Fall Update

Since we have a new addition to our family, Baby Aaron, I thought I should keep up the blog :)

Here is our fall so far...

At the end of September, we went on our annual trip to the Renaissance Festival with the Clements. It was as usual a lot of fun; however Elliot didn't take her nap that day so we only have one good picture of her. Her favorite part of the day was playing on the pirate themed playground!

This fall was Elliot's first trip to a pumpkin patch! Well, it was really a church's big parking lot, but she still had a great time wandering around and trying to pick up all the big pumpkins. She would have sat among the pumpkins all day if I let her. She got very upset when it was time to go.We got a pumpkin to carve and then Elliot picked out two smaller pumpkins for her and her baby brother :)

This was also Elliot's first time trick-or-treating! She was an adorable duck :) We picked that costume because it was the first animal noise she learned to do. The village in our neighborhood did a family trick-or-treating event the Saturday before Halloween. The restaurants and shops had "We have treats!" signs to show who was participating. Some places had candy, the library had free books, the cupcake shop allowed kids to decorate their own cupcake, and lots more! It was the perfect casual way to trick-or-treat with a toddler! By the end, Elliot got really good at getting candy! At first she only took one piece, and then she starting grabbing handfuls...and sometimes going back for seconds :)

During our time spent at home with hurricane Sandy, Tim and Elliot carved a great jack-o-lantern :) Elliot had no problem digging in with all the goop!

Now that you're updated, hopefully soon I'll post about the addition of our sweet baby boy :)

Florida Part 2

On Monday, Elliot, my mom, and I set off to visit more friends and family! We met my grandpa at the best place for breakfast...Cracker Barrel! He hadn't seen Elliot four months, so she was a totally new little girl :) She impressed us all by finishing off an entire parfait by herself! I always enjoy seeing my grandpa, especially now that I live farther away. After a yummy breakfast, we look around in the gift shop. Elliot loved the necklaces, and got very upset when I had to carry her out the door because she didn't want to leave without one.

Then we traveled a little farther north to visit my old college roommates in St. Augustine! It had been almost two years since I had seen Megan, Brittany, and Sarah! I love these ladies and miss them so much!! Although we graduated five years ago and our lives have changed so much, we are always able to start back right where we left off :)

Elliot was a little overwhelmed by Brittany's three boys, but she warmed up and had fun with them. She loved playing the piano with them, but did not like it when Titus would take out the blocks she so carefully cleaned up. Elliot is not afraid to show her bossiness if someone is not following her directions...

After too short of a visit, we drove back home through one of Florida's many thunderstorms. I always forget how crazy Florida weather can be! When I was little, my mom and I used to watch the thunderstorms and playfully count the time between booms. Because we made it a game, I was never really afraid of storms. So my mom carried on this tradition with Elliot, who loved watching the wind and rain with Nana.

Unfortunately, we had to leave the next day and head back home. We had a great time, and I extend a warm welcome to all our friends to come and visit us in DC :)

Here is Elliot outside the Disney shop and saying "buh bye" to Florida.

Thankfully we'll see my mom soon when our baby boy decides to arrive in November! Then Nana will get lots of Elliot time while Mommy cares for the little one :)

Florida. part 1

On July 27th, Elliot and I took our annual trip to Florida to see my family and friends. Elliot and I (and baby boy) shared a plane seat going down there. Elliot actually did really well! We flew through her nap time so she was mostly just tired and wanted to read her new books.We were greeted by my ecstatic mom and headed east to the beach where my parents live.After getting Elliot checked out all her new toys at Nana and Grandpa's house, we took a quick swim in the pool. I forgot how nice it is to have a pool right in your backyard!!

The next day Elliot felt awful :( We think she might be allergic to the cat...sorry baby girl, not kitties in your future. We decided that some fresh salt air might due the trick, so my mom and I took her to the beach! She did not like the loose sand and enjoyed picking up the rocks, not the seashells (because that's what she collects at home, it's what she knows). Elliot is also recently fascinated with her shadow. She says hi to it whenever we are at home, but she could not understand why her shadow was at the beach!!

That day we went to visit my friend Jessica and brought over lunch from my favorite burrito place, Dakine Diegos! And then Elliot and I took it easy at my parents' the rest of the day. That night I got together with my dearest friends Kim, Jackie, Alexis, Jessica, and Leah!! We ate dinner, caught up, and played games. I stayed out until 12:30 am!!! I know! The last time that happened was before Elliot was born!

On Sunday, Elliot felt better, so we loaded up the car with beach gear and headed over to the beach for the morning. Again, she wasn't too sure about it, but after playing with her beach toys and taking brave trips down to the water with Nana, she was a regular beach baby :)

Part 2, coming soon :)

Blueberries for Elliot

One thing I love about where we live is the location. We are ten minutes to DC and forty minutes to the country. We can see towering monuments with gorgeous mountains behind them. So Elliot and I met up with Rachel and her son Wilson to take advantage of the country side. Close to where they live in Maryland, is an orchard that grows tons of seasonal produce and flowers. Of course we had to go blueberry picking since it is Elliot's #1 favorite fruit, and one of her top five favorite foods. After a quick wagon ride, the four of us were in the thick of blueberry picking!

Elliot did really well at picking the blueberries! Fortunately, the juicy big ones came of the branches really easily.

She was very serious about her job, and was a good little helper...

 that is until she discovered that they tasted amazing! For the rest of the time, I picked and Elliot ate :)

We had a great afternoon, and I can't wait to go back to pick apples and pumpkins!!!

PS- FL pictures up next :)

It's A Boy!

We are having a baby boy and are so excited! I knew it was going to be a boy. Tim hoped it would be a boy. And God is blessing us with our boy in 15 short weeks!

The three of us found out the sex at the 20 week ultrasound. My practice has a new policy where they do not do the 17-20 week ultrasound until at least the 20th week. They do this now so the doctor does the ultrasound with you, not a technician. While it drove me crazy to wait longer this time around, I enjoyed it much more! The pictures were clearer and the doctor was able to tell us in more detail about what we were seeing. He also pointed out where they look for specific disabilities and abnormalities and that we were in the clear. Elliot of course had no idea what was going on, she just though it was cool to look at the glowing screen in the dark room :)

So you would think 5 weeks later I would have the boy's room started. Ummm, no. His room is the now "guest room/office/store the crap we don't know where it should go" room. So last week I cleared out our storage closet to make room for all the stuff that was in his room to make room for his stuff. A charity is coming in two weeks to pick up the bed and dresser. Other than that... I still have a lot to do. But hey, he'll spend the first couple months in the Pack N' Play in our room, so we have some time. When you come to visit, just don't expect to see a finished nursery like Elliot's room.

A Weekend Away

Last Friday, I did a very difficult thing...I left my baby girl for the weekend. Although I did shed a few tears while I was packing up her bags, I knew she'd be in good hands. And of course she has a great weekend with my coworker Kim and her family! I don't know if she missed us at all :)

Then Saturday morning, we flew to Kentucky with Sam and Jenny for Brian and Karly's wedding. The short flight was in a, to quote myself "tiny ass plane," but the ride was thankfully smooth. Then we rented a car, and made the drive to Jasper, Indiana. We made many jokes about how small the town was, but it really was a cute place...but I defiantly wouldn't want to live there. The outdoor ceremony was sweet, despite the heat. I was very thankful that Sam and Jenny came too, because Jenny is pregnant and due in December. So her and I sipped on water, while the boys bellied up to the keg of beer. We also had a good time meeting Mike's girlfriend and catching up with them.

Brian and Karly were of course adorable! We're so happy that our friend Brian found someone who fits with him so well. Karly was gorgeous in her lace wedding dress! After dinner there was dancing, corn hole, and hanging out. Karly never left the dance floor, and Brian ended the night rapping :) Overall, it was a wonderful wedding, and I'm really glad we went!

Update!

We have had a busy last couple months! But with the last day of school behind me, I'm hoping to get back on track with the blog and laundry and grocery shopping and...

So the big news in our little home is that we're expecting another crazy adorable baby! Although this new little one is earlier in our timetable, we're excited. Ok, I have to admit I wasn't thrilled when I first saw the two pink lines on the pregnancy test. I kept telling Tim, "Oh my gosh! We're going to have two kids THIS Thanksgiving. We're going to have two kids THIS Christmas!!" Although I had some restless nights, God and I talked it out and I told Him that this one must be really great in order to come earlier than I was ready ;) So we're all on board, and baby #2 is due to arrive on November 18th.

Our first born, Elliot the Adorable (most of the time), had her 15 month checkup last week! Our big girl is 32 inches tall (95th percentile) and I think 26 pounds (75th percentile). She continues to eat everything in sight, but still loves fruit, especially blueberries. Elliot says a couple words: Mama, Dada, ba (ball), dain dew (thank you), uh oh. She also signs "please" "sleepy" and "eat." Now before you're impressed with "please," I have to let you know she says it for everything. Elliot thinks that if she signs please, she gets what she whatever wants. She is constantly amazing me with what she remembers! Elliot knows the covers & spines of all her books and where they go one her bookshelf. They other day, Tim & I were singing "You are my sunshine" to her, and Elliot immediately went over and picked out the "You are my sunshine" book and handed it to me!

My latest confession: My child has watched Disney Jr. I know kids aren't supossed to watch TV until 2, but when Mommy is nauseous and needs a break, sometimes Micky Mouse Clubhouse brings a little bit of sanity to the day. Elliot only really watches it in the beginning and the end when the songs play so she can dance.She LOVES their "Hot Dog" song at the end!

What's next? Well, Tim & I are headed off to Indiana for our friends Brian & Karly's wedding, while my wonderful coworker Kim watches our sweet girl. I'm nervous about being away from Elliot for longer than a night, but I know she'll be in good hands. So after the wedding, I hope to have more pictures and posts to share :)