First Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Birthday - All in One!

I am SO behind on sharing photos, so this is an all-inclusive update. The months of November and December have been very eventful! We enjoyed a wonderful fall with beautiful folliage, as you'll see in the November photos. Our family photo shoot in the leaves was so much fun, and Sapphie posed like a little queen. Now that she's on the move, I'm having a hard time getting some really good head shots. The dogs continue to be amazing with Sapphie, and play with her all the time. She crawls on them, gives them kisses, tugs their ears, pokes them in the eye (see videos!) and pulls their collars off. They are both so patient and we're very fortunate to have had no problems at all.
So far, Sapphie has 4 teeth. Two front top, and 2 bottom. The bottom ones have one tooth between them that hasn't come up yet, so she looks like a little troll when she opens her mouth! Check out the December photos that Hannah took of her in her sled. You can totally see her bottom troll teeth.
Sapphie isn't walking, but she scales the furniture and loves to climb on (and off of) everything! She's an expert at going up and down stairs, and she slides right off our bed without hesitating. We have a gate at the top of the stairs, and she loves to stand there and wait for Daddy to come home. She also loves to pull all of my books off of the bookshelf, them flip through them and say "oooh"..."huhhhh"... she makes these funny little squeek noises that Nona says sound like a little robot.
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with both families at the condo. Liz and Kevin had the house all prepared, as usual, and we really were able to relax and enjoy each other. Kristen's bear Felicia got surgery (a fill and a tummy tuck, plus her bow was ironed), and she's looking like a new lady! Needless to say, there was plenty of eating, playing, and resting.

Here are our November photos:

December was another big month, with Sapphie's first birthday and first Christmas! Auntie P and Uncle Ollie got their huge tree right after Thanksgiving, so Sapphie was able to enjoy that one right away. We had some great family nights at their place, and got into the Christmas spirit. Sapphie got to watch her first movie, The Snowman, and I think she liked it! There's no talking in the movie, only music and she watched it for quite a while. I also got her the board book, so she can continue to enjoy the story throughout the year. She had tons of fun opening Christmas presents! It was all very exciting and I think her favorite part was ripping (then eating) the paper. Cabot joined in the fun too.
The Sunday before Christmas, we had a wine and cheese party to celebrate Sapphie's first birthday. Just a few friends, dress-up party, wine and good cheese. It was really low-key and special. I made Sapphie caramel cupcakes and she loved them! Sapphie and Auntie P didn't plan it, but they totally matched. She got her first Burton hat, and it looks adorable on her.
Our first Christmas was on Monday night, the 21st. We went to Penelope and Colin's to do gifts with them, because they were going to Katonah for Christmas. Sapphie enjoyed her 2nd Puerto Rican meal made by Papa LaLa (asopao; the first was Puerto Rican lasagna), and she LOVED it. 3 helpings in one sitting if you please! Colin got 2 more Wii sticks plus Super Mario, so we played after Sapphie went to bed. It was AWESOME. You may not know this about me, but I used to be a video game junkie, and champion. I beat all the Marios, Zelda, Mike Tyson's punch out, just to name a few. I was talking a big game and threatening lives before we started up the Wii. Much to my surprise, my fingers are much slower than they were 20 years ago! I've got to practice a bunch to get my game back.
Next celebration: we spent the week in Newport. It was SO relaxing and enjoyable. Hannah joined us for Christmas Eve, and we enjoyed another amazing figgy pudding. On Christmas Day, we headed to the condo for more fun and presents. Sapphie and I went for an afternoon snowshoe with the dogs, and I told her the story of how this time last year, I had a very spicy virgin bloody mary (thanks Uncle Ollie), and labor started 2 hours later! I told her all about the labor, the delivery, etc. I don't think she was listening, because she was busy watching the dogs wrestle, but it was so fun to tell her the story.
The next day, we celebrated Sapphie's first birthday for real. We had a cake, balloons, family, dogs, oh and a 32-year old wax candle that was used for Kevin's first birthday. Yes, even though she likes to organize and throw things away, it turns out Nona does save some things!! Nona also saved and gave Sapphie Kevin's original copy of Mr. Willoughby's Christmas Tree. We love it!!
Sapphie had her first sled ride in a baby sled that was given to us by the Westons. I think she had fun! She laughed and squealed a lot.
Winston had a photo shoot. Would you look at that face? He should have been named Face. Or Beggar. He's getting better with Sapphie, only humps on the rare occasion. He's also getting better about begging thanks to some boot camp and some training that Nona has been doing on Grandpi.

And here are our December photos:

Happy New Year to All!!!

Pudding 2009

Amazing figgy pudding, Christmas Eve 2009. Well done mummy!!

Cookie Smack Down

Uncle Ollie (that's Colin) makes the yummiest chocolate chip cookies. He likes them very flat, so he smacks them down when they come out of the oven. Sapphie recently enjoyed some of his cookies (just before bedtime!), and did a little song and dance, with our help, to show her approval!

HUGE Snowman

Look at this HUGE snowman I found in Newport today!

Soon to be One (by Kevin)

We are in the final days until Sapphire Elizabeth Kouri's first birthday, the Big One Year. It was at 10:10 am on December 26th 2008 that she graced us with her presences at Fletcher Allen Hospital in Burlington, VT. Emma labored over Christmas dinner and into the night before she told me it was go time to get her to the hospital at 6 am in the morning. I remember the drive down South Prospect like it was yesterday. It was so calm and peaceful in the city, the day after Christmas, as we drove to the hospital. Emma had been meditating and relaxing in the spirit of hypnobirthing. We were confident that the birth was going to be pain free and without troubles for the mother and child. Sapphire was a day late for Santa Claus but this was the best gift we could have asked for in 2008. Less then 1 month old

WOW a year has gone by so fast. It is truly amazing. I find myself reminiscing more then I usually do this time of year because of the events of the last year. Emma and I find ourselves saying to one another the last month or so "remember this time last year......" We are truly blessed with a roof over our heads, we both have jobs and even though it seems like there is never enough loot in the bank account we manage to do what we need to do. We have become more conscious then ever before about the mighty dollar now that we are parents but this is a good thing. Being fiscally responsible when corporate America and the US government was not in 2008-2009 is now the cool hip thing to do in 2009-2010.

There is one thing money can not buy as we search for what Sapphire will need to grow up to be a well rounded member of society and that one thing is love. Emma and I are blessed to both have loving parents that are actively involved in what we are doing. We also have siblings that are excited about Sapphire and want to share the love as well. There are soon to be two uncle's on both sides of the family. As the family grows with marriages and little feet running about this love will sustain families through all the hard times whatever they are. So Emma and I can not go out and buy love, but we can make sure that she is surrounded with the people and things that we believe will give her the tools to grow and prosper.

I think about her three aunt's: Kristen, Hannah and Penelope. Great woman in each of their own way and Sapphire is going to learn so much from each of them. Hannah will contribute the artistic/musical side, Penelope her huge heart and smarts and Kristen her NYC chic and sophistication. Sapphire will not be lacking the things that make a woman smart, sophisticated, beautiful and elegant. Just look at her mother she embodies it all. She carried Sapphire during the final months of her PhD right into the defense a month before giving birth, she's months away from rejoining the cabaret group again and she has to put up with my BS. That is one strong woman.

The other day I received a text message from Hannah. The message was entitled "Future's so bright she's gotta wear shades". As a parent you hope the way you raise your child that you are leading them down the right path so that their future is bright and filled with many opportunities. We think that everyone in this family has something to share and offer us and Sapphire. It is these things that we look for, bits of wisdom to take and pass on. Will her future be bright, without a doubt it will be. Family and friends will help along the way but Emma and I ultimately need to find it for ourselves and our family.

I hope Sapphire realizes that one day wearing sunglasses during the glooming days, night time and anytime is a sign of being upbeat, optimistic and lets not forget cool.

So the first year/chapter in her life book is coming to a close and it has been a BLAST. If you are having a bad day remember there is always tomorrow and put a pair of shade's on because like Sapphire's future yours can be bright too.

"Man it is bright out today" Almost One Year Old (taken 12/21/09)

Has Winter Arrived??? (by Kevin)

I think Old Man Winter has come roaring back into Vermont this week. We finally got some winter weather a week before Christmas. It has not felt like winter in these parts at all. A general lack of snow and temps that rarely broke the 32 degree mark. I think everyone was wondering when Old Man Winter was going to show up. Well a week before Sapphire Elizabeth's Birthday he did.

Temperatures the last couple of days have fallen below the 0 degree mark without the windchill factor. The windchill put us well below -10 degree's the last couple of days. Work has been unbearable with these temps. Barns are frozen, people are in a general bad mood because equipment will not start and I had to pull out my fleece lined work pants on Thursday morning. When the truck gauge reads -2 degrees when parked in the hills of Enosburg Falls, VT you might as well leave the rig on and throw the concept of global warming out the f....ing window.

Wednesday I decided to take the day off and spend it with Emma and Sapphire. I have not taken a day off since December 26th 2008 starting at 10:10 am, nor has Emma. I had 120 hours of vacation time to take and I had not taken one single day. So I have decided to take some time off before and after Christmas. We went for a walk in the morning, before Sapphire's nap, at the Burlington Country Club. We did our loop which is the loop we used to do when Emma had a watermelon inside of her. It was great to get out on a Wednesday morning with the dogs and the family and not be rushed. It was all about slowing down. Sapphire did not make the whole loop, she passed out near the end but that was our intentions. The walk was followed by Christmas shopping and lunch downtown. It went by very fast but we had a great day spending that day together.

The reason why we live in Vermont other then jobs and family is the natural beauty it can show any time of year. Sap flowing pre Springtime, cows on pasture in the Summer, the Autumn colors painted across the hillside to the blanket of white across fields, frozen rivers and mountains. Every season brings it own special beauty you just have to look for it.


The Frozen Missisqoui along RT 105, facing East towards Jay Peak, in Enosburg Falls, VT. The far snow covered peak under the clouds is Jay.

The final countdown is on. Can you believe it Sapphire is almost 1 years old. She has 8 days until her First Birthday. Emma and I have had a blast this first year. It has been tough and we are sleep deprived but we love her so much and she is a great child. She has a smile that lights up the world and we always get comments from complete strangers how great her smile is. She is very special and we are blessed.

"What you looking at? Can't you see I am busy reading, so buzz off."

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Moo Devil or Merry Christmas (by Kevin)

My lack of posts are very inexcusable and I have to make a better effort to get my thoughts on the blog. I have a lot of ideas that go through my head during the course of the day that would be good for the blog but I can not find the time to sit down and write about my day. I have the dogs to deal with, Sapphire to play with and put to bed, then dinner and work after that. I am not on Facebook, I am not going to Tweet and I do not have Myspace so this is the only place I can express myself.

I am going to make a goal to blog about some things I deal with day in day out once or twice a week. So you might be reading a lot about cows, farms and idiot drivers on the interstate.

Last week I came across a cow at Conant's Riverside Farm in Richmond, VT. Conant's is home to 370 mature Holstein's and approximately 300 or so head of young stock run by the father and son team David and Ransom Conant. Of course I must mention that Conant's is the home to the best sweet corn in the state.

I stumbled upon Cow # 4, who resides in Group 3, and was taken by surprise to find that she had decorated herself for the Holiday's. Or, she might be a cousin of "Loco Vaca" and was making sure everyone knew to keep their distance from her. I opted not to rustle her from her roost to find out if she was the cousin to "Loco Vaca", or was just in the Holiday spirit and decorated her horns to make the other girls jealous. She quitely posed for me so I could take her picture, but she kept a watchful eye on my actions. I realized if she was not in the Holiday spirit then maybe she is "Moo Devil": a defender of all cows against humans. Humans that touch and pull on their teats to harvest the bountiful white stuff we call milk. Her mission is to rid the practice of touching teat ends with cold rough hands early in wee hours of the morning. When you are not looking "Moo Devil" swoops in and horns the offender in the ass.So watch out if you are not gentle in mammary gland teat stimulation "Moo Devil" has something to say about that.