The Crumptons Beach Visit

I know, I know, it's been a couple of weeks since the last post, but the Crumptons (Mimi and Aunt Ang) have been in town and blogging is pretty low on the priority list. Regardless, Corinne has had a wonderful couple of weeks staying at the Sho-Rest (name of the beach house rented by the Crumptons) and we believe that her learning curve has hooked sharply. She has begun rolling and rolling and rolling...and she has become much more aware of her surroundings.

Auntie Ang quickly learned the promise of the Baby Bjorn, or as we like to call it- "The Silver Bullet"
Notice the "Sho-Rest" sign in the background.

The first day at the Sho-Rest was very windy. Just ask Auntie Ang, her plane was the last to use Charleston Airport that day. The passenger sitting next to her made ample use of the air sickness bag in one of their four attempts to land.

Drink Stella Artois, it's a wonderfully refreshing beer from Belgium perfect for those hot days in the sun. Also, your wife and children may enjoy too! Notice Aunt Angela's 'Airplane ride.' Corinne reminded Angela every day that she needed to fly the friendly skies!

Some milestones that were reached during the Crumpton visit:

• Rolling over and holding her head up


• Reaching our for toys


• Discovering Dora the Explorer. Corinne loves her cartoons.


• Increased Self-Soothing (i.e. fist-in-mouth)


• 15 week doctor visit (see below)
  
  We had her four month checkup on Thursday, she's actually 15 wks, but being the proud (and unbiased;)) parents we are WE TOLD the doctor that she's experiencing above average development. He replied, "My kids at this age were doing calculus"--Smartass. Corinne grew to 27 1/4" (90th percentile for height-those Crumpton genes that skipped her daddy are starting to be exhibited) and is 14 lbs (75th percentile).
  
  Anyway, we really enjoyed the time we got to spend with the Crumpton side: Mom, Ang, Murray, and Rooster all made it to the beach for a visit, and for that we are tuly indebtted.

Now the Rutledges (Pappy and gj) are staying on Folly for the next 5 weeks to take care of the little one. They have their work cut out for them because the day after the Crumptons left, we think Corinne may be beginning to teethe. Good luck Pappy and gj.

Glamour Shots by Mimi and Angela:

"Free Bird!"

"Quiet please! I'm trying to sleep"

Loves of my life

Esther "Granny" Johnson

Mimi and Corinne---SOOO Cozy

If you showed me this pic at random I would not recognize my own little girl. But everyone says that she looks just like her daddy in this one.

Rooster, thanks for dropping in. It was so great to see you and hear your stories from abroad. Can't wait to see you again!

"I'm head over heels for my family"

Thanks everyone for all the fun times. Aunt Sal, notice my anklets.

Mimi and Angela missed their calling. They should've been photographers. Adorable.

THANKS EVERYONE!!!!

Girls Day at the Bookstore Cafe

As many of you know I (Roman) took this week off to watch the little one while Mel goes back to work for her first week after the birth. In the following weeks Corinne will be cared for by either my family (Mimi and Aunt Ang) or by Mel's Parents (Pappy and gj). I'm sure that this time spent with non-nuclear family wont result in any spoiling or such ;). So... on Tuesday I brought the little package to Charleston's, the Bookstore Cafe (formerly just The Bookstore Cafe and recently seen on The Hungry Detective a Food Network program). As many of you already know I have waited tables through undergraduate and graduate school working at the restaurant and cannot seem to leave. This family owned restaurant has been just that: a family. Thanks for all the years of support.

Linda Clarke and Corinne
In front of the specials board...Notice the Softshelled Crab BLT

MMMMMMMMM.....

Amber Clarke and Corinne:

Prepping for the future

Jenna and Corinne:
A Natural

Sam and Corinne:

COMFY!!!!

Corinnes Bum!
Next stop: West Ashley High School to show her off!

Her First Teeth

I thought I should take a moment and comment on some of Corinne's 'beginnings.' She recently found her thumb and at times will ferociously suckle fist, fingers, and thumb, sometimes all at once. She doesn't completely soothe herself to sleep with the new discovery; however, the pacifier remains helpful with the final countdown to snoozing. What a shame that her parents are using her for a quick laugh...


Corinne has always slept very well for us; she a sleeper, not a napper. Guess you can't have it all, huh?! She enticed her mom with 7 to 9 hour nights early on. Recently, though, she regressed to 3-6 hour sessions. I thought, 'growth spurt!' As all new parents, we try to determine what she's really thinking and really wanting. Sometimes we hit the mark, sometimes not. Several friends and their doctors feel that the 10-10-10 idea should be utilized. At 10lbs or 10weeks a baby is capable of sleeping 10 hours. With few days left on my maternity leave, I figured it's now or never to let her cry through some late night feedings. She was doing 9 hour stretches earlier, so I knew she was capable (and the little munchkin has to be close to 14-15lbs!). I forewarned Roman and prepared for a night of frustration. Corinne was a champ. I think I'd been getting her up to eat, when really she was content to use the pacifier and go right back down. I also took her Moses basket away last night...her first night as a big girl in her crib. I have a feeling she'll be rolling soon. She was all over the crib! Each nightly check showed her scooting an almost 360 after being righted!

We're anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Crumpton family. Corinne has more loving family to greet! Next week Roman plays Mr. Mom. As long as he doesn't take her out in the canoe for an early fishing trip, I feel confident that they'll have a wonderful time together.

Corinne says hurry up Mimi and Aunt Ang!

Been A Long Time Comin'

Sorry for the delay of updates to the blog. Our camera broke a while back and it took Canon a while to uphold the warranty that I did not want to buy (good lookin' out Mel!). The day we received our new camera we left for our trip to Kentucky. As many of you may know, I (Roman) was offered a week long detail to the only federal hatchery in KY; Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery http://www.fws.gov/wolfcreek/. I jumped at the chance to gain some invaluable experience working at a cold water facility. Fortunately, the hatchery is located only one hour from Mel's hometown, Glasgow, KY. Mel visited in Glasgow while I stayed most of the week at the hatchery.

10 days in the Bluegrass state: Hot cars, hotter days, warm hospitality, cool drinks, and cold creeks.

Our trip up:

We stayed in Asheville, NC with Mike, Jane Ann, and Harlan Dempsey (the latter you may remember from "an Arranged Marriage" previous blog). Asheville is the half way point to Glasgow and a beautiful stopping point especially when Jane Ann fills our bellies with Chicken and Biscuits (no Angela, not the cracker)- a new favorite recipe of Melaine and mine.

From Asheville we went to Kentucky, and in the mountains of Tennessee noticed that the car was overheating. We babied it into Glasgow a few hours later, and arrived on Friday afternoon, "no worse for the wear".

We were greeted by Pappy, gj, Samuel Adams and Jim Beam.

I was able to get out for a float trip on the Cumberland River on Sunday with Jeff Harned (Betsy's husband). He could be the only person more excited about fishing than myself. He picked me up at the Rutledge's and we left for a day of trout fishing on one of best rivers in the east. THANKS A BUNCH JEFF!!!!!!

We put Corinne in this outfit hoping that it'd bring good luck! Although, no trout were caught; the day was beautiful, the river was calming and the beer afterwards was refreshing.

Corinne got the chance to meet so many new friends on this particular visit. While she's not quite big enough to run and play with them yet, she was watching and taking notes.

Britney and Phil Chaney's young Ryan shows Corinne how to enjoy every crevice of a playground slide.

He even showed his softer side by promising to teach Corinne to slide when she's a little older.

Somebody needs to tell this lady how to see-saw, though.

Our next group of friends included Kevin and Cary Cox's girls, Cate and Emma. Cate demonstraes the art of using the alphabet as jewelry. Emma introduced even more friends when Resa and Brian Browning's crew, Hannah and Clark, arrived.

Hannah will make a wonderful babysitter someday!

Mom Resa taught her well!

After a long and very fun visit we were all worn out. Thanks to all for the wonderful hospitality. Can't wait to get back!!!!!

We love each and every one of you.