The Pumpkin patch

10/17
We went to the local kiddy amusement park today with some friends from preschool. They had a special Halloween exhibit set up. Maya really enjoyed it.

10/18

Maya loves fall as much as I do. She's been looking forward to the pumpkin patch for weeks. We were planning to go with some friends but they flaked out on us. But it works out better I think. Maya wanted to go to the same place we went last year (since she's old enough to remember these things now. She also has requested turkey, pumpkin pie, pecan pie and to watch the parade for Thanksgiving and to stay home for Christmas since that's what she remembers from last year) We got there early before it was too crowded. We rode the train, the spinning pumpkins, the tractor ride, mined for gems (Maya informed me that they aren't gems they are minerals) had lunch and the ever important cotton candy, picked out pumpkins. Overall a busy but fun day.

Nora scowling at me because I'm too close and not holding her

10/19

Sunday we painted pumpkins because Maya just couldn't wait any longer. I had the bright idea to let Nora paint hers. She did enjoy it but it was messy. (Also note to self don't leave the painted pumpkins outside next time. It rained for once and the posting started peeling off, then one of them got munched on by a squirrel.)

Camping

9/24
I was in Nora's room getting clothes for her. I put her in her crib with a toy. When I turned around she was standing. First time she's pulled up in the crib.

9/26-9/27
We went camping with a group of friends that we do preschool with. We got there before everyone else so we hiked around a bit. We then came back to a not yet set up camp for Maya's nap.

After nap we set up the tent and got settled. We roasted hotdogs and marshmallows and chatted with friends around the fire. We didn't freeze which is an improvement over the last time we went camping. The girls both slept OK but I think I'm too old to camp without an air mattress. The next morning we did some exploring and more hiking. We then had lunch and some of us played with sticks and dirt before heading home.

Nora is 7 months and Apple picking

9/20
Nora turned 7 months old. We went apple picking. Maya loved apple picking and eating the apples. We got to the apple farm early, picked 20 lbs of apples, had a picnic, and finished up with apple pie and ice cream. Nora kept crawling to our picnic neighbors' blanket. It was bright, flower print. More interesting than our blanket and toys.

9/23
First story time at the library for Nora. Nora kept crawling over to a little boy sitting by us and smiling/talking to him. Maya came along and also kept talking to everyone. The librarian was like let's sing "x" and Maya says actually we sing "y" instead. 

Thumbs up, crawling, and counting

9/11

Nora is 29 weeks. Maya had gym this morning. Then we went grocery shopping. Maya picked out pretzel bread as a snack to share. Nora kept lunging for mine. I finally gave it to her, not expecting her to put it in her mouth because it's food. But she enjoyed nomming on it. She cried when I took it away. So apparently she likes to eat leaves, grass, and bread. Her teeth are still bothering her I think. She's been chewing on her thumb like crazy, hence the thumbs up photos below.

Maya mocking Nora

I was trying to get a video of Nora crawling but got this instead

9/13

Nora is fascinated by Maya's light up crocs. She was chasing Maya around. She was crawling crawling rather than a mix of that and belly crawling. It wasn't a fast chase but Maya will be in trouble soon.

9/15

Apple stamping for A while I cooked

This is her don't let the grass touch me pose

9/17
Preschool was at our house this week. We learned about seeing and hearing. I wasn't sure how it would go with 3 kids + Nora. It went well, other than one brief periods of chaos near the end. We played a listening matching game by putting uncooked rice, popcorn and noodles in little containers. Then they played with them, scoping, pouring, shaking. It was lots of fun until the lid popped off of one. As I was cleaning that up another got spilled. Then Maya thinks that's a hilarious game and starts flinging the rice, corn, and pasta everywhere. I tried to get her to help me clean it up and she's knocking it everywhere with her broom. Finally I decide just to get everyone in circle time for books and deal with it afterwards. And Nora decided she needed fed about that time also.

9/18
Nora is 30 weeks. She loves to pull up on people

Sick + Thursdays with Nora's (32 weeks)

I'm behind yet again. The last few weeks/weekends were busy. And we have all been sick again. This is Nora's fourth cold (I think) in her seven months. Nora started getting snotty Sunday. Then Maya, Derek and I quickly followed. It's not been too bad, other than Maya's breathing issues. She really scared me yesterday. I put her down for her nap and her breathing was fine. She woke up and was really upset and she couldn't stop coughing and gasping. I got her nebulizer, but it didn't seem to help. I called Derek and was about to load everyone up for urgent care when she finally calmed down and fell back asleep. When she woke up later she was still really upset and I was again close taking her in. After another dose of albuterol, she finally seemed to be doing better. It was scary for me and for her too I think. Usually she's what her pediatrician calls a happy wheezer. Not this time though. Nora seems to be handling her cold well, other than not wanting to nap at all or just wanting to nap on me. 

Nora asleep on me and Maya right beside occasionally kicking her in the head

Nora is 32 weeks (I think, if I can count correctly, but really I don't guarantee that these days)

Everyone is on the mend and happier today.

Nora is crawling everywhere, pulling up on everything and she really wants to walk. If the front or back door is left open she tries to escape. She also thinks the bathroom is the best room in the house. She started "clapping" on Sunday. I haven't been able to get it on video. In other exciting news, she also took a few bites of food, sweet potatoes over the weekend and then carrots on Monday. She opened her mouth, let me put the spoon with food on it in, and didn't gag (excessively at least). 

Notice Nora's teeth

Nora's serious face

Maya, let me take your picture. Ok, first let me hold these leaves in front of my face so you can't see me

Ooh. Let me see