First Christmas Tree

Isabelle's new punk hair style, thanks to Dad.Sharing fruit with Dad in the morning. I love the full cheek, hangin'-out-with-Dad look in the second picture.We went to Shaw's Tree Farm in Plains to get a Christmas tree. I love going to pick our Christmas tree and Robert cuts it down and hauls it to the truck in no time flat. After we got our Noble Fir (type of tree, not just description), we went on a walk around part of the tree farm, including by some horses. I love horses, and Isabelle thought they were fascinating. After just watching them for a while, they came down to check us out. Even Isbre barking up a storm didn't deter them.After we got the tree, we went to Helvetia Tavern for a burger and fish and chips (the picture is from the display outside). It's a place in the middle of farm land and is full of character. The ceiling is covered with baseball caps. At the table next to us was what looked like a gaggle of teens, but ended up being a family. They looked like they were just goofing around and I figured they would be talking about the usual stuff (latest star in crisis, football, etc). When I listened for a few moments, I heard the two nearest us talking about Africa and why there are chronic food shortages and how the culture functions. I love being surprised by how thoughtful people can be. Isabelle was good for most of the time, but she tends to scream when she feels everyone in the restaurant is not paying proper attention to her. We've gone from blowing on her face when she does it, to putting our hand over her mouth. We like to go out to eat and we want to be able to take her with us, so this one we'll keep working on.


She got a new hair-cut ala Dad, who cut her bangs about an inch up and straight which looked terrible. I was devistated because she is so gorgeous and he had taken away the cute, wispy bang look. Just because it was me who suggested he cut her hair does not take away from the crime. And, worse yet, he started calling her a vulcan and making the vulcan sign at her and saying "Live long and prosper". It was NOT funny! You can see in the first picture how she feels about the new cut. Fortunately, a friend told me how to feather the hair, so I've done that and it's better.

I guess she's exercising with the felt braid (a dog toy). She does that with a lot of things - puts them over her head and then behind it. I thought maybe it was the basic desire to be able to move things off their face, but she does it so often I'm not sure.

Also, notice the matching outfit in the picture. I'm very proud of the outfits I've put together for her. Because she looks good in everything, I get to experiment with colors and patterns in a way I've never done on myself.
Isabelle and Isbre are getting along better, but Isbre is still upset about not being the only child (albeit a fur child). I'm working on teaching them how to play together (throw the toy, pull on the rope) and I hope that works eventually. Isbre does lay on a blanket we put down in Isabelle's room next to her crib, when we're in the room with Isabelle. I take that as a good sign. Isabelle does like to torment Isbre - crawl up to her and pat her and play with her feet and pull on her hair and scream. Isbre will take some of it, then give a little growl and get up and walk away. Isabelle takes Isbre's bone that she's chewing on and then waves it in her face without giving it to her. So far Isbre has dealt with this pretty well, but I saw her start to curl up her nose once (for which she got into trouble) so we've started giving Isbre more Isabelle-free room.

Here we are after a walk on a cold morning. We put reflective strips down the side of the backpack so no-one on Baseline (busy street with no sidewalk) would run us down. Isabelle is wearing the orange sweater my Mom made her, and the booties Esther made her. I get lots of comments on the sweaters Mom made, especially when people see the little veggie buttons down the front.