Weekend Fun

October 25--The weather was gorgeous so we decided to work in the yard. Leaves are falling so quickly that it was easy to fall behind. I took the rake while Paul mounted the riding lawn mower with the bagger. Lauren played with her ball and jumped in the leaves for a while. At one point, she took the rake from me to try to rake the leaves on her own! I took some pictures with Paul's camera, but sadly, something didn't go well as evidenced below. I tried to find a Lauren-sized rake last week but was unable to do so. Lauren is quite the helper, picking up her toys, clothes, and other things that she uses to make her messes. She'll listen and usually comply with picking up. Teach her early!!

This picture was SO adorable!! Lauren was grinning and waving at me as she charged toward me for a hug! That might be part of the reason for the blurriness, but it's so hard to take pictures of her anymore (as evidenced by the fewer numbers of posts the past few months) because she's constantly on the go!

We went to a fall festival at Christ Alive Church. Mrs. M., the kid's therapist, and Mr. Phill, Lauren's teacher, both attend this church. Lauren got to play a few games. She picked two ducks and got to pick out two prizes from the bowl!

Here Lauren tossed ping-pong balls into a kiddie pool with little dishes. Out of 5 balls, she got 3 in! The lady running the station was really impressed! Lauren had a strategy though--she bounced the ball on the floor before it bounced into the pool!

Here we are posing with a character. Lauren wasn't sure what to think, but she didn't scream so I guess she figured all was well.

October 26--The Steelers played at 4:00 today. Lauren and Daddy were ready to go! Note Lauren's T-shirt. "My First Steelers Tee" is what it says, along with the logo. She also has her Terrible "Toddler" Towel to toss to help cheer on her team! Unfortunately, our guys lost. Daddy was VERY upset!! (That's why he's attacking this poor pumpkin!)

During the 4th quarter, we decided to carve Lauren's 1st pumpkin! Paul was very serious, so he pulled out his Dremel tool to get the job done!!

Lauren did NOT like the feeling of the pumpkin "guts"!! She screamed and cried. We weren't sure what she would think. Paul enjoyed torturing Lauren with the guts.

I'm trying to lure Lauren into putting her hands into the pumpkin. She was still very cautious but more willing to try with me. However, she still ran off!

Here I am, carving the face. I did it free-handed, and I do think it's the best pumpkin I've ever carved!

Lauren checking out the lit pumpkin. She wasn't sure what to think, but I think the flicker of the candle intrigued her. She was willing to check it out so long as she didn't have to touch it!

And finally, Lauren's pumpkin adorning our front step, ready for the season! I gave Lauren a little Halloween lesson while we admired it outside. Lauren went into the bathtub after because she had pumpkin goo all over her hands and arms! I baked the pumpkin seeds afterwards. They were so yummy!!

Even though we were unable to visit Aunt Marsha this weekend, we found a few ways to occupy our time. We had a fairly good weekend. The weather was great, so we got to do some yardwork and work on the exterior of the house. Lauren was clingy and whiny, but I think some more teeth are coming in because she drooled a lot and didn't really eat too much.

October 16-October 24

October 16--Cheese!!! Lauren still has 11 teeth. However, it looks like she's trying to cut 2-3 more. She's been really ornery, drooly, and swollen. She's eating or chewing anything she can put into her mouth.

October 16--Lauren is silly! She loves to grab her feet. Maybe she'll be a gymnast!

October 18--Ready to walk in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure!!

October 18--Here we are at Lenoir-Rhyne University, the location for the walk. Our team didn't really get together as well as it did for the March of Dimes walk, but Lauren and I were committed to fulfilling our obligations. We did run into some Newton-Conover friends, Marylynn and Mandy, who were walking with their church. Here are one each of Marylynn's and Mandy's children visiting with Lauren and offering her a fan.

October 18--Lauren waving her fan before we take off!

October 18--This banner cracked me up! "Save the Ta-Tas!" What creativity!

October 18--We were at the very end of the line. Here are all of our co-walkers!

October 18--Lauren and I joined Tracy, Leah, David, Granny Sue, and Papa Steve for supper. Paul was out being a redneck with someone from work (they went off-roading in a Jeep in Lincolnton). It looks like Tracy is giving me the finger (she probably is and will probably be mortified when she sees this picture on the blog!), but if you notice, Lauren is bawling...you'll see why in a moment if you scroll down...

October 18--David told the waiters that it was my birthday, so they brought out the enormous sombrero, rocked be around and around, and sang to me. What you're lacking is the view of my face covered in whipped cream. Granny Sue and Leah ate my birthday dessert. Lauren cried the entire time because she thought that I was being hurt! I felt so badly for her!!

October 18--Leah wearing Lauren's bib. She couldn't quite get it to fasten around her neck. Granny Sue is to the right.

October 18-Lauren rocking in her Grandpa Wade's rocker from his childhood. It plays music if you get it rocking well enough.

October 18--Lauren has developed an affinity for her pink Gund bear. We're trying to give it a name, but it isn't work out too well. Lauren has been going to bed with the bear every night for the past week. She likes to throw him onto her right shoulder (usually by its neck) to take with her.

October 23--Lauren looked so cute (and too big for her britches!) that I had to snap a picture! The entire night, Paul kept commenting that she was getting too big. Of course, she'd then throw herself on the floor without any known cause and pitch a tantrum...what a toddler!

October 23--Lauren enjoys wearing kitchen objects on her head when I cook dinner. It helps keep her entertained!

October 24--Lauren was cheesing at the camera while wearing her Halloween shirt from Aunt Brenda, Uncle Scott, and the boys. She also tried her feet at wearing slippers from Aunt Mary. Lauren kept kicking them off even though they kept her toasty warm!

October 24-Paul visited his usual pawn shop to see if he could find some deals on weedeaters, chain saws, etc. What he found last night was a pink gun for Lauren! There are 2 interchangable barrels so that Lauren will be able to shoot .22 or .410 bullets from it. Jumping the "gun" a little early, but as Paul exclaimed, "Babe, it was PINK! I HAD to get it for her, even though she won't be able to use it for another 6 or 7 years!

Catching Up on Pictures-September and October

For our church's fall festival, we needed to make some desserts. Paul found these turkeys in a magazine and HAD to make them! He really enjoyed his Turkey Army and this dessert cracked him up! They were a hit at the festival, all of them gone before dinner was even served!

October--Lauren grilling out! Doesn't it look like she's going to the grill to check on the steaks? She really enjoys the oven mitts! Yesterday (October 24), Lauren watched me take out the meatballs to stir them and put them back in the oven. After we had finished dinner, Lauren took both oven mitts, donned them, and attempted to open the oven! It was amazing to see how perceptive and watchful she is. She's copying many of our behaviors. I just hope that she doesn't figure out how to actually OPEN the oven when it's on! The door is heavy for starters and I don't want her to get burned!

October 19-Our church had it's annual Fall Festival. Our little family went and had a wonderful time! The first thing Lauren did was play the duck game! She knew exactly what to do with those ducks! She picked up a blue duck with a number 7 on the bottom, put it back, picked up the same duck, put it back, and on and on! Her prize was a treat bag of Swedish Fish! Yum!!

October 19-Mommy and Lauren on a hay ride. Lauren really enjoyed it. We went through a pasture with cows, so of course Lauren had to moo! (My assistant, Michelle, is actually sitting next to me in the black sweater. She and her son, Kaleb, are also members of our church!) We were also joined by Mrs. M., our classroom therapist, and her son, Seth! However, they are not pictured with us.

October 19-Mommy and Lauren on a hayride (close up)!

October 19-Harris and Lauren having a fork fight. The plate was used by Harris as a shield at one point in time. The kids really enjoyed themselves, especially sharing their sippy cups!

Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Wade!!

September 27--Lauren and Aunt Marsha before the wedding ceremony began. Aunt Marsha doesn't love Lauren at ALL!!

September 27--Lauren bopping Uncle Luke in the nose as she adjusts her pocketbook on her arm!

September 27-Uncle Luke and Lauren. Look how happy Uncle Luke is after getting married!!

September 27-Before the wedding, us girls got together to do manicures and pedicures and to gossip. Here are Kay, Lauren, Evie, and Kolby. The three kids are cousins. Evie belongs to Jon and Jess in Ohio, and Kolby is Jeremy and Laura's boy, now living in Florida. Evie and Lauren are exactly 4 months apart.

September 25--Pymatuming State Park (with the big fish!). We tried to teach Lauren to THROW the bread to the fish...here she is after stuffing the bread into her mouth!

September 25-Mommy trying to get Lauren to release the bread to feed the ducks.

Oh, the Things I Say!

Lauren has turned into a little mimic! Her vocabulary, though difficult to discern most of the time, has expanded tremendously. While out for our evening walk yesterday, I asked Lauren yesterday if she saw Buster and she told me no! As we rounded the corner, we saw Brady's girlfriend leaving. I said to Lauren, "Ooh, Emily was visiting!" Lauren said, "Ooh!" I was in hysterics!

Today Lauren said, "Banana," when I gave her the choice between pineapple or a banana with her dinner. I said banana twice more to see if she's repeat it, and she did!

Lauren also showed more of the motions today when we sang The Itsy Bitsy Spider! It may have been due to the rain we had today.

We have been working on breaking Lauren's pacifier habit. She's only allowed to have it at bedtime. It's been rough at times. The replacement habit seems to be needing to constantly be with Mommy. She wants to be held constantly. As with all toddler things, this, too, shall pass. (I hope.)

Someone's Almost 14 Months!!

October 2--Lauren was NOT impressed with her daddy. Paul took my discarded socks and put them on Lauren. They looked like legwarmers on her. Lauren looks upset because she did not want to pose.

October 6--Look at this devilish grin! What a ham!!

October 10--Suddenly Lauren has fallen in love with her pink Gund Bear! She's been hauling her around everywhere. I was able to snap her with her bear before she dropped it.

October 11--Paul bought a small propane Weber grill last week and we've been using it a lot since. I had to run to the store and when I returned, the grill was set up on the stand behind Lauren. Lauren was wearing the baking mitt on her hand, acting like she was going to turn the steak! Paul attempted to take her picture, but I distracted Lauren when I arrived home.

October 8--I found a large comforter bag full of plastic balls for Lauren's ball pit. We didn't have very many, but I got a great deal. To wash the balls, I dropped Lauren and the toys into the tub. While I washed the balls, Lauren tossed them onto the floor! (We've been playing that game lately--Lauren tosses her toys out of the tub and soaks the floor and when I'm not looking, she throws her pj's, diaper, and towel INTO the tub full of water!)

We've been having so much fun! Lauren and I have found a groove with the cooler weather. Once we get home, we visit Buster and Girl Kitty and play. We have a little lawn mower that we took over to Neigh-neigh's house that Lauren will play with, along with her wheelbarrow and the sea shells. We usually play for a half hour then go in to cook dinner.

We all usually go back outside to run, slide, or play with rocks. Lauren loves the feel texture and enjoys the feel of the shapes of different rocks. She likes sliding her hand through the dirt and tossing mulch, too. If Lauren rides in her go-go for a walk, she likes to run her hands on the asphalt to feel the bumps. She likes to feel sidewalks when we walk to try to get the stones!

Paul has been off this week for fall break. It's been great because he's there to share responsibilities and duties. Lauren loves having him at home and races to the door when she hears him climbing the stairs.

Lauren's been working really hard on learning new skills. She surprised me when we were singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider because when the sun came out, she put her hands in the air over her head! Then she was clapping at the correct times for If You're Happy and You Know it Clap your hands! She claps her hands twice, just as she's supposed to do! When she claps twice when we aren't singing, she wants to sing! Talk about funny!! Suzanne told me that Harris makes itsy-bitsy fingers when he wants to sing--Lauren did this today for the first time!

Our baby girl is becoming a toddler more and more every day. We're so blessed to have such a healthy, happy, smart girl!

Update

October 4, 2008: Lauren and Harris enjoying a ride in the Gator. When Suzy posted this picture, her caption read, "Look babe, the coast is clear. Let's take a drive." I had to fuss at her at church this morning!Paul helped the kids get their motor running! Since Harris couldn't drive and Nick was in the back, Paul Power fueled the Gator for a while. I don't know if another picture captured it or not, but Lauren had a fast hold the the Oh S*** handle while Paul drove them around!

The kids enjoying a marshmallow while waiting for mountain pies to cook over the fire. Nick devoured his while the two little ones made chipmunk cheeks. Lauren choked on hers.

Lauren's been growing as usual. She said the word 'dog' plain as day on Friday night, pointing at Aunt Suzy's dog, Chloe. I was so excited! Then over the weekend, any time we say or see a dog, she pants. No consistency, I tell you!

Lauren's greatest happiness is playing outside, especially when we allow her to play in the driveway so that she can pick up rocks. She's very methodical about which rocks to pick. I gave her a dump truck to put the rocks in, but she didn't like that. We went over the Neigh-neigh's house to play with the animals and found that Neigh-neigh bought Lauren a Little Tykes Wheelbarrow! Lauren liked pushing it around. I figured that she'd put acorns in it, but instead, she climbed in...and toppled out, smacking her head on the cement. She had a fairly large goose-egg on the back of her head. Neigh-neigh showed her how to put sea shells in the wheelbarrow and Lauren enjoyed putting them in then tossing them out. Lauren also loves to play with a 4-square ball. She's getting good at throwing it and tries to catch it when it's returned to her.

Paul went to the Methodist Mens meeting at church this morning before service began. Lauren and I were left to get ready and make it to church for early service. When I was cleaning up the bathroom before departing, Lauren walked up the hallway, calling for Paul, and looking into each room to see where he was! It was hilarious! And on the ride to church, all I heard was, "Dada, dada, dada!" Upon entering church, Lauren lit up and was full-throttle when Paul joined us in our pew. She and Harris had a great time singing and talking throughout the service (especially when Pastor Dan was leading us in prayer.)

Until next week!!