Soergel's Pumpkin Patch 2010

For the 2nd year in a row, we visited a local pumpkin patch (Soergel's) to gather our pumpkins for the porch steps and the corn stalks for the light post.  This year we went on a Tuesday, thinking it was better to go during the week to avoid the crowds.  It was actually sort of boring without all the people milling about and the weekend games and activites!  Next year we'll go back on the weekend, plus, Brooke will be old enough to enjoy the activities then. 

We found it odd that we were the only ones up in the field picking pumpkins, and that we had to carry our pumpkin down the hill ourselves (or rather, Scott had to).  We were later reprimanded because that upper pumpkin patch is closed during the week.  Opps, we didn't know, and didn't see any signs!

After picking our pumpkins, we stopped by the animal barn and saw a donkey, a pig, turkeys, sheep and I forget what else.

Overall, a great day!

Pumpkin Patch 2010 - Yeck's

We went to a local pumpkin patch.  Lots of pumpkins to choose from, and great for pictures!  there was also a petting barn with Brooke like (donkey, goats, sheep, cow, turkeys).  Keira enjoyed the outing and stayed warm.

Brooke wandered among the pumpkins.

And guarded her sister from the Great Pumpkin.

Here are some "professional" pictures captured by a friend's friend:

Sherman joins the Family

Brooke (and Keira) have a new friend: Sherman.  He is life-sized stuffed dog.  Brooke enjoys carrying him around the house, sitting on him, him joining her on chairs, etc.  (aside, yes, Brooke is wearing a pumpkin bib....she riffled through Keira's drawers and put it on one morning)

Maddie doesn't seem too threatened, though we fear coming home one day and finding him a bit chewed on, by Maddie.  His large size often surprises/scares us if we walk by a room and he's in there.  You tend to think it is Maddie, when it's not!

The Art of Inhaling Dinner

Before children came along, Mom and Dad enjoyed nice leisurely dinners.  When Brooke entered our lives, dinners became a bit quicker, and a few weeks in her infancy included one person eating while the other paced around the house with her. 

Now, with Keira joining us, we are perfecting the art of inhaling our dinner.  With a toddler, who will only sit still for about seven minutes and 42 seconds, and an infant bouncing around in her exersaucer, we have about 4 minutes and 22 seconds to quickly consume our own dinner.  Quite delightful.

Bedtime Stories

Each night Brooke's bedtime routine includes us reading 2 books.  Mom snuggles under the covers with her as we read, while Dad lays on top with Brooke leaning against him.  Dad's reading of the books is much more animated and fun than Mom's versions, but Brooke still enjoys getting equal nights with both of us.

Pillow Pets!

It's a Pillow.

It's a Pet.

It's a Pillow Pet!

Thanks to Grandma, both the girls are proud owners of a Pillow Pet.  Keira has a unicorn (to be named...soliciting ideas) and Brooke has Lucy the Ladybug. 

(Side note, Mom laughed so hard when these arrived, as we've seen the commerical on Sprout a bazillion times!  Now Brooke points and yells at the TV when the ad airs, as she calls out Keira's unicorn and her "Lucy")

Keira's 4 Months Old

Keira's 4 month check-up went well:

13 pounds, 9 ounces (44%)

24 3/4 inches (64%)

Sleeping through the night is still giving us some challenges (getting up 2-3 times, depending upon your definition of "night").  She started rolling over last week (back to stomach) on Sept. 1st, two days shy of her 4 month birthday.  It's very cute, but she gets on her stomach and gets frustrated when she can't do anything else.  When she rolls over in the middle of that night, it results in some very angry screaming.  Hopefully we move past this phase quickly...

Brooke starts "Preschool"

On Tuesday, Brooke started "preschool" at the gym.  It's 75 minutes twice a week, and gives them a chance to learn songs, letters, numbers, and other socialization and communication skills in a group structured setting.  Here she's sitting down to work on puzzle. (she is the yellow and white striped shirt with her back to us)

Really, the big benefit of this, is that it gives Mom a chance to get to the grocery store with only one kid in tow!!!

Keira tries out the Exersaucer

Dad put together the Exersaucer so Keira could give it a whirl.  She seemed to like it.  I imagine she liked the "independence" of sitting on her own, exercising her legs, while her big sister came by to press the toy's buttons so lights and music continuously went off.

And so far Brooke hasn't tried to crawl in it...just wait...

Kicking Off College Football

Ah, the weather has gotten cool, kids are back in school and it's time for football!  We enjoyed a quiet Labor Day weekend, and hunkered down on Saturday to cheer on the Irish and the Hawkeyes.

Scott and Brooke are showing their Iowa Hawkeye support, while Keira and Jen cheered on Notre Dame's Fighting Irish.