raising ladybug

We pulled out the fall and Halloween decorations today and Adela found a lot to play with.  She just loves pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns.  We now have a whole row of various pumpkin decorations lined up on top of our TV.  I think the best, though, are the two little trick-or-treat bags she now likes to parade around.  One is a white bag with a ghost face (her favorite) and the other is an orange bag with a jack-o-lantern face.  They actually belonged to David and I when we were little.

I had Gramma and Grumpa over to babysit today while Mommy and Daddy went out to lunch.  It was fun to have lunch with them and play for the afternoon.  Mommy and Daddy say I’m talking a lot more.  In fact, I can say whole sentences now, but I usually only talk to people I know really well…I can still be a little shy sometimes.

We visited New Bern this weekend since Mommy and Nana had booths at the MumFest (New Bern’s annual craft show).  Adela was very excited about both Mommy and Nana having “craft boofs”.  Mommy was selling “beads” (jewelry) and Nana was selling “garden fanfans” (Garden Fancies from her shop).  On Saturday, while Mommy was manning her booth, Grandaddy and I walked around the MumFest with Adela — the highlights for her were seeing the fire engine and the three horses that were there for the carriage rides.  It was quite warm and muggy on Saturday, so we only stayed for a little while.  That afternoon, Granny and Papa came to visit and afterward we had a giant family dinner — Mommy, Daddy, Nana, Grandaddy, Granny, Papa, Uncle OA, Uncle David, and Brandi.  On Sunday, Nana, Adela, and I went to church (she had a good time), then went back to visit Mommy at the MumFest.  Adela had fun having a picnic behind the Farmer’s Market then she, Mommy, and I walked around some more of the MumFest again (being sure to hit the fire engine and the three horses again).  By the end of the weekend, Adela was worn out and ready for some quality time with Mommy, but I think she had fun.

We took Adela to the Burlington Carousel Festival this weekend with Ali’s family.  Honestly, Adela didn’t enjoy it that much.  When we first arrived, there was some loud music that upset her.  She didn’t want to ride any of the rides (the park has a neat train that’s there all year long as well as the carousel).  We thought that we might go back another weekend and see if she’s interested in the train or carousel.  We did have a bit more fun once we got to Gramma and Grumpa’s house and had some lunch and playtime.

We had a great cookout at Gramma and Grumpa’s house on Sunday.  We got to visit with lots of family — Gramma and Grumpa of course, GiGi, Aunt Lulu, Uncle Jam, Baby Lincoln, Uncle Mario, Aunt Monika, and Nina.  It was a full house!  Adela had fun playing with everyone.

Nina and Uncle Mario came over to visit me today.  Nina and I had a good time playing together (although we were a little rough with each other at the beginning).  We had fun playing in the kitchen Grumpa made for me.  We baked pretend cakes and cut fruit.  Uncle Mario said he and Nina would come to visit again soon.

We just had to share Adela playing with her new kitchen.  Grumpa and Gramma (Caruso) made it for her birthday and were just here to give it to her last Wednesday.  She loves cooking at it and will be releasing a cookbook soon I’m sure!

Just a general report – Adela is doing great.  She is getting back to walking around briskly by herself.  Her appetite is great and she is eating like a typical toddler according to her feeding therapist.  Who also said with her variety we might be able to stop feeding therapy!   Yeah! What an accomplishment.  She is talking up a storm as well….She is totally a three year old – including temperment

Ali and I keep a photo album online of Adela. We try to update it every month or so with new pictures. I just uploaded the pictures from her birthday, so enjoy.

http://adelaandfriends.shutterfly.com

Here are two pictures from her birthday…