Pickin' Pumpkins

Saturday was our annual picking of the pumpkins! This year being even better than last year because Rachel was a very willing participant. She wanted to walk around everywhere and look at all the pumpkins. I had one picked out for her but she went ahead and found one by herself. I have to say that it's this kind of stuff that makes being a parent worth while. Watching Rachel take in all the scenery and really enjoying herself just put joy in my heart. Little Charlie was there too but he is, of course, still too little to participate. Next year though....oh next year!

Hum...will it be this one?

Or this one?

or maybe....?

Wait! I see one over there!

Pure joy!

She had a blast being pulled around in this and didn't even try to jump out.

Charlie boy just relaxing in the shade.

My Girl

I love her more than anything

Ice Scream!

This was Rachel's first ice cream cone ever. I know it's October. But, that's like July for the northerners. (And I'll add that these were Rachel's first pigtails too!)

This Little Piggy

2 Months Old

Weighs 14 pounds! The kid went from 8 to 14 pounds in 8 weeks. From 50% for weight to 95%. I think he's going to be tall like his dada.

What's over there?

All this adoration makes me sleepy...

His appointment with the GI doc went well on Monday. The doctor gave us samples of Neocate formula to try. It's super expensive but completely milk protein free. So far the formula seems to working in the fact that he is no longer pooping his brains out or crying or being super hard to put down for a nap. BUT it is making him constipated or giving him more solid poos than he's used to because he is not happy when he has to go. I think that will rectify itself in time though. If not, we have lots of Miralax because Rachel uses it! These kids already share reflux medicine, why not stool softener too?

Still messing with the buttons on the TV

Speaking of Rachel, every day she becomes more and more of a little person. She now tells us what she would like to eat. If she sees grapes on her plate and she's eating a hot dog, she will no longer be content to eat the hot dog until I give her some grapes. She will put down that hot dog and point to the grapes and make the sign for "more" until I give her some. She squeals with laughter and the cutest things and she will come run into our arms for a hug. I love seeing her chug it down the hall to land in my arms. She has really been working on figuring out her toys and initiating playtime with us. Rachel will bring a toy over to us, even if we are in another room, if she wants us to play with her. She can build a kick-butt tower of blocks. She's learning to try different holes in her shape sorter if the block doesn't fit into the first one she tries. She used to just keep trying to jam it in that one hole. Rachel also loves to go outside. If you get her shoes out, she knows what's happening next. She would run around the neighborhood if you let her. I can't wait for Halloween and Christmas and Easter. Each year with her is just more amazing. I look forward to seeing her grow as the years move along.

The shirt says "Daddy's Girl" but she has my heart.

Catching Up

Stephen's job had a employee appreciation day last weekend. It couldn't have been a more beautiful fall day. The four of us bundled up and set out to enjoy our time together. Rachel had a blast in the "needle in a haystack" area they had set up for the kids. The child can go in and find a poker chip in the hay and redeem it for a prize. Rachel just wanted to sit and play in the hay! They had some other blow up bouncy house type things but they freaked her out. I'm sure she'll love them someday though. They are her type of crazy! Little man slept mostly the whole time in the stroller, thankfully.

She likes feeling the wind on her tongue.

Charlie's stool sample came back normal which means there isn't any bateria or bugs causes the blood and mucus issue. We've been referred to a GI doctor down at Children's in Birmingham on Monday. We could have seen Rachel's GI but we would have had to wait until the 20th. I hope we get some answers.

Some smiles in between the crying..

Overall, we've fallen in to sort of routine at nighttime with Charlie. Even though the kid weighs a ton, he still wake up every 2.5 - 3 hours to eat. We rotate nights as to who sleeps with him downstairs so the other person can get a good solid 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Tonight is my night to sleep and boy am I looking forward to it. Too bad it goes by so quickly and it seems like as soon as my eyes shut, it's time to wake up and start again. So, good night to all!

Roughing It

Nope, we aren't camping. Camping would be a dream vacation right now compared to what's been going on at our house. Little Charlie is not improving on the formula for milk allergies. If anything, he's gotten worse. He cries when you hold him and he cries when you put him down. It takes an army to get him to nap or sleep. Seriously, I have to swaddle, shake and swing him all while stomping around in the bathroom with the fan turned on. That is the only thing that works. He can't be held and just fall asleep on you after eating like a normal child would. We are both mentally and physically exhausted. The pediatrician has ordered a stool sample. We should get those results back next week. He suggested a possible cause for Charlie's issues but I don't want to go into anything until we have definite answers. Until then, please keep him in your thoughts. We need a break and he needs a break. I would like to enjoy just holding him instead of bouncing all around while we both cry.

Wordless Monday...because I'm exhausted!

Helping in the Kitchen

My mom came to visit for a week and just left yesterday. Rachel and Charlie got to spend lots of time with her and mom really helped out with them and making some yummy dinners! Here Rachel is helping her prep for one of those meals. She really likes to stir! :)

taste testing

The Cupcake

The Birthday Girl

And to think we were so full of sorrow when we found out she had Down syndrome in the days before her birth. It makes me sad that my heart was so heavy on what should have been such a happy day. Life certainly did not end when she was born. It seems that it really just began.

Celebrating 2 Years

Today, Rachel girl is 2 years old. It's been two years since that terrifying day. Two years since I first saw her profile as I laid on the operating table. Two years since our lives changed forever. We love you sweet girl...through your tantrums, your evil laughs as you get into something you shouldn't, your smiles that light up the room and your wonderful hugs...every little piece. Happy Birthday.