Night Eyes 2011

We went to Night Eyes last Friday night and it was a perfect night to be outside.  We tried to get there early and were able to dodge the long lines.  Because it was so nice out the lions, tigers, and snow leopards were all very active.  The most active we've seen them all year.  It was a good night to get Harper out.  She had fun chewing on her rings and looking around.  Riley's costume was a hit.  Everywhere we went we heard, "oh look, it's a crayon!"  As we were leaving Riley laughed and said "Everybody likes me!"  We even made a brief appearance on the Ch. 5 news.  They were out filming and showed us getting Harper situated in the stroller and Riley walking up the path.  Here are a few pictures:

i9 Soccer Season Ends

Riley slowly warmed up to playing soccer this fall.  Thankfully, by the end of the season we didn't have tears and she was excited to go every Saturday.  Actually playing, that's a different story.  Here's some pictures from her final game:

 

 

 

 

Harper Grace: 5 Months Old

Little Miss Harper is 5 months old today.  She is so sweet, so cute, and so much fun!  Here's what she's been up to:

• She has her first ear infection.  It was just the start of one, no fever, no complaining, but a little ear-pulling.
• She weighs 13 lb 1 oz.  I don't remember how long she is.  She has short legs and a long torso just like her sister.
• She is wearing mostly 3-6 month and 6 month clothing.  We are finding that not all of Riley's hand-me-downs are lining up with Harper's growth.  We are in search of some new clothes this weekend.
• She isn't too interested in the rice cereal.  Some days she will gobble it up, other days she wants nothing to do with it.
• She tried applesauce in her rice cereal last night and she hated it!  You know that shake you can't help but do when something tastes terrible, grosses you out, or is sour?  She does that after every bite.  I may try sweet potatoes next.  If that isn't successful we'll hold off again for a few weeks.
• She is a finicky eater.  She is still drinking 100% breast milk. We try to feed her every three hours, but she usually won't stick to a schedule.  Sometimes she'll eat 5 oz, other times she'll eat 2.5 oz, but mostly she eats 4.5 oz bottles.
• She is still sleeping through the night.  We've had a few nights where she's wanted to eat at 1:30 or 3:30, but usually she's sleeping from 7pm-5am.  Mommy and Daddy are soooo thankful for this.
• She is a finger sucker at night.  This probably contributes to her great sleeping habits.  We try to make her use a paci during the day, which usually works unless she finds her fingers first.
• She is now taking two 1.5-2 hour naps every day.
• She is rolling all over the place.  She can roll from tummy to back, and back to tummy.  She is just now getting to the point where she likes to be on her tummy because she can play and see more.
• She loves all of the attention that she gets from the kids at Hedy's.
• Her favorite person continues to be Riley.
• She has the cutest squeal ever.
• She is extremely ticklish.  She will laugh uncontrollably when we tickle her tummy before her baths.
• She still likes her bath. Once out of the bath, there is no messing around. She wants to get dressed fast, eat fast, and go to bed.
• She is working on sitting up. She is always leaning forward. She likes her bumbo for short periods of time, but always leans herself forward.  Several times she's sat up on her own for about two seconds before tipping back.
• She loves to stand up.
• Her hair continues to be awesome!  Right out of the bath is the best.  It is a little curly and all over the place.  It truly is a mohawk right now.
• She loves singing and will usually join in.
• She loves her butterfly teether, rings, piggy rattle, and pretty much anything else she can get into her mouth.
• She loves to grab her toes and pull them to her mouth.
• She has the best little cheeks that we love to kiss!



Halloween Puppets

Riley and I made a Halloween puppet one night Daddy was out of town last week.  The next night, when he was home, she asked if we could all make puppets again.  So we had a family craft night, which was really fun.  Here's a few pictures.

Howells Pumpkin Patch 2011

We made it out to Howells again this year.  Unlike, the past few years it was actually really warm on the day we decided to go.  Since we had already picked up our pumpkins at the Iowa Orchard we just spend our afternoon doing all of the fun activities.  We skipped the hayride (which I was secretly bummed about).  This year they added a pony ride.  The whole time Riley talked about riding the ponies.  As soon as we were within 10 feet of them she changed her mind because they were "stinky!"

 Horsey swing.

 Waiting for the ducky race.

 Ducky Race.

 The scary ride that she always looks terrified on.  I think we have an almost identical picture from last year.

 I love this picture.  Check out Harper's little tongue!

 Homemade ice cream.

 Mommy and the girls.

 More swinging.  So serious.

Until next year...

Harper's First Bite

Harper tried her first bite of rice cereal a week ago.  Here's the photo-by-photo

 Listening to Mommy's instructions and clearly very excited.

 Checking out the goods.

 First bite.

 Not so sure.

 Second bite.

 OMG.  What is that Mommy?

 Another bite?

Mmm...not so much

We decided to wait another week and try again so last night she had her second helping of rice cereal.  She actually loved the cereal this time around.  She was leaning forward, gabbing at the spoon, laughing, and actually eating it.  Success!  Yay, for baby food making time!

Iowa Orchard 2011

This year we didn't make it out to the Center Grove Orchard like the past two years.  September and October seemed to be jammed full of activities that we couldn't find the time.  We decided to hit up the Iowa Orchard since they are close to home in Urbandale.  Riley had fun picking out our pumpkins and some apples.  There was a hayride back to a few fun activities, but truly it didn't compare to the Center Grove Orchard.  Riley seemed to really have fun and Harper was perfect, like usual. Here are a few pictures.

Simpson Football!

Brett and I took the family down to Indianola for a mini reunion with the Coppola's and Donnenwerth's and their families.  It was fun to be back on the old stomping ground for a few hours.  We all met at the football game.  During halftime the kids had fun playing in the Coppola's car while the adults had a few drinks and reminisced...nothing compared to the old days, but still a lot of fun catching up.  We ended the night at Amy's parent's house for some pizza and more conversation.  It really was a fun night!  We're looking forward to November when we all get to get together again!

The kiddos - minus Harper.

Riley and Carter.  These two know each other too well.  I think they both wanted to do something their way, instead of each other's.

Grandpa Kevin's Birthday

 Minus Harper.  I love these pictures!