Family Traditions

Every family has their own traditions.  One tradition that I remember from my childhood and want to continue with my family is apple picking in the fall.  We ventured out on Saturday in search of the apple orchard at Vermont Technical College and while we ended up at another orchard, we had a great time and got lots of apples. 

Picking apples with Dad

Sampling the product

Family Shot

Apple picking is also great because of all of the wonderful goodies that we get to bake.  So far we have made an Apple Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake and an Apple Struesel Pie.  Who knows what we're going to make tomorrow, maybe an Apple Crisp :)

My soux chef

Malia is 1 Month Old

Dear Malia,

You are one month old today, and I truly do not know where the time has gone.  It seems like only yesterday I was pregnant, very overdue, and wondering when we were going to meet you.

The moment you were born though, you were a perfect fit in our family.  Even though I can't believe you are already a month old, it feels like you have been a part of our family forever. 

Already your personality is starting to develop.  You are very calm and patient and rarely cry.  Your patience is sometimes tested as your sister loves you very much and sometimes pays a little too much attention to you.  You are also patient when I have to take care of Hadley and cannot get to you immediately.  

I look forward to getting to know you even more and continuing to watch you learn and develop.  But please take your time; I know how fast this time goes and I want to enjoy every moment of it.

A Family on the Go

We have always been a family on the go and having Malia hasn't slowed us down any.  It definitely takes us longer to get out of the door (how can someone so little need so much stuff), but we still enjoy going and doing things. 

Malia is a little trooper about it too.  She doesn't like getting into her carseat, but once in she is usually content to look out the window, look into her mirror, or fall asleep on the ride.  She enjoys movement, so the car is the perfect spot for her.

Last weekend we visited the Vermont State Fair in Rutland and went to the Great Vermont Corn Maze for the second year in a row.  Malia slept through most of the fair, but Hadley had a great time.  She is a little adverturer and takes after me when it comes to the rides.  The bigger and faster the better. 

Flying

Waiting on the Ferris Wheel with Dad

The next day we went to the Corn Maze in Danville.  Even with all of my planning, I forgot Hadley's jacket, so we had to improvise.  With a lot of rolled sleeves and a string we were able to turn Gideon's jacket into a coat/dress for Hadley.  It was a good thing too because the rain did not stay away as the weatherman predicted.  Even though we got rained on, we had a lot of fun.  We did have to get the hint to get out of the maze as it was starting to rain heavily and Malia was about to wake up to eat.  Even with all of that though, we had fun and plan to go again next year.

At the boat in the middle of the maze

The end of the maze.  Malia snug in the carrier under the jacket.

Sisterly Love

One of my biggest concerns when getting pregnant with Malia was how would Hadley react.  A part of me knew that she would be fine, but another part of me worried about how Hadley's and my relationship would fair. 

After three weeks we are all getting into a routine and I am happy to say that we are all doing well.  There are definitely those times when one or all of us just want to cry, but those are much fewer than the times when we are happy and loving life as a family of four. 

Hadley loves giving Malia hugs and kisses (sometimes when Malia does not want them) and likes to help Mommy get diapers, hold the bottle, and all of the other little things I can think of to keep her involved.  When Malia is sleeping Hadley does want me to put Malia in her bed so we can play together, which is good for all of us.  Malia needs to learn to sleep in her bed and sometimes I need to be reminded that I cannot hold her all of the time. 

I'm very proud of Hadley and know she is going to continue to be a great big sister.

Holding Malia

Kisses

Malia wishing for a little less love