Fall Fun!

It's been a week since I last updated...going back to work has definitely meant that I update the blog less often, but I'm trying to make sure I still get in one post per weekend. The problem with that is trying to make sure I remember everything from the week!

Last Sunday, Pete and I decided to use some gift money that my cousin had sent us to buy Lukie an activity gym and playmat. We had noticed that he really liked the one at daycare, so it seemed like a wise investment. In general, I don't like buying him tons of toys. I figure we wait and see things he likes and then decide whether or not it's something we want to buy for him. I don't want a house full of toys he doesn't use. I'd rather pick some quality toys that he really likes!

The mat we picked out has LOTS of fun stuff on it, and it's totally collapsible so I can still put it away at night so it's not constantly out in the living room. There's a mirror, three hanging toys, and a mobile that plays music and has butterflies that spin around. Lukas LOVES it, which has made Pete and me wish we had bought it earlier...but he probably wouldn't have gotten nearly so much enjoyment out of it before now. It keeps him occupied really well, and I can run to the kitchen and do the dishes really quick and come back to find him totally content.

The week went by pretty much as usual. Lukie managed to poop on his daycare teacher for the second time, so...way to go Lukie. I'd say I'm the only one who hasn't been pooped on, but he pooped in the bathtub with me in it, so I can't. Actually, he's done that multiple times now. Sigh.

This weekend was a busy one! Yesterday, we took Lukie on his first car trip longer than an hour. We drove to Asheville, NC and dropped Lukie off to stay at Pete's friend Robyn's house. Robyn and her husband retired to Asheville from Schaumburg, and they don't have any grandchildren yet. Lukie gets to be a visiting grandchild every once in a while! I'm a doofus, so I didn't take any pictures of Lukie with Robyn.

Pete and I went out to lunch at the White Duck Taco Shop, which basically turns everything into tacos. Pete had a fish taco and a Bangkok Shrimp taco with chili aioli and sesame glaze, and I had a Korean Bulgogi taco with kimchee and a lamb gyro taco. All were awesome. We also had their salted coconut macaroon pie, which was good, though I honestly think they went a little heavy on the salt. Either way, it was a nice lunch, and the place was PACKED, so the rest of the menu must be really good, too!

We also visited Asheville Hardware, the place we went on our day date in August, so that Pete could pick out some wood to build nightstands for our bedroom. I always get furniture for Christmas, so I think this is my Christmas present this year. I'll take it!

We headed back at about 4. Lukie slept the entire way down to Asheville and all but the last 20 minutes of the way home. He wasn't particularly happy when he woke up, though, so I scooted into the back seat to entertain him. That worked for a while until Mommy got kind of carsick. However, I did discover that Lukie laughs now! If I make laughing noises, especially loud, high-pitched ones (think a witch), then he giggles just a little! I can't wait until he's giving me belly laughs!

Pretty gorgeous day for a road trip.

The mirror and the mobile came, too. That activity center is worth its weight in gold!

Laughing at Mommy's noises.

We stuck a lot closer to home today. Pete and I planted pumpkins in two small raised beds earlier this year...well, they've overtaken the side yard. We decided to pick what was out there and pull all but one vine. Lukie came along for the ride. Then I cleaned and roasted one pumpkin...and got 10 cups of puree out of it. The variety is an heirloom variety called Long Island Cheese, partly because the pumpkins are flattened and look like a wheel of cheese. They're supposed to be about the best "eating pumpkin" out there..and I have to say, I agree! I'd have eaten the puree with a spoon, unseasoned. Pete disagrees, but that's because he really just doesn't like squash. I hope Lukie does, because I've got a ton saved in the freezer for him!

Finally, Lukie graduated from HAVING to take a bath with Mommy in the bathtub to being able to take his baths in the sink without a freak-out. I'm glad. I was sick of getting wet every other night, and honestly, sick of getting pooped on. It's happened like 3 times now! Anyway, now I can just clean out the sink instead of the entire bathtub if he poops. Thank goodness.

The bath went mostly well...but babies are slippery! 

Alright, folks! That's the recap! We'll see you next week...I believe this brings us to...

...the end.