Grandma and Grandpa Save Thanksgiving

Nobody could blame us for having an underwhelming Thanksgiving last year. Jonathan was only a few weeks old, so the day passed by in a blur. However, this week it appeared that we were going to have two non-Thanksgivings in a row. I was scheduled to work all the way through the week, leaving Chris at home alone to take care of Jonathan. Not conducive to getting a large meal on the table.

Presto! Grandma and Grandpa Kwon call on Thursday morning to announce their imminent arrival, bearing turkey and gravy and all the fixings. I got out of the hospital just in time to take a shower before they got here. We were all hungry! So we pulled up the high chair to the table and all tucked in for a meal.

Grandma had already gotten in a few baby hugs (of course!) but Jonathan was a little hesitant, and kept leaning back over to me. Grandma is smart, though, and wasn't going to be discouraged. She sat next to Jonathan at the table and said she wasn't too hungry, so she'd feed the baby. We provided her with a bowl and spoon and told her everything on the table, except the corn, was fair game.

Jonathan then proceeded to have one of the best half hours of his life to date. His grin got wider and wider as he realized Grandma was thrilled to provide him with a never-ending series of delicious mouthfuls! First he fed himself some bites of turkey. When he realized the spoon was more efficient, though, he gave up trying to grab for himself and instead devoted his energies to smiling and flirting, the better to keep that food coming! He loved everything he tried - stuffing, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and especially the sweet yams with marshmallow topping. While Chris and I take the sippy cup away from him when he bangs it on the tray, Grandma thought everything he did was darling. He beamed at us throughout the meal.

Afterwards, he charmed the grandparents with opening his presents (some terrific board books with removeable shapes) and dancing. He also displayed his sign language, including his new sign for "sleep." He's not yet using two hands for signs, so he's modified this one - he just puts one hand over his ear. And when, on occasion, attention wandered from the baby to the golf game on TV, he yowled and went behind Grandma to peek over her shoulder. We would all laugh and smile and, once again the center of attention, he was content.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!