Our church celebrated Thanksgiving late this year. I’m not 100% sure why, since we missed church last weekend, but there was a big Thanksgiving feed after the service today. Brady and I each had a kid. It was a buffet. We were out of our league.
It actually worked out. Dekker is still so shy, Brady had to carry him, but he could put his plate on the buffet table and serve himself. I held Laela in one hand and served up with the other. For some reason I had her in my right arm and scooped with my left, and I am FAR from left handed. But it worked well enough and we made it to a table without spilling anything. Yay us!
I finally switched Laela to my left arm so I could eat, and Dekker just sat on Brady and shared with him. Or at least that was the plan. Being out of his element of his own dining room in his own house, he just shook his head when we offered him bites. However, he was intrigued by the pitcher of juice on the table. We are not especially strict when it comes to what he eats, but he’s only had juice once in his life. At his birthday party, when he was completely jacked on ice cream and m&ms anyway. But today, he wanted some. Brady offered him a taste but Dekker doesn’t drink from a cup, so he shook his head. (* Yes, I’m aware that he’s two and doesn’t drink from a glass. He is a bit particular and won’t do things until he knows he can ace them. I’m confident it’ll come.) Brady took a sip to show Dekker how, and he was finally curious enough to try it himself. He succeeded, and he LOVED it! So we bribed him the entire lunchtime, one bite for one sip. I know, some people may look down on me for “rewarding with food.” I know he’s not a dog, but juice sure isn’t something I want to fight about.
Anyway, we were surviving lunch, but not getting much food down. Lucky for me, a friend sought me out and offered to hold Laela. Soon after, Dekker toddled off in search of his grandpa and some dessert. We both got to finish our meals and visit with friends without feeding someone else or wiping drool. Not that we’re not THRILLED to have kids, but having both hands available during a meal doesn’t happen often.
By the time we left lunch, Dekker had warmed up a bit and was running around, while Laela had been passed around to a few different people. I loved that people sought her out and wanted to hold her and make that connection. I always felt like most people were nervous to hold Dekker because of how much he vomited, but those who did really doted on him. I feel very blessed that people are so interested in our family and want to socialize with our kids. I have a great group of friends and family at church.
Well this is wrapping up here. Brady is watching some Russell Peters next to me and its almost impossible to concentrate on this. Sleep tight, friends.