I really love this time of year! I love it when the trees start bursting with bright reds and oranges and the yards start filling up with leaves. I love seeing pumpkins sitting on nearly every front step in the neighborhood. I love wearing a sweatshirt when I leave the house in the morning, only to shed it by afternoon. And I really love dressing up my little guy in fall clothes :)
Hendrix woke up with this cute little smile on his face this morning. Instead of the normal cries, I heard him stirring and cooing in his crib, and went in to be rewarded with his sweet nuzzles. He has been a really good sleeper lately - going for stretches of 6 to 7 hours at a time once he finally settles down for the night. I am lovin' it and having so much more energy that I just keep filling our weeks up with activities.
I couldn't resist snapping this shot of his cute little bottom this morning before I got him dressed for the day. :)
We have enjoyed some nice long walks outside and Gabe has been fascinated with collecting leaves! I have tried to capture some pretty trees in pictures, but I have to admit that this fall hasn't been as pretty in Ames this year. I think it has something to do with all the flooding that we had earlier in the year...we still have plenty of leaves in our yard to rake up though!
Hendrix really likes being in the baby bjorn, and he also really likes being outside, so it was fun to include him in our "family" yard clean up. Bud really enjoys being the one that carries him around and I gladly share that responsibility with him. He is a very involved and loving daddy :)
I think this picture is really funny because Hendrix is all scrunched up from just being unloaded from the Bjorn. He looks really happy to be posing with the pumpkins though! ;) We are going to need to carve some faces in these soon!
In other recent news:
Hendrix helped package meals to send to Haiti. He looked super cute in his hairnet and was really cooperative all the way up until he had his first blowout! It was pretty rough on momma as I had to try to figure out how to clean him up in a public restroom when all I wanted to do was throw him in the tub. He leaked out both his legs and his back. Wouldn't mind if I never see one of those again.......ever.....
Hendrix and I went to watch my little sister play volleyball for the Tigers last night. She did a great job, and Hendrix is very proud of her! :) Hannah is such a loving aunt!
Hendrix likes to spend time sitting up these days. He is not interested in laying flat on his back anymore. When we prop him in his boppy pillow underneath his playmat, he really coos and bats at the toys. It is really fun to watch!
He is spending more and more time with wide eyes taking in everything around him. He is especially interested in ceiling light fixtures and fans. He is also very attached to his pacifier. He is especially particular about his "mam" paci too, as he spits out all the others ones after just a short while. Good thing we have done a good job of keeping tabs on it!
Hendrix often ends up in our bed for some snuggles early in the morning before daddy has to get up for work, and even after daddy leaves and mommy tries to get just a few more minutes of sleep. He is so precious when he sleeps, and looks so content snuggled under our covers. I love this special bonding time, but am really glad that he is a good sleeper and spends the majority of the night in his own bed.
That same sleepy, snuggly baby is calling my name right now.......
