Blast from the Past

Once again we cannot seem to escape the illness floating around. Corinne left daycare on Friday with a fever which prohibited us from visiting the newest addition to the family, cousin Tess. Derek and Amy are the proud parents of a darling little girl, born Feb. 7 (sorry I'm a little late on the announcement, but Derek has some great updates on The Rutledge Farm). Congratulations, Rutledges! We were sooo looking forward to hanging out with all of the little ones, but it seems their household wasn't any healthier. Maybe next time.

The Rutledge Clan

Amy, Derek, Tess, Owen, and Gus (and the baby jaguars)

The Newest Star of the Show

Tessa Lane Rutledge

Hang in there, baby T...hope you are over the congestion soon.

I got a phone call Tuesday evening from someone claiming to be a 'blast from my past',a fellow Glasgow graduate. So, I'm thinking, 'who in the world?!' It was Scott Welborn in from LA! How cool that he called and wanted to get together. He has been in visiting a friend who is from Charleston. We met up tonight at Folly Beach for some fun in the sun and a few cold drinks. Scott is doing great as a set designer. I felt as if it was the 80s again, and I'd just seen him at school yesterday. It was so good to see you, Scott. You look fabulous. Congratulations on your successes!

We're singing the alma mater. Haha, yeah right!

Corinne gets into the fun.

Check out my new molars! If you look closely, maybe you can see my tonsils, too.

I'm getting tired of waiting for that cheese quesadilla!

Corinne loves to ride her scooter. Occasionally she rides it the correct way, but this way she gets to sit on all of the buttons sothey all go off at once. Uh, kleenex, anyone?

Next week Corinne starts full time in the toddler room. She's been spending a lot of time over there getting acquainted these last few weeks. She'll start on a new routine, specifically one nap a day. I'm anxious to see if they'll be able to have our Corinne lay on a mat (not confined) and actually sleep for 2 hours. How could you not trust this face? Hmph.

I'm off to my librarian conference tomorrow. It will be the first time I've ever spent the night away from Corinne. Am I sad about this? Um, can you say jacuzzi? Bottle of wine? Ok, maybe not a jacuzzi, but I'll pretend. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Uh-Duh!

Uh-duh, Uh-duh! This is the universal language of Corinne. We're supposed to figure out exactly what uh-duh is after she points (usually up at something); however, she uses it for everything! We play the name game all of the time now, trying to get her to say different sounds. I, for one, would love to hear an 'mmmm' for 'mama', but 'duhduhduhduh' prevails. (sigh)

Corinne loves to play uh-duh (pointing out the front door), that means 'outside.' Once she's out, a rousing game of chase begins!

We are realizing that she really does understand instructions and questions, though. Recently, her gj knitted her a new hat to match her vest. When I told her it was time for school and showed her her hat, she tried to put it on her head and made a beeline for the front door! She loves to take her hat on and off. We're really trying to enforce 'no', but we're only met with laughter. Gone is the busy-ease of an infant, hello toddler. Now we really have to start 'parenting.'

"NO?! You want me to leave my hat ON? Okay."

Hat on.

As always, she's a joy to behold when she discovers new things. Right now the flowers in the yard are a fascination.

"THIS one is my favorite."

Roman was unfortunate enough to catch whatever bug has been going around lately. He's been out of commission for a good week. Happily, he's on the mend now, but it seems everyone we talk to is sick. Corinne keeps the usual runny nose and cough which hasn't kept her down, but the addition of her bottom molars leaves little room for a hearty appetite.

Here's wishing you a healthy hello!

Million Dollar Baby

Nothing overly exciting down our way. We just seem to cruise along work week to work week right now. And, of course, cruise right behind Corinne as she tootles around. I actually had to leave Wal-Mart the other day because she was quite upset that I wouldn't let her eat the new sleeve of barrettes we had yet to purchase. So upset that to let her blow off steam, I was going to allow her to walk around in the card asile while I tried to choose a birthday card for a friend's one year old. Bad idea. Giggling and squealing, she proceeded to pull the card markers out of the slots on the bottom rows. I was putting them back as fast as she was pulling! By then she refused to sit in the cart or be held, running away from me all over the store. So I (shame-faced) left my cart with all of my inteded purchases in the Valentine candy asile and marched her out of the store.

Corinne definitely knows what she wants. Lately when she's ready for a snack or dinner, she walks over to her high-chair and pulls it out into the middle of the floor where she grabs the tray and starts squealing.

This has been the weekend for bumps and bruises for her. While at a birthday party Saturday, Roman's thumbnail connected with Corinne's forehead in a fast action slide maneuver. She was asking for more of the slide, so she wasn't deterred long. Blood was just dripping down her forehead. No big deal.

That evening she toppled down the one step we have in the whole house. I think it was the puzzle piece she was holding that was the culprit, or the fact that she doesn't look where she's going when walking (wonder where she gets that?!) but she was sporting a busted lip all weekend. It did give us a scare, though. Then today as she was rearranging the mountain of baby wipes in the cabinet she slipped and bit her tongue. Luckily there was only a little bloodshed this time, but boy! have we had a weekend. Sadly, these were all supervised events. I'd hate to think of the damage she could do unobserved!

Million Dollar Baby

Today was a beautiful 70 which brought many Charlestonians out into their yards and on the beaches. Definitley a teaser for the coming spring. Don't think I'm quite ready for the intense heat yet, but 70 in Charleston is a welcome day anytime.

Have a good work week!

Tea Party

She was a one-eyed, one-horse, flying...

How about the birthday outfit? Purple boots (compliments of gj). Purple velour super-star shirt. Belly paunch straining the middle. Rock-star, rhinestone kitty. Tongue hanging out, new Corinne move. Don't you love the tongue? This is a new thing. We think she just realized that she has a tongue and can make it go everywhere.



We've been having such a good time with Corinne as she comes more and more into herself. In leiu of a party we just relaxed with a few of Corinne's 'play dates', Ceily, Maxine, and Stella. The young girls socialized while the older girls slurped coffee drinks and devoured Anna's dark chocolate fondue. Whose party was it?!




The girls discuss the upcoming primaries while expressing their distrust of the toy industry. Ceily's voting for the candidate who will improve toy quality and monitor Chinese exports. Maxine is more concerned with wireless connections as her conversation on the Dora cell met with yet another dropped call. (Sigh).

Hey, Bridget, I'd like another muffin, please!

Michelle and Ceily light up the room.

What a great afternoon! The following Tuesday we headed to the doctor's office for the official one-year checkup. Corinne is in the 97% for her height/age and 75% for weight. Must be the bean and cheese quesadillas she's been inhaling during mealtimes.

We'd also like to welcome the newest addition to the extended family, Maren Benedict. My cousin, Jane Layton, just adopted a Guatemalan girl who is merely a month older than Corinne. I'm waiting for gj to send photos. Send photos, gj! :-) Jane Layton has been waiting patiently for months to finalize the adoption and her waiting finally paid off this past Wednesday when she and Maren met. Congratulations, JL, we can't wait to meet your little one! We love her already.

She's ONE!!!

Yep, One Year...One long beautiful year

The Birthday Cupcake

Some for me!

Some for Daddy...

And some for Mama...

Corinne has access to one cupboard in the house...

Can you guess what we keep in there?

She is very big about taking things out and putting things into containers. Many of her toys require placing blocks and shapes into appropriate spots. When she's not banging the crap out of them on the ground, smacking them together, or stomping on them, she gets them in the right spot.

Walking is definitely the transportation of choice now. Belly straight out and bum ready to squat, she toddles all over the house, very pleased with herself. We decided no better time than to train her early in womanly duties. hahahaha

She's a natural, isn't she? Look out Molly Maids! Actually, folks, we have the cutest video of Corinne on her birthday morning walking into the living room to find her new birthday gift: the scooter. We got a little carried away, and the video is too long to upload and post to the blog. Oops. That's why you are being entertained by the Molly Maid clip.

Corinne first met a scooter while playing with her cousings in Raleigh. It wasn't too difficult to decide what to do for her on her birthday! She couldn't wait to get the keys and be on her way! Anybody up for a Sunday drive this weekend?

Finally, this was the scene crossing the bridge from downtown onto James Island the other day. The storm front in the background had moved through earlier and offered this image. Looks like mountains in the distance. Hey look, Ranier's out!!!!

Thanks everyone for the wonderful gifts. You all have kept Corinne well equipped and continue to do so. We appreciate everything!!!

Happy Holidaze

Well, Its been a while since I've (Roman) checked in on the Corral. So what better a time than to submit photos from Christmas. The photos are in no particular order but are cute nonetheless. Instead of bringing Crumpton Christmas to Raleigh (where we would ultimately spend Christmas) we celebrated it on Dec 23 in Charleston; Just Mel, Corinne and I. We (Mel, Corinne, Chloe, Terra, and I) went to Raleigh on Christmas eve and stayed till Friday the 28th. We had a wonderful time. We left the midgets one afternoon with he grandparents and went to the movies. Made several trips to the grocery (they have Bell's beer in Raleigh now), and Derek had buddies over for a night of "Roman gives his money to strangers", or as most people call it-POKER.

WHAT A BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Derek and Amy for the Hospitality, Gus and Owen for being such good cousins, Pappy and gj for the presence (presents), and everyone involved for such a wonderful time. Enjoy the pics.

Hows appropriate! Pappy (the CPA) giving a little financial lesson to Corinne.

Save, Save, Save!

Uncle Dude with the boyzz (Gus and Owen)

Christmas Morning

Corinne dressed up in her Christmas outfit.

Her stockings were so cute especially when she pooted- Her ankles swelled up ;)


Cousins! (notice Gus' attire- Lizard Boots and Firemans Hat)

Oh My God! itsa, itsa, itsa....

gj and Baby Corinne

So Happy Together

Cousins after Church

(no the boys aren't zombies-the red eye remover tool sucks)

Notice the Pug wrapping... Gee wonder who sent that Auntie A

Auntie A's puppets are a big hit. Got yer nose...

Corinnes attempt to "play along" with the whole Christmas thing was futile. I think she liked eating the bows the best.

Warm wishes

Since our last post, we've been busy getting ready for the holiday season. Corinne attended her first ever Oyster Roast at our friend Berta's. For anyone not familiar with an oyster roast, they are quite possibly our favorite pasttime during the Charleston winters. Prying open steaming hot oysters with blunt oyster knives (without gloves, of course) on a cold night leaves numb hands that need a raging fire to get warm. The hot sauce helps add some heat, too, if you're so inclined. Corinne loved the dogs. Berta has 3 big labs that would happily send a sloppy kiss her way. As you can see, she was eager to join them in their dog run.
We also attended the grand Folly Beach Christmas parade on Saturday along with a holiday parade party from friends from work, Tara and Brad with little Elliott. Many of the children at Tara's were infants. Corinne had a blast with new toys, new people, new stimuli. Corinne decided she wanted to join the parade.

The parade started at nap time, so she didn't last very long. Can you see the obvious whine starting here?

Corinne wasn't much help trying to put up the tree this year. She kept trying to eat it. It couldn't taste that good. I did some figuring and realized that I have had this artificial tree since I lived on my own in Glasgow in 1995! Hard to believe the fake fronds are still hanging on. But, hey, it works!

Roman is ending his last week away for work. Lucky for us gj came down for another bonding week with Corinne. Poor gj. It seems every time she visits the grandkids somebody is sick! Corinne has been battling a fever and vomiting all week. This is the first time we've had to really deal with her not feeling well to where she wouldn't (and couldn't) eat anything. Her spirits have been fairly low with whimpering (and an occasional whine). Of course, we would swim across the Atlantic and back for her if it would make her smile and feel better. After being vomited on for the third time, Mom and I headed to the Pig for popsicles and Pedialyte. Hopefully we'll see her perk up soon.

We're also hoping for some cool, wintery weather. I drove down Folly Road Tuesday listening to 'Frosty the Snowman' on the (cheezy) Christmas radio station with my AC cranked. I kid you not. It was 80 degrees outside. Ahhhhh!

Hope everyone is getting into the holiday spirit in your area. Until the next post..... Happy Holidays!