Fireman Jack

A good friend of ours arranged a fun tour of her local fire station. I told Jack the day before and he could hardly contain his excitement! He LOVES any and everything to do with firemen and fire trucks, and the day didn't disappoint! The firefighters were SO accommodating and patient, and went way out of their way to show us around.

They had kid sized firefighter costumes hanging right next to the firemens' real deal outfits. Jack loved dressing up- especially the boots!

I think he looks like he's thinking, "Let's get to work!"

Next they let the kids get up to "drive" the engine, and pulled out all the stops- lights and ringing the bell!

The whole crew

We decided to walk to and from, which was fun except that it ended up raining and of course Jack and Colton decided they needed to carry their own umbrellas leading to several meltdowns on Jack's part. I decided to try out Charlie in the Mei Tai carrier I made him on my back, which was great (you can JUST barely see his foot in the picture)! We put the hood up and he napped almost the whole time. It left my hands free to help the big boys and everyone was happy!

Thanks to Cheryl for taking pictures for me!

Pumpkin Patch- take 1

We visited Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch this weekend with A&K and clan. It was a COLD day, so we bundled up!

Jack on the train- which he called the "dinosaur train." He yelled "all aboard!" several times.

 

This is what Charlie did on the train (and the entire rest of the time we were there. :-) We're both wearing our Gator orange and blue!

 

Playing on a big wooden ship

"I driv-een" say Jack and Colton!

LOVE this picture

 

Say cheese, Daddy (on the hayless hay ride)

 

Mama, Jack and Charlie (can you find him?) on the "hay ride"

 

In the Pumpkin Patch

Hanging with Charlie Brown & Co. in the Pumpkin Patch

Look at those cold, red noses! Time to go home!

Charlie had to be fed in the car before we could head home

Jack was exhausted when we got home! He just hung out in his pj's the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Even though it was cold, we had a great time. It was much too cold to take Charlie out of the wrap, so I didn't get pictures of the boys in the pumpkin patch like I wanted. Oh well! We're headed to a different patch Thursday with Parents as Teachers, and hoping for sunnier weather!

Getting ready for baby... for the Big Brother

I've been crafting a few things for Jack for when Charlie comes. I'm thinking we'll give it to him when he comes to visit in the hospital. I appliqued a J to a plain canvas bag (sorry about the weird lighting),

and filled it will baby things, mostly made out of the same fabric that I made Jack's blanket out of a few months ago.

Jack's Blanket

He is very attached to his blanket, so I purposely didn't make anything for Charlie out of that fabric. No need to encourage sibling rivalry!

Diapers/ Bib/ Burp Cloth/ Mini Blankie

 

I used this Martha Stewart Black Apple Doll Template to make a cloth doll for Jack. It isn't my best sewing work, and Mike think it looks like the baby has a mullet. Oh well! I had to alter it, because the original doll has girlie hair and is wearing a dress. I don't think Jack will mind that it's a little weird looking.

I also made him a baby sling, blue with red lining (it's reversible!) to wear his baby in while I wear Charlie.

 

I didn't have him try his on yet, but I did have him try on another one I was working on- for sizing and doll placement. Don't tell Mike I put our boy in purple- he didn't seem to mind! :-)

I'm also planning on recording a CD of me singing some of Jack's favorite songs/ saying bedtime prayers/ reading a favorite book or two for while we're in the hospital, and hopefully I'll get to it sooner rather than later!

And lastly, I made Jack this bear shirt to match the bear outfit we have for Charlie. My embroidery leave something to be desired, but overall I'm pleased how it came out.

The Mountains: Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday we decided to hike to a waterfall not too far from our cabin. First we went to the Hiawassee Dam, which was cool.

Then, we drove to the hiking trail. I'm not sure I can express in words the rest of this trip. The guidebook said it was steep and slick... what it should have said was that the trail was a deathtrap! My dad fell first, right on his tailbone, but mostly walked away unhurt. After that, I got the feeling that I should take Jack, who my mom was carrying. Moments later, my mom fell and wrapped herself around a tree. She is still black and blue and we think she broke a rib. However, we made it, and the waterfall was gorgeous.

On Thursday we packed in the car and drove to Asheville to visit the Biltmore Estate and Winery. Mike and I spent a couple of days during our honeymoon there, so it was neat to visit with the whole family. Jack was SO GOOD- hung out with me in the moby wrap or let Mike carry him (we alternated the 4 floors) and even napped facing me in the wrap for 45 minutes while we walked around. Then we walked around the beautiful estate gardens and participated in a wine tasting at the winery. Other than being HOT (old buildings= no air), it was really fun.

Kennison is 2!

Our niece, Kennison turned 2 today, and Allison and Kenny did it up in style. (See the above picture of her saying "I'm two!" with her fingers.) We had a wonderful time at her party! Jack seems happiest these days when Mommy is holding him, so I did just that for many of the hours, wearing him in his snuggli, and Kennison was kind enough to "even me out" by hanging out on my back for a bit.

It was great to see everyone in the Friedrich family and some of Allison and Kenny's friends. Check out the picture of the Friedrich men and their boys (and little lady). It's amazing to me looking at the picture how similar many of their features are!

After the party we decided to go for a walk. Today was the first decent weather day in FOREVER- the sun was shining at it made it above 50 degrees. Wahoo! Unfortunately, by the time we decided to walk, got our stuff together, got the kids bundled up, in their car seats, and out in the strollers, it was cold because the sun had gone down. So... we made it to the corner- then turned around. Jack looks very grumpy in the picture because I kept covering up his arms which he hates. I just didn't want him to get cold! Oh, well, maybe next time our walk will work out better!