Tools Ra!

Today was guys' day. Mondays I (Dad) get to hang out with Cade while Mom works. Since Mom got him a kitchen, I have been working on instilling a love of tools and projects in Cade. We have been working on some projects in Ruthie's room. When it is time to get working on a project, I have Cade trained to say "Tools, Ra!" as we go to the garage to get the tools. Today, the tool of choice was a rake. Cade did more damage than help in raking the leaves, but it was fun watching him play in the huge pile of leaves. Here are a few shots from the day...and yes, that is Cade eating a leaf.

Ruthie's Baby Shower

Today we had a shower for Ruthie!! It was great fun, and Andy and I enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Andy and I are blessed to serve at a church where we have made such good friends. The shower was beautiful and all of the hostesses took such attention to detail. It made the fact that we are having another baby very real!!! Ruthie racked up with lots of monogrammed and personalized gifts, as well as so much needed essentials. I must share one special gift. Andy's sweet grandmother Mama Jacque is an amazing seamstress that had SEVEN grandsons!! Needless to say, she did not get to sew some of the beautiful things that little girls wear. Well, although she would say her hands don't work like they used to, she spent who knows how many countless hours making Ruthie a beautiful dress. The lace on the sleeves is from HER baby dress. WOW. We were all a little teary when I opened that one today. It is so special to me and to Andy. Now, we just need to put the finishing touches on the nursery and we will be good to go!!!

At the Park

Ruthie ("Poopie" as Cade calls her)

I feel kind of sorry for my second child. Besides my bulging abdomen and other little pregnancy symptoms, I honestly forget I am pregnant with her. I have devoted maybe 2 posts to her on this blog. Anyway, I know that will change when she is here and there is actually something to write about. Today we had our 4d ultrasound. It went well, I think the technician was a little annoyed because Ruthie was very close to my uterine wall and she could not get a great picture of her face. We were just glad to see her again and were not picky. She wants to try again at our appointment in 2 weeks. Fine by me!!! Anyway, they are estimating her at about 3lbs 6 ozs right now and she measuring right on track. It was so neat to see features of her that look similar to Cade. Here are a few of the shots we got. In most of them you will see her face, she has rather large lips. In one of the pictures you will see a hand in a fist. There is also a cute one of her profile with her whole hand in her mouth. We were able to watch her actually open her eyes today. Amazing.

Trick or Treat

We had a good Halloween despite the flu for Andy and a cold for Cade. All day long Cade has been saying "Halloween Night". Too cute. Instead of heading to my parents like usual (they were not interested in our germs), we cooked soup here and took Cade to a couple of houses in our neighborhood. Once we were done, Cade enjoyed helping pass out the candy. He would drop a piece in someone's bucket and then say "yay". He was not fearful to trick or treat and used his best manners. Just a couple of thoughts on Halloween while they are on my mind... 1) When did it become acceptable to walk to someone's door and NOT say "trick or treat" but instead just hold out your bag? 2) Pillow cases for bags are arrogant and rude- no one needs that much candy. 3) Adults do not trick or treat. Everyone knows you just eat your child's candy when you get home, you should not carry your own bag. 4) When the lights are off at a house, you do not ring the doorbell. Period. The end. So, one Holiday down, 2 to go!

Fall Festivities

Wednesday was a very busy day around here. Cade has his school party and our church had its annual Fall Festival. I was so looking forward to the day, so I was glad we made it through it BEFORE Andy got the flu. Yup, he is down and out. But, that is for another blog. Anyway, Cade had a cute little party at school with his friends, they trick or treated down through the church staff offices. It was cute. He even managed to go by his Daddy's office and continue on his way without tears. Then they enjoyed a chicken nugget meal from Chick fil A. Cade was in heaven with chicken and french fries.
After a long nap (for both of us), we met my Dad at the Fall Festival. This is another one of Andy's major events, so it was nice to have Dad there to help me with Cade. Cade ate junk food, ran around, played with Big Al and Aubie(who is especially close to our family), rode a carousel and a train thing, and socialized. Needless to say, we are all BEAT. It's a fun time of year.

Pumpkins

I obviously passed along my love for Halloween to Cade. He is obsessed and I do mean totally obsessed with "peepkins". He points them out everywhere we go, looks for them as we drive, and carries his small one around the house. It's cute. Anyway, last night we(and by that I mean Andy)carved our family pumpkin with my parents. I was all excited about it and Cade could not have cared less. In fact, he lost interest and kept saying "yucky" from the moment Andy took the stem off the top. By the end, however, he was back into it again, probably because there was fire involved (lighting the candle).Let me also said that when mom asked Cade what the pumpkins name was he said "Cade". Really? Oh well, it was a good photo opt, and hopefully it will go better on Friday when we have friends over to carve pumpkins. We wills see!!