October 21st, 2017

While mom and dad were spending the weekend celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary, Eleanor and Des stayed with ma and pa.

Eleanor pulling a “cool baby”

Desmond inspecting the pumpkin carving

October 18th, 2017

A nice fall evening to stop at the park after work. Eleanor may be a bit of a thrill seeker

Elmwood Park began “stocking” sand toys and all the construction trucks a toddler could love

“WHEE!”

He wasn’t really taking any time to line up the vehicles, but by the end it was clear he had done so in descending size order

October 17th, 2017

Morning kiddie pile

Desmond’s first day of preschool

Jumping right into some stamping with Ms. Becky

Three-year visit with Dr. Loucks, first time having his blood pressure taken

Dancing in his “special robe”

Healthy boy

Eleanor watching dad and brother repot the tree she may have yanked

A baby trying to lift a pumpkin

Turning 3

To celebrate Desmond turning three, mom and dad took the day off work to visit the pumpkin patch. Sister was in utero last time, but today was just the three.

Hayrack ride out to the pumpkin patch, it was a beautiful autumn day

THIS MANY!!!

Des wanted to get a second, more substantial pumpkin. Dad said he could have it, if he could pick it up. A toddler’s rendition of the Sword in the Stone

Dad pretending not to be fighting back significant nausea

Vala’s Pumpkin Patch is one part pumpkin patch and orchard and another part amusement park. Seen here is the animatronic cows and other barnyard critters playing bluegrass interwoven with riddles and jokes. Somehow we walked past this earworm barn 14 times in a single visit.

Des ventured out onto the windmill platform all by himself, but wasn’t too thrilled upon looking down, so mom walked out as well. He’s still not a fan of grated-design: the caboose platform at the Durham, the staircase of the old market parking garage…

For being generally disinterested interested with swings, Des was surprisingly content with riding the zip line.

Mom had to into the action (and dad too)

Might be time for some new outdoor toys next spring

Desmond toddlering the apple cannon (looking closely, an apple can be seen mid-air)

Seriously fun

Tractor ✔️

The apple pie mostly made up for the sad potato soup

Oddly enough, the sheep waiting Des’ pellets took the same resting position as Max with his head in your lap waiting for a head rub

The sheep gobbled up the treats

That is a sheep tongue stretching the distance for a few more pellets

An entire multi-floor barn is dedicated to a complex pneumatic system for a truly frantic ball-flying rush

Though it quickly turned into a ball hoarding sprint…

…which ended in loss, certain disappointment and tears

Making it rain corn

Also walked out on the massive bubble, though ended up preferring seated fun

Duck water races, naturally

This cool three-year-old going with dad to get sister at daycare

Desmond’s present: a little sister to always (voluntarily, never any cajoling) share all of his toys with

Both kids going immediately to building with the new Squigz like at Joslyn’s Discovery Room

“Oh, a book!” Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax

A crane truck to take apart and reassemble

Special birthday dinner and a movie, with a viewing of Cars 2 (of course)

Reading The Lorax before bed (during the second reading the night after, Des picked up on the tragic nature of the ending and was clearly distraught)

::

From Mom: Happy 3rd birthday to this wonderful creature. He has taught me joy and love in ways I could have never dreamed. He can’t get enough Star Wars, tractors, rocket ships, The Beatles and his dad.

From Dad: Your toddler-sized heart knows no stranger, laughs with full life like your mother, reads every book in sight, hugs so hard, finds pleasure in helping, is curious about so many things. You struggle with mouse-and-elephant problems too like the rest of us, but I’m so fortunate to be your father, growing with you hand-in-hand. Welcome to three, Desi.

Caution: Birthday Under Construction

Baby’s first time sitting in a shopping cart

First time at the checkout register, Eleanor is dubious of the man touching all of our food and hiding it in brown bags

Nap time is the best time

Generations 1, 3 and 4

Desmond felt it was best to gather all the balloons together in the middle of the room, as you do

Balloons = magic

Some truly remarkable women and mothers in this group

Inspecting the found ladybug

These cousins remain in motion

CAKE! It took a few tries and some coaching, but he blew the candle out

The look of pure bliss

Little heart, so full

Liam reading Des’ card

Snoopy and Woodstock play music and light up?!

Big brother sharing his card, Ella was equally impressed

Desmond quickly settling in story-listening position as Uncle Mike read one of his new books

Eleanor hopped in and contemplated the book’s plot and sub-themes

Eleanor showing off her most recent nighttime party trick: waking up and sitting, without making much more than a peep, then falling asleep again.

October 14th, 2017

Early morning snuggles

She’s persistent. No barricade can hold her back.

“Cheerios coming in for a landing!”

Desmond sleeping while kneeling on the ground (again, mother’s son)

October 13th, 2017

“On your head, for a hat!”

October 12th, 2017

Upon dad arriving at daycare, Des proclaims, “I’m making a birthday cake!” Someone is eagerly awaiting their birthday this weekend.

Mom and dad visit with Desmond’s soon-to-be new preschool (!) teacher and tour his new classroom

Lots of queuing practice

Apparently Des’ first chore is being on KP

Behold! Baby’s first Play-Doh, immediately followed by baby’s first attempt to eat Play-Doh