2 wheelin'

During October, Charlie made the leap to riding a two wheeler! We got Charlie this bike a couple years ago but he wouldn't really ride it because it was so big that he didn't feel secure riding it. When I bought it I figured I should get the bigger bike for him so he could use it longer but that plan backfired and I probably should have purchased a smaller bike. Oh well...He fits it now and Miles may or may not be getting a smaller bike from Santa so Edwin will be set as he grows into these bikes.

Charlie was relying heavily on the training wheels so during the summer, Max took off the training wheels AND the peddles so he could use it as a balance bike. This helped him find his balance so during the Fall, Max added the peddles back on and Charlie took off riding, even in the gravel around our house. I took these pictures as part of his star student poster he made for school. And he just keeps growing up.

 

Dapper little Men

I'm a sucker for comparison photos. And I love seeing the similarities and differences in my boys. (Never mind the inconsistent photo editing)

Charlie on the left at 8 months
Miles in the middle at 10 months (I forgot to do the photo until 10 months)
Edwin on the right at 8 months.
They are holding my keys in all the photos.

Some fun facts about these boys as babies. Charlie was the least chill. He would want to be held the most where Miles and Edwin are pretty calm just sitting and observing.

As crawlers, Charlie and Edwin are the most likely to get into mischeif. They are/were the most interested in going up the stairs or putting non-food in their mouth.

Edwin is the most likely to explore the toilet. I never really had to block off the bathroom from my babies until now.

Miles is the cuddliest. Charlie and Edwin seem to have too much to explore where Miles likes to spend time cuddling with mom and dad.

Miles and Charlie have brown eyes. Edwin has blue/grey eyes.

Miles obviously has the best vision.

Miles has been my smallest skinniest baby and was my only breast-feeder.

Charlie and Edwin took a binky, Miles did not. (I think this is related to breastfeeding/bottle feeding.)

Miles was the earliest to crawl, sit, teeth, {walk, talk, dressing self} (the last 3 aren't really a fair comparison with Edwin)

Charlie was the best baby food eater! Edwin only wants to feed himself. And Miles gagged on solid food for awhile before he liked it.

Charlie was the only one to army crawl. And he was my latest child to do real crawling.

Charlie would cry when I ran the blender, Edwin laughs at it.

Charlie was obsessed with the vacuum and hair dryer. Miles and Edwin like the vacuum a lot. And they never see me dry my hair anymore...because who has time for that with 3 kids??

Ummm..and there are a couple fun facts!

8 months

Back in October, Edwin turned 8 months. The big brothers were gone at school so Edwin and I adventured to the field by our house for some photos. Of course he was his charming self.

Then he decided on a pine cone snack and just kept putting it in his mouth. So here is a sequence of taste-test photos...

Awww...I just love this baby! I'm so glad he is part of our family!

32 years

The night before my birthday was spent baking with Max. We were making a cheesecake for my birthday, and making it together was a birthday highlight for me. Back when we were teenagers and before we had all this grown up responsibility, Max and I would always bake and cook together. It doesn't happen as much anymore but feels extra special when it does. 

My birthday started in the usual Monday way...getting Charlie to school! I walked Charlie to school then made my way back! I'm pretty sure Max had some breakfast ready for me when I got back and I feel terrible right now for not remembering. Then Max left for work. I amazingly got my workout in...then I proceeded to finish the cheesecake with Miles.. So here is Miles making a ganache topping!

 And he helped with the dishes! Another simple and amazing birthday gift.

 Potty dance...haha

 And this little rascal roamed around...looking for scraps!

Soon the time came for us to pick up Charlie we walked to get him, then had story time on the deck with his new library book.

 

The weather was amazing, it was warm and sunny but with the occasional warm fall rain. So we spent time in the hammock, pogo-ing, and Charlie practicing his 2-wheeler!

 

 
Once Max went home we went out to eat and it turns out that Edwin is quite grabby
After Dinner we made our way home for cake..I don't remember what we were waiting for, but there was some waiting so this happened...

Then the decadent cake was cut and it was amazing but very rich  and probably shouldn't be made for just my family ever again.

Then we played our traditional hot and cold/find the presents game which the boys loved. Then the boys were put to bed because, once again, they were up to late on a school night. And now I'm 32!

Annual Pumpkin Hat Day

Grandma Sharolee has been keeping us hooked up with Pumpkin hats. We now have enough for the whole family...which now makes me wonder why Max and I didn't get in on these photos. Oh well, there's always next year! Anyway, October 1st was the day we bust them all out and I force my kids to get a photo together. Luckily, they're usually okay with it.

Okay, Charlie and Edwin were a bit tough to crack at first! Miles was being his charming self!

A precious brotherly moment.

And there you have it!

Pogo-ing

Once upon a time, many years ago I had made a wishlist and put Pogo stick on the list, Toys r Us had a really cool purple one and I dreamed of having it. It never made its way under our Christmas and somehow I've continued to survive to adulthood. A couple months ago, when we were participating in Questival we ended the evening without sleeping for 36+ hours and apparently I had mentioned my longing for a pogo stick to my new best friend, Heather. I don't remember this at all because we were delirious! So then I'm at Heathers house a week before my birthday and just as I'm about to leave she creepily tells me she has something for me in the trunk of her car...she leads me to the car and tells me to open it. I finally open it after being a little freaked out and Lo and Behold there is a shiny red industrial pogo stick! She then had to remind me that I mentioned I had always wanted a pogo stick which I really hadn't remembered telling her. I was SO surprised that I couldn't stop laughing, and I was so honored that she thought of me when she saw this pogo stick! Thank you Heather!

So naturally Max and I were pogo-ing for hours on end and had to take photos...

It also happened to be General Conference Weekend (pajama church) thus the pajamas and the increased amount of time at home during the weekend)

 Most thoughtful gift ever! And I will probably make a separate post for my birthday coming soon....