The Pumpkin Patch

We are loving this fall weather and the clothes that we can now wear- gloves and scarves.

We went to a pumpkin patch close by (called Joe's Place) and it was a simple little farm with a cute little store. There was also a hayride to go on, so on it we went! Jesse got a free apple and that seemed to be his favorite part.

They provided wheelbarrows to pick up the pumpkins with, and Jesse insisted riding on the inside. Charlotte was strapped into a carrier and was toasty and warm and sleepy.

Jesse found many small pumpkins his own size to pick up.

We asked him to get one for his baby sister and he thought we meant he was to give it to her. He came up to me (I was carrying her) and said "Here baby sister!"

There were what we came home with. Jesse was pretty pleased.

The day ended with snickerdoodles and apple cider from the store. It was a nice day to get out of the house and we now have pumpkins we look forward to carving!

Photo Shoot!

Thanks to my Mom's wonderful camera and love of taking pictures, we had many opportunities to take some candid pictures of Charlotte with a few of Jesse squeezed in as well. So these pictures are all taken by my mom.

Charlotte Pearl

Here I am a couple days before delivery. We made the decision to do a c-section because my body was being uncooperative and we were ready! Can you tell?

7:10ish pm, Charlotte was born, weighing in at 8.0 lbs. She was quite the screamer! The nurses all made a comment about how loud she was and for this reason she was rated a "10" on their scale (I forget the exact test). But this isn't a usual occurrence :)

I love her little rosy lips!

Grandma holding her moments after she was born

Papa holding, and apparently "hogging" her after she was born. I think everyone was smitten, just as I was :)

Auntie Kristin

Uncle Paul- I was thankful to have my family close by the day she was born- it gave me added comfort

A proud daddy

While my mom was here she managed to do many fun things with Jesse. This particular picture is of her at the library during their children's story time. He LOVES it!

And later that day they went on a picnic :)

Jesse came to visit- excited or nervous- I couldn't tell how he felt.

He was pointing out that she had a nose and other parts just like Jesse

Holding Charlie for the first time

Kissing Charlie goodbye- he was quite sweet :)

Me- do I look tired?

Bathing at home with Grandma

Riding bikes with Grandma! Here is a good place to give a shout- out to my awesome Mom and what a wonderful Grandma she is! Her little grandson (and other grandchildren) love her because she is willing to spend so much time with them, even when she is tired! She took Jesse for a walk in our neighborhood and he was in heaven!

Mom and Charlie

Bright eyed!

I crashed shortly after I got home :)

Sweet hands..

Sweet smiles (while sleeping of course) although she sometimes looks at me and smiles!

Spending time with Jesse is important too...but sometimes hard to fit in with the busy newborn.

Can't get enough Kisses!

Grandma and Charlotte

I had to put in a picture of this quilt my sister Anne made for Charlotte. Isn't it AWESOME?! She is constantly surprising me with little thoughtful gifts. I am a lucky sister!

Here she is (Anne) with lots of loves for her neice.

Thanks for all those who have supported and helped me. Even though Charlie is only a week old, we love her and feel she has been in the family forever! Until later

One last blog before.....

39 weeks and here I am awaiting my surgery. For those of you unaware, I have a scheduled c-section on Monday, October 4th, at 6:30 pm. This is due to an uncooperative body, a previous c-section, and lastly, my comfort :). This picture is me about a week ago. Yes, I am about as uncomfortable as I look.

Trying to do all the last minute things has been exhausting, but we squeeze a few fun things in for Jesse. Like making cookies, and of course, licking the mixers.

This is how my house looks each day. Usually I have Jesse just dump out one box of toys at a time, but this day in particular I didn't have the energy to really chase him through the house getting him to pick up (and helping) with each mess.

Today we had fun putting up decorations around the house. It is a fun year for Jesse because he is beginning to understand the things that go on. He is holding a lantern I bought for him at the store. He LOVES flashlights so I thought he might enjoy this. I was right, he drags it with him everywhere. :)

Well this is adieu to all my readers for a couple of weeks while I recover and get used to having a newborn around the house again! For those of you who voted on my poll, thank you, and thanks for the comments! I am convinced that I Charlotte needs a middle name. Now I just need to convince Andy. He flipped a coin the other day (in his favor of course) BUT I am not going to let a coin make this decision for me. I will wear him down yet....

Vote on my poll!

Andy and I are having a hard time deciding whether our baby should have a middle name- so I am wondering what my "viewers" think! Take two seconds and vote on my poll! If you have suggestions about what you think sounds cute, fire away! Thanks!

Potty Training!!

We have been potty training for the last two weeks! It has been very exciting to see Jesse becoming a little boy instead of a toddler! He has had a few accidents, but overall we have had a positive experience and he has even gone to town with big boy underwear on several times!

The other day we went out to eat (a rarity) and he was not only really well behaved but he told us he needed to go potty, we took him, and he remained dry for the rest of the night! He has had more accidents in the last couple of days which I can't figure out, but overall I am a happy mom!

I made him his own "potty book" for him to read so he could be motivated. It may seem silly but he loves looking at the pictures and knows it is important to do each step!

This is today- he sometimes goes all day with just underwear and a shirt on, but more often than not we have put pants on him and he does just fine. Here is sitting on my counter because he has figured out how to climb up the stools and is quite entertained! Whatever keeps him that way :)

A little over four weeks and counting until baby arrives! :)