She's finding new ways of communicating with her parents, now signing for the word "more" and doing a lip-smack noise when she's hungry or wants to eat whatever you're eating. And as you can see by the above and below pictures of her in an adorable outfit her mother wore 32 years ago, she's as cute as ever. Every time we leave the house with her, we can be sure she'll create a small scene somewhere with her smile.
Yes, Elaine looks a lot like Grammy Facknitz. We love that Chooch is sporting the Canadian National hat in the above picture!
Our daughter is still unimpressed with crawling as means of moving around. She finds leaning forward, scooting and pivoting much more to her liking. On the advice of counsel from a fellow Music Together attendee, we placed Puffs on the floor out of reach and had her "fetch" them herself. This was the result;
Yes, Elaine looks a lot like Grammy Facknitz. We love that Chooch is sporting the Canadian National hat in the above picture!
Our daughter is still unimpressed with crawling as means of moving around. She finds leaning forward, scooting and pivoting much more to her liking. On the advice of counsel from a fellow Music Together attendee, we placed Puffs on the floor out of reach and had her "fetch" them herself. This was the result;
We kept it simple, purchasing a pre-cooked Turkey breast, gravy in a jar, cranberries from a can and pilsner crescent rolls from the grocery store. However, Lindsay slaved away making the mashed potatoes, dressing, and carrot ring, a Weidmann family tradition. Elaine's first taste proved she is indeed at least one-half Weidmann. It's her new favorite holiday treat.
After Elaine went to sleep for the night, Jeremy, Lindsay, Gram and Chooch watched "Scrooge", the musical (a Facknitz holiday tradition) and sipped cider in front of Megan Weidmann's old TV/VHS player in the utility room. It was much nicer than it sounds.
Since we weren't sure we'd be getting together again at Christmas (it all depends on the weather), Gram and Chooch wanted to see Elaine open her Christmas presents from them in person. So Elaine's first Christmas technically started in late November, and will continue through the New Year. It's not so much a day as it is a festival.
Gram and Chooch did a great job, showering her with a beautiful matching winter coat and hat, a toy that will assist her motor skills, a reindeer, and other things. Uncle Jarod sent along Elaine's first set of blocks. It was a wonderful first of many "first" Christmas events Elaine will experience this year!
Elaine is enthralled with all things Christmas, and it's so much fun for her parents to rediscover the magic through her eyes. She loves the Christmas tree, the music and the lights. One fantastic find from the recent extended stay at the Weidmann family house in Belleville was a VHS recording of Neil Diamond's Christmas special from 1993. As you can see, Elaine is enthralled with Jewish Elvis.
On 12/11, we figured it was time Elaine met the Big Man. We dressed her in her holiday finest and took her up the mountain to the North Pole, located just outside Cascade, Colorado, just west of Manitou Springs (and you probably thought it was actually at the North Pole!)
The North Pole is open every year from May through Christmas Eve. It's been around since 1956 and appears as though it hasn't been touched since 1956 aside from general maintenance. Jeremy loves the simple, throw-back, 1950's vibe of the place. Elaine took her first ride ever on a carousel, we saw a magic show and watched Elmer the Elf sing some rewritten tunes ("In the big rock candy mountains, you never change your socks, and the trickling streams of LEMONADE come-a tricklin' down the rocks"), marveled at the 1920's Wurlitzer's throughout the park that play Christmas music at the top of each hour, took the train around the park and... met Santa. Although Elaine was fearless, I think mom and dad were more excited than Elaine to meet with Santa Clause, who says he's met 25,000 to 30,000 kids in the last 5 years! That's a lot of little ones!
First Theme Park Ride!
We're enjoying Elaine's first Christmas season, and look forward to our trip back to Belleville on 12/22 for Christmas in Illinois. Our next blog will document the magic that was Christmas 2014. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours, from the Facknitz Ferret Farm!
PS: Today IS Elaine's 10th Month birthday and she has another tooth on the bottom! And the other is starting to poke up too. Almost 6 teeth! Such a big girl!
The North Pole is open every year from May through Christmas Eve. It's been around since 1956 and appears as though it hasn't been touched since 1956 aside from general maintenance. Jeremy loves the simple, throw-back, 1950's vibe of the place. Elaine took her first ride ever on a carousel, we saw a magic show and watched Elmer the Elf sing some rewritten tunes ("In the big rock candy mountains, you never change your socks, and the trickling streams of LEMONADE come-a tricklin' down the rocks"), marveled at the 1920's Wurlitzer's throughout the park that play Christmas music at the top of each hour, took the train around the park and... met Santa. Although Elaine was fearless, I think mom and dad were more excited than Elaine to meet with Santa Clause, who says he's met 25,000 to 30,000 kids in the last 5 years! That's a lot of little ones!
First Theme Park Ride!
We're enjoying Elaine's first Christmas season, and look forward to our trip back to Belleville on 12/22 for Christmas in Illinois. Our next blog will document the magic that was Christmas 2014. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours, from the Facknitz Ferret Farm!
PS: Today IS Elaine's 10th Month birthday and she has another tooth on the bottom! And the other is starting to poke up too. Almost 6 teeth! Such a big girl!
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