GO TIGERS! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOUG

All I could think about this weekend was the Johnson and Johnson ad campaign "Having a Baby Changes Everything." 

We had a big weekend planned and were worried how everything was going to take place. We were able to do everything we wanted to do, just 'slightly' altered from our normal ways! On Saturday, we headed to Clemson to tailgate for the Clemson vs. Georgia game. In years past, Doug and I would have been there for the start of College Gameday, and not left campus until well after the game was over. With Callen in tow this year, we decided early on to sell our tickets. We knew the noise and heat of the day would be too much on little man. (Little did I know it would take its toll on us!). However, we still wanted to get out and experience the tailgating and see friends and family that would be there. We made it to campus by noon, and quickly realized it was going to be a HOT day. Poor Callen seemed to be overheating from the start. We soon stripped him down to his orange diaper and walked around campus. It looked like it was going to storm and Cal needed to eat, so we headed to Littlejohn to get out of the rain. We stayed in there for almost an hour while Cal ate and cooled down. It also allowed for the outside temp to cool down and make it better for walking around. We soon went back to the tailgate, visited other friends, and finally decided to head back to Greenville around 5:30pm. We made it home in enough time to get Callen bathed and fed before the game started. Callen even stayed awake to watch the running down the hill and the start of the game. 

He may not have made it into the stadium for his first game, left Clemson before the game started, and fell asleep before the game ended, but this experience was great. Doug and I would not change anything about this day (except maybe the heat!). We were able to tailgate, experience the atmosphere, and best of all, be together as a family for the day. Standing in front of the TV and having Cal in my arms while we watched 'The Most Exciting 25 Seconds In College Football" was priceless. Although we weren't tailgating for 18 hours, watching the game from our seats in the stadium, or in Clemson to celebrate the big win, we wouldn't trade our experience/adventure for anything. This is our new normal, and we love it. Anything we can do with Callen with us is what we want to do!

My first outfit of the day. Orange Clemson onesie. Very cute, but VERY hot!

This is what I ended up wearing. Much cooler!

My first College Gameday

The days of relaxing with an adult beverage are gone...for a while!

Cooling down in Littlejohn

Getting ready for the running down the hill

Doug's Birthday fell on Labor Day this year. All Doug wanted for his birthday was to 'take his boy hiking.' Very easy to please! Instead of driving far away for a hike, we decided to try a trail 10 minutes away at Lake Conestee to see how Callen would do. We put him in a front carrier and headed out. Callen did great and fell asleep quickly while Doug was holding him. However, the humidity was horrible, and Callen quickly started to overheat. We hiked back close to the entrance, sat on a bench, and ate lunch while Cal cooled down. We decided that hiking with Callen would be good as long as there are cooler temps and little to no humidity.

Doug and I are used to driving out of town to do a 5-7 mile hike. We usually make a day of it and hang out on the trail or in the surrounding towns before heading back to Greenville. Our day trip was shortened quite a bit this time because of the weather and its effect on Callen. Maybe a longer hike can be done in October or November. 

 

 

After coming back from the hike walk around Lake Conestee Nature Park, we cooked up a nice dinner for Doug, opened presents, and spent the evening hanging out as a family. This year was not the most action packed birthday for Doug, but he kept saying it was his best birthday ever. That man loves his little boy. He is the happiest when Callen is in his arms or they are playing together on the floor in Callen's room. Such a wonderful sight to see the two of them together. 

We had a great weekend. Definitely not what we are accustomed to, but so wonderful to be making memories with Callen. Having a baby has changed our ways of life, but for the better. Callen is such an amazing addition to our lives, and so much fun. Everyday is a new adventure with our little man.