Lights!

One year ago today, we wanted to check out the Arboretum's new holiday interactive light display. I was very pregnant and my doctor had just put me on a trial bed rest for the week of Thanksgiving to see if I could get my blood pressure to come down. I was off work that week and mostly taking it easy but decided a little holiday lights would be okay. We did not purchase tickets in advance and when we got there the wait was two hours long. Needless to say, we left and went home never seeing the lights.

What a difference a year makes. Tonight, exactly one year later, we headed out to see the light display with an 11 1/2 month old baby. Fortunately, the weather was in the high 40s, and Miss C was bundled up and warm.

Next year we will try to remember and take a better camera. iPhone photos do not do the beautiful lights justice.

Father and daughter.

Chandeliers hanging from the trees. 

The lights were accompanied by music from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. 

First Thanksgiving

Claudia had her first Thanksgiving yesterday and her last "first" holiday. We stayed home most of the day and had dinner with some friends. It was quieter than usual but that's because we have grandmas and grandpas coming for a big birthday bash next weekend.

First order of business on Thanksgiving is to get dressed and go to Starbucks. 

Second order of business on Thanksgiving is to put on holiday-appropriate attire. 

First Party!

Last weekend Claudia was invited to attend her first-ever party. Her friend, Ellie turned one!

Ellie getting her pumpkin cupcake. 

The babies in attendance. Claudia is such a social gal. 

Celebration!

It's a little late but I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Joe celebrated his birthday on Saturday. Originally we had planned to go out for a fancy dinner but after checking with five (!) different people to babysit and not finding a sitter, we just went out for a nice lunch as a family. And, actually, that ended up probably being the very best option.

Play Date

We had a play date with our friend, Laila earlier this week. I love how Claudia is actually starting to interact with her friends.

Eleven Months Old

Claudia turned 11 months old yesterday. She has 9 teeth, is very social, loves to be tickled, is standing without holding on to anything and is a very happy baby. We cannot believe she is almost a year old.