Lucy - 1 month; Elliott - 25 months

I have a new goal to take pictures of Lucy as each month passes. Since the kids' birthdays are so close, they can even have month shots together.

Still too little to hold herself up so she's propped in the corner of the couch.



Waving hi?

25 months, 1 month.

Look at that love he has for her. He calls her "Baby Foosey" or "Baby Loofey."

This is Elliott around one month old.

 

Dinner with the Donlans

Jesse, Lucy, and I went over to the Donlans' house for dinner two weeks ago. The girls were great company and let us enjoy dinner in peace.

Lucy chilling on the couch.



She's squishing me!

Emma's big yawn.

Emma - 1 week
Lucy - 3 weeks

Mamas and our babies.

Lucy had a sleeping breakthrough when we got home. She slept for EIGHT HOURS IN A ROW!!! It doesn't happen every night but she is a champ. Thanks for being a good sleeping, little girl!

Tractors and Horses - All in one day!!

Elliott had a BIG day last Sunday. Tractors and horses. BIG DAY!

We spent much of the day at my parents' house. Jesse headed over early so he and my dad could cut up a tree and split the wood for firewood. I made it there around 11 - because that is about as early as I can get anywhere with two kids (hopefully I'll get better at that soon!). Between lunch and nap, Elliott helped Poppy drive the tractor. He was in heaven!

Learning how to honk the horn.



Waving "hi"

Elliott standing proudly in the pile of wood.

Elliott talks about horses all the time. He and Poppy have a special driving route specifically to see horses. In August, we tried to do a pony ride but it didn't go well as Elliott got pony fright. Our friends Ryan, Ali, Jas, and Say were kind enough to let Elliott come see their horses. We weren't sure if Elliott would actually ride a horse but he did and he LOVED it!!

This is Jas's pony, Ginger. Elliott has been talking about her for the past ten days.

He was very comfortable up there. 

Naturally, he wore his bike helmet. It got a lot of use that weekend.

Ryan and Ali's farm is like a trip to the zoo, only closer! There were three hound puppies that Elliott chased around.

He had a great time.

There were lots of horses, dogs, chickens, tractors, trucks, and trailers to see. Elliott got to help feed the horses and then go back out to water them. He even got to go for a ride on Mrs. Jewett's electric cart. What more could a little boy ask for?

Big thank you to Ryan, Ali, Jas, and Say for opening up their farm and home to us for a fun afternoon and a great impromptu dinner!

Knox Farm Cyclocross

I posted about Ned's cyclocross race a few weeks ago. Last weekend, Mike (and Ned) had another race at Knox Farm, the location of our wedding for those unfamiliar with our town. We made a day of going to the race and meeting up with friends. Mike had an awesome day - he competed in two classes and won one of his races!!

At the very last minute, we asked Elliott if he wanted to go in the kids' race. The answer was an enthusiastic "yes." Actually, it went more like this.
Jesse: Do you have any advil? My back is sore.
Emily: Yes, it's in the diaper bag.
Two minutes later . . .
Emily: Elliott, do you want to ride in the race?
Elliott: Yes!!
Emily: Jesse, Elliott is going in the kids race. I just had a baby. Therefore, you have to lean over and push our two year old on a 1/3 mile course on a tricycle through an unmowed field.
Jesse: Of course! [Because he's a great dad.]

And they're off! Ned is in the front right and Elliott is on the left.



The dads are in the lead!

It was pretty chaotic at the beginning.

Elliott was thrilled. His little legs were going around and around as Jesse pushed.

Nearing the finish.

Ned after the finish.

I pushed from the finish (at the white tent) to the end of the grass. That's hard work!

We have a racer! All of the kids received medals after the race. Elliott's is still in the car and he wears it regularly. Over and over, he has been asking "do another bike race?" Fortunately, there is another kids' race in a few weeks. Jesse will be away so hopefully I will be in bike pushing shape by then (or some blog reader will take pity on me and my aching back and offer to push).

Finally, some smooth road riding. This was a slight uphill so he got a push from Coco. He can do it all by himself on a flat road. Elliott has been so excited about riding the tricycle that he has wore his bike helmet in the car a couple of times. That's dedication.

Lucy (3 weeks and 4 days) wearing a dress for the first time!

 

Emma has arrived!

Our good friends Brendan and Danielle welcomed their little girl, Emma Elizabeth, on October 7th. Danielle was convinced she was going to go overdue and have a huge baby. Instead, Emma arrived 11 days early and tipped the scales at a wee 6 pounds, 12 ounces.

New family of three.



I loved getting to squeeze this little girl when she was just a few hours old.

Emma: three days
Lucy: three weeks, two days

The size difference is impressive!

 

 These two are going to have many, many play dates together.

Baby snuggles.

Emma and her pretty mama.

Miss Lucy and her cute tongue.

 

Dinner with the Auerbachs

The Auerbachs came out for dinner recently. Elliott and Charlotte had a great time playing together. Lucy and Benny got to meet for the first time! Benny was born eight days before Lucy.

Charlotte and Elliott decided to sit on Dutch's pad. There are many cleaner surfaces in the house . . .



We forgot to do the photoshoot of the babies until Benny was all bundled up to go home. So, we went for these awkward shots. It looks like Dutch is eating Lucy's foot in this one.

Lucy: "It's too loud!"
Benny: "It's cool."

Lucy leaning in for a snuggle. Benny has his eyes on the door.

Alright, I guess we will go our separate ways, for now. 

We're looking forward to many more play dates - for the kids and the adults!

Mumford Harvest Festival and Baby in a Bucket!

When I was little, we would often go to this magical place called Mumford. Until recently, I did not know if it was a town, or an attraction, or what it really was. It was an ode to days past. There were sheep shearing competitions, iron pots over open fires, and lots of animals. As many of you know, my mom has many, many talents including spinning, knitting, baking bread, making jam, making soap, and teaching about all of the above. Mumford was a place for all of these things. I vividly recall my entire family going there when I was little and leaving me at home alone with the chicken pox. My parents assure me that I was not alone but in the loving care of Great Aunt Pauline. I guess I believe them.

A couple of weeks ago, my dad suggested we take Ned and Elliott to Mumford. So, I finally know what it actually is. Mumford is a town south of Rochester that is home to the Genesee Country Village and Museum. We went down for their Harvest Festival. I had my hands full (and was nursing my very achy back) so I didn't get too many pictures but here are a few.

Elliott has been excited about horses for a while but tentative at the same time. He is not shy anymore! He was petting this huge Belgian draft horse that I was looking up to. For those who speak horse, he was around 18 hands.



Holly juggling Penny and Lucy. Oh, the love!

It was a great space for the boys to run around.

Petting the horse with Poppy.

I attempted to get a few pictures with both kids but was trying to keep an eye on the wee horse at the same time.

They were very friendly.

I missed taking pictures of Lucy's first bath but caught bath #2. Baby in a bucket!

Elliott loves watching her bathtime. Rather than have him climb up the chair we put her bucket on, we bring his chair over and strap him in. (Note that Elliott has moved out of his highchair and into a big chair!)

Clean Lucy in her cute towel from the Donlans. Thank you, Donlans!