Happy Harvest!

Today we took a trip to Heavenly Harvest to take part in the annual Harvest Festival 2009!  We had so much fun.  For the sake of tradition, we went with Uncle Ben, Aunt Amy and your cousin Neli, and we were joined this year by Jarrod (a coworker/friend of your Dad’s who is visiting from North Carolina). We will be posting more pictures soon off of Jarrod’s camera, but here are a few to remember the day.

Jarrod, Uncle Ben and your Daddy made a pumpkin castle for the pictures, and then it became quite the hit with all the children waiting in line to take the “Pumpkin Express” back up the hill.  We all had fun climbing on the pile of pumpkins!

You and Neli are the cutest kids we found to take pictures of on the pumpkin castle!

Here are the perfect pumpkins you two chose to take home.  I think you did a great job!  They are both unique and different from each other, but perfect in their own ways, just like the two of you!  You both had so much fun rolling around in the muddy field, climbing on pumpkins, racing rubber ducks, chasing chickens, and riding on the wagon.  What a busy day and I bet you will both sleep well tonight.

Here are a couple pictures from last year’s trip to the pumpkin patch.  It is so amazing to think that this time last year, you weren’t even in the world yet and Neli was just a little baby.  Now, one year later, you are both walking and came out covered in mud.  What an amazing journey!

After a long and busy day, we came home to eat haystacks, which is kind of like a taco salad, followed by a little blackberry pie, compliments of Grammy Ginger, and some warm apple cider, thanks to Ben and Amy. Thanks Ben, Amy, Neli, and Jarrod for coming with us to the pumpkin patch.

What a perfect harvest day!

Your First Trip to “The Farm”

We spent October 3rd-9th on your Great-Grandparent’s farm in Michigan. We had such a wonderful time creating memories with your Great-Grandma, Great-Grandpa, and Grandma while we were there. We went for rides in the motorhome, which you loved because you were free from the car seat and you got to watch where you were going, you went on your first carousel ride, we drove the antique John Deere tractor that I learned to drive on, and we went for a little hike at Hartwick Pines. We also got to visit with your Great-Great Grandma, Betty. You got to rock in your Grandma’s rocker that she had when she was a kid and you got to eat in the highchair that was originally your Uncle Rob’s. You loved Great-Grandpa’s sweet corn; you ate three ears in one sitting and one raw right out in the garden. We even got to have a little Birthday celebration a couple months early. Among other things, you got your first laptop from Grandma, you played with Bucky, you played Great-Grandma’s keyboard, you ate amazing amounts of really yummy food, went on nature walks,  and you stole the hearts of everyone we spent time with. It was a short trip including six airplane rides in 7 days, but it was well worth it.

First Steps

At exactly nine months and three weeks from the day of your birth, you took your first steps. We were commenting about how well you were standing by yourself and how it wouldn’t be long until you were walking. And then, right before our eyes, you did it. Daddy held you up and gave you the confidence you needed, and you took 5 steps right into my arms. And then like a good Mama bird, I hugged you, set you back on your feet, and encouraged you to try again. I cried, of course, for two reasons; I was so proud and excited for you, and I was a bit sad that you are growing up so fast. I suppose that is the truth about being a parent; independence is good, but it means you need us a little less. You are such an amazing and ambitious little guy and we love you very much. Congratulations little bug, you are on your way!

Little Rocker

9 month Stats

You now weigh in at 17 pounds, 4 ounces, placing you in the 7th percentile for you age. You are 28 inches tall, 43%, and you head is 45.5 cm around, which is the 57th percentile. You are such a joy and oh so busy! You eat anything, but so far your favorite seems to be tofu, beans, cheese, and yogurt. Your favorite toy is probably your puppy or the beads that your cousin Kiya left for you. You seem to be approaching the walking phase pretty rapidly which is exciting and a bit scary at the same time.
The biggest thing I have noticed lately is that every child is on their own path and can’t be compared to any other just because they are the same age. You are “advanced” in some things, but you are “behind” in others. Those are relative terms because while one child is working on teeth and language, another is more physical and therefore, may need to eat more. Some are independent while others are snugly. Who is to say one is better or further along than another? All children get teeth, learn to feed themselves, learn to walk and talk and sleep through the night at different times based on their own path. It is so fun to watch you grow and change right before our eyes, and yet there are times when I wish you would just be a little baby again. What an adventure!

And he’s off!

Big Eater!

You have eaten five meals all by yourslef now!. Today was the first time you have used a plate and a spoon.
You had a grilled cheese sandwich, cooked like french toast, blackberries, bananas, avocado and a little yogurt with apple juice. you ate it all, and then some.
I am not sure where you put it. You even ate mommy’s yogurt too. I am so glad that you are a good eater. It is so much fun to try new things with you!

A New Season

My sweet little bug, you are nine months old. As I was walking with you the other day, we stopped to admire the changing colors and nibble on wild blackberries. I thought back to last year when you were in my womb and the change of summer to fall excited me. I knew that with each passing cool and rainy day, we were one step closer to meeting you. Now you are a part of our lives and I can’t remember what it was like before you.  You have moved from a helpless newborn, to a curious infant, to a rolling machine, to a speedy little crawler, to a climbing monkey. I think running is next on the agenda. You are working on teeth 3 and 4, feeding yourself whole meals and exploring your world in new ways each day. You amaze me and I am inspired by your motivation. I smile when I look at you and I thank God for such a wonderful little person. What an amazing ride!

Did you do that?

My sweet little bug, you are really enjoying your freedom. Your favorite game is “empty all the containers” but you haven’t learned how to put it all back yet. We will keep working on that. Today you have had a lot of fun with Granny visiting, and you have been clapping at all your accomplishments. You are so smart and such a sweet little bug!

Summertime Fun!

Playing in the fountains downtown

Deep in thought about the meaning of life maybe

Splashing in a bucket of watered down ooblek.  ooble is a mixture of cornstarch and water that makes a fun sensory experience and when you add too much water it just becomes a lot of fun to splash in.

This was taken before the ooblek got watered down.  I don’t think you liked the taste of it, but it was such a fun experiment.  You sure had a good time.