It has been a long and busy semester. As of today, I have 6 more exams and 6 more days of class before we get a little reprieve. Last week we went back to La Crosse for Thanksgiving and were able to enjoy delicious meals with both the Sturms/Underdahls and the Von Rudens/Galstads. Odessa was in heaven with all the attention and playmates. She especially reveled in the copious praises she got from everyone when she used the potty. The entire room would break out in applause and my little Dessy girl would just beam with pride.

The weekend of Thanksgiving, we were fortunate enough to be able to attend the Packers vs. Panthers game as guests of my parents. This marked Odessa’s first trip to Lambeau Field since we went during my 8th month of pregnancy. She enjoyed clapping when everyone else did and seemed to have as good of a time as Scott and I even though we didn’t get to lick the cheese sauce off of my parents’ nachos.

Recent interesting observations:

-Odessa really enjoys cranberries and cranberry sauce (the more tart, the better apparently). Scrambled eggs are another favorite food although she likes to call them “ows” (rhymes with “cows”).
-Odessa has improved her skills of manipulation and has started to butter us up by exclaiming “Hugs!” and “Kiss!” and running over to snuggle before making a demand known.
-When I get home from school or work, I am inevitably met by the sight of a two year-old running to the couch, leaping aboard, and shrieking with glee at the top of her lungs before crying out, “Mama!”
-Odessa enjoys taking all her toys out of the toy box and climbing inside to sit and read quietly.
-When I ask her to identify an object, she invariably answers with what color it is. The color orange is spoken with particular reverence, although yellow and purple appear to be her favorites.
-Such a big girl, Odessa is now taller than the back of the couch.
-My family have been so helpful and supportive to me during this difficult semester and I am very thankful! I love them with my whole heart.