Georgia's awakening

After spending the first 6 weeks of her life in a sleepy dream, our little Georgia is finally waking up!

Blowing bubbles after church

She loves her bath time  

She is one long baby! 

Gabe & his "Geevie"

Dressed all snuggley to go to the park on a cold day 

We love her big smile

Smile or growl? 

Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving dinner at home this year, for the first time since we've been married.  We usually head down to San Jose to be with Uncle Will (Patrick's brother) & Auntie Sarah, but this year we had them come up to us.  We had a marvelous few days of eating, talking, laughing & enjoying the outdoors.  Will made some divine pies (my favorite being the salted caramel apple pie).  Patrick pulled out the electric knife & had fun carving up his first turkey. Gabe discovered the joys of "toasting" & insisted we give another toast every few minutes, until all our glasses were empty.  

Patrick carving up that beauty of a bird

The "before" photo

The day after Thanksgiving we decided to head back to Apple Hill.  Sarah & Will hadn't been for many years & the weather was 65-70 & gorgeous.  We also thought we could use a few more hot apple cider doughnuts to round off several days of feasting... ha! ha!

Will & Patrick enjoying those warm Rainbow Orchard doughnuts

Sarah & Will

Gem & her daddy

Back on the tractor

Uncle Will & Auntie Sarah are completely adored by Gabe & Gemma!
They couldn't wait for them to arrive & missed them when they returned home. 

The Sac-Hoggans, sans Georgia... who was peacefully sleeping.

We drove to Sutter's Mill, where the California gold rush began, on our way home.  I had never been & it was an interesting little state park.  They even had a "Mormon" cabin, especially for the Mormon workers, which I found interesting.

Our gold!

Saying goodbye to Will & Sarah.  I'm certain Georgie will adore them too. 

Celebrating Patrick

Another year has come & gone for our Patrick.  We had a fun evening celebrating last week.  He even brought out his Japanese robe for the occasion. :)  Gabe & Gemma were obsessed with the presents & specifically, opening as many as they could get their hands on.  Luckily, Patrick was happy to share the work of tearing off the gift wrap with them.  

Put another little wrinkle in your birthday suit, Paddy! We sure love you.  

Our Georgie girl

I usually give Patrick a present that I know the kids will want... this year's was the back hoe.
Gabe was thrilled & said now they could play with their construction equipment together. 

Whenever I talk to Georgia, Gemma tells me, "Mom, babies can't talk.  Baby Georgia can't talk yet!"
Yet, here she is chatting with her ;)

Our smiley girl

 

She's not quite as tall as Gabriel yet!  He adores Georgia & loves to be near her.   

Baby's first month

Georgia started responding to our smiles with a huge smile of her own when she was just 2 weeks old.  She also smiles when she sees the focus light go on on the camera.  It's very cute.  Here are a few from her first month.  

Sporting a baby acne rash, but still the happiest little bug 

First time dressing up on her first Sunday at church

One morning Gemma put all of her Little People princesses in her onesie pj's!
 We laughed & laughed! She's looking a little bottom heavy :)

Georgia enjoying Gemma's doll stroller.  It was (almost) a perfect fit :)

Gemma tried (unsuccessfully) to take her for a ride

I think they look so much alike in this photo. They are enjoying playing together more than ever. 

Hmmm.... how does dad's shaving cream taste? 

She has her dad's blue eyes

She's definitely a long little one!  

A little bit of Georgie & her sidekicks

Georgia's almost 7 weeks old & I'm finally feeling like I'm settling into somewhat of a routine again.  It's definitely time to share some photos of our autumn... especially of Georgia.  She's changed & grown A LOT in the past few weeks.  She's now 24 inches long, & I'm sure she's gained at least a couple of lbs.  And although Gabe & Gemma haven't changed as dramatically, here's a few cute ones of them, too.  

We had a quiet Halloween.  Gabe celebrated at preschool & then Patrick took Gabe & Gemma to the trunk-or-treat at the church, followed by a short trick-or-treat to a few neighbors.  I stayed home & relaxed with Georgia.  The past few years our family has done a themed costume together: Star Wars, Peter Pan characters... With Georgia being born so close to Halloween, I decided not to even try to do it this year.  I got Gabe & Gemma taken care of. But, Patrick was forced to rummage around in our costume box for his disguise.  

Gabe decided months ago that he wanted to be a Ninjago ninja.  For a while Gemma did too.  So, I had also purchased fabric to make her a "pink" Ninjago.  But, she changed her mind a week or two before & was set on being a princess.  So, it saved me the work of sewing it & she was THRILLED with her dress... & continues to wear it often.  

Gabe as "Lloyd, the Green Ninja"

"Gemmerella" - she especially loved her Cinderella hair :)

And Gabe loved his Ninja swords

We have loved getting to know our peaceful little Georgia.  She slept the majority of her first month... sometimes even 20+ hours a day.  I captured a few during her waking hours.  

Georgia, 5 days old

1 week old

My sister, Jenny, came to town & took Gabe & Gemma to the Bay Area to play for a few days so Patrick & I could rest & have some quiet time with the baby.  It was such a gift & the best part was that Gabe & Gemma had a blast.  They went to the zoo, children's museum, parks, & swam at the hotel.  I don't think they even thought twice about missing home, but they missed Aunt Jenny when she left.  Gemma still asks about where Aunt Jenny is.  I was also happy that Gabe & Gemma got to know Jenny better.  Because we've always lived away from my sisters, they only get to see them twice a year.  But, they now know Aunt Jenny & love her.

Gabe loved his green monster teeth!

She loved painting at the museum

Saying goodbye to Aunt Jenny

The Monday after Halloween we made our annual fall visit to Apple Hill.  It was a gorgeous day & we had a marvelous time, especially eating the hot apple cider doughnuts, apple dumplings, caramel apples & other apple pastries, washing it all down with fresh apple cider.  It was our first outing with Georgia & she was a dream.  She slept the whole 6 hours, waking only briefly to eat.

At Rainbow Orchards (home of the best apple cider doughnuts & Gabe's favorite place to play)

Gemma said these bears were scary & I have to agree

The first few weeks, Patrick did his morning church meetings & interviews, came home to get the kids for church, brought them home afterward & then went back for more meetings.  They love being with their daddy.

Waiting for Dad to arrive

Both Gabe & Gemma pose for 95% of their photos with these huge, cheesy grins.  We have to encourage them to do a soft smile when we actually want to see their eyes in a photo.  But, they sure do look happy!