Pumpkin Patch 2009

This past weekend we went to the pumpkin patch near our house. We'd already bought some pumpkins, but had to go by because they had so many fun things to check out.

Here's Brighton and the chickens.

They also had this GIANT, SCARY turkey. He was holding all his feathers out and they made him look so huge!

Daddy and Mason. It's so boring Mason won't even wake up.

Brighton found a pumpkin just her size.

Mommy and Mason checking out all the pumpkins.

Look at this one, mom!

Even one for Mason!

They had this little maze for the kids. Brighton took forever to get through it the first time, but then went several times after that, with no mistakes! She's like a genius rat.

Hi dad!

Off to the fields! Brighton just kept shouting "Pumpkins!"

Making our way through the corn rows.

Look who finally decided to join us!

Dale wanted to get a picture of me standing near the corn, just so you could see how tall it was.

Then Brighton wanted to take a picture next to the corn, just like mommy.

Looks who's happy to be at the pumpkin patch!

My favorite picture of the day.

Brighton's Fashion Corner

Just some more random tidbits of the life and style of Brighton:

Wearing mommy's sunglasses. She was telling us how "gorgeous" she looked.

Helping mommy "make bread." I don't make bread all that often, but for some reason whenever she plays with a bowl and spoon, I ask her what she's making, and she says, "make bread." The fashion statement- two aprons are better than one.

She's wearing one of Mason's hats (it's a 0-3 month size and I have no idea how she found it), her monster jammies, and mommy's shoes. Fabulous! Complete the outfit with a matching sippy cup.

Weight Check

We went to the Dr. this morning to have Mason's weight checked. He weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds 7 ounces. He's gained a whole pound and 7 ounces in two weeks. I'm sure it's because now he's eating 6-8 ounces at each feeding. What a fatty!

We've been doing ok with a breast pump and bottle the past two weeks, except now Mason refuses to nurse. Each time I've tried to get him to suck, he sort of acts like, "what do you expect me to do with this?" So he's exclusively on the bottle. He's so lazy! It makes my wardrobe choices a little easier now that I don't have to factor breastfeeding in. We'll see how long the pumping lasts- it takes up so much time in the day- and quality time with Brighton. I'm thinking we might need a mommy/daughter date this weekend.

That's it on the hunk for now. We'll be having his 2 month appointment in two weeks, so we'll have more to tell then!

Mason's Baby Shower

Some friends from church and my old job threw Mason and I a shower last week. It was so nice to get together with friends and enjoy an evening dedicated to babies!

Brittany decorated a wonderful cake that matched Mason's room theme we've got going on. Fabulous!

Everyone was coloring pictures- one for all the ABC's. This was for a special ABC book just for Mason. They got the idea from here. Jessica did a GREAT job on the donut. Yum-O!

Mommy and Mason.

The highlight of the evening- my friend Heather stuffed a snowsuit with diapers. We all thought it was hilarious, and Brighton loved carrying it around.

Thank you everyone for coming and sharing in a special evening with me! Our family is so grateful to have all of you in our lives!

Hanging Out With Brighton and Mason

Just a random sampler of some precious moments last week:

B loves to hold Mason, and give him kisses.

He was actually smiling and cooing at her in this one.

B likes to show Mason some little toys- specifically the lion. She tells Mason that a lion says, "ROAR!"

The handsome man. I say handsome, B says "aw, cute" and "pretty."

Finally got that little grin on film! And he's wearing his special onesie!

Brighton's 2nd Birthday

Brighton turned two on Saturday. I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by. People always say they grow so fast and it is SO true.

My parents sent B a gift card to get a special toy that she's been NEEDING lately. I set it all up on Friday night so that she could come downstairs Saturday morning and be surprised by her accessories set for her baby doll. Now Mason doesn't have to share all his stuff with B's baby- she's got her very own!

Her baby waited patiently all night for B to come down and start playing!

She was so excited to have a stroller! This is mostly why we got the set- she loves to push around Kaylin's stroller, the neighbor girls' strollers, and even her own big stroller.

Feeding her baby in the high chair.

So happy and excited for new toys!

It was a cold day, so Brighton only wore her shirt for her birthday outfit. Maybe she'll wear it to church soon.

After seeing her new toys, Dale took B to get some donuts for breakfast. She doesn't really like cake, so we figured she might like to try a donut. She ate a few bites and then just wanted oatmeal (I really couldn't be more proud!).

As our gift to Miss B we decided to take her to the zoo.We checked out some goats...
And the farmers' market...
and B even took the tractor for a spin.

We watched the hippos swim...
And saw a baby giraffe.

We saw some monkeys...

And elephants!

But Brighton really only liked the elephant statue (actual size of a newborn elephant!)

See what I mean about the stroller pushing thing? She did this most of the day. You'd have thought THIS was the birthday present, not the zoo.

And finally, some orangutans.

We had a great day! Happy 2nd Birthday Brighton!

Brighton's Two Year Stats: 35.5 inches tall and 27 pounds

Mason's One Month!

I can't believe it's already been a whole month since Mason was born. The time has really flown by- two keeps you busy! We've had a great first month and everyone is adjusting well to the newest member of the family.

Brighton is such a great big sister! She loves to help mommy, whether it's putting Mason's pacifier in (with a reminder to BE GENTLE!), pushing him in his swing (not so fast Brighton!), playing with him (Stop poking his eyes!), or just holding him (this one's ok, she just tends to hog him for over 45 minutes- no joke!)

Mason was blessed at church on Sunday by daddy, and he did a great job! I thought Dale sounded nervous, but he said he just kept getting distracted because Mason was "letting 'em rip" the whole time.

This is what he wore for his blessing (above). I bought a really cute white sweater vest for him to wear, but it was so big he looked ridiculous. So, no sweater. And I ended up making his pants because the ones that I bought were huge! My little man is so skinny! Like father, like son.

Mason actually enjoys tummy time (Brighton would scream the whole time). He's already scooting himself across the floor and can lift his head up. Brighton loves to watch him and try to shove that pacifier in his mouth.

Here's my little man!

We went to the doctor on Wednesday for his one month appointment. Sadly, Mason is failing to thrive, and weighs the same as he did when he was born- not good after 5 weeks. The doctor has suggested supplementing with formula, but I'm a breast milk all the way kind of mom. So we invested in a breast pump and I've been alternating pumping and feeding ever hour and a half to get my supply up. I'm thinking he's just a lazy sucker and may end up needing to be bottle fed.

I'm also taking all the dairy out of my diet for the next little while to see if he might just be lactose intolerant and not digesting everything well enough. And no dieting! Not that I've worried about that yet, but now I really have to make sure I'm not counting calories and try to eat several meals throughout the day.

But you'd never know that he was hungry- he hardly ever cries! And he's already a great sleeper (in his own room for the last 3 weeks!). We've had our nights, but he's typically awake during the day and stays sleepy at night. He's actually going 5 hours between the middle of the night feeding and early morning one which allows me to get some sleep.

So, I'm running off about 3-4 hours of sleep a night- not my 10 that I was getting before his arrival. It's in my best interest to fatten him up so I don't go crazy, my skin will actually start clearing up, and I can have energy to squeeze in a run or workout at some point.

Mason's First Bath

A few weeks ago (I know, I'm behind in posting) Mason had his first bath. We were expecting him to scream hysterically the entire time, but he really enjoyed it!

Though he has no shame now, I covered him up in case he's embarrassed later on.

Getting a shampoo- he seems to be really liking the head massage.

Brighton's Fashion Corner

I'm copying you Bri!

I've decided to share some of Brighton's quirkier moments- ones where her fashion is, well, not exactly what I'd have her leave the house in. This is one of her latest fashion crazes that I like to call the "pageant" look- mostly just a crown. A sash may come later. On this particular day, I had a very hard time getting her to take it off for her nap.
I recently bought her the new shoes that she's wearing, for the winter. She wore them non-stop for a few days after I brought them home, running sprints across the living room. Then I hid them.