Heidi-O-Lantern

So, Darcie took Heidi to a pumpkin patch and the results were just way too good not to put up on here. I know, we're shameless and post about nothing other than our daughter, but, hey, when she's this cute - can you blame us? Seriosuly, if these pictures don't make you say, "Awww", you should seek professional help as soon as you possibly can.

"Hey, mom...this costume fits pretty good...'cept how big does a girl's head gotta be for this hood thing to fit?"

Nate:  "Yo, girl.  What's up?"

Heidi:  "MaaaaaauuuuM!  Quit with the pictures!"

Heidi:  "Did someone say food?!"

Nate:  "Naw, they're just trying to get you to be cute.  Don't buy it.  Besides, girl, you need to lay off the milk - know what I'm sayin?  Those cheeks are out of control, girlfriend."

Busted!

We caught Heidi trying to set up her own Facebook account yesterday.  We had to have a long talk about the dangers of 11-week old girls setting up profiles on Facebook.  Who knows what other infants could be out there, right?

Fortunately, Heidi was very understanding.  :)

Keepin' busy

Let me first say, if you haven't read the Ode to Cinco below, start there first. Matt has written a lovely epic poem in celebration of Cinco's first birthday.

This week, Matt is with the Forge students on a trip, so Heidi and I are trying all kinds of new things to keep us busy. She didn't used to like the baby 'backpack' because she had to face in and look at my shirt, but now that she can hold her head up better, she can face out and she seems to like it. Back where she started, hanging around on (luckily not in) mommy's tummy!

We have also learned that Heidi really looks up to her daddy! :-) At her 2-month appointment, she weighed 10 1/2 pounds, up from 6lbs, 10oz at 2 weeks, and as you can tell, most of it has gone to her cheeks and her chin, causing her lack of neck.

I've been taking short videos to send to daddy this week, so here's one of the latest. She's a pretty smiley one, and has discovered her hands and how to suck on them. Keeps her busy when the pacifier falls out. We're lovin' life. She's a cutie... and she only woke up once last night!

Cinco: Uno

Well, Darcie has just about taken over this blog, so I figured I better chime in with something blog-worthy of my own.  

Just to bring everyone up to date on things with me:

1.  The Forge students are doing great.  We go on our first official trip on Monday and we're all pretty excited about being gone for a week (except me, really...who would want to leave the two most beautiful girls I know for that long?  I must be crazy).

2.  The Forge website has been updated and enhanced - WAY cooler now.  Check it out.

3.  My fantasy football team has recovered from a dismal week 1 loss to go on a 3 game win streak.  Brandon Marshall and Gregg Jennings are good starters this year - and I got em both!

4.  Darcie and I are both trying to lose our baby weight and have started the Body for Life diet.  We just finished our second week and, I must say, I really like this eating/exercise plan.  Especially the days off when I get to have ice cream.   :)

5.  I caved in and bought an iPhone last month.  Pine Cove was re-doing its cell phone policy and gave us the option of buying our own phones.  I was wanting a larger iPod anyway - and, well, I must say I really do like it.  It's not just trendy and fun anymore - I really find it more useful than my other smart phone.  

That's about it for me right now.  But the real reason for the season is that our doggy, Cinco, turns one this weekend!  For those of you who don't know, his birthday is the 5th of October.  We got him on our 5th anniversary.  We thought Cinco would be a fun name for him.  

Here is a little ode to my dog on his first birthday:    

Cinco, the German long hair,

came home in October 07

with a soft brown coat

and yellow eyes that could coax

your heart in under a second.

Cute he was that first week or two

while we played in the yard with his ball,

but soon we would see

this precocious puppy

was not so calm after all.

We built him a house, bought him some toys,

and trained him the way he should go,

but he dug holes in the sand,

barked, nipped, whined and...man!

even disobeyed when we'd tell him, "No!"

Don't get me wrong, I'm not all that mad -

even when he lets out a toot;

He loves to play

makes you laugh and say,

"Cinco, it's a good thing you're cute."

When he's tired - he's cute and, really, quite snuggly

and never needs a tap from the whomper.

But he eats trash of all kinds

(even the kitchen window blinds!)

so now we call him, "the chomper."

For all his faults - and even rough edges

Cinco really has taught us a lot.

How else could we be

so ready for Heidi

were it not for the lessons he's taught?

Heidi and Friends

Heidi and her friend Nathan had their first real visit together this week. Nathan's mom and I took classes together at the hospital (along with another couple) and we also know them all from Pine Cove, and we've been keeping up with each other ever since - sharing baby stories and advice. We'll take all we can get! It's been so great to have other moms who are in the same stage as us. Nathan is just 2 weeks older than Heidi, so I get all the hand-me-down advice on what to do each week. I love it!

Nana and Pops are coming to visit tomorrow and we're really excited. Heidi is so much fun now, smiling and making fun noises. Can't wait for the next stage, whatever it holds!

For the grandparents...

So, for Nana and Pops, and DeeDee and Grandpa, we thought we'd try a video. Might take a while to load. :-) She's so smart... she's learning how to talk already!

God is good, I love the fall!

I know it's not actually Fall yet, but with the leftovers of Ike still in town, the weather here is beautiful! It's not humid, and it's in the 70's! I think Fall is my favorite season.
This morning, Heidi and I went for a walk in the cool weather. here's the play by play...
Leave the house. Run into our neighbor's mom who is in town escaping bad weather in South Texas. We chat for a while and she tells me she's been enjoying the large swing that hangs in our front yard from a tree. I tell her to go right ahead - that's what it's for!

She's super nice.
Head up the road a couple of houses, to find 3 adult horses and a

new baby horse running through our other neighbor's front yard. They are beautiful! They stop to watch us roll by.

Walk up the road a bit before turning around to make a circle. A yellow and black butterfly flitters in front of us on our way back.
Nearing the house a brownish black bird and a yellowish bird decide to dive bomb straight for the stroller - one goes to the left and one to the right, just a few inches from us.
We get back to the house and Heidi is soundly asleep in her stroller, where she stays while I start picking up around the house.
Now, I know not every day in parenting will be like this one, but I'll stop and be thankful for the days that are. Heidi is in her crib playing and listening to lullabies while I have a moment to myself on the computer.
Life is good. God is good.