Being Brave....(with Pappy's help)

I have ALWAYS wanted to climb a tree....so look what Pappy helped me with the other night! It was so fun! I wanted to keep going and going...but the adults in the group wouldn't let me! Who needs them??? Someday I will go higher when I am a little bigger....and when someone else will go with me! It was loads of fun!

An Ellie Funny

Ellie and Reid's mom in for a minute....

Friday night we went to the home football game. This makes Ellie's day. She LOVES going to football games. Not because she loves football....no, she goes for the band, majorettes, and cheerleaders. She is mesmerized by them all. So, we hauled the family to the game and Ellie was just thrilled. She and Reid were both so good. We knew that the kids would not last the whole game, so we decided that I would take the kids home after the halftime show. So, about midway into the first quarter (after much cheering by Ellie and her pom poms that she took with her), Ellie looks over at me and asks, "Mommy, are these the Red Riding Hoods?" I laughed so hard, I could barely see through the tears that were streaming from my eyes. I had her ask her question to Brian as well. Ellie leaned way over towards Brian and asked, "Daddy, are these the Red Riding Hoods?" Not only did Brian hear her question, but so did many around us because Ellie wanted to make sure that Brian heard her, so she would get an answer. There were giggles and smiles all around us. Many of you can't find the humor in this story. We were there cheering on our football team....THE RED RIDERS. Not, the Red Riding Hoods. Close....but not quite! Hope you got a chuckle this morning!

Are you with us???

Ok, so this new feature is pretty neat....you can publically tell us if you are following our story through our blog by "following us". I know many of our cleft family followers are on board with this...but I am curious how many others there are out there that follow our story day to day. Please let us know if you are someone who has hopped on this jouney with us by following our typical happenings day in and day out. We are so glad that you are here....and we'd love to know who is reading our blog. Time to fess up....and show yourselves!!!!! Thanks for joining us on our journey!

My best friend...

My best friend came over to play tonight. I love Ryne so much! He is my neighbor and best buddy. Mommy said he could come play tonight. It was a good time, and I am counting the hours until he can come back again! Love you, Ryne!

Who thinks he's hot stuff now???

Here's Reid....pushing my baby stroller around (one handed, mind you!) He thinks he is pretty big stuff!

Mommy says he is getting too big too quickly!

FAMILY reunion day!

Reid and Cousin Madison checking each other out. I'm not sure who loved who more!

Reid is showing how happy he is that Madison was with us all today

Grandma making me laugh!

Me making everyone laugh!

It was a FAMILY reunion, right? This is me and Uncle Dick having a great time together. Love the teeth. Mommy laughed so hard she is still smiling when she thinks of this picture!

See what Reid got into. CUPCAKES...and it isn't even his first birthday or anything! HE LOVED IT! It was pretty fun watching him make a grand mess!

He is "talking" in this picture. He is overtaken with emotion....LOVES the cupcake!

Hugs from cousin, Madison. So sweet.

How did Mommy and Daddy contain us all? Here's your answer! Actually, this was brought to keep Reid out of trouble, but we ALL enjoyed playing in it!

Uncle Aaron (Daddy's brother) and Reid. Uncle Aaron came in town special from Rhode Island to be with us for this special weekend. Pappy's birthday is Monday...but we celebrated a little early with everyone today. It was a really fun time.

Apple Picking Time

It's about time for APPLE PICKING! I got to help out Grandma and Pappy last weekend pick some apples from their tree. Mommy and Daddy love this picture of me! I guess Fall really is truly on it's way!

Randomness with Reid....

Reid is very curious about the world around him. He never misses a beat!

Sweet profile shot.

Ahhh yes...the lovely cords from the blinds. Mommy has since put them out of reach. Reid will find a way into EVERYTHING! Mommy can't take her eyes off him. He was very intrigued with these.

So happy.....and lots of drool. The spitting up has gotten a bit better...and to take its place...DROOL!

Help yourself, Reid! What'll it be??? I am sure he longs for the day for "real" food. Not too much longer, Reid! Hang in there!

School is CANCELLED?????

You will never believe this one. My mommy got us to the sitter's house today to drop us off when Jen said to Mommy, "I didn't think I would see you today since there is no school." Now, Mommy had to think about this one. No school? It's not Labor Day or Fair Day (no school the past 2 Mondays...why would there be no school today?) HUGE wind storm last night. Knocked much power out and down lines and trees everywhere in Mommy's district today. She does not teach in the same town we live in. The TV was on PBS this morning.....not a news channel. She had NO idea! So, she put us back in the car, and back home we went!

After her cleaning and organizing was done, she said we could go to Kiddie City. Remember....the place to ride bikes? Mommy called them, and they were open. Well....they were supposed to be! When we got there...the above picture is what we found. LOCKED gates. Mommy called the lady back, and I guess it was supposed to be open, but the person in charge did not open the gates. I was upset. Mommy said we could play on the playground, though...so that helped. What a crazy day. Mommy says she is ready for a normal one again soon!

Reid didn't care about the playground. He just wanted the mulch and the leaves.

Ok...maybe a little swinging, too!

Mommy has no idea what happened to these pictures...but she loves them...so she wanted to post them. Just me.....being cute.

It was a fun day after all. See you tomorrow, Jen, hopefully!!!!

In honor of national craniofacial awareness month...

Ellie and Reid's mom here.

In honor of National Craniofacial Awareness Month, I would like to again show my gratitude to the many families who have a permanent spot in my heart. We are all families affected by cleft children, and I have had so many questions answered and have been inspired beyond belief by these wonderful people. I will forever be changed by you all. Love to you all....always.

Rylan


Little Abigail


Sweet William


Jackson




Sweet Abby (Reid's girlfriend)




Rachel




Holly




Kera (shares our plastic surgeon and craniofacial team at Rainbow)




Emily




Drew




Little Adalynn




Makenna (shares our hometown)




Kai (one of the first cleft affected families I found that took me under their wing!)




One of the newest members of the gang, Aidan




Ian- just 3 days older than Reid. We have gone through this process together in a sense.




Princess Jordan!

Kitten Keeper

I am the official "Kitten Keeper" for Grandma and Pappy's kittens. There are seven of them. Yep, SEVEN! I am good at keeping track of them and petting each one. I am trying to come up with seven names right now, but that's a hard job.

I love helping take care of them. I am glad I get to help out!

Never stops!

Reid can't be bothered anymore with picture taking. He is too busy crawling EVERYWHERE....FAST! What a stinker!

Leaving behind fingerprints...

Last weekend, Mommy, Daddy, and I went to our "vercation" overnight at a hotel for my marble jar prize. Reid stayed with Grandma and Grandpa. He was wanting to grab these balls from the TV in this Baby Einstein video.

More grabbing...

Totally enthralled. Grandma said that she later found lots of little fingerprints on her TV. I don't think she could hardly stand wiping them off. A little reminder of the little guy who was there all weekend. Reid had a great time...and we think Grandma and Grandpa did, too!

The BIG day!

Guess what, everyone???? I HAD PRESCHOOL TODAY! The first day of school! It was great! It was a rainy, dreary day....but that couldn't stop how excited I was! I picked out my clothes myself! I couldn't wait to wear my new shoes today! This is right before I headed in to class. My babysitter, Jen, took me to school. She is super! Mommy is so glad she has Jen to help her out so much! I am glad, too!

Here I am with Rachel. Rachel also goes to Jen's house with me, and she is in my preschool class! Isn't that so great? We were hanging up our backpacks and coats in our cubbies. I couldn't wait for a great day! On Thursday, it is my snack day to share with everyone, and it is my special share day! How fun is that??? I love school!

A big sister's job????

So, is it true that the job of a big sister is to taunt your little brother mercilessly? Reid just wants to be with Ellie, and Ellie thinks it's hilarious that he can't. What a stinker she is!