Random photos

I finally transferred the photos from my iPhone to my computer, so here are some random shots from voting in her first presidential election to grocery shopping.

Update: I incorrectly stated that Carolyn had only been to Indiana and Illinois prior to our road trip. I forgot to include Kentucky (which we visited in October), thus her total state count is 6. We'll be adding Ohio this weekend.

Go Bucks!!

Carolyn's first OSU/UM game was a historic victory for the Buckeyes. Friends Elizabeth, John, Gayla and Gayla's mom joined us at our house to watch it. I forgot to take pictures, but Gayla took some which I will post as soon as I get them. For now, here are some shots from yesterday when Carolyn helped me make some Buckeyes (and sat in her high chair for the first time).

4 months old

Carolyn has had a few fussy days lately (probably because she misses her daddy who is working in Cincinnati this week), but I managed to get a few smiles out of her for a photo shoot today.

lots of smiles and a little belly button exhibition

she is getting closer to being able to sit on her own, but that is hard to photograph on one's own

the one on the right is my personal favorite of the day:) she was shrieking at Tinkle Crinkle

Road trip! Part III: First flight

Weighing in at check-in (really I just put her there so the agents could see her).

My dad's flight back to Tulsa was leaving out the same gate as ours, so we got to spend some more time with him before heading home.

Thankfully, the flight wasn't full so we had a row to ourselves. Carolyn ate as we took off, promptly fell asleep and remained that way until we landed. I hope every flight we take is so peaceful!

Enjoying the moving walkways at Midway

The cab ride home (her first time in a taxi, of course)

Road trip! Part II: Party Time

playing in Michael's exersaucer while the adults watched the OSU/Illinois football game

playing on the swingset with Daddy and cousin Brendy

wondering why San Antonio felt like Chicago

a happy cowgirl with her daddy (thanks to Auntie Carrie for the cute dress!)

Brendy having some quality time post-party with Uncle Desi

smiling with Papa Dave after a busy day

Road trip! Part I: Road trip

Carolyn went on her first road trip last week, traveling all the way from Chicago to San Antonio. We were delivering a car to my brother and going to my nephew's 1st birthday party. We split the trip into two days with an overnight stop at my dad's house in Tulsa. Carolyn was a trooper and only melted down in the last hour of our 18 hour trip.

5:30 am on Thursday smiley and ready to go



Nap time after a slight detour (I forgot my wallet so we had to head back home after driving for half an hour. Thank you, Desi, for checking to make sure I had everything!)

Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas brought Carolyn's total of states visited up to 5. (Indiana being the 5th). We wished that we had an extra day to stop and visit with our St. Louis friends.

In Tulsa, Carolyn met my stepmother Tracey and stepsister Rachel for the first time.

You won't find much along highway 75S in Durant, OK, but you will find The Peanut Shoppe: Home to "Nuts of All Kinds". We stopped in to get some of their homemade beef jerky and chocolate covered raisins, peanuts and malt balls.

Texas!

Locks of love

At some point early in my pregnancy I decided (with much encouragement from Desi) to do something that I've always wanted to do: donate my hair. Post-pregnancy was the perfect time because a) it was getting way too long, b) I wasn't looking forward to Carolyn pulling it all out and c) it was thicker and healthier than ever thanks to the prenatal vitamins. Last Thursday I finally did it and said goodbye to 11 1/2 inches (sorry if the hair picture grosses you out:).

Happy Birthday, Grandma Dolly!

Grandma Dolly turns 80 this Sunday, so we celebrated with a big party this past weekend. Unfortunately Carolyn wasn't in the mood to smile big for the camera, but she looked adorable in her party dress.

Our little puppy/pun'kin

Carolyn's first Halloween began with a trip over to Laidlaw Elementary School to see their annual parade. All of the students dress up and walk up and down the street before heading back to class for parties. It was the first time that Carolyn rode in her stroller without her car seat.

For trick-or-treating our dalmation turned into a Jack-o-lantern. Here she is in her Jumperoo showing her new favorite activity: sucking on her fingers. It started out as a middle finger-ring finger combo, then pointer finger-middle finger (as shown above), and today all three.

The 70 degree day allowed us to greet the trick-or-treaters from our porch swing.