Fall Festivities

Having a ball on the hay bales at the pumpkin patch. She kept running back and forth saying "Happy... Hay.... Happy... Hay"
This is what she does when I tell her to smile. Charming.
She loved these rabbits!

Finishing off my hot chocolate on a chilly day visiting the pumpkin patch.


Just wanted to write about a few things we are enjoying and struggling with this fall. First- all the fun things:
1. The leaves changing this year are gorgeous and the yellow in our front yard was stunning. We just had a storm blow through, and most of the leaves are on the ground, but I still LOVE all the fall colors.
2. Baking- I love baking in the fall. I'm making an apple spice cake today for some good friends who just had a baby. Soon to follow- banana and pumpkin bread.
3. Talking- Yes, I talk during all seasons of the year. But, Coranelle just really took it on this fall. In the car, we play a game, where I say a word and she mimics it. If I pause too long between words, she'll shout "Mo... Mo"- which means, "More... More". It's so fun to hear her communicating more.
4. Quiet mornings- Coranelle has switched to one nap a day and that has somehow extended her bedtime sleeping. The dark mornings help, but she tends to sleep in more, which means I get a little more time with Ryan before he leaves for work and then a few minutes to myself before getting Coranelle up and ready.
5. New experiences and people- Today, I am going to try a MOPS meeting for the first time. I was interested before, but it took place during Coranelle's morning nap. Now, that she's awake during that time, we thought we'd give it a shot. I've never left her with someone that is not family for more than an hour, so the 2 1/2 hours that this morning brings is making me a bit anxious. We'll see how she does and if we both like it.
6. Blankets, slippers, hoodies and hot drinks- all fun things when the seasons change
7. Lots of time sitting in Coranelle's glider or on the floor reading books. I think she could listen to books for hours if we'd read that long. It is great fun to see her interacting with the books. Pointing to the animals and objects I ask her to find and tell me what the different colors are.
8. Halloween stuff- We're not super into Halloween, but I am excited to put Coranelle into her duck costume and go visit some of the neighbors we are friends with. Our church also has a great fall party that we'll dress her up and take her to. Her grandparents are running the cakewalk, so we'll have to go get a cake too! This weekend, we'll carve our pumpkins and I'll bake the seeds.

That's all the fun stuff that fall has brought. Here is our struggle:
1. Night terrors- twice now, Coranelle has woken up with a night terror. These are scary for all of us, as she doesn't fully wake up. She seems to be in a dream state, but her eyes are wide open and she is screaming, her heart pounding, and inconsolable. She won't make eye contact and nothing calms her down. We try books, water, a bath, looking at pictures, rocking.... etc. We've since learned that we're not supposed to pick her up or turn the lights on, but let her get through that stage of sleep on her own. Hopefully she doesn't have many more because it freaks me out to see that blank look on her terrified face. They supposedly come after a day where the child feels stressed, anxious or scared. Ah, the mysteries of being a parent. I guess only 5% of kids have night terrors, but if anyone has had experience with them, I'd love to hear your wisdom.

That's all for now. Please feel free to share what you are enjoying or doing this fall.