
Coming Soon: Hazel
Not a moment too soon, Grace’s favorite bedtime book changed recently from “Goodnight Moon” to “I’m a Big Sister Now”. She can’t possibly understand how relevant these seemingly fun words and pictures will soon be to her everyday life. She has a loooong way to go to understand sharing and the importance of being gentle to the babies she claims to love. She knows that there is something in Mommy’s belly called Hazel and she loves to kiss and pat the belly but the gravity of the situation is clearly lost on her.
We could not have asked for a better 20 months with 1 wonderful daughter and we look forward to the next 2o with a certain large massive amount of concern fear terror that same wonderful daughter and whatever is about to descend upon us.
Grace, we love you VERY much and that will not change with the arrival of your sister Hazel. What will change is…well everything else in our lives, as we know them. We can’t promise that it will be easy or fun all of the time, but we are in this together so it can’t be all bad.
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