Hat Trick

Mia got a new hat.

She liked it at first, then wasn't so sure. Grandpa Al swayed her opinion when he said she looked like a "Slovenian homeless woman".

Mia is now determined to learn how to pull hats off.

The Joys of Turkey Day

A couple of days before Thanksgiving, Nick and I had a conversation about how we both thought Thanksgiving might just be our favorite holiday. We love Christmas, but Thanksgiving didn't have all the stress of buying gifts and the madness of the holiday schedules. As I agreed whole-heartedly with Nick that Thanksgiving was wonderful, I had a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach that I couldn't figure out until the night before Turkey Day. I realized what it was as I was faced with the realization of everything I had to get together by the next morning. Stress. I forgot that Thanksgiving has stress too... it's just all packed into one 24 hour period, so it doesn't seem like much compared to the entire month of December. And I wasn't even the one hosting it! I suddenly had a lot of sympathy for my mom for all those years when she essentially prepared the whole feast on her own. Sure, we helped, but were a bunch of kids really all that helpful? That thought was enough to make me never want to shoulder the whole meal by myself in the future...EVER. Admittedly, Nick confessed that his family had spoiled him into thinking that the men didn't have to do anything on Turkey Day but play football, eat, watch football, and eat again. I'm sure he will always look forward to the years when we are in Omaha for Thanksgiving, when he can revert back to his old ways... In the meantime, I'm grateful for his help!

This year, Nick kicked things off with a Turkey Trot through Old Town Alexandria.

Then we headed off to Mike & Mary's house to enjoy the next two days with the Selden clan.

Our friend, Nate, joined us & agreed to hold Mia for the first time... We've got proof now, Nate! Before long we'll have you changing diapers.

Sue, Brian, my cousin Jessica, & her husband, Ryan chattin' it up before dinner.

Grandma Sue couldn't have been happier to have so much of the family together... unless, of course, we could have gotten the Jacksons to join us. We missed you guys!

Mia was feeling the love from her cousins.

Turns out, those Selden kids inherited some of the music genes. First a piano concert...

... then a jam session on the drums. Great Grandpa Butch would be proud, Tyler.

Mike led some of the family in a serious game of Puerto Rico... I generally opt out of the epic games, but Mia was whispering strategies to Grandpa Wally the whole time.

Since it isn't a Selden year for Christmas in 2009, we did our 2nd annual Yankee gift exchange at Thanksgiving. Surprisingly, there were only 3 iTunes gift cards in play this time.

We had a great time and were grateful to Mike & Mary for hosting us all. Their new house was perfect for the gathering and everything was beautiful!

Sitting Pretty

Another milestone...

Mia seems to be right on track at 6 months with her sitting ability.

She is getting pretty good at it, but it is still nice to practice somewhere where the landing is nice and soft.

Daddy's Girl

Mia has always loved hanging with Dad, but she seems to have entered a new phase of obsession where she must know where Dad is at all times. If she hears him, but doesn't see him, he must be found before she will continue with whatever it was that she was doing.

The question is, who is wrapped around whose finger in this picture?

Signing with Colgate University

As much as we would love to say that Mia is already being recruited, this college commitment wasn't hers. The goalie from the team I coach signed with Colgate this week to play Division I lacrosse. She has worked hard & definitely deserves the honor. We attended the signing ceremony where Hanna and three other McLean students signed with Division I schools to play various sports... Probably the biggest year for recruits the school has had in a very long time, if ever.

My assistant coach and I said a few words about Hanna while the school's principal watched Mia for me. No one was twisting her arm... Mia is always sought after.

Hanna needed a little Mia time after the signing as well. Can you tell the ceremony took the place of a nap that day? And to make matters worse, I took Mia for her 4th shot this week (H1N1 this time) right afterward. She was so desensitized, she didn't even make a peep when they gave her the shot. (A first for the nurse.) I just pretended like Mia was always that tough.

Bye Daddy

Sometimes in the mornings, I will prop Mia up on a pillow or two on the couch so she can see her Dad leaving for work. She is trying to figure out where he goes all day.

She loves looking out the window & will try to stick with it for as long as possible.

Slowly, her legs begin to give out, but she doesn't give up. She holds on till the bitter end...

She misses her dad.

Friday Night Lights

Although it was not Mia's first football game, it was her first high school football game. Nick and I decided to go to the big rivalry game at the high school where I coach lacrosse. Mia got a lot of attention in the stands & was layered and bundled, but there wasn't much we could do to keep her face warm. She was about done at halftime, so we missed the nail-biting, overtime finish with a 35-34 victory for the home team!