I love holidays. Even though Jake had to work all day today, and some more this weekend, it’s been good. We baked all night Wednesday, and cooked all day Thursday (like every one else). It was my first time making Cranberry sauce, apple pie, chocolate pie, pie crust made with vodka (the recipes swear by it!), cornbread stuffing and real rolls with yeast. We made all the other standard Thanksgiving foods and it was also Jake’s first time making a turkey. We were shocked that everything turned out as well as it did. I set the coffee table, lit some candles and we sat on the floor to eat our feast. We finished dinner around 8:30, but it was just fine since it was only the two of us. Then we watched Pretty Woman. (PS funny story. When I was little, I thought Pretty Woman was about murder since it was rated R. I didn’t know about sex yet, and obviously wasnt allowed to watch it, so murder was the only topic I knew of that wasn’t appropriate for kids. I was for some reason still convinced it was about murder until I saw it in my teens.)
We went up to see that little Pip on Thursday morning, and her nurse Dawn had her all gussied up for the holiday. When we walked in, Pippy was watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade (below). So awesome. 
Piper Jane was forced to snuggle with us for the next several hours. Which is why we didn’t eat dinner until 8:30.
I can’t even look at this picture without almost crying. Why is she so happy and funny? 
Jake took a turn holding her and Pip was nearly asleep within minutes. She sits in his lap and can barely keep her eyes open. She sits in my lap and somehow techno music starts playing and it’s a full blown raver party.
Piper’s favorite movie to watch on my phone is the Fantastic Mr. Fox. But her favorite thing to do is start it over and over and over.
That was our Thanksgiving! It was splendid. I hung out with her today while Jake was at work and she took a cute little nap in my lap. That is just how tuckered out she was. Isn’t it awesome that I only missed seeing her on Monday and Wednesday this week? So great.
Also, the other night I worked super late and was starving. So Jake made me a quesadilla and said “let it cool down first because it’s reeeeeeaaaaalllllyyyyy hot.”. My mouth said “sure sure sure, cool down, whatever you say.” but my brain and belly said “FOOOOD!!!!” and I bit into it immediately and then melted hot sizzling cheese dripped down my face and burned me so bad that I have a scab from it! Can you believe it? It hurts like crazy and I blame Jake.
Have a fun weekend!
I’m glad you had such a nice time! Piper looks adorable in that outfit!
Since I can’t get one of those adorable Pips, can you please tell me where you got your necklace? Been looking for one like it for my best friend. Love your blog!
your hair looks amazing. Those bangs (I know, I know…fringe) are killing me! Gorgeous!
Love these pics! Happy Thanksgiving!!
What a beautiful family! I love following your blog. Happy holidays.
Love your hair in these pics!
The top picture of you crimping the pie? Your hands. Your hands and fingers are Pipers hands and fingers. In so many of your photos of piper her hands and fingers look exactly like yours.
The pie crust made with vodka . . . Please send the recipe. This sounds too interestingly good to not try.
What a beautiful day you and Jake spent with Miss Piper. Her sunggled up so safe and warm in her daddy’s arms is precious. Her gigantic smile in your arms, again so safe and happy with mommy. You are a most beautiful family.
Blessings, Mari (Thorney)
Someday I will have to share with you how I happened to get that nickname from a younger sister.
I have been reading your blog for quite sometime after linking to it from NieNie. I have to tell you how much I admire you. I love that you live each day with the ‘what has and is Piper’ achieving instead of the ‘what ifs’. I know you hear often that you and your adorable family are an inspiration, but it is true. Plus, you are a runner and runners rock it!
Happy Thanksgiving, Reagan, Pip, and Jake
Okay, something that has puzzled me…sometimes I see it and I’m like Yep, there it is…and sometimes I’m not sure, because I don’t, in fact, actually know you guys…but, does Pip have Jake’s eyebrow arch? Weird question, I know, but she has a crazy high arch. I am jealous of Pip’s arch. Some girls just have it(pip) and some don’t(the rest of us).
You have such a a beautiful little girl, your pictures with her touch my heart, thanks for sharing.
Your hair looks ridiculously amazing, and pip is so happy and funny because she has amazingly happy and funny parents!
I am always amazed at how “normal” your lives seem, even though Piper is confined to the hospital. She is definitely a happy little girl, and you can see how much she loves you and Jake. God bless all of you!
You guys NAILED it. So awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your husband looks very dignified with wavy hair and a beard! And Piper’s just darling like always. Happy Thanksgiving!
She’s happy and funny because she’s Piper Jane, and that’s more wonderful than anything! Merry Christmas!
again……….God blessed Piper with perfect Mom for her…………how I wish that after one of those visits she could go home with you……………..Jake is pretty cool too
Such beautiful, happy photos. You’re an ace mama. x
I, too, love the holidays and love to read how others experience theirs. Glad to know that others bake chocolate pie for Thanksgiving. Will have to look up Vodka crust. Must be my rural western upbringing.
You and Piper look so beautiful! How sweet that Pippy’s nurse had her all dressed up for you and that Pip was watching the Macy’s parade. Aww! Love your necklace, by the way. I’m glad you had such a nice day with that Pip-full of sweetness. Oh, and I am so sorry for the unfortunate cheese burning incident. Big OUCH.
Your feast looked awesome, and Piper is adorable (as usual). Have you ever tried the faux turkey “meat”? Quorn makes a meat-free Turk’y roast that is pretty good (coming from a vegetarian that hasn’t had meat in a long time). There is also a product called Tofurkey that I would get before discovering the Quorn Turk’y. There is also something called a Celebration Roast, but that isn’t exactly turkey-ish. It’s neat to have a turkey substitute for thanksgiving, something to cover with gravy and make sandwiches out of the next day, I wasn’t sure if you’ve ever tried it.
1 helping of gussied up Pip is delicious. 2? scrumptious. 3? sugar overload. i see why you didn’t need peach pie. you have pip. xoxo
You asked, “Why is she so happy and funny?”…well…I know you obviously know the answer but it’s because she is so, so, so loved!!
Piper Jane looks absolutely beautiful in her Thanksgiving outfit! She is just so precious, I honestly don’t even have words for how cute she is! I hope you guys had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am such a fan of your blob! If I even make it back to NYC I totally want you to get your hands on my curly hair!
She is the prettiest little girl ever!
I love that you a piper have matching bows in your hair, so fancy! You guys have the cutest little family…glad you had a great thanksgiving!
Great pics!! Please do a tutorial on your hair style….love it!
Your daughter has the most gorgeous eyebrows! I have a slight obsession with brows, and little Piper’s are so beautifully arched….what a darling girl. She looked so fancy for her Thanksgiving holiday! Blessings to you from Lake Oswego, Oregon.
she is happy and funny because she is safe and loved
My lil miss J has that same cardi. Also Mr. Fox is my kids fav show they love to dance with them at the end. Kobe likes to start movies over and over too!
you are, hands down, my favorite blogger.
I Love that she was watching the parade, and I love her outfit, and her smile. And OMG I just love everything about your blob and your family. Happy holidays!
I love that the nurse had her all “gussied up” ! Piper look awesome as usual.
Holy gorgeous pictures!! You and Pip, two pretty peas in a pod. I will have to copy you and do my hair like that sometime.
P.S. thanks for reminding me how much I like making out.
Sounds like a perfect holiday. How was the pumpkin pie and pie crust? I have been meaning to try to vodka recipe.
Pip is so happy and funny because she is LOVED!
I love that Jake is a Pipsedative.
What a beautiful Thanksgiving! Piper sure did look beautiful for you. How sweet of the nurses to get her all fancied up.
oh! you sweet nuggets. turbo is looking very hairy these days and you are looking very cute–as always. sometimes YOU look very hairy and jake looks very cute, but this time it’s the other way around.(what can i say, i have a minor-not-creepy crush on the jakemeister. it’s okay cause i’m sure sether has a crush on you. so… we’re even.)
p.s. i love the pipmeister.
I want Piper’s outfit in this post.
Pie crust made with Vodka? Do tell, is it a must? Also, I love the hair on both you gals, matching ribbons even!!!
You guys look freakin adorable.
I miss Pip already, that little crawling monkey. She was so cute when she’d just grab my hands and climb up. I’m officially obsessed.
These pictures of Piper Jane are just too precious. Seriously, just adorable. So glad you were able to enjoy so much time with her during the holiday week!
i love these. i love your hair, i love your daughter, i love it all.
annnnnd i love your blog
beautiful pics. love the trashbags and vodka story
Awww, Piper Jane is so adorable in her Thanksgiving attire–but of course, she’s ALWAYS adorable! Love the photos and I’m glad you guys had a nice holiday! Hugs, Lori