Cute Little Monkey

Happy belated Halloween to everyone. It's actually one of my least favorite holidays- chalk it up to being an adult who is still intimidated by people in costumes/masks/etc. But I do love candy and cute kiddos in their costumes.

On Thursday, Mom and I took Caleb to Pumpkin Town. Caleb had a good time, though he refused to ride one of the ponies. He liked being close to them and patting them but made it through one terror-stricken trip around the circle all the horses were tied to. He had a blast picking out another "lil-lil pump-pun" and also a funny-looking gourd for Baby Girl. Now every time he pats my tummy he says, "Hi Baby Girl. Gourd??" even if we are at church and the gourd is nowhere to be found.

Here are the school pics I promised you last week (at least, I think that's when I promised them). Despite the slight drool stains around his neck band, his individual one is pretty cute. And it certainly isn't every school where your kid has a llama and two donkeys in the background. I pared down the group photo but wanted to show how silly Caleb was - who knows what he was laughing about, especially considering that most of the other friends from his class were barely managing a smile. By the way, his shirt said "Voted Best Dressed" on the little blue ribbon you can't really see. Still a cute pic but you don't get the funny part of the shirt since you can't see it.

On Friday we got up and put on the monkey costume for the first time in over a month. Call me silly, but I totally forgot about reintroducing it several times after the initial try-on. Caleb was not thrilled about the top, especially the hat. I convinced myself it was because it was quite toasty in his Old Navy performance fleece costume (which would be perfect for any other part of the country or even Oklahoma in any other year). He eventually settled down to do some puzzle-working in his closet. Who knew monkeys were so bright?

Friday night we met friends up at Asbury for the Fall Festival. Caleb had a great time with his friends and spent most of the evening watching the remote control race cars. We also stopped by the photo booth and caught our little monkey on camera. Good thing they take 4 pics- it took him that long to grasp the concept of look at the screen, not mama. What a good "cheese" in the last picture.

Caleb and Owen watching the cars:


Caleb behind the bean bag toss, looking out the lion's mouth. I don't know if Aaron told him to be sad or if he was just making that perfect "help I'm stuck in the lion's jaws" face.


Caleb has been all about singing lately. He is starting to come home with new songs from school. A big benefit of working where your son attends school - you can ask for interpretation of the "words" and "melodies" that your two year-old is coming home with. His very favorite this week is Bringing Home A Baby Bumble Bee. He was in love with Row Row Row Your Boat but has now moved on, as shown in this video.


Same sitting, same purpose - to catch Caleb on camera singing some tunes. This take quickly goes awry as Caleb finds fun facial orifices to discover. Then I get tickled, he starts laughing, and that's the end of that.


Thursday was a trip to the Baby Girl doctor, as Caleb calls it. Here's Mr. Independent enjoying his own chair in the waiting room.


Everything is looking good. Two weeks from now is 36 weeks and I'll start my every week appointments- can't believe it is so close. Several people had asked us if we'd heard an estimated weight. Call it morbid curiosity with regard for the lady that produced an 8 pound 15 ounce boy almost two years ago :) Dr. Williamson said that the average 34 week baby is between 4 1/2 and 5 pounds. However, based on ultrasound measurements, she is weighing in at just over 6 pounds already. Most babies gain between 1/2 and 1 pound per week from here on out - don't do the math, it will just make you hurt! Can we say "Thank God for a scheduled C Section!!"

OK, as a special bonus to all you loyal readers out there, we are FINALLY releasing our chosen name here on our blog before we tell anyone else (though we did send an email to our parents giving them a heads up to be sure to check out the new blog update). So, show some appreciation for this special blog announcement via the comment section - that means all of you lurkers, not just the ones that comment frequently!!

Yeah! Aaron finally took his hour (yes, it was tonight as I started writing this) and we have a decision. Now I can order a personalized stocking- yippee!

This is a fairly normal week, if by normal you mean lots of fast-paced decisions about the house and trying to keep the current one in tip-top shape in case we get a call for a showing. Saturday is an all-day girls retreat for Covenant, our church community group. It is at a bed and breakfast in BA, just past the Bluebell Creamery. Looking very forward to the girl time!

OK, must hit the hay. This silly time change still has me all messed up. Oh, one more shout out to recently-announced expecting friends, including Bopha and several girls from work (counting me, there are 8 Riverfield employees expecting!).

Have a great week!

PS- Prayers please for my mom and her mission team that leave for Mexico on Wednesday. They'll return Sunday. And for Aaron's mom, who is undergoing a heart cath procedure tomorrow (Tuesday) in Amarillo to look into some blockage.