Halloween 2010

Since visiting the pumpkin patch at the end of last month, we visited a pumpkin festival at Earl May and two "trunk or treats" - one at Capitol City Christian Church where the boys go to daycare and one at St. Marks. The idea behind the "trunk or treats" is that members of the church decorate their trunks and hand out treats - we did see at least one person who handed out treats from their trunk (hatchback) but most stood beside their vehicles. Each church also had activities inside the church. The four of us went to Capitol City and Grandpa and Grandma took Ralph to St. Marks.

We only carved one pumpkin but Ralph painted one for him and one for Henry. Henry wore many Halloween themed shirts to daycare last week.

Ralph was a Lion (Simba from the Lion King) and Henry was a tiger. Lions and tigers, oh my. We stopped at Grandpa & Grandpa's this afternoon then onto to HyVee and around the neighborhood. Ralph's favorite treats were suckers and a couple of plastic spider rings.

Rocket Ship

Last Friday evening Ralph wanted to play "rocket ship". Not quite sure what he was saying we followed his direction . . to the garage to get a few strips on insulation and back outside. Not sure how he came up with the idea since the strips were hidden a little. It was fun to watch. Also a few shots of Henry, a little jealous he couldn't play "rocket ship".

Ralph: . . and the results are in

Ralph had his 2 1/2 year check up this afternoon, albeit a month late as I was not thinking when I scheduled the appointment. It was one of our quickest appointments. Ralph weighed in at 29.6 lbs (46%) and 36 1/2" (61%) . . .he is starting to even out a little. The doctor joked must be the donuts he is eating . . little does his know Ralph ate 4 little mini donuts last weekend at a tailgate party. I'm a little surprised his weight is catching up since he still does not seem to be eating like he should. According to the growth chart he is on his way to 6' or so.

Everything else checked out normal. Ralph enjoyed holding the little hammer - and trying it out on me and the doctor. Mmmn, maybe Santa can bring him a medical kit.

Ralph also got the flu mist rather than the shot. I was not sure which one would go more smoothly since he does not like water near his face, similar but different. I asked him which he'd want and he said up his nose . . . luckily the doctor decided the same. He did a lot better than I thought he would. Unfortunately we have to go back next month for a booster since he did not get the N1H1 shot last year.

One of the Sesame Street books we read has a character "Doctor Donna". After we got home Ralph tells Mike there were two doctors (female nurses) and a boy (doctor).

Ralph: Celebrating 31 months

I told Ralph this morning he was 31 months old today. He replies "No, I'm 2 1/2. He sure is! The photo was taken tonight. Ralph started telling me he was too tired to finish eating so I told him he'd better lay down and rest.

Ralph likes to say "owie" when things do not go his way. He has said it for months. Trying to break that habit, I started encouraging him to stomp his feet if he was mad. It has not really caught on yet - and I hope it doesn't; I was mostly trying to give him something else to think about and distract him from saying "owie".

He has started saying 'yucky' in regards to some foods. I've tried to convince him he needs to try three bites before declaring something 'yucky'. Only once has the outcome changed from 'yucky' to 'yummy' but most times he does not consume the three bites either.

Ralph likes to collect rocks from the play area at 'school'. They end up in his shoes, pockets, and hair . . and the washer and dryer since I forget to clean his pockets. The rocks take the place of many items including keys, food, and gum (yes, he puts them in his mouth). Can we say "yucky"?

He is into pretend play and being goofy. He loves playing outside. He does not like it when his brother takes a toy from him - but it seems to be okay if Ralph takes a toy from him. I am pretty sure he would rotate between two outfits (grandpa truck shirt and camo outfit) if we let him. Once in a while he'll change his intonation or facial expression in an attempt to be funny. He can't seem to ask enough questions.

Ralph's room at school is starting to learn a bible verse a month. I asked Ralph about it last week and recited just the verse for him; he ends it by saying 'psalm 127:3'. Last night during prayers I asked him about the verse he is learning at school and he recited the whole thing. "Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord." Psalm 127:3. That they are!

Henry: Celebrating 10 months!

Henry loves pushing Ralph's tricycle and anything else that will move or slide. He loves being able to stand up and play with the learning table, little kitchenette, and along the couch. He also loves opening/closing doors and drawers - I'm sure it won't be long before he experiences his first pinched finger(s).

Henry is starting to experience separation anxiety, most notably at daycare. He notices when I leave and starts to crawl after me. They do a great job at distracting him and he is happily playing by the time I drop off Ralph and leave. I hear he is also attached to his morning provider.

Rumor has it Henry will move up to the Infant 2 room in a month to make room for a sibling of current student. I know he'll like being with the 'older' kids (the room is for mobile - 18 months) but the biggest adjustment will be the one nap a day on a mat. Some days now he is ready for a nap right after breakfast since he tends to wake up a little earlier than he should.

Henry has graduated to medium flow nipples which has helped increase his intake at bedtime but we are still experiencing sleep issues though he has a somewhat predictable routine. He is still on stage 3 foods but it is time to start exploring other ideas. The small bits of bread I fed him the other week backfired as he stuffed more in his mouth than he had swallowed forcing him to throw up. He has started eating puffs and likes being to put something in his mouth himself.

All four of us ventured to the play area behind the house tonight. Henry loved crawling around the structure and going down the slide - with a little help.

First Tooth!

Three weeks ago on September 21, Henry's first tooth broke through. If you look really close you can see it on the bottom. Days prior he kept stuffing whatever he could in his mouth so we knew it was getting close.

He also mourned his first ear infection the same day. The diagnosis was a little surprising since he seemed to be eating, playing, and sleeping normally.

Visiting a Pumpkin Patch

We visited a Pumpkin Patch a few weeks ago - we got there just after they opened and were the only ones there for awhile which was great since it took Ralph about 20 minutes to be brave enough to stand by their sign (there were some cattle in the field behind the sign and he didn't want to get to close). It wasn't so much a pumpkin patch (we didn't even buy a pumpkin) but a great chance to explore a few new activities.

Ralph enjoyed the rubber ducky races and the wheelbarrow maze the most. He also got into dressing the scarecrow.