to the pumpkin patch.

We had one really beautiful, warm day this week. When I checked the forecast and saw that coming, I knew we had to take advantage of it. So we met up with my brother and his little family at an apple orchard/pumpkin patch place. We went last year, but each year just gets more fun as the kiddos grow. Somehow we managed to get almost the entire place to ourselves with the most perfect weather.

[You guys, look at his unbuttoned pants. He is such an old man, it cracks me up. 

My little Linc isn't so little anymore.] 

 [I spy with my little eye, drool. Always drooling.]

[Cousins! Not pictured- Lincoln and the newest addition, Lela- just one month old!]

two iphone pics:

[Yup, all three went down that slide!]

[Lips. Eyelashes. Need I say more?]

You can see last year's post here!

where i've been {lately}.

Warning: this post is filled with randomness. It's time for me to release all the stuff cluttering my brain. We are only a week into August and all of this has happened already...

Let's start with a picture, shall we?

We hit up the fair last week. I remember when we first took only Audrey and here we are bringing three kiddos now. Oh, and that picture of those two holding hands? For the most part, they really are that sweet with each other. I'm so happy they have each other. 

Besides the fair, life has been, well, just crazy-great-oh-my-gosh-busy. We hosted a housewarming party last weekend. Every single time we drive into our neighborhood I seriously breathe a sigh of relief. I'm so thankful we are here. 

I've started seriously working out again and eating better. I'm ready to make a commitment to it. I want to be healthy for me and my family. What I do, sets the example for my kids, I want them to know we should take care of the body God gave us. This boot camp (which I scored through a Groupon!) is awesome. Totally intense and awesome. It's only a five week course, but I'm learning so many great exercises I can implement at home (and I already have!). 

August has also brought more working hours for me. Previously, I worked at my church (as the Director of Elementary Programs) about 10 or so hours a week, well that just doubled. I'm so excited about it. I'm thankful that I can work mostly from home and be apart of such an awesome body of believers. I get to use my degree too! Now it's just finding the balance. For the first time ever as parents, we had to hire a babysitter to come to our house a couple times of week so I can get fixed hours in. So far, it seems to be going well. 

This month Audrey is beginning a real dance class. I say real, because she took a class before, but it was with friends at a friend's home. Which was a great introduction for her, but now she is so so excited to be in a class for dance and gymnastics. We went to an orientation class this past Monday and she just smiled and listened so well the entire time. Preschool begins for her too! She will be going two mornings a week (while I'm at work). Girlfriend is growing up. 

We got a kitty last week. And let me tell you, it is the sweetest thing ever how Audrey just adores it. And this kitty, which Audrey named Millie, is such a good sport. She even tolerates getting doll clothes put on her and getting pushed around in a stroller. I'm not even kidding. However, she isn't fond of Naomi trying to pick her up by the tail. Ahem. 

We transitioned Naomi to a toddler bed. She has been doing really well, especially considering the girls share a room. I think there has been one night I had to remind them to stay in their beds. They like to talk to each other before bed too, which is so funny because it usually ends with Audrey whispering but in a loud whisper "go to bed, Nae Nae! Shhh!" Audrey our rule-follower, Naomi our mischief. 

I think that catches me up for August. Let's end with a picture too, shall we? 

I love that I was able to wear Naomi (21months) and Lincoln (3 months) at the fair.

P.S. New header coming soon! 

non-laboring on labor day.

I just sat here for a minute to try to think about the weekend and what all we did. And all I can recall is eating a lot and relaxing. We even managed to get in a family two hour nap today. It was splendid.

Every Labor Day we have made it a tradition to go to the local car show, where I grew up. Picture this--good ol'country folks walking around looking at old cars, bluegrass or gospel music playing down below the hill, and getting served up some mighty-fine pork tenderloin and fries. Then throw in a couple of bouncy houses for the kids and face painting, and you have a pleasant way to spend Labor Day. But what was really icing on the cake was the fact that it was only 65 degrees out all day, instead of 85 like it usually is this time of year. [I may have been a little over excited to dress the girls in jeans, long sleeves, and adorable little jackets. And I even whipped out a light scarf-eek!]

I didn't forget the sippy cups, or banana as a snack, or the two cans of soda in my purse, or the diapers and wipes, or the extra jacket, or the baby carrier, but somehow I did manage to forget the camera. So, it is iphone pictures to share.

You can see Labor Day pictures from two years ago, at the same place, here!

I do hope you all enjoyed a relaxing weekend as well!

babywearing times two.

One of my most favorite things about having a baby is being able to have them so close to me. And there isn't really a better way than by wearing them. And now that we have two little ones, that just means double babywearing.

The day before we became a family of four, we took a family date to a waterfall. The husband wore Audrey in the Ergo. It is one of my favorite views, my husband wearing our little one.

Four days after our little Naomi was born, we took a family date to the Farmer's Market. I wore Naomi in the Sleepy Wrap. She slept the entire time and was totally safe right next to me. It was good, very good.

Babywearing is a beautiful thing. Steph over at Adventures in Babywearing wants to acknowledge it's beauty and a call to action toward the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), which are going after all slings and carriers. I'm happy  to be apart of it, because I couldn't imagine not wearing my babies. A practice that has been around for centuries shouldn't just go away. But what we should do is educate ourselves and make sure we understand how to safely wear our babies, just like with any other baby practice (carseats, cribs, etc.).

touch a truck.

One of my favorite things about where I live are all the great activities they have going out throughout the summer. Most of them are free or really cheap. Today we went to Touch-A-Truck. And it's exactly what it says it is. Kids to get go around and get inside tons of cool vehicles. Like a firetruck, UPS truck, police car, tow truck, army hummer, school bus, library bus, city truck, back hoe, even a hot air balloon basket. Despite the sprinkling rain, we had a good time. Audrey pretty much thinks diggers are the most amazing thing ever. Next to the balloon she got from the pizza delivery van.

I am babysitting for a friend's little girl on Mondays and Wednesdays. So she went with us. She is a year older than Audrey and a total sweetheart. This picture is of Jonathan (Audrey's cousin), Elise (friend), and Audrey. And complete cuteness of them holding hands.

Despite their faces in this next photo, they all were having a good time inside the ambulance. [I'm learning it is nearly impossible to snap a picture of more than one child smiling or even looking at the camera.]

I'm also learning how awesome and useful babywearing is when you have more than one child. Audrey spent sometime on my back in the Ergo and on the front. P.S. Have I told you how much I love my Ergo? It can hold a child up to 40lbs.

We had a fun morning. And now its naptime and I'm munching on watermelon. Lots and lots of watermelon.

hello. more randomness.

I have been computerless again this week (surprise). But it's been good.

I mowed the grass while wearing Audrey on my back in my Ergo. She LOVES it. [It's quite the sight to see. 22 week preggo woman mowing the grass with a 1.5 year old on her back. Don't worry, I wouldn't over-push myself. I consider it exercise and think about women in other countries who wear babies all the time while pregnant and walking miles for water each day].

I started to paint our front porch white. It's looking great, but I ran out of paint. I'm really into painting everything white nowadays.

Most of all, I've been enjoying this girl. (And she has been enjoying a lot of time on Gramp's boat. And bug bites- see the one in the middle of her forehead.)

As I type this, Naomi is kicking me. And it just makes me so excited to be adding another love.

.

The Ergo.

I feel like I should name it something special, I can't just call it The Ergo. It is so much more than that to me. Sounds funny, right? The fact that I am talking about a baby carrier. Well, it's true. I fell in love two weeks ago. [Has it only been two weeks? Wow.]

Here is the love story...

I was at the Farmer's Market one morning and had Audrey in a Hotsling. I like it. It works. But I wanted something more. Something that she could possibly fall asleep in and something that my husband wouldn't mind wearing (this was the biggest reason). Plus, she is a good 20 lb. baby at 8 months, I needed more support.

So, after hearing rave reviews about The Ergo, I went to our local awesome baby shop, Barefoot, to check it out. I was quite hesitant to dish out 100 bucks considering we are, um, broke. But, I tried it out in the store. And Audrey LOVED it. And since then, she has been in it just about every day at some point. It is super easy to put on- I wanted something that I didn't have to tie around myself fifty times and I could do quickly without assistance.


Oh, and I want to point out that Audrey has fallen asleep in it multiple times--which she NEVER would fall asleep in other carriers forward facing. And the hubster ASKS to wear Audrey now.

There are some cool features on it that I haven't found on other carriers. Like the zip pocket for keys and cell phone and other such things. And it has this cool thing-a-ma-gig that comes over the babies head when she is sleeping or needs extra support for when she is little. And did I mention you can wear it three different ways. On the front, back and even on the hip. And it goes up to 40lbs.
I seriously think it is one of my best baby purchases yet. By the way, this isn't some product review where I got it sent to me for free. I am blogging about this because I love it. Plain and simple. If you have any questions about it feel free to ask. Or if you have a carrier you just love and can't live without, let me know, I am curious!