Simon and some pumpkins

We dusted off the old exersaucer since Simon likes to bounce and stand.  He wasn't too sure about it at first . . .

then he started to like it!  Now, he tolerates if for 5 minutes or so before getting frustrated. 

We carved some pumpkins last weekend at aunt Kerri's house. 

Mr. Merrick with his cousins Addy and Emily- so cute!

Simon started getting his first teeth about five days ago!  He has been drooling for the past few weeks, but I did not give much thought that it could be due to teething since Ethan and Lucia didn't get their first teeth until after they were 6 months or older.  He has already tried to test his new chompers out while nursing! When I screamed out, he just gave me this sly little smile!

He's starting to fill out- we have his 4 month check up tomorrow so we will see if he is catching up to his brother and sister at all- or if he is going to be our runt!

Hoffmaster

We went out to Hoffmaster State Park a few weekends ago.  I've been wanting to do the dune stair trail/climb all year and we finally made it out there!  Funny, I don't remember that many steps when I was a kid!

Almost to the top . . . 

 

Simon and mamma at the top- he actually liked riding in his carrier thingy! (We've been trying it out the past 4 months and he usually just cries.)

View from the top- I love the clouds and some of the trees are starting to change. 

Ethan, mamma, and Simon on the beach. 

Lucia singing to herself and walking down the beach. 

Throwing stuff in the lake with daddy.
What a beautiful day it was!

First lost tooth!

Ethan lost his first tooth last week!  I wish I could be more excited, but the thought of teeth wiggling and falling out of ones mouth grosses me out!  I need to suck it up though, he showed me two, possibly 3, additional wiggly teeth this evening!

What he does best!

Spit up that is!

Two beautiful Tuesday Evenings

The weather was gorgeous during the first few weeks of October.  We spent a couple nice Tuesday evenings at the Gardens given the weather was cooperating!  Ethan is practicing his model pose :-) 

Nonna was able to join us during our evenings at Meijer Gardens.  I love this picture of Nonna with Ethan and Lucia.  

My three loves, they sure are cute- most of the time. 

I love fall colors!

Miss Lucia- still holding onto her ticket. 

They never look at me at the same time- oh well!

Watching fish in the big koi pond

Nonna with Simon- that's his happy face. 

Nonna tried to pose Simon in different positions so it would look like he was floating.  This one did not work too well (you can see Nonna behind him)- but I love his expression! 

September

September was another busy month with Ethan starting school and Aunt Kerri getting married.  Here's Ethan on his first day of Kindergarten.  We are now in mid-October and he is loving school.  I've been able to help out in his classroom a few times, which is fun (but exhausting!).  I helped out yesterday for about an hour, and when it was over I told his teacher that was the quickest hour of my life!  Kindergartners sure are busy, I don't know how his teacher has any energy at the end of the day!

Mr. Simon Merrick- getting bigger each day.  

 
Our dishwasher took a poop in mid-September.  Grandpa came over to take it apart to see if he could fix it- both Ethan and Lucia love helping/watching Grandpa fix things around our house!  

Simon sleeping soundly (a rare occurrence during the day!), but he does sleep well at night for me- usually sleeping 12 hours w/o getting up.  If he does wake up, it is usually one time and only for 10 minutes to nurse. 

Aunt Kerri and Dave (now Uncle Dave!) were married on September 21st.  The entire family (except Simon) was in the wedding!  The day was so busy I barely took any pictures- I was sad that I did not get one of me/Jim and the kids all together.  Aunt Sunny did Lucia's hair for the wedding and I think it turned out great!  She looks like such a little lady!

Lucia, me, and Ethan- Ethan was the "ring boy" (his term!)- what a handsome guy!

Aunt Kerri with her flower girls and ring boy!

Lucia has been getting better and better practicing on the two-wheeler.  

We spent a little bit of time at Art Prize this year, not as much as previous years.  Here's Lucia standing in front of some steel wool sculptures.  

Lucia and Oma- the artist that put the flowers on the Calder had to remove them before Artprize was over- oops!

Family picture- minus Simon!

Another Artprize entry in the river. 

One of the biggest changes to the house was the addition of bunk beds for Ethan and Lucia.  Lucia moved out of the nursery and into her big girl bed.  She has been doing okay, but still is having a hard time settling down for the night- it usually take her 30 minutes or so.  Simon is now in the nursery and he has been doing great!  I think having his own room has helped him sleep longer stretches at night (and lately sleeping all night long!).  

Lucia the Princess/Cowgirl/Cheerleader

My cousin Alex's daughter Emily dressed Lucia up in the above costumes one day.  Lucia looked very cute in all three outfits (and quite grown-up too!)  She is starting to look more like a little girl and less like a toddler.  Sniff, sniff.

August

August was a whirlwind!  Chiara, James, Norah, Luca, and Susannah traveled all the way from Italy to spend the entire month with family.   Marco came from New York during the 2nd weekend of August for a little family reunion.  It was great spending time with everyone!  There were many trips to Meijer Gardens with the kids, time at the beach, an afternoon at Jarrod's parent's house, and a lunch at Founder's with my brothers and sisters.  Chiara and James also had Susannah baptized during their visit- it was lovely being able to take part in her special day!  I took a ton of pictures during the visits, so I decided to put them into a couple collages.  

 

Lucia's 3rd Birthday

Slowly, but surely, I will catch up on my blog!  Lucia turned 3 this summer.  We had a little party for her at Nonna's pool- it was great!

Helping herself to a little of everything . . . 

She was pretty excited to see what was in the big bag!

Happy Birthday Lucia!  I can already tell that year 3 will be exhausting exciting!