Here's to the school we love!

Since it was Homecoming weekend, the Tisdales had to head to our alma mater to celebrate. I wanted to get to Troy in time to support my KD's in the parade, but, with a baby, that didn't happen. Instead we loaded up in time to be there about an hour before game time.

Once we got to Troy, Richard was starving (extremely long -as in 45 minute- car rides will do that to you) so we pulled on in to Santa Fe. Let's just say our waitress was very green. Lucky for her we are Christians. I am not so sure the ladies at the table behind us were. Anyway, an hour and fifteen minutes later we finally left Santa Fe and headed to the stadium.

Did you know that your school continues to grow after you leave? Ours sure did! I was a little more prepared than Richard for the enormous crowds and parking that costs money. We drove all around the stadium and ended up on the backside of campus. Before I realize what is going on, I see a man dragging a barrier and waving us in. It was Richard's friend Jeremy. We were meeting his family for the game. I am pretty sure Richard and he high fived and chest bumped because of the free parking. I am not sure they thought through the 4 mile hike with a 2 year old and 7 month old. For future reference, I vote pay the $10.

So then we hike. And walk. And pass around Richard's inhaler. And walk. And hike. And comment on how when we were in school that trek seemed like a small stroll. And finally arrive at the stadium after kickoff. Also for future reference, you can take a stroller into the stadium.

We had nice seats in the shade but were so close to the field it was somewhat hard to see the game. We did see some good friends though!

Parker was great with Silas. He got a kick out of tickling Si which kept them both entertained.

Parker also did great the whole game. He was content to sit in Becky's lap or walk down to the sideline fence. Silas did well until half time. That was all he could take without a nap. I did get him to sleep in my arms, but thanks to an obnoxiously loud clapper, it didn't last long. Richard made a executive decision, and we headed out. Good thing because someone left their baby's sweater in the car and the temp dropped quickly. Don't worry Trojans- we will be back next year!

By the way, I know you wouldn't believe it from the pictures, but I abhor paci clips. I mean they literally make me cringe- ranking right up there with onesies in my world. Yuck! Silas didn't have one for a long time until I discovered it was much easier in the car to reach into the back seat and grab the string rather than feel all over for a disappearing paci while driving. I swore it would remain only in the car attached to the carseat. Then, I realized that it was much easier to use the clip than continually clean a dropped paci that landed on the stadium floor. Boo for the paci clip in all of our pictures.

The Big Number 7 (months that is)

As of November 2, someone is seven months old! You guessed it...Si! My big buddy is no longer a newborn or quiet little baby; he is an active guy that is always going 100%. (You will figure that out for yourself once you see all of my blurry pictures.) Who knows what he will be like once he is mobile!

Silas now has 2 teeth. He refuses to let you look inside his mouth unless you catch a quick glance during a smile-which he does all the time now, but he loves for you to rub them.

Si's newest trick is clapping. He does it all the time and everywhere! Truly adorable!

Food is still a close friend as he slowly sips a bottle in the morning, inhales 2 veggies and sometimes a fruit followed by 2 ounces of milk at lunch, gulps a bottle in the afternoon, and enjoys cereal with fruit at night. Of course, it is topped off by a bottle as we get ready for bed. He still doesn't really like juice or water. I only offer it infrequently. (Yes, I realize that doesn't help him develop a taste for it. We will cross that bridge later.) He will chew on a sippy cup and sometimes take a few sips. I give him a few puffs each night before dinner while I am making his cereal. He is wonderful at grabbing them with his hand but can't get them in his fingers. Each time he picks one up and goes for his mouth, he ends up gnawing down on his thumb. It is quite entertaining!

Recently, Si has been bathing in the sink. The ducky tub needed a rest... so did his parents' backs. He LOVES scooting around and sending water all over counter top. I guess it reminds him of the good ole days. Ha!

Oh boy! Toes!

He is a big boy wearing 12 month clothes. Some are a little big, but most fit perfectly. Current daytime diaper size is 3. For overnight diapers Si has to wear a 4. Threes just weren't doing the job anymore. Dad and I crack up because the child on the box looks at least 2 years old!

Ohhhh, you want me to smile for a picture.

Goodnight Moon still outranks all other books to Silas. However, he now will at least listen to you read others too him. Murdock goes everywhere with him. He brings as big a smile to Si's face as his paci does (which is currently another appendage.)

Silas introducing John Brown to his other BFF, Murdock.

In his bouncer, Silas looks like a paddleball flying back and forth. I am truly frightened that he might get whiplash. The doorway jumper is another story (just picture a golf ball thrown into a tile bathroom.) He jumps so high that the spring clacks back together because there is no where else for it to go. It might be retired soon.

Si is still a reigning world champion sitter and babbler. His favorite comments right now are a shrill scream and dadadadadadadadada. He will play and wiggle awhile on his belly for me, but seems not to for Daddy, Grandmother, or Granddaddy. The other day he acutally rolled from the chair to the entertainment center. I was rather impressed! He is strong enough to pull up, but can't quite figure out the mechanics of it yet. It is hard to move all of the big body!

Richard and I can't get over how much fun it is to be Si's parents. He looked at me in the car yesterday and said, "Each day it just gets better! You can't understand that until you have kids." I would say he is most definitely right. Si is such a joy!

Parade of Nuts

Well, it just so happens that my husband is sick. Not just sick, but contagious. This changed our plans slightly, and now, I hate to say/type this, Si will be missing the Peanut Festival fair this year. This may seem insignificant to you, but my family and I have gone to the fair multiple nights every year for as long as I can remember. Thankfully, we did still make it to the parade in, you guessed it, a new carseat!

Silas LOVES being out of his tiny carrier carseat that was supposed to last the first year of his life (ie: until 30 lbs or 30 inches). Who knew 30 inches would approach so quickly?!

Leaving the hospital

Headed to 6 month checkup

Anyway, I do wish you could have seen me this morning heading to the parade. Richard being out of commission at the doctor's office, weather being antarctic, Si favoring the Abominal Snowman, and 4 minutes prior to the parade a windblown, frazzled, freezing me met Chubbs, Mimi, and Aunt Cait.

Silas had fallen asleep in the car, so he was confused when he awoke rolling in the stroller. Once he realized what was going on, he was excited. He really enjoyed seeing all of the vehicles passing by- as vehicles are his new passion in life.

After a while, the sweet little buddy couldn't manage to hold his eyes open anymore. He snuggled up with me and napped the rest of the way through.

Thankfully, when the parade had concluded, the fam was there to help me lug everything back to the car.

Once we got home, Daddy was banished to the bedroom on quarantine, and playtime commenced. Nut Fest, we will see you next year!

Trick or Treat!

Last night. Silas donned his adorable sock monkey costume and headed to the neighbors' for our first Halloween stop.

He was, of course, extremely excited to see his friends' costumes as well as show off his own.

Raegan, who shares a birthday with Si, was a precious ladybug, and Logan, born a month later, dressed as a pumpkin. These three will undoubtedly have big fun in the future. It did crack me up because Silas looks like the BFG (Big Friendly Giant) sitting next to the two of them. As usual he didn't smile. He doesn't have any big sisters, so he was too busy watching Logan's to smile.

We left there and met tiger Coop-dog to trick-or- treat at Mimi's. Boy, was he excited to see her!

Cooper and Silas refused to take a nice picture together again, but we tried! (and tried, and tried, and tried, and tried. Don't worry, I'll save you from the out takes. :) This was the best I could get.)

Once Richard arrived, we took a quick family picture so that we could make it to the Keel's before bedtime. (Grandmother and Granddaddy live so far out that we didn't make it to their house.)

Cooper's excitement wore him out, and he headed on home to bed. Si was still raring to go. Good thing because Graunt Kay was extremely thoughtful...she had a whole bowl full of Si candy! (Fruit baby food in all flavors!) I accidentally left my camera in the car. Thankfully, Graunt Kay took a pic I can borrow.

Tonight our church had a fall festival. Since sock monkeys were not present during biblical times, Si changed gears and went as Adam- complete with fig leaves, a bandaid where God took a rib to make Eve, and a paci.

(Since he got his tooth, he is continually sucking his lips like that!)

Golf ball = DELICIOUS! You can see the band-aid a little better here. All night people asked if he got a shot. My reply, "No, he has a booboo where God took his rib to make Eve." Everyone cracked up!

Si hammed up every single second. He actually won best preschool costume and scored a $25 gift certificate to Toys R Us. Boy oh boy! Here is how the announcement took place. We were still on the 2nd floor of the gym helping undecorate. Richard hears, "And the preschool costume winner is Silas Tisdale! Come on up here! ... Where is Silas?" Richard then steps onto the balcony and yells down in front of everyone, "He's asleep!" Cracks me up.

Si spent the majority of the night in our Sunday School room manning our game..."Hole in One for Jesus." All of that smiling and working was enough to wear out a little buddy. Thankfully Mom brought PJ's, so he stripped out of his Adam-wear and pretended he was at home in bed.

Another first...

Guess what popped up today...a tooth! Si's bottom left tooth broke through the skin today. You can feel the whole flat top of it. I discovered this wonderful surprise tonight in the bath tub. Of course, he refuses to let me look at it, but you can tell he is very proud!

Pumpkin Time

Seeing as though it is Si's first fall, we found it absolutely necessary to load him up and take him here. (No, he is not vacuum sealed in his carseat. Yes, he is still within the height requirements by 1 inch. Don't worry Mimi, he is getting a "big boy" carseat on Friday.)

Silas loved every minute of being on the farm. He studied everything, taking in each and every small detail.

While we waited for the wagon to return from the pumpkin patch so that we could go, we moseyed on into the petting zoo barn. Si was fascinated with the ducks. I guess they reminded him of his bathtub?

After just a couple of minutes, a tractor returned. We climbed into the wagon, and off we headed to the pumpkin patch. Don't worry, Richard carried Si onto the trailor, not me. (Plus, he was wearing his Power Balance bracelet...no trippage here!) On the way to the field I wasn't sure if Si was enjoying the ride or not. He was so serious!

Once we arrived in the land of pumpkins, I could just hear Si next year saying, "Ball! Ball! Ball!" and going from pumpkin to pumpkin. This year, he enjoyed the pumpkins ok, but the dirt was his favorite. Next on his list was most definitely the gourds. He felt like a king sitting on them!

We stomped our way on over to the field of sunflowers where Si discovered pollen. He rubbed his hand all over, around, and inside the flowers. Directly after, his hands went to his eyes, nose, and mouth. It took me a minute (remember, I'm still learning this whole mom thing) but once I realized his bright red face and consecutive sneezes were probably connected to the pollen, I baby wiped him. He was good to go then.

Silas loved the return wagon ride. Most especially, he loved my camera and the strap. Aplin Farms was a wonderful way to spend Saturday afternoon.

And- check out our family picture! It was a one shotter...thanks to the lady with the crazy cat eyeliner and strangely dyed hair. (Maybe that's why Silas was looking away!)