Fall Fun - Pumpkin Patch

Nothing says fall quite like going and picking out a pumpkin from the field. So a couple of weeks ago we headed off to Anderson's Orchard just outside Mooresville to get pumpkins and some apples for baking.

First a family picture (only take number 5) and borrowed the neighbor's wagon.

Brady thought the pumpkins were pretty cool. But he was torn between the tall pumpkin or the round pumpkin.

Happy with his choice.

Then it was time to carve (or taste) the pumpkin.

The final pumpkin family.

Brady Stats 9.0

Brady went for his 9 month appointment on Tuesday and here are the stats:

Length: 29 inches (75 percentile)
Weight: 22.9 lbs (90 percentile)

He has been walking behind his push toys or anything else he can push or hold on to for the last month or so. He loves all sorts of finger food, peaches and bananas have been his favorite so far. He is babbling/talking, with his favorite being Da-Da, even though it covers much more than just Dad.

Otherwise, he looks like such a toddler, especially when he wears his shoes and pants. And he recently cut his third tooth, with the fourth one right behind it (top two middle teeth).

Hopefully, everyone is enjoying the more frequent posts as we have had more time to think and post.

Stroller/Shoulder/Everything Bag

This is the Lickety Split Bag from Made By Rae.
I love this bag! It is the perfect size. I made it with four pockets, 2 outside, 2 inside. I love the pockets. They are tall enough to hold my wallet or bottle of water. Because there isn't any interfacing, the fabric is very pliable, I can even fit Bradys' sippy cup in the pocket.
I've used it for toys, snacks, clothes, books, produce, and to hold my coupon binder. I use it most often hanging it across the stroller as a 'green bag'

Summer 2009

So we didn't have a real busy summer this year but we did get to experience a number of firsts with Brady this summer. First swim lessons, state fair, Milwaukee Brewers game, Indianapolis Indians game, Children's museum and apple picking. A couple of these we haven't written about or shown pictures on the blog so I figured I would catch these things up.

Children's Museum for the King Tut exhibit

I am so glad we were able to find discounted tickets for the exhibit. It honestly wasn't that great. Brady was great while were were at the museum. He especially liked the Fireworks of Glass exhibit.

Swim Lessons at the YMCA - Brady absolutely loves the water

This kid is a fish!!

Indiana State Fair - petting a Jersey cow (Mom's favorite)

Bradys Great-Grandpa Pell would be so proud.

Indianapolis Indian's Game

I was a little worried about sitting in the lawn, as Brady has mastered crawling, but we didn't have any problems. He even tasted his first hot dog while we were there.

Apple Picking - so we can make applesauce (Brady's favorite)

We gave him a taste of an apple. He held on to it and chewed on it for 45 minutes!! We had to take it from him when it was time to go. I was amazed!

He keeps getting bigger and his personality (curiosity mostly) is really coming through. But all of that I will save for another post.

Tag Blanket

I wanted to make a lovie for Brady and this seemed to be the most simple option ,as well as, small and compact to travel with.

I followed a tutorial I found at Extraordinary Ordinary Life.

I made a couple of variations. I made mine 16x16 square and also chose different sizes and textures of ribbon. I did this because I couldn't find patterns that I liked in 1/2 size...and wanted him to feel different textures.

Brady definitely became attached to it. He sleeps with it and it goes with us while we are in the car. Because he is attached to it, the first one I made became pretty ratty from washings. * I have since made two more....the old one stays in the car and the two newer ones get rotated between his crib and being washed. It is nice to have a back-up when the other is a victim of some major spit-up.

*velcro on bibs and ribbon do not mix well.

Nursing Cover

I have actually been able to accomplish a few projects with a baby in the house. My plan was to post each project as it was finished...but with said baby in the house there is only so much time in the day.
Now, I understand the whole nursing cover debate.... a debate I see both sides of....however I'm choosing not to debate it with anyone. Mostly because I do see both sides, but mostly because debating just takes to much energy.
I followed a tutorial I found through a nursing blog http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/free-pattern-to-sew-your-own-nursing-cover/

This was a very simple project and very inexpensive. Total cost for me was about eight dollars.
Here is my finished product



Why did I choose to cover?? Because I didn't buy forty dollar shirts with holes in them for nursing in public and I wasn't comfortable with the general population seeing my post-partum belly. Heck, I wasn't comfortable looking at it....I wasn't about to subject it to strangers.
That being said, I only used it for about 6 weeks. I had learned how to hold Brady with a receiving blanket so that I was mostly covered...Once the weather turned warmer I ditched the blanket all together. It was way to hot and I just didn't care what anyone thought...my baby needed to eat! There were a few occasions where I chose to cover...a high school graduation is the only one that I really remember. But, I actually enjoyed nursing in public. I loved seeing other mothers give me a little knowing smile.