Eventful Day

Today was such a beautiful day for mid October. The 4pm hour is not the easiest at our house. Nate usually comes home around 4:45 so that is helpful, but since he is traveling we decided to walk to the park at 4 instead. The kids and I were having a great time. We had been there nearly an hour and I knew I needed to get home and get dinner started. On our walk home I was holding Harper's hand (she still isn't 100% comfortable walking outside without holding a hand) and Baron was jumping/galloping/walking beside us. All of the sudden he said "Come on Harper!" He grabbed her other hand and took off running. I reacted by resisting his pull. I heard a pop and Harper teared up. Baron had no idea what had happened and at the moment I wasn't sure either. I picked her up and she continued to cry and wimper. Normally Harper holds the back of my arm while I carry her, but this time her arm was hanging limp at her side. I rushed Baron (as much as you can rush a 2 year old) home. We called the doctor. They directed us to go to the urgent care. Oh great - dinner time and 2 hungry kids under the age of 2 in a room full of sick and injured people. Since the urgent care is first come first serve and it opened at 5pm, I decided to throw the kids in the car and grab a box of cheerios for the waiting room (hey - it was handy). We arrived to a room FULL of people already waiting. Baron and Harper were playing in the kids area. I was texting Nate and trying not to make him worry, but my heart was breaking as I watched Harper play with one arm hanging at her side. I was also praying that Baron would go for my dinner of Cheerios (Baron and a low blood sugar are not a good combination). So I pulled out the Cheerios when Baron told me he was hungry. Harper came running over and then reached up - WITH BOTH HANDS - for Cheerios!! It took me a second and then I realized that we didn't need to wait anymore. We saw the triage nurse who tol me that Harper probably had "Nurse maids elbow" and popped it back into place herself. It is actually common to have happen to young children. I was so thankful that nothing was broken. We left the hospital and on the way home the kids and I saw the most beautiful moon. The day was eventful and left me with many memories.

Apples

We are drying apples, making apple sauce and baking pies. Baron has been a big help. Harper doesn't usually help (some might say that letting your 2 and 1 year old use an apple peeler is dangerous). Today she helped by eating the peel.

Cutting Coupons

Baron enjoys using scissors right now. He typically cuts the scraps from the coupons I cut out. Today he picked up a page and said "I need to cut out this coupon for Weber Papa." I looked up to see what it was and couldn't help from laughing out loud. Those are papa's favorite cookies!

Harper to the Rescue

Have I mentioned that Nathan travels alot for his new job? Let's just say Harper is in tune with her mommy's needs right now! Yes, that is a bottle of wine that she found. And yes, she is in her pajamas which means it is before noon!

Our Day at the Pumpkin Patch

Crash

Harper is walking now. It just sort of happened. She takes a few more steps each day. Today she crashed. I really don't want to post this picture, but this bruise will be in future posts.How did it happen? Well she was walking as fast as she could and tried to catch herself on a door. When her body weight hit the door it opened. She tried to keep up with it, but crashed and hit the corner of an open drawer. I was right there and unable to stop it. I immediately picked her up and the bump was huge. I calmly got ice and a bottle (to attempt to keep her still enough to keep the ice on) and sent Rob (the Firefighter/EMT neighbor) a text to come over if possible. What would I do without this neighbor?!! I feel lucky that her head hit and not her eye or something more fragile, but like all moms, wish it never happened and feel guilty every time I look at her face.

Goodbye Pacifiers!

Today Baron told us he wanted to cut up his pacifiers. Shortly after that he said he wanted "an in-and-out-bed." At first I didn't know what he meant, but then I realized it meant he wanted a bed instead of a crib. We were so excited that he wanted to cut up his pacifiers. I still don't know why he said he wanted to cut them up. I had talked to him about giving them to baby Claire (his cousin). He offered to pack up all of Harper's pacifiers and take them to Claire instead. We also talked about taking them to the dump, but he (ok truthfully I think it was Nate and I) never seemed "ready."

He only had two pacifiers. He cut up the first one in the morning. Then the panic set in (for all of us) so we took a break from the scissors and held on to the last pacifier. A couple of hours later, Baron came to me and said he wanted to cut up the last one and he wanted an in-and-out-bed. I had to ask Nathan to help him because I was shaking so bad. They cut it.

Now it was our end of the deal. We took apart the crib and turned it into a toddler bed. I should have known that the term "in-and-out-bed" meant trouble. Why did I let my 2 year old make a deal with me?!! How did he learn to negotiate at the age of 2?!!!

Look Familiar?

Busy Day

Harper started the day the same way she has all week!After breakfast we made street paint. It is a mixture of cornstarch, food coloring and water. We had a blast painting (me) and making a big mess (the kids).

After nap, we made sure Harper was dressed and ready for the big game. Go COUGS!

The Chair Again

This is becoming part of her daily routine.

Just an average day

She loves this chair. I am not sure if she likes the independence she feels by climbing in and out of it herself or if she feels safe in it because there is only room for one.

Speaking of independent. Baron now dresses himself. I guess I need to make sure that only seasonally appropriate clothing is in reach. I also need to send some clothes to the cousins (those are supposed to be pants)!! Right before I took this picture to send to his dad I said "look up, Baron."

Peaceful Drive

We had a great time in Quincy this weekend for Farmer Consumer Awareness Days. We would love to make it an annual trip. Especially if every car ride home (5 hours) is this peaceful.

Random Pictures from my iPhone

I think I have said this before...I have a love/hate relationship with my iPhone. One reason is because I will grab it to take a picture instead of our real camera. Other times I am thankful I have it so I can at least get a picture with it when the real camera isn't with us. So here are a few from days past. Instead of back dating blog posts (because who does that, right?!! hahaha), I will just post a few of the good ones here.

June 22 - If we weren't outside this summer, Harper stood at our door trying to figure out how to open it. Jume 22 - Finally outside, but fell asleep on the way to our favorite park. She took a good nap though! Fresh air is amazing.
July 21 - Baron showing off his black eye. This is the result of a 2 year old, loofah and body wash.

July 27 - My one year old and her baby alseep in the car.

Vroom Vroom

Books

Harper is starting to show interest in a few books. Since Baron has always loved books I just assumed that all babies will sit in your lap and listen to a story. She is starting to allow me to read to her if she gets to pick the page we read. I'll take whatever I can get!!

Toy

This is currently her favorite toy. I love watching her mind work.

Simple Moment

Oregon State Fair

We went to the fair this weekend. The kids loved the animal barns.
What Holstein could resist taking this picture?
It was sooooo hot! Probably one of the hottest days of the year. Ice cream was a good idea until we realized that the sun can melt it much faster than our kids eat it. Giant. Sticky. Mess.

We stopped to watch the pig races. These traveling shows always leave me with a smile. These pig races suprised us with a goat, duck and chickens as well. It was hilarious. Harper could not make sense of all the madness. Not to mention she was really enjoying her ice cream!
Later we found a petting zoo. Harper did not want to go in so Baron and Nate went in first. They found this kangaroo (who was living with chickens?). Then Baron had to show me. Apparently I had melted ice cream on my shirt (or some other remnant from children eating). There was a small deer that would not let go of my shirt as I was trying to take pictures of Baron. Nate reminded me that my exact words were "Back off Bambi." After that Baron would not let me set him back down. Nothing like passing on your fearful feelings to your child!

Overall we had a great time. There will be many more trips back to the fair for this family!

The S and F words

I have a little talker on my hands. Some days he does not stop talking. Some days he doesn't stop asking questions. The question days are the ones that can make me laugh and drive me crazy all at the same time. I took advice from my sister, Sara, who gives her son as many logical answers as she can until he stops asking. It is kind of a fun game to play and usually leaves Baron with a case of the giggles (which are always followed by hicups - weird huh?!).

As I was doing dishes today, I began to replay a few of the things that Baron says that I don't want to forget. That is where the "S" and "F" words come into play. Anything that starts with the letter "S" comes out sounding like an "F." Here are a few of my favorites in Baron language:

1. Fecial Fpot translates into Special Spot - usually used when he pulls gum out of my purse and tells me he is going to put it in his "fecial fpot."
2. Fmell Fum thing translates into Smell Something. "Mommy, I fmell fum thing" and I reply "Yes, Baron. I am changing your sisters diaper."
3. Fwimming Pool tranlates into Swimming pool where we have spent many hours this summer.
4. Fwinging translates into Swinging which is a park favorite for both kids and mom.

Baron also has a few sayings that leave me in tears from laughing so hard. My favorite was when he came running down the road to tell me "There are blackberries all over this joint!" A few days later he said "Good Lord, there are ants all over this joint."


He is also perfecting his persuasive skills. We call him our little salesman. My favorite is when he is selling the idea of having a popsicle. "Maybe we could have a POPSICLE!! Do you want one mommy? (as he shakes his head yes). Maybe Harper wants one (again shaking his head yes)?" The best part is that Harper usually shakes her head yes.

It is amazing to me that in 2.5 years we went from a non-verbal new born to a full on conversationalist.

Sharing

I debated about calling this post sharing or hoarding. Baron is going through a hoarding phase (I am praying it is a phase!). It is really hard work to try and gather up all 4 of the new cars that Harper received for her birthday.

I should mention that Harper loves these cars. Baron had no interest in cars before Harper taught him how to push them around the floor.
This is how it usually ends for Baron. It breaks my heart to see those blue eyes so sad, but REALLY kid???!! How did you intend to use all four cars at once anyways?

Summer

Our summer can be summed up in this picture. We spend hours upon hours outside. We eat more berries than I realized was humanly possible. My children constantly have dirty faces from the berry juice!

Big Girl Carseat

Today we moved Harper into her big girl carseat. She is much happier facing forward.

Party in Harper's Crib

Baron jumps...

and Harper giggles.

Welcome to our street

There are benefits to living on a dead end street that resembles an alley more than it does a street. We have spent countless hours pushing toys and riding toys up and down. We have colored the street with street paint and sidewalk chalk. Thanks to our neighbors, we don't even have to go inside for a snack. We've been invited to pick and eat as many blackberries and we would like. At times I think my kids are bears. They have had enough berries to hold them over a winter hibernation!

Bye-Bye!

This truck has been used more than any other toy in our house between the 2 kids, but Harper is the first one who wants to ride it (as opposed to push it).

Harper's 1st Birthday Party

Today was our official Birthday Party for Harper! It was a beautiful overcast day. We had a backyard full of friends and family.
Here is the birthday girl watching us set up.

I would love to know what Hayden and Harper are discussing in this picture.

Our family.

She was not shy about eating her cake. It was a banana cake with cream cheese frosting. She loved it and we finally decided to take it away before she got sick!

After she dipped her face in it, she would sit up and give us this goofy little smile.

There were so many kids at the party. Ten kids under the age of 6 and a few older kids. We had a kid table with bowls of goldfish crackers on it. It was a hit with the kids! Harper and her cousin, Caleb, enjoyed them together!

Baron was glued to the punch dispenser. He was pouring cup after cup after cup. I am thankful he was sharing it with others, but he had more than his fair share! 2 year old + sugar...

We pulled the 5 cousins together to get a group picture. It was hilarious. I have about 50 pictures that I snapped in less than 3 minutes. I don't think there is a single one where they are all looking at the camera. I fell in love with this picture. Baron took his role as the oldest cousin very seriously and did a great job holding Claire.

If you look at this odd picture, you will see Baron in the background discovering spit up on his arm. He was not impressed that his cousin spit-up on him. We had to disuss it many times following the incident. It was hilarious!

I like to call this picture "The clean up supervisors." (Just kidding dad! You and mom were ALOT of help!)

A great day filled with many memories. While I was putting Harper to bed, I looked out at our backyard through her window and told her that when we bought this house I pictured parties just like that. I hope we have many more in the future!