Weekend Away and the Joys of Coming Home

 Last weekend Mark and I went away for the weekend.  I'm a firm believer in doing things as a couple without Little Bear in order to maintain a healthy marriage.  So, we finally had an entire weekend to ourselves since Little Bear was born.  I have enjoyed wine for a long time.  And, Mark loves the outdoors and log home atmosphere.  So, we combined the 2.  We went to Hermann, MO to tour several wineries.  We stayed at a fabulous bed and breakfast about 20 minutes south of Hermann.  It was situated on about 130 acres.  The home was a custom built masterpiece of a log home.  We've stayed at this place before and it never ceases to disappoint.  It is called Second Creek Farm.  The breakfasts are amazing.  They also offer dinner if you make reservations.  We had dinner there Saturday night.  The first course was Pumpkin Bisque in an actual pumpkin.  I wish I had their recipe it was so good.  I'll just have to find one.  We toured several wineries over the weekend and came home with several bottles.  Little Bear stayed behind with my parents.  My parents had a great time.  Little Bear did very well.  The weekend was fabulous.  About 18 or so hours into it, I really started missing Little Bear.  It was a little annoying to have to pump 4 times a day.  But, it is worth it for my son.  We got back Sunday afternoon and Little Bear had just woken up from a nap.  You should have seen the look on his face.  It made me so overjoyed.  He wouldn't let go of me.  I loved it!!!  We were able to get outside and take him for a walk when we got back.  The other totally exciting thing is that Little Bear is now taking several steps on his own.  I wish we would have had our camera to capture the moment.  He walked from me to Mark.  So awesome!!  Tuesday I took him to Deanna Rose Farmstead.  He loved the rabbits and goats. This weekend we're taking him to the pumpkin patch.  Halloween is almost here and I have his costume all ready to go.  He's gonna be a turkey and Mark and I are dressing in camo.  I hope to get a good picture to post.

Me enjoying the gorgeous weather and drinking some yummy wine

Beautiful view of the vineyards and bluffs

Oktoberfest at Oak Glenn Winery

Not too bad of a self portrait

Donkeys at the bed and breakfast farm we stayed at

Horses at the bed and breakfast - the owner often hooks them up, goes into Hermann and does carriage rides

The gorgeous home

Little Bear happy to have is Papa Bear and Mama Bear back in the den

Enjoying his walk and the last day of wearing shorts

Had fun watching the goats.  He did get to go in one of the pens and pet them - he laughed

First time meeting a turkey

zonked out after a busy/long day - isn't he cute!!!

Apple Festival

Today we all went to Weston, MO.  They have an apple festival every year.  Mark and I of course had to have the fabulous apple dumplings with ice cream.  YUMMY!!!  I gave Little Bear a little taste of the dumpling and apple.  He wasn't too interested.  That's OK, more for me.  We had a great time!  The day was just gorgeous.  It was just cool enough that I could put this adorable pumpkin hat on Little Bear.  His uncle (my brother) actually made it.  Neat, huh?!!!!  We ate lunch at one of the many food vendors.  Little Bear LOVES him some BBQ!!!

He has all sorts of toys, but he'd rather play with an empty water bottle

Little Bear was getting sleepy since he hadn't slept well, so I wore him in the carrier - He loves it!

Little Bear LOVES dogs.  This gentleman was kind enough to let him pet his dog

The dog went for his binky

sweet moment

I love that smile and those handsome eyes

Little Bear didn't get the memo that he needed to look at the camera

10 Months Old

I'm finally getting to post these pictures.  Blogger takes forever to recognize pictures in iPhoto.  I still can't see them, but found them somewhere else in the computer.  I really can't believe my Little Bear is 10 months old already.  He's standing by himself for long periods of time by himself without holding on to anything.  I predict he'll be walking by the end of the month.  Anyone else want to guess (specific date)?  Who knows, whoever has the closest guess, may just win a mystery prize.  Oh, so something that confuses me is that my Little Bear was doing well with sleeping through the night when I dropped the 4am feed.  Well, the last 4 nights/mornings have been different.  Thursday morning, he woke up at 5:15.  I didn't mind too much since I had to work that day wand was gonna get up really soon.  Friday morning he woke up at 5:00.  I let him fuss for a while, but then he full on wailed.  So, I tried to comfort him, but it wasn't working so I picked him up.  He was putting his face in my chest wo I went ahead and fed him.  Then, I tried to put him back to sleep, but he cried again.  So, after letting him try to calm himself for a while, I picked him up and brought him to bed with us.  Then, Saturday morning he woke up at 4:45.  I tried all my tactics, but I finally had to feed him. Luckily, he went back to sleep till 7:30.  Then, this morning he woke up at 4:15.  Really??  Uggh. I went to him at 4:30, and my calming techniques didn't work.  So, I picked him up and he instantly went toward my chest.  So, I fed him.  I put him back down when he was done.  But, he fussed quite a bit and I eventually picked him up again.  I was his pacifier for the next hour.  He went back to sleep in my arms a little bit.  But, when I tried to lay down on the floor with him, he completely woke up.  By now it was 6:30.  So, I got him ready for the day, put him back in his crib, put my contacts in, and then took him to the living room.  He has been a bit more clingy this week with me.  Does anyone have any explanation for this sleep pattern?  I'm praying he sleeps until I wake him up in the morning before I go to work.  Meanwhile, enjoy these photos of my big boy.

He makes this face all the time and it cracks me up

Here it is again.  What a little ham