This weekend, we met our friends out at the Jubilee Farm for the first pumpkin patch of the year. The weather was beautiful and gave D a chance to try out his new (sort of) rubber boots. And quickly gave us a chance to spend the entire trip picking up the boot he chucked off of his foot. Ah well, lesson learned. We arrived in time to meet Andy, Jen, Sophie and little Elinor for some watermelon launching from a giant trebuchet and then boarded the hay ride out to the pumpkin patch. It was really nice to be there so early in the month because it meant there were lots of picture perfect pumpkins waiting for the picking. Along with super cute photo ops of Dooz and his adorable friend Sophie. It’s so wrong, but Jen and I can’t help but joke about a possible future for the two. I SAID it was wrong, didn’t I?

The farm itself was really great. It’s not as big as Remlinger and not as basic as Craven, it was just right. It’s a working organic farm with cider demonstrations, animals, pony rides, horse pulled hay rides to the patch and organic food. It really is just perfect for the younger kids to allow them to have a great time without totally overwhelming them.

And, feat of all feats, we were able to see the animals, ride out the patch and back without any meltdowns or food freak outs. I have to say it was a success and the boy totally crashed out the minute we sat him in the car seat. Aaah fall, I love it!

Anyway, a good time was had by all. Afterwards, Dooz came to work where everyone could tell him how cute he is and he could say “hi” which is shorthand for holy cow! I had no idea you worked somewhere where there are so many keyboards and mice! There is nothing that pleases him more than pressing buttons on a keyboard.Well, almost nothing. The only exception is plucking said keys off of my keyboard requiring me to make my squinty face as I re-attach them all.

Let’s just say, he likes the office.

You know that mother who doesn’t mind that her house is littered with toys or that she doesn’t know where the hot new restaurant is or that she has rice stuck to her arm? (Oh wait, I DO care about that last part. Why didn’t you tell me damnit?) That’s ME. This is the post where I talk about how much I enjoy being D’s mom. So, feel free to tune out, or at least have the courtesy to suppress your gag reflex.

Seriously though, I adore this child. Everything he does is just so fascinating to me and before he was born people would always say things to us like, “Say goodbye to sleep!” and “Enjoy your nights out now!” and even “Just wait until the baby comes, you won’t <insert anything you enjoy doing now here> anymore!” But, I guess the thing they didn’t mention that although most of those things might be true, we didn’t mind at all. In fact, we didn’t really care because we are so in to the Dooz. He is literally our favorite person in the entire world and we get to see him all the time. It’s awesome. 

Never mind that he tried to poke the dog’s eye out and bludgeoned his father over the head with a book (all things that happened in the first hour or so of the day). And those who know me well, know that I’ve had some serious challenges with post-partum depression, but it doesn’t change the fact that this boy is just so sweet, adorable and uber funny every single day. So yeah, I am THAT mom. But hey, I don’t care

Let’s see … my sister got married and we took the Dooz over to Whidbey Island for the wedding weekend. We were a little concerned about how the sleeping was going to work (um … it didn’t) for both naps and at night. He sleeps in his crib at home, but is notoriously unwilling to sleep in a crib anywhere else. We opted to just take turns keeping an eye on him while he slept in the bed, which for the most part worked out fine. But, with all of the activity, new people and places to explore, napping didn’t really happen. Mark was the shining example of a dad as he chased D around while I focused on wedding preparations. There was a brilliant moment when I walked down the aisle when it was utterly quiet and Dooz yelled “mama!”. It was extra nice, especially since we often have a conversation about how he says “Dad!” all the time, but doesn’t usually say “mama” unless he’s hurt. Thanks Dooz!

It’s finally fall and my favorite month of the year. Those who know me well, know that this it’s officially Shocktober (mwaa-aaa-aaaaaaa!) when we only watch horror movies all month. Over the years, this has become a less and less charming ritual to Mark but he always manages to muster up enthusiasm. Tonight I put up the giant skull and bat window clings (very spooky), a black wreath and a black light on our porch. I’m looking forward to building up our Halloween stash this year with more creepy decorations from Fright Catalog. No, we don’t go for cute Halloween at this house … that is, except for Dooz and his new penguin costume. He LOVES it and wants to wear it all the time. I almost can’t stand the cuteness, it’s that cute. And since he doesn’t speak in full sentences (yet), he also reminds me alot of Pingu while wearing it.

Next on the agenda, Craven Farm (or maybe even Remlinger Farms … though that seems like quite a spectacle) for pumpkins, hot cider and cinnamon doughnuts. Yum. Did I mention I LOVE fall?

Besides being fall, it’s a great time for Dooz (well, really anytime is great for D). Everyday he does something new that surprises, delights and all out cracks us up. Today, he turned on the alarm clock radio (the boy loves anything that plugs in) to the Rolling Stones Honky Tonk Woman started pretend snapping his fingers and dancing. And let me tell you, the kid has some moves. He’s saying lots of words which is totally satisfying to him since it’s like he’s been trying to tell us stuff from the day he was born. This afternoon he pointed at Primo and said “bad dog” which means he is also observant.

I can’t even imagine what he’ll be doing in December, when we’ve committed to flying (insert shudder, I HATE flying) back to Detroit to spend Christmas with Mark’s family. It makes me a little anxious to think of him cooped up on a plane for 5 hours, especially with his need to explore … but I suppose if those people on TV can have 8 kids, we should be able to take one on a plane trip right?

This morning, we picked them up, indulged in Top Pot Doughnuts and then headed to the Woodland Park Zoo for a zoo day with families of my co-workers. We had a great turnout, a beautiful day and it even happened to be member appreciation day … which translated into flamingo hats, bounce houses and ice cream. We had a nice range of ages for the kids that came and it was nice to see their parents outside of work where we don’t have to talk about how we’re going to squeeze two months of work into one month. The interesting about my workplace is that I work with a bunch of really cool people. Many people have kids and there are regularly kid-related events, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t also flip cup tournaments, film festivals and a full bar behind reception.

Anyway, I digress. All in all the trip was a success and anytime other kids can tire out the Dooz is a good time in my book. We came home and he dropped off for an immediate two hour nap. He was turned over with bum in the air before I even closed the door to his room.

Tomorrow the parents begin their week long stay at our place and I’m really looking forward to that. It’s a great treat to watch my parents interact with him. They get just as much joy from seeing him (maybe even more, as if THAT’S possible!) than we do and he adores them. Oh and did I mention they are baby sitting so Mark and I can have a much needed night out. We’ll be having drinks with friends and seeing Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at the Showbox downtown. Cannot wait!

And is it wrong that I don’t give (in the words of my mother) a “rat’s ass” about the Olympics? And if I did care, why would I give a rat’s butt anyway? Who wants a rat butt? I just can’t muster any interest in Michael Phelps. In fact, I’d rather watch Pingu. I know, I know. It seems WRONG. How can a person go from reading a book about football hooligans in the 80s to watching a show about a stop motion animation penguin? I have no idea.

I think I may be tired.