Crazy Concoctions

 During lunch, I gave Ethnie a variety of snacks which included All Dressed chips from Canada (which she loves) and strawberry yogurt. While I was wiping down the counter I looked over to see Ethnie dipping her chips in the yogurt! 

 She did the repeatedly and then would smile proudly as if she had just discovered next the big thing. Whatever works I suppose. She's such a silly girl. 

I think Elmo wants a bite too.

Leg Pokes

 This is how we feel about leg pokes. Duke was such a happy boy at his last Dr's appointment. He was cooing and smiling at Dr. Blank. I am so happy that we are past the all-I-want-to-do-is-cry-all-day-long stage. Duke is such a joy to be around now and I can't get enough of him.

He put on his brave face while he got his shots. He cried for a little bit and then just snuggled in close. I love having a baby I can snuggle with. I miss those days with Ethnie.

Pumpkin Patch

We started out the month by visiting the pumpkin patch with our Mommies group and Gramma. It was a wonderful way to enjoy both the fresh air and feel feastive. 

The sun was a little bright and Peanut wanted to do some exploring...

... so off she went!

Thank heavens we had a Gramma with us to keep her safe while I attended to Duke. Ethnie was fearless on those hay bails.

I {love} pumpkins! Our house is covered with all sorts of pumpkin decorations. I'm so excited to carve some next week with Peanut!! 

Ethnie liked this one. Too bad it weighed as much as she does. 

I tried to capture a picture of the little man but the sun was right in the wrong spot. Good thing he's so cute it doesn't matter. 

I am totally in love with his little onesie. Too bad I had to squeeze him into is since it is a 0-3 month. No matter we got it on and he rocked it. 

It was a lovely adventure and I am looking forward to making a tradition of it.

Oh Hello....

Just thought I'd say have a nice day.

Did Someone Say Pear?

 Little E is all about fruit. One of her favorites however are pears. (Just like her Daddy.) While preparing dinner I was about to cut up a pear for her to munch on when she started shaking her head and pointed at it. I asked her what she wanted and she pointed at her tray. I sat the pear down and she went to town. 

 At first I was a bit skeptical, after all she usually only takes two bites of an apple and then says she's all done but I was seriously impressed... she ate almost the entire thing!

It was beyond adorable watching her munch on and enjoy her pear. She is getting so big and becoming so grown up. We sure do love you E.

Night Night

 One of my favorite parts of the evening is listening to Jakob read and sing to Ethnie before bed. She just {adores} her Daddy and this is their special time together. Usually she is pretty crazy about having the door closed but the other night I was able to snap a few shots with my telephoto lens (hence the oh so very blurry images.) We are so blessed to have such a wonderful Daddy and husband. Jakob spoils us all and I am so thankful for all that he does.

2 months

• Height: 22 3/4 inches (in the 80%)
• Weight: 14.7 lbs (in the 95%)
• Head Circumference: 42 cm (in the 90%)
• Nicknames: Uke, Little man, Monkey, Buddy

• He is a CHUNK! I am so in love with all of his little love rolls. He is so pudgy and it is adorable. He has grown out of his 0-3 months and is barely squeezing into 3-6 months, which means we have a lot of unused clothing, which is a bummer! There are a few items that we just love.
• He is quite the cranky baby but I think we finally have each other figured out. Most of the time his episodes have to do with being over stimulated and tired. Some days he naps like a usual newborn and others he's awake for 5-6 hours at a time and then takes a 20 minute cat nap. Now that I know the issue we've been much better. Hopefully we can start to nail down a routine this month.

• I {love} his smiles. Oh my word, those dimples just melt my heart!! He usually shares the best smiles for his bum changes but he will give you a few good ones while we do "face time" (playing face to face together.) This boy has captured my heart.

• Duke has incredible head control. He is still wobbly, but he very rarely puts his head on my shoulder. He wants to be up and looking around. I have a feeling he's going to be busy just like his sister.

• He is a wonderful sleeper at night. He usually goes down around 7 or 8 p.m. and then sleeps through until 4:30 a.m. just to eat and then back to sleep until 6:30 a.m. or so. I'm still pumping at night as well.
• Duke is not a soother baby. There are times when he will take it out of desperation, but it's really more hassle than it's worth. We switched from Nuk (the only one E would take) to Gumdrop and he seems to like the new one better.

• He's still a very tense baby. He doesn't like to just relax.
• He loves his fuzzy blanket. I place that by his face while he eats and his eyes will close almost immediately.

• He's a Mama's Boy and that's fine by me. I swear he can tell when I'm eating since he gets especially fussy.
• He's cooing and talking a lot now and I just cannot get enough of it. I just love his little cheerful squawks. 

• If there are arms to hold him that is where he wants to be, he is not a fan of sitting on his own. Sometimes he enjoys wiggle time of the floor and stretching out but for the most part if he's awake he's in my arms.
• He loves to snuggle with you during nap time but only if you're holding him. If not he sleeps much better in his cradle.

• He loves to bounce. Jakob calls it the rain dance since he's literally jogging on the spot. Duke just loves it.
• Duke loves bath time. He really enjoys splashing and kicking around in the water. It's the perfect way to wind him down and I've noticed he fall asleep much sounder when he's had a bath before bed. 

• He likes to eat. He will eat a solid 8 - 10 oz per feeding and then "snacks" in between. I am constantly nursing. In the evening he gets lazy and doesn't like to work for his food so we give him a bottle. he has no problem taking a bottle which is such a relief. The formula no longer bothers his stomach now, thank heavens. It was becoming rather difficult to feed him throughout the day and pump enough milk for a nightly bottle plus all day Saturday while I work. I'm so grateful that we are now finding our groove!
• His eyes are starting to get lighter.

 I am falling more in love with him every day. This boy has me bewitched and I am so blessed to be his Mama!

Happy OcTobler

 It's one of my favorite months, OcTobler. The weather cools, I get to start wearing chunky sweaters, scarves and boots, soups become a favorite, and it's TRICK OR TREAT season!!! I just cannot get enough of Halloween (or that adorable smile). 

 Since Duke is growing like a weed! I decided I had better take some pictures of him in his super festive P. J's before they're to small. Spider webs and candy corns. Too cute.

 Such a chunk hunk.

 And let's not forget Peanut. I just love these adorable spiderweb leggings. I'm pretty sure she's going to be wearing these every day for the rest of the month! 

 It's really not fair, having kids as cute as mine. I am totally looking forward to lots of fun Halloween activities for Peanut & me. Just a few of my ideas include: pumpkin bowling knocking down little ghost toilet paper rolls, carving some pumpkins, and decorating some festive cookies. Anyone else have any fun activities for little ones??

 It's also time to start getting those costumes together. I've seriously been planning our costumes since November 1st of last year. It's going to be hard topping last years costumes but this will be fun.