The Domestic Goddess Lives Again

As I reported before the big Thanksgiving dinner I was going to be trying out three recipes and actually trying to cook at the big event. I am sure you've all been dying to hear how it all turned out . . . I am happy to report I was successful with all three items!!

Surprising I know!

My cider turned out well and served as a mid-day beverage break for the family. The stuffing was not that terrible to make and it turned out very good. Cranberries, toasted walnuts, apples, it was really good. And the chocolate bourbon pie tasted good. It may have stuck to the pie plate a bit (like it took two hours of soaking to get the crust out) but the taste was good!! I don't like to toot my own horn, but toot toot! The domestic goddess is still hidden away in here somewhere. (We won't really talk about how after about 10 years of mashing the potatoes and doing it fine each year, I somehow added too much milk and turned them into soup - I wasn't actually in charge of those from the get go so I don't consider that to be my fault. I had other things to focus on, a goddess can only be spread so thin right?)

We had a nice Thanksgiving with family and got a chance to get the house decorated up for Christmas. Still trying to get the elusive family shot for christmas cards, Addison is not interested in staying awake, happy and dressed up for the time it takes to get a picture organized. Here are a couple of shots from Thanksgiving.

Here is the stuffing ready to go into the oven. I figured there are those out there who wouldn't believe it unless you saw an actual picture of it.


Addy with Grandma T. The yellow sweater she's wearing was one that I used to wear when I was the same age.

Thanksgiving Morning

This is a great opportunity to remember all the things we are so thankful for . . . all the friends and family we have! This has been a very special year for us, and friends and family have made it that much better. So thank you for your kindness, love, and support! We are so thankful for each other, our house full of animals and our very special little girl Addison!

Now, for those of you that know me well you might need to take a deep breath before reading further. This is a monumental holiday for us in the Daukas-Todorovich household because I volunteered and have carried through with my promise to cook for the holiday. Not the whole meal of course, lets not be crazy. But, I am making three items for the big meal tonight. Actually I finished a bourbon-chocolate pecan pie last night, then today I am making a special cider recipe and sage, suasage and apple dressing!

For those that don't know me as well - you might think it is silly that this is such a big deal. It really is!! I am challenged in the area of all things domestic - I am not particularly good at anything in this area and I don't enjoy most domestic activities either. Two years ago my New Years resolution was to embrace my "domestic goddess" and I gave my self a list of things to accomplish that year - and I actually did quite well. I cooked some things, I sewed, I did household projects . . . and it was the most challenging resolution I ever had. Even during that year I never attempted to make anything substancial for a holiday meal.

But here I am with a 7 week old - contributing to Thanksgiving dinner. I figured it is the only time I would be home well ahead of time to think about it and mentally prepare enough to take on the challenge. I feel strong, I feel determined, and I feel really proud - bring on Thanksgiving dinner . . . I will meet the challenge.

(I'll let you all know how it turns out on the other side.)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!!

Clothed and Unclothed

Do you have a favorite outfit or that one shirt you just love? Addison has this one particular sleeper that is my absolute favorite. I had to get a picture of her in it. (And I also had to get the same sleeper in a 6 month and 9 month size.) And then I couldn't resist getting a picture of Addison in the adorable jumper that Grandma Daukas gave her when she visited last month. Notice the Minnie and Mickey Mouse on the jumper - she is a Disney girl at heart!

And finally I had to get a picture of her in the middle of a changing crisis. You can see all the clothes around as I try to get her changed and she decides she needs to go again before I can get her totally cleaned up. We are working on outfit number three when I had to get a picture of how happy she looks to be causing all the ruckus. :)

Here is Addison in her very pretty sleeper that mommy loves! And look at how long she is, her little feet hit the end of her sleepers when she stretches out.



Addison in her Disney jumper.



Addison hanging out on the changing table with all her pretty pink clothes around her, looking very pleased with the mess she's created.

That's my girl!

On Tuesday Scott had to go to Vancouver (town about a hour and half south of here) for work and was going to be gone two nights. The prospect of handling all the feedings, the dogs and everything was a little daunting, but I didn't really think there was an alternative. Scott volunteered to commute back and forth - but what a waste. Finally someone suggested that Addison and I go with Scott to Vancouver and hang out! After I got over my initial "think of how bad it might be" we decided to do it. And thank goodness we did - we had a great time.

Addison did great in the car and in the hotel. Scott was able to take care of all his work activities and I got a chance to hit the mall with Addison. There is a mall right next to the hotel we stayed at and so I thought it was the perfect time to show Addison all about shopping. And as I knew she would be . . . she is a natural. We hit some major sales and got some things for both of us. Very successful, that's my little shopping girl.

Here are a couple of cute photos of Addison cuddling with mom and dad:

Addison and Dad play together.


Addison cuddles with mommy!

One Month

Hi All!

I am happy to report that as of last Sunday we made it to the one month mark with our newest addition. I've seen so many changes in her this last week. First of all and most important we went in for a weight check last week and she has gained almost 2 lbs from her lowest weight! We were so happy to hear that - she was pretty scrawny. She was 9 pounds and 1 ounce on Halloween, and she is growing in weight and length every day. She is especially long!

She is more alert now and at least 2 or 3 times a day we are able to put in some play time with toys and cuddles and tummy time. She can focus on us now, smiles when we give her neck kisses and coo at her and she is trying desperately to make noises for us.

Scott made it through his first week back to work and I made it alone with Addison. We did pretty darn well. I am still trying to find my groove at home - I figure it will settle in right as I am headed back to work. :)

We celebrated her one month birthday with friends and family stopping by! She was the star of the show. Below I've included some new updated photos. Including her one month picture with the bear. If you get a chance go back and look at her one week picture with the bear - she has really grown and changed. Our little girl is growing up already!! Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I can get Addison into the photographer for real pictures. (I can't figure out the secret because she goes to sleep in the car and I can't get her to be alert after that - so I don't understand how to get her to the photographer and wake her up without her totally fussing.) This parenting this is hard work.

Hope you all have a great finish to your week and we love hearing from you - so let us know what you are up to.


Here is a great picture of Addison. My Dad caught this picture on Monday night when they came over to watch the Monday Night Football game (go Seahawks).



Here is a family photo on Addison's 1 month birthday. (I didn't get a shower in that day - it figures that would be the day everyone wants a family photo.)



Addison looks pretty in pink!



Addison's one month picture with the bear! She has grown so much!

Dressed Up

Here are a couple of pictures of Addy in her halloween outfit, none of the costumes fit her so we settled for a halloween themed outfit. We had a quiet Halloween at my parent's house with the baby and dogs. I can't wait for next year when we can get Addison all dressed up.

I've had the chance to venture out of the house quite a bit this week and it has been really nice - I feel like a human being again! I've conquered shopping and eating in a resturant. And although I don't want to have to do those things every day with a baby - it is possible.

I hear someone stirring, better run. Enjoy the pictures.