Birthday auntie

Whoops! Didn't get to post this two days ago, on her actual birthday, but my little sister has turned 29! Happy Birthday to Val (or TT, as she's more commonly known 'round these parts). She's my best friend and the best sister a girl could ask for. And she certainly loves her nephews and nieces.

Pumpkin patch

This past weekend, we took the kids--all dolled up in their Halloween costumes--to the pumpkin patch just south of Gardnerville, Nevada. It actually turned into a whole weekend trip; we stayed overnight in the trailer at the Silver City RV Park in Carson City. We did all our shopping, and conveniently, there was a hair salon for me at the RV park! But the best part of the weekend was, by far, the pumpkin patch. Corn maze, pig races, haystack slides, train and pony rides... what could be more fun?

In-laws, binkies, Tonka trucks, and tufa

Brian's dad and stepmom are in town for a few days. Aaahhhhh... it's always so refreshing to have them here! Brian's dad always helps with projects around the house, and Lynn gives me creative inspiration for any sewing, beading, or any other crafty projects I may have lying around. Plus, we just enjoy their company! We met them in Reno on Wednesday night, where we stayed the night at the Silver Legacy and shopped the next day around the area.

Jack achieved a major milestone at the hotel, sleeping without a binky for the first time! (This wasn't planned; I'd forgotten the binky at home. And, of course, it was a miserable night for him. But we let him pick out the biggest Tonka truck he could find at Walmart the next day, saying he could only play with it once he traded in his binkies for good. As soon as we got home, he brought me his binkies, and we ceremoniously dumped them all in the trash. He reeeeally wanted to play with his new truck... and we haven't heard anything about the binkies since!) Today, of course, we had to take Rick and Lynn to see "downtown" Lee Vining and the south tufa.

Kate at four months

Jack and I took his little sister in for her four-month checkup today. There was actually a lot less crying from the little drama queen this time around! We talked about the eczema on her forehead and the backs of her arms, as well as using drops to clean out her system and rid her of the gas that's been causing her pain. The stats:

Weight: 14 pounds (just a little over the 50th percentile)
Height: 23.5 inches (just a little under the 50th percentile)

I was hoping to start her on solid foods soon, but the nurse wants me to wait until she's doubled her birth weight, which is another 10 ounces. (Brian and I'd already tried giving her a few "sticky stars" the other night at dinner, and although she liked them, it took lotsa effort to keep them in her drooly mouth.) So, darn it, still just breast milk. The little stinker has been sleeping all afternoon, which she probably needed, seeing as how her naps lately have been short and unsatisfying (to both of us!).