Roller coaster of October

October was quite the roller coaster ride. We had some major highs and one major low.  But overall, it was a pretty fantastic month. I'd feel odd writing about October without mentioning the major low. On October 16, I went in for a 13 week ultrasound and we found out we had lost baby #2. It's amazing how you can feel such loss for someone you have never met. Although devastating, we are trying to move forward and focus on the future. Cullen spent lots of time talking to the baby in my belly and he still mentions 'the baby' in our nightly prayers (one month later), so I'm confident he'll be an excellent big brother one day, hopefully soon :) A HUGE thanks for all of the support from our wonderful family and friends. On to the good stuff...

We watched lots of LSU and Saints football. If Cullen had his way, he'd still wear a jersey every day.

 Grandma, Papa, and Uncle Dave came to visit for my birthday

 Boar's Head Birthday Brunch

 Hanging out with Uncle Dave. Cullen had lots of fun playing football with the boys.

 No school days during Hurricane Sandy (which really didn't impact us at all, thankfully)

 Halloween as Drew Brees

 And a visit from our favorite tennis player and house guest, Devin Britton. This is the second year that Devin has stayed with us during the Cville Challenger tennis tournament. This year he stayed with us for 9 nights - if it was anyone else in the world, I'd probably be ripping my hair out with a house guest for that long - but we had a blast with him and he was so good with Cullen. We miss him already!

Football and friends

If we'd allow it, Cullen would wear a football jersey 24/7. We've had to limit jerseys to game days, which means he wears a jersey all weekend, every weekend.

 Fridays after Five

 Yard work with daddy

 Kirkland's visit! LA Tech v. UVA game with Reid

 Hammond's visit! Carter's Mountain Apple Orchard with Coleman.

August Fun

Some of Cullen's favorite things

Watching Elmo, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, or Caillou in mommy and daddy's bed

Eating yogurt

Shaving with daddy

Climbing the stairs when he's not supposed to

Visiting friends in DC and hanging out with his buddy Coleman

The Littlehales and baby Emmy

Fumble-aya

 Reading

Summertime Favorites

Bloop Frozen Yogurt

Tennis in the house

 Mickey and Curious George

 My blue car

 My cowboy boots and fireman's hat

  Playing "Fumble-ia" with Daddy

 Horsing around with Mommy

The pool!

(where I spend the entire time throwing the balls out of the pool, retrieving them, then throwing them back in the pool...for hours)

Potty Training Anecdote

We've started potty training. Well, if I'm honest, I should say daycare has started potty training and I've played along passively. He's doing a great job at school, but he has no interest at home. If it's time for him to go #2, he leaves the room and closes the door behind him. Then, the entire time he is doing his business, he opens the door, peeks his head in the room and says to us "It's no big deal". This happens at least 5 times each time he goes. I have no idea where he got it, but it's hilarious. Here's to hoping it becomes a 'no big deal' in the potty soon!

Lovechugs Inspiration

Today I got completely lost in another person's blog, a person that I've never met. But she totally inspired me, and as a result, I'm spitting out a different type of blog post. All my other blog posts highlight the exciting things in life, the positive milestones. There are lots of those moments, but to be honest, being a parent isn't always easy. The past week, I've been in a little funk. Nothing serious, the kind of funk we all experience. The kind where you can cry at the drop of a hat, but are perfectly fine an hour later. As I was stalking that other lady's blog, I came across this post, and I couldn't stop laughing. And I think it made me realize that I need to snap out of it, because even if parenting is challenging at times, it sure is rewarding and hilarious if you enjoy the moments.

The munchkin that typically occupies these blog posts is still doing well. He's funny and smart and opinionated and bossy...and extremely shy. I'm hesitant to even type the word 'shy' because the parenting sites tell me there is a negative stigma associated with that word and I should never label a child as "shy". They tell me I should use the word 'reserved' or 'private'. But why? What is wrong with being shy?

Cullen is very slow to warm up to people he does not know well. We went to a birthday party last weekend and he clung to me like a monkey until his friend from daycare arrived. And you know exactly who that reminded me of? ME. My shyness has improved with age and confidence, but it's still there, and it always will be. A few weeks ago, I would have pushed him to branch out. I would have felt embarrassed that he wasn't more friendly/social/comfortable. But recently I came to the realization that I was being unfair, that I need to accept every ounce of him, because he's perfect. And his shyness makes him my Cullen.

As I think about myself, I constantly wish...
I was more outgoing
I was more creative
I dared to be different
I lived in the moment
I didn't doubt myself so much
I was more spontaneous

But I'm me. And that isn't so bad. So maybe it's time I give myself a break and accept who I am as well. And enjoy every moment, because life is good. Especially when you're a mom.

Trip to Bermuda

We went to Bermuda with my family last week and had a wonderful time! The whole crew was there - my parents and Dave, my grandfather and his wife Jerry Lynne, Aunt Beth, my cousin Guerry and his wife Stacey. The island was beautiful and we hope to go back soon (preferably when it's raining less). Cullen loved the sand (which surprised me) and the ocean. Thanks to PaPa Art for taking us on this wonderful trip!