Trick or Treat

Cara was a purple dragon for Halloween. I was working, so Cephas brought her trick or treating. She went to all of 2 houses. Cephas didn't take any pictures that night because I had forgotten that the camera was in my purse (and therefore at work with me). So, I dressed her up a few days ago to get a few pictures.

A post for October

We went apple picking back in October. Can you tell she liked the apples?

Stay tuned for a Halloween post!

Leah

I met Laura (Leah's mom) at work, we were in the same unit for a while, and realized we had a lot of things in common. I moved to another unit, and did not see her as much, but was excited when she told me she was pregnant, and due just a month after me. Leah and Cara met when they were just infants and we have been able to get together a few times to go walking or get something to eat. We discovered that we had even more in common with both having a baby girl and coming from similar parenting ideals. However, Leah is a travel queen and unfortunately we were not able to get together at all this summer. We did meet Laura and Leah for lunch yesterday and Laura told us they were moving to Boston. Even though we did not get to see eachother as often as I had hoped, Leah was Cara's very first friend, and I am sad that we didn't take advantage of the time they were here. I couldn't choose just one picture, so here are them all. We will miss you Laura and Leah! Now we have a reason to visit Boston.

Both looking at the camera.. good luck on getting this again!

Leah has much better manners than Cara and was very good at sharing.

I can imagine she is thinking, "Mom, why have you put me next to this monster!"

"See, she doesn't even ask before hugging."

"ok Cara, I need some space now."

Cara to Leah, "See, look at my shirt"

Friends

I am so bad at updating...

because I always feel like I need to have pictures when I post. Cara has been growing so much lately, she is turning into a little girl. She says lots of words and understands more and more everyday. The best part of being a parent of a toddler: when she says something and you didn't know she knew that word... like when she said "bus" or "8, 9, 10" or "truck" or "elbow" or "shoulder" or any of the other amazing words she knows. Cara is generally a well behaved child... you know, when she is sleeping! She tests my patience constantly, and I have to remind myself that I am the adult and she is the child and I cannot act the way she does. I read that somewhere and it has helped me get through the tantrums. Cara's interests are also expanding. She loves to go outside and will say, "people" when she wants to go for a walk. She loves other children and has recently started daycare one day a week to help with her social skills (and give Nana a break!)

Now... for the pictures:

Fingerpainting and sidewalk chalk (while watching "people" in the neighborhood)

Helping Daddy put some things in the attic (I didn't even know she could climb a latter! And, she even knew how to climb down when we told her to get down)

Coming in from a walk... and you can't see the third baby that is hidden behind those two!

Beach

We made another trip to visit our friends in Wilmington. This time we actually made it to the beach. At first, I was a little bummed that we would only be there for the weekend, but afterwards I realized that one day at the beach with a toddler feels like the whole week. We only stayed out there for a few hours, but it was the perfect amount of time. And afterwards, Cara took a really long nap!

Spray Park

=A glorified water fountain for children to play.

She needed some encouragement at first to get in the water...

but eventually went in all on her own.

At one point she forgot I was even there...

and made some friends!

We have only been back a few times since that first day, but now she cries when I tell her it is time to go.

Kentucky Preview

Nothin' like fresh corn to accompany a nice meal at grandma's house.

Happy Summer

With a happy girl :)

What have we been up to?

Cara is now reading books to herself. I don't know if she knows how to read or not because I can't understand what she is saying, but it is probably hard to read upside down.

We still go out to eat quite a bit. With school and work, I tend to make excuses and convince myself that I "deserve it."

Cara has started putting her hands palms up when talking. I don't think she knows what the gesture means, but it is very cute because we don't know what she is saying, but it seems like she is asking a question.

We went on a quick trip to Atlanta this weekend. We stayed at a really nice hotel (really nice for the Agbekes = mediocre for everyone else). Cara enjoyed herself, and especially like swimming in the pool before checking out Sunday morning.

We stopped by The Varsity before heading back to Charlotte for a quick Father's Day Lunch. Cara ate only french fries and enjoyed looking at everyone walk by.

What have we been up to?

You know, just hanging around, taking naps, and playing with mama.

"You need a push?"

"No thanks, I think I've got it covered"

"Umm, no really, you can let go now"

Portland Baby

When I let Cara walk around outside with no shoes, wearing only a diaper, my sister called her a Portland Baby. (Portland is the neighborhood where she used to live in Louisville.) So, this post is dedicated to all of our dear friends in Portland. Those who loved us without even knowing us and took such good care of Terre and Ethan during some of the hardest times in our lives. You are more special to us than you know!

Giving Aunt Terre a flower

Celebration!

A few weeks ago, you know, before I agreed to work two weekends in a row,

before I started a year long 2 day a week internship at the hospital,

before summer classes began,

before a well deserved two week break from school...

I finished Spring Semester!

In order to celebrate my last day of classes I spent the day with Cara, picked up a couple pizzas, and ate dinner at my parent's house. That's how we celebrate around here.

Day in the Park

The weather has been getting hotter but for a few weeks we had a nice spring. Cephas and I try to bring Cara to the park, or just let her play outside as much as possible. Not only do we think it is good for her overall health, she enjoys it-so it is not hard to convince her to go.

And she's off!

Easter

Am I really going to do an Easter post at the end of May? There are such cute pictures of the little one, I just can't resist.

Here she is with her easter basket.

We had an easter egg hunt at my parent's house

Cara wore a vintage smocked dress, one that her mother wore as a child