1st Illini Football Game

Saturday was the first home football game for the Illini.  I had purchased season tickets a long time ago, so we were anxious for the first game. Last weekend, my Great Uncle and Aunt Paul and Kay had offered to watch Samantha while we went to the game.  Samantha seemed to really take to them at the cookout so we figured "why not?". I was a little nervous and probably over packed her for her afternoon/evening stay.  But like my Dad says "Always be prepared".... =)   We dropped Samantha off around 3:15ish and it was a little hard to leave the little squirt.  I maybe, might possibly, became a little misty eyes.
Anyways..
It was a blast!  We went and ate at Legends.. mmmm.. Irish Nachos.  Had a drink ... the 1st since we started trying for pregnancy.  Visited TIS Book store - purchased illini apparell for Samantha and us.  Ran out to Meier because JM was on the hunt for some ethnic food "stuff" for a guy at work who had lost a bet.  While there, I found my way to the baby section and what do you know... clothes were on sale!  Yaayyyy!
Then it was off to the game.  We definitely need to get there earlier this coming weekend because we walked, and walked, and walked, and then walked some more.

Illini played GREAT!  JM and I decided we were showing our age when we left at the end of the 3rd quarter because our butts were sore from the alluminum bleachers.  That and it was almost nine and I wanted to go see Samantha.  So we walked, and walked, and walked some more.  When we arrived at Paul & Kay's, Samantha had just fell asleep about 45 minutes prior.  She did AMAZING!!  Paul and Kay LOVED her!! It was just great all the way around.  I think they were surprised I hadn't called.  I had to explain to them this theory...  I always hesitate to call for one main reason. I fear that the when I call it will come immediately after she has fallen asleep AFTER she has screamed herself hoarse and exhausted and that the rining will wake her up.  That and if she wasn't doing well, it would take every fiber in my body to keep me from going back even if they insisted everything was fine.  Not that I doubt their capabilities, I just a) feel quilty for making them endure that and b) know that if I can just cuddle her for a moment she would be fine. 
I'm sure at this point, you're invisioning a little girl on the playground with her mother hovering over the top of her.  No, no, no...that will not be me.  I believe in independence, learning by doing, etc. HOWEVER, I don't think screaming is necessary if it can be avoided. 

Anyways.. we made it home and she slept beautifully!

Here are some pictures!

Us before the game.  That is JM's "I'm so happy to have my picture taken" expression.

They had a HUGE military plane fly over. I didn't have my camera on when it flew right over the top of us, hence the picture of the almost out of sight plane.

Let's go ILLINI!!

Some random football play... maybe an Illinois kickoff? or receiving??