Skytop Orchard & Chimney Rock

We had a family outing day and went to Skytop orchard and chimney rock. In all the years I have lived in Greenville I had never been to this apple orchard. It was a lot of fun. Carter loves balls and when he saw all the apples on the ground he pointed and said ball and we said no apple. So all afternoon we told him apple and by the end of the day he could say it. So now when he sees an apple he points and says apple. Stephen helped him pick on and he held onto it for dear life and would not let us take it from him to put in the basket. Cody enjoyed picking and filling the basket. We took lots of pictures, picked apples, tried an apple donut and the boys sat on a pumpkin. Then we ate lunch and headed over to chimney rock. We took hiked to the top with the boys and the view was amazing. It was a fun family day.

Carter's first haircut

Why is it so hard for us mommies to take our little ones for their first hair cut? Carter's hair was so funny because like his brother he has a cowlick in the front of his head. Cody's hair stood up on it's own but not Carter's. The back of his hair in the middle had body (got that from his dad) but the sides was straight as a stick (like mommy). So he just needed a trim to clean up the look and avoid a mullet look. Still I hated to think about his first haircut....once you do that they look like little boys and less like babies. Right after one of Cody's soccer games we took Carter to Jelly Beans for his first haircut. It is a cute kid's shop. They only charge a penny for their "first" hair cut, give you a first hair cut certificate, lock of their hair and the child gets a balloon with a bag of jelly beans typed to it to weight it down. Carter did so good. He did not cry or squirm.

Cody's first trip to the dentist

In an effort to prepare Cody for his first visit to the dentist Stephen and I talked to him for weeks prior to his appt. We even read him a book about going to the dentist. The day came and I took him early so that he could have time in the waiting area to play and look around. Everything was fine or so I thought until the dentist came into the room. He panicked. OK a better description of what took place is he pitched a fit. Well to be honest I think he was more upset that his play time in the fun waiting area was cut short. He could car less that they were playing a movie in the dentist room. The dentist was wonderful despite the outburst. She was calm, friendly and reassured him he would be fine. The hygienist was able to clean his teeth while I held him in the chair. I took several photos as we went into the office and planned to take some while he got his teeth cleaned so that I would have them to scrapbook. Well that all went out the window since I had to hold him down not to mention my nerves were shot and it slipped my mind. He managed to get himself together before we left and apologized to the hygienist and told her he would try and do better next time. She told him that they were pals and she gave him and toothbrush, toothpaste and a T-shirt.

Cody turns 4

Where does the time go? Cody turned 4 on Sept. 20th. I can not believe my baby is not a baby anymore and is growing so fast. It seems like yesterday that I was headed to the hospital to have him. He is such a sweet child and a blessing to our family. He is smart, funny and very independent (wonder which parent that comes from). This year he wanted a spiderman party. We were still in limbo with housing so we had his party at Play Nation. We had a blast!

Upward Soccer

This fall Cody is playing Upwards Soccer for the first time. The name of his team is the "Polar Bears". His coach has them do a polar bear growl at the beginning of each game. It is a hoot. Each week they are getting a little better and improving from the week before. Cody is having a ball and that is what counts. He has met some new friends and we are enjoying going to the games and cheering him on.

Cody's first trip to Auburn Alabama

For Cody's 4rth birthday present Papa and Mena took Cody to Auburn, Alabama to his very first Auburn football game. Months prior to his birthday Cody had been asking Papa if he would take him to a game. Papa told him that he would try and work it out with his college buddy Mr. Heely and try and get extra tickets so that Cody could go. Mena and Papa came to Charlotte for the weekend early in 2008. Over that weekend Papa was reading Cody a bedtime story when his cell rang and it was Mr. Heely calling concerning tickets for the 2008 football season. Little did Papa know that Cody listened to the whole conversation. The next day Cody asked about the tickets and who was this "Mr. Heely". Papa explained he was a college friend and the one who could get tickets for Cody to be able to go to a game in the fall. So for months after that initial conversation Cody would check in with Papa to see if he had spoken with Mr. Heely. Finally September came around and it was time for football. Cody could not wait to go to his first game. Sept 6, 2008 Papa, Mena, Cody, Jenny and Stephen drove to Alabama. Papa took Cody shopping, walked him around the campus pointing out things like Toomer's corner (the famous place to get lemonade) and the science building he blew up. Papa took Cody to meet Mr. Heely and pick up his tickets. Cody thinks Mr. Heely hung the moon and was his new best friend. Cody went to Tiger Walk and got to see the players prior to the game. He was amazed at the size of the stadium all could not get over the amount of people who were there to cheer for Auburn. He got his dad to apply Auburn tattoos on him. He got to see the Eagle soar over the field prior to kickoff. He loved every minute. He clapped, cheered and waived his pom pom with pride. He was hooked. Auburn won the game and Papa explained the tradition of rolling Toomer's corner after a win. So Cody did his part. He had an amazing time and was worn out for the ride home.

Carter's first birthday

Our baby turned 1 yrs old on Sept 4th. He shares his birthday with Mena and Papa's anniversary. When my water broke that night I called mom and dad and said looks like I will be delivering your anniversary present real soon you just need to drive to Charlotte quickly to pick it up. Boy does time fly. I can hardly believe a year has passed and our baby is one. He is such a joy and a wonderful addition to our family. He adores Cody and has a wonderful personality. He is very loving and likes to cuddle. Since we in transition and trying to sell our house in NC we had his first birthday party at Gymboree. Carter loves Gymbo the clown and dances if you sing him the Gymboree song. It is a hoot to observe. He had a great day and was worn out by the time the party ended. He fell asleep on the ride home. We went out for Mexican food that night at El Tajana and they sang to him in Spanish and made him wear a special party hat.