Happy Halloween!

Just Married....5 years ago!

Happy Anniversary to my darling Kellen! I can't believe I have been your wife for 5 years now. This has been an amazing journey and looking forward to what the next 5 years (times infinity!) brings us. You are still the man of my dreams...and you doing all of the night diaper changes brings on a whole new meaning to this ;) I love you, sweetie! xoxo

Big Day Out

We are nearing November during football season, with a newborn...thus were presented with a sad possibility: this could be the first time in (cringe) 10 years that Kellen and myself weren't at Purdue for a football game tailgate. OH MY!

The delima: a frost advisory and not wanting to bug anyone last minute to babysit Paige.

The solution:  after asking several of my good friends for advice, like 20 times, and changing my mind about as much, I bit the bullet and decided to go. I am sooo glad we did- Paige did great and it felt so nice to get back up there. It is such a part of Kellen and my's relationship, and between the craziness of the last few months and our 5 year anniversary that is this week, it was just what we needed.

Poor Paige, she had on so many layers it was like Christmas Story in 5 layers and her bunny suit.

'I can't put my arms down'

We made it!

It was as if were indoors, outdoors! We had all of the sides up on the tent and Jason brought his propane heater. We had quite the set up.

The annual Thorne/Heavin tailgate photo

Her bunting (burrowed from her friend Tessa) had feet ;)

Paige's first visit on campus

And the day didn't stop there!

That evening Kellen's dad had is annual family Halloween party

Auntie Mallory the jailbird

Happy little skeleton

Gourd-jeous!
Poor thing! But we just had to do it.

I am pretty sure this look is saying, 'you guys are jerks'

I don't know who was more worn out after this day, me or Paige. It was good practice for the holidays that are quickly approaching, for both of us!

First Family Vacation

Another first ;) A few weekends ago Paige, Kellen, and I went on a little weekend get-a-way to South Haven, Michigan with my parents. Cameron even left a weekend at Purdue to come join! It was so nice to get away for a few days. I have never been to Lake Michigan, crazy I know! So Paige and I experienced a first together. I couldn't get over how big it was-with the waves, it totally looked like an ocean! South Haven is a cute little harbor town full of little boutiques, yummy eateries, and adorable houses. I think my favorite thing about this trip was seeing how the dynamics of the family as changed and evolved (all around you-know-who;) ). I could tell my parents were chomping at the bit every morning when Kel and I emerged from our room to see Paige in her jammies and freshly waking...and one night Kel said he could feel my mom literally breathing down his neck watching him put her down for the night. HA! Our days were laid back and full of shopping at little boutiques, eating, and walking around enjoying the lovely fall weather on the harbor.

 our sweet travel baby

 watching some football with uncle cameron

 i had to include this...this garbage sack was cameron's 'luggage'

i think i smell a christmas present!

 beach of south haven with the red lighthouse

 my first time on lake michigan!

 Here's to many many more family vacations!

7 week update

I can't believe Paige is already 7 weeks old! She is such a joy and totally completes our sweet family. Right now my favorite thing is getting to know her as a little person. These last few days she has become a lot more aware of her surroundings and likes to soak in the world around her. She will stare for the longest time at her toys, then try to bat at them with her fist. She can also hold her head up, though wobbly. Paige is also more vocal! She makes these little coos, then looks around like 'who said that?'  I would love to know what her tiny mind thinks!

Right now Paige's favorite things are:
-her changing table. she is like a little Pavlovian puppy and know that this means clean britches and some lovey time :)

-lights. she will just stare out the window, lamp, or ceiling light.
-her play yard. (it has blinking lights)
-booty pats
-having a blanket near/over her ears and face

-bath time

 -her friendly face that hangs from her carseat

-MOMMY! she will smile and coo each time she sees me. its the best feeling in the world.

-and just recently...her paci! finally!

Paige's Not-So-Favorite things:
-wet diapers (could care less about the dirty ones, go figure!)
-bottles
-when mommy takes a shower ;)
-tummy time

......and Kellen and My's favorite thing, in addition to her of course:
-she has slept through the night, mostly, for 2 weeks now!

Her eyes are getting lighter blue every day

Kellen has his original Teddy Ruxbin and she couldn't take her eyes off of it!

Mommy's night out!

Saturday night I attended a benefit for Zoe's Bone Marrow Buddies. This foundation hits close to home for our family, as I discussed in THIS blog post from a few years ago. We decided that this would be a good time for Kellen to stay home and watch Paige for a nice little father/daughter evening while I got a night out with my family. It was great practice for all of us! It was nice to get all dressed up (when was the last time I wore heels?) and get out of the house for some adult entertainment, while I know Kellen enjoyed his first evening alone with Paige. Everyone survived just fine (and yes, I did check my phone often but only called once) ;)

 Daddy's girl (with a crazy face)

The theme of the evening was Arabian Nights, as Aladdin was Zoe's favorite Disney movie. Several patients of the stem cell unit at Riley were featured, and each child got to decorate a genie lamp that included a 'wish' they would like granted. People were able to donate toward or buy the entire wish, and once it was 'granted,' that person got to keep that child's genie lamp to take home. What a fun idea! There was also a live auction with bidding cards, and that is always entertaining. It is so amazing how generous people are. Here are some pics I got of the evening:

 

 In the daylight, these arabian silhouettes looked really cool in all of the windows

 

 rich silk fabrics hanging everywhere!

 

 Tish's mom made all of the decorations, including these organza canopies with silk pillows on the floor inside

 

 

 Some of the featured Riley patients

 

 Here are the decorated genie lamps with a bio and wish of the children

 

 Cameron and me with Tish

 

 My brother/date ;)

 

I know so many children at Riley will benefit from this magical evening!

Angry little birdie

We are seriously considering this for Paige's first Halloween costume