Pumpkins, Pumpkins, & More Pumpkins

We went to Nall's Produce last weekend to pick out our pumpkins! Gracie loved watching the kids running around and crawling through the tunnels. She tends to get a little shy and overwhelmed when there are lots of kids...but with some reassurance and Mommy & Daddy in sight...she joins in all the fun. Honestly, I'm kinda glad that she is cautious and sweet.

We had a lot of fun and got some great pictures!

Smiley Faces

Brownies

Busted!

Pumpkin Preview

The Naked Chef - Makes a Pizza

Delaney's 1st Bottle

I think feeding a baby is such a special, cuddly time and I really want Todd to have those moments with Delaney. It's so sweet when she looks up out of the corner of her eye while eating and gives the cutest little smile...I want Todd to see those little smiles.

Todd and Gracie tried to give Delaney her 1st bottle on Sunday, Oct. 24th. I was so excited for them to feed her and I was really proud that I was able to pump 4 oz for her. I struggled with pumping enough for Gracie...turns out I didn't have the right size attachments for my pump when I pumped for her.

These pictures don't show it but...there were no smiles on Sunday. Delaney hated the bottle! She seemed so confused and got so upset. I guess I'm not too surprised...she's nursed exclusively and really well for her whole life, all 7 weeks of it!

She wasn't too sure about her pacifier the first several times it was offered and it looks like the bottle will be the same. We'll keep trying. But next time, I won't pump as much because I didn't have anything left to give or comfort her when the bottle attempt failed. It was a fussy few hours for her...poor baby! Wish us luck for next time. I really need for her to take a bottle on occasion.

Footy Jams

Gracie likes to wear her PJs just like Delaney's. I think we're making another trip to Kohl's to get a few more jammies for the polka dot sisters!

Cuteness

I need to take more pictures of this cutie!

And so does Gracie!

Delaney could care less!

Chocolate Mini Face

Gracie loves to help me cook and bake. She's actually a really good helper. This weekend I taught her how to gently crack eggs on the counter (I still spilt them in half) but she did a great job!

Well, Todd LOVES chocolate chip pumpkin muffins...so we've made him a couple batches so far this month. Gracie loves to add the ingredients and is always asking, "what's next?". I think her favorite part is eating the mini chocolate chips!!!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 box spice cake mix

2 eggs

2/3 cup water

6 ounces chocolate chips (I prefer the mini ones)

Blend the 1st four ingredients, then blend in chocolate chips. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Top with cool whip prior to serving or eat them plain. Either way - they're quite tasty!

*I prefer to use a mini muffin tin for bite size muffins.

Nap

Naptime has become a real struggle over the last few weeks. I'm not ready for Gracie to stop her naps (surprise, surprise) and I don't think she is either.

Gracie is usually adamant that she does not want to take a nap...and some days I don't fight her to take one and she does just fine. On those days she's ready to go to bed around 7'ish. Other days, we're out and about running errands or meeting up with friends - and she takes a cat nap in the car. And then there are days when she flat out refuses to sleep and is so tired that she pitches royal fits...and I mean, screaming at the top of her lungs temper tantrums (so awesome). On those days...my patience is tested and I really question my parenting skills.

Here's what happened recently when she told me:

"I don't wanna take a nap!!!"

Really??? Huh!

Well.....

Guess where I found her around 4:30 pm?

She had crashed on the hardwood floors

outside of her playroom.

She didn't sleep long; probably because she wasn't comfortable, ya think? And it was like waking a sleeping bear...UGH - it was a long night!

Any tips for not dropping the nap? I've sorta tried "quiet time" but I haven't fully committed to it. I'd also love words of advice or encouragement from those of you who have "been there, done that".

A Pink Dirt Devil

G.G., Gracie's Great Grandma (my grandmother), sent Gracie $20 to pick out her very special big sister present all by herself! Thank you G.G.!

What did she pick?

A pink Dirt Devil vacuum, of course!

If only it actually cleaned

the floors while she was playing.

Nice technique!

I wish I looked as cute as her and

had as much fun when I vacuum.

Delaney Cooing

Delaney has been smiling for weeks but she just started making the sweetest little sounds when we talk with her!

I love it when she crinkles her nose, closes one eye just a tad, and gives me the cutest half grin on the planet...and then add these little coo's too - it simply melts my heart!

Hopefully you'll hear a little something from Miss D but it's mostly me talking and Big Sister saying coo (G's awfully cute too and a very good coo'er). I love our girls!

Fall Festival at Cox Farm

We checked out Cox Farm's Fall Festival and we had so much fun! There were lots of slides, a hay ride, farm animals, caramel apples, kettle corn, pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins (I didn't get very many pictures because I was also holding our cute little pumpkin). We're hoping the weather will be good on Friday to take Ellee and Grape for some more Fall Fun.