Attempting to Pick Pumpkins

When we were in Asheville, we set out on a quest to pick pumpkins. We thought we found the perfect place online and we set off to Skytop Orchard. It was super busy and bitter cold but we ventured out. Unfortunately, Skytop Orchard's website was very misleading. Their "pumpkin patch" was actually just a dozen pumpkins scattered around the grounds and there were no signs telling patrons where to go or what to do.Needless to say, the kids quickly became bored and the parents became annoyed.
So, we set out to find our pumpkins somewhere else. Thanks to Mommy's handy blackberry we discovered Granddads. Jack and Palmer ran a muck amongst the pumpkins and eventually found the perfect ones!
Jack was very excited :)

Baby Hagen!

Jack became enamored with Baby Hagen and he really demonstrated what a great big brother he will make in a few short months. He shared his blankies with her and always wanted to go to her when she was in her bouncy seat to tickle her and make her laugh.He eventually asked to hold her and he couldn't take his eyes off of her. He was so compassionate and gentle and concerned over her all weekend and it truly made Mommy and Daddy excited to see him interact with his baby brothers.
This picture just cracks me up.

Asheville

Last weekend we went to Asheville, NC for a cousins family reunion. We had such a great time with Mommy's cousins Rick and Gerald and their beautiful families. The weather was chilly and the foliage was amazing.Jack discovered Ms. Packman in the basement and instantly fell in love. He figured out how to turn it on by himself and was simply addicted. In fact, whenever I would go down to check on him, he would say, "Go away Mommy. I'm fine!"
Jack and Daddy went outside to play soccer. Jack can't wait to start soccer lessons in the spring!
We also decorated Halloween cookies. I think the kids ate more icing than they actually put on the cookies, but it was so fun!
Jack's cousin Palmer enjoying her creation :)

Swine Flu

Mommy here. I have been super stressed about swine flu recently. It seems as though news about the increasing swine-related death rate is everywhere and everything I read and see reiterates the fact that pregnant women and young children are most at risk. My ob tells me that I will be at the top of the list to receive the vaccine as soon as it becomes available but no one really knows when that will be. Chris and I are growing increasingly frustrated with our pediatrician's office over their lack of knowledge or patience when it comes to informing parents about the vaccine and its availability. Because we are expecting twins and Jack will be around them all the time, he should also be at the top of the list to receive it too. We've all had our seasonal flu vaccine but its the H1N1 vaccine that we really need! Now we just sit and wait and hope it becomes available soon. In the meantime, we diligently wash our hands and use hand sanitizer.

Well....that didn't work. On Tuesday morning Jack woke up with a high fever and cough. We called the doctor and were able to get him in by early afternoon. By then he had developed chills, fatigue and upset stomach. He tested negative for flu and strep but the doctor said that a large number of H1N1 tests come back negative when they are really positive and he showed many signs of the flu. Therefore, she put him on Tamiflu. UGH! She also told me to call my ob to see if I needed to be treated proactively. Oh, and she also told me that the most common side effect of Tamiflu is nausea and vomiting. FANTASTIC!

Jack looked and acted pretty pathetic all day and I hated that he felt so miserable. He hadn't eaten much all day and by dinner time we really need to try to get some food in his stomach before starting the Tamiflu. Jack managed eat half of a peanut butter and jelly before we gave him the medicine. Within 10 minutes of taking it, he started crying and saying that his tummy hurt. As I picked him up to take him into the bathroom, he puked all down my back! The poor little guy was so miserable :(

We got him ready for bed and I rocked him for a while. As I laid him in his bed and sang to him he started crying and as I walked into the bathroom, he puked all over me AGAIN! Twice in 3o minutes!! It was so difficult to see him so sick and not really be able to make him feel better. Needless to say, I was in tears by the time I got him to sleep!

Today he seemed to feel much better and the medicine didn't make him sick. However, he still has a fever so we will be staying home again tomorrow. Fortunately, I am not feeling ill so let's hope it stays that way.

We will still be getting the vaccine as soon as it becomes available, by the way!

Little Wahoo

Jack's first UVA football game of the season turned out to not be so disappointing after all! In fact, we kicked Indiana's hiney and Jack got to sing the "Good Old Song" a lot!! Before the game, Jack brushed up on his football skills.

A Wee Sapling

A few weeks ago, Nana took Jack to the zoo and the nice zoo people gave away trees. Jack couldn't wait to get home and plant his tree with Daddy.

Of course Jack had an opinion about exactly how to do it.And he made sure to pitch in and help.
He was so proud of his sapling and frequently checks to make sure that it is growing. Please pray that the tree survives the winter and also that Mommy or Daddy don't accidentally drive over it when pulling out of the driveway!!!

Little Chef

Mommy and Daddy truly love to cook and it seems like Jack may have inherited the hobby. Lately we have been letting Jack help bake things such as cookies and muffins. He loves to pour in the ingredients and help to mix them up. Of course, he also watches the oven, anxiously awaiting his creation to finish baking. It would be great if someday he can prepare an entire meal for us!!!!

The Last Day

Our last day of vacation was spent at Hollywood Studios and Jack met to of his favorites: Buzz and Woody! Jack commented when we left that they were both really big!In fact, he didn't want to leave and watched them from the window.
We ate lunch with several characters including Jack's Playhouse Disney pals the Little Einsteins. As you can see, he did more dancing than eating!
Our last ride of the trip was the Buzz Lightyear ride. Jack didn't like it very much (blame it on the 4-D again!) but he did enjoy the Slinky Dog!

Prima Donna

When we visited Epcot, Jack insisted on waiting in line again to greet all his favorite characters. What we didn't know was that Jack had a plan this time for meeting Mickey and it involved the cherry Coke-flavored chapstick we bought earlier in the day...


Jack seriously put his chapstick on before he would let anyone take his picture. Mickey and the photographers were quite amused!

Animal Kingdom Part Deux

Jack was such a brave boy and went on a lot of rides we didn't think he would. Daddy really wanted to take Jack on the Kalahari Rapids and of course Mommy was apprehensive but Jack LOVED it! He was all smiles!After the adventurous ride Jack enjoyed a Mickey ice cream.
Well, he enjoyed it until it landed on his lap!

Animal Kingdom

The second day of our trip was spent at Animal Kingdom. We decided to head to the safari as soon as we arrived with the hopes that the animals would be out while the temps were still low-ish. Our plan paid off! The safari animals were out eating and grazing and we had such a great trip. We took lots to of pictures but this one pretty much sums up how close we came to "wild" animals!We got stuck in a torrential shower and took shelter under one of the character greeting gazebos.
Luckily that meant that as soon as the rain subsided, the characters came back and we were first in line!

After the rain ended, we headed to the Tree of Life to take in the 4-D Bugs Life movie. Mommy should have know better. As soon as the first bug started chucking things at the audience, Jack freaked out and insisted on going bye-bye. At least we got a cute picture before the show started!

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!!!

Mommy finally got around to posting about our trip to Disney World last month. She says its because it has taken her that long to recover!!!

We had such a fantastic trip and it was such a blessing to spend this special time with Jack before the twins arrive. We even managed to get a great family picture in front of Cinderella's Castle.
The first time we took Jack to Disney World he was about 16 months old and he was TERRIFIED of the characters. This trip was a whole different story and the very first thing he wanted to do was go meet Mickey and Minnie. He was a little awe struck but quickly gave them hugs and kisses.After going on a bunch of rides (including the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean!) we sat down for the parade. Jack was beyond excited to see Mickey and Minnie again...
and made sure to point them out to us!!!

Our day at the Magical Kingdom really was magical and Jack had a blast!