Fall is officially here in Southeast Michigan. There is a crispness to the air yet beautiful, warm sunshine, the colors are glorious on a sunny day (especially the beautiful yellows this year), and our calendar is packed with a bunch of great fall activities. Our October started with a great fall family activity - a trip to Three Cedars Farm in Northville with the Dunns!
Connor and Hugo especially enjoyed our first stop, a wooden "play" train that they could climb on/through. Hugo can't really climb or crawl just yet, so he was getting some help from Jaime.
One of the very cool things at Three Cedars Farm is their "corn" box. Its like a sandbox, but instead of sand, its filled with kernels of corn. The idea is very neat, although all of that stale corn takes on a kind of sour smell. I sat Hugo in it and for a bit, he didn't really know what to make of it. Then, after a little demonstration, he started playing with the corn and then tried to put some in his mouth. That's when we had to take him out. I can't imagine that the smelly corn tastes good at all!
I think Hugo's favorite trip of the day by far was the tractors, especially the kid-sized John Deere ones. Hugo generally loves anything with a steering wheel --- our car, his car toy, whatever. He did such a good job on the tractors --- once we put him on, he grabbed on tight to the steering wheel and maintained his balance. Maybe he'll grow up to be a farmer!?!
I think the second favorite part of Hugo's trip to Three Cedars Farm was the donuts....warm and powdered with sugar they were delicious (although not as delicious as Wasem's, which I didn't let Hugo try). Hugo opened up his mouth wide for his first bite of donut and then kept opening it up like a bird, waiting for more. Like father, like son.
We ended the hay ride up near the front where I bought two pie pumpkins to make baby food out of for Hugo. It was a great day for all of us! We we will surely go back and visit again next year!
October 3rd, 2011
Hugo's 9 month check-up. Dr. Baker said everything looked great, that Hugo was eating like he should, sleeping like he should, pooping like he should. Hugo is doing so great, it was a pretty uneventful visit. The best part was that Hugo wasn't really due for any shots this visit --- however, with it being flu season, he did get his first dose of his flu shot. He didn't cry though, not at all, not one single peep.
October 5th, 2011
It was an unseasonably beautiful night, and I'm not sure how many more of these we're going to get before winter sets in so after dinner, we took a stroll to the park. It was getting late by the time we got there (nearly dark) and Hugo was starting to fall asleep in the swing, so we didn't last too long. But it was nice to get out!
October 7th, 2011
Since Hugo spends most of his time in the big back room, he is rarely in the kitchen. However, since we were working to clean up, I parked him in front of a "safe" cabinet (i.e., nothing breakable) to occupy him while I finished up. He loved it....all the toys in the world and he's most content with a few mixing bowls!
October 9th, 2011
A weekend visit with Grandma and Grandpa!
After my parents hit the road, we joined the Dunn's for a walk through the Arb to enjoy the fall colors. Yellow was definitely the predominant color this year! The weather was beautiful, and we had a great time strolling through the trails. The highlight was the perfectly-heart shaped leaf I found to give to Hugo.
The weekend ended with Shannon's birthday celebration dinner at Mongolian BBQ in Canton. It was great to get to see everyone and was very interesting with all the kiddos. Our birthday celebrations aren't what they used to be! Now our comic relief was watching poor Connor who could barely keep his eyes open and literally fell asleep sitting up in his high chair. A great night out with friends...Happy Birthday Shannon!
October 10th, 2011
Burning off some steam jumping in his crib like a mad-man before bed.
October 12th, 2011
Today was a very special day for me at work --- it was the memorial symposium honoring the late Dr. MaryFran Sowers --- my boss and mentor for the past 8 years. Given that the activities were going to stretch through the afternoon, Jaime offered to watch Eleanor for Kelly so that she could participate baby-free. Hugo didn't mind sharing his afternoon at all! He had a great time hanging out with his girlfriend! Eleanor is so beautiful and such a good little girl that she wasn't any trouble at all for Jaime. Now he thinks 2 babies is a piece of cake and is ready for us to have Baby #2! Uh oh!
October 13th, 2011
It had already been a stressful week thus far (dinner with a visiting OA researcher, MFS' symposium) so I was definitely looking forward to the bowling night we had planned with the Dunns. We had all purchased Groupon deals for Colonial Lanes in Ann Arbor. After a failed attempt at using them once (we went on a night when only league bowling was available), we tried again and had a great time. We ordered pizza from Cubs AC and shared a few pitchers of beer. The little boys had a great time with so much to watch.
Cuddle time with two of my babies before bed.
October 16th, 2011
Every Halloween, Greenfield Village opens up for a special Halloween Treat. Last year, we all planned to go but when Shannon went to get tickets we found out how popular the event is --- they were totally sold out! This year, she planned far in advance. On Sunday, Shannon, Tim, Jaime and I --- plus one little froggie and one little monkey --- headed out to celebrate Halloween at Greenfield Village. Each set of tickets is assigned a "start time" in which you can enter. From there, you wind through the path, collecting treats and watching the tricks from the performers. It was definitely very cool, albiet one of my favorite parts was just people watching - all the kids (and adults, too) dressed up in costume. Hugo was such a good boy as he kept trying to eat his (fake) banana that was part of his costume. It made me feel really good because I kept hearing people comment about how cute the little monkey was! This will have to become a yearly event!
October 17th, 2011
When I was a kid, I decided I wanted to learn how to play the piano. My wonderful, loving parents took my desire seriously and invested in an awesome piano-sized keyboard for my new hobby. Unfortunately, I never took a single lesson or learned even one song. But the keyboard has been put to good use over the years and now is a favorite form of entertainment for Hugo (and us). He bangs on the keys, squealing with delight at each sound they make. Then, when I change the setting (from piano to organ, for example), he gets very confused for a minute before going back to banging away.
October 20th, 2011
Tubby night! Hugo has always loved tubby time, even since being a little newborn. However, around 8-9 months of age we started to transition him into the ducky tub as he was quickly growing out of the sink baby tub. Unfortunately, it wasn't any easy transition --- every time we'd put him in, he'd scream uncontrollably until we were finished washing him. We tried everything to make it better - changed the temperature of the water, changed the direction he sat in, filled the tub before he got in, filled the tub with him in it....everything! Then, while we were in San Diego, Jaime gave him a tub in the big hotel tub with no problem and ever since then, he's been fine again. Nothing cuter than a baby getting a tub, unless its a baby getting a tub in a giant inflatable ducky!
October 21st, 2011
Tonight was Toni's birthday. To celebrate, we had a big group dinner at Aubree's and then planned to head to the Corn Maze in Milan. It was a little chilly tonight, so we got to try out Hugo's awesome bargain winter coat. Hugo was such a trooper --- he was tired as it was after dinner (given that it was nearly 9:00), and then when we got to the corn maze, he let me bundle him up and put him in the stroller. Then, after all that, when we got into the maze, parts of the path were really muddy (we have recently had 3+ days of straight rain) and so Joe and Jaime carried his stroller over the mud puddles. No complaints from Hugo! In my attempt to go around a mud puddle (and walk through the stalks of corn, I stepped in a mud sink hole and started sinking. Unable to move my feet to regain my balance, I fell FLAT on my back - from head to toe in mud! I called quits and said we were heading home. I was sorry to miss the festivities with the rest of the group, but I was not about to spend a few hours walking around cold, wet and muddy! The best part was that I drove home pantsless so as to not get mud all over my seats. I'm just glad I didn't get pulled over!
October 22nd, 2011
Today was the Dunn's annual Halloween party and we got a beautiful fall day to celebrate. We got all dressed up (Jaime and Hugo as Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat and me in my non-costume) to enjoy a day of pumpkin-carving, pinata-ing, treats, sweets and fun. It was a GREAT day hanging out with friends (even Carlos and Michael and Gera showed up - it was SO great to see them). There were so many babies - all SO cute in their costumes!
Jaime and Hugo won the prize for best costume. I - even in my non-costume - got a vote from Joe!
Toni and Liam were peas and carrots.
October 23rd, 2011
Today we had a photo shoot with Lindsey Hall photography. I've been wanting to get professional pictures of Hugo taken for quite some time, but wanted to make sure he was old enough to have personality in the pictures. Lindsey prefers to take photographs outside, so with fall coming to a close we wanted to squeeze in the photo shoot before it got cold. We met Lindsey at Cobblestone Farms in Ann Arbor and took a nice leisurely stroll around the property, letting Hugo explore and check things out while being cute. The pictures didn't disappoint. I think they are beautiful. Thank you Lindsey for capturing such wonderful memories of our little boy!
October 25th, 2011
TEN MONTHS OLD. How can that be? I say this each month that passes, yet then just a few short weeks later, I'm left speculating again. Time flies and we're having fun.
October 29th, 2011
Big day --- Hugo's first Michigan football game! We had tickets purchased early this summer to attend the UM-Purdue Homecoming game with Chris and Kristina. At the time, I didn't think anything of bringing Hugo, worrying only that it might be a little chilly for a baby. But as the day drew near and the weather report was fine, I was excited to bring him to his first game. However, I became concerned after sharing this with my co-worker who informed me that children - even babies - need a ticket for UM football games. I checked online and confirmed. Worried about getting stopped at the door but REALLY not wanting to fork out another $80 for a ticket for Hugo (who would obviously be sitting on our lap) we decided to take our chances. Jaime and Chris entered the stadium first with Hugo in the baby carrier while I waited outside the gate in the event that I would have to buy another ticket on the spot. Luckily, Jaime picked a really young ticket taker who didn't seem to notice. When the guy said "enjoy the game" Jaime said thanks and made a beeline for inside the gates. Whew! I love Hugo and I love Michigan football, but I really don't think having him in the stadium is worth an extra $80 to me.
Needless to say, we had a great time. The game was exciting, especially the very beginning when a guy with a rocket-ship backpack flew onto the field to deliver the game ball. UM won (Go Blue!) and Hugo seemed genuinely interested in watching the game (and the people). He really, really, really loved the popcorn! He fell asleep sometime during late in the 2nd quarter. After waiting forever (really, like 30ish minutes) to get into the family restroom to change him, it was already nearing the end of the game. We watched a bit more and then it started to rain slightly. Hugo and I decided to hang out underneath the bleachers while the game finished up. Once it started raining a little heavier, everyone else decided to pack up too and so we all headed out and grabbed lunch at Applebees. A great Ann Arbor UM Saturday!
October 30th, 2011
Sunday morning is Jaime's day to sleep in. I got up with Hugo and had him playing in the back room while I cleaned up the kitchen a bit. When I turned around, I found him like this. 'Will you please let me out Mom?'
October 31st, 2011
Halloween! My happy boy playing in his pack and play before day care. He's so handsome.
