Brantley's First Football Game

Brantley has done a lot of tailgating this football season and on Saturday we actually took her into the game! We were fortunate to be in my former employer's skybox so it was really more like going to someone's apartment that happened to overlook the stadium. It was a morning game (11am) so we thought that would be perfect as she would be able to get her morning nap (9 'til 10) and then go in fresh for the game. Our friends arrived around 8:30am to pack up the tailgating supplies and head out to campus and I put Brantley down promptly after they left. But she decided that she wanted to play in her crib for a while. So she happily played until dozing off at...oh...9:45. Well, I had planned on leaving the house to meet everyone at the tailgate around 10am. This was also the day before Halloween so I knew there would be characters running about and that Brantley would love the people watching even more than she usually does. So I let her sleep until about 10:20 then we were on our way. She was still a little groggy when we got there but she really livened up as the game went on. And left no one uncharmed. She made it through the entire game plus two overtimes with relatively little protest...And considering she missed her morning nap and didn't get to take her afternoon nap until we got home around 3:30 I would say she was a real trooper!

Here are some pictures from the day...




This is a picture of our friends from New Orleans who won the opportunity to do the coin toss at a charity auction...They are dressed as a Pretty Witch (with black & gold stockings) and a beer mug...

When we were outside on the balcony during the beginning of the game, Brantley was mesmerized by the band, flags, and dancers. And she eagerly joined in with clapping. She enjoyed a few items off the buffet and a lot of ice. Her teeth are killing me, ummm I mean her, lately. She still only has four that we can see but tomorrow I expect to wake up to find her mouth full if there is a correlation to the pain she's going through. But it was a great day, we had a great time and look forward to trying it again soon!

Mommy & Me- Halloween Dress Up Party

Today was our Halloween Party with our Mommy & Me friends. It was one of my most favorite classes that we have had so far! The kids were SO incredibly cute in their costumes, and real troopers considering it was at least 80 degrees outside. But it was cool inside. And I really regret not getting a picture of the "adult snacks" that everyone brought. All of the food was delicious & since this was also one of the most well attended classes we have had, there was a LOT of it! I took guaca"moldy" with creature chips and everyone seemed to enjoy them. Here are some pictures from our ghoulishly good morning...

Me and Brantley the Lovely Bumble Bee..

With our friends, Erin and Andrew...

Cutest Bee on the Block and a Smashingly Handsome Sailor

Brantley's FIRST Birthday Party!

The day finally arrived, Brantley's FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY!




Kris hung all the decorations, I made the food, and Grandma Sally strolled and entertained Brantley while all the preparation was going on. The menu consisted of Spankopita, petite quiches, blue cheese rolled grapes, Antipasto dip, cupcakes, and AppleBerry Punch. The task I took on with the most excitement was making a video with pictures from Brantley's first year of life and setting them to special music to be played during the party. I'm glad I worked on it the week before the party so that I had watched it at least 100 times by Sunday and had gotten most of the "emotion" out of my system...And there was "emotion". This has been both the fastest and slowest year of my life at the same time. I never knew what the next day would bring. And just when I thought I had figured out what the next day would bring, she changed it up on me! No doubt the biggest transitional period of my life and I am all the better for it. But back to our party...
Sweet Birthday Girl...

"Nana's here! Let the party begin!"

Brantley & GrandPattie...

Brantley & Grandma Sally

"Surely we have a little time before presents and cake, let's play!"



"WHERE is Brantley?!"

Present Time!!!







The Loftuses weren't sure they would have time to stop for gift wrap...

The "Pony Saga"...




"Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday DEAR BRANTLEY..."

Sneaky GrandPattie...

"Why don't we have this more often?"

"Let's PLAY!"




Party's over. Time to relax...

Mommy & Me- Brantley's Birthday Celebration

Today we celebrated Brantley's birthday with our Mommy & Me friends. Brantley will be the big 0-1 next Monday so we thought we'd give some things a trial run before her birthday party on Sunday. The highlights of things tried out: baking & icing cupcakes, wearing the birthday tiara, and putting a lit candle in front of Brantley's face. I will proudly say that all went off without a hitch.

Treats for our friends...


Soon-to-be-Birthday-Girl...


Andrew and Brantley, "Where's the party?"


Happy Birthday to You!!!


Mommy & Me Friends...


I was very thankful to have a "trial run" before Brantley's actual party. I learned that I did not like the cupcake mix and that if cupcakes are left in Brantley's sight she WILL get to them. My friend Erin recorded the "party" for me and was able to capture Brantley headed, at warp speed, toward the cupcake basket that I left on our mat. Of course, she promptly put the camera down and stopped her before too much damage was done. And I was pleasantly surprised that Brantley left the tiara on while "blowing out the candle"! Hats are certainly not her favorite things...
It was a great morning as always at Mommy & Me!

Homecoming + Birthdays=Awesome Tailgate

Tailgating this weekend was a LOT better than the game and we'll leave that at that. Since we had three October birthdays among us we decided that it would be fun to add some party flair to our Homecoming festivities.

We had birthday cake...


A great crowd of friends and family, our tents were running over...



A sunken pirate ship (we played East Carolina University)...



A blender for frozen margaritas...


PRESENTS!!!! Great presents for all the lucky birthday people!




There isn't a picture of me opening my gift, but it was a lovely Pandora bracelet with a black & gold charm, a charm with Brantley's birthstone, and a baby carriage charm for Baby #2. I was SO touched by the generosity of our sweet, sweet friends to both Brantley and me. It was a wonderful day!


Fun Fact: My shirt reads "Boy? Girl? Definitely a Golden Eagle!"