So Much to be Thankful For

We have so much to be thankful for this year. For wonderful family. For friends who are "family" to us. For a very happy marriage and a beautiful daughter. For all of our needs being not only met, but exceeded. For our health. And for happiness, happiness, happiness!

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving at one of my favorite places on the planet - our house! We hosted Thanksgiving for the Justice side of the family. Lucky for me, Alex brought the turkey so I wasn't responsible for cooking the bird. Shew! I've done it before, but no one had to twist my arm to give up that task. I made several sides, and Travis' Mom and Nanny made a couple sides and dessert. We had a great Thanksgiving feast, but more importantly had a full day to hang out as a family. Campbell had a great time trying to keep up with her older cousins. I did miss my family in Virginia - there's just something about actually being with everyone you are thankful for that makes the day the most meaningful. But obviously we can't all be together all the time. So I settled for a few phone calls, and we ate off of my great grandmother's china and silver, which was a gift to me from my Grandma. So that helped bring a little piece of my side of the family to the Thanksgiving table.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time to gear up for the big birthday party and for Christmas! Very exciting times ahead. On Black Friday we did a little birthday shopping for Campbell (it's so great, she can come with us and has no idea what we're doing - ha!). This weekend we got out the Christmas decorations and I'm starting to get in the spirit. Once I finish trimming the tree, and get a little Christmas music going, I'll be ready for St. Nick!!

Big news this morning - Campbell graduated out of the baby room at church! As of this morning, Campbell is officially a toddler!!! We took her to the toddler's and 2's nursery and dropped her off. In the baby room, we usually went in, sat down, got her interested in a toy, and snuck out. The toddler room is a whole different ball game. They keep a gate up to cut down on the flight risk, so we just had to hand Campbell over the gate to a stranger, in a new classroom. Needless to say, she wasn't too happy. Travis and I stood in the hall and watched from the window and soon enough, she was fine. They have those tables with the little seats down in the table. They sat her in the table next to another little girl, gave her a big pile of Cheerios and her sippy cup, and she was on top of the world! Travis and I had "a moment" as we watched our little baby in the big girl room, acting like a big girl. We had a hard time going to big people church. I think he and I both would've been content to stand in the hallway and check on her all morning. Nervous parents! But we peeled ourselves away, and were happy to get the report that Campbell did absolutely great in there and seemed to have a lot of fun. When we picked her up, she and another little girl were playing a gentle game of tug of war over a book. I'm so grateful for the social interaction she gets at church. Wow - a toddler!!! Isn't that crazy??????

I was too wrapped up in the cooking and entertaining on Thanksgiving to take any pictures...but here are two that ended up on my camera!

Campbell enjoying lunch before her First Thanksgiving

Emerson and Peyton loving on Campbell

Friends in the Making

Our Sunday will go down in history as the most productive Sunday ever! We hung pictures, steam-cleaned our carpets, installed baby gates on the stairs, ran errands, and more. I feel so good knocking all of those things off our list (ok, let's be real, it was MY list, not OUR list. But I do appreciate Travis' participation).

Harley and Lexi aren't too thrilled about the baby gates on the stairs. Lexi is scared of them and cries when they are shut. Harley just sees them as one more annoyance, but luckily she is flexible enough to scoot under them. I'm so glad - I hated to think my poor kitty would have to hurdle the gates while on the stairs!! After all, she's almost 9 years old!!

Speaking of Harley, I realized the other day we didn't have a single picture of Campbell and Harles together. Probably because, like the baby gates, Campbell is just another annoyance to Harley. Cats aren't too big on change, and these two are far from best friends. I'd say Harley likes Campbell more than she likes Lexi, but that isn't saying much. Ha! Really, until a month or so ago, Campbell paid no attention to Harley. Harles is too fast and just made herself scarce. But now that Campbell is mobile, they've had a few meetings (aka run-ins). They're not friends yet, but Campbell is very curious and very determined. She's pet Harley once or twice. It's difficult to try to explain to an 11-month old why she cannot corner Harley in her little kitty tent and try to reach in and pet her. How can I nicely tell her that if she does that, she'll probably lose an arm? Harles does have a sweet side (Travis will tell you I'm lying, but she does), and I'm sure after we get past a few inevitable scratches, they'll be buddies.

I managed to finally capture these two sisters together on film (before the baby gates went up).

Going...

Going...

Gone! Harley ran safely to the landing, probably plotting her attack on the baby...

A Good Day "at the Office"

Some days are better than others. That's just a fact. With all the traveling Travis has had to do, and the strenuous work schedule he's had to keep lately, I'll admit I've had some tough days. The days are just longer when my relief pitcher isn't around. BUT...today wasn't one of those days! Campbell and I just had a good day. Nothing too extraordinary, it just goes down in the books as a good day. We started out with brunch at Oasis since it was our last meeting of the semester. I'm honestly sad that we won't meet again until January, I really looked forward to my Thursday morning Bible study. (Never thought I'd say that! Wow, how lucky I am to have stumbled upon something that makes me so happy.) Brunch was delicious and Campbell enjoyed what was probably her last day in the baby room of the nursery. Now that she's walking, she'll graduate to the toddler room. OMG! She played hard at home this afternoon, took a pretty good nap which is such a rarity, and I even caught a few zzz's. After naptime, we went to the outlet mall to find a cute birthday outfit for Campbell since it's quickly approaching. And after shopping, she and I had a girls night out at Moe's. She and I ate together and had a ball. She was just delightful, smiling, laughing, clapping for herself, enjoying the people-watching and the change of scenery. We skipped bathtime just because I felt lazy, and she went to sleep in an instant. I love days like today. I'm reminded how much I just love being Campbell's Mommy. I always love it - but days like today, it doesn't feel like work at all.

Tonight my sister called with some great news - Taylor pee pee'd in the potty! Taylor actually told me herself. This has been a long battle, and just when my sister and brother-in-law were going to give up for a few weeks and try again later...she says, "Mommy, my body is telling me!!" hahaha I'm so proud of her. Today is her mommy and daddy's fifth anniversary. What a nice present - pee pee in the potty!!! They planned as a family to sit down and watch their wedding video. They watched it once and Taylor enjoyed it. But what she REALLY enjoyed was my wedding video. She has watched it three times this evening, and it is not a short video! For one...she's in the wedding and loves seeing herself as a baby. Taylor was dressed in her princess dress while watching our video. Jen said when Travis and I had our first dance, she would stand and "princess dance" with us. Apparently when she saw me in my wedding dress for the first time, she gasped and said, "Oh look how beautiful Aunt Sara is in her princess dress!" Another great quote is when she told Jennifer that "Uncle T is a prince, I think so." But the best quote of all came at dinnertime. The three of them sat down to eat, and remember, it's their anniversary. (sidenote - they are having a "real" date night this weekend to celebrate without Taylor) At our wedding, Jennifer was escorted by Travis' brother, Alex. So at the dinner table, Taylor tells Leif, "Hey Daddy, at Aunt Sara's wedding, Mommy married Uncle T's brother!" HAHAHA How hilarious is that? I got the biggest kick out of her commentary of my wedding. What a sweetheart, and such a big girl now that she used the potty! Way to go, Taylor!!! We're proud of you.

Now I need to focus on the Panthers game which is on TV. I need to look for Travis on the sidelines and try to focus on the game since I'm trying to become a better fan... (Travis thinks that's the funniest goal I've ever set for myself).

Catching Up

Travis is finally home after being gone for TWELVE long days. He was actually home last weekend, but Campbell and I were in Virginia. He was torn up about being away from his girls, and we were equally distraught to go almost two weeks without Daddy. The reunion between Campbell and her daddy was priceless. I'd give anything to have that moment on video - she went NUTS! She was so excited, screaming, kicking...and then once in his arms she was hugging him, looking at his face, hugging him some more. And wouldn't even come back to me! I had to practically push her out of the way to get myself a quick hug from Travis! ;) She and I are both so glad he's home again.

While Travis was out of town, I tried to take a lot of pictures of Campbell so I could send them to him. I also caught some cute moments from our time in Virginia and from a quick day trip to Marion yesterday. So below, I will catch up on the pictures from the past two weeks that I've been wanting to post. Just had a hard time finding time to do it when I was running this ship on my own.

Passing the time at the playground while Daddy was gone



Looking out the window for Daddy

Notice my little pianist is on her tippy toes. So cute!

Taking a bath with Cousin Taylor in Virginia

Running around Taylor's room almost naked

Jennifer's Baby Sprinkle (I regret that the only cute belly pictures I got of my sister were on her camera and not mine. Take it from me, she is a very cute pregnant lady!! Too bad that gift bag is blocking your view of my nephew!)

Teaching Campbell about the Hokie Bird at my parents' house...it's never too young to start.

Visiting Great Grandma Betty

Finally...back in Huntersville!

Hanging out with Cousin Brittan and Gangy in Marion on Saturday

Cousins Braxton and Brittan are in town visiting from West Virginia, so it was worth the drive even for only a few hours to hang out.

Making Paw Paw Butch smile while he recovers from knee replacement surgery (youch!!). Get better soon, Paw Paw.

Now we're all caught up on pictures. Shew! Time to go plan a first birthday party...it's coming in just a few weeks!

11-11-11

Today, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Campbell turned eleven months old! We really should head to Vegas...is there such thing as triple eleven's? I'd say it'd have to be lucky!!

One month away from being one year old. WOW. Campbell has been walking for almost a month now. She is improving everyday. As long as there's something to pull up on, she is off! With this walking comes a lot of crashing - sometimes her feet move faster than she's ready for. The steps have gotten to be too many to count. She can ease back down to a seated position, and can come pretty close to squatting down to pick up a toy. It's amazing to me that our tiny baby girl is walking through the house!

That red hair is coming in fast and going in every which direction. And as if the red hair wasn't a big enough surprise, God thought he'd really keep us on our toes by giving her some curls! That's right...curls!!!! You'll be able to see it in the pictures - she has a huge curl over one of her ears, and the back of her hair has some little curls too. I had some baby curls when I was little, so I guess that's where she gets it? Red curls...I love it!!

Campbell is into all the cabinets now. I introduced her to the tupperware cabinet, and she took it upon herself to check out the rest of the cabinets. She laughs a huge belly laugh which will force a smile on anyone within hearing distance. She claps her hands every chance she gets, and knows whens it's appropriate to clap. Sometimes she claps for herself if she walks a long distance on her own, or she claps when her favorite baby TV shows come on. Campbell has a big smile and an even bigger personality. She LOVES books - but cries EVERY SINGLE TIME you get to the last page. So reading is not really a relaxing activity for us. We keep trying to explain to her that sometimes good things come to an end, but we can read the book again later. So far, she doesn't get it. She is so sweet and has really wowed us this past month with all that she's learned. We love you, baby girl!! We couldn't be more proud of who you have become in the last eleven months.

Too grown up to sit and pose for a picture any more. She stood up in the chair on her own!

And decided she was going to walk off the chair...Mommy had to put down the camera for a minute.

A hat? In November? It was a very cold, rainy day here, and I couldn't resist this little matching sweater and hat set. Campbell had other plans though.

Mommy won...for about 5 seconds.

Photo shoot is over, and now it's playtime!

Sunny with a 100% Chance of a Sprinkle

Campbell and I are finally back in Huntersville after being road warriors this weekend. We left on Thursday and drove to Roanoke, spent the night with my parents. Left Friday afternoon with my Mom on board and headed to Northern Virginia to my sister's house. Spent the weekend there to celebrate my sister and my nephew-to-be!! Yesterday we drove back to Roanoke where Campbell and I spent the night with my parents. And then today, after having lunch with my Grandma, Campbell and I drove BACK to Huntersville. PHEW! That's four road trips - each about 3-4 hours. Let me tell you, I am all drived out!! But was it worth it? Oh my gosh, a million times, YES!!!

This weekend I got to see my beautiful sister and her belly. She says it's huge - it's definitely not huge. She is just perfectly pregnant and carrying that baby like a true Reid girl. We don't mess around! ;) My nephew is due on Valentine's Day (or Balentine's Day, as Taylor says it), which happens to be my sister's birthday! He'll likely arrive before being struck by Cupid's arrow as her doctor has plans to induce a little early. I am just so excited to have a nephew, and to add another precious baby to the family. Children are the absolute greatest blessing in the world. The joy that has come over our family since Taylor and Campbell have joined us is just indescribable. I love my niece Taylor so much and I am just jumping with excitement to meet her little brother.

My sister's friends threw her a baby sprinkle yesterday - like a baby shower, but supposedly less elaborate since it's baby #2. No one followed directions because Jennifer was definitely showered with gifts. It was really fun and I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

My parents had a blast with Campbell. GrandDeb, aka Grandma Normie, rode with Campbell in the backseat for two of our four roadtrips. She kept Campbell entertained and happy which took away all the stress for me. Last night in Roanoke, Campbell put on quite a show for GrandDaddy and GrandDeb, which was great medicine for poor GrandDaddy who is fighting a terrible cough. She was straight up WILD. It was hilarious and she was acting like a crazy baby. We just sat back and enjoyed the show and laughed at my little performer. She is walking all over the place, stumbling like a drunk person. And last night, she decided to pick up the pace and try to skip/jog which was disastrous! Didn't bother her at all, she was crashing time and time again, laughing and giggling her little head off, and taking off again. It was so funny to watch!

Taylor and Campbell are the best of buds. These cousins were inseparable this weekend. Taylor will turn three about a week after Campbell turns one. Taylor wants to help me do everything, and wants to be next to Baby Campbell at all times. They took the inaugural ride in Jen's new double jogging stroller which was super cute. They were holding hands!!!!!! I melted. They took a bath together, complete with a bathtime tea party. Campbell had a bewildered look on her face during many of these activities, but Taylor didn't skip a beat and was sweet and gentle with Campbell. I will attempt to make a literary reference, but please don't make fun of me if it's wrong. Was it "Of Mice and Men" when the guy named Lenny loved the bunny so much, that he pet it too hard and killed it? We kept joking that Taylor was like Lenny and Campbell was the poor bunny being smothered by affection. But everyone survived and those two little girls are adorable to watch. I must say I was quite proud of Campbell. On more than one occasion, Taylor took a toy away from her and Campbell went after her. I'm talking, WWE-style. Like pulled her down from behind, went for the hair, it was a cat fight! I don't think Taylor stood a chance! (It doesn't hurt that Campbell weighs almost as much as Taylor despite the two year age gap - ha!) Us grown ups cracked up, and then of course intervened and made peace and talked about sharing. My girl can hold her own!! I'm glad to see she's going to be a little scrappy. That means she'll be assertive and stand up for herself. I like that!

The only bummer of the whole weekend was that my sweet husband wasn't there. Because Travis was working out of town last week, and because we were staying for a long weekend, he couldn't come with us. We had to leave town Thursday and he didn't return until Friday! :( We missed him so much it hurt! I don't know how couples manage when one parent travels a lot. It stinks, and I feel like Campbell is changing so fast right now, I just want him standing next to me at all times so we can watch her grow up before our very eyes! I'm being a bit of a drama queen, but in a nutshell, Campbell and I missed her Daddy very, very much.

I did take some pictures here and there this weekend but after all that driving, there isn't even a chance that I'll find the camera and download pictures tonight. If there are good ones, I'll post them later this week when I've crawled out from under the suitcases and recovered from all our travels. Right now...I'm headed to the couch to chase down a DVR'ed episode of Top Chef with a nice glass of pinot grigio. Wearing a big, fat smile on my face as I think about the great weekend we had with my family.

Trick or Treat

I'm a few days late with details from Campbell's first Halloween! It was pretty uneventful but very fun. We of course dressed her up in the lovebug suit. I don't really know what Halloween protocol is for the little ones. It was still light out, yet I saw a few tiny trick-or-treaters down the street. Some of our neighbors already had their porch lights on, others didn't. So we went in and out of the house several times, each time ending with me saying, "nah, not yet, no one's out yet, let's wait a few more minutes." I just wanted it to be perfect! Meanwhile, Campbell was probably roasting in the all-fleece lovebug suit! :) Once we decided to make it a go, it was great. We just took her to a handful of neighbors' houses. She just had a blank stare on her face, kind of indifferent about the whole thing which is fine. After all, it is sort of a whacky holiday and was probably a little overwhelming. It started to rain on us, and Travis and I each had gotten a Payday candybar, so we called it a night! Back home, we parked her Exersaucer thing in the foyer and let her see a few rounds of trick-or-treaters at our house. I really liked one witch who was about seven years old. I opened the door, she saw Campbell and said, "Aw, I like your kid." Um, thanks! Haha, too cute. I love the pictures I captured from her first Halloween. Hope you enjoy them too! And I hope we find another excuse to wear that lovebug costume before she outgrows it, it is just way too adorable!

FINALLY outside after several false alarms.

Mommy loves this lovebug!

Daddy takes me next door to trick-or-treat. Check out their decorations! If you think this is good, you should see the place at Christmas!!

Ding dong, trick or treat!!!!!

HAPPY FIRST HALLOWEEN, CAMPBELL! You made a perfect lovebug.