Orange and Black All the Way!

Saturday was Cecilia's first football game. Dad brought her to Reser Stadium around 11:30. Before that, the band marched in the Homecoming Parade. You can see all the photos on the OSUMB website ---------->. The day was much warmer than we anticipated, so I had to lube up the baby with sunscreen, including her head. Hence, the hairdo...
Ceci's regular sitter, Nichole, joined us at Beaver Walk around 1pm. We then had lunch together and played at tailgate parties around the stadium. Then Nichole and Ceci headed into Reser. Nichole got this great picture of Cecilia and her water bottle:
Ceci fell asleep at 3:00, just in time for pregame (typical band director baby, sleeps through the music!) Everyone had a great time and the Beavers beat Stanford 23-6!

Nichole and Cecilia

Uncle Brad at work

Daddy and daughter playing their favorite game.

Sunday was the long-awaited pumpkin carving. Cecilia was very interested in the big orange thing:

We let her dig in and get dirty. She wasn't too sure of the "pumpkin guts". Like father, like daughter!

Toby, however, loved the innards so much that he would eat any he could get his mouth around.

Today, of course, was Halloween. Cecilia dressed as a little monkey. Again, like father, like daughter.
She's hanging out under a chair in Brad Townsend's office. And yes, she has already pulled of a boot and sock.

After showing off her costume around Benton Hall, Ceci enjoyed a lunch of oatmeal and sweet potatoes with corn. We then headed off to get Toby's food and pick up Ceci's Halloween pictures. They are so cute!!

The band had rehearsal this afternoon. Many members showed up in costume. Ceci and I followed suit. I thought this would be a cute picture (Amanda Herbert - drum major, and her fiance brought a huge bucket of candy). Cecilia was not happy!

But she cheered up once she got her pumpkin:


After rehearsal, Cecilia gave members of the band Smarties. BTW, here's my "costume" - I kinda forgot so I just threw stuff together.

Once we got home, Ceci had dinner and helped hand out candy to the few trick-or-treaters we had. Then it was off to dreamland.

I will update the blog again next week, as I am off to New Jersey tomorrow for a conference. It's my first time away from Cecilia overnight - I hope I make it. I know she'll be just fine with her Daddy.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Vegas Vacation (sort of)

If I ever tell you that we're going to book a flight at night again, stop me! Ceci flies much better in the early morning!

We left for Vegas Friday night (delayed flight, of course). Ceci entertained herself with the beads you see below:
Saturday morning we headed to Palo Verde High School, where Chris and Brad Townsend were judging the "Summerlin Spectacular." We ran into many old friends there, such as:

Lorne and Eydie Reid, and Lori Haines

Sheri Manning (with Chris and Cecilia)

We (mostly Chris, I mean) also saw David Morris, Brian Howerton, Mike McGrath, and Sonny Hernandez.

Ceci and I left and headed to the Melissa Carpi/Larry Ransom wedding. Talk about a college reunion! Here's the happy couple at the reception:

Ceci did a great job the whole day. We did need some alone time, so after a diaper change, she met the baby in the mirror:

Tad tried to hold her throughout the day, but it wasn't until he offered her a spoon to play with that she warmed up to him: Ceci got to meet many of my college friends and their wives:
and even got a photo with the groom:
But she loved seeing Dan and Tracy Philippus again:
After the wedding, Ceci and I headed to Aunt Lissa and Uncle Roll's house, where she stayed while Chris and I went to sing karaoke in honor of Dani McCracken's birthday. Unfortunately, the wind had other plans - it knocked the power out at our favorite karaoke place. Plan B - head to Adam and Cindy Clough's house for karaoke games there. Lots of fun and Mad-Lib inappropriateness (if you've ever hung with this group, you know what I mean!)

Sunday was all about family. Ceci woke up, more bright-eyed than her mother:
We met Quinn for the first time. She is my brother's little girl:
Grandpa Steve met her for the first time as well:

Quinn Marie

Juli (Quinn's mom and Scott's girlfriend) bought the girls matching outfits. We also celebrated Juli's birthday today!

Proud Grandma and her girls

They didn't want to stay still for the pictures

I love her smiles!

Too soon, it was time to leave for the airport. We got home around 1:00 am (another flight delay.)

Here are 2 videos of the trip. The first is Ceci on the plane into Vegas. Sorry, I thought the orientation would switch with me. The second is Quinn and Cecilia having their own conversation. It's adorable.

Next time we post - Cecilia's first football game (Go Beavers!) and pumpkin carving. Until then, be good!

P.S. I joined Facebook (thanks Ruby and Stacy!) and I posted more pics from Vegas there. Check out the link over there ---------------->

So Tired!

All of us, because we got back from LV way too late last night.

Must sleep...will add pics of the marching band show, wedding and Ceci's first meeting of her cousin Quinn (cutie!) tomorrow.

Lots of love (and yawns) to all.

OK, one picture, then I have to go to sleep:

Matching outfits, and wait 'til you see the video of their "conversation." Priceless!!

Really going now, 'night!

Having Fun with Grandma Dottie

Cecilia's Grandma Dottie has been visiting this week from Ohio. They have been spending some quality time together while Chris and I are at school. Here we are saying good-bye on Wednesday morning:
Now she's helping Dad get breakfast on Thursday:


Friday, Chris and I got home early from school, so we headed off to a local farm for pumpkins. Ceci wasn't too sure about sitting on top of one:

They had bins full of dried corn for the kids to play in. She had a good time, although we had to keep her from putting the kernels in her mouth. That night at bedtime, we found a couple of kernels in her clothes!



We picked out a cute little pumpkin for her and a larger one for Chris and me. The next couple of pics are from our car ride home. She was getting silly with her teething ring:

That same afternoon, Cecilia made progress in winning Toby over. He's figuring out that she is a good source of food, both under her high chair and in the living room, as you will see below:

I guess she and Toby were kissing each other today. He was licking her in the face, and she was trying to lick back. Wish I had been awake for that!

She has a pretty logical streak as well. She has figured out that if she hits an obstacle while pushing her lion, she just goes back the other way. However, she will only go around to her right, even if there's a wall in the way. She will not go to the left, even if it's the easier path. We got a little on video as well:

Today we took her for 9-month pictures (even though she'll be 10 months next week). They are Halloween themed and very adorable! Some are in her costume, while others are in a pumpkin shirt. If you're interested in seeing the proofs, let me know and I'll send you the link.

That's enough for now. I'm off to do more reading for classes. Have a great night everyone!

P.S. Go Beavs! They beat No. 2 Cal tonight - woo hoo!!!!

Just Pictures...mostly!

Grad school is keeping me on my toes! Sorry for the space between entries - our internet went wacko and I finally got it fixed.

As promised a few days ago, new pictures!Doing laundry

Clean washcloths taste good!

Ummmm, banana!

Doing dishes

I can put this away.

Toby has it all figured out at mealtime.

I can get behind the couch

This video is from October 6th. She's a little tired and pretty silly. Enjoy!