Thanksgiving, etc.

It's past time for a new post. I get busy with so many other things. I always mean to update, but the effort of downloading pics from my camera and resizing them sometimes proves too much. We had a great Thanksgiving at my grandparents' with the family, minus Brody and Jonathan, of course. Their jobs just don't stop for holidays (soldier and fireman). We did have an extra face at the table this year. My cousin, Crystal, who I haven't seen in well over 10 years is back in the mix now. We had our traditional spread, then sat around planning Black Friday shopping. Yes, I think it's the first time I've ever been shopping on Black Friday. We didn't hit Kohl's at 4:00 am though. We waited til after Layla's morning nap, then hit the mall, Toys R Us and Gardenridge. I wasn't real impressed with the Black Friday hoopla. The crowds weren't bad at all (thank you poor economy) and the sales weren't very impressive. Maybe we were shopping for the wrong things.I have basically finished Christmas shopping. I've been wrapping presents all weekend, and I think I've about finished. If only we would get the tree up, it might look a bit like Christmas. I'm curious to see Layla's reaction to the bright, shiny monstrosity in the living room. At least she's not yet mobile. I'm still searching for the perfect "Baby's 1st Christmas" ornament.

Layla turned 8 months a week ago. She's developing such a personality. She makes me laugh on a daily basis. It seems like she's trying to be cute sometimes. She cocks her head to the side and smiles. She does something you don't want her to do in a slow motion manner and watches your face to gauge your reaction. She throws toys off her high chair and looks at you so innocently that you can't help but bend over and pick them up for her to throw all over again.

She loves her bath time and protests when it's time to get out. But rubber ducky is soon forgotten when she's all snug, wrapped in her blanket and rocking with mommy. She fights sleep tooth and nail with her arm up and waving around, but sleep always wins, and her eyes slowly close. That's when she's most precious, and I can't help but sit there for a few extra minutes rocking my slumbering angel.