Virginia Tech Heritage

If you don't want to read about my love for Virginia Tech, my Hokie heritage or deep desire to have Carrington's first dance be the Hokie Pokie, exit now. Bye, Aaron! Here's the thing, I could talk about VT and the Hokies all day, every day, in my sleep and most likely even when I'm dead. As you know, it's been mentioned at least once on the blog! My VT and Blacksburg heritage go way back, more than I can remember being told. My Grandfather was Chief of Police in Blacksburg and worked as a police office at every home football and basketball game when sissy and I were growing up. We got to walk through the tunnel, hang out in the locker room and talk to the players, all of which we thought were normal for a kid to do! My Granny Roach spent her career as a librarian at the VT library. My dad went to Tech for a year before deciding to become a State Trooper. He also, unsuccessful, attempted to drive his car across the duck pond (while it was frozen) when he was in highschool. He undoubtedly was the one that fed us the most Hokie propoganda! My Aunt graduated from the Pamplin School of Business and is raising at least one future Hokie. My mom gave birth to two baby Hokies, one of which had the honor of later graduating from Tech. Sissy made the wrong decision and went to The University of South Carolina (sorry for her loss or multiple football losses every season). At least she has shown my brother-in-law the right way and he loves the Hokies and buying cute outfits for Carrington. My stepdad recieved his Graduate degree from VT even though he claims to bleed Orange and Blue. My Granny Peggy hasn't missed watching a football game since they started airing them on TV; and once a year, even at her young age, climbs the stairs at Lane Stadium to cheer on or holler at the football players. I've never met a Granny that loves football more than mine! Some of my best memories and the majority of my closest friends are Tech grads. We've managed to gather once a year, since graduating, for some tailgating and Hokie football in Blacksburg; sadly, this year we can't pull it off.
You see, Carrington came out saying gobble, gobble, gobble. She knows she was born to be a Hokie and wears Orange and Maroon with pride. Why would she (or any of her future sibilings) ever want to be a boring Tiger when she can be...a one of a kind Hokie!

Below are some pictures from the Tech vs. Miami game last Saturday. We watched the game at Wild Wing while celebrating my Aunt's birthday! By the way, the tutu is a finely crafted, full of fun (as you will see from the pictures below), absolutely precious addition to Carrington's girly attire, compliments of my friend Wendy's talent as a tutu designer!

Gobble Me Up Turkey

The Lord has given me so much to laugh about this week that I had to blog about Sugarbean and what she's been in to, and I literally mean IN TO! Stick with me cause I know there will be a bit of rambling. We have been out of town every weekend in September. It's definitely taking a toll on all of us. The week in review will provide a glimpse of being very behind on domestic duties, as well as, Carrington seeing what it's like to be ol' Mother Hubbard.

It really started last weekend when my family felt the need to feed Carrington whatever was on hand (little did I know, this has happened several times before). Ham, BBQ, cheese pizza, chocolate chip cookies and so much more were on the menu. I finally gave in and realized that Carrington was old enough to step outside the world of no salt, no sugar, no sweets; basically no real way to enjoy the best that food has to offer. Don't get me wrong, I do break the rules every once and a while but nothing to this extreme. Well, to no one's surprise, She Loved It! So, on Monday I fixed her Grits. Grits can't be served without butter and cheese so both were added. If you know my family, you don't order a roll with butter, you order butter with a roll. Same goes with cheese, ketchup, salt and any other condiment that gives food its best flavor. The grits were gone in less than a minute and she was doing her best to communicate (loud screams) that more was needed. Grits = Girl Raised In The South, I love it and so does Carrington! All good things must to come to an end and so it was Thursday night. I tried to serve up "Gobble me Up Turkey"(hence the title of the blog). Basically, it's turkey chili. Now, I found it to be very healthy and delicious. Carrington felt differently and did everything she could to divert the spoon from her mouth. I realized things weren't going well when she flung turkey on the wall and Bear was literally moving her chair to get to the turkey on the floor. Our chairs weigh at least 50 pounds, plus the weight of Carrington! What would any mother do when she really wants her child to eat the meal she slaved over....she adds cheese! Now, things should be better, we had Turkey Chili with CHEESE. You can only fool a baby for so long. After about two bites she realized the cheese was yummy but the rest was awful. So she would put the food in her mouth, eat the cheese, and spit out the rest. I'm not stretching the truth, how could you in this kind of story! Alright, all you good mother's, hold off on your shrikes, because the story gets worse. To make Carrington understand I still loved her, even though I fed her horse slop, I gave her a cookie! Not just any cookie ,(it was not homemade) but a Keebler's Fudge Shoppe Cookie. Does it make it any better that Shop is spelled, SHOPPE! That makes it fancy, right? I wanted to cry at my lack of being a domestic mother but the Lord showed me otherwise! Once again, satisfaction was guaranteed and I had nothing to do with making it!

One last story about Carrington's love for anything but the food mama gives her. I left this morning with Mrs. Peggy feeding Carrington Organic Yogurt nd Bananas. I forgot something at the house and had to turn around to go back (I left my coupons). When I entered the kitchen, I saw Mrs. Peggy feeding Carrington pancakes, with butter and syrup! BUSTED! Mrs. Peggy could have cared less and said, "Carrington loves pancakes from McDonald's!" I have nothing to add!

Next up, my filthy house! Mrs. Peggy (Carrington's baby nanny) takes wonderful care of us. In one short month, I have grown to love this lady more than any words can describe. She has a heart for children bigger than I will ever know. I guess with five children and seventeen grandchildren and great grandchildren (plus more on the way), it comes naturally. Honestly, Carrington has never been happier and there are times when I know she wishes to have Mrs. Peggy around 24-7. Mrs. Peggy does a lot for me around the house. Every week she does my laundry, dusts, sweeps, keeps the kitchen clean, cleans bathroom (I would never do that for anyone), cooks and so on. Actually, this week I had some chicken that needed to be cooked. It was split breast chicken that I bought on sale (I'll touch on that shortly) so it wasn't clean. When I pulled it out, it wasn't completely thawed. I asked Mrs. Peggy what I should do because I needed to cook it that day. She instructed me to place it under water to completely thaw and then asked how I was going to clean it. Clean chicken???, my plan was to have it thaw and throw it in warm water. That was the explanation I gave her. I was met with, "CHILD, leave the chicken and I will take care of cleaning it and cooking it." My tail feathers went up,I was embarrassed, I know how to cook! Then I realized the sweet Lord had provided me with someone who wants to take care of us. I'm sure you are wondering how the chicken turned out, best I've had in a long time! Rambling...I know, the story doesn't hit on the filth of my house but has a point. My point is to show the love of Mrs. Peggy before I start the next story. I came home today at 5:00pm. Carrington was awake which is a little unusual because she usually sleeps until 5:30PM. Me, "Mrs. Peggy how did she sleep this afternoon." Mrs. Peggy, "Fine she woke up about 10 minutes ago, I gave her a clean diaper and a new outfit." Me, "A new outfit?, did she poop in the other outfit?" Mrs. Peggy, "no she was just dirty." Me, (it started to dawn on me real quick), "was she dirty from crawling around on the floor?" Mrs. Peggy, "yes, she was filthy, you can't even imagine." My knees went weak and I wanted to hit the floor in embarrasment. I gave a brief rationalization of how my only plan for Friday was to mop the house, nine times over!

Of course things would get worse... After the Gobble Me Up Turkey, Carrington and I took a bath in my very roomy tub. I washed it out real good and thought "all was clean". By the time we were both comfortable and warm, I started to see brown floaties and a dead bug joining us. I don't do funk real well so my first thought was to get us both out. Carrington was enjoying herself so I couldn't bring myself to upset her. I got the bug out and as many of the floaties too, and Carrington went on splashing. Before too long, she was standing up and smacking the side of the tub. Yep, she smacked the bug until it was good and smushed and chased the rest of the brown floaties around the bath tub! Lord help me, I'm drowning! Where is my mother's obsession with Eau de Clorox. That's what Aaron calls my mama's need to constantly clean! She loves the smell, why don't I?

Now, it's time for Carrington to take on Betty Crocker. My mom has told me all about how much I loved to play in the kitchen. Pots, pans, cabinets, fridge; I was in them all. For the longest time Carrington didn't have much desire to be in the kitchen other than to eat Bear's food (yep, that really happened) and drink his water (daily occurrence) and of course eat her own food. I was a little bummed, where is my domestic daughter? Again, it first happened last weekend at my moms. She couldn't get enough of opening each cabinet, taking out all the pots and pans! MeMe gave her every pot, pan, spoon and cooking utensil in the kitchen, This week, back at home, was no different. I pulled out the food processor (to make her favorite, Gobble Me Up Turkey) which opened up space in the cabinet. In she went, straight to the mixer, and had so much fun it was hard to find her way out. Maybe I have a domestic Goddess after all!My final ramble of the night is meant to be beneficial for all. August 1, Aaron and I started a major overhaul of our monthly budget. Little did I know, it would lead to major changes in the way I purchase. I was the girl that would never buy store brand products, use a coupon or even fathom going to a baby consignment sale or yard sale. Two months later, I don't even recognize the old Michelle! Much to my personality, when I commit to something, I do it 100%. Sure, there is still a lot of room for improvement but I give it my best, all the time! My friend Wendy can tell you all about the daily calls or emails she gets. They go something like this..."I went to Harris Teeter today, spent $76 before coupons and e-vic, after coupons and e-vic my total was $26, I went to "Once Upon a Child" and bought Carrington three toys for the price I would pay for one at Target, I'm going to a consignment sale this Friday and hope to find several items for pennies! I'm sure she gets sick of hearing it but I'm so proud of myself and the changes I've made for my family. Aaron supports me the most through all of this and is my biggest cheerleader! It's hard for him because he doesn't ask for much and has to sacrifice a lot. I know in the end, "we will live like no one else." I've listed a couple of websites on the side that have helped us. I hope you will find them helpful. Feel free to email if you have any questions.

Enjoy your weekend!

Mama "Do"

There are many things in life I told myself I would never do. Of course the saying, "never say never" always comes back to bite me. It got me again last Friday when I had my hair cut and colored. Now the color is not such a stretch (thank goodness the trailer park roots are gone), after all it's my natural color but the length...well lets just call it the mama do! Yep, I went and had a baby and felt compelled to get my hair cut shorter than it has ever been. Ok, maybe not "the shortest" but nothing this short since I was a baldy like sugarbean. I have to tell you, I Love It! The hair stylist did a great job making sure I didn't leave the chair looking like a poodle. She gave me layers, definition and a shiny bounce that was definitely needed. I don't think the pictures make it look as short as it is but at least you can get an idea of the new look.

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S, We're talkin' GLAMOROUS!

Carrington has entered the world of shiny, bright and beautiful bling! On Saturday the women in Carrington's life, that can't resist a new piece of jewelry, took her to get her ears pierced. Aaron, my mom and sissy having been pushing for this since the day she was born. I've been hesitant but decided why not, and maybe, just possibly it would help distinguish her as a little girl when she wasn't wearing a bright pink hair band, pink dress, pink shoes and pink paci. Yes, I'm a little sensitive when she's called a boy. We took her to Claire's (in the mall) where the nice associate told us she was the only one working so we would have to pierce her ears one at a time. I started to second guess my decision (I've teared up every time Carrington's gotten a shot) but mom and sissy weren't about to let me leave without new earbob's in sugarbeans ears. Carrington waited on my lap like a big girl while the associate sterilized all the parts and got the machine gun, I mean piercing gun ready. Little did she know the pain I was about to inflict on her all in the name of beauty and bling. The first shot in the ear startled her and produced a few tears but the second, well that just ticked her off and sent her into the famous "Carrington scream and wail". What's that they say...beauty comes with a price! Meanwhile, I was jumping with joy at how cute she was with her new, shiny, pink flowered jewels. The tears and pain didn't last long and by the time we were out the door she had forgotten all about the torture. MeMe bought her a red polka dotted dress and shoes to go with her fabulous new look! Little does daddy know but he has opened Pandora's or Finks' (our favorite jewelry store) box in allowing Carrington to get her ears pierced. I love having a little girl!

10 months old

Carrington turned 10 months old on September 3. I've had a couple moments over the last week where I look at her and break down in tears. She is growing up too fast and I feel like time is moving in comic book speed. Please God, make time slow down!

Carrington, I know for a fact your mom and dad have never experienced love more fulfilling. You bring sunshine to our life everyday! Your personality has taken off and we definitely see your strong spirit (that you get so honestly) growing. You think "no" is a word to laugh at or break down in tears so you can get your way. For now, we give in! You love to smile at anyone you see; your smile melts hearts! Your favorite word is Bear (our dog) although it doesn't sound exactly like that. It brings you so much joy to call Bear over while you are eating so he can lick your hand and when you get tired of eating he eats all the food you throw on the floor for him. Little do you know you have won Bear's heart! You have little time for food and even less for a bottle. Mrs. Peggy should know as she has patiently given you a bottle for 30 minutes while you stop after each sip to look around and talk about what you see. Your favorite food remains to be sweet potatoes! With your constant busyness comes constant moving. You would win the Olympics in baby crawling. It amazes me how fast you can get "into trouble". You are practicing walking with your Mail Cart and Hungry Hippo push toys. Carrington, feel free to wait a couple months before you take off on foot! My most favorite new development are your hugs. You put your head on our shoulder and arms down by your side so you can get as close as possible. I can't ever get enough of your love! All and all you are a very easy baby. For that we thank you and God!

Love, Mama and Dada

Georgia On My Mind...and feet

Labor Day Weekend was spent in Savannah, GA with little rest and lots of "laboring". We started the weekend Friday night on a double date with Jen and Tom. The baby girls slept peacefully (Aaron's parents were kind enough to sit with them) while the adults enjoyed some playtime!

Saturday morning the daddy's had some bonding time with their babies while Jen and I went for a pedicure. We were prepping our feet for all the walking! Afterwards we toured the city of Savannah by horse and buggy AND lots of walking. Unfortunately, the girls didn't think much of their first ride in a horse drawn carriage (probably because the horses stunk so bad). Carrington managed to throw her paci out the buggy so we were "stuck" in a hard spot in more ways than one. It's bad to have a fix at such a young age!

Sunday was the reason for our trip to Savannah...Aaron and Tom took off on a 103 mile bike cruise at 8am. They accomplished their ride through South Carolina and Georgia by 3pm with a big smile on their face, a few sore muscles and a large hankering for something cold and refreshing...you guessed it, a beer!

Jen and I thought about them a few times while we had our toes in the sand and the smell of saltwater all around us. The girls loved the sand and splashing in the waves! Monday we stopped by Aaron's parents to visit with the family before we headed back home. Carrington can hold her own and definitely tells the boys (her cousins) when they are out of line. She left everyone with plenty of sugar and smiles!

Born to be a HOKIE!

The cooler weather this week has Fall on my heart. Fall happens to me by favorite season. Why you ask...most importantly, Carrington's birthday, a very close second, College Football (Go Hokies!), perfect weather in the south, Halloween, Thanksgiving, lots of family birthday's, beautiful colors, great comfort food & tailgate food and so much more! Did I mention VT football! Aaron is out of town tonight so this is the only way I could post these precious photos. Carrington may not know it yet but Chicago Maroon and Burnt Orange run thick in her blood. My papaw and Carrington's papaw are smiling in heaven!