Workin' it....

As part of Grant and Reese's daddy/daughter Sunday, a trip to Grant's office was included.  He recently moved into some kick-arse new office space so the girls love, love, love their trips downtown with him. As always on Sundays....no judgements on hair or outfit please. Or if you want to judge, please direct said judgements at Grant and Reese (mainly Reese).  
The best part of this is that Grant was telling me last night that the office manager asked him yesterday if he had by chance been in over the weekend. A file key was missing, a phone was off the hook and some papers had been shuffled around on a nearby desk. All happening at about the height of a certain pint-sized toddler. The woman laughed because she herself has been in with her grand kids before and was keen to the shenanigans of the under 5 set.  And I'm sure the next person to turn on the TV down there will appreciate it being set to Disney Jr.

Halloween festivities

We hosted our 2nd annual 'Halloween Extravaganza' this past weekend.....basically just an excuse to throw a mid-morning party.   Our Cleveland buddies were in town so the girls were excited to spend some time with Aunt Barbara and Christopher (although Reese is still emotionally scarred from the whole summer biting-of-her-stomach incident).
I didn't take many pics.....my apologies.
The cousins all came dressed in costume.....1st prize for originality goes to Christopher - aka - the old man from Up....complete with walker & balloons.   Nolan scared the bejesus out of me with his hard-core facial expressions so heavens only knows what was going through little Christopher's mind.
Ryan was Tinkerbell and Reese was the ever-recycled elephant costume that both Ryan and Jack have worn (Ryan the last two years). We can only keep Reese in a costumed state for a max of about 10 minutes - the below picture was the last to be had as the derobing had begun.  Christopher (and me) still scared sh*tless by Nolan.
The kids got to pick out a pumpkin....
And then because it was a bit chilly out at 10am, the parents (fine...me) were cozy inside watching football pregame and drinking hot coffee (aka - lazy), we made all the carving tools disappear and busted out the stickers and markers for a fun, indoor, decorating fest.
Boo!

And yesterday, our neighborhood had a little Halloween party for all the kids...It was during Reese's nap time, so she missed out but Ryan and her buddy Amelia got to go and have some fun. The only pic I captured was during the big leaf pile game. That would be Ryan in the blue coat with yellow headband.

29 weeks

I must say, this pregnancy is flying by so far.  Only 11 weeks to go, if that.  The girls are still convinced they are having a brother.   We shall see.  The little guy/gal did me a HUGE favor and relocated from sitting on my 'slightly herniated disc' (from a few years ago) thus relieving me of a majority of my back pain.   Heartburn is still a nightly deal but nothing two Tums can't cure.  My last appointment was at the 27 week mark, so as of two weeks ago I was up about 16 pounds....I'm sure that has increased a pound or two since.  Heartbeat last time was slightly higher - in the 150's and we have lots o'movement.    The little nugget also passed his/her first test......the glucose test.  Which I have just narrowly passed the last two times so I was thrilled and celebrated with some sugar, of course.   No crazy cravings - although if I could sit down and eat bag after bag of Tootsie Rolls, I would.  That and drink fountain soda.  Two terrible habits of which I try not to imbibe very often.   Halloween is going to be the real test.  I may have already broken into our Halloween candy for a piece or two.  To counter that, luckily, I've been craving sauteed vegetables and spinach salads.   All in all, pretty healthy this time around.  
Once again, a bump pic with my trusty helpers.....

Reese

I am really, really behind on the picture front.   I will try to be better.   But for now, I am stealing pictures from our phones.
Reese is usually a stellar napper but every now and then she refuses and on those days, it is rather comical to watch her try and stay awake as the afternoon drags on and evening approaches. This day I found her on the couch, half on, half off.
When she is fully rested, she is more like this:
Now that she and Grant are Sunday morning buddies, I have to admit my favorite part of the whole deal (minus the obvious daddy/daughter bonding) are the outfit and hair choices. Grant lets her pick, and Reese is just as opinionated as her sister when it comes to fashion sense (or lack thereof)...

School Pic

The proofs just came back.....precious.

Red Stamp

Thanks to Pinterest, I have found yet another time suck but such a fun one at that.  Red Stamp.  It's a free app and works on your iPhone or iPad and takes your photos and allows you to put them in one of many adorable templates and then email as e-cards.
You're welcome.

A little bonding.....Texas style

While Ryan has flown before.....this was her first 'grown-up' flight and trip with Dad.  The two of them went down to Dallas to visit with Ella for the weekend.  I didn't realize how emotional I was going to get until Reese and I dropped them off and I saw my little baby looking so grown up as she made her way through the airport.  Of course I sat there for a bit stalking through the window.  Then I started crying.  And crying.  And crying.  Darn hormones.
Special trips start with special treats....a donut!   When I asked how she liked the airport, Grant wrote back "she got a donut, treats for the flight and there are plenty of signs to read and look at.....she's in heaven".
Funny faces on the plane.  She was a trooper...handled an hour delay and her only complaint is that the flight attendant didn't bring her juice and pretzels fast enough.
On the shuttle to get the rental car or (as my dad thinks) on the way to a refugee camp somewhere to be left all alone.
Lunch at one of Grant's favorite spots in Dallas....Highland Park Pharmacy
Then it was a quick trip down to meet up with friends at the Texas State Fair.  Chocolate bananas were a big hit.
Must needed picture with Big Tex.
The rest of the weekend was spent hanging out with Ella, plenty of shopping and visiting with cousins and friends.   She and cousin Avery managed to squeeze in some quality reading time.
Laughing with Ella at lunch.
Lots of new treats (thank you Ella!) including not one, but two princess dresses to add to the collection.
Waiting for the ride home.
You know you're traveling with dad when you are allowed to sit on the dirty airport floor waiting for your luggage.  

While the two of them had a great trip, someone else had a super fun weekend having mom, grandma and grandpa all to herself!  I missed Grant and Ryan but I can't necessarily say the same for Reesers.  Girlfriend was loving all the attention.

October

2007
Barb and Bo's wedding....little did we know I was pregnant with Ryan at the time, we would confirm the good news a week later.
2008 
Ryan Elizabeth - 4 months old
At work with Grandpa
2009
Ryan - 16 months, Reese (14 weeks in utereo)
2010
Ryan - 2 1/2, Reese - 7 months
2011
Ryan - 3 1/2, Reese 1 1/2

Life

This is happening.  Right now.  For anyone who has ever (so kindly) told me my house always looks clean....a big HA!   Apparently a 'party' is taking place.
Grant.....this may be a good night to work late.

Apple picking

With the gorgeous fall weather this past weekend, we went on (what is becoming) our yearly pilgrimage to Eckerts in search of apples and a glance at some pumpkins.
To beat the crowds, we hit it up just as it was opening....Grandma and Grandpa came along to join in the fun as well.  Reese was game for just about everything the farm had to offer....Ryan was a bit more reserved this year.
She had this look on her face the whole 'plane' ride...
Plane rides weren't enough, she then coerced dad into riding the swings with her. And those things were fast....I was getting sick just watching them. And my photography skills aren't that advanced so this is the best shot I got.
A ride fit for our pace....
I call this one 'bored teenager and gracious grandfather'
I call this one 'little bit o'crazy'
Reese got dad out on the trampoline...
I love how she's clutching on for dear life...
Then it was time for apple picking...
Our trip came at the perfect time as last week at Ryan's school was all about apples...so she was armed with the knowledge that red and green delicious were her favorites and lo and behold, that is what they had available for picking.
No matter how heavy her bag got, or how many of us offered to carry it for her, Reese's auto-answer was 'no thank you, I can do it myself'
She was constantly checking her count...
The reds were pretty darn picked over, but Ryan was on a mission, so off we went to find some...
And with a little lift, she got a few...
My favorite part is the pumpkins shooting out of a cannon show - those puppies go far....far I tell you.
The only downfall of this place......porta potties.  Ugh.  My girls and I are too spoiled and snobby, we do not like 'em.  But thanks to the littlest Stiffler, I had no choice this year but to face my fear.   So....potty shot and bump shot all in one.   Classy, per the usual around here.
Just as the place was filling up, we had two hours under our belts (and one funnel cake) and were ready to take off....one last daddy/daughter picture attempt. Ryan's faces are basically a glimpse into life ten years from now. We have to take a picture? So lame.
I hope nobody from school sees me...
Fine. Let's do this and be done. My friends are texting, we need to roll.
Thanks grandma and grandpa for joining in the fun! We'll do it again next year.