Pumpkins, tractors and "costumes" oh my

Does going somewhere two years in a row count as a family tradition?  I'll go ahead and just say yes.  We headed to Ruth Lake's Pumpkin Patch this past weekend and Mason was so excited about the tractor ride.  This year we all got on the tractor and headed to the pumpkin patch where Mason very quickly picked out a pumpkin to take home.  He then rushed back to get on the next tractor... We all enjoyed this family time; even though Mason still seems on the fence with costumes.  He still doesn't want to dress up and although he doesn't mind others dressed anything that could be slightly scary he does not like.  He has a school Halloween party, parade and sing along this week so we will see if I can get him to dress up.  Although I enjoy all things fall I'm not a lover of Halloween so I guess he takes after his mom.

Last Year's Pumpkin Adventure

Mason Turns 3

Rockin out on his Birthday

Mason turned 3 and boy did we have fun celebrating!  I was planning on skipping a birthday party this year and just have my parents, sister and fiance help us celebrate.  However, as Mason's birthday approached I realized he would actually enjoy a party and all the attention that comes with a bday celebration.  I called up some family last minute and invited them over for pizza and cake.  Luckily, the gang was available and made this the best birthday for him yet.  Three weeks later he is still talking about and asking when his birthday is.  I want to give a HUGE thank you to those that made it and helped us celebrate Mason's third birthday.  Family is so special and having everyone come break in our new home for such a joyous occasion was really special.  Time and time again I get to say how lucky we are. Everyone helped pull off a great party in less then a week for a very special boy.  

So to the important stuff....Mason turning 3!  He is weighing in at 39 pounds and is 3 feet 4 inches.  He has a larger than life personality!  He is friendly to every person that passes by; always greeting people with a smile.  Mason is extremely articulate and smart which leads to full blown conversations with him along with many battles of the will.  He is very stubborn and strong willed which can lead me feeling challenged at times.  He remembers everything....do it once, say it once he gets it and remembers it better then the rest of us.  It amazes us all and leaves us in awe of him.  He has grown to love his sister and his new found love has landed him on top of her sometimes more literally then I would like.  But I find him trying to make her laugh, concerned about her when she cries and crawling beside her on the floor.  He loves getting out and about and having visitors over to play.  Mason isn't potty trained yet mainly because he refuses to wear underwear.  Let him run around without pants and he knows exactly where to pee.  He still takes one nap a day which can, if I'm lucky, be for a few hours.  He is the sweetest boy we know and are so lucky be his parents!

 Likes:
- Play doh
- painting/arts and crafts
- cooking (mixing things in bowls/making a mess)
- being outside
-trucks
- reading books
- going to nana & papa's
- juice boxes
- snacks
- his monkeys
- signing/music

Dislikes:
- washing his hair
-loud noises
-being told no
-sharing
-rides
- people in costumes
- socks
- banaids

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy

  















Mason's first bday
Mason's second bday

Ava's 10 month update

Getting so big!

It's hard to believe we are approaching the one year mark; it will be December 6th before we know it. My Ava girl has my heart and I'm so thankful to be her mama.

 Ava is so so sweet and cuddly! She is obsessed with her brother,even though he loves taking toys away from her. However, when they do play together my heart melts and the house is filled with both their goggles. Mason is her protector already; he often asks "is this big enough for Ava."  We have tried to work with him about dangerous toys etc on the floor now that she is in the move. She is army crawling all over the place which results in her clothes being dirty 99% of the time and the amount of sweeping we do has double (which is hard to believe). 

Ava loves being part of the action and has developed a little temper (she makes it clear when she isn't happy or doesn't like something). This month her eating and sleeping has improved (knock on wood) and she seems to be coming into her own.

Ava can still fit in 6 month clothes but we are now buying 12 month outfits.  Girls clothes are adorable and it is so hard to not go crazy shopping and dressing her up.  She is in size 3 diapers and has a head of hair to die for.  She chases after Mason all day long, growls, waves and loves to throw things from her highchair. She loves meatballs, turkey and ham and has finally warmed up to avocado.  I can't wait to see what new adventures will bring to our sweet baby girl.  

She is such a stinker and just can't keep her hands or eyes off the paper!

These two: my hands are full but so is my heart!

Mason 10 months

Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

Matt's birthday was this past Saturday and we didn't have any plans.  Sometimes a day with no plans can end up to be one of the best days.  Late morning we made the game time decision to  check out  Luurs Garden Shoppe, they had a fall festive going on.  It was a gorgeous day, Luurs is close to the house and the event seemed kid friendly. We all had the most amazing time.....Mason has been asking to go back ever since.

Mommy & Mason

The pumpkin Bounce house, a huge hit with Mason!

Daddy with his pumkin

Ava wanted to join in on the fun

Thought he wanted to go on a train ride but no dice

Baby Girl enjoying the weather and her feet

Luurs hosts a great fall festival which includes a pumpkin bounce house, pony rides, train rides, pumpkin picking.  They also have a cafe open so you can grab lunch or a snack. This is a great option for pumpkin picking if you have small kids.   

PreSchool {the new norm}

I can sum up how the first few weeks of preschool are going in two words, LIFE CHANGING! I'm not going to lie; I was worried....very worried about how the whole preschool thing was going to go.  I wanted it to work so badly but I just wasn't sure if he was ready (sharing isn't one of his strong suits and either is doing things he doesn't want to do).  I was pleasantly surprised how well Mason took to the entire experience.

I picked our particular preschool based on their pick up/drop off policy.  They do a car line where the teachers grab Mason out of his car seat in the morning and put him back during our pick up time.  Ava and I get to stay in the car which will be key when winter hits.  Mason LOVES preschool and asks daily if he gets to go to school.  He loves going to school by himself, he loves the teachers, he loves music class, playing with play doh and dressing in the color of the day.  I couldn't be more happy and either could he.  Not only does Mason love going to school he seems to have "grown up" a bit from being at school. I have a feeling this will continue to happen throughout the school year.  He know actually cleans up when we sing the clean up soung (hello, LIFE CHANGING).   Yay!!

The other reason this new norm is AMAZING....Ava usually naps while Mason is at school (did someone say fabulous!?!?!).  So Tuesdays and Thursday have officially become laundry day, straighten up the house day, pay the bills day...you get the picture.

To sum it all up preschool has been great for both of us!  My favorite part of preschool; picking Mason up and hearing about what he did in school.

Our big girl {Ava 9 months}

 Our angel baby has really grown this past month! It's a gift to watch her learn new skills and explore her world. This past month Ava has grown a liking to real people food!  She loves turkey, chicken, ham, puffs, avocado etc.  She is getting the hang of her sippy cup (we use this one and love it). The majority of water ends up all over her because she can't figure out how to stop sipping when she is done.  This month officially marks the first time she slept through the night multiple nights in a row....it was also one with a bad sleep regression when the only person in the house getting any sleep was Mason.  Ava is also doing a lot of rocking and trying her best to get moving.  It almost looks like she is trying to stand instead of trying to crawl.  She is getting on her toes instead of her knees; either way this gets her scooting and to whatever she is in need of at the time.  Ava has also mastered the skill of babbling; lots of dadada, bababa going on around here.  I also think she is saying the word, hi.

Ava's LOVES:
- Mason, Mason & more Mason
- Being held
- kisses on her belly and neck
-holding onto her loveies while sleeping
- clapping her hands


Ava's DISLIKES:
- having her face/nose wiped
- not being part of the action
- not being able to get a toy on her own
- strangers (separation anxiety is in full effect)

Ava is so sweet and continues to warm our hearts everyday!  We are so lucky to be her parents and watch her and Mason grow together and develop their personalities.


Mason at 9 months

My Uniform

When I had Mason and became a stay at home mom (SAHM) yoga clothes became my norm. I found that I was on the floor crawling around and later chasing after him. He always found dirt and his hands always found my pants or shirt. Mason has super sensitive skin so all my sweaters were set aside for another time in my life and soft and comfy was where it was at. I made sure to wear jeans and "get dressed" at least once a week to make sure I still fit in my clothes and to feel put together once in awhile.  Our morning routine was relaxed; grabbing Mason from his crib in my pjs knowing I would have time to get dressed after breakfast and that much needed cup of coffee.

All that changed when Ava came along! I will not, do not come downstairs in the morning without brushing my teeth and throwing my clothes on. My trusty lululemon get pulled out 99% of the time and I have picked up some great pieces for my uniform at Lucy as well. Total fashion rut?  Perhaps! Or I'm just being practical and comfy for my lifestyle? I'll be honest, I still have 10 more pounds of baby weight to lose which makes fitting into my clothes a challenge (why did the pounds come off so much easier the first time?!?!) and plays into my yoga wearing black, stretchy pants uniform. 

The best part about my uniform; it endures dirty hands, spitup, boogers, drool and splattered baby food all day long! I've become accustomed to being dirty by the end of the day and I'm glad I don't have to worry about ruining my good clothes. 

In short my uniform reflects my life now. It's durable, practical and comfortable. One day things will be different; the 10 pounds  will be shed (I can only hope) and life will be a little less messy. Jeans will find a place in my life and won't just be for "special" occasions but till then I'll embrace the now  and my yoga based attire. 

What's your current uniform???

Ps: there are days I actually workout and how great is it that I don't have to change before running to the gym?!?!?