My goal this week is to update the website bit by bit at night after the boys go to bed... so check back (I'm on night four now- last nights photo addition was lost by a wireless drop)!
The last couple of months have been a whirlwind- busy weekends, super fast weeks, and hectic nights. Mannix went a couple of months sleeping through most nights without waking for food, diaper, or a snuggle. Then... for either no reason or lots of reasons... he started waking up again, sometimes four or five times a night. His sleep cycle was thrown off schedule by travel, then he was teething four teeth, then he started crawling, standing, and cruising! The last couple of nights seems to be back on track... until the next tooth or he starts walking!
Since the last update, we've taken a few more trips. We've been up to PA for the O'Neill family reunion and Connor joined in some of the games organized for the kids- carnival style! Scott got to play some basketball and softball, although there were less sports than usual. Seeing Gram O'Neill, and the endless haluski, taco salad and chicken beer dip are always highlights!
After many months of wanting the swingset at Costco for the boys, and picking out a good shady spot, one day we just bought it on a whim...and then spent a few nights over the next two weeks putting it together. Reviews online averaged 18 hours of two people working to build it... It took us a bit longer than that, but it was broken down into several days with mixed company...and Connor helping at times. I really enjoyed the hands on building and working together and the smile on Connor's face as he came down the slide. Another of Connor's favorite activities is feeding Sebastian breakfast, bite by bite!
We also took a "working vacation" to Myrtle Beach for a PA conference at Kingston Plantation. Scott's mom came with us and our friends Betsy and Ethan were there also with their two girls. The resort has many pools and a great Splash pool with slides, lazy river, and giant dumping bucket! And not to mention the ocean! I did enjoy some of the conference, but it was hard to resist the family time! We watched dolphins at breakfast, fed the giant carp at Broadway at the Beach, took family naps, and enjoyed hanging out with the Fricklas family (four chances at being inlaws one day).
September weekends were spent mostly at home, with one weekend trip to PA for another wedding for another cousin- Congrats to Jill and Eric and their little Lucas. Its always good to see everyone and it was gorgeous weather! Scott got to help his dad tear down a dangerously rotting garage. It wasn't quite the demolition I had in mind, but at the end of the day, most of the garage was gone!
A couple of weekends ago, we went with a group of friends to a different pumpkin farm than in past years... Hill Ridge Farms. While its a bit further away in Youngsville, there were more activites for the kids. Connor didn't really get in the mood until the very end and actually cried when we went down the 80 ft slide together. I really thought he'd enjoy it, but he wasn't quite ready for it. He's reaching the age where everything needs to be his idea and if you ask him a question, he usually says no first and then yes. He's really coming along with his talking and he gets really frustrated if we don't understand, like the night he kept repeated a word before we left to go out to dinner... we finally realized he was saying "ginger"...he wanted to be sure we were going to the place that has ginger (china buffet- a kid friendly favorite).
Anyway, back to the pumpkin patch... there were animals, a fish pond, bouncy houses, mazes, an 80ft slide, a corn filled room and a hay jump room. Not to mention the hay ride and picking pumpkins. We all explored the farm bit by bit and met back for lunch together- and got surprised by a country singer serenading us! It was a great way to spend some time with friends and a great annual tradition!
Its hard to remember how we spent each weekend, but they always seem busy and productive, with a good mix of family and friends, chores around the house, and outings! I know each weekend is full of smiles, snuggles, giggles, and growing up! Connor has started preschool and has really taken to it and even gone on his first field trip (also to a pumpkin farm with his dad). Mannix is 9 months old tomorrow! I'll be sure to update with his stats from the MD after his appointment on Friday! We are watching for him to start walking soon!
OK- enough for tonight. Mannix has stirred but did not wake up yet (its 10:20). Check back for more updates soon!
