Apple Trees & Pumpkin Patches

Can you believe November is nearly here??  Last weekend we all headed to Rose Orchards Farm with Coops for some apple picking & pumpkin patch fun.  After plucking off a dozen apples & gathering two giant pumpkins, that both weighted more than baby, we headed over to visit the sweetest farm animals which always enthrall baby (especially when they make all those fun noises).

     

When we got home I scoured Pinterest for cinnamon applesauce recipes, finally settling on THIS slow cooker one by What the Fork.  

I made two recipe changes- first replacing Granny Smith apples with Macintosh & the second to use a blender instead of masher because we prefer applesauce without chunks. Amazingly 9 apples only filled 1 pint jar so next year I'll be bringing home a bushel instead of just a dozen, but the applesauce came out a-mah-zing & I strongly recommend checking out Sharon's Blog too.

That checks two things off the Fall Bucket List.  Next up, apple pie baking (would love tips on that one!) & fall platter painting with Coops.

Peek-a-boo Teeth & Our Favorite Teethers

I've been suspecting for a few weeks now that Coops is on the teething path. Drool pours out in buckets, he puts everything he can get his chubby hands on in his mouth & you can feel those first little teeth hiding just under the gums.

Every time something big, small or even those daily good morning smiles happens I pray for time to slow down so we can live in the moments a little longer.  Of course it doesn't & I always end up with tears in my eyes over Cooper growing up so fast or in this case- teething already.

A few favorite things to chew on right now include THIS wooden teether (crafted by mama, inspired by Coops), THIS water filled ring & THIS O'Ball Rattle which doubles as a great toy for grasping.

We were told to start cereal & foods (first greens, then oranges, then fruits) by the 6 month checkup; so I'm getting ready with baby cereal in the pantry & organic frozen peas in the freezer. Making our own baby food crossed my mind a few times but I was undecided until a wonderful friend gifted us the Baby Bullet with THIS cookbook & I was sold. The idea of cooking food for Coops when making our own meals feels right & the money it will save is a HUGE bonus.

We picked Thanksgiving day as the first time he'll try solids & I couldn't be more excited to pop him in the high chair for the first time.  I'm also sure the dogs Will be equally excited once they realize just how much of a mess will be made during mealtime from then on.

How did you help baby survive teething? We'd love tips & suggestions for the months to come.

4 Month Photo & Checkup

It's official- our sweet baby is 4 months old. Where has the time gone?? And with that monthly birthday came a checkup with the pediatrician & regular shots (meep).

When Coops got his first round of shots he was a trooper. Crying for no more than a minute as I held him throughout all three pricks & latching immediately after when the nurse suggested breastfeeding as a soother. His temperature went up to 99 degrees at one point later in the day, & the only other difference we noticed was an  increased number of naps over the next 24 hours.

All of which left me optimistic for round 2 with the self proclaimed "wicked witch of the west" shot giving nurse, who is actually sweet as pie.

Checkup day got off to a rough start, not sure why but Coops was having one of those I need mommy don't do anything out of the norm I'm overwhelmed kind of mornings.  Which led to doctor office screams over everything from getting his onesie off to sitting in the scale to the actual checkup.  

When it came time for shots I expected the worst but what we got was a quick cry with smiles & laughter a few seconds later. It was like there was an on/off emotional switch & I was beyond relieved to end the visit on a happy note.

To top it off I wanted to share a few of Cooper's favorite things at age 4 months & I can't wait to look back on this when he has that 6 month checkup come December <3

Favorite Things:

Grasping Toys

Chatting, Squealing & Vowel Sounds

Reading to Mama & turning board book pages.

Toes. Anything related to toes. 

Standing with Support

Knocking down block towers. 

THIS Jumparoo

Height: 28"

Weight: 17 lbs. 12 oz.