Chasing Shadows and a visit from a friend....

Janet was my boss for about 5 years or so when I was working at St. Mary's in Athens. She came into town last week and came to visit us! She spent several hours over here and it was so great just to catch up, and watch Camden warm up to her. Janet doted over Camden last October when we had a conference in Georgia...i mean really, as soon as she met her, she took her and Camden stayed with her for most of the event! It was so wonderful for them to 'reconnect' now that Camden is older.

We have had some beautiful days here in Nashville the past few weeks. These pics are from one afternoon when Camden and I were walking Bella. Camden definitely had the most fun because she discovered shadows! It took me a while to realize why in the world she kept rubbing her hands on the pavement, but then I noticed.....she was chasing mine and Bella's shadows and when she'd stop, she thought she had 'caught' it. It was so funny once I was in on the game....as I was able to run faster, slower, jump up and down, etc. Simple things are so much fun!!


posing....after the shadow chasing!

Last Weekend's Adventures

We had a fun filled Saturday last weekend. First, Camden and I went with a friend and her son to Gentry Farms in Franklin, TN. It was an event hosted by our VHA group (the resident's "spouse's club") and the farm was definitely a great place for toddlers. It had animals, a maze, pumpkins...although the 'patch' was too muddy from all the recent rain, and many other 'fun' things for the kids to do. See pictures below. Camden seemed to have a great time.

Shaefer was post call, so he had worked all day and night Friday, and got off around noon on Saturday. He had gotten 4 free tickets on the 50 yard line to the UGA/Vandy (that would NEVER happen in Athens!) so we left Gentry Farms and met him at the hospital to head to the game. (so...for Camden's FIRST GA game she didn't have on red and black since we didn't know we were going to the game before we left the house....but she was still a great cheerleader!) We got there at half-time and met up with Camden's Uncle Chad (or Uncle Kid...we'll see what she calls him :). Camden and Shaefer made it through the 3rd quarter before they both needed a nap, so we headed home.

The pictures are in no particular order. Enjoy!

cheering for the Dawgs!

At Gentry Farms.....

Buzz....Buzz

My neighbor had an extra costume and since we haven't really found a church home yet to go 'fall festivaling,' I went ahead and dressed Camden up for a few pictures. Needless to say, she was less than enthused for the most part. (forgive me, i do not know how to turn the pictures yet)

bella was not so sure about the tail....a game of chase initiated:

Camden: "Mom....are you REALLY making me wear this?"

"i'm cute"

"ok, enough's enough!"

Weekend with Grammy and Papa

My parents came to town last weekend and we enjoyed a relaxing few days together. This was the first time we'd seen my dad since Camden's birthday party in Macon back in May. (He retired in January and decided to become a police officer for fun.....so now he works longer hours and more days, with no vacation and minimal pay...but he loves it! :) Anyway, he took his first day off to come visit us!! Thanks, Daddy!

They also got us a new digital camera (along with my sisters! thanks so much!) so we could start taking pics of Camden again....our other one was super old and decided to 'break' back in September. I still have to figure out the best settings for the clearest pics, but here were the first ones I took:

just in case you were missing seeing shaef and bella....

Home-ade toys are the Best!!

Shaefer was off yesterday so he had a fun filled day entertaining Camden....or maybe I should say they had a fun day entertaining each other...and me ofcourse! i don't know how many times a day I just look at her and smile or start laughing...she is full of surprizes and just so much fun to be around. I am so thankful to be home with her each day. Thanks, Shaefer, for working so hard so I can be!

Shaefer is a pretty creative guy.......

Don't worry....her tears didn't last long. She was happy again very soon....

WE ARE BACK!!!!

I apoligize for the LONG delay in updating you with the exciting events of the Spires' lives here in Nashville. Please see the picture below for my explanation for the delinquincy in postings.

The past few months have been quite busy, atleast for Shaefer. He was on an ICU rotation and was on call every 3rd night, which seemed like he was up for 30+ hours every other day. Needless to say, by the end of the month (sept), he was exhausted. Not to mention that with my queasiness, when he did make it home from the hospital, there was not usually any delicious and hot dinner waiting on him....most nights he had to settle for ramen noodles, cereal, or anything frozen that could be cooked in 5 minutes, with mininal 'smelling' up the house. He survived though, and this month call is every 4th night, but his hours are much longer, so I'm missing him just as much! :)

Between all the rain we've had and the nauseousness, Camden and I spent most of the month just playing at the house. She was a good sport and tolerated it well. She will probably miss her pop tarts for breakfast and all of the fast food kids meals, and the occasional lean cuisine, but considering her LOVE for food (just like her daddy!), I think she will tolerate 'home cooking' again very well. We are planning a trip to the pumpkin patch tomorrow so her adventures outside will resume. (She did have outside play last month, so please do not call DEFACS on me.....but it was definitely not the action filled days she was used to. :))

Stay tuned for some pictures from this past week!

11 week ultrasound...and who i'm blaming for delayed blogging :)