Josh & Jen's Shower

Last weekend, we took a quick overnight trip to the north suburbs of Chicago. We attended a baby shower for Josh (a good friend of Burke's from his high school years) & Jen. They are due on December 8. The shower was a lot of fun and Ryan & Evan did a great job. 

When the games started and the pens came out, of course Ryan wanted to draw too. Somehow, he migrated to this balloon and started drawing on it. I thought it was quite resourceful and creative of him. I'm just really glad it didn't pop in his face. That would have traumatized him, I'm sure. 

Then we played this game, where we each cut a piece of ribbon. The ribbon was to be our best guess as to how big around Jen would measure. Upon arriving, I noticed that Jen was carrying similarly to how I carried Ryan and Evan. I thought she looked like I looked when pregnant. So, I cut my ribbon according to my memory of what I looked like. I wrapped that ribbon around me and left space for my baby belly, the way I remember it. Sure enough, my ribbon and Jen's actual ribbon were almost exactly the same length. I was quite proud of myself and fondly remembered my pregnancies. 

Evan got a hold of a cup. He was cracking me up with his pretend drinking. (Side note: he also does a lot of pretend eating; he feeds us; he is eating more and more finger foods; and he is starting to use a sippy cup.)

Josh & Jen opening their gifts while Ryan checks out the goods. 

It was a really enjoyable shower. We stayed at a hotel that night where we got to swim, which Ryan & Evan both enjoy. The next morning, we were able to meet Steve, Joey & Christine for breakfast before heading home. Fun weekend!!

Little Fireman

Evan reaches/points/vocalizes toward everything these days. I say he "dive bombs" to reach for things while I carry him. I had just put Ryan down for a nap when Evan dive bombed for Ryan's Halloween fireman coat. I thought, how cute could this be...? Answer: Pretty cute! Especially with a happy baby smile like this!

Like Dada

A common phrase around here is "like dada does..." Ryan LOVES to imitate Burke. And he LOVES to help.  So when Burke started doing yard work, Ryan was right there. We had just picked up a hoe and a fertilizer spreader at the hardware store, so Ryan was quick to experiment with those new tools. 

First he worked in the garden, turning over the soil...

Then he wandered into the garage and turned the fertilizer spreader into a lawn mower and helped Burke cut the grass. We were all amused by this. I continue to be excited by his resourcefulness and imagination.

Fall Fun

We had a lot of fun, fall-style, this past weekend. On Saturday we went to the last farmers' market of the season. Then we rode the carousel, played on the playground at the beach, and ate delicious pizza. On Sunday we went to a local pumpkin farm that has a play space for kiddos. 

Evan at the carousel. 

At the pumpkin farm, Ryan rings the bell. 

 Evan loved ringing the bell too. 

All aboard!!!

Peek-a-boo!

Crazy caterpillar

Picking out pumpkins

Hot Tub Emergency

Yes, he is dressed as a fireman. It's his Halloween costume. At first, he cried when I tried to put the jacket on him. But when he saw how he looked in the mirror, he loved it. And now he wants to wear it just for fun.

Burke was cleaning out the hot tub last weekend. Ryan thought that the open tub would be the perfect place to play with his cars.

 Oh no!! Car in the water!! Call the fireman!!

Car is retrieved. Crisis averted. Glad we had an emergency worker on the scene.

Playing Drums...Sort of...

Look at this drumming, singing, dancing 10 month old!



Evan is super cute almost all day, but night, he tends to be a little screaming monster. Hopefully, the screaming is from teething/growing issues and not from us instilling bad sleep habits. We shall see...

(p.s. Don't mind the tired, whiny 2 year old noise in the background.)

Apple Orchard

On Saturday afternoon, we braved the cold fall air and headed to the apple orchard. 

We took a tractor hayride from the market area out to the picking area. Hayride pictures...

Ryan picking some Red Delicious.

(Not sure why he's making that face. Looks suspicious.)

Ryan got a kick out of climbing the ladder. 

Of course, we all had to sample the apples...

Even Little E had a taste...

Then we had delicious cider mill doughnuts. Probably the best we've ever had. We loves these pictures. Here's a play-by-play.

Evan reaches for Ryan's doughnut. 

Ryan shares with Evan. 

Both boys assess the situation.

Ryan is amused by this brotherly act of sharing. 

Evan wants more. 

Budding Artist

I've been watching Ryan "draw" for quite a while now, but yesterday, something was different about his demeanor as he was doing so. I think sitting at the table and using a spiral notebook (which he's never done before) helped set the stage. First he made that awesome black pen circle in the middle of the page. Then I started giving him markers. He very deliberately, with a pretty good pencil grip, made a green circle around his black pen marks. The intention behind it seemed significant to me.  

 Look at that pencil grip!! 

So focused!

Burpy

Early on, Evan took to this little burp cloth and uses it as a blankie. He prefers the feel of terrycloth, I guess. So I've dubbed it his "burpy". And he sucks his thumb, which Ryan never took to.

Isn't he just adorable?