34 Weeks

Dear Sloane,

This week has been kind of a mix of minor social engagements and learning time at home. On one of the days your dad was working, your grandma took you to your first story time at the Murrieta Public Library. You read a story, sang songs, played games, and worked with bubbles! Your grandma gushed about how much you loved it, and how engaged you were! You love watching other kids, so being in a group is fun for you!

On Saturday, the CBC girls (my high school girlfriend's) came over for a visit! I put you in a special dress that Miss Lori handed down to us from her daughters. It turns out it was hand-made by Miss Tessa! We took some photos of you wearing it, on the quilt Miss Tessa made for you at birth.

On Sunday we went down to San Diego to see Nana and Poppy. You're getting so big these days, and the weather is turning, so you needed new pajamas. I had a gift card to Macy's, so we stopped at the mall to shop! There was a giant stuffed bear-chair in the kid's section. You loved it! You like to lounge in things - the bathtub, the ball pit, a shopping cart - so you just sat on that soft bear and leaned on back! It was adorable.

When we got down to Nana and Poppy's house, it was a pretty typical day. We watched football (not you - no tv for babies!), played, and then went to the park! It was your first time sitting in the toddler swing. You're still a little small for it, but you enjoyed it and were giggling. Again, you loved the vantage point to watch the older kids play. You're so inquisitive! Nana and I just smiled and laughed watching you!

This week you also really hit your stride with eating solid foods! I'm starting to feel so relieved! You eat avocado, banana, and prunes. Yay! It's fun to watch your reaction as you try a new food. You'll let us know instantly if you don't like it! We really had to trick you into eating solids. Initially, I had plastic baby spoons and bowls. You were having none of it! You wanted to eat what we ate, so I put your food on my plate, and used a metal spoon and fork. Finally, we had success! Check out some of your "eating faces."

"Mom. Are you seriously taking my picture right now?"

"I'm just eating dinner."

"Ok, I'll play along."

"Yay prunes!"

One of the other skills we're practicing at home is crawling. You push up on your tummy beautifully, and roll around with ease. You can even scoot back while on your belly. You're trying to get your knee underneath you to lift up, but you're not quite there yet. Your dad and I have mixed feelings about you crawling. On the one hand, we want you to reach the milestone. But on the other hand, we don't want you to grow up too quickly! We also know that as soon as you're moving, we'll be chasing you around the house! 

Sometimes simple weeks like this are best. They show us that no matter how everyday our activities, any time spent with you is a beautiful adventure. See you next week!

Love,

Mom Mom

33 Weeks

Dear Sloane,

It's one of my favorite times of year...fall! I love fall because the first holiday it brings is Halloween! Your Auntie Stacey and I have always loved Halloween. Getting to celebrate this year with you, will make it even more special! 

The first step to a spooktacular Halloween is decorations! You donned your cat ears and helped me sprinkle our decor around the house!

Next step, find the most sincere pumpkin patch...at least that's what Linus from Peanuts tells us;) We knew we couldn't drive far this year (you don't like being in the car), so the family gathered together at Peltzer Farms. It's a local farm in Temecula, and they raise pumpkins! Cousin Jenny works at Peltzer, so she was able to get us tickets.

We jam-packed a lot of fun into the hour we were there! We started off touring the pumpkin patch. Dad measured your height. You tried your face into the giant pumpkin, and even "drove" a tractor!

While everyone else on the farm was watching the pig races, your Nana and I took the opportunity of there being no line, to go ride the train! You loved looking at everything! You had a very serious face, and I knew your brain was taking it all in!

(As you can see, you learned to wave this week! A big milestone - yay!)

There were lots of cute sections of the pumpkin patch including a tractor garden and a place where you could mine for gold. You loved getting to play in the water.

We ended our pumpkin patch adventures at the petting zoo. You didn't know what to make of seeing all the animals from your Sandra Boyton books, live and in person!

It was a perfect first trip to the pumpkin patch! I am very grateful to have shared it with our family.

Sadly, every pumpkin patch trip must come to an end. Your Aunt Les bought you a mini pumpkin to remember the day by.

Here's to many more years of pumpkin patch adventures! I hope one day you love Halloween as much as your mom!

Love,

Mom Mom

P.S. - I tried torturing you with pictures in a hand-me-down pumpkin costume. You were having none of it! To be fair, it was first thing in the morning and the grass was wet. I put down a towel! But you were still annoyed:) I love you!

32 Weeks

Dear Sloane,

You are 32 weeks. Whereas last week was incredibly busy, this week was pretty slow - just a typical week of work and play, for us. On Saturday, you went with Dad and I to Bed Bath and Beyond to get a new comforter. Animal hair keeps ruining everyone we buy! Hopefully this one will be a winner! You liked sitting on all of the made up display beds.

I made up Hondo's bed so he wouldn't feel left out...

On Sunday, we played! Watching you play is one of our greatest joys! We always love discovering what toys and activities you're going to like the best. Whenever I purchase a new toy, and you take to it, I feel such a sense of victorious pride! That is definitely the case with your animal piano. I picked it up one weekend at Target, and it has provided HOURS of entertainment. You just love it! 

The piano keys light up and play sounds, but it has different musical settings. Your dad was the one who discovered this. All of the sudden, one day it was playing songs! Dad said, "Sloane's attending her first rock concert." Thinking about that always makes me laugh. One of the talents your dad has is an incredible memory. By the time you can read this on your own, I'm sure you'll be aware. After hearing the songs just twice, he had everyone memorized and was singing along! It was hilarious.

We've now listened to the songs so much, that we both know them all by heart, and sing-a-long every time. We also insert your name into some of the tunes, such as, "Head shoulders knees and SLOANES!" The piano sits in our room, and you play on it while I get ready each morning for work, or when I take a shower. But, you love it anytime of the day!

Another one of your favorite toys is the ball pit! Sometimes I worry that you're not stimulated enough, so I search ideas for play on Pinterest. That's how I came up with the ball pit idea. My favorite is when you lounge in it like a hot tub! It's in your playroom, and is our go to choice when trying to keep you awake and entertained before bed.

One of the most precious of all your toys, is Rabs, your bunny. He's your "lovie." When we put you in your crib, you grab onto him and just roll over. When you wake up from naps, you're often caught snuggling and playing with him.

Pigling Bland is your newest lovie. Grandma got it for your on one of our shopping trips. Dad named him. Apparently, your cousin Connor had a pig named Pigling Bland. Whenever your dad or Grandma or Pappy say his name, they always use the voice your cousin Connor used when he'd ask for his pig. It's an inside joke, so I don't know why it's funny, but I do love hearing the voice! Pigling is very soft, like Rabs, and when I hold him up for you to take, you smile at him, like he's a real person! Then you take him and hold on tight. It's adorable.

Finally, this week you started clapping! It's our absolute joy to watch you! You often clap for yourself when you do something good. We'll say, "Hurray Sloane!" and the clapping will begin! We're loving this new milestone.

It turns out I had a lot to share about your week! Just watching you play is an adventure, because you are our greatest adventure!

Love, 

Mom Mom