Fall Family Fun List

So I wrote up our "Fall Family Fun List" and posted it by the calendar. 

And Saturday we checked off the first two items!  We took you apple picking and then I made apple crisp.  The weather was perfect and we got lots of great apples, and I mean LOTS.  We also got to go on a little hay ride and you had fun quacking at some ducks.
We went to Cider Hill: http://www.ciderhillfamilyorchard.com/  

 You've spotted the ducks.

I love these of you and Daddy:

My favorite:

look at those sweet little hands

our bounty

It's almost FALL!

Hi Baby,
We had a busy day today.  Momma had her first BSF class (Bible Study Fellowship), which I was a little iffy about when I signed up but now I am excited.  I think it will be a great way for me to connect with the Lord and with some other women.  And I am excited that you will have a couple hours to play with some other kids in the Infant Room.  I think it will be really good for both of us.  The only concerns I have are that the class is during your normal nap time (and I hate messing with your schedule), and that I am not sure how well I will be able to keep up with daily reading and answering questions to be prepared for the group discussion.  It seems like it will be pretty intense.  But I am going to give it a shot and try my best to put in the hard work because I know I could learn a lot from this study of Genesis and I am excited to spend time being intentional about reading God's word.  I really liked the other women in my group and I think I will feel comfortable with them.  We will see how it goes!

After BSF you took your nap and then you went swimming in your little pool.  It may be the middle of September but it was still close to 90 degrees today so I thought we'd enjoy the pool one more time. 

After the pool we came in for some Fall-ish activities like eating corn on the cob and making Cinnamon Maple Scones.  Yum!  You played with oatmeal while I made the scones.

I am very excited about the Fall season this year!  I am especially excited to take you apple picking, on a hay ride, to a pumpkin patch, and TRICK OR TREATING!!  I am also excited for Sonic to have their Pumpkin Pie Shake that is sooooo tasty.  I am working on a "Fall Fun List" with activities for us to do during the week and with Daddy on the weekends. 

LOVE YOU!

Love. You.

I am so in love.  Baby girl, you are growing and changing and becoming more of your own individual, independent little self every day.  You are walking, talking, being funny, being cuddly . . .

In just a few days you were able to walk across the room.  You've started saying "Hi baby" when we say it to you.  Yesterday, after we went to play with Jude, we practiced saying his name and you were saying it!  You are funny too; in the mornings we play on the bed for a few minutes and you will fall over and lay on the bed and then sit back up, get a big smile, and fall over again.  You love to make me smell your stinky feet and crack up when I say "P-U! Stinky feet!"

I wish I had the words to write how amazing it feels to be your momma.  I could have never imagined the love I have for you.  God is good.

STL Megan's Wedding

This weekend we went to St. Louis for cousin Megan's wedding.  You got to be the flower girl!  I pulled you in your wagon down the aisle.  You did such a great job, you just smiled and looked around.  The wedding was beautiful and in a gorgeous old Catholic church downtown.  We stayed in a nice hotel downtown, which was a lot of fun.  You loved the hotel room.  We got in pretty late Friday night after dropping the dogs off with Grandpa.  But even though you were tired you crawled around the room all excited, exploring the new space.  After Daddy and I put you to bed we had a date in the hotel lobby with some wine and cheese.  The next day was the wedding, which was beautiful, and then the reception was later in the evening.  You stayed up late again at the reception and had so much fun dancing with all the relatives and taking pictures in the photo booth.

 

 

 At the Arch

Milestone!

On Thursday, August 30th, you took your first step.  It was very special because Daddy and I both got to see it.  It was in the evening and we were about to go get ice cream.  I called Daddy in to show him a game we were playing and at that moment you stood up on your own, so we froze and watched as you took one big step and then you froze standing for a few seconds, maybe thinking about taking another step, and then you sat down.  Daddy and I were so exciting and clapped for you, you had a big smile on your face.  Now, a few days later, you can take three steps before falling.  Every time you have this big grin on your face- you stand up, take your steps, fall and then you look up at us all proud of yourself.  I can now officially call you my little toddler!

A couple other things to mention:

You have been pointing to yourself when you see a photograph of yourself or when we say your name or when you see yourself in the mirror.

You love having me put on your shoes.  If you see your shoes, or ever my shoes, you will bring them to me and demand that I put them on your feet- meaning you start making noises and hold your foot up, putting the shoe next to it. 

You are able to follow simple directions and help clean up.  In the morning while I get ready in the bathroom you take things out of the cabinet and drawers.  When I am done, and ready to take you down to eat breakfast, I sing the "clean up" song.  Sometimes you try to sing it with me and you do a great job of putting things back into the cabinet and drawers with my help.  I can even point to things like a bar of soap and say "Can you put that soap back in the drawer?" and point to where it goes and you will do it.  Yesterday you helped me put wet clothes in the dryer and shut the door.