Cue Fall: Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday, Anni and I took part in one of the wonderful typical fall activities [fall = favorite]. We went to the pumpkin patch :). While she won't remember it, it was a lot of fun to start a tradition and get out of the apartment to hang out with some other mommies and their kids. There was also a mini corn maze (that we basically just wandered around for awhile until we realized we should probably find the exit... and so we did...) and a sand-box filled with corn kernels. Could life get any better? I submit that it could not. Anyway, without further ado - a few pictures from our little adventure. (Did I mention that this was actually my first pumpkin patch ever as well?)




The sandbox full of kernels? Definitely didn't expect Anni to love it...but as soon as we added some mommy-shade so the sun stopped making her squirm... she was a happy little girl :). A true Cornhusker at heart.


Anyway, a good day. Even got to try out a much comfier baby carrier than mine (an Ergo... the hype is true - it's beautiful, and comfortable for both Miss Nugget and I). I told Daniel how much I loved it, and he promptly said, "Let's get one." Love my husband :). Also, check out another mommy's lovely blog on the day.

Happy Fall!

did I mention this is my very favoritest season ever?

Love.

Today, she grinned and talked and I loved her more than I thought I could.

Miss Nugget at 5 months...

At 5 months old, our baby Nugget is growing up :). She has officially started to roll over, but only when she really wants to. If one of us rolls her to her tummy, she likes to roll back to her back and give us an impish little look that says, "Excuse me? I want to be here." She has started to grab toys and more than once I have found her falling asleep mid-play with an arm cuddling a bear close. Only downside to this? This morning she clocked herself with a rattle. woops... maybe we should stick with the soft toys for now. She has gained awesome control of her neck and head in the last month. She absolutely loves being stood up; and, despite her wobbliness, will grin from ear to ear. She has had a little "cough-laugh" for a while, but the other night start actually laughing out loud at her daddy while he played with her in the tub. Every time I turned to look; though, she would just grin and stare at me. She's also started the constant chewing on her hands. She likes to grab one hand with the other and pull it up to her mouth (see picture). We think this is partly because she can and partly because she's starting to teeth. I have to admit, I've never been a big fan of baby drool (ok, honestly, before Anni came I thought it was the grossest thing about babies), and while I would still prefer it stayed where it belonged... it's true that all these things are different with your own baby. Miss Nugget has also had to endure her first...and second...cold... and therefore has quickly learned to despise her aspirator. Luckily she seems to be getting past the latest, and hopefully all will return to normal soon. I will try to update with length and weight when Daniel's home and can help me get those :).

Weight: 13.5 lbs (ish)

Forgot to add a favorite quirk: when she's falling asleep (especially while eating or sucking her thumb) at least one hand has to be over her eyes. Love it :).

My Daddy's Birthday

Today is my daddy's birthday. My favorite moments with my dad are the Nebraska football games we go to every year. He has had season tickets since before I was born, and every year he takes one child to each home game. This is the first year since I turned 10 that I haven't gotten to go. Today I really missed it. I love the long drive through corn fields, with my dad regaling me with stories of our ancestors and, my favorite, of him when he was younger. We always park at the lumberyard where my uncle works and walk from there. I think I know the route by heart - one mile through downtown Lincoln swathed in red, past the bars blaring pre-game shows and cars upon cars tail-gating all the way to Memorial Stadium. And then the hours of sitting amongst people that have had the same seats for even longer than my dad has had his, asking silly football questions and stealing water from my dad's water bottles because I didn't want to bring my own. The tradition doesn't end with the game, though. Nope, there's even more. After retracing our steps back to the lumberyard and eating far too much buttered popcorn as my dad and his brothers, we hop in the car and go to Lee's , where my dad will order the chicken fried steak and tell me to order extra chicken so he can eat it later. I will get the same strawberry shake with a cherry on top that I've gotten since I was 10 and the football conversation that I only half understand will continue. I love it. I miss it. I can't wait until next year when I can be there again. Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Growing... growing... huge :) [Wichita Take Two]

32 years ago, my parents were married... and out of that marriage came the six of us (and one beautiful baby in heaven). I love my family. It is big, and loud (very), and we argue a lot and we love each other even more.

When we were in Wichita, we attempted to take some family pictures (yes, tripod!) It was an interesting time as I think sometimes the adult children are harder to chorale than the children... Either way, I love recording our growing family. Here we are:

Our little family

Seven grandchildren! Three added this year :)

Oh, the six of us... all out of our teens finally... so crazy to be growing up!

And here we are. All 19 of us.