A lot to be Thankful for...

I am still stuffed from Melia's first Thanksgiving. We had our first (for the day) Thanksgiving dinner at Grammy's house (Chris' mom). Chris deep fried a turkey, Linda roasted a turkey and we had lots of trimmings! The family is small, but the meals never are! Melia didn't eat much, but I did take a picture of her first Thanksgiving dinner (on Grammy's china!)

One of the things I am most Thankful for is family. Not only my hubby, daughter and dog, but our extended family. I am so thankful that Melia's great grandparents are here to enjoy her first Thanksgiving. This picture is four generations including Melia.

After dinner and way to many pies, we headed to Lisa's for dinner with her family. Greg's family has always welcomed Chris and I with open arms at their holiday dinners, even when they were not at Lisa's house. It is nice to have a big family around, since mine is all so far away.

Dinner at Lisa's was wonderful. She really has become an amazing cook. Melia LOVED Aunt Lisie's macaroni and cheese! What I love about holidays with my sister is spending time with her kids. The things they say always make me smile. I am thankful that Lisa and her family have chosen to stay so close.

This year was the first Thankgiving that I have been in town in 5 years. Last year I was in Michigan for my baby shower (can't believe it has been a year already!). The 3 years prior Chris and I were on vacation - Southern Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal (it is not easy to find turkey dinner in Cancun!). I love to travel on Thanksgiving and am thankful that we have had the opportunity to travel to so many amazing places.

I think one of the reasons I like to be gone at Thanksgiving is because I miss the way Thanksgiving was when I grew up. I loved having a huge family and even bigger extended family. I loved spending holidays with cousins, aunts and uncles. I love family traditions - Aunt Agnes' jello, Uncle Rick saying grace, pictures with all the cousins. I am thankful Melia has cousins nearby to spend the holidays with, but still a little sad that it will never be the way it was. Even now, my large family has gotten so big that the Shaffners and Fowlers have separate dinners. But I am thankful for amazing childhood memories and a very loving family.


Most of all, this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for our beautiful, healthy baby girl. There really is nothing more important than having a family to love.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I can't believe I just wrote that! But it's true. Lisa and I took the kids today for their Christmas pictures. Once the Christmas props come in the studio gets crazy busy. The lady that has taken Lisa's kids pictures since they were babies does a great job, so we only go when she can do the shoot. Thanks to Grammy for the Christmas dress!


I have given my opinion on every photo place we have been to since Melia was born. JCPenney does a great job. Lisa's lady gives us extra discounts which save us some money as well. Plus you can buy by the sheet instead of packages. Perfect when you have multiple cute poses. The down side is, you have to wait 2 weeks for the pictures. Plus, I always feel like we are rushed. I guess I got spoiled when Michael R. took 2 hours photographing Melia at 10 days old.

So here is a first glimpse at our baby's first Christmas. It is so wrong to say, but they will be here before Thanksgiving!

View photos here!
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10 MONTHS OLD!!!

Today is Melia's 10 month birthday! (It is also 16 years since Chris and I started dating!) So what is new with our little girl...

WALKING! She took her first steps 2 weeks ago and now she is getting better at walking. All over the place! She still prefers to crawl, but can make it across a room on her own two feet!

Teeth. She now has 4. 2 on top and 2 on the bottom. They are super cute and super sharp!

We started sign language and she has "more" figured out. We need to get better at practicing other words, but I have been slacking on this. She says "dad" and "mama", but still prefers to say DAD.

I weighed her today when we went to my mommy group. 17lbs 15oz. She is finally in 9 months clothes. She can still wear 6-9 months in most brands.

Melia is developing her own little personality. She is so much fun and smiles all the time. She always makes me smile. Melia is very curious and not afraid of anything. Luckily, we haven't had any major separation anxiety issues (so far). The doctor told us that peaks around this age.

We are so excited to celebrate her first holiday season. Pictures will be coming soon! In case you didn't figure it out in October, I LOVE holidays and am having tons of fun dressing her accordingly!

Halloween 2009

Melia dressed up as a cowgirl for her first halloween. We bought her entire outfit while we were in Dallas in August. The horse shoes are rattles - so cute! She would not keep the hat on, so I didn't get many good "full outfit" shots.

We went trick or treating with Lisa and her kids. Melia got a ton of candy. She shares well with mommy. I didn't let her actually eat any of it, but this is her trying to get into the stash...