Thanksgiving & Christmas Fun

It's been a while since I've posted some pictures so there's a lot to catch up on! We celebrated Thanksgiving here in Huntersville with the Itens. Lots of good food but because we had participated in a 10k earlier that day, the calories didn't count (at least as much). That weekend we also took a trip to Asheboro, NC to visit the zoo there. Unfortunately, Charlotte doesn't have a zoo of its own so this was one of the closest. It was a bit chilly but it was a fun day. The gorillas and elephants were fascinating.

Family picture in front of the bamboo at the zoo.

We've also been getting in the Christmas spirit with some local festivals. Paige loves the Christmas lights and trees. She says "oooh" every time we see one, including when we come downstairs in the morning and after naps. While at the Botanical Gardens, we visited with Santa. Paige was very friendly to Santa, waving to him and smiling while we were waiting our turn but unfortunately she was not so thrilled with sitting on his lap. Maybe next year! To end the evening on a high note, we took a ride on a horse drawn carriage. Paige is a big fan of horses at the moment and calls them "neighs."

Can you tell which one is Paige and which one is Zoe? The two of them after Christmas in Davidson.

Visiting with Santa. I'm not sure he was able to make out anything that is on her list in between the screams.

The lucky little girl also received an early Christmas gift from her aunts and uncles on Drew's side of the family, a chair of her very own. She loves climbing in and out of it, standing on it, testing her limits, etc. As you'll see in the pictures, the box was a big hit too.

Reading with Addie, Paige, and Zoe in the new chair. Zoe especially loves the book.

Paige and I are headed to my parents' in Ft. Wayne next week (Drew is coming later) so I'm not sure I'll have more posts until after Christmas. Keep me in your prayers. This is the first time I'm flying with her alone. I'm just hoping we make it without too many tears from either of us! Oh, and pray for Drew and I to come out of our half marathon this Saturday alive and able to walk! Check out the rest of the pics at www.hamfamilyphoto.shutterfly.com.

Teeth!

Yes, it has finally happened...Paige has a tooth! Make that teeth! Her first (bottom right) poked through last Tuesday. Well, on Monday the second (bottom left) made it's appearance. I was a little surprised today to find the third and fourth joining in on the teething party. I think the third and fourth are the two next to the front teeth (not the eye teeth but the ones between the eye and the front, what are those called?). I hope this doesn't make her look goofy if she's missing her front teeth but at least we'll be able to sing the song, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth..." I guess I should be thankful that she does, in fact, have teeth. I was almost certain that our little Paige would be the first patient our doctor had ever seen without teeth at 15 months. Guess not!

All this action has thrown Paige off slightly. She does fine during the day, other than her mouth acting as a faucet and chewing on anything in sight. Nights are a different story. I know, surprise, surprise, Paige isn't sleeping. At least the excuse we've been waiting for, "She's teething," is finally valid.

I don't have any pictures of these pearly whites yet since they are still just little nubs but I'll post some soon!

Paige's One Year Professional Pics

Thought everyone might like to see Paige's most recent professional pictures. These haven't been cropped as they were in the actual photos but it gives you a good idea anyway.

The rest are on Shutterfly. www.hamfamilyphoto.shutterfly.com

Happy Halloween!

Posing with her pumpkin before going out for the evening.

Paige celebrated her second Halloween as a pink monster. I wasn't sure if she would keep the costume on, especially the hat, but she did and looked adorable! We took her trick or treating in the neighborhood with some of her friends. It was a little difficult given that she isn't walking yet and doesn't understand the concept of trick or treating, nor care. She still enjoyed riding in her wagon and watching the other ghosts and goblins.

Here are a few pictures from pumpkin carving and trick or treating. Enjoy!

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Family shot while trick or treating.

Paige scoring her first piece of candy of the night.

McKenzie, Tyler, Ella, and Paige before trick or treating.

Fall Fun

Over the past couple weekends we've been busy soaking in the crisp fall air at some fun fall activities with our friends, the Itens. A couple weeks ago, we visited a fall festival held at Latta Plantation, a historic plantation in the area. They had a small hay maze and a few animals for the kids to check out. Paige wasn't in much of a mood for pictures so we didn't get the best poses that day.

This past Sunday, we took a drive to a pumpkin patch about 40 minutes away and it was well worth it. They had plenty of activities for kids, including goats to feed, a hayride, corn maze, tomato sling shot (more for the adults, as you'll see), and of course, the pumpkin patch itself. We all had a great time, especially considering it ran into Paige's nap time. She loved the hayride and waved to everyone on it. I think she thought she was in a parade?! Maybe a future county fair queen on our hands!

As you can see, there was quite the difference in weather between the two weekends. From short sleeves to coats! Guess fall is truly here.

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Birthday Suit Pics

Since we have this fancy new camera and because we didn't have a chance on the actual day, we decided to try and take a few pictures of Paige in her birthday outfit. She cooperated very well, especially when we gave her a huge lollipop to eat. It took her a while to figure out which end of the lollipop was the tasty one but, as you can see, she (and the floor) quickly became a sticky mess. We tried to narrow them down a bit but there are still quite a few. Just a warning!

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Lollipop, Lollipop...

Oh lolli, lolli,lolli, lollipop. On Saturday, October 3rd, we celebrated Paige's first birthday with a lollipop themed party. I had seen the idea on the Internet and loved it. I'd been planning the party for a few months; making invitations, decorations, Paige's outfit, etc. so it was a bit of a relief to see the day come. Of course, like anything you anticipate for so long, it was over in a flash. Everything went great but for all that planning I would have liked to enjoy it a little longer! We were lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents in for the big day as well as several friends from the area to help us celebrate. Paige only had one slight (ok, we couldn't get her out of her high chair fast enough) meltdown when she ate her cupcake, which I would have guessed would be her favorite part. Maybe too much activity, too many people? Who knows!

Us at the party. Unfortunately, it went by so quickly that this was the best picture we had of the three of us.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!

Paige's first birthday was definitely a bittersweet occasion for me. On one hand, I am excited to celebrate the end of the first year but still somewhat saddened by how quickly time has past. She's really at such a fun stage and I want to remember every minute of it!

Here are a few photos from the party. You'll also find several albums from the week. Enjoy!

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Paige with Grandma and Grandpa and her new wagon, a birthday gift from them.

Testing out her gift from Nana and Papa.

Cupcake tower before the party.

One of my favorite projects; a month by month photo banner of Paige's first year.

Another fun project, lollipop hair bows for the favor bags.

Paige photo lollipops.

New Camera Pics

Playing in our sunroom, which has just been "renovated" into a playroom. Basically, the toys took over.

Helping Mom with the laundry. Wish I felt this excited as I fold clothes!

For all of you that are looking for Paige's birthday pictures, they are on their way. Drew promises me that he will sort through them and have them up by the weekend!

In the meantime, I thought I'd post a few pictures we took with our new camera. We just weren't happy with the quality of pictures we were getting with the last so we splurged on a new Nikon and have been very happy with the way they've turned out! Here are a few we took around the house.

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Playing one warm fall evening. Notice the butterscotch chip remnants around her mouth. Yum!
Watching Daddy mow the lawn in the backyard.

11 Months!

I'm way overdue on my posts to the blog so rather than write about each occasion individually, they are all wrapped up into this one for the month. I'll try to be more on time next time!

Since I last posted, we've been busy. We traveled to St. Louis for a visit with Drew's family. Paige did pretty well on the plane but came down with a fever half way through our trip so she wasn't in the best form. While there, we went to the St. Louis Zoo and saw the bears, penguins, and hippos. The hippos alone were well worth the trip! Given their size, it's pretty unbelievable how graceful they are under water. Paige enjoyed seeing the animals but I'm not sure she still completely understands the concept.

Paige and Papa

After our trip, Aunt Amy and Uncle Phil sent Paige an Elmo sprinkler to use in our backyard. She absolutely loved it. These are some of my favorite pictures! She also had fun tasting the grass and roaming the backyard.

Paige and Elmo

When she isn't eating grass, Paige also enjoys spaghetti. Her first spaghetti experience was quite the disaster but she had a ball! As you can see, a bath was definitely required. Rosie and Zoe loved cleaning up after her too!

Putting something up there or pulling something out? Either way, priceless!

Finally, Paige hit 11 months last week. We had to spread out the birthday photoshoot into two days because she wasn't really into it the first time. She wanted to show off her latest pose, standing next to Little Bear.

Sweet smile

Testing her limits.

As usual, you can check out all the new photos at http://www.hamfamilyphoto.shutterfly.com/. Up next, birthday party!!

10 Months!

I'm a little behind on my posts, but last Monday Paige turned 10 months old! She's really mobile now, crawling (although still using the Army crawl or worm most of the time) and pulling herself up on everything. No more leaving her in the center of the room and finding her in the same place when I come back! All this exploring has caused a couple of tumbles and bumps on the head but she recovers quickly.

She's also dropped her third, late afternoon nap of the day. I knew it was going to happen soon but I appreciated that extra hour of "free" time. Guess I'll just enjoy the two naps while they last!

I was going through some of her monthly birthday pictures and it is so hard to believe the change over what feels like such a short period of time. She's definitely looking more like a little girl rather than a baby, especially this month's picture. How quickly it has happened!

Checking out the mirror. How fun!

Playing with the door stop. Again, so much fun!

Getting ready for a bath. Look at all those rolls! I love it!

McKenzie's 2nd Birthday & Paige's 1st Time on a Swing

Last Sunday we celebrated Paige's friend, McKenzie's, 2nd birthday with a party at the Bailey's. McKenzie is lucky enough to have a custom built swingset that she graciously shared with her friends. This was Paige's first time on a swing and she absolutely loved it! She giggled, squealed, and grinned from ear to ear until the end. Maybe we can talk Daddy into buying Paige her own?

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Myrtle Beach

We recently went on a last minute trip to Myrtle Beach with the Itens. They were going for a Smucker's work event and had extra room so we were lucky enough to tag along. It rained the first day so we didn't have as much time in the sun as we had hoped but we enjoyed just hanging out and pigging out! Addie and Paige loved playing together, especially crawling through the coffee table. Whatever keeps them busy, I guess! I didn't get as many photos as I would have liked but here are a few that I did get. http://www.hamfamilyphoto.shutterfly.com/

Pulling Up & Into Everything

Paige and the new gate with Zoe looking on, concerned how this will affect her own mobility.

A couple of weeks ago Paige began pulling up on her toys, entertainment center, stairs, and in her crib. I think she loves the new perspective it brings but it really put Drew and I into overdrive on baby proofing the house. Here are a few pictures of her getting into anything and everything she can find! More at www.hamfamilyphoto.shutterfly.com.

By the way, if you didn't notice it already, we've added some videos on the Shutterfly site. Scroll down and they'll be on the right.

Paige actually IN the container cabinet. This is her look when she realized she couldn't get back out.

One of her first attempts at pulling up. So proud!

To Grandma & Grandpa's House We Go!

Drew had a meeting in Battle Creek last week so we took advantage of the opportunity and tied a visit in to see my parents. My sister, Valerie and her daughter, Jada, were home also and this was the first time we'd all been together in 2 1/2 years! We had family pictures taken and my parents hosted a picnic so that we could visit with our extended family also. We went to the Ft. Wayne Children's Zoo (her first trip to the zoo) and while there, Paige rode a carousel for the first time. She was more interested in the kids riding in front of us than the fact that she was sitting on an elephant going in circles. Go figure! My Mom, Paige and I also took a day trip up to Battle Creek and had lunch with some friends from Kellogg's. It was a long day for her but she loved all the attention!

It was so nice to be home and see Paige with my family. I wish we all lived a little closer so we could do it more often! More pictures at http://www.hamfamilyphoto.shutterfly.com/