The Great Pumpkin Patch

Today, we took Ariyana to the Pumpkin Patch for the first time. I can remember going last year - as big as a whale, pregnant with her. It's so fun watching her see and experience new things. I can't imagine what the world is like through the eyes of a child. Seeing everything for the first time. I'd imagine that it's quite an amazing experience. I can't wait for the future. There is so much to look forward to!


When I was a little girl, I can remember going trick or treating in the small town that I lived in at a strip motel. People would rent out rooms and decorate the outsides of them and hundreds of children would go door to door and trick-or-treat. This year, we plan to take Ariyana to a Halloween parade and costume contest. She's obviously too young to trick-or-treat. But it will be a fun family time to get her out and about. 

Wagon wheel

Mommy & Daughter

I want this one, Daddy!

Daddy and Daughter. 

A pumpkin her size! She loved to try and roll it. 

Between Daddy's legs

In a wheelbarrow 

Enjoying a new view

Checkin out some halloween items

Pulled pork and brisket sandwich

Antique Scale.

10 Months Old

I believe that I say this every month. And every month I'm just as amazed at how fast Ariyana's growing-up is happening. Like, really, last week I had her, last month- I was pregnant... and just a few months back, I was announcing that we were going to be parents for the first time. Excited and scared all at the same time. We were ready. Unmarried, happy, and didn't have any idea what it was like to have a baby depend on your for every need. I wouldn't trade it for the world!

10 MONTHS OLD TODAY!

So, little Miss Ariyana. You are now ten months old. As in, almost a year. As in, looking more and more like a little girl, and less of a baby. Here's what's going on now!


* 17 pounds and 12 ounces
* 29 inches long ... er... tall since you stand a lot now. 
* You cruise around most of the day, hanging on to pretty much everything you can hang on to
* You clap your hands when you're really excited
* Still no teeth!
* You're growing out your hair a bit more, but nothing that can be put up with a cute little bow yet. 
* You understand the word 'no' and will sometimes stop when you're about to put something yucky in your mouth. Most of the time, you ignore me and do it anyway ;-) That "insert yucky-something here" must look really tasty to you!
* You love to sample any food that mom or dad is eating!
* You love strawberry yogurt, oatmeal, Gerber cheesy puffs and chicken
* You are very good at self-feeding and will even try to feed mommy and daddy. You already like to share!
* Most of the time you don't like it when mommy leaves the room for a minute. Other times, you love to explore your area. 
* As soon as, "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" comes on the t.v. in morning, you crawl really quickly to the t.v. stand and watch intently. This is the only show you do this for. Anything else, you don't pay much attention to. Which is fine, cause I don't want the t.v. on much. I'm trying to have more music on for background noise. 
* You are starting to get better with a sippy cup. Weaning you off the boob is starting soon. By one year, you may be on regular whole milk - never had to go on formula! You've been quite healthy, and any cold, you got over pretty quickly!
* You're very mobile and can stand on your own for short periods of time, but no real first steps yet. You are very secure in your space with crawling over things, squatting and getting down from standing very well. 
* You babble quite a bit and dada is your favorite word. I am pretty sure that you've said 'dog' too. You looked right at Toby and said 'DOG'. Could have been a fluke, but who knows. Still have yet to give me a real "mama". I'm waiting! I think you like the 'D' sound!
* Your favorite activities are, "Rollie Pollies Gym Class", Barnes and Noble Story time, baby play groups, the park, and going for walks. 
* You love little balls. Any size, it doesn't matter. I think you're going to get a lot of them for your birthday and Christmas. 
* You sometimes wave goodbye. Sometimes you don't feel like it. 
* You played peek-a-boo on your own the other day. You pulled the shower curtain in front of your face and 'surpised' mommy by showing yourself. You repeated this several times and cracked up. It was the cutest thing ever 
*

The Love of a Pet

Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affection, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to. - A. Montapert


I had worried quite a bit of how our dog was going to take to Ariyana. After all, he was still a puppy himself. Even now, he's still in puppy mode. But when it comes to Ariyana, the world slows down and he's gentle and kind to her. Even when Ariyana doesn't have a clue what 'gentle' means yet. Yes, getting bopped on the head by Ariyana has indeed happened. 

Grandparent's weekend

I've been truly blessed to have the family that I do have. Distance keeps me apart from many of them, but they never leave my thoughts. We were grateful this weekend, that my Dad was able to come down and see us in Buffalo, while he was on the East Coast with Kaley. 
I'm so happy that Ariyana got to bond with her Grandpa, and I am able to see my Dad more than I had been. We will work towards a trip out to see him eventually, I'm sure. I'm sad that he's so far away now - think a couple thousand miles away. 

Morning People

I'll be the very first to admit that I'm soooo not a morning person. No, really - I drag for a good hour after I wake up. It's safe to say that coffee has become an intimate friend of mine for quite a while. My daughter on the other hand - is by far the happiest morning person ever. Luckily, that brings me out of my morning funk a good twenty minutes early!

How could you not be impressed with this morning face?!

YAY! Oatmeal!