Adalynn's first rice cereal

So at 4 months we got the go ahead from the Pediatrician to try some rice cereal.  However, since with Lauren it was stressed to wait until 6 months, we weren't comfortable.  But after trying formula, which has been an epic fail, we gave and attempted rice cereal at 5 months.  Compromise, right.  She had also licked a drop of ice cream that wound up on her hand, which she smacked her lips continuously.  And has been giving us both the stink eye when we eat in front of her.  So we thought "it's time".  It had mixed reviews. 

First Bite.... 

 Ok, maybe I'll try more.

 Notice the hand on the bowl.....not interested in the spoon per say but definitely the bowl.

 Wait, it's all gone?  Let's throw it on the floor for Biscuit!

 I'm still not sure how much she ate.  There was quite a bit on the table, hands, mouth, hair and elsewhere!

 But she seemed to be very happy post feeding!

 This is her "Whasssssuppppp!"

So it seemed to sit well on her little tummy. Just waiting to see how her little digestive track handles it.  She's been a little stuffed up too.  We are hoping to get some rice cereal going to help her sleep longer at night, which was Dr. Jiang's intentions on the early introduction.  Or I should say "Mommy is hoping!"  Cross your fingers!

Preschool Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

On Tuesday Lauren's Preschool made their first field trip to one of the local pumpkin patches, Schilter Farms out in Nisqually. Extremely nice people and amazingly clean! Adalynn and I tagged along which was fun.  Adalynn fell asleep in the front pack towards the end.  Here we are waiting to start our adventure!

 All loaded up for our tractor ride.  We took 2 of them which were both about 5 minutes and our start/end points were about 50 feet from each other.  But the kids thought we went a long way!

 And away we go!  There were lots of giggles and laughing going on.

 Trying to find the perfect one.

 Hating that I made her stop for the photo op.

 They had a bunch of these around, but this one was just the preschoolers size!

 Not loving the loud tractors....she knows she's suppose to have ear protection to ride the lawn tractor!

It's so funny....so many of the moms have little ones as well.  The majority of us have our oldest in preschool this year.

 Bodie and Lauren laughing and making animal noises at one of the goats.  This is the little guy that Lauren gets into "talks during circle time" trouble with!

 Petting some piglets with Mrs. Forbes.

 Petting the baby cows with Mrs. Forbes.

Petting a bunny with Mrs. Merritt.  Funny thing, Mrs. Merritt grew up in a neighboring town of mommy's! 

 I got permission from the following mommies for the use of their kiddos pics!  All were very understanding that I need to share our outings with our Oregon family!  This is Taylor and her mommy and little sister with a kitten.

 Taylor and Lauren.  Hysterical picture.  All I can do is laugh.  We were having a hard time getting Taylor to cooperate that day!  But Lauren was keeping her in line.  The teacher's call it being a leader......I think it's bossy and Taylor's look says "I want to break that finger!"

 Finally we get a pic. 

This barn had a cute maze for the smaller kids.  It was 3 bales high, which was perfect because we could see over it and find the "lost" kiddos pretty easily.

Lauren was never lost though!

 Mom, it's this way.....

 Excited to have made it through.....not just once but 3 times!

Then we made our way out to the hay fort.  "Look mom, I made it to the top!"

 Her other little buddy Vaughn made it to the the top too!

 Making their way back down.

 Ok, this was hysterical.  My documentation is poor because we were laughing too hard.  Lauren decided she couldn't make it up to the top....as if she hadn't been up there yet.  So she played "damsel in distress" with Bodie.  So of course Bodie being a boy was like I'll pull you up.  But Lauren went limp....see Pic #1.

 So after tugging for a few seconds, Bodie decided well heck that ain't gonna work so on to phase 2.  Bodie got off the tier he was on.....Pic #2

 And gives her the ol upsie daisy from behind!  It's definitely one of those, you had to be there moments.  But it was hysterical. Bodie's mom and I were laughing so hard.  At least she's friends with a problem solver!

So that about sums it up.  We had a snack and it was time to go!  And fortunately it was forecasted to pour, but held off until about 1 p.m. Perfect for our field trip!

Adalynn finds her feet!

 The last week Adalynn has randomly grabbed a foot.  She's been grabbing her knees the last couple of weeks when on the changing table, so it was just a matter of time. I thought maybe we were on to something, but it wasn't until the weekend that she actually got into it!

Hmmm what's this?

Ultimate concentration.

 Hey mom, I found this thing attached to my leg!

The bubbles/drool come....that's major concentration happening there!

 Haha, there's another one on this side!! 

 Ok mom, seriously enough. 

Dr. Jiang had told mommy to not be too concerned because that's a 6 month old thing!  Our little overachiever showed her!

Lauren's Doctor visit

Lauren had her 4 year well child check on Monday.  She's 80th pecentile for height at 3 feet 3 inches and 70th for weight at 37.5 pounds.  This is quite a jump for her as she was always, 50th height and 75th weight when she was a baby.  Mommy wasn't that shocked though.  Height had always been a question because she was one of the shortest in her playgroup, but the other kids are all 6 months or more older.  But when mommy went to school she noticed that on the class height chart, Lauren was right in the middle. There were only 2 girls taller and the majority of the boys.  So yay for tall girls!  However clothes are a problem. Size 4s fit, except for some shirts (pajamas especially) because her belly shows in some!  Oh well, we'll figure it out!

Lauren's 4th Birthday festivities!

Birthday festivities started early for Lauren.  At her preschool they let the kids be class leader around their birthdays.  She was so excited when she got the reminder bracelet on Tuesday!  Come Thursday, I don't think she could contain herself!  Here she is stylin' for the big day.

 On their "special day" they get to bring show and tell.  Lauren brought Bea, her favorite Lalaloopsy and her baby sister!  Grabbed this cute shot on our way out the door!

 

 Adalynn and I got to spend the entire day at preschool for her special day!  Here she is with a Princess Potato Head she built.

 Since she was leader she got to hold the flag during their Pledge of Allegiance!  (So glad they actually teach the kiddos this still!)

 Being adorned with her birthday crown by Mrs. Forbes.

 One of her favorite jobs while being leader, ringing the bell at the end of "recess".

 Getting ready to sing Happy Birthday to the Birthday girl!  Thanks to Miss Adalynn for choosing this time to nap so I could be a part of her big sister's special time!

 At the end of the day they read the leader special notes from their classmates.  My favorite was from Knox.  It read: "I hope you don't get eaten by an owl today at school!"  Where do they come up with this stuff??

 Friday evening, Nana Julie and Papa Eddie came up for the weekend.  It was so nice to spend the weekend with them.  Adalynn finally warmed up to Nana!  It took her a little bit, but by Saturday she was good to go!

 Lauren with her Lalaloopsy collection, some of which were added by her Aunties and Cousins.

 After dinner we had some chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, as requested by the Birthday Girl.

 Sporting her Beaver shirt for Game Day.  This year since Homecoming was her birthday, she got to share her Birthday with Benny Beaver!

 Today, we had a Lalaloopsy birthday party with her "old friends" as Lauren calls them.  It was our old playgroup!  Since Bea is her favorite Lalaloopsy, we had cupcakes that mommy decorated to look like Bea.

 They turned out pretty darned good (and tasty) if I do say so myself!

 Here's the dining rom all ready for the party goers!

 Instead of making goodie bags for everyone this year, I sent the girls all home with a Lalaloopsy book.  They also got to keep their craft (candy bracelet), a homemade coloring book, their heart wands and as many dum dums from the centerpiece as they liked.

 Her cupcakes in the shape of a 4.

 And of course presents!  She was really spoiled.  More Lalaloopsy dolls!

 Logan, Breanna, Lauren and Ellie all playing in the fort.

I don't kow who had more fun, the kids today or the moms.  It was nice to see everyone and catch up.  Now that the party is out of the way, time to work on Halloween costumes....and yes, it is a Lalaloopsy!