Pumpkin Patch 2013

One evening Stark spontaneously informed Della that we would be going on our first Pumpkin Patch excursion the following weekend. Della was excited as only a toddler can be excited for something unknown and I was surprised ... a Pumpkin Patch! The thought hadn't even crossed my mind ... which is why I married a family guy like Stark. 

Saturday we loaded up and headed out to find a Pumpkin Patch knowing that if we drove into farmland we would sooner or later stumble upon one. Spooner Farms, as it turns out, is a very popular pumpkin patch for the Tacoma crowd. Although Stark and I are not crowd loving people, our daughter did not inherit the anti-social gene, and dove into the crowd head first. Our primary job became a joint effort to keep her from being run over by wheelbarrows loaded down with pumpkins. 

She may not grasp Halloween or the seasonal fondness for pumpkins but Della very much enjoyed her first trip to the Pumpkin Patch. 

As expected, it took her a few moments to warm up to the idea, although Daddy is pretty excited!

Nothing makes Della happier than LUMPY's (elephants)!

 It doesn't take her long to feel comfortable in new surroundings ... 

soon she was off and exploring

That can't be correct ... nearly 3ft tall!

Mama ... Baaaaaa .... Moooo ... Pigglet!

  

Her first Chickens

And her first Turkey

And her first pigglets ... 3 in a row. 

Pumpkin Patch style play land ... she really liked the 4x4 push car

Pumpkins ... as far as the eye can see

Pondering the pumpkins

  Thanks to our Nanny for teaching Della how to say 'Cheeze' and 'Smile' with a big cheezy smile on her face ... cutest thing. 

 

I don't understand the attraction of green aliens but Della sprinted right up and smacked it!

 

Proof of my pregnancy ... one month to go. 

Blowing kisses ... with a cheezy grin!

We didn't actually buy a pumpkin but the excursion was a success! 

September Catch Up ...

September has been a BUSY month but I've managed to scrounge up a few pictures ...

Della started gymnastics! And, per her Nanny, she seems to be enjoying herself. So much so that I've booked her for another months of classes. 

I splurged and bought Della a chalkboard ... 

here she is explaining the nuances of chalk drawing to daddy.

While packing up a garage to move it helps to have a motorcycle nearby to provide a toddler distraction

We are sad to be leaving our fantastic neighbors. Not only did they take care of us with late night reminders that our garage was open, and holiday dog feeding services, but Della received several key hand-me-downs including this slide ... which she LOVES. Thanks D&R, we'll miss you. 

Here Della pushes her boundaries by testing the idea that her bouncy horse is more bouncy on the couch!

Boxes, boxes, and more boxes ... packing up for a move no longer holds the thrill it did in my 20's. 

Testing out Halloween costume ideas ... Tigger?

Quick Update

I'm 8 months pregnant and exhausted and this poor memory book (blog) is feeling the neglect. 

But Really ... can you blame me?

We've been busy.

After 3 months we are now 2 weeks away from closing the sale of our home. I'm soooo excited to no longer have to clean our house every evening just in case someone wants to view it. 

After 10 months we are 2 days away from moving into our newly remodeled 'other' home. Yes we hired movers ... no I haven't packed yet!

As is typical in my industry, my work schedule has exploded as Owner's realize they need projects done RIGHT NOW in order to be complete by the permitted finish date. 

Stark is busy balancing the demands of Fall sports complicated with a school under construction, final home remodel projects, and the needs of a pregnant wife! He's holding admirably.

And of course, Della is busy growing up! To get you up to speed ...

• Vocabulary expanding daily - she says Park like a true Boston native, without the 'r'. Other favorites, zoo, milk, num nums (food), fruit, "I got it", up-down (as she climbs the stairs), and many more.
• Growing - size 6 to size 7 shoes!  She has her parent's feet ... poor girl. 
• Pushing her boundaries - NO is still a funny word
• Books, books, and more book - bedtime routine now includes several books
• Hugs - although still not a snuggler she give fantastic, spontaneous, hugs
• Potty training - she now tells us when she needs to, or already has, dirtied a diaper, we're still working on the nuances of proactive announcements. 
• Skipped the separation anxiety stage - whether it's a parent, nana, or the nanny leaving, she confidently says bye-bye knowing that she's in safe (fun) hands and that mama & daddy will reappear. It's a bit unsettling to have your baby say bye-bye to you in the morning with little concern that you're walking out the door. 
• Loves her Daddy!  He's her favorite person. It's amazing to watch them tickle and laugh and converse together ... so much mutual love. 

Some unedited phone photos

"Riding" her bike

Emptying and wearing mama's purse as a hat

Chilling on the patio with a Popsicle ... all by herself, like it's no big deal

Evaluating her reading options

Snuggling with mama, and baby (bear), on Saturday mornings!

Reclining like daddy