Fall Frolics 2015

We have already established that pregnancy has made me have zero energy to write.  So I am going to take this opportunity to photo dump basically everything we have been up to this fall.  A picture is worth a thousand words, right?  In the past, I would have had a separate post for each of the events pictured below, but let's be honest, that's not happening.

It has been an odd fall here in the Tri-Cities.  At first it was soooooo hot.  Have you noticed there have been no pictures of my garden this year?  That is because it was the most pitiful it has ever been.  Usually, by the time fall rolls around I am collecting the majority of my summer bounty.  No such luck this year.  I had prolific carrots, beets, Swiss chard, and herbs and that is about it.  It finally started to get a little overcast around Halloween, we had a few rain showers, and now it is cold, cold, cold.

So, without further ado, here is what we have been up to this fall!

Baby Shower!!

My amazing bestie, Lauren, along with her mom, Pat, threw me a gorgeous baby shower in September.  She really went all out, especially considering she herself was pregnant with Baby Ramm's bestie.  (She has since given birth to Isaac Peter and I get to meet him next week!)

 As you can see, the weather cooperated and it was a perfect fall morning for an outdoor baby shower brunch.

 We were really spoiled and babykins got lots of awesome swag.

 There were a few baby bellies present that day!  My friend Hailey, on the left, is due basically hours before me.  It has been nice to commiserate with her this entire pregnancy.  The latest complaint we both have, at 36 weeks now, is "What is with all the pelvic pressure?  Are we going into labor?!!"  (We aren't.)

The Best Big Sister was obviously present for the shower.  She was a champ.  I love her.

Pre-Halloween Shenanigans

 Due to Erik's work schedule, many of our pre-Halloween festivities were done the day before Halloween.  But we managed to squeeze in most of the traditional activities.  Like...

 ...carving pumpkins!

 ...and going to the pumpkin patch!

Halloween

The main event was Halloween, and it was by far the most fun Halloween yet.  It was the first year Elliot has been super into it.  We went as a family of pumpkins to a local church Trunk or Treat and really lived it up!

 She was convinced this was THE Ariel, and still talks about meeting her.

That night, after the festivities, Aniiah came over and helped Elliot overcome her trepidation over venturing out in the dark for some good old fashioned Trick or Treating in the neighborhood.  They were SO cute, holding hands and bursting out into song together.

Of course, there is still one of the main events of fall coming up.  Thanksgiving!  And what a time to be pregnant!  Sure, I will have thirds!  Pass more of that pumpkin pie please!  I have every intention of posting about our last holiday as a family of three, but as we have seen, sometimes the best-laid plans and all that...

So the next time you hear from me it will either be accompanied by a pic of me smiling ear to ear, a drumstick in each hand, or beaming with a fresh Rammelsberg in my arms.  Either way, you don't want to miss it.

Happy Fall, Y'all!

#SecondChildProblems

Unfortunately, I believe the title of the post may just be the story of new Baby Ramm's life.

I just counted them, and by this point in my pregnancy with Elliot I had posted a whopping TWELVE times.  Twelve.  I think for this poor kid I did the announcement of his being, and then the next blog post was possibly about Elliot's birthday?  In my defense, when I was blogging about my first pregnancy, I didn't have an Elliot running around being three (hello sass!).  This pregnancy has also just been all around harder.  The first trimester I was sick as a dog on a daily basis, and though it has petered out some, I still have morning sickness every once in a while in the third trimester.  I have also been super exhausted.  I am way more tired this time around.  I think it is maybe because I am older?  Who knows.  At any rate, this pregnancy has made me feel that it is unlikely there will be a Baby Ramm 3 in the future.  (Remind me of this in about a year, when I will start getting ideas.)

Paradoxically, this pregnancy has also seemed fast.  I feel like the months are just flying by.  I can't believe we are almost to the end of September.  Only twelve weeks to go!  And that is IF he stays put until his due date.  We are not ready!!

Anyway, as I alluded to above, my fear is that this new Rammelsberg, though dearly loved, is already experiencing what all second children the world over know to be true: mom and dad are TIRED.  You know that saying, "when you have more children your love doesn't divide, it multiplies"?  If only that were true for energy!  So, in the event that he ever comes across this blog post and decides to read it, I want to at least acknowledge the ways in which he is getting the shaft, in the hopes that he will know I know, that I am sorry, and that I love him very much.

• The nursery is not so much the crown jewel that Elliot's was, as it is the office converted into some kind of space that will fit a crib, a changing table, and a rocking chair.  New coat of paint?  Nope, we're good.
• First Christmas you say?  Well he's going to be somewhere around two weeks old, so I don't think presents will be necessary.
• "Erik, do we need to take a birthing class again?!!" "No, we'll just find something online."
• Oh, I guess we need to figure out where that infant car seat is, maybe give it a wash.
• Speaking of washing, how do you bathe a newborn again?  Or swaddle one?  Or deal with his umbilical cord?!  How did I forget all these things in just three years?!!!!

Le sigh.  I am sure this hashtag will be used frequently as the days and years go by.  We love you baby boy Ramm.  Please don't hold it against us.  Instead, do what all second children the world over do: blame it on your sister.

Peanut Butter & Jelliot

Yay!  Elliot turned 3!  Like a month ago.  And I am just now getting around to posting about it.  Some of you may be saying "I wonder if she is going to get around to sending out thank you notes?"  Funny, I wonder that too!

 

But for now, I am just proud to be doing this.

 

So every year I put a ton of effort into Elliot's birthday and make really cute decorations, and then forget to take pictures of them.  So this year I made sure to capture the little details.  The theme was "Peanut Butter and Jelliot", in honor of Elliot and her favorite sandwich.

 

 

PB&J Skewers

 

Salads

Two kinds of cupcakes, Purple Swirl and PB&J.

You can't be too careful with all those peanut allergies!

 

The goodie bags. (Goodie bag cred to my Mom, who put these together.  Thanks, Mom!)

The banner.  Hands down the most time-consuming element.

 

Paper chain, made with love with the help of Auntie Danielle while she was in town.

 

 

But the thing was, Elliot did not give two shakes about the awesome décor.  All that mattered to her was the BOUNCY HOUSE!

It was quite a bit larger than what we expected from the picture we saw online.  Notice it dominates our real house.  That girl loves to bounce.  And bounce she did from the moment they dropped it off the night before, until they came to pick it up the day after her party.

 

 

We also did the other traditional birthday things, like...

...play with friends,

...blow out birthday candles,

...open presents,

...and pose for the annual birthday doorway shot. (What?  That's not a thing.)

 

After everyone left she jumped some more.  But this time in her underwear.  Ok, ok!  Her diaper. 

("I am going to wear diapers forever!" -Elliot Rammelsberg)

It's a good day if it ends with your hair looking like this.

Good job, parents.  You've made it through another year.