happy halloween 2015

posted by owen and everett

we both wanted to be pirates so mommy took the time to make our costumes. in fact, i think mommy has made our costumes every year. ay matey, give us your treasure!

eloise: 6-month update

posted by mommy

1. nursing - eloise still nurses 2-3 hours due to timing of naps. the distracted phase is in full swing, she often only has patience to quickly nurse on one side before she demands to sit up and get in on the action!
2. eating - eloise began trying a few different foods this past month. feeding is very inconsistent as i haven't yet gotten into a groove as to when she eats each day, so some days we just don't do any real food. other days, we try chunks of banana, roasted squash, pear, and avocado. at first she was very interested in playing with what was put in front of her and even got some to her mouth, but recently she has been less interested. fortunately we are very laid back about it and know that she continues to receive all the nutrition she needs from nursing and right now food is simply experimental and experiential. we are going more the route of baby led weaning with eloise simply because it is much easier than having to make a bunch of purees and spoon feeding her!
3. growth - we have started getting into the next size of clothing (6-12 month), and finding that many of our past 3-6 month favs are no longer fitting!
4. development - eloise's second tooth did finally show up at the beginning of october and fortunately she settled back down into her very chill baby m.o. she has also just recently begun sitting up, although still a bit wobbly and in need of a little support. her playmat is also no longer sufficient for her as she rolls all over to get what she wants and is often found playing on the hard wood floor instead of her cush area! eloise continues to "talk" a lot saying "mumumumu", the only consonant she's figured out!
5. sleeping - this past month brought a big change in eloise's sleeping routine - she outgrew the swaddle! she has moved on to a sleep sack and now sleeps full time on her tummy (she's been napping on her tummy for a few months). she continues to wake once or twice a night but still goes back to sleep easily while nursing. bedtime is usually around 7:30 and she wakes around 7:30 (recently it's been more like 8!). her naps have evened out again for the most part, with a 1-2 hour nap in the morning around 10, and another longer 2-2.5 hour nap in the later afternoon around 3.
6. overall demeanor - eloise is still a super happy baby and loves laughing at her brothers. owen especially brings a huge smile to her face all the time! she only fusses if she's done playing in a certain place and wants to be moved elsewhere or held for a while, or if she's tired. otherwise, she's still pretty easy. 
7. favorite things - her newest faves are sitting up and chewing on sophie the giraffe!

happy 6 month birthday eloise!

posted by eloise

it's only 8 days late, but we finally got a 6 month birthday picture.

showing off my teeth

posted by eloise

pumpkin patch 2015

posted by daddy

we went to our first pumpkin patch of 2015 just south of castle rock and it was great for the kiddos. lots of open spaces and tons of kids activities. it wasn't all that crowded since we went on a friday, so owen and everett got to go from one activity to the next without much of wait. it was definitely colder than we expected, but the sun did eventually come out and it made for a wonderful day with the family.

pumpkins everywhere!

huge slide that both boys enjoyed

the haystack seemed to be a favorite for all the kids

having so much fun

cowboy evie

i think this was the cow that served up strawberry milk

evie's first time milking a cow

owen decided it would be easier to get underneath the cow

having fun at the petting zoo

gigantic jumps

even evie got airborne

little miss sunshine was a trooper

the family on a tractor ride

this family is ready to enjoy the season

2015 albuquerque international balloon fiesta

posted by owen and everett

we went to albuquerque for the balloon fiesta. unfortunately, the one night we went to the field for the special shapes glow, the weather didn't cooperate and it was cancelled. at least we got to see a laser light show and fireworks. but the next day we went to the park behind grammie and gampa's house and got to see tons of balloons land.

hello real food

posted by eloise

while in albuquerque, i got my first taste of real food with a banana and avocado.  wasn't able to actually eat much of it but it's the effort that counts.

a girl and her shoes

posted by eloise

my first pair of shoes!

toofers

posted by mommy

eloise's first teeth have arrived! less than two weeks apart her two bottom middle teeth popped through (sept 20 and oct 1). and boy have the past weeks been rough because of it! our normally happy chill baby has definitely been a bit fussier and needier, but between teething tablets and some homemade essential oil teething paste, we made it through! hopefully she'll stop flicking her tongue over them soon so we can snap a pic. and now here's hoping for a break!