I'm a slacker!

Sorry for the lapse in posts. We've been so busy with work and the approaching holiday and we haven't had much time to update. We're hosting Thanksgiving this year and we're too excited for words.

This past weekend was a productive one. We both had to work Saturday, but Sunday we cleaned up the house and then headed out to the park. The weekend before that, we went back to the Orchard with Brian's Dad and Stepmom. We had a ton of fun on a hayride and buying apples for another pie. I also bought some pie pumpkins and tried my hand at a homemade pumpkin pie. We have pictures from both weekends and plan to post them shortly, we swear.

Eliza is, of course, thriving. Lately she's learning to get her way by squealing loudly. She's also learned to say "up" when she wants out of her high chair or she wants someone to hold her. She doesn't have any other baby family members to play with, so she's fascinated when she sees other kids. She needs some buddies and I think we're going to be working on that soon.

Pictures to come soon!

Eliza's first trick-or-treat in pictures

Boyd Orchards and the Family Pumpkin

Today we decided to head out for some family fun at a local Orchard. They have lots of family activities, music, hay rides, and lots of beautiful fresh fruit. After our fun hay ride, Eliza helped us pick out a pumpkin.






Isn't the store adorable? While we were inside, we also picked out some delicious Empire apples. I made a pie as soon as we got home. The pie tastes delicious, but is a little on the runny side. Lesson learned. Next time I'll let the filling simmer longer. Still, we got a half gallon of apple cider that's FANTASTIC.

Flashback 2008

A few days ago I found my old Sprint phone and decided to see what was on it. To my surprise, I found lots of pictures from Eliza's first couple of months. I totally lucked out. I thought every picture from that era had been lost when our laptop was stolen.







She's growing up so very fast. This week we realized she's been making attempts at saying her own name. It sounds like a throaty "Za Za" at this point, but she does resond appropriately when you ask her name. She still isn't walking on her own, but last weekend she stood for a good 30 seconds on her own before she realized what she was doing, chickened out and sat down.

In other news, we've really been busy beyond all reason. We routinely stumble through the door at about 7PM, get up at 6AM and do it all over again. Eliza spends her days playing at her Grammy's house while Daddy and Mommy bring home the bacon. Luckily we've had some weekend fun lately. Last Sunday we decided to head to Cincinnati to a Bengals game. We we sitting on the very back row, but there isn't a bad seat in Paul Brown stadium. Here's a little video of the view from our seats.



This past Friday, we headed out to Christ the King Oktoberfest to see The Minus 5 put on the most rockin' show a church fundraiser has ever seen. Unfortunately, the crowd proved to be a bit much for Eliza, so she headed to Grammy's and called it an early night. We got to have a parents' night out. We got to shake hands with Peter Buck from R.E.M., too. Here's some video of Brian being too chicken to go up and say hello. I had to take the initiative and shake his hand first so Brian would go behind me. Here's a little video of Brian pondering the possibility of shaking Peter Buck's hand and chickening out.



We've been planning our winter this morning and the holiday time is going to be fantastic this year. I'm so excited. I just hope we have enough room for the Christmas tree in our living room. But first, Halloween.

Eliza's spring wardrobe, for the fall...

First of all, for everyone who has asked why we never post pictures of the baby with me, there's a picture for you.





So, Eliza has lots of clothes that fit but are going to be totally out of season while she's this size. I'm glad the weather is staying relatively warm. I'm trying to run through some of these outfits before it's way too late. Eliza's wearing white very unfasionably after labor day today. I feel bad that she'll never be able to wear half the clothes she has. People have been nice and given us hand me downs, but if their kids were born at different times of year, it just isn't working out. I'm beginning to get a bit concerned that she doesn't have enough long sleeves to wear this winter. We'll have to put her long sleeved onesie under everything and she'll look like she's trying to bring back the Seattle grunge look.

We also weeded out clothes I either don't like or know she'll never wear. We should have a good batch to donate to charity.

Due to issues related to insurance, Eliza has to switch doctors just in time for her two month check-up. Keep your fingers crossed that we like her (the doctor, not Eliza). I had mixed feelings about our original doctor, so maybe this one will be exactly what we're looking for. More importantly, keep your fingers crossed that I don't freak out when she gets her first shots. When she had jaundice and had to suffer a couple of heel pricks, I wanted to slug the lady who did it.

Tonight Eliza is going for her first solo grandmother visit. Brian's Mom is going to watch her while we go out to dinner. I'm not sure she knows what she's in for, but I hope they have a good time.

I'm hoping to take Eliza to a pumpkin patch this weekend. Too bad she's too little for hot cider. I love fall.