HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We had a fun time trick-or-treating in Grandma's neighborhood last night. We made it to about 6 houses (not wanting to overdo it) and Anna got the point where she would hand over her bucket for candy, saying "Tick o Teet" (very quietly) and wanting to be held by daddy. It was cute also when she tried to give her candy to the people at the door. What a giving child! :) Brynn slept during the whole process. Her mermaid bunting was perfect for the weather, as it was a little chilly but she was snug as a bug.

The Little Mermaid

Anna's favorite "treat"- an apple!! Dr. Terry will be proud.

The tiara didn't last long...

Brynn's halloween day outfit

The Littler Mermaid

At this point, Anna was over having pictures taken, and didn't want her sister next to her either. We might try for more pictures tonight!

Anna adoring her pumpkin

Chesterfield Berry Farm

What a great place! On Sunday we took a nice drive out to the pumpkin farm which we'd heard was good. Unfortunately it was windy and cold, but that didn't keep Anna from having a wonderful time. She loved the pumpkins (we opted not to take the hayride out to see the pumpkin patch b/c of Brynn and the weather), tractors, animals, barrel ride, corn maze (toddler style), and corn tub. We will definitely be going back next year!

The big tub of corn

I was shocked to only find one kernel of corn in the wash...

On Anna's Christmas list...

Temporarily exiting the corn stalk run..she would've stayed all day in there had we let her!

The Barrel ride

All these little barrels were lined up and pulled behind a tractor for about a 3 minute ride. I thought Anna might try to exit the ride halfway through, but she loved every minute of it and was very serious about her steering wheel.

After lunch and naps, we headed out to the pumpkin patch at church to help support the youth. Anna liked picking up the pumpkins and getting her shoes completely covered in pumpkin yuck. She is obsessed with pumpkins right now, and if she could carry one around all day, she would! She pats all 4 pumpkins on the way up and down the steps, says "goodbye pumpkins" as we're leaving, and even tells them goodnight.

I read somewhere that kids don't understand the concept of sharing until age 3. Well Anna has shown us that she is fully capable of sharing with her sister. Are we lucky parents or what? Keep in mind that this is her beloved "Sessa", that she's only shared with Gigi before.

A sweet photo op

Baby sister's head makes a great armrest!

The hand-holding moment was SO sweet. You can tell Anna really loves her sister.

Twins born 18 months apart??

Anna (left) and Brynn (right)

3 weeks old!

Our self-sufficient child, holding her own pacifier in

I guess she knows that being a sibling means you have to fend for yourself sometimes!

Kissing Sissy

Sisterly love...well it's a start!

Anna is showing more interest in Brynn, wanting to hold her, kiss her, and point out all her body parts (eye and mouth are the current fave). For the most part, she is gentle and touches Brynn with a very sweet manner, but occasionally she forgets that Brynn isn't a plastic baby doll!

A fun fall weekend

How can you not love this weather? On Saturday, we headed down to the Carillon to Pumpkin Palooza, a little pumpkin festival with lots of fun kid stuff. Most of it was too old for Anna to enjoy, but she liked the little pumpkin patch, seeing Clifford in person, and people watching.

Brynn approved of the new double stroller by sleeping the whole time in it!

Chunky monkey on her due date

I sure am glad this little piglet came 2 1/2 weeks early!! Look at her tummy, thighs, and cheeks!

Still eating every 1 1/2- 3 hours, Brynn doesn't miss a meal!

She can already count to 10!

Anna at 19 months

Our bigger sweet pea is growing up so fast! Today on our way home from school, I handed her a cracker, and she said, without prompting, "Thank you Mommy". I was floored. She will say "please" and "thank you" upon prompting, but this time it was so perfect! Her vocabulary is really expanding quickly. Tonight she used "circle" while looking at a shapes book. I need to write down all her new words. It's amazing how quickly she picks them up!

Brynn week 2

At her first check-up, Brynn did very well. She weighed in at 8lbs 7 oz, and Dr. Terry popped off her umbilical cord. So now we're into full baths, which Brynn LOVES. Not one tear or fuss. She loves having her hair washed and sitting in the bathtub. Mommy remembered (the hard way) how important it is to leave the diaper on until the very last part of the bath, and to take the dishes and sponge out of the sink first.

A smile for Mommy's birthday

I took this picture on Sunday after John and I got home from a scrumptious dinner at Kabuto. I was craving some ginger salad dressing, hibachi chicken, and fried rice, and the Grasshopper drink topped it all off! Yum. It was also nice to have a date night. We were planning one for Saturday before the induction, but Brynn had other plans!

Our little Steelers fan borrowing Mommy's jersey

I love my cousin Sean!!!

How cute are these two monkeys?

Anna and Brynn share a secret

One week old Brynn

Mom and I spent Brynn's 1 week birthday shopping at Babies R Us and the best maternity store in Richmond, It's Hip to be Round. Brynn had a successful out of house nursing day! Luckily both of the stores had special nursing places, but my goal is to be comfortable nursing wherever we go. At the maternity store, I found a beautiful sling and nursing cover, which I can't wait to open on my birthday! They match my Vera Bradley backpack I've been using as a diaper bag so perfectly. Thanks Mom!!

Brynn is spending more time awake and alert, and it's so cute to see her eyes cross in and out trying to focus. Tonight she "watched" Anna take a bath and Anna enjoyed showing her how she brushed her teeth. I can foresee some "Let's show Brynn how you...." moments in the future!

Last night it was, "Let's show Brynn how you eat your dinner."