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10.30.2014

Off to the Pumpkin Patch

We had one beautiful, sunny Sunday a few weeks ago, so Steven and I decided to head to a local pumpkin patch with our little man. And Oh.Em.Gee. It was sort of the best. The Thomasson Family Farm had waaaay more than just pumpkins. We were able to sip some hot apple cider and roam the grounds which boasts of a corn maze, small petting zoo, an onsite country store, and a super fun looking playground that I'm sure Jack will love next year.
But since he's still young we just walked around and enjoyed the beautiful October day while picking out our pumpkins. Oh, and snapped way too many photos of course.
I must say, this fall has definitely outdone itself. We've had beautiful weather (until this week) and have been able to get out and enjoy plenty of fall festivities with Jack! The family time we've been able to squeeze in has just been so nice. Sometimes I wish I could bottle days like these up and hold on to them forever. 

The good news is that all the fall fun isn't over yet! Halloween does happen to be tomorrow and I know a cute little boy who is going trick-or-treating as a blue dinosaur in honor of his favorite dino wubbanub

Stay tuned. I have a feeling the photos will be worth it.
;)

10.26.2014

Jack | 8 Months

And just like that my little man is 8 months old! *tear*
(Okay, 8 1/2 months. I'm late, but you've come to expect that, right?) 
 8 month old Jack loves...
his dino paci
eating
being outside
rocking
playing w/ balls
all dogs and cats
his mommy!
 8 month old Jack dislikes...
getting his diaper changed
bedtime and naps
going on car rides
Health: Jack got sick for the first time this month and it was pretty much the saddest thing ever :(
Poor buddy had a sky high fever and woke with a runny nose and small cough. It nearly broke my heart. Turns out he had an ear infection. Our naturopath gave us a homeopathic and in less than 24 hours he was back to playing and laughing like his normal self. I'm pretty sure the whole episode was harder on me and Stevan than Jack, and I'm super grateful that my naturopath is also a pediatrician. It makes me so happy that my son's primary healthcare provider is likeminded when it comes to her approach to health and well being. I feel blessed to have met her.

Jack is just under 20 lbs. He stills wears size 3 diapers and is now in mostly 12 month clothes. 

Food (Nursing): Jack still nurses quite frequently for an 8 month old. Always short 5 minutes feeding, but still every 3 hours or so. (Which makes me feel pretty crazy knowing that every 3 hours is what is recommended for a newborn...)

Food (Solids): Jack Jack  LOVES to eat! This month we introduced dairy and even some meat! He has yet to turn up his nose at anything I've offered, but he definitely has his favorites, too. He loves all fruit, especially bananas and berries, cheese, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash best of all.

Sleep: Oh, brother. If you want to know how Jack + sleep are going just read all the information in every baby book and on every baby blog that says what not to do when it comes to baby's sleep. The good news is, Jack has dropped his third nap of the day and we've fallen into a really good 2 nap schedule. He wakes around 6am and is ready for his first nap around 8 and his second around 11:30 or 12 (depending on how that first nap went). Usually each nap is 1.5 hours long. The bad news is... Jack still naps almost exclusively in my arms and we still co-sleep at night. I'm not really sure why that is bad news other than according to every baby book and blog I mentioned above I'm doing everything wrong and am a mommy failure.

But seriously, there are definitely 2 negatives about my little man's sleeping habits. One is that he goes to bed so early. After his second nap he stays awake till bedtime, which is currently 6-6:30pm. I just feel like he doesn't get much time in the evenings with his daddy! When we try to keep him up later he stills wakes at 6am... but is a grump butt. So for now we are keeping the early bedtime. Secondly, Jack is a extreme comfort nurser. He wakes up multiple times at night to nurse (usually anywhere between 4-8 nightly feedings), meaning I am not getting the best quality sleep, turning me into the morning grump butt! ;) 

Honestly, we've run into a lot of other nighttime sleeping issues, but they usually are short in duration and are brought on by teething, a growth spurt, or  a crazy day that threw this little one's schedule for a loop. 

New this Month: After a good month or so of crawling, Jack now uses anything and everything to pull himself up and has even begun cruising along the furniture! I'm torn about having such a mobile babe these days... He can be quite the handful! He crawls faster than lightening! He is so easy to make laugh and I just love his giggle fits. He is ticklish on his sides, thighs and the bottom of those adorable little feet. Still rocking 6 teeth, although I'm convinced he's working on 2 more on top! Loves all kinds of push toys (which I hide every so often b/c he is wayyy too daring with those things) and loves to scoot on the floor on his knees pushing his toy bin (or diaper caddy!) in front of him. He's working on perfecting his pincher grasp and likes to practice on happy puffs. He's enjoyed lots of fall festivities this past months like the cider press and pumpkin patch!
Jack Jack, you make each day new and exciting!
Your daddy and I love watching you grow.
You are our greatest joy, little man.
We love you!

10.20.2014

Family

"What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories." - George Eliot
Lately, my heart has been feeling pretty full. Life has never been more busy, but these two make the chaos and late nights worth it. I am so incredibly blessed and thankful that they belong to me and me to them. Being a wife and mother are by far the best roles I've had the honor of playing. This phase in life.. Jack's chubby cheeks and thigh rolls, Steven's strength and tenderness... I just want to soak it up for a bit. 

So I apologize for the silence. The three of us are making memories and falling deeper in love each day.

10.06.2014

Annual Cider Press

This past weekend Steven and I were able to attend our friend's annual cider press for the third year in a row. Hands down, this cider press has become my favorite fall festivity and is something I look forward to attending for years to come. It's funny to think that the first year we went we were newlyweds just 3 months into marital bliss, and this year we had little Jack with us. 

It ended up being a beautiful fall day with so much to see and do.  I'm pretty sure Jack was on sensory overload (and enjoying every minutes of it). He loved looking at the baby piglets, chickens, horses and cows... and he especially loved his first experience swinging! (I admit it, I teared up a bit. These milestones... I tell, ya. They get me every time.)

Jack's buddy Max! Sand seeping through fingers is some serious business.
Love my little family. <3 <3
Needless to say, Jack took a long snooze after his fun filled day. 

The cider press really epitomizes fall for me and I simply can't think of a better way to kick off the season. To see a glimpse of our annual cider presses from years past click on the link below.