Apple Picking...

When Grammy Rhonda was here, we took the kids apple picking to our usual place. We thought we would only stay for a couple of hours and ended up staying for 6. The kids did so well we just kept having fun and it was a beautiful fall day! Here is a snippet of what Caroline and Donovan did while we were there:

Caroline started on the hay maze and climbing the hay mound. That was lots of fun! Queen of the Hay!

Then, she rode the toy tractors - the big kiddos worried her as they were reckless drivers - we didn't do that for long.

THen, she did the moon bounce - she wasn't sure she liked it at first but once she got onto it, she loved it.
Donovan did a lot of this - all day long...

Caroline really got into apple picking this year - reaching for ones underneath the tree and picking them all by herself.


Eating the fruits of her labor....


Donovan sleeping while we were apple picking...

Caroline and Mommy posing at the edge of the orchard - Caroline didn't really get the purpose of these...


A wonderful time was had by all. We just recently made a great apple crisp with all of the apples. Yum!!

Lovin' Fall...

Caroline is loving fall and all that comes with it. She 'helped' me rake some leaves when Grammy was here (she watched Donovan). She mostly loved just sitting in my 'pile-o' and moving them around.

She is the best and cutest leaf compactor I know but boy is it a lot of work to lift her!!

Caroline enjoying a slightly wet fall day with her rain boots on, her hat and warm vest.

Baby Donovan Update...

I have a rare moment while both babes are sleeping to do some entries!

Baby Donovan Update - He is starting to interact more and more. We get smiles regularly now, esp in the mornings when he is happiest. He finally transitioned to his bassinette/pack'n'play and sleeps well for about 6 hours at night before waking up to eat. This is great!! We did learn that he loves to be swaddled, so we happily oblige as it makes him sleep so much better.

Naps during the day are still tricky. He is learning to be a baby on the move and sleep pretty well when I wear him. He can sleep at the park, in the stroller, in the backyard. He doesn't like napping in his bed yet, except that he is proving me wrong this afternoon. He has been sleeping (swaddled, of course) for about 2 hours now in his bed.

Here are some updated photos.

His little smirk, just before a smile or 'smilo' as Caroline calls them.

Daddy doing the football hold - he is getting so long.

Grammy loved to snuggle Mr. D and Mr. D loved to snuggle with Grammy.

Little smilo...

Grammy snuggling both kids.

Caroline the Economist

We have been trying out a new discipline tool with Caroline. At the beginning of each day, we give her a small number of "tokens". For now, the tokens are oversized, plastic coins from her piggy bank toy. If she should fail to listen or follow directions, she has to return one token. If she has any tokens left at the end of the day, she can exchange them for a treat. We are hoping that this can be a way to "correct" small errors without making a big issue of the mistake.

Yesterday, in the middle of the day, Courtney asked Caroline to pick up one of her toys. She stopped, looked at the toy, looked at Mommy, and paused in thought for a few moments. Then she replied, "I think that will cost me one token." She calmly went to her pile of tokens, picked one up, and delivered it to Mommy.

Mommy and Daddy agreed that this was not the intended effect of the new discipline scheme. But, at the same time, we were impressed (and amused) that she was thinking of the trade-off like one comparing utility of two options.

Baby Donovan Update...

We just took Donovan to the Dr. and he weighs 11 lbs 8 oz at 4 1/2 weeks of age. In the Dr.'s words, 'Wow!!' He is growing like a weed! He is a very good eater and let's us know quite loudly when he is hungry!

He has more alert periods but is still very sleepy, except from the hours of 5 to 10 pm. He is a little fussy, though we are hesitating to say he is colicky yet. He is sleeping about a 5 hour stretch most nights and then another 3 to 4 hour, depending on the night.

He can even roll over (from tummy to back). He started this at around 2 weeks. I have a video of it but can't figure out how to get it on here with hubby's help!

Here are some updated photos! He is filling out and is quickly approaching the chubby baby stage! I know that smiles are not far behind - which will make Caroline very happy!

Donovan sleeping in the 'family' bassinet...that was his grandpa's. Though he won't sleep in it, rather he likes to sleep in the boppy where he is snuggly.

Caroline Loves Baby Donovan...

Caroline loves to 'love on' her little brother. She calls him 'Baby Donowan'. She just doesn't unerstand why he doesn't give her lots of love in return. We tell her he will someday - more love than she can handle!

Yeah - this is one of those 'giving lots of love' moments that Donovan is not too fond of...

Caroline 'holding' Baby Donovan...

Hanging with Mom and Dad...

Here are some recent photos of Donovan with Mommy and Daddy.

We took a whole series of these football hold photos with Caroline and wanted Donovan to have his own set. He is already longer than Caroline was at this age...

Check out his head control (at 3 weeks)...

Donovan's favorite napping position - sleeping in someone's arms (he really isn't that picky!)

Daddy and Donovan doing their first fantasy football draft together...

Do they go together, you think?
Donovan in the new carrier that Mommy bought - I think he likes it!