Month 32

One year ago

This is a long post kids. So grab your favorite juice box, put your feet up, and relax for a bit. In addition, due to the length and some technical difficulties, I will not have ACTUAL trick-or-treating photos in this post. But don't you worry,I'll get them.

We're OFF to see the WIZARDDDD! That was my theme song for the month of October. Really, it's kinda the theme song for my life, but apparently in October you can get away with dressing in costume and having theme songs, and it's not even considered strange. In fact you are REWARDED for it with candy! Who knew? I've definitely learned a lot since my "angry toddler" Halloween days of yesteryear. I think I can speak for toddlers everywhere when I say, October Rocks.

I should back up a bit though because before I discuss the geniusness behind Halloween, I must tell you all the other exciting things I did this month. Mommy and Daddy surprised me with a special trip that was all about ME. They said it was because I'm going to be a big sister so it was a special trip I got to do alone with them before my little brother comes. But I'm going to ignore the little BOTHER (can't take the credit, it's from Olivia) part and just say it was a special trip I got to do with Mommy and Daddy! So first we went to Richmond where we stayed with my Uncle Charlie and Uncle Denny. While we were there we went to a real live ROCK concert. You thought Elmo was crazy? Well hang on to your pull ups Laurelbug fans, cause this was complete mayhem. There were lights sabers, street vendors with paraphernalia, and toddlers dancing in the aisles. What was this you might ask? Justin Bieber? Bigger. Justin Timberlake? BIGGER. YO GABBA GABBA. That's what. It was quite a show. It took me a bit to warm up to all of it, but once I snacked on some popcorn and the balloons started flowing I was dancing in the aisle like everyone else.

After that excitement we spent the night at Uncle Charlie's and Uncle Denis' and woke up the next morning to head to Busch Gardens. I got to ride rides and see Elmo and eat FAIR food! And Daddy got to go on the rides with me AND he went on lots of scary roller coasters! And Mommy got to watch ALL the fun we had! Apparently, there isn't a lot a mommy can do when she's carrying a baby brother around. You know what I think about that? Shoulda just left it at the one kid you got! Why mess with a good thing, right?

After all that fun, we came home and awaited Halloween. Which, as I mentioned, is just about the best holiday ever. Leading up to Halloween we had all sorts of fall celebrations and hayrides. I basically dressed up as Dorothy everyday for the month of October. It may have been the best month of my life. Then when it was ACTUALLY Halloween I went trick or treating with my friends. At first, we were all a little timid about going up to strangers and saying "trick-or-treat." But I'll tell you what, we got over that REAL fast. Once we discovered the candy loot we could get all by saying that phrase and looking cute, we were planning our attack strategies. Never underestimate the brains of a toddler. We're cute and we know it.

Hope you enjoy my pics. It might be a little while until my next post because apparently this little bother I've been hearing so much about is actually coming soon. I'm going to be pretty busy helping out. I promised Mommy I would help her feed him, and wash him, and play with him, and put him night-night. I've also volunteered to take him home... you know, to HIS house. She said something about him living here, but I think she's confused. We'll work it out and I'll be sure to take some pics of him for the blog before dropping him off at his real house. Until next time, peace out girl scouts.

Taking in Yo Gabba Gabba

Daddy helping me stay hydrated for the big show

We're PUMPED

Wooooooo!!!!

Helping Daddy get Busch Gardens Tickets

Can we just GO IN??

On the boat ride...Daddy sure did enjoy it!

Checking out the live music. It's no Yo Gabba Gabba, but still entertaining

I'm quite the equestrian (this is before I burst into tears)

I had to do Le Scoot twice

Mike's farm...in my Dorothy dress

They needed some help rearranging their pumpkin display. Really, shouldn't they hire professionals for that?

On the haunted hay ride...never show your fear.

I really, REALLY like pumpkins.

Daddy, you confuse us.

Just hayridin' with my daddy

Gooooood

Going to the school Halloween carnival...still in my Dorothy dress

Ghosts need hugs too

Trick-or-Treating on the battleship...yep, in my Dorothy dress

Showing off my loot

That was funny...you had to be there

Cheesin' with punk rocker Scarlett

Photo Op with our pumpkins...still in my Dorothy dress

With Toto...and can you spot the jealous puppy in the background?

What's better than one Dorothy? TWO of course!

Party at Carter and Grady's house! And you got it, I'm STILL wearing the Dorothy dress...kinda makes you wonder if it ever got washed doesn't it?? I'll never tell...

Busting the pinata. I got to go first because I was the shortest. What I lack in size I make up for with sheer strength...and brains...and REALLY good looks.

The motherload!

Pumpkin carving....ewwwww GUTS!

With my pumpkins...Scary and Scarier. I told Daddy I wanted one that was happy, but I think we got our signals crossed....or we have VERY different ideas of happy.

Mommy and Caroline's (Snow White) Mommy hosted our Halloween party at school. Can you guess what I'm WEARING??

I have on my listening ears...do YOU?

We all get to be ghosts.

BOO!

Video of me dancing in the aisles during Party in my Tummy song...it's a little hard to see me, but trust me, when you hear the beat, you'll get the idea.

Video of dancing in the classroom

Month 31

I think it is fair to say that this month is the month I REALLY discovered a love of princesses. One viewing of the movie Cinderella and I was hooked. So this month I got to dress up like a princess, I got to meet Cinderella, AND I even helped Daddy (yes, you read that right, DADDY) make a princess CAKE. FINALLY, peeps around here are starting to recognize me for the princess that I am!

Mommy and Daddy have finally decided to start making a room for baby brother. They painted it blue and I got to help a little bit. Until Daddy said maybe I'd be more helpful if I went to watch Dora, so then Mommy and I helped by watching Dora and Daddy painted. The room is coming together and I think everyone is starting to get excited. They even bought a new chair for his room. I decided to climb up in it and test it out as SOON as we got it home. Then I tinkled in it. You can call it an accident, but I never have those anymore, I prefer to think of it as a christening.

Stay tuned for next month's post because there is a lot of spoooooooky Halloween fun coming your way!

Debuting my princess dress...

Driving a bus...now THAT's a princess who's in touch with the common folk

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of Cinderella

Soooo excited to FINALLY meet Cinderella!

Preparing to make the cake by draining the martini shaker in my underwear, just like Nana taught me. Just kidding! Or am I??

Real men like pink.

I'm just gonna take a little taste while no one's looking...

What? I didn't do anything. Why, do I have something on my face?

Real men like pink. And princess cakes.

Our masterpiece!

I'm so proud of all my hardwork.

A family photo. Just to show that we're normal. You know, that we don't always bake princess cakes in our underwear.

Month 30

So, so, SO many fun and exciting things to tell you about this month. For starters, it's official, I'm a big girl! I eat like a big girl, I potty like a big girl, and NOW I even SLEEP like a big girl. That's right. I'm in my very own big girl bed. Mommy went and bought me a brand new bed and a brand new mattress, nothing used for me (surely you've heard about the bed bug infestations? ain't no joke kids!). THEN she took me to the store and I got to pick out ANY sheets I wanted. So of course, I picked out the pinkest, most princessy sheets I could find. I even got a new night light because Mommy said big girls don't need to leave their bathroom lights on all night. And you know what? She was right! I LOVE my big girl princess bed and I'm not even afraid of the dark. The first night I was SUPER excited to go to sleep. I even told Mommy and Daddy to get out! But then, after about 20 minutes, I realized I could get out so why stay if I didn't have to? This resulted in what Mommy calls a "power struggle." I struggled and struggled and struggled, but ultimately, I let Mommy win. Since that night, no problems. I love my big girl bed SO much and if you ever come over, I'll show it to you! I just LOVE to show it off!

In other exciting news, Mommy took her first real trip without ME. She called it a girls' trip, but I'm a girl so I'm not really sure why I couldn't go too. Anyway, she went to the Bahamas and I stayed home with Daddy. I spent a lot of time with Nana while Daddy worked, which was super fun. I didn't really sleep much, but Nana lets me do whatever I want so why would I waste that time sleeping? Then Daddy and I went to Oriental to see my Grandma, Grandpa, and some of my cousins. That was super fun too, but I think my mommy really missed me.

This month I also went back to school! Yay! School is so fun and this year I got 3 mornings a week. Some of the babies in the class cried the first few days, but not me! I'm a big girl now, remember? And big girls don't cry. I just went right in that classroom and headed for the princess stuff. Some of my friends from last year are in my class and I'm making some new friends too. My teachers say I'm a great helper.

Last night in the crib - fake sleeping for photo purposes

See? No sleeping here.

Crib, I love you, but it's time to move on.

Last morning waking up in the crib...not so fake bed head.

With Daddy and my cousins in Oriental

My re-enactment of the opening credits of Baywatch

Come on, like I even know what that show IS? I think my daddy might like it though...

On my way to school for Orientation...notice I'm shouting "SCHOOL"

Straight to the princess dresses

Bubbles and photos before the first day

"Cheeseburger" with Mommy...

Now Daddy's turn...

Showing the girls the ropes

The first day of my Tues/Thurs class (Wed. is arts enrichment day because the arts are important...in case you haven't heard)

We even have baby dolls too!!

With Caroline, my BFF (and carpool buddy)

Showing Daddy how to use the sand table

Good bye kisses for Mommy, but no tears!

Month 29

Folks, we've got some serious catching up to do. I realize I'm a bit behind in posting, so for that reason, this month is all about the pictures. Although Month 29 was a great one, as they all are, I don't think you'll be missing much if I skip some narration. There weren't any really BIG events...not like in the month of the BIG 3-0. So I'll just leave you with some parting shots of summer and catch you next month. As always, thanks for reading!

Enjoying a sammy at the beach...

Sprinkler fun with Grandma

Slip, sliding away....

Ahahahaaaa

Eating this...

Makes me act like THIS

I think cupcake kisses are a hoot!

Really it's a hoot anytime you have cupcake smeared all over your face

Proof Mommy and Daddy do go out without me...sometimes.