Fall Fun

It's fall, but it feels like winter has arrived in MN! It's gusty, blustery, rainy and cold with snow in the forecast tonight. Yikes! I haven't even thought of pulling out the winter wardrobe, let alone purchasing a whole new set of warm things for miss Addison.

Isla and I are hanging out at home while DJ and Addison are at gymnastics, or "mashiks". Addison was standing by the door this morning, holding her Dora backpack stuffed full of every toy, ball, shell, feather, etc. that she could stuff in there and she looked at me and said "Mama, I be right back". I asked her where she was going and she had two answers: "Mama, I go work", then "Mama, I go mashiks". So, you can see what life is like around here! We're often by the door, loaded down with bags, running off to somewhere or other, usually work or gymnastics (or so it seems to Addison). She's really talking up a storm and the words she puts together and the context in which she uses then amazes us every day. What's really fun right now is that she's interested in all sorts of books, books that take longer to get through than she's ever been able to tolerate before. We read books every night before bed and at the moment she loves The Bearenstein Bears - "The Messy Room" and "The Bad Habit". HAhaha! These were my books many years ago, so it's always fun to remember the stories. In The Messy Room, Brother and Sister bear have to cooperate to get their room organized, and Addison always recognizes that her room is organized with her little wicker baskets and toychest, so we take that opportunity to talk about how great it is to clean up after you're done playing - one of our biggest power struggles right now. She definitely gives us a run for our money, but we rarely back down and things usually work out...even if there's a time out involved, which she actually calls on herself now! She knows when she's being a little stinker.

Baby Isla is all drool, chub and smiles. She's very predictable - we know that when she cries she wants to be held, that at 7pm she gets tired and crabby and wants to sleep, that regardless of when she last ate, when I get home from work she'll want to eat again, that she'll wake up several times a night just to see us, and most of all, that she gets the biggest smile on her face anytime Addison comes around and pays attention to her. Natalie sent me a hilarious (albeit disturbing) link from a recent Saturday Night Live skit and the baby reminded me of Isla. See what you think. You have to watch a little commercial first, but hang in there. http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/baby-spanx/1255812/

Halloween is coming up - woo-hoo! Addison is already in the sprit, so stay tuned for a rundown of the 31st! She's going to be a monkey and Isla will be a pea pod.

Pumpkin hunting

So tall!

Chub-a-dub

They're both sitting in the high chair

Talking on the phone with Ba - telling him about "mashiks"

Addison loves playing on the bed

Two Weeks in Review

Hi! We've been busy, as usual, and are trying to soak in every last bit of the gorgeous fall weather Minnesota is experiencing. Evening walks are de-rigeur and jumping in piles of leaves has never been so fun.

Addison has started gymnastics class (she calls is "mashicks", which is pretty darn cute) and is having fun except for being a little bit of a chicken when it comes to, well, almost everything. It's OK though, because once she tries something and realizes she can do it, she becomes more comfortable. Following the directions of the teacher is another story.

Isla recently had her 4 month check-up and is moving right along the baby bell curve. She weighs 14 pounds, 12 ounces, is 24 inches long with a 16 inch head. These stats are almost identical to Addison at 4 months! She's very snuggly, smiley, and is beginning to be very interested in 2 things 1). Her big sister, and 2.) food. She insists on being held or sitting in her bouncy right on the kitchen table while we're eating, and follows every bite of food we put into our mouths with her big blue eyes. DJ is already starting to think about making her fresh baby purees and freezing them so we have them ready within the next couple of months. Can't believe we're at that point already! The best part is, is that he has volunteered to lead the baby puree initiative this time around, which is music to my ears since it tends to be somewhat of an undertaking/time consuming activity for 2 parents who work full time during the week!

We had a really fun visit from my great-aunt Joan and her daughter-in-law Julie (my second cousin's wife) from Hawaii a couple of weeks ago. It was so great to see Joan and meet Julie while they were here checking out Joan's hometown of Stillwater, but unfortunately I didn't get any pictures! Julie, I know you snapped some, so if you happen to read this, please send them our way. :)

Happy October!

This was on the way to "mashicks" - she insisted on the shades AND the song

Fall colors in the neighborhood - the trees look like they're on fire!

Isla decked out in full Naartjie gear - cutest line of baby clothes out there!

Hmmmm....

Dancing with daddy

Notice the paper plates - did you know we were this classy and environmentally conscious? I bet not! We don't do it all the time, usually just on Mondays when we're totally spent

Bathtime fun

"Mama, this is MY potty" - like I'm going to try to sit on it!