Dancing Machine

 

(and no, he is not usually allowed to climb and stand on furniture, but we had to capture this moment before we moved him to safer places)

A Fun Fall Weekend

We had a great weekend with some down time and some fun time to visit with friends and family. We left the house early on Saturday to drive to Charlottesville. We stopped at Carter Mountain  for our annual trip where we enjoyed a few apple cider donuts and the kids were able to explore pumpkins and the mountain top on a beautiful fall morning. While most people go to Carter Mountain to pick apples from trees, when we discovered on our way to the trees (it felt like a very long trek with 2 little ones) that there were large bins along the way with pre-picked apples at the same price, we stopped right there. We told Mary-Michael to enjoy her picking out of the bins as I felt slightly guilty about taking away the actual apple picking experience. I told myself she certainly wouldn't remember, and that next year when all 4 of us were walking and didn't need morning naps, our visit to Carter Mountain would be longer and more plentiful. She happily obliged.

This seemed to be the theme for the day as we enjoyed a morning tailgate for the UVA vs. Wake Forest football game but then decided to not to go to the game. Who does that?! Well, we do, apparently. We just decided it was not worth the money to take two soon-to-be very cranky children into a football game that UVA would likely lose (and they did). Again, we had to tell Mary-Michael we weren't doing something that she thought we were, but she took it like a champ. So, we left at 12:30, the kids fell asleep immediately, and we enjoyed some frozen yogurt on our way home and some time to talk. I guess we are officially getting old or maybe we're just really tired! We decided Frazier's stage is really hard for outdoor activities because he can't walk, he wants to crawl, and he doesn't want to be held. This doesn't work well for places with lots of people, dirt and concrete, but there's always next year!

Loving the pumpkins - they are much bigger than the ones we've grown at home. 

See the wiggling! We could hardly get a picture with Frazier. 

LOVE this picture of Lilly Kate and Mary-Michael. Her momma (Christian) and I met over 11 years ago in the dorms behind them. 

Go Wahoos!

On Sunday, we were happy to have a baby shower for Shirley (and baby Jacob) at our house. The guest of honor received some really nice things for her sweet baby boy, and I think she felt very loved by those who came to celebrate with her. 

 A sweet baby boy. 

Fun presents!

Yummy food!

Playmates so that the mommas could enjoy themselves. 

Emily and Kelly decorating burpcloths.

The guest of honor!

Yay for baby stuff!

10 Months!

Mr. Handsome,

 

It really is unbelievable how much a tiny baby can change in just 10 months. You're a little person with your own likes, dislikes and sense of humor. Between you and your sister I laugh a lot but am also tired a lot. I swear you can speed crawl faster than I can run. And I am often running because you like to get into things you're not supposed to! And now that you can push chairs and and walk behind moving toys, you are always on the go. You hear "No Sir" a lot, and soon I will have to give up my attempt to keep plants, baskets and books on all the tables in the living room. You've also discovered the joy of opening cabinets, as well as the pain of opening them since you often get your fingers squished. And going to a restaurant with you means clearing at least 2 feet in front of you because your arms seem to be go-go-gadget arms in an instant.

 

Though I have to watch you constantly to ensure you don't injure yourself, you are so still so easy! You and your sister play well together, and you even play really well by yourself. You love being in the play tent and rolling around in the pillows. You also love climbing onto the island shelf, up in chairs, etc. Your crib has been as low as it can go for a few months in anticipation of your desire to climb. Don't get any ideas young man!

 

You have become quite the dancer - moving your body back and forth or fist pumping in the air whenever any kind of music comes on. The fist-pumping is almost like a nervous tic you do it so much!

 

You're starting to eat some chunkier table food and still prefer anything sweetened. We started eating yogurt this month, and you love it. You have dropped another feeding, so you're down to nursing 3 times a day. We reintroduced the pacifier a few weeks ago when you were really sick, and it has stuck. You love it, and your daddy and I both agree that it's kind of cute (I know we won't be saying that when you're 2 and we're trying to take it away). You still have that wonderful, fat baby belly and are fully embracing 12 month size cloths. You won't be in them too much longer...and it's also about time to move you to a bigger car seat since you're quickly approaching 22 pounds.

 

Momma and Daddy pray for you every day, Frazier, and we are so excited to see what God is going to do in your life. We pray you will know Him at a young age and that you will seek His purpose in your life because you were created for a purpose that only you can fulfill!

 

We love you son,

Momma and Daddy

 

 

 

 

Giggling Siblings

Pumpkin Patch

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for taking the kids to the pumpkin patch twice!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kids Lately

We LOVE bath time at our house.

 

With this awesome weather, we have been living outside.

 

Living outside means lots of things go in the mouth (bark), but thankfully, we have Sonar to keep watch.

 

Our garden is still growing. Mary-Michael picked her own baby watermelon and chose her accessories for the day.

 

Here's an actual watermelon and canteloupe we grew and ate!

 

Frazier's first (very slow) trip on the 4-wheeler with Daddy and Big Sis.

 

Caught! Mary-Michael putting lotion on her baby doll's feet.

9 Month Check-Up

Our little man had his 9-month check-up this morning. Everyone knew he was there and was not happy about it within a minute of seeing the doctor. Any forced sitting or lying down is not acceptable in his little world, and he is quite vocal about it! He is meeting all of his milestones and growing well.

Weight: 21 lbs and 2 oz. (54th percentile)
Height: 29 inches (69th percentile)
Overall: 64th percentile
Head: 48.5 cm (greater than 95th percentile; aka "off the charts")

I know that big ol' head is full of a big ol' brain that is going to do some really awesome things! We love you big guy!

State Fair

Last night we enjoyed our annual trip to the Virginia State Fair. It was like Vegas for toddlers. Mary-Michael loved every moment of it from the petting zoo that we had to pull her away from to the carousel and treats we let her have - funnel cake, chicken, french fries and ice cream. She even got to pick out her own Dora balloon to take home. Speaking of heading home - the girl was WIRED the whole way home. She sang all kinds of songs and talked non-stop. I was tired and wanted a few moments of quiet, but Geoff kindly reminded me that we did this to ourselves! So, I obliged and listened to "Wheels on the Bus" several times.