Each year I take the kids to my home town for the annual Fall Festival. It usually falls the weekend before Halloween.  The festivities include a craft show, costume parade & contest, hayrack ride and haunted house.  Matt came along this year, but spent the day with my brother tailgating & attending the KU football game.

Aidan, the tough defensive line football player, wasn’t thrilled at the costume parade…

 

because of this guy…

Can’t say I blame him!  Isaac was the hungry football! Luckily he fit in the costume, I thought I made it big enough…but when he stretches out it’s juuuuust right! He’s so sweet!

 

My awesome cousins chaperoned the hayrack ride this year. They’re such a great help!  They are not allowed to have children of their own until mine are old enough to help them.

Each year the kids and I beat tracks home from the Melvern fall festival to attend our church fall festival.  The kids walk around and play carnival games and earn candy…lots and lots of candy.  Here’s Emma with the Kooser girls!   

Whew!  It’s always a great weekend! Great memories and great photos…in the leaves…pics to come soon…

Our fall festivities began with Emma having a friend over for a baking playdate.  We started with *endless* hours of trying to get the pumpkins just right in these cookies…

Next, was rolled sugar cookies. The girls helped roll the dough.  They played during the baking & cooling process.

Then on to the fun!  Icing & decorating!  Here’s Aidan using his popsicle stick to eat spread icing on his cookie.

I think the girls favorite part was coating decorating  the cookies with sprinkles.  Wow!

Emma & Avery are so cute!  They are quite a pair.  Knowing each other from church & then being in the same Kind. class they’ve become quick besties!  We even have to coordinate their lunches (sack/school) so they can sit next to each other at school.  The teachers have commented that when one is gone (sick..or to Disney…which Avery did invite Emma to go, w/out asking her parents!) the other is sad & lost.  They also enjoy seeing each other at church!

They girls took cookies for their teachers, but no worries.  I’ve been a teacher…*I* decorated the teacher’s cookies!

And no post would be complete w/out a shot of Isaac…he was a perfect angel the whole time I was covered in flour & attempting to keep the other 6 little hands out of creating a bigger mess!

    

 
.: Stats- 12 lbs 12 oz & 23 in. long


.: What You’re Wearing- Size 2 diapers because you flooood size ones.  0-3 month clothing still fits, but you’re about to be too long for them, so very close to 3-6 month.


.: Firsts- pumpkin patch visit, bus and hayrack ride, sunburn, trip to park & second sunburn *bad mommy!*, 2 birthday parties (Libby & Dylan), smiles & cooing, and on the night before you turned 2 months you slept through the night!! Happy 2 mo birthday gift for mommy!


.: From Head to Toe- Your skin is one big flake right now!  Your scalp, forehead & ears in particular.  I did learn that putting lotion on your scalp did NOT make your hair more greasy, if anything it make it less?!?!?!  We had you on Zyntac for reflux, but I didn’t like how it was working, if it was at all?!  So, I went to what I knew worked for Aidan…Dr. S!!!  (chiropractor) We went on 4 visits last week and WOW, what a different baby.  You’re pooing more regular, taking more restful naps, and just generally more content.  Dr. P said you still have quite and outtie belly button and we may need to look at getting that fixed down the road.


.: Loves- being held especially in the rocking chair, looking at sissy, staring at the bear hanging from the swing canopy, car rides OVER 45 mph, napping in the swing, when mommy claps your hands together quickly causing you to jiggle, your new BFF the thumb, movement (being held while I’m up moving around), starting to enjoy bath time, held with pacifier and patted on the bottom,


.: Dislikes- 5pm – 8pm, being left alone, tolerates the bouncy seat & floor gym, car rides under 45 mph, boppy pillow, car seat,


.: Eating-  sensitive formula 6 oz every 3-4 hours


.: Sleeping- going to bed about 10:30-11 p.m. waking about 2 a.m. to eat and sometimes again about 5 a.m. but sometimes mommy could get you to sleep with her at 5 to hold off the feeding.  Slept through the night (10 p.m. – 7 a.m.) on Sunday the 11th.


.: Misc Facts

.: So happy that I’ve taken the time to have Dr. S treat you.  It’s already made a big difference, just like it did for Aidan.  Wish we had known about him when Aidan was your age!  It’s been a lot of trips into Wichita usually with Emma and Aidan in tow (sometimes even daycare kiddos), but totally worth the time and effort.  We want you to feel good, be happy and in no pain and so far Dr. S. is getting us to that point!


.: I feel like for the first time in 2 months I’m going to survive this life as a mother of 3.  It was a tough adjustment, partially due to my extended recovery, and the past 10 days have been hard with Emma and Aidan being sick, but I’m finding a place of peace where this is all going to be OK and I will survive.  Disclaimer is that I’m typing this during nap…so these peaceful feelings of surviving may quickly change (as they often do) back to me overwhelmed!  Oh the ups and downs of motherhood!

Happy!!!

Grumpy!!  

Surprise!! 

You know you wanna pick me up!!

Mr. Innocent ~ “Why I never would even think of doing any thing naughty!"

Such a sweet, sweet baby..of course I’m biased!

Hopefully NOT his Best Friend Forever…maybe Best Friend For-awhile.

It’s been a come & go relationship.  Sometimes “he’s” here…

and other times someone (my uncoordinated arm) takes him away.  It makes me…

Sometimes in an attempt to spend time with my friend “he” hurts me…

My mommy doesn’t like my friend.  She wants me to have this…

So, when my mommy lets me cry, I find my BFF.  That’ll teach her!

Ahhh happy baby!

*I’m a bit late getting this posted, but wanted to document it anyway…

With two boys I knew it would eventually happen.  We had our first scary injury on Saturday. (Yes, that would be 2 days after finally getting Emma all healthy!! ugh!)  We had a 9 a.m. birthday party. Yes, you read that right.  NINE AM as in the MORNING birthday party.  You must know my cheery, early rising Sister in law to fully understand… 

Anyhow, the party was at Funtastics which is a gymnastic facility.  It’s a safe kid lovin’ activity place.  Zip lines, balance beams, HUGE inflatable slide,  foam pit, and injury givin’ pain inflictin’ trampolines abound to hurt entertain kiddos of all ages. 

Emma and Aidan split 2 separate directions as soon as we entered.  I got hung up “introducing” people to Isaac.  Next thing I know I look and see Aidan flying down this…

….right before he took off running down the long trampoline that “dumps” into the foam pit.  About 4 steps into his run and something happens (I think a 3 way collision…where a bigger kid jumped as Aidan did thus changing the way he landed creating a pile up.) As I look I see his feet in the air and the side of his head bouncing off the trampoline.  I go running and then I hear IT.  The cry.  THE cry that is different than “I’m mad”, “I’m slightly injured, need a kiss and off to play again”.  It was a cry full of pain.  Not a loud squeal.  Nor a “my mouth is open yet no sound or air is coming out” scream.  But a groaning cry.  My first thought as I run toward him is “and Matt’s not here!?!” I gracefully dive toward the pile of little bodies on the bouncy surface and pull Aidan toward me.  I instantly think it’s his head, but as I try to stand him to face me so I can look him over I realize he’s crying about his leg.  He won’t stand or walk on it.  OH great!  Our first broken bone I think.  After about 10 min there’s no change in his demeanor.  He’s not raring and ready to run off and play again.  If he tried to walk his leg would give way as soon as he put weight on it. So, I ditch Emma and Isaac and head off to Immediate care…for the 2nd time this week. 

We got in quickly and after X-ray they determine nothing was broken, but probably strained.  Directions to give Motrin for the next day or so for the pain and to allow him to use his leg as he tolerates.  He learned quickly that running was NOT a good idea as it resulted in a face plant.  Once in the driveway, the others luckily inside on carpet.  He was cute saying “Carry me mommy.  Please carry me.  Me no walk.  Carry me now! Ouch pampoline”

Sat. evening he fell asleep by 6pm and woke Sunday morning at 7!!! Wow! Awesome sleep! Sunday he hobbled around until I gave him a bath.  That must have loosened up his leg and he gradually started using it more.  Each step was filled with concentration as he tried not to limp…or let his leg “give way”  By Sunday night he was getting around better and Monday…well if you saw him you’d think I was making up this whole trampoline of death story.

I’m so grateful the recovery was swift…as having to carry a 40lb 2 year old around is not an easy task…I should have cut biceps & ripped abs, but unfortunately do not.

He’s been very sweet as he’s been able to regain movement.  Every now an then he’ll remember that he can in fact walk with out pain or falling and he’ll say with a shocked, excited look on his face “Me walk mommy! *tilt head toward one shoulder* All better mommy, all better.”

Yes son, all better and hopefully never hurt like that again!  So, if you invite any of my children to such a bouncin’ party never mind the helmet, bubble wrap and padding they’ll be wearing.

We’ve been hit and I hope it’s an early attack that will not return.  Sickies, germs, coodies take note.  We’ve been hit so you need not make a return visit to our household!
Aidan’s been having a runny nose and bit of congestion the last week or more.  Mainly allergy related…bring on the frost!!!  Here was his response to me saying “Aidan go get tissue and I’ll wipe your nose.”  



Believe it or not this was a welcomed change from the microscopic pieces of tissue he had been bringing me!


Matt was next hit.  Sunday after church he was bed ridden disabled not able to function sick. You know….Man Sick.  Sorry to any man reading this that might be offended.  Those of you married or with a male significant others get this.  If you’re not familiar with the condition read this and get a good laugh.


Sunday evening is when it hit Emma.  By bedtime she was at 103 +.  So, after 2 whole days back at full daycare I had to close again.  The Dr. requested seeing her after motrin and tylenol wasn’t bringing the temp down.  After 2 hours and some odd minutes of waiting Strep was the diagnosis.  As of now (Tues. afternoon) the fever is lingering, her appetite is coming back, she’s had moments of wellness to fight with brother & tire an already tired Mama.  The mother in me is suffering from feelings of parental failure.  The teacher in me is dying.  She’s now missed 2 days of school!!! AH!!! We must start tutoring and educational exercises so she not be held back or suffer any learning delays!! I’m certain she’s missed bunches.  The worst part…this is probably the beginning  of her being “sick” on days she doesn’t want to go to school!


Isaac is holding strong as am I.  Of course.  Mommy’s don’t have time to be sick!!  I pray you and your family remains unattacked by the sickies, however this year is already shaping up to be a bad one Swine flu or not.  BTW what is one to do? To vaccinate or not? I’m going with NOT.  Hope I don’t regret that choice.