Dear Maeve,
Last week we celebrated your very first Thanksgiving! And it was wonderful! Did you know that Thanksgiving is your dad's very favorite holiday? This should come as a surprise to no one, as some of his very favorite things in life include time with friends and family, and cooking. And if this year is any indication, you might also have a new favorite holiday, my love!
I tried to savor this, your very first Thanksgiving, and to remember it all for you. It began on Wednesday, really. You and I got some shopping done early in the day with grandma, who took care of you that afternoon while I did some prepping. Thursday, Thanksgiving morning, was blissfully spent listening to Christmas music and cooking dishes with your dad for our brunch celebration at grandma and grandpa's house. There, grandma and grandpa set up your highchair in the dining room, with special baby "china" just for you. We were greeted with an impressive spread of cheese, fruit and marmalade before brunch. Grandma even made a special dish (mashed potatoes) just for you! You were not a fan, though. Ha. After eating, we got a surprise visit from auntie Carole and cousin Xavier. Xavier held you and we all laughed together loudly as auntie Carole, who is now a professor (!!!), shared funny stories from her classroom. It was such a beautiful day. You loved sitting on the back porch with dad and grandpa in the sun before leaving.
After brunch we headed back home where we dove into finishing up our dishes for Thanksgiving Round 2, this time at auntie Gina and uncle Taylor's house. This was a larger gathering, which included your cousins Isla and Louis, uncle Wade, grams, grandpa, and another large family. The number of guests, coupled with having just spent the first half of the day socializing, made me nervous for you. I was afraid you would be fussy or overwhelmed or tired. But you were none of those things. We set up your high chair at one end of the long dining table, between grandpa and I, and you were just a dream. I am so proud of you, Maeve. You were so well-behaved and wonderful. While you sat happily in your chair, chatting away to grandpa, dad and I ate some delicious dishes. After dinner you sat with us on the deck and watched your cousins and their friends frolic about. You love watching children play, Maeve. And being outdoors. So you were in heaven. The evening ended with you in your night suit, asleep in grams' arms. It was a great first Thanksgiving!
We continued celebrating through the weekend. Since your dad was off work and the weather was so lovely, we thought it a perfect day to take you to Pullen Park in Raleigh for a few more firsts. The park was crowded with children and their parents. And it was outdoors. Again, two of your favorite things, so obviously, you were so happy. You rode on the carousel for the first time. It was darling.
That night you and I and grandma went to grandpa's station (he's a fire captain!), where we dined with his colleagues and their families. Your favorite part wasn't the fire trucks (although you do love them), the colorful lights on the Christmas tree (you loved those, too), or the delicious food. It was being around all of the kids. I was especially touched, when after dinner, two young girls, Jalisa and Kelsie, from two different families, included you in a game they were playing. Jalisa is in kindergarten and I'm guessing Kelsie is maybe in third grade. They were engaging and spoke to you like their equal and you just lit up. It was the first time you've ever interacted in that way with other children and it was so beautiful to see. They were so sweet and it moved me so to watch them include you in their games. I was really touched by how naturally caring, considerate, inclusive, polite and thoughtful they were with you. It made me think about the characteristics I hope you possess as a young girl. And, of course, you loved them!
Saturday morning we went over to grams and grandpa's house for brunch with them and uncle Wade. Grams' brunch is always so good, and this one was no exception. After we ate you relaxed in my arms on the porch swing before grams, your dad and I took you on a walk around campus. It was warm and sunny and perfect.
That night your dad took me out to a dumpling and noodle bar in Raleigh so grandma and grandpa babysat you. They took you to this farm north of their home for a festival of lights celebration. You rode a train, took a hayride, and, get this...you rode a pony. I'm not kidding! Isn't that unbelievable? Grandma and grandpa said you loved it! Your pony's name was Dusty, and grandma said you liked rubbing his hair. Since your grandma grew up riding horses, I know seeing you on a pony was so special to her.
We spent Sunday, the last day of Thanksgiving break, just the three of us. Your dad and I took you to the park closest to our house for some swing time. And you went down the slide (with our help, of course) for the first time. So many firsts this weekend! Finally, we ended the weekend by walking a few blocks from our house to the downtown tree lighting ceremony. It was such a full and fun holiday, your first Thanksgiving, and I'm so thankful for all of the people in your life who made it special. But mostly, I'm thankful for you and your dad, little one! I love you.
xo,
mama
