Halloween

From Sept/Oct 2010

Our downtown does a trick-or-treating event for kids, so we left work early on Friday to start celebrating Halloween with friends (Hirut the cupcake). The biggest hit was the ice cream cone at DQ, but a close second was the cookie from New Morning Bakery.

From Sept/Oct 2010

Eila (AKA Sweet Pea) really enjoyed being out and seeing all the kids.

From Sept/Oct 2010

From Sept/Oct 2010

We also got out around the neighborhood a little tonight. Annikka was saying "Trick or treat; I'm allergic to peanuts" to all our neighbors. Before now, I had never really thought about that when buying Halloween candy, and I was surprised at how many houses had peanut candy (most had a non-peanut option though).

From Sept/Oct 2010

Last year Annikka's favorite part was passing out candy to the kids that came to our door (I remember that she hoped kids would continue to randomly stop by for about a week afterwards).

From Sept/Oct 2010

But this year she understood the candy part much better, and got WAY more than any three-year-old needs.

From Sept/Oct 2010

Pumpkins

We enjoyed a beautiful Oregon fall day at a pumpkin patch with friends.

From Sept/Oct 2010

Joel lead the kids off into the corn maze ...

From Sept/Oct 2010

From Sept/Oct 2010

And we played until we were all worn out.

From Sept/Oct 2010

Later Annikka and Joel carved pumpkins, while Eila watched in amazement.

From Sept/Oct 2010

From Sept/Oct 2010

From Sept/Oct 2010

We're getting ready for Halloween.

From Sept/Oct 2010

Doctor's appt - Eila

It was a busy day for us at the doctor, because Eila was also there for her 4 month visit. Everything checked out okay, and she too got shots. Here are Eila's stats at 20 weeks:

Head - 42 1/4 cm (65 percentile)
Length - 24 in (17 percentile)
Weight - 13 lb, 8 oz (26 percentile)

From Sept/Oct 2010

She is really pretty active and interactive these days, and still very happy and expressive. She's busy grabbing and playing with toys (EVERYTHING goes in her mouth), making her razzing noises, rolling over, and even scooting herself around a little.

Doctor's appt - Annikka

Here are the stats from the 3 year appointment:
33.2 lb (70th percentile);
39 inches (85th percentile - causing me to wonder, who's kid is this).

I knew she would get her flu shot today, and I knew that wouldn't be fun, so I packed gummy worms for our appointment. Then Dr. Wong said there was another vaccine she needed. I told her she could have one shot (the flu shot), or if she got 2 shots she would get TWO gummy worms. Annikka, knowing that I had brought 3 worms, suggested that she get THREE shots. She made Dr. Wong's day. :)

From Sept/Oct 2010

Afterwards, I think she was glad she only got 2 shots.

Bosch update

It's been 2 weeks, and we are surviving without the nighttime bosch. The downside is that it's taking Annikka a LONG time to relax and go to sleep -- 2 hours the first several nights, and now it's down to 1 1/2. Hopefully we'll keep making progress on that. The upside is that she hasn't cried for one or tried to take Eila's. She accepted that it was time to get rid of them, but it doesn't mean it's easy for her. A few times she has said, "I need something in my mouth at the night time." But when we've told her that we don't have anything to go in her mouth, she doesn't mention it again.

It's been a little heartbreaking to take away something that has meant so much to her, but I think we're doing the right thing. And I'm really proud of how well she's handled it, she's really growing up.

Annikka's party

Do you wonder what a 3 year old's birthday party is like?

From Sept/Oct 2010

Well, when the preschool room has 14 of her closest friends (plus a few more non-school friends), it can feel a bit out of hand. But mix in inflatable play structures and it's actually pretty fun.

Annikka (and Mika climbing up)

From Sept/Oct 2010

Sarah, Danika & Amani

From Sept/Oct 2010

Anya & Hirut (with Maddie right behind)

From Sept/Oct 2010

Amani & Ryan, with Maddie & Annikka getting ready

From Sept/Oct 2010

the birthday girl :)

From Sept/Oct 2010

Even Grandma joined in!

From Sept/Oct 2010

And what do the parents do ...

help everyone climb in and out,

From Sept/Oct 2010

catch their breathe for a minute,

From Sept/Oct 2010

and play with babies.

From Sept/Oct 2010

There were 7 baby siblings at the party. :)

From Sept/Oct 2010

And after all that bouncing comes the sugar, I mean cupcakes.

From Sept/Oct 2010

From Sept/Oct 2010

Annikka had a great time, and we hope everyone else did too.

From Sept/Oct 2010

Annikka is 3!

From Sept/Oct 2010

I know you hear it all the time, but I really can't believe how quickly we've reached three. So much has changed in these years, and here we are with this beautiful, inquisitive, funny, interesting, energetic little girl.

From Sept/Oct 2010

She can amaze me each and every day. It's so exciting (although occasionally frustrating) to see her learning and reasoning, making connections and choices for herself. It's also sad, though, to think about that wide-eyed little baby we're leaving behind. I want to freeze and hang on to every moment, but I do love seeing her changes and am enjoying this person she's becoming. Guess that's what being a parent is all about.



So happy birthday Annikka, we love you more each day.

From Sept/Oct 2010