Dinner with friends

A few weeks ago we had our monthly supper club at the Tunmores...I'm weeks overdue in posting these pics, but some were just too cute to let pass by...

Auralee bought the most beautiful and delicious cake for my birthday...all the other members of our supper club (excluding myself of course) are Gamecock fans, so it took a lot for them to bare the sight of this cake the weekend before they would be playing Auburn. I don't think any of them care for the color orange due to a dislike for another SC college, but this cake was delicious enough to overlook the color...even if you had to eat it with your eyes closed!



The Tunmores have a great backyard filled with lots of balls, bats and golf clubs...you can pick what sport you play...but Ruth Ann had a hard time deciding which she wanted to play...



Sweet Betsy...



Christopher was watching Jay play...it's so funny to think of Jay as the "Big Boy" in this group of kids because he was the first baby in our group of friends. Don't tell him because he might not like this, but he'll always be Baby Jay to me.



Brantley brought a yummy seafood dip which 2 little girls seemed to be enjoying...



And then Ruth Ann thought Roper needed a little bit extra sugar...in her defense he has very kissable cheeks...

The Best of Times & The Worst of Times

Okay, I wouldn't exactly describe any of the following events as the "Worst of Times" because I'm going to be talking about my visit to Auburn and there is nothing terrible about a visit to Auburn! But this weekend definitely had some high Highs and some low Lows...the title of this post may be a little too dramatic.

High: We rolled out of Lexington with my parents camper in tow and made excellent time in our travels to Auburn.

Low: Pulling a camper may save you some dollars by avoiding sky high hotel rates...but the amount of gas needed to pull that load in a diesel truck is a little more than we're use to spending on our drive down there.

High: We had planned on putting the camper up next to my friend Candi's family. She and her kids weren't coming to the game, but her husband, parents, brother and cousins were all going to be there for the game. (Candi was my roommate at Auburn, she's one of my closest friends and she now lives in Houston, TX, so we don't get to see each other often). We arrived in Auburn safe and sound and when I located her family's camper site I was surprised to find she was there with her kids! I was so excited...especially since I talked to her on Wednesday prior and she told me they weren't planning on coming to any games. She had decided to surprise me as a belated b-day gift and it was the BEST gift to get to spend time with her and see our kids play together...Ruth Ann and Reagan playing make up 99% of the pictures I took, which I'll post later.

Low: The weekend was too short and there is so much to do while I'm in Auburn that I didn't get to spend near enough time chatting and laughing with Candi.

High: Candi's kids played with Ruth Ann and Spencer for most of the day on Friday and I love seeing my kids playing with my friends kids...it's kinda like the circle of life and it just gives me a warm feeling.

Low: While Candi and I did some grocery shopping I left Ruth Ann in Arch's care. Under her father's supervision she locked herself in the camper...power on and air conditioning running, so she was fine. Looking back I think they should have left her in there since she was in desperate need of a nap. Eventually she would have fallen asleep. Thankfully Reagan (Candi's daughter) was there and she was able to get into the camper after they worked a window and screen open.

High: I bought a cute orange and blue dress for Ruth Ann to wear next year for tailgate.

Low: Spencer wandered off from tailgate to find his step-father only to show back up with a garnet shirt that read "Beat Auburn"...believe me when I say it has taken every ounce of self-control I have to not ask him how that shirt worked out for him. I'm a terrible loser, I'll admit it, but I'd like to think I'm a gracious winner. So I've done zero taunting to my family regarding our win...the words War Eagle have not left my lips since our win and I didn't even wear an Auburn t-shirt home on Sunday. I'd like to think this is out of the kindness of my heart, but actually it's because I left the game when Auburn was down 20-7 to rejoin Candi's family because I was so disgusted by the game I was watching and felt my time would be better spent with my friend who lives a 1000 miles away from me rather than suffer a humiliating defeat...which I'll get into later.

High: Although it was hot, there was a nice breeze while were outside. The Clark family joined us in Auburn and one of their friends is an Auburn fan who likes to tailgate in style. She invited us to her tailgate which was in the suites at the Auburn Arena. At first I was hesitant about the set up because I was imagining an all indoor facility...no friends, it was fabulous! The suites are ground level and have an outdoor patio area that leads out to the stadium. For those of you familiar with Auburn the arena was built in the student parking area behind the stadium. You are a stones throw away from the stadium and it's air conditioned! It was fabulous...if anyone ever invites you to join them in the suites for tailgating...go quickly!

Low: Our camper was parked within walking distance of the stadium, but it was a long walk. The buses weren't up and running when we were ready to join the Clark's friends on campus so had to walk in. Things started out rough for me when I took what Brantley described as a graceful fall to the ground. I don't know what happened...I was the only one (besides Spencer...he's underage) who had not been drinking and I'm not sure what I tripped on but I sure enough fell straight to the ground. I felt like it was in slow motion so I managed to land on the side of my leg and my bottom so Baby Boy was just fine. Arch claims the fall was so quick he couldn't get to me to stop it from happening but I totally believe a natural instinct took over to keep me from falling forward (we were walking down a gravel covered hill) to keep baby safe. Some bruises have shown up this morning, but I bruise like a peach so it was to be expected.

High: Kick off was scheduled for 6:45 pm CST & I love a night game!

Low: We had toyed with the idea of taking Ruth Ann in the game so we got her a ticket to the game. But with kick-off being close to bedtime we ended up taking her to my cousins house at 3pm (which meant part of my afternoon was spent riding back to the camper to drive Ruth Ann to my cousins and then driving back to campus to rejoin my family). This also left us with an extra ticket we couldn't sell...I thought Gamecock fans were going to flock to Auburn since they were ranked higher than we were leaving tickets to be difficult to find before the game. I was wrong...people were giving away tickets before the game...oh well, live and learn...we won't be buying our tickets in advance the next time with attend a football game. Arch's favorite part is the haggling anyway, so I should have let him do what he does best!

High: We got in the game in time for all the pre-game festivities, including the release of the eagle.

Low: Although our tickets were purchased through an Auburn fan...they were smack in the middle of the USC section. Great for listening to the USC band and their cheerleaders, but HORRIBLE if you wanted to hear the Auburn band and if you wanted to get your hands up for Bodda-Getta. To say I was bummed about our seats is an understatement. Especially when Carolina scored 3 touchdowns to Auburn's 1 in the first quarter and half and every time my husband would high five those around us and look at me and say "This is going to be a good game!"...oh, how I've wanted to throw those words back in his face, but again, I'm a gracious winner, so I've remained silent. For those who attended Auburn or grew up going to Auburn games you'll understand this...99% of the fun of game day is the feeling you get when you're cheering with your Auburn family as the band takes the field and in unison you sing the fight song. I haven't been in Jordan-Hare for a football game in 3 years and I was looking forward to those chills and the ear deafening cheers as the football players rushed out of the locker room...but being in the visitors section with the sound of the USC band playing their fight song caused all of what I love most about a football game to be drowned out. At first I thought I would just push through and do my very best to make the most out of where I was sitting...but I grew uncomfortable cheering loudly in a group of people who were not wishing my team the best. I'll cheer for USC during any other game they play...I'll enjoy 2001 and I'll cheer along with the cheerleaders, but not at Jordan-Hare. I live 20 minutes from Williams Brice, I'll go there to sit with USC fans, but not in Auburn. Anyway, when USC went so far ahead of Auburn, I simply couldn't take it anymore and I left. Not because I gave up on my team, but because I was on the verge of tears (keep in mind I'm 6 months pregnant...tears flow easily) and wanted out, out, out. I made my way back to the campers and enjoyed the rest of the game with friends I don't see very often and enjoyed it just as much as if I had been in the Home section. However, because I didn't stay I forfeited all rights to gloat about our exciting come from behind victory.

And finally...

High: Auburn, #10 (AP Top 25 rankings)

Low: (At least for all my USC friends and family) USC #20

But fear not my USC friends...I'll be your biggest supporter in the state of South Carolina on October 9th when I'm hoping you'll upset Alabama!!!

Rough Lovin'

I tell Ruth Ann daily she is lucky to have 2 kitty cats who put up with her as well as they do...







Her lovin' is rough, but as a cat lover myself I'm so happy she has a soft spot for kitties too!

Christmas in September

Last year for Christmas Ruth Ann got a kitchen set from her Grammy. Then for 9 months it sat in the box in the dining room waiting for assembly and for her daddy to move the non-operational piano that sat in the dining room in the spot I envisioned the kitchen sitting. I routinely reminded Arch of how much he enjoys his Christmas gift...the recliner in our living room...and finally with the added pressure of preparing the house for Baby Boy the piano got moved and I assembled the kitchen all by myself...

I wanted to surprise Ruth Ann when she got up from her nap, but she woke up on the wrong side of the crib that afternoon, so her first sight of the kitchen was through teary eyes. But those eyes dried up and soon she was cooking away...





Merry Christmas Ruth Ann...thanks Grammy!

Newest Preschooler

Guess who started school in September...Ruth Ann...well, I call it school, but it's not like they're working on their logarithms yet. It's really just a Mother's Morning Out, and what a glorious morning it is for this mother. I've told friends I think the sun shines brighter when I leave the church after dropping Ruth Ann off. She has 2 very sweet teachers and she seems to be enjoying her time there. She's only there 1 day per week due to my work schedule vs. their drop off times. I'm considering moving her to a different program next year that allows for earlier drop offs and more days per week that she can attend. But we'll enjoy LBC while we're there...

When I dropped her off the first day they immediately offered her a snack...obviously they understand the way to my child's heart...



This class doesn't go outside to play because some of the children are not quite big enough to enjoy the playground...Ruth Ann & her classmates appear to be watching with jealous hearts as the big kids get to play outside...



When I saw Ruth Ann had her pacie in I asked if she had gotten upset while I was gone. Both teachers said no, she had just asked for it so they handed it to her...it's in her church bag for emergencies only. Tricky little girl knows she only gets her pacie at nap time or bed time...I think she's going to love these ladies who give her whatever she asks for!

Final days of summer at the lake

As the end of summer approaches this means the end of days spent at the lake. I'll admit I'm not a huge fan of the lake, especially since my mom has a pool in her backyard, but Arch LOVES the lake so Ruth Ann has spent a few days at the lake house to make her daddy's day this summer. We spent Labor Day on the lake with my in-laws...





Ruth Ann is still a little too young to pull behind a boat, but she enjoyed watching Madison in the distance...



And her daddy loves for her to spend time on the boat...







But what I love the most about lake days are the long naps Ruth Ann takes while we're driving home and then once she gets in her crib. Goodbye Lake Murray, see you next year!

Way too far behind

Thanks to blogging I take lots of pictures of Ruth Ann...actually, I get the picture taking gene from my grandmother who was always behind the camera and rarely in front of one. As a child I loved looking at photo albums and I use to think my dream job would have been developing pictures so I could look at pictures all day long...thank goodness I didn't go that route since photo mats seem to be a thing of the past. However, in the last year I've done more taking of pictures than of developing pictures. I am ashamed to admit that I have not had one single picture developed in over a year! I have let this get out of control, so I made myself sit down and start loading pictures to MPix...which has great quality photos for a reasonable price...and this week will finally get up to date on my photo albums for Ruth Ann. I felt I needed to before Baby Boy arrives I let this problem get even more out of hand.

In completing this chore I have been looking back at Ruth Ann over the last year and I'm shocked at how much she has changed. I know it sounds crazy to some, but I look at her now and feel like she's always looked exactly like she looks now. I seem to have forgotten the little baby she was just a few short months ago...and oh my, it makes me want to sit in the corner and cry! If I feel this way now, I can't begin to understand what mothers feel like when their babies graduate from high school, get married or have babies of their own...I'm going to start trying to enjoy every minute...good, bad or ugly...with Ruth Ann and hope that I'll remember these days better than I'm remembering the days that have already gone by...until then, could someone please tell me where this baby has gone to...









I can't tell you the money I would give to go back and hold that little baby for just a little bit longer. Those cheeks are still just as sweet to kiss so I'm enjoying every minute I have with the toddler version...food on her chin and all!

Catch up

I've been a terrible blogger lately and the only thing I have to blame is my lack of patience...I hate waiting on my pictures to load to Flickr but this weekend I decided I had put it off long enough. We've been up to a little of this and a little of that...I'll start my catching you up with all our partying....



In August we celebrate 3 birthdays in a row...Arch's & our friends Christopher and Claire's b-day. Arch's b-days aren't as big a deal, so I don't have any pictures from his day, but here are some from Claire and Christopher's big days...

Claire's theme was a barnyard...there was a pony to ride and delicious cake to eat...





Here's the birthday girl enjoying a ride...



Then we headed home to nap and get ready for Christopher's party the same day. His party was a pirate them...as you may be able to tell by the cute cake...



Here's the birthday boy playing outside...



There was a magician at this party who ended his act with balloon animals. The biggest request was for a sword...here's Betsy showing hers off...



Ruth Ann worked on her golf swing...



And then sat down for a drink of water and a little chatting with Betsy.





Whew...we were worn out after this day of fun!

Fearless

A few years ago, shortly after I announced we were expecting Ruth Ann, my parents decided to put a pool in their backyard. My niece Ada was almost one at this point and with the idea of multiple grandchildren on the horizon my mom wanted to make sure her house was the happiest place on Earth...at least to her granddaughters. So this pool wasn't going to be just any pool...no, it was going to have a diving board and slide. Of course we all felt the girls were years away from using the slide...although it has been fun for some of the bigger kids who frequent Grammy's Pool. But Ruth Ann has proved us all wrong.

A few weeks ago we were spending some quality time at the pool when Arch asked Ruth Ann if she wanted to slide with him down the slide. She had done this with several others so we weren't surprised when she started up the slide with her daddy. However, when then got to the top she started scooting forward like she wanted to take off on her own, so that was just what she did...over and over again all afternoon...



And she LOVED IT!! Here's the proof with a close up of the previous picture...



She was all smiles. But she loves anytime she gets to spend in Grammy's pool...





We don't thank Grammy often enough for putting a pool in for the girls, so Grammy, Ruth Ann (and her momma) want you to know how much we appreciate and enjoy our summer days in the pool!

Can you smell that??

It's the smell of football in the air! Football season has arrived and Ruth Ann was ready to get the day started in all orange!



This is actually a t-shirt Ruth Ann wore last football season. I thought about it this morning and decided to try it out just to see if it still fit. It's labeled 6-9 months, but it looks like we may get a few more extra weeks of wear out of this shirt. Then we'll save it for Baby Boy to wear next year!

War Eagle friends! Here's to an exciting and hopefully winning football season!

Better late than never...

So one week ago tonight I was eagerly awaiting the big ultrasound...if you know me you may be aware I was pretty confident it was a baby girl we were waiting to see. The last time we tried to take a peak to see whether blue or pink was in our future Baby wouldn't give us a good view...however, at this appointment we did and BOY, oh BOY...it's a BOY! I think I'm still in a little bit of shock, thus the delay in the post...that and I can't seem to come up with a good picture to post & I can't figure out the scanner on our new printer...therefore, I bring you a picture less post.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about the idea of a sweet boy to worship and adore me...most of my friends have boys and everyone of them is precious, so I look forward to having my own...but here are a few things I've been thinking about as I approach raising a little boy...

1. I'm not raising a Boy, I'm raising a Man

These are the wise words of one of my closest friends...Amanda Newman. She has a little boy who will be 3 in November and I've heard her say these words many times. Until I found out Baby McCarty was in fact a boy, these words didn't really mean that much to me...now they weigh heavy on my mind. I feel like I'm still figuring out how to raise a little lady and my plan to conqueror the middle/high school years was to send her to school in homemade clothes with freshly permed hair...by making her look as dreadful as possible I would be protecting her from the dangers of high school popularity. Then the perm would grow out and I would allow her to blossom in her years at Auburn. Easy, right. But raising a boy into a self sufficient man...I feel ill prepared for this task and just can't wrap my mind around the task set before me.

2. God is big believer in Justice

I don't know why I ever started believing this baby was a girl. From the moment I found out I was pregnant the first thing I thought was I would have a boy and be forced to relive every fight my brother and I ever had through my mom's eyes. It's now official, I'll be saying things like "Stay on your side of the car", and "I don't care who started it, you end it". I know first hand exactly how much two siblings can fight with each other and now I'll be learning how much it hurts your heart to see two of the people you love most in the world not get along.

3. Little boys don't look good in pink dresses

Or big hair bows. I'll be honest and admit a tear was shed when I realized I would never be using all of Ruth Ann's cute dresses and bows again. Every time I packed her clothes away after she outgrew something especially cute and part of me wished for another little girl to share these cute clothes with...now I'll be sharing them with the highest payer of at the local consignment sales to begin paying for blue clothes I need to purchase. Doing a little retail therapy in the last week has helped me realize baby boy clothes are cute...maybe not equally as cute, but still cute none the less. I'm also looking forward to making matching brother/sister outfits for next summer...my mind is racing with the idea of matching john-johns and smocked dresses!

4. Little boys LOVE their mommas

Several mothers of little boys have reminded me several times this week how much little boys love their mommas and how much mommas love their little boys. One friend had a little girl first and then, like myself, had a baby boy. She claims from the moment that boy was born he stole her heart. She loves her daughter, but she has a different relationship with her little boy...I can't wait to find out what that feels like. I'm also really hoping this baby is a snuggler...Ruth Ann is anti-snuggle and it breaks my heart. I've got my heart set on a chubby little snuggly boy and I hope my prayers get answered...I'm also hoping this will be the first baby boy in history that doesn't get dirty or stinky, but I have a feeling I can't get everything I wish for!

Matilda Jane

No, this is not the name I've picked out for Baby McCarty...we go tomorrow afternoon to find out if Baby is a boy or girl, and this time I'm not getting off the ultrasound table until it's confirmed! Nope, Matilda Jane is a clothing brand I had never heard of until this past Spring and now am addicted to! I was sold even before I saw Ruth Ann in their clothes but after seeing this...



and this...



I'll take one of everything they have in the catalog please!

Friends

About 2 years ago 4 couples decided to stop eating out together and start eating in together instead. Not because we were watching our checking accounts, but because our families were expanding and a table for 8 was rapidly growing to a table for 15. So now once a month these friends gather together and now it's not just the adults that share a friendship...it's the kiddos too...

Here Ruth Ann and Betsy are taking a little break from cruising the backyard for a quick Capri-Sun...



Right now these are the only girls in this group of friends...I'm looking forward to years of sleep overs with these two!



Unfortunately, those were the only 2 pics I caught of Betsy when she wasn't flashing the camera...





Betsy and Jay have a fantastic playground, which is always a hit with the kiddos...







Now, I'm going to brag on my own friend...thank goodness our supper club is not graded on creativity because I would receiving a failing grade...Sally on the other hand would be the head of the class...take a look at how she decorated the kids table...



Personalized cantaloupe boats...with the most delicious cantaloupe I've had all summer...



So cute and such a sweet touch...at my house the kids barely have a place to sit down to eat, but at Mrs. Sally's the kids get special kid-friendly treatment...thanks Sal!