Fall has fallen

Oh, Fall was two months ago? Oh, okay. Well, regardless, here you go. A Fall-back...(bad pun intended). The reason for the delay? Several failed attempts at picture uploads. So for now, iPhone remnants tell the story...


Amidst the eighty degree weather, there were sprinklings of fall. The leaves still fall in Houston, despite the lack of brilliant color. Nature walks collected the evidence; acorns, leaves, and other sorts. We convinced our home that it was indeed Fall. Displaying our collection amongst the pumpkins of orange and white proudly picked by an excited Caris.


Fall came. And with the hint of chill in the air, we welcomed its activities. There is something about that slight crisp in the air that beckons to the outdoors and makes Fall celebrations some of my favorites. Birthdays are celebrated, Halloween brings festivities, and Thanksgiving creates an inner sense of cozy.


We've been particularly Fallish this season. With Caris of toddling age, she is fully excited and able to participate in all seasonal activities. And we took full advantage.



Our little red head was the perfect Pebbles Flinstone for Halloween this year. I couldn't resist, the hair was too perfect. After three (humorous) costume attempts by both grandmas and mommy, Pebbles was out-fitted to the max (coincidentally, so was our Max-puppy). But really, all she needed was the hair-do.

We introduced our Pebbles to the joy of trick-or-treat. She loved, loved, loved it. I had my doubts, but she totally got it. Carefully picking out her desired treat and carefully placing in her bag. (I may or may not have influenced some of her choices to my own benefit). She even got down a resemblance to the saying 'Trckk-a-Trtt', which also apparently included an accompanying movement. We attended Halloween celebrations at school, neighborhood parades, and good ole' neighborhood trick-or-treating with friends.


We pumpkin patched and pumpkin picked and pumpkin photo-ed. We pumpkin baked and pumpkin ate.


And with the arrival of Thanksgiving, we gave great thanks.


We began our week of thanks with a girls trip to big D, celebrating the weekend prior the upcoming arrival of my niece. Girls-weekend = salon and shopping. Caris had her first haircut. She loved it and was so so good. Her mommy, not so much. I made a mommy snafu and somehow in the midst of luggage, shopping, and shower planning, misplaced the evidence. And subsequently cried. I am, most definitely, one of those mommies whose baby book is unfinished and mementos are misplaced.

Thanksgiving week brought a multitude of celebrations. With Garrett working the majority of the week, we made do. The Blundell crew graciously brought and prepared a Thanksgiving meal to our home Wednesday before they headed up to the rest of the family so we were able to have a traditional family meal. What a treat.


Thanksgiving day, we cozy-ed up and settled in for a tiny Thanksgiving with just the three of us. Caris was a remarkably helpful sous chef and loved helping mommy make the pumpkin pie and stuffing. We cooked and baked and made the obligatory three 'forgot-something-trips' to the grocery. And I managed to pull off a homemade Thanksgiving meal for three. Football was watched, thanks was given, and cozy hearts were indeed a-plenty.



Caris and I, with three days off and G working, decided to make a road trip to celebrate the traditional day-after-Thanksgiving-Herrmann-Christmas with my mother's family in Fredricksburg. Fun road trips, tons of family, cold air, and shopping made for a full 36 hour trip.


And then, Fall gave way to Winter. And we are again busy making preparations for a beautiful Holiday season with a joyful girl.

A Thursday Duel

The Duel.

Cast of characters:
Caris - As the emotional damsel, torn between two friends
Max - As the furry antagonist
George - As the curious stuffed object of lil C's affection, coveted by the furry friend Max

Setting:
Every morning, every evening, every room of the house.

Synopsis:
Caris, an emotionally attached toddler, discovers a love for a certain monkey: the one and only, Curious George. On an outing following the movie introduction of her affection, Caris and her mommy discover George in the stuffed epitome of his movie star role. An instant bond forms and George leaves the store in the arms of his new friend. The pair unknowingly faces an intruder on their newly formed bond.....

ACT 1: The meeting
Upon her return home, Caris unwittingly shares her new stuffed friend with her beloved furry friend, Max the dog. What seems to be an introduction in lil C's mind is an invitation in that of the dog. Max, much like his human friend, finds an instant affection for the stuffed little George and does what any good dog would do: whisks George away in his mouth, shaking, 'playing', running through the house.

ACT 2: The theft
Seeing the seemingly treacherous fate of her 'Goooerdge', Caris becomes distraught and frozen in her emotions.
"Goooordge!!!' she cries. 'Mommy!!! Goooerdge!!!"
A complete emotional breakdown ensues.
Max, in complete joy over his new found toy, prances victoriously through the house. Unaware of the emotional distress his victory has caused the damsel.

ACT 3: The rescue
A busy mommy does not immediately discover the source of the damsel's distress. When typical comfort methods prove unsuccessful, detective work ensues. Between tears, we uncover their source.
Rescue efforts follow.
And prove successful.

ACT 4: They reunite
Unfortunately, George is left a little worse for the wear (i.e. he stinks). Miss Caris is not deterred and insists, 'My Goooerdge' be placed back within her grasp immediately. Mommy, however, convinces Caris to help give George a bath prior. The delay proves to be agonizing. However, the much anticipated reunion is met with love and hugs.

Epilouge:
Max - Our furry friend continues to be on high alert for any opportunity to seize 'The One That Gets (Taken) Away'. He often succeeds.

George - He is strategically placed within the house. Efforts are being made to protect Mr. Curious from his furry antagonist. He continues to remain a coveted friend and often accompanies Miss Caris on car rides and trips. Sometimes he appears in stores and confuses us all.

Caris - Our damsel remains an emotional toddler. However, she loves both her 'Maxs' and her 'Gooordge' with equal fervor. Bestowing hugs, kisses, smiles and fist bumps freely. She still unwittingly subjects George to potential threats.

The Duel continues.

Thursdays return

With a 'fist bump'.

Caris' latest obsession comes in the forms of knuckles out, thumb up, and fist bump offered. A skill procured by her Poppa G and lovingly imparted with great excitement to those who inquire.

Caris is all about fair and equal when it comes to sharing actions of endearment. Fist bump, high fives, cutie shrugs, and kisses must be provided to all those in proximity.

On a recent dinner outing, the end-of-dinner-sat-too-long-squirmy-Caris called for entertainment. So fist bumps were offered up by her table guests. Excitedly, Caris stuck her little fist out to everyone seated at the table. Methodically going around, ensuring each person participated in the bump.

Simultaneously, an unknowing neighboring party began to exit their dining experience. Their exit path crossed in close proximity to our table. Caris, my ever-observant little one, sees her newest guests enter the fist bump circle.

She excitedly reaches out to the strangers passing by and offers a fist bump to each one. They weren't really given an option, so they happily participated. And clearly made some new friends.

And likewise, when the first 'fist bumping' round began at home with a newest friend included, Curious George was offered and assisted with a fist bump by his adoring little C.

No one gets left out round here :)

p.s. Plenty of Fallish Festivities have been underway! Hence by lack of blogging. I have great intentions of recording and posting of our Fallishness because it was been a happy busy time. much different than our previous busy fall, riddled with pneumonia, flu, and an exhausted new working momma. And since Fall is officially over and winter Holiday preparations are underway, I need to get in gear!!

Perfomer

(After yesterday's success at video-posting, I decided to test fate and attempt to post a video I've attempted to post for months. Advice: turn off the music at the bottom of the blog and listen to the music on the video. Caris loved listening to this song and on her own initiative, added her own little 'sniff' at just the right moment. Did this EVERY time. I think this is one of my favorite lil C videos to date. I found it hilarious that she got this little insert right on beat, every time. Let's hope it does actually work....

p.s. I think this is from July, she looks so little!)

Dancing with the stars

So, we've established that music + dancing = love for Caris. So much so that she's earned a reputation at school for her dancing commitment. And with this in mind, dancing shows have become a favored indulgence (and a necessary distraction in that critical fussy hour post school, pre-dinner). Enter: 'Dancing with the Stars' and our new DVR capabilities. I turn on the dances for Caris in that 30 minute period when she really just wants to be held, but I really need to put together some semblance of dinner.

So the stage is set. Quite literally, I believe, in lil' C's mind. And she watches intently, smile plastered on her face, dance moves ready to be engaged.

But on this night, she had another agenda. Off she goes, with purpose, to her room. And returns with 'Emily' (her doll) in tow. Clearly she realized that her lack of a 'star partner' was a disadvantage. Emily was up to the task.

(Here's hoping this video works...)

And so they dance. And even perform some lifts. But mainly lots of twirls.

Shortly after this moment, Caris went back to her room and insisted on adorning a pretty twirling dress. Really, I should have known better. You can't really twirl without the proper attire.

p.s. I scored her a 10.

Thursdays with Caris: the Birthday Episode

Thursday mornings with Caris look a little like this:

Caris: (in a sing-song voice) 'Moooommmyy, mommy mommy mommy, momyyyyy, Moommy' My daughter sings me a song. Music to my morning ears.
Then the inquisitive: 'Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?'
And if I wait too long, on to the demanding: 'MOMMMY! MOMMY!'

It was a Monday, the day that Caris made me a mom. And my Monday's and Thursdays and every day in between have never been the same. Caris, you gave me a mother's heart. And it changed me forever. It gave me a purpose I never knew existed and filled my life with a depth I didn't know to pursue. A mother's heart knows a form of love that changes the definition of what love is.

That day was one and a half years ago yesterday. (18 months old she is!!) And 29 years ago today, I became my mother's daugther. Daughter to a mother (and father) who have supported me in all ways iaginable and made this all possible.

I am forever thankful that I will spend the rest of my birthdays with a mother's heart. And I am forever grateful for 29 years of wonderful birthday memories that my family has created for me And forever lucky that 8 years ago I began celebrating birthdays with someone who changed my heart in another way and has walked beside me to create a life we love.

Caris, thank you for the best gift I could have ever received.

As I enter this last year of the decade of my twenties, I am so thankful for where these past 29 years have brought me.

And so this Thursday with Caris, we celebrate.

Country Living

So clearly, life in the heart of Houston is pretty far from 'Country Living'. In fact, quite the opposite. And we truly love so much about living in the hearbeat of such a dynamic place. But we were both raised with simplicity that comes from small-town, country living. And we love this. And treasure the times when we are able to spend time in the places we know as comfort. We are so lucky to have ties to such places and access when we need a little 'soul refresher' that can only come in the smell of mesquite trees, dusted from the dirt roads, and the easy living of an afternoon on a porch swing. Garrett's 'place' is Gonzales, TX; where both his grandparents raised their children and still have a home base. We have been lucky enough to live in close proximity to his 'place' through dental school and now residency/med school; allowing us to retreat for respite when hectic, is well, just a little too hectic. And we have loved introducing Caris to the beauty in nature and the comfort of her family in a place that has been near and dear to generations of Garrett's family.

Caris' first visit to Garrett's parents land. Loving country walks in the Bjorn. And the splendor of a country sunset.

Back-porch swinging is a must when visiting Grandma Blundell's. Caris has joined the tradition of loving time after dinner spent swinging away. Lil' C learns to fish! She was a natural. Figured out how to reel that little rod after one attempt. And caught two little fishies.

The Blundell crew. Also evidence of where Caris gets her 95% in height.
And it's not a trip to the country without grillin' up some hot dogs and resting in the adirondacks.
Holidays are always a double bonus as we get both sides of the family and usually extra aunties and cousins to spoil us. Caris spent her first Christmas and Easter in Gonzales. We loved hunting for eggs in the Boysen's famous backyard! A haven for grandkids :)
And there is just nothing like a good ole' nap in the country. And we take full advantage of both nap times and babysitters.
Ahh, country walks. THE BEST. Dirt roads, cows, sunshines, family. Caris literally walked miles on her new found walking legs on the most recent trip. Girl LOVED trips to the barn. Thank goodness there was plenty of family to take their turn walking!
Back porch. Country. Swings. = Perfect afternoon.
Center of attention? No, not Caris. Always plenty of people to love on us and lil' C!

We are lucky to have been able to spend so much time here in the midst of a busy season of life and look forward to being able to create many for family memories in the future. New Years Eve fireworks, festivals and parades, hunting trips, long walks, and tank fishing are all in lil' C's future. And the beauty is, they are all from her poppa G's past.

Thursday gardening with caris

Do you know what Caris is doing in this picture? I don't either. But for some reason, lil' C picked up this sprayer and set out determinedly across the yard. She went to every plant, every part of the yard, and pointed that little sprayer, just like that, at each one of them. I mean, I don't think it can be accurately described. I had no idea what was going on in her little mind...

Pretending Pink Puppies

Playing Pretend.

Playing dress-up.

Hallmarks of girl-hood.

Of which my lil C began a few months back. Brushing her 'emily's' hair. And dragging 'emily' to tea parties.

Stealing her shoes. (see pic above. Caris became obsessed with the idea that she could wear the doll's shoes)

Caris loves playing tea.

Pouring it out, serving the cups.

Giving it to her babies and any nearby guest.

Playing dress up.

jammies + the orange hat are a favorite.

Putting on mommies clothes and shoes.

And make-up.

Caris loves when mommy gives in and she's allowed to put on makeup to her heart's content.

Oh so pretty.

And the puppies.

Oh my, she is in love.

With ALL things puppy.

She pours out tea and serves all her little stuffed dogs.

And then chases the real dogs around with a cup of 'tea' for them to share in the goodness of pretend as well.

Caris also chased Max around trying to read him her 'Doggy' book.

Doggies always put a smile on her face.

Oh, and purple and pink? Truly the colors of a girls heart. And the choice for our little C. Let the girl choose her clothes, it's always the pink, then the purple.

So, playing pretend with purple puppies and pink pincesses may just be this girls best dream come true.

Potty party

This week's edition of Thursdays with Caris also marks a milestone.

The Potty.

Apparently, this week Caris is interested in the potty. And toilet paper.

After following me into my bathroom the other day, lil C takes off quickly and purposefully.

I find her in the hall bathroom, toilet paper in hand, lid lifted on her mini-potty, and attempting to pull down her pants. Too funny.

So I help her accomplish her intended goal.

Apparently, Caris also really likes toilet paper. And blowing her nose while on the potty.

After a discussion on what constitutes 'dirty' in terms of toilet paper use, Caris apparently also likes throwing the TP away and asking for more.

And so there she sits, on her little potty, toilet paper in hand, happy as can be.

So for a few days, this is what we do.

Caris wanders into the bathroom, repeats above process, and just hangs out.

So last night, I could tell she needed to 'go potty'. And so I asked her if she would like to do so on her potty.

Wouldn't you know, she marched right into her bathroom, grabs her some toilet paper, raises the lid on her potty, and pulls down her pants.

And then to my complete surprise, she was successful at the potty mission!! Way to go lil C!!!

So then she throws applicable materials away, closes the lid, and goes to wash her hands. All on her own.

Such a big girl we have these days!

Anyways, so I guess we are potty training. Or something along those lines. Although I think we will take it slow.

Advice welcome!!!