Happy Halloween!

We had a very exciting day today. First we all woke up very late so that put a rush on our day. Our first stop of the day was Aunt Janet's office to show off Blair and her costume. Our second stop was to Grandma and Pop Pops house. And our third stop for the day was Uncle Doug at GameStop. Blair was in and out of her costume several times. After all of our stops it was time to go home and eat pumpkin chili and cornbread. YUM! After we finished eating, we put Blair's costume on once again and headed out to trick or treat with some of the neighbors. We had a great time walking around and stopping at a few houses. Here are some pictures of today... More to come from another camera.

Happy Halloween!!!

Blair's newest ability

Blair figured out how to blow raspberries this weekend. It is fun watching her do it but I get covered in spit in the process!

Race for the Cure

Today was the 7th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®. Nick, Blair and I headed down to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront to walk and volunteer. Nick was the team leader for his team from work. He had planned on putting Blair in his carrier and having her walk with him so that she could actually "participate" in her first Race, but since it was very cold, windy and sprinkly, Blair hung out with the Zeta's in the Survivor tent. It is always a very early morning for Nick and I, but we have so much fun participating. I have been at almost every Race since 2000. Nick started volunteering in 2003 when we started dating. We plan on helping to find a cure for breast cancer for many years to come.

Happy 110th Birthday Zeta Tau Alpha!

2008 Founders' Day Proclomation

It was a “weekend of changeable, autumnal weather,” with “a faint carpet of snow,” “a day of brilliant sunshine,” and “the flaming colors of autumn.” It was November 15, 1924, the first time in 26 years that the eight living Founders of Zeta Tau Alpha gathered for a reunion.

Maud Jones Horner had passed away in 1920 and Grand Chapter wanted to ensure that Zeta’s beginnings were properly recorded while the memories were still fresh. So, the eight Founders gathered in Richmond, Va., to put their memories on paper. “There is no way to know any subject except by getting to the heart of it,” Historian Emerita Shirley Kreasan Strout would later write. “Around a big table, a la a board of directors’ meeting, everything was quite cozy as the early days were gone over, mementos produced and many disputed points settled.”

The result of that gathering was The History of Zeta Tau Alpha 1898-1928, Volume 1 first published in 1928 and Volume 2 first published in 1929.

Eighty years after the first printing of The History, on our 110th Founders’ Day, nine former National Presidents, representing 40 years of ZTA leadership, will gather at our beautiful International Office in Indianapolis to sign newly reprinted copies of the new three-volume set of The History of Zeta Tau Alpha. These devoted Zetas will also meet around a conference table to study mementos and historic documents that will become part of the permanent archives. They will join National Council for the Founders’ Day Ceremony in the rotunda. By the candlelight of nine burning tapers, they will promise to further the ideals that our Founders left in our care.

As each member and chapter remembers our Founders on this day, may we all pledge to preserve our heritage and to ensure that every year our beloved Zeta Tau Alpha grows stronger in love, the greatest of all things.

Given under my hand and seal, I proclaim the fifteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord, two thousand and eight, as our 110th Founders’ Day.

Laura Ladewig Mauro, National President
Winnsboro, Texas – October 2008

Yeah, I'm a Zeta nerd!

My naptime reality

I got this cartoon in my weekly baby update today. This is so very true!

4 months!

Blair is 4 months old! She is getting so big! She is now 14 pounds and 1 ounce and is 24 inches long. She got 2 shots at her checkup. She did so well! She didn't even flinch for the first shot, but during the second one, she realized what was going on and let the nurse know that she was not a happy girl. But, after a little fussing, everything was OK after about 5 minutes. Blair is really starting to roll from her tummy to her back now. She has found her tongue and realizes that she can stick it out. She is really talking a lot too. She loves to wiggle while I am changing her diaper and she thinks that it is very funny to do it! She is starting to flirt with anyone who talks to her and gives lots of smiles. She is going to be such a ham!!!

Pumpkin for my pumpkin!

Nick and I took Blair to get her first pumpkin today. We went to the Farmers Market near our house. We had tons of pumpkins to choose from! Blair even got to see a goat! We are so excited for Halloween and have been making some great decorations for the outside of the house. I'll post pictures of the house when we are done decorating!

Blair on a pumpkin

Blair, Daddy and the goat

Blair and the goat

Blair's pumpkin!

Mommy and Blair

Giggles

Last night, Blair started to giggle a little. Uncle Doug was the lucky one that got her started! They are just starting so it's not totally a giggle yet, but it's a start! YAY!

Feet!

Blair has finally found her feet! She loves to grab them while she is getting her diaper changed and also while she is sitting on someones lap. Here are a few pictures while she was hanging out with Noma. I realize that she is pulling on her sock here, but she really can grab her foot!

Glow Seahorse

I was out shopping for Izabel's first birthday present the other day and decided that I should start my Christmas shopping for Blair so that it wouldn't seem like I spent a ton on her all at once. I saw the cutest toy. It is a glow seahorse! Blair got fussy while we were standing in line so I showed her the seahorse and she was very amazed by it. Yesterday while I was showing my mom what I had gotten, Blair was again amazed by the seahorse so I decided that she needed to have the seahorse now instead of at Christmas. She loves the glowing belly and she loves to chew on its nose.