Alton, 7 weeks old

Sorry — I'd accidentally made this a "private video," somehow. It's "public" now, which means people can actually see it. Enjoy!

Alton Hates Turkey

But he likes doing the laundry.



We are going to have to work on this kid's taste.

My in-laws were here for Thanksgiving week. The baby was a huge hit and so was my bathroom where three of the six adults in the house spent all day on Turkey day throwing up. It wasn't my turkey or underdone stuffing. This stomach bug hit before dinner was served and left 24 hours later. Only three of us ate the meal. The others spent the evening laid out around the living room. Luckily I didn't get sick. Instead I cooked and didn't let anyone touch the baby. Alton's first Thanksgiving was a little lame. But he won't remember it, so it doesn't really matter.

It's no wonder everyone felt like barfing; the temperature was like 70 and sunny. Thanksgiving is supposed to be the gateway to Christmas — snowy, cold, beautiful Christmas. "Over the River and Through the Woods" is the traditional Thanksgiving song and it has cold wind stinging noses and biting toes. Hello — the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the white and drifting snow. How do people in California and the South stand this crap?

Now that I'm taking care of a baby, it's harder to finish what I start. Like this blog post, which I started a week ago or more. It's actually been a little chillier the past few days. Not December chilly, more like Halloween chilly. But it's helping. We bought our Christmas tree. It's standing in the living room and finally has some lights and things on it. Two weekends ago, we drove to Sacramento for an indie craft fair. Our aim was to do something Christmas-y and to look for some gifts while we were at it. The fair was small and by itself not worthy of the two hour drive. But the weather was brisk, the part of town was cute, and the company terrific. And for the first time it felt a little like a holiday season of some sort.



We ate in the train car at a Spaghetti Factory. It was good and cheap and in a beautiful old train station. Alton had on his Christmas sweater and looked adorable.

The baby and I have set ourselves the task of getting all the Christmas shopping done this week. Luckily it's easier to shop with a newborn than work on the computer. Here's hoping we can do both.

I will leave you with this picture of Alton and his cousin Will — just a couple of handsome guys hanging out. I will try to get you some more pictures soon — especially the ones of Alton in his Santa Suit 'cause they are CUTE.