Category: Family

Yesterday we celebrated the Fourth of July by going to a festival at North Side Baptist Church on North College Road. It was quite busy, but we went because they were advertising that they had 7 bouncy play sets (or whatever they are called).

MDF bounced in a couple to start with, then she wanted to try one with an obstacle course. There were two, but one was overrun with big kids, while the other one had a long line waiting. Still we decided to wait in line. As we waited and watched, I decided we had made a good choice, as it looked fun.

But when we were the next to go, MDF started hopping around and I realized she had to go to the bathroom. I asked if she could wait until after we went on the bouncy obstacle course, but she couldn’t. So we got out of line and went to the bathrooms. When she was done she wanted to get back in line, but we knew that we’d have to start at the back again — and we didn’t go to just stand in lines the whole time.

Last night wrapped up Vacation Bible School for MDF. It was the first time she has gone to one — the first time for us as a family to attend one. It was held at the Missionary Baptist Church on Walker Street that is about two blocks away from us. So we were able to walk to it two nights (the other two were rainy).

MDF enjoyed going. Mackenzie Harrell and Lauren from next door were there too, so she with familiar people and had no trouble going. The people there (staff, pastor, etc) were very friendly as well.

Performing a Song at VBS

Singing Along With Everyone

This past weekend I took off Friday so I could go to Jacksonville with CDF and the girls. CDF, Stephanie, and Carolyn were going shopping and I went along so I could visit Matthew while they were out and about. MDF went with CDF and I took CEF.

First we went over to my parent’s house so they could watch CEF while Matt and I went out. I picked up Matt around Noon and we went over to Books-a-Million. Somehow he scraped a finger so after running through the rain into the store we had to run back to the car and go find a CVS to purchase bandaids. Once he was finally fixed up we went back and browsed the magazines for a while.

I dropped him back off at his house around 2 PM and then went to pick up CEF. She had been a good baby. Ivan had fed her a bottle around 1 PM, and then she was sitting with my Mother while they ate lunch.

We stayed to eat supper with CDF’s family (Chinese), and after that we headed home. It was still raining, but not too hard. We got home in time to put the girls to bed close to the normal time.

I took Monday, December 4th off so we could go hiking at a park. At first we were thinking about a park near Durham, but then CDF found out about a park, Jones Lake State Park, halfway between Burgaw and Fayettville. So we decided to go there since it was closer.

These are pictures from yesterday. After we set up the Christmas tree, we took pictures so CDF would have them in time to send out with cards.

We had my family over for the Thanksgiving dinner. CDF had suggested it as an alternative to us driving up to Jacksonville to eat at my parents house. It turned out to be a good suggestion.

We had nineteen people total I think, but everyone ate well and had a good time. My parents brought the turkey, stuffing, etc. CDF baked a ham, made sweet-potato casserole, and cooked vegetables. MDF helped me make two pumpkin pies. Dom and Amber brought drinks and dessert. Heidi brought two more desserts.

Everyone Eating

Sam brought his girlfriend Jackie, and they brought along Tony as well. Seth Davis came on an invitation from my parents (I think). But we had plenty of room, and plenty of food.

Enjoying Her Niece

CDF and worked out a seating arrangement, and had made place cards with everybody’s names. It turned out well, and everyone seemed to like the idea, and nobody had problems finding someone to talk to. Amber spent a lot of time holding CEF as well — as did Seth.

Another to Hold CEF

Nicholas’ birthday was on Thanksgiving this year, so my parents had brought some presents for him to open. We sang “Happy Birthday” to him, and after he had opened coloring books, dinosaur toys, a movie, etc., he started drawing dinosaurs in his new sketch pad. He did a great job too, especially on the “main subject” dinosaur.

CDF sent an email yesterday about us going to a fall festival:

Last night we went to a friend’s church that was holding a Fall Festival. MDF wanted to be Snow White. For CEF, we had a princess dress sack, that matched her hat — but it was too large for her. So, I put her in a Princess sleeper suit and added the hat. It worked out fine. Tuesday night we’ll be doing a local Fall Festival up the road. MDF will be in a different outfit and I doubt CEF will be dressed up then.

Princess MDF… err,
Snow White

Princess CEF

This year we all went up to New Bern for the IIPS conference. This was the second time we’ve been there together, but the first time for CEF. Actually it was the first time we have traveled anywhere with CEF. Both girls did great of course.

I was a little worried about the sleeping arrangements, specifically that we’d all be in one room and that CDF and I would not have anywhere to take CEF if she got fussy at night. As it turned out, I didn’t need to worry at all. MDF slept right through anything CEF did at night. MDF even slept through CEF’s crying on the drive home, and they were sitting beside each other then. So I didn’t need to worry.

Yesterday afternoon we went to riverfront in Wilmington for the annual Riverfest. We had decided not to go, but then at church we learned that Lauren Moore was going to be dancing. So we rushed home, ate a quick lunch, and headed back to Wilmington.

CEF is almost three weeks old! It was about this time on Friday that I was heading to the hospital to meet CDF, but she wouldn’t get into a room and get settled until about 5:00 PM.

Sleeping in the Hospital

It’s been a different experience with CEF. There are a lot of things that came back quickly in regards to taking care of a baby, but there is so much that is different between the two girls. To start with MDF was breast-fed and refused to take a bottle or a pacifier. CEF cannot figure out how to nurse and so only drinks from a bottle, and now we’ve given her a pacifier to help calm her after she has had plenty to eat but still wants something to suck on.

But it’s still a joy to have her. MDF is doing really well as a big sister — even though she has been getting into trouble more in the past couple of weeks (seeking our attention?). She talks to CEF and CEF often appears to be paying attention when MDF talks. I am looking forward to the day when they can really interact and play together.