the cake says it ALL

The cake DOES say it all but, for posterity's sake (for the day when I have all these blog entries made into a book), I'll just say a little more!

This year, my birthday fell on Thanksgiving so our dessert menu consisted of pumpkin pie (thanks to the Felty's), creme brulee (thanks to Ray) AND birthday cake. Ray, with his usual good humor, decorated the cake and gave me a sympathy card instead of a birthday card. The message was actually quite fitting!

Maddy sums up how I feel about turning 40

Miss B

Our little Baylee Rae turned 4 months yesterday. She is really getting FUN!! She smiles all the time and wriggles in glee when I come into her room in the morning or after a nap. Her legs are getting CHUNKY and I just want to give her a big squeeze every time I see her. She weighed in at the doctor's today ... 16 lbs., 11 oz.!! 95th %ile!

She has a variety of nicknames but the most used ones are
Miss B
Bay Bay
Miss Baylee Boo

We love our sweet girl ... and I love that she has NO interest in the pacifier. Finally, a child who does not require me to hunt high and low for the paccie at those frantic bedtimes. She happily sucks on any of her fingers, really, but her thumb or pointer/middle finger combo seem to be the favorites.

We think she may be teething. Ray cut 4 teeth when he was 4 months old so she apparently is genetically predisposed to get teeth early. We'll see!

UPDATE (12/20): Two big Baylee milestones ... last Wednesday 12/15 Baylee rolled over front to back for the first time. And on Saturday 12/18 she cut her first tooth!! She's following in her Daddy's footsteps ...

Day at the Museum

For the Thanksgiving holiday, Ray's parents came to town and on Wednesday (the day before Thanksgiving) Grandma Weezie took all the girls to Greenville to the Children's Museum of the Upstate. Cady had been once before and did a great job selling it to Maddy so we were all excited! And it was a perfect day to go because, since it was a vacation day for schools, there were no herds of children there on field trips. Just lots of kids with their parents and grandparents, just like us!

This place is chock full of hands on things for kids to play/experiment with but the favorites were definitely the mini-grocery store and the mini-farm.

Maddy, shopping like a pro!!

The cow with a working udder (with water) was a huge hit!

I can never get enough "sister pictures"!

It was so much fun, Maddy konked out on the way home ... can you see her sunglasses under there?

Halloween 2010

Maddy and Cady decided a few months ago that they wanted to be characters from The Wizard of Oz for Halloween. Maddy was the first to claim the "green witch" and so Cady got on the bandwagon and decided to be Dorothy.

Today was the big day because, due to some unfortunate coincidences, the girls missed nearly every other Halloween festivity that they could have attended. Last weekend, when we were at the beach, was our ward's Halloween carnival and on Friday, when her class had their party, Maddy had a doctor's appointment. So there was MUCH anticipation heading into today. And on my part, STRESS!!

I procrastinated buying a costume for Maddy so, as of this morning, we had a broom, hat and green make-up but no dress. I thought maybe I could scrounge one up at church but to no avail. So during naptime, I frantically adapted one of my old black t-shirts into a witch dress. I was so worried that Maddy would throw a fit, especially since Cady's Dorothy dress was a glittery affair from Halloween Express! But she was as happy as could be, and didn't realize that she looked like hybrid of Yoda, a cistercian monk and the Wicked Witch of the East! There was more complaining from Cady, who had gotten some paint on her dress while painting pumpkins at her class party.Yay for candy!!

They donned their outfits and headed out to trick or treat with Daddy, returning two hours later with the fruit of their labor! Lots of candy, of course, with a toothbrush thrown in for good measure. I stayed home with Baylee and was ready to hand out candy but we had a grand total of THREE trick or treaters. Thankfully, Cady was home for the last 2 and literally gave them a huge handful out of our now over-flowing candy bowl!

Indian Summer at the Beach

Last weekend, we were lucky enough to sneak away from Spartanburg and spend a few days at the beach (Garden City, SC). We were planning to leave on Thursday evening but couldn't quite pull things together so we got up SUPER early on Friday morning, put the still pajama-ed girls in the car at 6:30 a.m. and hit the road!

We couldn't have asked for better weather in late October. The girls spent all afternoon on Friday and Saturday on the beach, playing, digging, flying our kite and jumping in the water (brrrr!).

On Friday afternoon, Grandma Weezie was able to join us on the beach for a while and then we all went out to dinner together. Then Ray took the "big" girls to the arcade!!! Apparently, the won big playing Deal or No Deal and got a bazillion tickets = a LOT of trinkety crap. I find it ironic that Ray often complains about all the "trinkety crap" the girls have but whenever we go to the beach, he leads the charge to the arcade and gets some more!!

Cady photo-documented some of their "booty"

On Saturday morning, we spent some time with the girls' great-grandmother Tutta and introduced her to Baylee. And on our drive home Sunday, we stopped in Camden to visit my Aunt Louise. I'm so proud of the big girls and how they love these elderly ladies. Seems to me that I was a bit afraid of "old people" when I was their age but they are just so happy to see them and give hugs. It was wonderful to see them both!

Baylee was there, too -- just laying around!!

It was a short but sweet trip ... Farewell until next year, beach!! *sigh*

35 (a day late)

Yep, that's how old Ray is now. Although according to Maddy, who doesn't clearly annunciate the "TH" sound, he is 45.

After a very "regular" day of school and work, we all went out to dinner at Outback Steakhouse to celebrate. Baylee cooperated and slept through dinner. We came home for cake-eating and present-opening. Due to Ray's extreme picky-ness about his cakes, he actually (I'm ashamed to admit this) made his own birthday cake this year. Two days before his birthday. It was, after all, his birthday so he figured he could do what he wanted!! He frosted it too ... and lit the candles. I did carry it to the table though, and led the singing too, so I contributed a little. I have to say the cake was AWESOME!!

Ok, we both had a piece before the actual birthday day.


Ray's motto for the upcoming year!

I think I'll go have some right now.

Lovies

The story of our family would not be complete without mention of the very important "lovies" that are part of our everyday life. They accompany us on every vacation and have traveled to the beach and the mountains with us. They comfort us after bad dreams and boo-boos, and by "us" I mean Cady and Maddy.

Cady's special lovie is a blue-footed bear that Daddy gave her for Christmas 2006, just days after Maddy was born. At the time, there was another more important animal in play, an orange monkey named "Ho Ho" but he was lost soon after we moved to South Carolina in the summer of 2007. At that point, "Teddy" moved up into 1st place in Cady's heart. Cady has been given many other teddy bears but Teddy remains #1!


Maddy's special lovie is a purple bunny that we just call "Purple Bunny" for lack of a better name. He was given to us as a baby gift by a friend in our ward in Virginia Beach soon after Maddy was born. After three years of heavy hugging and lugging on Maddy's part, he is raggedy. Cady calls him gross. Maddy sucks on his tail and has finally stopped using his ears to wipe her nose. Both of his ears have fallen off at different times and been sewed back on. He is the Velveteen Rabbit incarnate. If love and wear could make a bunny real, this bunny would hop away today!

Georgie Porgie

Maddy is enjoying her 3-year old preschool class this year, especially their study of nursery rhymes. My personal favorite is Georgie Porgie and the enthusiasm with which Mad recites it. When she says "and made dem cwy", I just want to eat her up!! Enjoy!

Dad and his five-year-old daughter, a conversation.

Act I, Scene I
Cady enters dining room. Dad utters something to Cady, who promptly folds her arms and furrows her eye brows.
Dad- "Cady, I am tried of that mean look you give me. If you do it again, I'm not paying for your wedding."
Cady- "That's fine because you're not invited."

Firsts ...

We've had some pretty significant "firsts" in our home in the past few weeks.

Our "big girl" Cady started kindergarten on August 9th. She was so excited!!

Bailey enjoyed her first "real" bath, not just the sponge variety.

As soon as we get a "first" sleep through the night entry, I'm sure I'll be blogging a lot more!!

A hummus posting.

A hummus recipe.

By Little Ray Mechling

First, each batch of hummus is a little different than the last as the potency of ingredients can change. But try this to get started:

1can chick peas,

1 clove garlic,

1 lemon,

EVOO,

2-3 Tbl Tahini*

1 Tbl ground cumin (Cumin is ground cumin seeds! I like to roast and grind my own.)

1/2 tps Cayenne Pepper

Salt & Pepper

Consistency is the key here and we achieve this by using a food processor. So, rinse your can of peas. Put your garlic into the FP and give it a spin by itself. Then add everything else and 1/4 cup EVOO. Start processing. You want a smooth, creamy texture so you may need to drizzle in more EVOO. Don't forget salt and pepper. Give it a few tastes as you go along. A night in the frig will give the taste a chance to mature- the flavors an opportunity to marry.

*FYI- Tahini is ground sesame seeds and can normally be found in the condiment section by the mustard.

Once you get this down, try adding olives or herbs or. . . I sound like such a fag.

She's finally here!!

So yesterday the day we'd been counting down to finally arrived ... and arrived REALLY early! I set my alarm for 4:01 so I could get up, shower, exfoliate (again!), double check my bag and get to the hospital by 5 a.m. We didn't quite make it on time. Maybe that's why the nurse who answered our call at the parking gate decided to have a little fun with us.

When the gate didn't rise upon our approach, Ray pushed the button. The nurse responded and asked if we were scheduled for an induction, to which we responded in the affirmative. The nurse then asked, "Are you sure you want to have the baby today or would you like to come back tomorrow?" Ray and I looked at each other, then he answered, "Are you KIDDING?" I think we were both remembering the day we went in for Maddy's induction and were told there were no available beds. We DID have to come back the next day! But in this case, thankfully, the nurse started laughing and put the gate up. So we were in and up on the L&D floor by 5:30.

After the customary interview about me and my health history, a nurse put in the IV and started to pitocin to get things going. And then we waited. And waited. As Ray said, we had to hurry up get to the hospital so we could wait. We never even saw a doctor until 8:30!! By then, some contractions were kicking in but nothing too bad. The anesthesiologist's nurse came to talk to me about getting an epidural, which I hesitated about, as usual. I have no problems with drugs, just with the needle in my back. Ray gave me his usual, "Jen, you don't have to be a hero!" but I was unconvinced. It took more pitocin and some serious contractions to do that!! So I got the epidural at noon and soon was feeling good enough to take a little nap.

However, by 1:30 or so, the contractions were getting really strong and a quick check revealed that I was fully dilated. Unfortunately, my doctor was tied up (no pun intended) with a hysterectomy, so another doctor from the group had to be called over from the office. It took her about 20 minutes to get to the hospital and, during that time, the nurses got everything ready. I also requested that Ray put on a mask. After he hesitated, he admitted that he didn't want "to look silly." Really? Really? I was about to go up in the stirrups for half a dozen people to see and Ray didn't want to look silly in a mask? We all had a chuckle over that. And he put it on (he's had a head cold for over a week ... didn't want to take any chances).

As soon as Dr. Hardin arrived, she declared that I was ready and after pushing through just one contraction, wa la, Bailey was here! I cried, of course. It's just so surreal. Also, a first for me was that I got to cut the umbilical cord. The nurses have always offered to Ray, which he declines, but this time they asked me

Another last

Tonight was the last night we will spend at home as a family of four. A weird feeling. Although the induction is not scheduled until Monday, since we have to report to the hospital at 5 am, the girls will be spending the night at a friend's home tomorrow. So I should have really enjoyed every moment. I tried. I'm just so dang exhausted that by 8 in the evening, I'm only taking pleasure in laying in bed!!

I wonder if any of us are prepared for the massive changes that are about to be thrust upon us. When Maddy was born, Cady was still in diapers. Now, we've been out of diapers all summer, although Mad still wears a pull-up at night. Cady starts kindergarten one week after the baby is born and whoa, that a whole lotta change for a 5-year old in a very short time span.

But I know that it will bring us all closer. Maddy is SOOOO very excited to finally become a BIG sister, not just be the little sister and I know she'll be a great one. I need to enjoy every moment with this new little one, since it'll be the last!

Little Fishies

The girls completed swim lessons last week and they have both learned so much this summer, as far as swimming. The biggest hurdle was just getting over being fearful! They both have pushed themselves and we've tried to get as much swimming practice as possible.

Yesterday we went to a friend's home from church and the girls had so much fun!! Well, once Cady got over goggle trauma (refer to picture # 1, when she refused to look at the camera because the "stupid goggles" didn't fit), they had fun! Cady abandoned the goggles and was jumping off the side and swimming back with no help ... HUGE strides from last summer!

Maddy still uses a "noodle" but is really practicing paddling and kicking to get around. Our friend M. pointed out to Maddy that if she swam with her mouth closed, the water wouldn't get in her mouth and Maddy promptly put that advice into practice (refer to picture #2 ). I, of course, am not pictured because I look like a big polka-dotted whale in my swimsuit at this point, but I was there and it felt lovely to float around and feel LIGHTER!

Wild Wings vs. Chik-Fil-A

Last night, we all went out to dinner for a last pre-baby outing with no diaper worries or high chairs or other baby trappings. We went to the Wild Wings downtown and as we were waiting for the food to arrive, Cady and Maddy had a most interesting conversation. It went something like this ...

Maddy: This has been the best day EVER!!!!
Cady: Yeah, I love Wild Wings!
Maddy: Yeah, me too!
Cady: Look at all the TV's!
Maddy: But I like Chik-Fil-A too ...
Cady: Yeah, Chik-Fil-A has a slide!

Now that's a tough choice: TV's or a slide??? Which would you choose?

On the countdown to our little #3

Having been so lax with the blogging, it perhaps has not been stated clearly that I AM EXPECTING another little girl!! She is due on August 4th and lately I have been wondering why in the world I insisted that we not have another "winter baby". My main reason was not wanting to be so housebound, which winter necessitates and a newborn exacerbates. I thought that I would have more freedom, having a baby in the summer.

Well, that may be the case (still don't know -- check back in a few weeks!) but for now, there sure is a whole lot of HOT-NESS!!! It has been an exceptionally hot summer so far and being pregnant, whew, I don't think I've stopped perspiring for the last 2 months!! All I can say is that I sure am ready to have this little girl ... although she'd better wait a little longer because we still haven't picked out a name. There are a few on the table but none that, at this point, we are jumping up and down about.

Cady's lemonade stand

Cady has recently grasped the concept that to buy things, one needs money, as well as the accompanying concept that Mommy won't always just give her a dollar for the dollar store! She has seriously uttered the words "I need some money!" several times recently. (Amen, sister!)

So while we were up in Maryland last month, Cady took advantage of the opportunity to hone her entrepreneurial skills and set up a lemonade stand at one of Mom and Pat's newly constructed produce stands. She set up on two different days and she had a great time. Maddy's contribution was to hound each and every customer with repeated "Want some lemonade?" until they succumbed to her winning smile. Cady would then carefully pour, add ice and of course take the MONEY. We did take a moment to snap a picture of Cady with her very first dollar! And in the spirit of true generosity, Cady shared her dollar with her sister so they could both go to the dollar store and get a treat!

Happy Birthday, USA!

I'm going with the notion that "late is better than never" so here goes with our July 4th celebration ...

We actually celebrated on July 3rd this year because our little hamlet here in SC doesn't do Sunday fireworks. We had some good friends over for a delicious BBQ, complete with potato salad, hot dogs, corn on the cob and lots of FLIES (sheesh). We all had fun hanging out but the highlight of the night was definitely the fireworks!! Ray had bought some "little" fireworks for the kids so they had a blast with the Sparklers. But let's be honest here, the person who loves the fireworks the most is RAY!!! He lights up like a little kid, or MORE than a little kid. Bottle rockets, sparklers, and the ones that are like artillery shells (I'm not sure what they're all called). After the fun in the front yard, everyone except me (almost 9 months pregnant ... I was pooped!) headed over to the nearby park for the city's fireworks display. The girls had never witnessed anything like it before and they came home THRILLED!!

A month in Maryland

As is apparent from the Hebron Carnival entry, we are spending some time up "north" visiting family this month. We're spending most of our time in Salisbury but last weekend, we trekked down to Virginia Beach to hang out with Daddy Ray and Grandma Weezie. Even though they live right on the beach, we spent most of our time AT THE POOL. The girls have always been hesitant pool-goers but last weekend, they fell in love!!! Wow. Thanks to "noodles" they were floating all over the place, and then Cady started pushing herself, jumping off the side but keeping her head above water, then going under, then all out swimming under water. It was amazing that she made these strides within about an hour timespan!!


Some other notable things that Cady has learned on this trip so far are:
standing on her head
crossing her eyes
driving Nana & Pat's Barbie car with expertise

Hebron Carnival

Went to the Hebron Firemen's Carnival last night with the family. Fourth or fifth time now. For those not in the know, Hebron is a town here in Maryland about the size of a walnut. Maybe 1,000 people live there. (Last official count is actually 807, I just check wiki.)

However, their fire station and fire trucks would make the NYFD jealous. And here's why: apparently "games of chance" are perfectly OK there with one small caveat, you have to be at least 16!!! And by games of chance, I mean chance. Picture if you will a giant wheel with numbers on it, a table with said numbers on and a sign that says "All bets must be placed before wheel is spun." Sound familiar? Granted, you could only bet a dollar per number; but still- 16 years old and you can play all you want. Then there's the $10,000 raffle at $10 a ticket (to be awarded the last night of the car-nee a few months down the road.) If the thought of winning cold cash doesn't make you reach for your wallet then there's the raffle for the 30-30 rifle. Mind you, the entire carnival- rides, food, games, restrooms, picnic tables, etc. is setup around the main attraction: B-I-N-G-O! And if you win five times during the course of an evening you get your pick of what appears to be the remains of Service Merchandise and Montgomery Ward, both of which are now rotting away in department store hell awaiting K-Mart's arrival. Sorry for the long sentence.

Did I mention this was put on by the local fire department? I tend to think of safety and caution when one mentions a fire department. Probably a field trip ingrained this on me. Safety be damned at Hebron! If you want to hold your infant child in one hand and a lite cigarette with the other while enjoying a spin on the Tilt-A-Whirl or Scrambler, go right ahead. Seriously. Ok, I'm kidding about the cigarette, the attending car-nee will hold it for you and if you are related to them there might be a drag or two left when the ride is over. I did take my three year old daughter on both of these rides. Don't tell her, but she is kind of a runt standing 36" tall. When the Scrambler door closed, she was eye level with it. Maybe that's why you're supposed to be at least 42" tall, so you can see what's going on. On the Tilt-A-Whirl she leaned against the side and stretched her little legs across the bench, not bothering to hold on to anything.

We had an awesome time and will be going back next weekend.

Disclaimer: Ray is now the family's offical blogger.

At the behest of my favorite sister, I am taking over blogging duties for my little fam-damn-ly. (Side note, Jen just passed by and announced, "What!? I may still blog sometimes." Please note her last entry date. "And monkeys may fly out of my butt." - Wayne Campbell)

As my first official act I give this little warning about myself : I am self-centered, crass, mean-spirited, a sore loser, reckless, overly opinionated, and often refer to people who don't look like me as "brown". To this day I hold a grunge against my own parents for not buying me cotton-candy at the circus when I was 4. F-O-U-R! I am now 34. Don't cross me.

Smile,
Ray