Our October

The photos ended up in no particular order. If you click on the title to this post, it should take you to an online photo album with many more pictures from our October.

On October 11, we decided to take a family day and head to the pumpkin patch. The previous year, we had tried Baggenstos Farms since we were no longer living right next to the pumpkin patch by the airport. Baggentos Farms gives free hayrides down to their pumpkin patch and Aiden had such a great time, that we decided Baggenstos would be our regular pumpkin picking place. This was our first year with Nathan OUTSIDE my tummy (no getting accused of smuggling a pumpkin this year!) and we were really looking forward to it.

Once we arrived, Aiden knew immediately what we were going to do. He waited in line so patiently for the tractor to arrive for the hay ride and once we got down there, he ran and ran amongst the pumpkins!
Anytime he found a pumpkin that he liked, he would lay on the ground with the pumpkin between his legs. Claiming it as his, I suppose. Once we chose two pumpkins (one for Aiden to draw on and decorate, and another to carve), we took the hay ride back up to pay for our pumpkins and let Aiden navigate the little kids maze for a while. We treated ourselves to hot dogs and kettle corn and thoroughly enjoyed our day. The weather was PERFECT. Sunny, a slight breeze, not too warm, not too cold....oh, it was just gorgeous.

Right around Halloween, we carved our pumpkin and I made some Halloween cupcakes (or as Aiden calls them, "Puckcakes"). On Halloween night, we headed over to grandma and grandpa's for some trick or treating around their neighborhood. Aiden was Thomas the Tank Engine (Aiden says, "Thomas the Tankin Tankin) and Nathan was a cow. Nathan absolutely despised his costume, but he looked really cute. Aiden liked his costume, until he had to walk up steps and then I had to hold the front up for him so he wouldn't trip. He refused to say trick or treat until after the candy giver had closed the door and he was walking away. If someone didn't open their door immediately, Aiden would bang on the door and yell, "HELLO!!!!". So he's three and doesn't know that it's rude.... Everyone had a great sense of humor about it and thought he was really cute. One lady thought Nathan was a doll instead of an actual baby. Probably because he had his costume on and wouldn't make any expression on his face.
Aiden did a great job and didn't get scared once - although we did avoid the house where John noticed someone lurking behind the front door in a hockey mask. But Aiden does still talk about ghosts whenever we leave the house after dark. I'm not sure where he got the idea about ghosts, but I think it was from school. He doesn't seem to be scared; he just talks about ghosts after dark as though it's a fact of life.

Anyway, that was our October (in relation to Halloween anyway). Enjoy the photos!

I decided to be festive and make Halloween cupcakes. Devil's Food with vanilla frosting (food color added) and chocolate sprinkles.

Aiden was very pleased with our jack-o-lantern!

Nathan at the pumpkin patch. Here he's waiting for Aiden to finish with the little kids maze.

Still looking for the perfect pumpkin.

Mommy and Nathan at the pumpkin patch!

Nathan HATED his cow costume. He refused to smile anytime we put it on him.

Our little Thomas the Tank Engine!!

Our funky little jack-o-lantern. The tooth was my doing.

Aiden found his pumpkin!

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful fall day at Baggenstos Farms. It really was perfect weather.

I'm so ready!!

I like our pediatrician and as we agree on basically everything, I want to trust his advice soooo badly. But I'm about to pull my hair out. I want Aiden to be potty trained. I want him to just act like it's something he's even somewhat interested in. I want him to decide that he wants to be a big boy and not wear diapers anymore. Does it look like any of this is even close to happening? No.

When the boys had their checkups last month, we spent some time discussing potty training. I was feeling like Aiden was getting on the old side, seeing as he had just turned three and seemed to have no interest, but the pediatrician assured me that he was still well within the normal age range. He told me that I basically needed to act like I didn't care if Aiden's potty trained or not, because Aiden would sense ANY little bit of urgency over it on my part and would resist. I'm trying so hard to act like it's no big deal, but I'm really tired of fighting with him over diaper changes. Every time he fights me, I remind him that if he doesn't want diapers anymore, he needs to put it in the potty instead.

I agree with the pediatrician that he won't be in diapers forever, but I think I need to change our game plan. Last night was the last little bit of diaper fighting that I could take. We're going to jump start this potty training TODAY.

There will be many updates to come.

Aiden's Election Reaction

During dinner, I left the TV on so that I could hear the election updates while we ate. John was working late, so it was just the boys and I. Now, I make it no secret that I voted for McCain this election, but I was fully aware that Obama had a very strong following. As we were eating, they pretty much called the election for Obama. I wasn't surprised, but must have had a somewhat disappointed look on my face because Aiden looked at me and said, "Mommy, are you sad?". I smiled and said, "Just a little bit.". He looks hard at me for a moment and then says, "Maybe it was an accident. Accidents happen. You'll know what to do.". Oh, the words of wisdom from a three year old! :^)

Even though I know they won't remember any of it, I kept the boys up later than usual so that we could all watch McCain's and Obama's speeches. And even though my candidate didn't win, I am still in awe that I am able to witness such an historic event in our nation's history. What an amazing thing to see. I listened intently to Obama's speech and I am interested to see what he can for our country as President.

So, to all of my readers who helped Obama make his way to the Presidency, congrats. I am happy for the election to be over, as it was beginning to feel almost painfully long! Now, I'm off to bed to wonder what the next four years will bring (hopefully good things!). Good night all!

Breastfeeding and today's culture

This is a bit of a small vent, even though it's something that doesn't actually apply to my current situation.

For a bit of a backstory, John and I are on opposite ends of weight issues. He's trying to lose, I'm trying to gain. So for some support and ideas on how to work together without sabotaging each other, I posted on a weight issues board. In my post, I mentioned having Aiden three years ago and that I was currently breastfeeding, but forgot to mention Nathan. I was immediately flooded with responses to my weight issues post, but none of them were in response to my actual issue. They were all regarding me breastfeeding a three year old (which I'm not, but I can't blame them for jumping to that conclusion). Like I said, I was flooded with responses telling me that I was "disgusting", "gross", "a weirdo", and "to put the boob away already".

Now, I know that I'm not actually breastfeeding a three year old, but it was still a bit appalling to me. Are people so concerned with what is perceived as culturally normal that a child's nutrition goes out the window? While I personally wouldn't breastfeed a three year old, I know that there are plenty of people who do it and that is their decision. Who are we to tell them that's not ok?

I posted again as that site doesn't let you edit your initial post and explained that I actually had a 9 month old that I was breastfeeding and that my three year old had been weaned for quite some time. I restrained myself from giving them the verbal lashing I felt like typing out. If people prefer to go around being judgemental and ignorant, then I can't stop them, but I can correct them when they jump to the wrong conclusion.

And just for an idea as to how the responses to my post turned out, only three out of 25 posts were actually in response to the weight issue. For a place where I thought I could find support for my husband and I, it turned out to be a real bust. I will not be returning to that board.