It's not over, 'til it's over

Apparently, I remembered the important things about living through tornadoes in Kansas like: grab a flashlight (or two in case your toddler wants to play with one), crack the windows open a bit (confirmed by Eric's text from Asheville where he was visiting his Dad and Jan after another Hollywood stint...more on that later), stay away from said windows, and remember that things are just things. As Camille was soundly sleeping (and I got a few winks), my ever-vigilant mom texted me letting me know the severe thunderstorm warning had now turned into a tornado warning. I had known this as I was glued to the television trying to find the most legitimate weather forecast. All of them concurred: take shelter now. First task: wake Camille. Check (she did great through the whole ordeal). Second: crank volume of TV up loud so I can hear any new announcements while in the bathroom (mind you, this bathroom is tiny). Third: Coax dog to go into the bathroom (no problem there, she came very willingly). Fourth: Hunker down! Log on to YouTube on the trusty Droid and search "Elmo." Hallelujah! Lots of choices - Elmo and Adam Sandler even - perfect for Camille AND me. So, in this position we sat - dog on floor curled as tightly as a golden retriever can curl literally on my feet and Camille sitting on my lap laughing to Elmo and Adam Sandler. (In the background I can hear the piercing blare of the warning sound on the TV and rain on the windows while the lights flickered on and off). In the midst of the Elmo videos, texts from my mom: "I'm reading about a large tornado on the ground in north raleigh. Do you hear anything?" ... "la la la la, la la la la, Elmo's song!" "Ok? Tornado in ground north Raleigh." (We live in Northwest Raleigh). What a wonderful mother I have...I can only imagine how awful it must have been on the other end. We both agreed that we would have gone crazy without texting.

Anyway... shortly after this stint in the bathroom (at which point, Camille started feeding Mabel piece by piece of her food - so cute!), we all needed to escape. Wanting to see what it was like outside (the sun was peaking out, clouds breaking and blue sky emerging), we geared up in the stroller and got Mabes leashed up. It was sprinkly but clearing. Ha! Apparently the thing I forgot was to wait until it really is over. We got halfway up the street and it started raining a bit more. Then a huge clap of thunder and the rain came. And then, the pea sized hail came. And then I started looking for cover but I was SO close to home I thought just running faster would be better. (I can now see how this fallacy gets people in trouble). Finally, we made it into our garage and all was well. We ALL (I think even Mabel) took a deep breath and said, "whoa!" We were absolutely drenched. We changed clothes and Camille enjoyed just being in a diaper and bloomies. I made a unilateral decision to have a "nibble tray" for dinner -- not exactly in the mood for cooking anything -- we munched on cherry tomatoes, hummus & crackers, pickles, cheese, black beans and yogurt. Delicious. Rehashing the entire afternoon in part for my own sanity and not wanting Camille to have traumatic memories associated with rain, we talked about how wet we got and admittedly a bit scared. "Mommy got wet! Tameel got wet! It not rainin' any moah." Thankfully, Camille, it is not raining anymore. Here is the link of one of our local news stations that shows the path of (all) the storms.

Birthday Girl

Pictures from the celebration!

Happy Birthday, Camille!!

Here's the working mom - at work - typing a blog entry that's not really an entry but rather a notification. If Camille looks back at this blog one day (heck, if anyone looks back at this blog one day!), I don't want her birthday to go unmentioned! At 1:56 pm this afternoon, she will officially be 2 years old (as Camille says it, "2 yeahs OLD!" with emphasis on the OLD). In various journals (some official, some not...did you know grocery lists make for great places to write various milestones down?) I've noted the cute phrases the sweetie has uttered ("goin' to the STOUH - store - need BANAS!" "I don't like dat." "I DO like dat." "Dat tilly"). We're still working on "Rock Chalk, Jayhawk" but we're almost ready for video. Pictures of today's main event coming soon.

October Recap

The fall has brought lots of fun to our family -- a sudden love for the "mooo" (moon), to which we have to say "nigh-nigh" to every night, feeding Mabel and sometimes overfeeding her, eating new delights and anticipating the excitement of the coming holidays! Camille "decided" to be the moon for Halloween but as you can see, she changed her mind quite suddenly. So, we opted for dressing in mostly black (I'm sure I wouldn't get the mother-of-the year award for costume safety but hey...) and carrying around a cardboard moon (made by Daddy). This year's Halloween brought with it a love for chocolate. Oh the joy!

Third (fourth?) attempt at the costume...clearly a no-go.




















But, we salvaged the evening with trick-or-treating, which was a huge hit. It was so cute to see Camille get so excited to walk up to the door and get candy! She did her traditional "thank you" sign, which in sign language is the hand "taking a bow" from the chin (?). Camille interprets it as a real bow and dips her head and bends her knees while saying "ahhhh." It's the cutest thing ever and I have yet to get a good video of it. Rats. Still trying...















In the afternoons, Camille, Mabel and I go on a walk (well, a few steps here, then there, then up the hill, then back to the driveway...Mabel is pleased to get her business done but hasn't gotten to sniff much of the neighborhood lately) and soak up this gorgeous fall weather. Camille has found delight in separating out the white rocks from the red ones in our neighbor's yard and, pointing to the moon.

Pre-walk...warming up Travolta style...




















Last weekend, we also discovered the source of the yummiest pastries in the area at Guglhupf Bakery (I know I should make this a hyperlink but I'm on borrowed time - aka nap) in Durham. At nearly every local coffee shop I've visited in the Durham/Chapel Hill area, they always carry Guglhupf baked goods -- perfect with a latte. Little did I know, they had an actual restaurant! This will be a place we frequent, well, frequently! Camille loved the little sugar cookies that are hidden under the coffee mugs (clever) -- as soon as she saw it, her little hands reached over and... snatch! Yum!

We're still here!

Updates coming soon but just in case you were wondering, we are still alive! =)

Fun in the Sun!

A few highlights from the start of this already sweltering summer! And it's only June!

Hello Mr. Manatee! (For anyone who hasn't swam with the manatees, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Eric and I had the pleasure two summers ago. They are the most gentle creatures -- it's like swimming with cows!)













I look GOOD in these glasses!




















And back home...literally 48 hours after leaving Florida...good-bye cast!















Can't I have a normal pool like other kids? (this looks so redneck!)















If Dr. Seuss lives on your bookshelf...
(Goat and...) Goo Goo Goggles!

Let's Book a Playdate!

What do you say, Ruby, sometime this fall? Late summer? We can't wait to give you a big hug and welcome you to the Girls Club!

Almost...














So close...we'll call it good!















Love,
Your three giggling gal pals, Camille, Addie & Sam

AD and Scott, we can't wait to give you guys big hugs too!