It's Pumpkin Time!

We (meaning Doug) carved our pumpkin this weekend. Doug showed Carter a website with tons of designs and Carter chose a penguin, which happened to be the Linux penguin, so Daddy approved the design. (Linux is the computer system Doug works with at Brown.) So, Carter and Doug cleaned it out and carved out the penguin and did a very good job! We took some family pictures with the pumpkin and put Elizabeth in the pumpkin. She was NOT happy with that idea, but we got some cute pics anyway. Sorry, Ellie! Later I roasted the seeds for a snack. Unfortunately, they got a little too roasted. They were awful- so much for that plan!

Saturday- Cooking & Cleaning Fun!

Saturday was a fun, busy day! No, those bowls aren't filled with chocolate pudding- it's wet, muddy sand from Carter's sandbox. In order to prepare for winter, which is coming way too fast, we cleaned everything off the deck. This included Carter's turtle sandbox, which after three straight days of rain and the cover blowing off, was filled to the brim with water. Carter had fun helping us shovel the rest off the edge, though! Earlier that day he "helped" me make some chili. He was interested in the onion, so I gave it to him and he threw it in the pot- skins and all! I showed him how to peel it and then when we were done he threw it in again! He said to me, "Mom! Apple there!", which in toddler language means "I put the onion in there for you, Mom!"

Storytime with Daddy

Carter loves to snuggle in with us and read a couple books before bedtime. The other night Ellie wanted to listen, too! Carter likes the funny voices Daddy uses to change characters. And sometimes he completely changes the words, to something that cracks Mommy up!

No, Mom, I'm not tired!

This summer Carter started not sleeping during naptime and when he would take a nap, he wouldn't go to sleep at bedtime. So, we've decided to forego the nap so he gets better sleep at night. It's been a transitional process, but yesterday I guess he really needed a nap. I finally got a shower at about 2 in the afternoon and when I came out the house was quiet- too quiet. I ran out to the living room to find Carter slumped over the baby swing and not moving. I thought he was hurt until I saw his hand move and I realized he was asleep! I had to take pictures, it was too cute! It's easy to see where he gets it from, though. Daddy can fall asleep anywhere, anytime, too!

Adjusting to life at home

Ellie is just over three weeks old now and we're trying to get adjusted to life with two children and work and school. It's definitely very busy around our house! Ellie and Carter are both going through a major eating phase right now. We're expecting big growth spurts from both of them soon. Carter tends to grow by a few inches at a time so we better stock up on the next size of pants for him. Ellie has definitely plumped up a bit and she is getting cuter every day! We went through a rough patch last week with both of them not wanting to go to sleep at night. It was a tough week for Mommy & Daddy. Thankfully Daddy figured out that if we unscrew Carter's light bulb in his room then he can't turn it on and play until 11 pm. Problem solved for him! Ellie has thankfully made the switch on her own. She is back to sleeping most of the night now, waking up only once or twice to eat. This has meant more sleep for Mommy & Daddy, which was very much needed!