Lakeview Farms

A while back I had talked about new traditions being established in my family as my children grow up. I recently took Lucas with some friends to Lakeview Farms pumpkin patch. Going to the pumpkin patch is one of those traditions that I wanted to begin with my kids. At Lakeview Farms, they have not only a pumpkin patch but a few farm animals to look at, a corn maze, caramel corn an lunch items for sale, and either a train ride or boat ride to and from the pumpkin patch. We had a blast and Lucas had fun sitting on the pumpkins and getting muddy. It got a little cold but it was neat to watch him have fun with the other kids and explore everything.

Posing with our friends

Riding the train to the pumpkin patch

Riding the train

Look what I found mom!

Sitting on a pumpkin

Riding the boat back...

How tall I am at Lakeview Farms 2009

Goofin' around!

Getting ready to leave after a fun day!

Cousins

Recently we had the opportunity to go to a birthday party for Lucas's cousins who were turning 5 and 1. I took some pictures of the boys together that turned out pretty cute. Considering they are only 6 weeks a part it was fun to watch them crawl around together. The funniest thing is, some of the pictures placed in the right order look like a fight ensued.

It begins as Lucas creeps up on the unsuspecting victim...

He goes for the attack...

His cousin fights back...

and again...

Unsure of what just happened...the fight ends and they crawl away to nurse their wounds. Lucas 1 point, his cousin 2 points.

Ta-Da!

Well it's finally here. Lucas is walking and the terror has officially begun. Although he was quite mobile before and got into everything, he is more disobedient now. So along with the walking all hell has broken lose.

Now I know some experts will say that your kids don't understand no at such a young age blah, blah, blah. I agree that their memory span is short and they have to be told over and over. But, It's funny to me how I can watch the little stinker calculating in his mind.

"Mom just told me no.....oooh but I really want to touch that.......is she still looking? Maybe I can touch that before she sees me, (peeks out the corner of his eye) mmm....I think I can....here we go"

Goofy smile!

Can't you just see it in his eyes? He's just waiting to find a warranty to void...

What a stinker! Although he can say mama and dada, his official first word will most likely be no since I say it a hundred times a day. You can remove him from the object, I've also removed the object from him, and he crawls right to it even if he didn't see where I put it. Oh well learning curve right? It's fun to watch how devious a 10 mth old can be. He already tells me how he feels at the top of his lungs even though it's in baby english. This is nothing, what I'm scared for is when this kid is 2. I am going to have an interesting (to say the least) time!

So some recent things we have done, we went to the State fair and Lucas went to his first petting zoo, we went on a family reunion trip to Ensign Ranch in Washington which was so much fun! On top of all that Lucas got really sick with Roseola. For those who don't know, Roseola is a 4-day very high fever sickness and then followed by a 3-day rash and it's most contagious to kids under 2. He was so miserable the poor thing. I'm really hoping as sick as he has been as a baby, he'll have so many anti-bodies built up by now, that he won't have to worry about being sick as an adult.

Now for some fun pictures:

First trip to the State Fair

Not quite sure about this goat...

I took this same picture with my pregnant belly through this watermelon last year. Had the before so I needed the after.

Petting a deer

Can you see my Roseola pok-a-dots (rash)?

All dressed up for church!

Ensign Ranch family trip, sitting on Grandma's enflatable doggy

Learning and Growing

Due to our recent move things have been a little hectic in my life but I am here and this post may be a little long and/or may consist more of pictures then writing but here goes.

So we have had an eventful summer exploring all the things that you normally do during these warm months. Lucas had his first trip to the county fair and got his first glimpse at larger animals i.e cows, sheep etc.

(A hat he got at the fair)

As I mentioned we recently moved and the little guy had had an adventurous time exploring his new surroundings as he now as more space to roam and a room of his own. (Mom is glad about this one as he now sleeps through the night.)

As he is now almost 2 months older since the last post he has definitely grown! He just had his 9 month check and still right on track for growth. He is crawling with the speed of a baby cheetah and attempting to walk with no success. Although he can walk back and forth with support such as the couch etc. and can stand with no support for about a minute and a half max. at one time. Although if you try to get him to stand he refuses and plops down on his bum.

(Standing, I was lucky to catch it on film. This ended up being the longest he has stood so far)

(Happy boy! Loves to pose for the camera!)

(Hanging out in the kitchen)

As he is 9 months old and has a love for learning and exploring I do my best do remember that when he's being destructive or getting into things he shouldn't. To no avail although he has numerous toys, of course he loves daddy's video consoles with the lights and buttons better.

(Trying to turn on the game)

He is extremely tactile and loves to taste everything. He has recently started chewing on things more do to his teething. One of his favorite things to do is sit on or in things. I recently walked into our office and found him sitting in a plastic drawer just big enough to fit his little bum and legs. I laughed hysterically and had to take a picture because it was just about the cutest thing ever.

(Sitting in the little plastic drawer)

I'm amazed at what he comes up with. I love the anticipation of what his little exploring mind will find. I can't wait for more fun!

(Wearing his cousins navy hat from his uncle)

(Playing with his new doggie friend)

(That smile gets me everytime!)

Growing Up

Alas, my "easy" baby days are over

Lucas had been army crawling since 6 months old; and started crawling on his hands and knees about 2 weeks ago. As of the end of last week he started to stand up with his hands resting on things i.e. toys etc.

But today I realized I'm very close to having my hands very full. I went into his room to pick him up as he had woken up from his nap and this is what I found...

I can pull myself all the way up and stand!
Next thing I know he's going to be walking and trying to crawl out of his bed. Definitely time for him to graduate to his "real" crib!

First Beach Trip

I recently went to the beach with my Mom, brother Jared and his wife Marissa, and Marissa's family who were visiting from Illinois. Marissa's family hadn't been to Oregon or even the beach before so it was neat to take them to some Oregon fave spots. Tillamook Cheese Factory, Canyon beach and Mo's seafood restaurant to name a few. This was also Lucas's first trip to the beach as well so I got some great pics of him!

Perfectly Posed

Happy boy!

Beautiful Haystack Rock

Jared and his wife Marissa

Amazing!

I recently got to see my new nephew who was born on Memorial Day. Looking at him and then seeing Lucas just amazes me. The process of pregnancy and birth is a miracle in itself. But, watching a baby grow from birth is incredible! How quickly they grow physically and mentally. The rapid growth of cells creating and learning is just unfathomable to me.

I can't believe that Lucas will be 7 months old on June 1st! He's babbling up a storm and a crawling speedster! Despite the flabby tummy and stress of a working mom, it's all worth it when he smiles at me!