Holiday hijinks

My what a busy week it has been. I feel inadequate as a blogger to have let nearly a week pass between posts, but hey, I'm a novice daddy and blogger, so give me some slack.

Petra's week was pretty busy as well. She kept mommy company for a doctor's appointment (everything A-OK!), and then had a very busy Wednesday visiting daddy's work (she and mommy came in the morning). Petra was certainly the hit at work, with everyone oohing and aahing over her. Maybe too many people, as she obviously was geeling pretty cranky. But what a great excuse to leave work early and start the holiday!

Thanksgiving was at my cousin's house in the valley. My mom, my sister and her family, aunt & uncle and some family friends all came to make for quite a crowd. Petra was a BIIIG hit with her cousin. She had been dying to meet Petra, and insisted onholding her every chance she got (that is, until she was "squishing me"). Petra was very sweet though, and didn't melt down until the ride home. I should have been riding in back with her, instead of twisting my back out of whack trying to stick a finger in her mouth to quiet her (which worked).

Friday mom and my sister came over to hang out as well, and other friends also came to visit for awhile. Three days in a row of being center of attention is obviously Petra's limit though. She had a screaming fit for about half an hour Friday night that scared me and mommy. We had to put in ear plugs so we could get close enough to hold her and try to soothe her to sleep. She wouldn't even quiet down for the boob, bringer of all that is good in the world. Once she did settle though, she slept like a log, and was her usual sunny morning baby self the next day.

Breakfast out Saturday was all the excitement she got over the weekend, recovery time much needed by her and by us. Daddy put up a little potted tree for Xmas, and we've got the decorations up and ready for the NEXT holiday. I think we are going to stay home alone for this one!

Milestones? Too many to count. In addition to knowing her vowels (she clearly says "Aayyy" "eeeee" "ai" "Oh", but "Uuh" is a little tough), and repeating them a LOT, she is also REALLY smiling at us. Not that "it might be gas" smile, but real big "hi daddy" smiles with dimples and everything. She is also even more alert than before, and puts her head up and turns it left and righ to track the mobiles in her swing and crib. She watches everything around her all the time. The total screaming meltdown could be called a milestone, but I hope we never see another one!