A Day at the Pumpkin Patch

Well, after a horrible battle with the stomach plague of 2011, we are mostly back on our feet. What a rough weekend we had! A special thanks to Memaw for coming to help us out, even though she ended up sick herself! On a brighter note, I did manage to lose 10 pounds. Unfortunately I gained 5 of them back. The bug managed to strike about half of our church. Even the preacher got it. So glad everyone is feeling better!
This last weekend we headed over to the Pumpkin Patch for some fall festivities. It was pretty hot. And by pretty hot I mean it was close to unbearable...but we stuck it out for a couple of hours to have some fun. We didn't actually buy any pumpkins - but we sure had fun looking at them! haha.
Mason has been having fun with his Halloween costume. Here he wanted me to take a picture of him with his pirate hat on. And here he wanted me to take a picture of his sword. Um, adorable!
Here are some pictures from the Pumpkin Patch! Here we are about to feed the farm animals. Mason is sampling the barnyard feed to make sure its edible.
Checking out the goats!
Feeding the sheep.
This is what Eva did while we fed the animals. Note the pumpkin socks. Love it!
Just kidding, she's awake now. This girl never sleeps for long.
The highlight of the day was, for sure, the pony ride. We had to wait in line quite a while but it was really worth it. I thought Mason might be scared once he got up on the horse. But he LOVED it! Here he is handing his tickets to the Pony Guy.
Ride 'em Cowboy! He was having a blast. He really likes horses.
All done! He wasn't ready to get down.
Saying goodbye to his pony.
Here is Mom and Eva waiting in line for the Hayride!
Mason and Dad hanging out on the hayride. (Which wasn't that fun...)
Mom and Eva on the Hayride. It was so bumpy I was thankful she was strapped to me!
One traditional pumpkin picture: Check. One two year old who wouldn't cooperate for the picture: Check. One hot, tired baby ready to eat: Check. It's time to go home people!

Look Who's Standing!!

August

These last few months have been a mix of busy and slow - and to be honest, I can't really recall anything exciting that we have done. So, I just thought I would post a few more pictures of the fam from the second half of August. Enjoy!

Here is Mason "nursing" his baby penguin. That travel neck pillow he has does look a lot like my Boppy nursing pillow! So Cute.
First Day of School. Someone did not want his picture taken.

Sort of Cooperating. Ugh. Two year olds...
Daddy and Eva. She was showing her support with a USMC onesie!
Hanging out after church with my two handsome guys.

5 Months!

I know, I know. You're wondering where 4 months went, right? Well, due to some crazy bouts of sickness and then a PC and a laptop both crashing at the same time we have been absent from the blogosphere for quite a while. We're baaaack! And I will be blogging about all the happenings of the past soon. For now though, it's all about this sweet girl! Happy 5 Months Eva!Dear Eva, where do I begin! You are so full of life now! Not that you weren't previously, but now you are smiling, laughing, rolling over, trying to crawl and interested in table food. That's a lot of accomplishments in just a few short weeks! You had your first ear infection this last month (boo!) but you were a trooper. After 10 days of force-feeding an antibiotic down your throat I am a trooper as well. You laugh at Mason all the time...even when he isn't funny. Which of course makes him laugh (and bolsters his self esteem, no doubt). Everywhere we go I hear people whispering all around me about how beautiful you are. If they only knew you as I do they would see that your inner beauty makes you a truly breathtaking little gal. You are so positive and happy...just like your daddy. I hope you never lose that.
I always say this, but I really feel it this time - where has the time gone!? I know that the next few months will bring some new challenges and some amazing memories. We have created so many already.
At 5 months you are going to bed around 7 and sleeping until around 11, eating, then sleeping until around 4:30 or 5, eating and then getting up about 7. We have just started working on your sleep training and so far you have been putting yourself to sleep in your crib for your naps and bedtime. Way to go girl! You REALLY want to crawl, and have begun dragging yourself all over the floor to get to toys or people. Sometimes you give me slobbery baby kisses (which I LOVE) and other times you just wrap your little arms around my neck and squeeze. Oh that reminds me of your new favorite past time...ripping out my hair. Ouch. We love you baby girl! Here's to month #5 being the best yet!

3 Months!

I am finally getting around to blogging about Eva turning 3 months old...and here she is close to 4! Oh well, at least I took these pictures on her 3 month birthday! She grows and changes every day - and she is really starting to develop her personality more and more. At three months she weighs 15 pounds and is wearing size 3-6 month clothing. She eats every 2 and 1/2 to 3 hours and sleeps all night! (Most of the time!) She is smiling constantly and really melts the hearts of all she comes in contact with. People at church just light up when she flashes them that toothless grin. My favorite smile is where she wrinkles her nose up while smiling. It is just too much! No matter what kind of day I'm having - when I see that little wrinklenose all my troubles disappear.
She watches Mason constantly, so he is a really big help in keeping her occupied so Mom can get a few things done! Whenever he comes in the room, if Eva isn't there he comes to me and asks in a very concerned voice, "Mama, where Evee?" I can't wait until she can crawl after him and jabber right back to him. I may lose my mind if she talks as much as Mason does. Having 2 kids talk that much would really be...I'm not even going to think about it! haha.
Eva, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank God for you. And there's not a night that goes by that I don't pray over you as I lay you down in your bed to sleep. You are my angel!

Word World

Mason is really talking up a storm lately. He says many words really well - but with more difficult words, he just kind of makes up his own. I thought I would chronicle some of my favorite "Masonisms" because I know I won't remember them when he is all grown!

Motorcycle = mook sah ah

Chicken Nugget = chick sah ah

Eva = Eveee

Smile = sahmee

Biscuit = seebic

Mason = Maynan

Cabrero = Aboodoo

Elephant = Ehhh

French Fries = fies

Crackers = cahcahs

Spider = Sahbee

Mine = MINE!

Just in the last week or so he has put together real sentences. It is so fun to actually have a conversation with him. When we are in the car he talks incessantly to me. Which is cute sometimes, and other times is, well, not so cute. Ha ha. He also uses a lot of hand motions when he talks, which has earned him the nickname "The Preacher" at church. Who knows, maybe he will be one someday! Eva lights up when her big brother talks to her. This morning when she woke up he excitedly said "Hi Evee!" and gave her a big kiss. It was so sweet to see them interact. I can only hope they stay close friends for life. I know I treasure the special friendships I have with each of my brothers. What a blessing family is!

Just Some Fun

Here are some pics of life lately! It's a bit of a zoo around here sometimes!

Mason got into the DVD's while mommy was busy...

Soaking up that rare quality time when Daddy is home

Eva and her Elephant!

It's Bumbo Time!! I thought I would bust it out to see if she could sit in it yet. She loved it!

This one is just darling. Brother and Sister. My heart is melting!

Poor Jake was on the receiving end of some sticker time. Ironically, the sticker stuck to his rump says "I was brave." haha. I think Jake has to be brave to put up with being Mason's play mate.