14 Months!!

Brinkley has changed so much over the past two months.  She is walking fast and muttering words!  She  is still pointing at everything, loves playing in the cabinets and has really started interacting with friends! She's still kissing us but selective about it and holds her arms up when she wants a hug. On a very hilarious yet not so cute note...she has learned to pitch-fits, glare at you when you take a toy and climb up and over all objects!  I have my hands full for sure!!!!! I can't believe how fast all of this goes.  I looked back over pictures of last Thanksgiving and she was so tiny and barely made a peep.  Now she is all eyes on me and running around the house!  We are really looking forward to the holidays!!  

***By the way...we finally have a TOOTH!  It cut about 2 weeks ago while we were on our trip!  

Headed to Hadley's Birthday Party! 

A Second Honeymoon!

We returned about a week ago from our trip to San Francisco and Napa Valley!  It was so much fun and a great getaway!  We packed a lot in a few days and really got to see everything.  In San Fran we did Alcatraz, Lombard Street, the "painted ladies",Golden Gate, Fisherman's Wharf, all the districts and more.  In Napa we hired a driver that took us to the vineyards and taught us about the area.  It was amazing!  Here is a short photo recap:

 Vineyards:  Etude
                   Robert Mondavi
                   Black Cat
                   Domaine Chandon
                   Peju
                   Provenance
                   Francis Ford Coppola
                   Beringer
                   Sterling
                   Frank Family                                                                

House Divided!!!!

Most people think this isn't possible in football or any sport to cheer for two different teams, let alone two teams in the same conference!  But we manage to do so!  Two of my brother-n-laws play for the Florida Gators so we have been supporting them for the past few years!  While our hearts still lie as a GAMECOCK!  Columbia is such a special place to Ike and I and obviously the reason we met and have been blessed with Brinks!  We love going back and spending time with distant friends.  So it will be interesting to see these two battle this weekend!!!!  

*As my sister-n-law reminds me that although I desperately want Brinkley to be a GAMECOCK and experience what Ike and I did.....two things remain a large factor:

               1.  Out of state tuition isn't cheap!

               2.  If she follows in my path she will meet a Carolina boy and move far away from home!    

                   HAHA!!!!!!

Packing for San Francisco and Napa!

Tuesday I had to do one of the hardest things I have done since I took on the mother role.  I flew Brinkley to North Carolina and turned around and came straight back.  Knowing I wasn't going to be seeing her for almost two weeks hit me so hard when my mother went to stroll her away.  The tears poured down my face and I couldn't get control of my emotions.  Two weeks in infant/toddler years is HUGE!  I mean she will have teeth and be running by the time we return.  But on a positive note my family is getting to spend quality time spoiling her and Ike and I will be tasting wines and getting some quality time of our own.  

I MISS HER SOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!

 BIG KISSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE FISH!!

We spent Sunday and Monday celebrating Halloween PARENTS style!  Trunk-or-Treat at Church  and Halloween night letting the kids play while giving out candy at my sister-n-laws!  There were bees, Tigger, Monkeys, fish, cowboys, super hero's, fairy's and so many other adorable costumes! We loved every part of dressing her and taking pictures, letting her play in the bounce house and trying to eat the candy with the wrapper on!  Hope everyone had a great weekend!