Pumpkin Patch photo shoot...

On Friday, Oct. 12, our playgroup went to Daniel's, a local nursery that doubles as a "pumpkin patch" in the fall. Maria has been given some adorable seasonal outfits, so of course I decked her out in the cutest little sweater, some new khakis, and new brown shoes daddy bought for her (he did a GREAT job!). I was bound and determined to get that 'perfect shot' of Maria posing in the pumpkins... well, she would have none of that! She likes to be right next to her favorite people, so separating herself for the desired photo shoot was pretty much out of the question, unless I wanted a picture of her screaming...

No, I will not look at you...

...but I'll look at the other mommies next to you!

I prefer to eat the photo props!

OK, I'll look at the camera just this once... since Mommy isn't taking the picture!

Mommy's photo of the aftermath at a stoplight on the way home...

Honestly, she is so darned cute that it didn't matter... she loved holding my hand as we walked through the pumpkins, and stopping for a hug when some other kid got too close. I don't know why I continue to see this as a challenge - I know I should just be appreciating the time she wants to be close to me, instead of wishing for a photo opportunity. I have a bad habit of always wanting more, and not being 'in the moment'. I'm working on this daily....

Anyway, we had a great time running through the pumpkins, checking out the 'petting zoo', and going on a barrel-ride behind a tractor. (I was scared to death the thing was going to tip over and kill us all, but Maria just smiled and said "Weee!!!!" the whole time... ignorance is such bliss!)

Cheese Face!

Maria now loves cream cheese... but she doesn't like to get it on her fingers! However, she has no problem with it being all over her face!

My Early Bird is not getting the worm...

...she's getting a crabby mama! Sweet Maria has been waking up between 5:00 and 5:30 sporadically for the last month or so. But today it was 4:45 A.M. We let her fuss for a while but she has a hard time going back to sleep because she can hear Charles getting ready for work at 5:15 and after... She's awake and ready to go! WHAT?!?! Last night she went to bed at about 8:00, so this is just short of 9 hours of sleep, for a kid who usually prefers 10-11+ hours... I'm at my wits end on this one. It's 7:30 in the morning and she's already down for a nap- been down since 7:00. I know this is a 'continuation of night sleep' nap, but I have NO IDEA WHAT TO DO. And with daylight savings time coming up, she will be waking REALLY early... what should I do? I'm begging for advice from any mom out there who can spare a moment. Comment or email me. HELP!
~Sleepy Mama

Help for a dear friend

I don't usually ask for your help on this site, but a dear friend of mine has a daughter who is stricken with a horrible skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa (known as EB). In short, her beautiful daughter, Ella, has skin that blisters at almost any contact. She was unable to wear clothing for the first 2-3 months of life. She must have 60-80 blisters lanced daily, and infection is a constant worry. It is also a very painful disease, especially for a child. I recently learned that Maria (20 months old) weighs only 4 pounds less than Ella, who is now 4 years old. This was so telling about what this disease has done to her body, not just her skin. Her overall development, and quality of life are hindered by this horrible disease. As a friend of her mother's, I often feel helpless at how I can help her family. But now is my chance. On October 27, the National organization for research and support for those suffering with EB called DebRa, will be holding a rally and relay across the United States, to raise awareness and funding for this very important cause. Please check out the website for this disease www.debra.org and for the relay www.ebrelay.com. I'm sure you will agree that there is a way we can all help. I appreciate you taking the time to check this out. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for any and all support you can give, even simply in the form of prayers.
Jody

More recent happenings...

A few weeks back, Mommy and Maria visited Grandma and Grandpa Schelich. Daddy was working, so we made the quick trek to Washington, went out to Cowan's, and played, played, played! Grandma and Grandpa just can't get enough of the child!

Grandma tells great stories....

She uses silly voices, just like mommy! (Wonder where Mommy learned that trick?)

Hey, Grandpa? Can you read this one to me?

Sitting on the floor is the best way to read, Grandpa.

Grandpa loooooooves me! I melt his heart every time.

Grandpa loves to steal a snuggle!

Weekend fun and more

I've been slacking lately on keeping up with this page. Seems I can never find the 'right' time to do this! If Maria is sleeping, then I've got things to do, and if she's awake - well, mommy on the computer isn't an option! She loves one-on-one attention....

Anyway, last Sunday, (Sept.30?) we went to the zoo with our friends, the O'Briens. Jack and Maria had a great time riding the train, exploring the Children's Zoo, and checking out the animals. Going to the zoo gets more fun each time we go - she notices so much more, and interacts with us so differently now. Here are some of the highlights:

Mommy and Maria on the train (immediately before she peed on me!)

Digging for bugs in the Children's Zoo.

Showing Daddy the big bears (can you hear the Maria roars in the background?)

Daddy and Maria on the tunnel slide.

"Wow, I like this fake penguin better than the real ones!"