Happy Halloween!

Devin's first participating Halloween was a great success. He had fun walking to a few houses (the big baseball outfit made it difficult and we gave up sooner than we would have otherwise I bet). He really loved all the "people coming" to the house.

Daddy played 'coach', Devin was a Cubs Baseball and Gwynne was a ghost.




He fell in love with Its the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and learned how to jump in the leaves just like Linus.

















In his baseball costume at a local store's Halloween party.

Our Little Crank

I really should take more accurate pictures, but it isn't as much fun taking pictures of the normal fussing princess.

So here a few happy moments.

Working on sitting up.















Playing with the color accent option on the camera.

Another Fall Festival

Fall Festival at a nearby Veterinary Clinic.












We went on a hay ride with a St. Bernard.













Devin learned that we need to wear a helmet for at least two things now.
1) Baseball
2) "Ride pony"












This is our second attempt. We tried at the Corn Maize and he got spooked when it was time to get on. This time he had a moment of hesitation and then went for it! The handlers were much more friendly too and I bet that helped.

Riding his first pony.








Before heading to the car, we rode once more. This time ...a horse!

"Giddyap!"

Running on Empty

Gwynne is still not sleeping all that well for us. We had 3 nights in a row of normalcy before she went back to crying for an hour and a half last night.

But on occasion the two of then cooperate for a short run with Mommy.

Sweet Gwynne

Okay, she did cry for 3 hours last night, but at least she is making up for it during the day.




























I have a pic of Devin and Blue that's rather similar. Somehow Wendy never cooperates.

Lunch in Middleburg

We met Nana and Bampa in Middleburg - an almost halfway point to meet for us - for lunch.










After a perfect lunch we walked a bit in the chilly (hello Mr. Winter ...you are early, no?)


Devin asked to ride in the backpack since Gwynne is always in the pack. We had to twist Nana's arm to carry the little pink bundle. :-)






A favorite of Devin's: berry trees!

Ticonderoga Farm

A wonderful trip to Ticonderoga Farms. It was fall fun week for us. First the corn maize on Monday.

Then to Ticonderoga Farms in Chantilly where we met up with friends for a whole lot of fun.

Devin was still blah about the slides, but got into everything else.





Like flowers, goats, chickens, noah's ark playground....





















In the tipee with Noah









Flower cutouts in the hay tunnel



















Big tunnels




















Lots of running fun












And of course the Hay Ride. Gwynne even got into the ride. She had as much fun as Devin.

We're still working on posing all together for a family shot. I was happy to just have a picture of the three of us together.

Corn Maize

A cold day for the Corn Maize in Leesburg, but we always go on Columbus Day since Chris and I were dating so we bundled up, and off we went.

Devin stylin' with his hat-hair and darth vader glasses.












Out in no time, even with Devin the Navigator.












Success!

Cowboy

This post is for Uncle Fran and Aunt MaryAnn....remember those cowboy boots you got Devin back at his baptism when he was only 5 months old? Well he fits them now.













He had a great time stomping around the yard in them.

4 Month Stats

So here's the latest with this little China Doll
(Thanks to Deb for the perfect outfit)

Head: 15 3/8 inches - 10th percentile (actually a smaller reading than the 2 months visit, which according to the doctor is not possible, so somebody measured wrong)

Length: 25 3/4 inches - 95th percentile

Weight: 15 1/2 pounds - 90th percentile



She's doing great. And aside from the opposite size head than her brother she seems to be following his trend with height and weight. Interesting. We also will be attempting to get her sleeping through the night by our only option left: crying. Heaven help Mommy who can't deal with the sobs.

The bottle struggle

The post title doesn't match the pictures, but it is indeed a struggle. I have just about given up on trying to give Gwynne a bottle of breastmilk. She is SO stubborn. After crying through one with Daddy we got a couple good feedings with Bampa and a lovely one with Devin. But sadly she went back to fighting the bottle a week later.

She will probably go right to a sippy cup.

On our good days

Dedication: practicing in the rain.

If you look at the larger picture you can see the ball. Home Run!










"I'm mowing in the rain, just mowing in the rain, what a glorious feeling, I'm happy again..."

















jumping to the Beach Boys













My challenges - my joys