Halloween

And this is how we ended up

She wore the dinosaur to school, and the doggie out trick or treating. I had to put her "doggie face" on a couple of times, but she loved it.

PUMPKIN

Peanut loves her pumpkins. anytime we leave the house she tells them by "Bye Bye Pumpkins. 2 pumpkins."

Here is her running to show her daddy some of the artwork on her pumpkins. I don't think we will have a jack-o-lantern again this year, but that is okay. Next year I won't be in school, so it will be much easier.

Halloweeeneeee

It is getting close to Halloween. Peanut has two costumes to choose from a dinosaur, which we call a monster, or a doggy. She usually wears her doggy costume but tells people she is a monster doggy and barks at them in a horrible monster doggy bark. She is a funny one that one.

We went to a carnival at her daycare. Had I read the flyer completely, I would have realized that it was a rodeo them, but since I didn't peanut was the only one not dressed up like a cowperson, she went as a puppy. There was horse rides there. I thought she would go for it, but when we got close to the horse she said, "No No momma. No No." I told her that was fine and that she didn't have to ride the horse if she didn't want to. There were non breathing horses there for her to enjoy. There was a mini merry go round and a bouncing horse that she loved.

We tried to make it to the Pumpkin patch Saturday, but it was closed. Instead, we went to it Sunday morning, which worked out well because it wasn't very crowded at all. Peanut had a blast picking out her pumpkin(s). She was very concerned about all the other pumpkins we weren't taking home. Dad likes to tell a story about taking me to the tomato fields to pick tomatoes after the harvesters had already been through. He says I would yell "tomato" and run past 20 tomatoes to get the the tomato I saw. Well Peanut was like that today, running full speed past 80 pumpkins to get to a little one she could have.

Tonight we went to Boo at the Zoo. It was crazy. There were tons of people and a long line to get in. For those that haven't ever been to the Little Rock Zoo, it was small. REALLY SMALL. They don't even have kangaroos here. It was nice but surprising to see how many people where there. There was also a band competitions going on, so parking was horrendous (another thing that never happens at the zoo). We met up with two friends, Fisher and Quinn. Fisher ended up riding rides, so we didn't see him too much, but we did walk around with Quinn to look at stuff, marvel at the lights, and get LOTS OF CANDY.

We moved the rest of our storage shed into our house today. We are officially all in one place. Throughout the week, we will proceed to throw away a bunch more of our things that should have been thrown out a long time ago. We also need to put it all away. The good thing is that once it is done, it is done. We won't have to mess with it again (until we do the floors).

UPDATED: The elephant is not peanut. She is Quinn.

All's Fair

Aunt Genie and Uncle Jared were in town this weekend. We dragged them to the Arkansas State Fair. I have been itching to take peanut there since it opened last week. I wanted her to see all the animals we read about in books.

She was a little timid around the cow. COWS ARE BIG. I imgine much bigger than she probably thought they were. She was curious but wanted to be sure that she was all cuddled up on me. I don't think she pet the cow, but she didn't have any objection to me petting him while holding her.

We also got to pet a goat and a duckling. She tried to pinch the head off the duckling. (that didn't go over to well with the duckling) We also saw chickens and a horse. The chickens were way more exciting than the horse.

AND THEN, we got to ride the merry go round. The merry go round was the only ride she was big enough to ride. She LOVED it. She was totally excited even before we started moving. When it started moving, it totally blew her mind. She was smiling and looking all around seeing how things operated and waving to her daddy. I felt kinda sick watching the world spin around so much, but she was about as happy as they come.

We also did the race for the Cure this weekend. Peanut kept telling everyone that "daddy races's cars." She knew we were going to race, but kept talking about cars because i don't think she understood it was a foot race. She raced with me in May and June, but maybe she didn't have the words for it them. For the last 2 blocks, she walked or ran it in on her own. She loved it. She would run, fall, and run some more. She kept saying "Peanut race. Peanut run fast." That race is a lot of fun with a kid because they hand out beads and things along the way. Plus there are bands and people dressed up in costumes. We saw fire engines and police cars as well.

To top the weekend off, we went to the Jewish food festival today. Peanut wasn't terribley into the food. There was a lot of running down by the "water" to be done. The festival was fun, and I think the food was better this year than it has been in years past. But, it made me miss my friend Meryl a lot. I get to see her in a month, so maybe missing isn't what I am feeling as much as anticipation for her visit.

Peanut's big trick this week was to pretend like she was a monster. She growls at us "ROWR" while opening her mouth really wide and acting like she is going to claw us. She is still really big into the color orange, but now has added red to the mix. She is also really big into being changed. She wants to be changed almost constantly. I think she is looking to see how it is done so she can do it to her babies. We have to take the diaper cream ("butter") away from her because she will rub it all over her babies. She is a mess that one.

MOVIE TIME

In honor of the Hot Spring Documentary Film Festival, I would like to post a little film of my own.

Growing Up

It has been pretty amazing to see how our little girl is growing up this week. First, I really think she is having a growth spurt as she is eating us out of house and home. For breakfast, she had 2 pieces of toast, an egg, a slice of cantaloupe and a serving of beans THE SIZE OF HER DADS.

But the talking, the talking is moving right along. Today we took a jog up to the starbucks, where I bought her a chocolate milk. She has never had chocolate milk before, so when she tasted it she said, "it is ice cream." I told her "No, it is chocolate milk." She pondered that then repeated it over and over again to be sure she was able to retain it. When we got home, my hands were full because we also went to the grocery store and bought some milk and things. My phone was on the step and she told me " I get your phone." I was a little taken aback because she conjugated a verb correctly. Mind you, she did leave out a word, but I still thought that was pretty cool.

She is also pretty good at her colors. She still answers that everything is orange, but she does it to be funny. I asked her at the park today "What color is that dog?" "ORANGE" "No, that dog isn't orange. What color is that dog?" "Black"

Daddy is the bomb. I can't say I am too jealous. It is a bit of a burden when you are soothing a toddler and change her diaper and right about the time she is about to nod back off to sleep, she starts asking for daddy.

Daddy's are cool though. They aren't around as much as moms. They don't have to disciple. I do enjoy Mr. T.'s new found popularity. My belly is getting bigger and bigger, and it hurts to be bending over and picking up a small child all the time. It hurts to get kicked in the belly. My tummy is sore at the end of the day. This new found love for all things daddy gives me a little break to put my feet up and do some studying.

I was going to blog about how peanut's attitude has really changed for the better and how we are having less breakdowns and how i really think getting lots of sleep is helping her, but there is no reason to do that now. She had a major melt down when she saw the park this afternoon. And another one when we left the park. I am a mean mom though. I laugh through them because she is so ridiculous. It doesn't help for me to laugh. I think it might make matters worse, but i can't help it. She looks so stupid throwing herself down and screaming or running through the house howling with her hands up in the air.

But, in her defense, her sleep was crap yesterday and so was her nap today. It is almost 8 and I still hear her in there, so I bet I am up for more of the same tomorrow.

These pictures are from grandparent's day at Peanut's school. The little boy on my dad's lap is her BFF Michael. She loves him. I don't blame her. He is super cute and super sweet.

Puzzling

Peanut did her first puzzle(s) on her own today. We just bought some new ones, and finally got around to play with them. It was neat to see the little light in her head go on. As I would hand her the puzzle piece, she would immediatly place the piece very carefully and all lined up into the spot. As went spent more time working the puzzles, she got faster and faster at placing the pieces in the correct spot.

We did 4 puzzles in a row. Which is a long time for her to concentrate on one thing. She even helped put them in the holder. We have messed with puzzles for a month or two because we have been moving and packing, but I see us playing with them more and more.

Love Letter to a 21 Month Old

Dear Peanut,

You are funny. You are funny in ways that I never really knew toddlers were funny. You say things that make us laugh. You are really into being "AWAKE". "Peanut is AWAKE. Momma is AWAKE." Even if it isn't true and all I really want is to not be AWAKE because it is 5:30 in the morning on a weekend. When you pretend like you are a ghost, it always makes us break down in giggles, even if it is when we are trying to use the toilet.

This month has been a little difficult for you. I think it was more difficult for you than I really realized. I have a tendency to brush over things, and for the most part, I am right when it comes to you, but this time, I don't think I was. It started out with Tessa and Michael being here. You were wonderful during their whole visit. Then you started crawling out of your crib, which led us to putting you in a toddler bed. Then we moved you into a new house that is completely disorganized. Luckily, about this time, I realized that the toddler bed was not going to work, because then you got sick. REALLY SICK. I have never seen you sick enough to slow down. All week you hung on me. It was awful. Now that you are better, you are in a room by yourself rather than sleeping in our room. I am hoping you will adjust to this soon because I can't tell if you are just being manipulative or if you really are scared and really do need the comfort. Sleeping in our room was not working for your dad and I. We couldn't do anything in our room past 7 in the evening and had to tiptoe around not to wake you in the morning. I also think that we were waking you up during the night with our tossing and turning.

Now that you are feeling better, your appetite is back. The good thing about you being sick was that we couldn't rely on cheese and milk so much. I think your eating has actually gotten better since you were ill. I have also let loose a little and allowed you some treats like chocolate ice cream. YUM. "more ice cream". I think if I asked, I could even get a please from you for that one.

You are still very into coloring. Everything to you is the color orange. We also have gotten into the habit of watching lots of TV, but we still get out to the park to play. You love your new playroom and scream and cry when you can't go "downstairs".

We have had lots of changes and lots of drama this month. Besides all the things that are happening to you, your father and I have been tired and probably a little less attentive than you are used to. It is amazing to me how you can still bring a smile to our face and remind us that we do need to take some time to swing and relax. You have been very therapeutic for both me and your father.

I love you,

Mom

Home Sweet Home

I am starting with the best part first. The deck and the backyard were the big sellers for the house.

Yay, that is a creek in the backyard.

Mr. T. was cleaning the carpets, so it doesn't look like much of a playroom, but it is. We have a funky mildew smell downstairs, but I think we can get it under control. The lady who lived her before us was NASTY. She is a "socialite" of sorts, but NASTY.

This will be the guest bedroom, it is downstairs, so it is getting cleaned right now too. There are some great built in down there, so it will also serve as storage and Mr. T.'s electronics room.

This is the office. Mr. T.'s table was inadvertently left at the last house, so he no longer has a desk. We are going to need to buy him one, but we might also put Peanut's big girl bed in here for a short time. It seems that everyone gets a little more rest when she is in her crib and the front is pushed against the wall.

If you weren't jealous already, I bet the pink carpet really does it for you. We are going to completely redo all the flooring in the upstairs. It is mismatched and varying shades of awful. We are also going to be doing a lot of painting. Peanut is really into the color orange right now and it is taking all I can to not suggest we paint her room orange.

kitchen, but this is what steals the show in the kitchen right now.

Someone didn't build the kitchen big enough to fit this refrigerator. Someone wasn't very smart.

This is peanut's bathroom. Do you want a sample of the wallpaper? She left some for us. Here is a close up of it.

And I think the rest has all been seen before.
We are all doing better. Peanut is cutting molars, so we are getting very little sleep again. BUT, we moved her into her own room so at least she can cry a little without too much discomfort for the parents. (sounds mean, but it isn't)

Still Here

This weekend is a long weekend for the government workers. I am going to be catching up with school and hopefully finishing the box moving.

Peanut is finally better. She had a normal "movement" yesterday AND slept through the night. I actually showed up to work on time today, so hopefully we are starting to get the swing of living in our new house.

Mr. T. has been downstairs removing the smell of cat pee, so the playroom can be set up this weekend. We are also going to set up the office, so hopefully, I can really get cracking on the school work. I AM SO BEHIND.

We have closed on the old house, so are now proud owners of only 1 house. HURRAY. It all worked out well for us in the end.

I just want to mention again that Peanut is feeling better. It makes me feel so less stressed to know she is doing well. It sucks to be so worried about her. I couldn't give her any milk or cheese, which is real comfort food for her. She also started nursing again, but hopefully that will all end now that she is better.

Oh and if you get bored reading here, you can also read at http://pumpkinsparents.blogspot.com. I am going to be keeping a pregnancy journal over there. When the little one shows up, I am going to be just blogging here because two blogs is too much. I am due May 8th, and as I start showing, I am getting really excited. I am 9 weeks along. I should also graduate in May, which is two big things that I can check off the list. I just need to keep my eye on the prize.

quick update

We are almost moved in. We close tomorrow. The title company, Little Rock Title and bank Metropolitian, both suck. Our buyer rocks.

Peanut is talking too much. It will only get worse. It is fun to figure out what she is saying though. She hardly ever babbles. She really thinks she is saying something.

Peanut got into poison on Friday night. She woke up at 3:15 in the morning vomitting. After calling poison control, we took an ambulance ride to the hospital. It was fine. She wasn't poisoned. She was a great patient though and behaved remarkable well for a small child who wasn't sleeping and was dry heaving.

She is still sick. Not throwing up, but, you know. She has the jimmy grits.

The phone is kinda working now. I hate the phone company. Evidently there are two lines into this house and they connected the one where there is only one phone jack. i think i can fix it myself though. it doesn't look hard. i am just worried about the electricity to it.

We would have gotten our phone through cable, but the lady nevered turned off her cable. We are getting free cable. I really love cable.

Back to work. We have almost filled this house out completely. it is 2.5 times the size of our old house. Mr. t. is throwing a lot away. he needs to.

thanks for the well wishes and calls.