Pre-Natal Tests

When I was pregnant with RTR two years ago, I remember feeling a little anxious when it came to a couple of those pre-natal tests... the ones used to determine whether more testing is needed for Down Syndrome or Trisomy 18. I read a little about what Trisomy 18 was, but didn't give it much thought. Tonight while watching Oprah (it's replayed at 9pm in our market), there was this bawl-your-eyes-out segment about a baby born with Trisomy 18. Elliott's parents ended up celebrating every day of his life-- and now a small part of it is on YouTube. Made me realize how important it is to slow down and celebrate (not in a cake and ice cream sort of way) each day we have with our children.
The top picture was taken tonight... moments after the cute part. I ran to get the camera as RTR sat down in the hallway next to CSR, both enjoying an after dinner cookie. I love that RTR grabbed the biggest cookie in the container. The second picture is of them in the yard this weekend, helping their dad. Start 'em early on those chores.

Snack-o-lantern

I saw this t-shirt at Old Navy and couldn't resist-- it was like it was made for RTR. It's hard to read in the picture, but it says "Snack-o-lantern." He is our little snacker, always looking for something to eat. Maybe he's part cow, always grazing. His eating habits make me doubt sometimes that I'm feeding him enough at mealtimes.

Blue Cheese Boy

Ah ha! After weeks of worrying about RTR consisting on a diet of mostly fruit and crackers, we think we've figured out an answer-- blue cheese salad dressing. The discovery came Sunday night at dinner... left on RTR's plate, papa's grilled chicken and some potatoes. When it didn't look like RTR was going to eat any more, Tyler suggested using a little blue cheese dressing for dip. And lo and behold, he ate it, he really ate it... both the chicken and potatoes. I figure if a little salad dressing gets you to eat your veggies (and entree), so be it!

It's My Birthday

I love cake. But probably the best cake is the homemade one my mom and CSR made for me. CSR told me on the phone yesterday (as I was out enjoying my free day with my husband) he used chocolate chips to write "Happy Birthday Karen (my last name)." I also found $5 in the street. Plus have received good wishes and kind words from dear friends and family. So, what a great day.

Mmmmmm Brownies!

We baked brownies from scratch the other day. CSR thought we should make a cake and as I looked through the recipes, I found I didn't have all the ingredients for the different cakes. But we did have everything for brownies. Nothing special, just your basic Hershey's brownies. But what makes these so delectable is what's in the freezer. Topping an average brownie with a scoop (or two) of Dreyer's Peppermint ice cream. Actually it's not ice cream, Dreyer's calls it a frozen dairy dessert, which basically means it's main ingredient is not cream (I didn't realize that until after I bought it).

Smiley on the Front Step

Did I ever tell you that October is my favorite month? And that's not just because both my birthday and our anniversary are in October. I love the leaves changing colors, visits to the pumpkin patch, deciding on Halloween costumes, pumpkin pie and setting up our scarecrow. I guess he's not really a true scarecrow, sitting on our front porch in a folding lawn chair instead of hanging out in a corn field somewhere. But anyway, we set Smiley up last week. That's what CSR thought his name should be. We surrounded him with the fruits of our backyard pumpkin patch... seven pumpkins about as big as beach balls-- green beach balls. We had to take additional action to get them to start turning orange. Once they're carved, in the dark though, no one will be able to tell if they're orange or green.

We're Going on a Leaf Hunt

While we're having plenty of chilly fall temperatures, the leaves are still in the early stages of changing. But that didn't stop us from going on a leaf hunt with some good friends to Washington Park Arboretum. Here are some pictures of our adventures. Next time remember to wear rubber boots.