Pumpkin carving party - October 25, 2009

On Sunday, Jen and Tim had both families over for a pumpkin carving party and supper. Jenny cooked up a big pot of chili which was just delicious. Ron was able to join the festivities before heading back home to Chesterfield. The evening was cool, the food was delicious, and some pretty creative pumpkins were carved.

Isabella is 2 months old already - October 21, 2009!

What a happy little girl! Isabella is 2 months old and such a smiley baby. You simply can't help but smile back at her - she's just too stinkin' cute!

Isabella is trying out 2 different styles for Halloween. She has some cute little onsie's ("I love my mummy") and an adorable costume for Halloween!

Napping with grandpa - 10/20/2009

This evening, we took a nice long walk with Isabella and the dogs. Later, after supper, grandpa and Isabella took a little nap together on the couch. Too cute!

October 19, 2009 2 month well baby check up for Isabella

Today, Isabella went to visit Dr. Dodds for her 2 month well baby check up. She got a glowing report from her doctor. She is 23 1/2 inches long now and 10 lb 14 oz. She was very alert and seemed to be taking in all that Dr. Dodds had to say. She also was a little trooper as she received 3 shots (2 in 1 thigh and 1 in the other) and an oral immunization. Little ones these days get an arsenal of immunizations that our kids didn't. In addition to the DPT and polio that my girls got "back in the day", kids these days get immunized for meningitis, Hepatitis B, and more. Poor little things. All in all, Isabella has done wonderfully. No swelling, pain or crankiness.

This picture was taken later yesterday evening. Isabella likes to kick off her covers, so Jen has found some baby leggings to keep her little legs warm at night.

"Let's get physical, physical. I want to get physical, let me hear your body talk, body talk..." (For those that don't recognize the lyrics, it's Olivia Newton John from the very early '90's.)

The end of pool season 2009 :(

On 10/18/2009, we officially ended the pool season by covering the pool. Temperatures are in the low 60s and it's time to "close shop" 'til spring. Precious, our almost 9 year old Scottie, marked the occasion by taking a "header" in to the deep end (mind you, the water temperature is probably in the high 60s or low 70s). She was pursuing a bee that had landed in the pool. Ray yanked her out and all is well. (The funny thing is that Precious has only gone into the pool twice in a year and a half - the first time was in March 2008 and second time was this weekend. I can't quite figure out why she doesn't try to jump in during warm weather!) I'm looking forward to warmer temps and the next pool season. I can't complain; winter in South Carlina is a cake walk compared to winter up north!

October 17, 2009

Life is good...Isabella is growing like a weed and is such a lovely, happy child. We really could not be more blessed. What more can you ask for but a loving and close family?

Ride 'em Cowgirl! October 17, 2009

Give me a horsey ride, Gracie!

Something stinks!

What a big girl!

Snuggling Isabella!

Prize winning cradle - October 14, 2009

The State Fair judging is completed! Ron's cradle won not 1, but two 1st place ribbons - 1st in Baby/Child Furniture and 1st in Sweepstakes-Furniture (overall furniture, from what I understand)! How blessed we are to have a friend that would give our family such a very special gift and how honored we are to have his prize winning cradle as our family heirloom.

Drum roll, please! October 13, 2009

The State Fair judging is completed! Ron's cradle won not 1, but 2 1st place ribbons - 1st place in Baby/Child Furniture and 1st place in Sweepstakes-Furniture (overall furniture, from what I understand)! How blessed we are to have a friend that would think to give our family such a very special gift and how honored we are to have his prize winning cradle as our family heirloom.

The Poole Family cradle

Our dear friend, Ron Johnson, crafted this lovely cradle for our family. Isabella will be the first to use the Poole family cradle. Hopefully, many more babies over the coming generations will rest in this cradle.

Ron has entered the cradle in the South Carolina State Fair this year. It is sure to fetch a ribbon!

Sunday, October 4, 2009 - Steph and Isabella

Tonight, we got together again for Sunday dinner. Lowcountry boil (new potatoes, smoked sausage, corn-on-the cob and shrimp)- sometimes called Frogmore Stew - and homemade buttermilk cornbread. Isabella was in a really good mood and was "conversing" with Steph following her diaper change. I can't believe how much she has changed each time that I see her.

6 weeks - time for a photo shoot - October 3, 2009

Jen and Tim's friend, Melinda Register, is a photographer by trade. On Saturday, she came over and spent about an hour photographing Isabella and Jen. Isabella was quite the little trooper for the whole time, smiling and cooing her way through probably a couple hundred pictures. Here are just a few of them. Melinda did such a good job capturing how beautiful our girls are.

Cooler weather - finally...

This past week, the weather turned cooler and we were able to get out for some wonderful walks! On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Jen brought Isabella over after we got home from work and the four of us went for a walk. It felt just great to get that extra exercise and fresh air. On Tuesday, Ray, Jen, Isabella and I went. On Wednesday and Thursday, we added Precious, Lovey and Gracie to the mix. (Notice the "poop sack" under the stroller.) As you can see, Isabella much prefers the walking part as opposed to finishing the walk! Thanks Great-grandma and grandpa and great-aunties for the awesome stroller!

Maleah joins up for Sunday dinner on Sept. 27th

Maleah joined us for Sunday dinner last Sunday. While I was finishing up the dinner preparation (porcupine meatballs, mashed potatoes and corn!), Maleah had my porcelain dolls assemble for "church". Isabella, it seems, is part of the congregation. There something amazing about the imagination of a child....