Happy Halloween!

Costume hunting for Halloween is always an adventure.  Since we live in the frozen tundra northern Illinois, I know that, most likely, it's going to be cold and/or rainy for trick-or-treating.  I really don't like the idea of spending a fortune on a Halloween costume, only to have it be covered up by a coat.  So, I search for warm options.  Drew suggested Annelise's costume this year, and I dressed Harrison up as an accessory.

Annelise is an eskimo and Harrison is a polar bear!  Cute, huh?

We went over to Drew's grandma's house after Annelise woke up from her nap to show off their costumes.  Once we got back home, we bundled Annelise up in some gloves, put Harrison in the stroller with a bunch of blankets and took off to trick-or-treat.  Harrison didn't make it too long before he was screaming and wanted to eat.  I brought him back home and Drew took Annelise house to house.  They didn't go to nearly as many houses as we all went to last year, and I'm sure the cold had everything to do with that.

Apple Orchard

Drew started a three week long training class for work today, so he's working days during the week for the next three weeks.  Today was probably the last pretty warm day that we're going to have, so we decided to take advantage of it and take a quick trip to the apple orchard once Drew got home from class.  We didn't have much time, but you don't exactly need that much time when the whole purpose of the trip is donuts and apples, right?  And, we had to take the annual family picture by the sign!

We took pictures as soon as we got there.  After pictures, we went into the barn and got some donuts, apples, and apple butter.  Then, we stopped and grabbed a bite to eat before letting Annelise run around and play for a little bit.

I was actually starting to get a little worried that we wouldn't make it out there.  Annelise can handle a little bit of chilly weather, but I wouldn't want to take Harrison if it was too cold.  So, I'm really glad that we made it to the apple orchard today.

Rainbow Rice Sensory Activity

A few months ago, I made some rainbow rice for Annelise for a sensory activity.  I figured that it would be a good activity to keep her busy while someone watched her while I was in the hospital with Harrison.  No one actually used it, and it has just sat on the counter since then.  This morning, Harrison went back to sleep just as Annelise was waking up.  I fed her breakfast, and then asked her if she wanted to play with the rainbow rice.  She was entertained for a good 40 minutes until Harrison woke up.  She actually probably would have played longer if I let her.

Rainbow Rice

6 freezer bags
Food coloring
1 5 lb bag of rice
1 bottle of hand sanitizer

1) Put 2 cups of rice into 6 freezer bags.
2) Add 15 drops of food coloring to each bag.  Orange = 8 yellow + 8 red.  Purple = 8 red + 8 blue
3) Add 2 tablespoons of hand sanitizer to each bag.  (I did 20-25 pumps)
4) Mix together and let sit for 20-25 minutes.
5) Heat oven to 170 degrees and dry rice for 15-18 minutes.

Pumpkin Patch

Nothing screams fall more than trips to the Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard.  Today, we all went to the Pumpkin Patch.  Annelise had an absolute blast, Harrison was mainly along for the ride, and Drew and I love seeing the joy on Annelise's face.

The first thing that we did was get a wrist band so that Annelise could ride the ponies and jump on the inflatables.

After watching her ride, I'm fairly certain that she could ride by herself without us next to her.  I just can't get over how fast she's growing up.

After the pony ride, we took the obligatory family picture in front of the pumpkin.

Annelise spotted the inflatables, so we made our way over to them so she could slide and bounce for a little bit.  Harrison and I hung out while Drew stuck close to Annelise.

Drew and I were starting to get hungry, so we sweet talked Annelise into getting out of the bounce house and going and getting some lunch.  After lunch, we took Annelise to look at the animals.  She got a kick out of the ducks, and one of them kept quacking at her.

Then, we picked out our pumpkins.  We decided not to go pick our own this year since it was so windy.  If I would have been able to leave Harrison in the stroller and out of the wind, we would have gone, but I didn't want to make him miserable.

Annelise asked to have a cookie while we were paying for the pumpkins.  I agreed since she had been so good.  We put her in the wagon to ride out to the car.  Once we got out there, Drew looked at me and asked if she had opened the cookie all by herself.  Uh, duh!  I love being able to experience all these firsts again with Harrison.  But, I also know that next year will be even more fun when he's older and able to enjoy them more.

Three Months - Harrison

Dear Harrison,

So many fun and exciting things have happened in the past month.  Watching you grow is so fun for me.  You are growing so fast.  You are wearing 6 month clothing and size 3 diapers!  I transitioned you to size 2 diapers, and then a little over two weeks later, you needed to move up a size.  Unreal!  I just can't believe how big you've gotten already.  A part of me is so proud because I know that you are growing well because of me.  And let me tell you, you sure do eat!

Your sleep has definitely regressed this month.  You went from sleeping until at least 5 AM, to waking up around 3 AM, then getting up every two hours or so after that.  Buddy, Mommy is exhausted.  Naps are hit or miss.  Some days are pretty good, some days are awful.  You are still sleeping at night in the Rock N Play in Mommy and Daddy's room, and naps are in your swing.  My goal is to start working on transitioning you to your crib this month.

I've been a slacker on tummy time for you.  You're just so cranky usually, that I don't want to make it worse.  And the times that you are happy, I don't want to ruin it by sticking you on your tummy.  I've been trying to make an effort to put you down more.  I laid you down on your tummy one day and you rolled over to your back.  I sort of set you up for it though, because you were already sort of on your side.  When I lay you on the floor on your back to change your diaper, sometimes you will roll onto your side.  I think it will be a little bit before you actually complete the roll, but part of me feels like you might roll back to belly first.

Your two month appointment was almost a week after your two month birthday.  At first, you didn't mind it, and didn't even scream during the weighing and measuring.  However, while waiting for the nurse to come back in for your vaccines, you got quite impatient and started to scream.  You were not a fan of the shots, obviously, and then ran a fever the next day.  But, in spite of the fever, you were still pretty smiley.

You had your first "cold" this month.  Basically it was just a little congestion.  I noticed it particularly after you were laying down.  Once I sat you up, you didn't seem as bad.  I think that sleeping inclined in the RNP helped.

You have started to really love watching Annelise.  If she's close by, she has all of your attention.  I love to see you watch her.  She loves playing with you, and I know that she's looking forward to the day when she doesn't have to be quite so gentle with you.

You have also started to take an interest in the tv.  I catch you watching it all the time.  I think you just love the lights and colors.  I set up the activity mat for you, and you like it, but only for a little bit.  I think that you get a little overwhelmed with it all.

This next month will be very busy with lots of activities for your first fall.  I can't wait to experience all these firsts again with you.  I know that you won't remember any of it, but I'll take lots of pictures for you.

Love you forever,
Mommy