Harper Grace: 2 1/2 Years Old

A bit late...but that happens when your entire blog post gets deleted!!! I'm sure I can still find the words to explain our family comedian and ornery middle child! Here's what she is up to at 2 1/2:
* she weighs in at a whopping 24 pounds. She is a tiny little thing. Like her sister she has a long torso and short legs. She wears size 2-3t shirts and 2t pants. Most of her pants are held up by rolling them or putting a hair tie on the side of the waistband.
* she has a love for makeup and lipstick. Almost everyday she puts one or both of them on...herself!
* she is quite mischievous !!! She scratches and pinches when she doesn't get what she wants. She flat out refuses to do things and there is no reasoning with her. She has stolen candy out of all but two of the advent socks. She takes things and hides. She draws on the walls, tables, floor, toilet (???). Just plain mischievous.
* even though she can be ornery she is super sweet and lovable. She still gives the best hugs and kisses...always together.
* she hates bedtime and naps. She will fight them 8/10 times. I'm dreading it, but I think naps aren't in our future for long.
* she does the best somersaults...over and over again.
* she has been singing constantly. She has learned most of the words to the common nursery rhymes, children's songs, and Christmas songs. My favorite to listen to: away in a manger.
* she can count to ten and sing her ABCs. She still doesn't recognize her letters, and writes with circles.
* she loves crafts and play doh.
* she loves baby dolls. She has named them key-coot. I have no idea where that's come from, but she is very consistent with it.
* she loves her brother and sister. She will copy everything Riley does then turn around and bully Riley into doing something she wants. She is constantly trying to feed Cole.
* she always says her daddy is the best, but occasionally she will tell me, "mommy, you is best!"
* she loves to watch "the baby channel." I try to limit it to 5 minutes because it is pretty ridiculous programming.
* she will turn the TV off in the middle of your show and just grin.
* she will always tell me to take my hair out of my ponytail. The minute Brett walks in the door she will tell him to take his work shirt off.
*she always wants to know "what's our day doin?"
* she uses "ya" instead of "you" 90% of the time in any context.

She definitely keeps us on our toes and has created so many fun memories for our family!

November Photos

1- Swinging at the park!
2- Harper hanging out in the sun "warming up."
3- Little Hawkeye!
4- Riley roller skating!
5- Harper "warming up" by lying on the heat vent. (Apparently she thinks she's a cat these days)
6- Cole standing up!!
7- Yum!
8- Riley's makeup job. Pink eyebrows!

Leaves

The kids had a blast playing in all of the leaves this year. Even Cole got in on the action!

Cole Carlson: 11 Months Old

What a busy month we've had! Now that we've reached Cole's 11th month it is hitting me that my baby boy isn't going to be a baby for much longer. I try to steal more snuggles from him, but he's more interested in moving and eating things off the floor! Here's what he's been up to:
* I'm not sure of his exact weight, but a couple weeks ago he weighed in at just under 18 pounds.
* He's wearing mostly size 12 month clothes. 12 month pants are still quite a bit big for him, so we've still got his 9 month pants in rotation.
* He's learned how to throw a fit complete with throwing himself to the floor. Its still at the cute phase for a little while longer.
* He want what he wants, and he wants it now! He is very impatient!
* He's eating more foods. We literally give him what we make for meals. He loves most foods. His favorites: bread, pasta, cheese, meat, peas, carrots, white potato, yogurt.
* He is transitioning to one nap. He was taking a long morning nap and then fighting an afternoon nap until 45 minutes before we needed to pick Riley up from school. Then he wanted to sleep around 6. So, I tried holding off his morning nap and so far it has worked.
* He is sleeping better. We've been sleep training since he recovered from his RSV. Now he stirs around 1:30, but goes back to sleep until 4 when he wants to eat. Then he's back to sleep until 6-7.
* He is crawling, standing unassisted for a few seconds, walking behind things, and cruising around furniture.
* He loves balls, bowls and spoons, musical toys, and anything he can put in his mouth.
* He still just has his bottom two teeth. The top two are still ready to pop through.
* He makes the cutest faces and has the sweetest smiles.
* He high fives, waves goodnight and goodbye, and claps.
* His favorite song is kumbaya. I'm pretty sure I've made up most of the words, but it is the one song that will always calm him.
* He is now screaming at the top of his lungs, just for fun. He loves standing up in his crib and shaking the side.
* he's transitioned to a convertible car seat. He likes being more upright, but still hates getting into it.

Sick Little Boy

Poor Cole baby was a sick little boy last week. It started out as a cold on Sunday. By Tuesday night his nose was a constant flow of snot and he was super congested. That night Brett and I took turns staying up with him and started giving him some nebulizer treatments. By the morning he was wheezing. We took him in to the doctor and from there it was straight to the hospital.  His final diagnosis at the hospital was bronchialitis. He needed oxygen and nebulizers around the clock for two days. He was still sick for about a week after we came home, but is back to his sweet little self now.

October Crafts, Pumpkins, And Activities

October was a busy month!

Pumpkin Patch 2013

It was Cole's first trip to the pumpkin patch. It was a great day and the kids had so much fun!