I left for back to back work conferences the morning of October 8th (Wed). I was scheduled to go straight from Myrtle Beach on Friday to Charlotte for the airport to head to Newport, RI for the weekend through Tuesday, October 14th. SIX nights away from Piper. I dreaded this week for months prior, but it was here and I had to go away as hard as that was.
I decided to get up really early Friday morning and drive back to Columbia to see my sweet pea for a couple of hours. I am so glad I did and I think she was too. As soon as I got home Grant captured this little video. I found her with Daddy in our closet and yes, I did wear my slippers on my drive home!
I gave Piper her first blabla doll before I left. Her name is Lily and Piper seems to love how soft she is. Birdie kept Brady, Avery, and Piper Friday-Monday so that Ashley, Ben, Grant, and I could enjoy the weekend in Newport, RI before our conference started on Monday morning. I left Piper with Birdie but she had to have cheese and crackers at snack time just like Brady and Avery. It is my understanding that throughout the weekend she just wanted to be with them and do what they were doing!
We had been looking forward to our Newport trip. We had not planned to do much except eat oysters and drink champagne. And we handled that pretty easily. We at dinner at the Clarke Cooke House the first night. We just happened upon it and I highly recommend this place! I had oysters to start and a lobster for dinner.
The only thing that made the first night more perfect is mom sent me the video above of Piper's first time in a swing. Appears she liked it! {October 10th-3 days shy of 8 months}
Saturday's weather wasn't great with light rain pretty much all day. So we shopped for bit and then found a few pubs that we ducked in to watch some football. The second night we had more oysters at Midtown Oyster Bar. The atmosphere was rocking. We finished dinner and went to a bar with live music and danced the rest of the night!
We up Sunday morning and did the Cliff Walk. It was an amazing view and a beautiful day outside. We were a little disappointed we couldn't see more of the mansions in the area, but they were all secluded. After the walk, we boarded a schooner called Madeline for a cruise in the harbor. It was beautiful and peaceful. We then watched the sunset {fun fact: Newport faces West so you can see the sunset over the harbor} from the Lobster Pound (with an oyster appetizer of course) and then had dinner at 22 Bowen's. I had another lobster. I couldn't get enough!
Mom sent this picture of these cuties! I'm convinced that Avery must have been pinching my always smiley baby, but Mom said she just doesn't like to be confined. Girl likes to move!
Monday morning came fast and it was time for the boys to leave and our conference to start. Monday was also Piper's 8 month b-day and mom sent me pictures first thing in the morning of this sweet pea.
In eight short months Piper has accomplished so much that it is almost exhausting to think about. Her most successful accomplishment is stealing the hearts of her Momma and Daddy. Gosh we love this girl. More than I ever could have ever imagined. She is simply amazing and makes me laugh and smile at things I never would have previously. She makes me do things that are silly, but so rewarding. Her smile with change your day in an instant.
She loves to:
-pull up on everything. Especially if a remote or my phone is anywhere in sight for the gettin'
-hold her own bottle (with very little help)
-'talks' and giggles a lot. She started with 'ba' and is now on 'na' and 'ma' and 'da'
-play airplane with momma (she lays on my feet and I push her into the air)
-help with laundry. Especially the socks. For some reason socks on the head is the funniest thing. (see video below)
-crawl all over the house. Especially into the room where I am.
-play with tampons. yes, tampons.
-pull up on the toilet and chew on the seat. In which I immediately pull her down and distract her with tampons or an empty tissue box *mom of the year*
-sleeping with her lovey
-roll full water bottles around on the hard wood floor
-pulling her shoes/socks off
-pulling her bows out/off
-eat puffs, eat yogurt bites, eat. Just eat. She hasn't NOT liked anything yet. She sees the yellow bag of the yogurt bites and goes wild.
-Boxes.She loves boxes. A boxes of diapers is one of her favorite toys {as it should be considering the cost- thanks Mom and Ashley for still supplying us diapers. We're going to miss that in 4 months)
She has 2 teeth. 1 up and 1 down on the opposite side. She is working on another one up top, but it's not quite broken through yet. She still has an occasional 'rrrrrr' cry and it is hilarious. I know it's bad to laugh at your child when they are crying, but it is awesome. *mom of the year*
When she stands up she hasn't figured out how to sit back down and becomes scared as if she is stuck. That, too, is funny.
We have now dropped her crib all the way down.
Back to Newport. Monday night our conference held an event at the Rosecliff Mansion for dinner. It was fabulous with some of the best passed h'ordorves. Ashley especially like the Kobe beef sliders.
There is nothing like starting a Friday off with a Halloween outfit, tulle skirt, and this smile.
Piper helped me pick up dinner at the Fresh Market. {Friday, October 17th}
We had a busy weekend at home planned. We started out Saturday morning walking in the Walk For Life to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer. Since my mom is a 6 year survivor and my Aunt Anne in Texas is a 1 year survivor we walked in their honor. (Yes, my Mom and her sister have both been diagnosed in addition to their grandmother. I'm very conscious that the statistics have me pinged and I will start preventive care in the next couple of years)
It was a great walk. Long's Drugs had a team participate again this year. There were over 11,000 walkers/runners who raised over $750,000 for the Palmetto Health Cancer Centers (I currently serve on that board).
Right after the walk, we headed out to the Cockaboose to watch the Gamecocks take on Furman in a Noon kick-off. This is Piper's first game and she did great! It was so fun to have her there and I selfishly loved when she napped in her Baby Bjorn on me. She doesn't like to be cuddled much so this was very special for me.
Her leg warmers were a huge hit! Thanks, Etsy.
Gpa gave Piper her first bite of ice cream (and chocolate) and she was hooked. The worst part of that is telling her she can't have anymore. Cue the tears and yogurt bites. It didn't take long and she was back to playing and watching the Gamecocks beat Furman.
I would say her first game was a success!
