Fall Festival at School

Today was the Fall Festival at the girl's school! Instead of dropping them off and racing back home to start working, I stayed and helped wherever needed. Cassidy was beside herself... not only did I stay for the fun, but Miss Grashaun was there, AND she got to wear a princess dress to school! It doesn't get much better!

Campbell was oblivious, but really enjoyed being outside and liked watching the older kids run by.

The Princesses!

Miss Grashaun, Cassidy, and friends

Cassidy and a friend eat cookies

Little C, Auntie Shawna, Big C and other friends

Witch's Hats and Spiders and Milestones, Oh My!

After church today, Big C and I made some yummy Halloween treats. She is VERY excited about Halloween this year! I'm not going to spoil the surprise of what her costume may be, but I think you can probably guess what a princess might want to be for Halloween.

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Anyway, after church we made witch's hats and spiders out of cookies and a few other supplies. Big C had a great time - she loves crafts... especially the ones you can eat!!

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A few hours later, Little C rolled from her back to her belly for the first time... hooray! She was a bit surprised at first (and so was I - I didn't think she'd make it). She did it 4 or 5 more times before she finally pooped out and went to sleep. Roll Little C, Roll!!!

Peeling the kisses for the witch's hat

The finished product!

Choosing eyes and noses for the spiders

Giving our spiders some legs

The finished product!
There................

she..............
goes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fall Festival

The church down the street had a Fall Festival and we went, despite the light rain. It was wonderful!!! Big C had a great time jumping in the bounce house and sliding on the inflatable slide. She ate 3 sno-cones, got a glittery butterfly painted on her hand, and met RipTide. She had a fantastic time!

Little C sat in the carrier and made cute faces for her admirers. She also had a fantastic time!

One thing Matt and I found hilarious - instead of playing some kickin contemporary Christian music, they played popular songs with scrubbed "Christian-ified" lyrics. For example, as we were leaving the song playing was "Light My Fire" by The Doors. Instead of singing, "Come on baby, light my fire"... the song went, "Come on Christians, get on fire". The exact same music with dorked-up cheesy lyrics. It was kind of disturbing and SO FUNNY.

WHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEE!

Posing with RipTide!

Getting her hand painted

Nana and The Great Grandparents

It sounds like a band, doesn't it? It's not - it was our Friday night visitors! The girls are so blessed to have such a wonderful network of family to love and spoil them.
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Cassidy showed Nana how she learned to do cartwheels in dance class, but soon decided she'd had enough fun for the night. We later realized she was irritable because she had hurt her elbow (it's fine now).
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Take a look at the pictures we got!
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Our Little Pumpkin

Our friend Audrey sent Campbell the cutest "Little Pumpkin" onesie. It matches her orange Baby Legs perfectly, so she stays nice and warm throughout the day. Check out our cute little pumpkin!!

Gittin Our Redneck On

We spent the weekend WITHOUT the princesses in Martinsville gittin our redneck on. We've been going to the Martinsville fall race since the year we were married, and it's now become the one trip we take each year without the girls.

I wasn't a NASCAR fan before I met Matt, and I hesitate to call myself a fan now. He's the real fan, and always stays in tune with the latest NASCAR news. I'm just along for the ride - it's a whole different culture and I find it fascinating. The people you see at these races are incredible!! Plus, it's nice to spend one weekend of the year decked out in driver merchandise, shopping for more driver merchandise, and admiring other people's driver merchandise... watchin the racin, listnin to country music, and gittin our redneck on. FUN!!

Martinsville Speedway
We got to take a tram tour of the track this year and we learned something new - they spray paint the grass bright green!!

Kasey Kahne being driven into the track area before the race.

Jimmie Johnson won the race this year.

Tailgating with friends

Pulling Double Duty

Little C spit-up one too many times at school yesterday and they sent her home early. When kids are sent home sick, they cannot return to the center for at least 24 hours. So today I had the pleasure of working my full-time job while simultaneously taking care of Little C. I don't mind, really... it could have been worse. Trying to take care of a sick Big C while working is impossible.
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However, as much as I didn't mind, it's kind of frustrating to be home with a "sick" child when the child is obviously not sick. But rules are rules, and I can't justify pushing back on something that could cause the center to lose their federal funding... so here we are at the end of an uber-exciting day full of emails, spreadsheets, and conference calls. My baby is now officially "nerdified"!

She looks real sick, doesn't she?

I couldn't resist getting a shot of those pudgy legs! I love them!!!

Second Annual Pumpkin Patch Trip

This afternoon we made our annual trip to the local pumpkin patch up the street! Cassidy picked out our pumpkins, and one of the pumpkin ladies helped me place her just right to get TONS of cute pictures. When we got home, she arranged the pumpkins on the front steps.

DISCLAIMER: Some of you know that last year's pumpkin selection had special meaning... a big one (for Matt), a medium one (for me), a small one (for Cassidy), and teeny tiny one (for zygote Campbell). You will see in the pictures below that we got one huge one, one medium one, one small one, and two teeny ones this year. There is no hidden meaning or significance this year. Cassidy picked a bunch of pumpkins and we bought whatever she picked. I repeat: THERE IS NO SIGNIFICANCE OR SPECIAL MEANING. Now that we're all clear, check out our pumpkin patch pictures!!

Love it! Love it! Love it!

Love it even more!!

Little C came with us last year, but she didn't have eyes then. She clearly thinks this is her first time at the patch.

Daddy inspected the pumpkins to be sure we got the best ones.

Big C tried to line the pumpkins up across the front step. A nice idea until someone tries to get in the front door!
Big C and Little C with our pumpkin arrangement

Daddy and his girls

Question: Why Has Little C Been So Grumpy Lately?

Answer: She has her first ear infection. It's in her left ear and I get the sadz just thinking about it.

Lesson learned from Big C's 12 consecutive ear infections - ask for the ear tube surgery early and often. Matt and I have decided to start asking for tubes if Little C has one more infection within the next two months. I completely lost it when Big C had the surgery, but she was a totally different child afterward and I kicked myself for months for holding out so long. We'll do better this time!

Fort Fun Is An Appropriately Named Park

We went to Fort Fun yesterday after church, and let me tell you - it's an appropriately named park. First of all, it's a huge wooden playstructure that looks like a fort. Second, it was FUN!!! Cassidy had a great time running through the tunnels and finding her way through the giant play structure. Campbell spent the time kicked back in the stroller, and chewing on Cassidy's sweater. It sure will be nice when they can play together!

Daddy and Cassidy

Campbell chewing on Cassidy's sweater

Cassidy loved Fort Fun!

Water break

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today, I was supposed to be driving to Lexington with Matt for his VMI class reunion.
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One year ago today, I had a feeling my Dad was going to have health issues. I actually knew before HE did!
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One year ago today, I called the pet sitter and cancelled our arrangements. Juno stayed with me and Cassidy... Matt headed to Lexington alone.
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One year ago today, I wolfed down a hospital-grade turkey sandwich like I never have before (and haven't since!). Huge red flag!
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One year ago today, a little voice told me I'd better stop at Wal-Mart for a pregnancy test.
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One year ago today, I learned Campbell was on her way. The tiny little plus sign was dark and came up right away. I stood in the kitchen and laughed... and then realized I was going to have to wait 2 very long days for Matt to get home (I didn't want to tell him over the phone). TORTURE!!
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One year ago today, I looked at the calendar and realized it was October 12th - Matt's Dad's birthday.
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One year ago today, I calculated our due date - June 23rd - and realized the baby would be due on her Godfather's birthday.
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One year ago today, my heart knew Campbell was a keeper but my brain was too scared to believe it.
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One year ago today I argued with the front desk Nazi's at Dr. OBGYN's office. They finally understood my issue (no blood thinner = miscarriage) and had the PA fax a prescription for my shots.
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One year ago today, I started planning how I was going to break the news to Matt when he got back from Lexington. I ended up buying Cassidy a "World's Greatest Sister" t-shirt to have on when he came home. I had the hardest time keeping that secret all weekend!
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Can you believe it's been a year already?!? So much happened one year ago today!

A Super-Fun Saturday

We had a great day today! The weather was GORGEOUS, and we made sure to spend as much time outside as possible. After Cassidy's dance class, we all piled in the car and went to the local Children's Festival. Luckily, the Children's Festival is held at a park that happens to be very, very close to The Nerdery. We were able to park in my spot underneath the Evil Empire building, getting very close to the festival and the ATM while avoiding the crowded public parking garages.

After having fun at the festival, we came home and went for a long bike ride around our neighborhood. We're all tired, but it was truly a great day!!

Big C with the Admirals Mascot

Big C building a Lego tower

Little C looking cute in her Halloween Baby Legs

Big C and me on the trackless train

Matt and Little C

Big C standing by the prissy fountain in our neighborhood

Big C enjoying the neighborhood playground

Little C, Big C, and Princess Hello Kitty

Updated Campbell Stats

Little C had her 4 month check-up yesterday and has grown! At four months old, Campbell weighs 14 pounds and 11 ounces (61st percentile), is 23.5 inches long (12th percentile), and her head circumference is 17 inches (90th percentile).
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We've started to feed Little C a little bit of rice cereal mixed with formula, and she's doing really well learning to eat from a spoon. She's able to sit in her Bebe Pod for longer stretches of time, and is even strong enough to play in the Exersaucer!!
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Grow Campbell, Grow!

Little C kickin' back in the Bebe Pod...

... playing in her Exersaucer...

... and eating from a spoon!!