Big Orange Pumpkin Farm - 2012

Earlier this week, we went with some friends the the Big Orange Pumpkin Farm in Celina. This is the 3rd year in a row we've gone with them, and I guess we just need to make it an annual tradition. To see pictures from our first visit back in 2010, click here, and click here to see our visit in 2011 (which was only 4 days before I gave birth, and it shows - ha!)

Carter was excited to see this big Longhorn....

 ....but of course would not go anywhere near it. 

Love this pictures - looks like her is protecting little sis. :)

 Again, not wanting to get too close!

 Gavin, Carter & Mason on the old truck!

 Big kids

 Wickedly handsome, indeed :)

 And the little kids. 

 Love my babies!

 Excited for the hayride!! 

 Time to pick out the perfect pumpkin.

 This one! 

 It's heavy!

 Whoa... help, Mom!

 A little bull riding.....

 ....and tractor driving.

 Ella enjoyed crawling around amongst the pumpkins and haystacks.

 so pretty and festive :)

just sittin' on a pumpkin.

 Laughing at the big boys

 Love this sweet picture of these best little friends. 

 And a few Laura sent me. 

Me and my babies.

 How precious is this?! Love it. 

Looking forward to going back next fall! 

Ella at 12 months!!

Last birthday post, I promise!!

We took Ella for her well check up today. Here are her stats and some of what she's doing as she turns 1 year old!

• You weigh 19 lb 11 oz, and are 29 inches long. That is the 50% for weight, and 43% for height! Your head is still tiny at 17.3 inches (24%).
• You're wearing 12 month clothes and size 3 diapers. You still have really tiny feet, and you're only wearing a size 2-3 in shoes. 
• You take two naps a day, have 3 meals of table food, usually 2 snacks between meals, and milk 3 times a day. You're still nursing once a day, first thing in the morning, but pretty soon you'll be on whole milk full time! You had your first whole milk in a bottle last night, and you weren't too fond of it. We'll keep trying though. Overall, you have done pretty good this month with the whole weaning process. Mommy, though, has had a little harder time with it. :(
• You have 8 teeth, and it looks like a few molars and maybe even some cuspids on their way. Yay for teething!! 
• You got FOUR shots at your appointment this morning. Let me tell you, the crying and sobbing brought pitiful to a whole new level. Heart wrenching every time. One of those shots was your flu shot, so hopefully that will prevent getting the flu this season. But since it was your first dose of that, we have to take you back in 30 days for a booster. :( 
• You will take up to 3 or 4 steps at a time, but only when we force you to. You'd much rather crawl because you're SO fast. You still love to climb on anything and everything. I really have to keep my eye on you! You also love to stand up, and can stand on your own for several minutes. You've started standing up from the sitting position in the middle of the room all the time now. You also love to get behind a push toy and run. Yes, RUN! You're quick! I know walking/running on your own is not very far away.  
• You have several words: Mama, Dada, Bye, Baby, Dog. Love hearing your sweet little voice when you babble!  
• You're so content to sit in your stroller when we go on an outing to the park or somewhere else. Usually it's because you're snacking or having lunch, but you love to just sit there and watch everything. Once you start walking, I'm sure that will totally change!! 
• You love, LOVE to play outside in the back yard. Anytime the door opens, you bee-line to it and cry if it gets shut before you can get there. 
• You're a little bit of a drama queen lately. The screams, squeals, and dramatic cries are at an all-time high. :) And I don't see that changing anytime soon. 
• You're very attached to your lovey. Anytime you're getting sleepy and we happen to be upstairs, you'll crawl into your room, reach through the slats on the crib and pull it through. That's when we know it's time for ni-night!! You definitely love to snuggle that lovey!
• You enjoy reading books more and more now. Especially the Touch & Feel kind. And singing silly songs always gets you smiling (when you're happy) or calms you down (when you're upset). Twinkle, Twinkle and Itsy Bitsy Spider are two of your favs. 
• You love to play airplane and fly to get your brother. No matter what kind of mood you're in, that will always get you laughing!! 
• Your pretty smile, loving cuddles, and playful laugh always have a way of brightening each of our days. You're the best little girl / little sis we could've ever asked for. Love you to pieces!! And looking forward to another fun year with you! 

Our final monthly photo shoot.....

Also, I wanted to post here on the blog Ella's 1 year pictures that we had done recently. Ella was pretty cooperative, and Laura was able to get some really cute shots!! I had such a hard time picking out a few favorites to have printed. Love them all!

Sunday Oct 14th

Ella's actual birthday was Sunday the 14th. Since we'd hosted two parties on Saturday, it was nice to have a low key Sunday at home with just the 4 of us. We spent lots of time playing with new toys, watching a little football, and playing outside in the afternoon. Here are some pictures of the kids on Ella's birthday. 

She's really excited about her new toy!! 

Playing a little football out in the back yard. She thought wearing this helmet and running around with Daddy was hilarious!

 She spent a lot of time climbing up the slides.

 ....and slooooooowly sliding down on her belly.

 Carter enjoying a game of catch

 Uh oh! 

 This is his "keep your eye on the ball" face. :)

 She just sat here and watched her brother play baseball. She'd get really excited when he'd run the bases. Carter has his own little cheerleader!! 

 Still watching. 

 My happy, silly, beautiful boy!! 

 Love him.