Pumpkin Moonshine

What does it take to carve a pumpkin with a toddler??

A Pumpkin Carving party, of course!! The P Family hosted their second annual pumpkin carving party, and we wouldn't miss it.

The Boys this year.

L, EP, and E- all with something in their hands.

The Boys last year.

L, EP, and E- just chillin on the carpet.

So I started to carve the pumpkin. E was entertained with apple sauce and pretzels... for a couple seconds. Did I mention I was the only one without a husband to carve the pumpkin or watch the youngin?!? Talk about man-on-man defense!! I gave up on the pumpkin carving the second he started reaching for our knives, and then started investigating everyone else's utensils, partially full beer bottles laying on the ground, cameras and phones at eye level, and crayons for the taking (& teething). Hmm, next year the hubby has to take off of work and join in on the fun!!

So we lined up our poor little uncarved pumpkin with everyone else's and lit the candle.

Oh, but my little guy and I still had lots of fun even though we didn't get his pumpkin carved yet.

Touchdown!!!!

We finally carved the E's pumpkin the following day.
Ha- I even washed his outfit overnight for a repeat photo shoot.

(He couldn't help it- he's all about doing his 'touchdown' pose for pics)

I miss you too, Auntie E!!!!!!

**We went to our neighborhood Halloween costume party at the clubhouse last week, but since E was wearing his costume, I'll post the pics after tomorrow.

It takes my breath away

This was my favorite moment during our ultrasound- when Baby stretched its legs way out.

(that 'blob' behind the left of the face is a bit of the umbilical cord)

Baby2 at 12/13 weeks.

Our second little one is on its way, and is ever so healthy and active!! It was adorable watching Baby2 move and stretch its tiny arms and legs and bounce around during the entire ultrasound. They keep switching the due date on us, either April 27th or May 2nd. Right now, they are saying May 2nd. My dates calculation is May 5th- yes, something about that August air.

I'm doing much better- the nausea is down to maybe once a week (phew!). I still need lots of sleep, and nap as soon as E goes down for his 1-3hr nap, which means that I only have about 2-3 hours in the evening to clean, straighten up, get projects & housework done, eat, relax(??), prepare for the next day, iron, etc. In the meanwhile, I am spent running around with my over-energized, curious little tot, and telling him 'no/don't touch/stop/watch out' every other minute. I should mention that my husband is unbelievable!!! The last couple days he was off he let me sleep in (big bonus points), took E out-and-about for a couple hours (by himself!), basically took care of him both days, and surprised me with my current cravings (banana creme pie, lemon meringue pie, and another one which was oh so good). And, he even got a few projects done around the house (the ones that he didn't get to all golf season ;) )!

Big Brother E 2days shy of 2years ago.

They already look so different.

Pumpkin Picking 2010

Our annual family visit to Didier Farms for pumpkin picking.

So tall!

(Anyone else notice that the pumpkin sign looks similar to the apple sign (see below)??)

He was fast asleep last year!
E and his very first pumpkin last year.
Notice that Teddy is nice and fluffy.
E was all about the chickens and thought they were pretty funny looking.
He randomly walked over to this pumpkin and sat down for a few- no instructions- just thought it was a good place to plunk down.

Daddy and E after E picked out his very own pumpkin all by himself.

Just a wee bit bigger from last year.

Look who we ran into!! The lady who looks like she has a pumpkin about to fall out (so commented my unknowingly, oh-so-sweet husband- oh, how that made me laugh!)

Me & Em right before Baby2 wiggles into the world. We're both pregnant at the same time again- how neat.

So glad E got to see his little buddy, L.

Both the boys were fascinated by the water and had fun trying to throw the leaves and rocks back in. I love how they enjoy the outdoors so much.

E with his second pumpkin and Baby Gap Scarecrow.

Great-Great Auntie S. gave him the other pumpkin ;)

More fall activities

After dropping off Daddy for a round of golf at his uncle's country club and having lunch at the clubhouse, E and I went to visit the 'Greats'. My grandparents and Great Aunt got to see just what a boy he's become- getting into everything, running around. Thank goodness for the short visit. E found a comfy corner on the grandparents' front porch.
One of the seasonal books I checked out for E is about scarecrows.
So, we made our own.
E with his book and Baby Gap Scarecrow.
Finishing touches to the scarecrow are in the post to follow.

Apple Picking

I was THRILLED to take both (or all three) of my boys on their very first apple picking excursion!

We went to Valley Orchard near Rockford, and I just couldn't have picked a better place!!!

They're all about the apples- no kid amusement rides/distractions, no crowds, no parking/admission fees, no limitations to how many or even if you can pick your own apples. I had been reading E books about apple picking (from the library) to get him all excited about going.

I think he was trying to figure out how tall Teddy is.

E just loved being able to run around, pick apples, eat apples; and I loved not having to worry about him!

YUM!
He ate a whole apple for the first time.

Oh my goodness, these apples are delicious!!!!!!

I thought there was a little worm trying to eat my apples.

We almost all made it in the pic.

Oh wait, pumpkin picking is next week!

(Yes, we are reading library books about pumpkins, Halloween, & Fall as well)

Valley Orchard was just perfect for apple picking and we plan on going there again next year. It was a bit of a drive, further out than some outskirt suburban orchards, but it was what I remember about apple picking when I was little- it's all about the juicy apples and the fall weather. They had an adorable country barn store filled with all things 'yummy'. I couldn't have left without their homemade, apple cider glazed donuts- let me tell you, they were sooooo good!!!! We will be back for more apples & donuts.

Autumn Hike

Decided to spend an afternoon 'hiking' and enjoying the warm weather and fall colors.

We decided that hiking on a single-path is ideal: only one direction for E to walk ;)

Even this path was pretty challenging- he had to dodge some thorn bushes, logs, twines, and uneven ground.

"At last, room to run!"

He got a lesson in camouflage.

Ok, so not such a good idea to try to camo his beloved Teddy.

Daddy would run ahead, hide, and then make a sound, and E loved trying to listen and find him!

The little 'hike' had him all tired out for the ride home!

Definitely plan to enjoy the campground and kayaking/boating/fishing there next year.

Apple Fest- October 1st

I had been looking forward to taking E to Apple Fest in local Long Grove since we missed it last year. We were invited to join my girlfriends and E's buddies in the morning, but mornings are just a 'no-no' at this stage of my pregnancy. Fortunately, our neighbor really wanted to go and said she'd love to help out with E, so we headed on over for a beautiful afternoon in the quaint little village. I was so glad that I didn't bring any cash because I could have chowed down on everything that I saw & smelled (caramel apples, cinnamon donuts, cider, pies, coffees, nachos, funnel cakes with apples on them, heck, even the corn dogs looked the delicious)- the aroma was amazing!!!

I'm so thankful that E loves his stroller and will stay put for an extended period of time!

Unfortunatley though, this pic would have been cuter without the stroller pose.

E got to stretch his chunky legs while we waited for our neighbor to get some yummy donuts.
haha- what's he doing?!

Kohl's Children Museum- September 30th

On one of Daddy's day off we went to Glenview to the Kohl Children's Museum. I've been wanting to go for a very long time, and have heard that it is an excellent, educational place to take tots/preschoolers. It was fabulous- I'd love to have a membership for the next several years!! The whole time I was thinking that I wish I could bring E there every one of his 'off' days to just let him romp around, explore, pretend, and play with other kids his age, especially as this pregnancy progresses, not to mention it is just 'right down the street' and would be ideal during winter time!

He loved the crane...

He loved the trains...

But, he LOVED the car rampway the most!
Vrrrrmmm

Okay, so E would have just played all afternoon in the car exhibit if we didn't haul him away.

Ahh, mommy's little pet.

Paging Dr. E.!
Guess who had his face painted for the first time.

He was giggling the whole carride home- "oh, who's that funny looking boy in the mirror?!"

He even gave all the customers at Dominicks a good laugh!
Maybe we'll forget the Halloween costume and just go with face-painting.