Piper Pumpkin Post

Well, hello.

I almost forgot what it felt like to sit down and open up a "new post" page.  

We've been taking it very easy as far as computer visits go these past few weeks.

Piper's busy taking an early evening nap.  And I figured, I better get to postin', as I have a few more that I'm hoping to put together in the next week or so.  I mean, Piper's going to be seven months on Friday, and I still owe my blog-a-roo a six month post.

First, here's a good ol' Piper Pumpkin Post (say that four times fast).

Grab a pillow, your favorite blankie and make yourself comfortable.

Pips, your binkie's upside down, girlfriend.

I've had these photos uploaded for quite some time.  I just sat and looked through them all again.

And as almost always, I'm feeling pretty emotional. 

These next two photos were taken last October...

The pumpkins were kinda sparse.  The field, mostly brown and looking rather thirsty.  A tractor passed by, as families enjoyed a hayride.  I was about four months pregnant.  And feeling overly giddy about the little pumpkin growing in my belly. 

I remember my mind wandering.

Wondering and dreaming about October 2013's visit and just what it would look like for us.

And three Sundays ago, 

I didn't have to wonder any longer.

That same field...

It was green and bursting with big, jolly pumpkins.

And my heart...it was exploding.

Our baby girl was sitting next to those big, jolly pumpkins.

This picture gets to me...

Piper was busy admiring the pumpkins, when her eyes caught the hayride.

It was one of those "I wonder what she's thinking" moments.

That Sunday felt like Sundays are supposed to feel...

I made pumpkin pancakes for breakfast before we went to the patch.

I didn't burn the house down, and even managed to not set the smoke alarm off.

And Steve didn't have to ask "Hun, do you need some help?" or "What in the hell is that burning smell, Maria?!"

I made Piper a baby pancake and ground it up with some banana.

She begged for more.

This girl can eat.

But that's a whole other post.

Sorry, I got a little sidetracked with the pancakes...

As I was saying...

What this year at the pumpkin patch looked like for our little family...

A little video...

Daddy held Piper as they walked toward the hay bales, pumpkins, gourds and animals.

The sun was shining...perfect excuse for Pips to sport her shades.

She loved the hay bales and scratching her fingers on them.

Oh, the faces.

She checked out the piggies with Dee Dee and Daddy.

Pippy thought those piggies were pretty swell.

She loves her Deeds.  (And ripping her nose off).

And she was definitely captivated by the pumpkins.

Of course, she tried to eat them.

In hopes they would taste like ice cream.

She dished out smiles and signature Pippy faces to Mommy and Daddy.

 Mommy dished out some signature "Maria faces and moves" too.  I stood up from digging for what looked like the perfect lil' pumpkin for Piper and discovered I was covered in what looked like creepy leech-like creatures thistle.  

I had to Google it.  I didn't believe Steve.  I didn't realize thistle was so terrifying.

Let's just say the pumpkin patch got a free show.  I was THISCLOSE to taking my shirt off.

And I howled and screamed at the top of my lungs as I ran and galloped towards Dee Dee and Piper.  Daddy just shook his head.  And Deeds and Pips...

they ran for the hills.  (After Dee Dee almost peed her pants).

Whoops.  

I admit, I laugh whenever I see this picture.

Brush it off, Piper.

That's my girl.

The line at the creamery was out the door.  Piper pouted at the thought of no homemade ice cream.

We made it up to her with a trip for burritos.  She discovered guacamole is almost as good as ice cream.

Later that night, my mom and I took Piper to visit my dad.

It was her lucky night.  Not only did she get to see her Papa Bear...she got her ice cream.

In fact, she and Papa Bear shared some (his first in quite some time).

My dad gave it two thumbs up.  And I'm gonna guess, by Piper's chocolate-stained kitty bib...she did too.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, watching Piper and him take turns with each spoonful.

 

These days lately, are ultra bittersweet.  Emotions running wild.

<3<3<3

I thought I'd throw in another pumpkin-y day...last Saturday.

Piper and I woke up bright 'n early and had a splish splashy mornin'.

We let Daddy sleep in and headed out for some consignment shopping.

Afterwards, we met Dee Dee and GiGi for some garage sale fun.

I could garage sale it up every weekend.  You never know the treasures you'll find.

Like this adorable wooden bench Dee Dee found for Piper.
It was a whole two dollars.
(And Aunt J, if you're reading...it's real wood.) :)

We stopped at Uncle Ryan's for a quick breather.

Pips truly shopped 'til she dropped.

She needed a pick-me-up when she awoke from her nap.

What better than a dollop of whipped cream.

Dee Dee, if you're reading...I found the video.  

And I did a happy dance when I found it hiding in my phone. :)

This girl...her love of food...it's awesome.

Steve, Piper and I met up with Aunt Kim, Uncle Adam and Noah at a local fall festival, later that afternoon.

#pippyvid...

The air was cool.  Piper enjoyed people watching just as much as we did.  There were children running around everywhere.  A pumpkin patch.  Pumpkin painting.  I painted a Piper pumpkin.  Aunt Kim painted a minion pumpkin.   There were fried Oreos and funnel cake.  We ate them and Piper tried a finger-lick of the powdered sugar.  There were cider doughnuts.  We took some home with us.  Those fun face cutout stands...Piper tried to eat the cutout.

She took a nap on me in the Bjorn and I took in every bit of it, knowing that next year she'd be too big for me to carry her in it.

Making fun of the famous girlie pose.

These days have been busy but oh-so fulfilling.

  Some downright exhausting, some insanely energizing.

These days are filled with moments of such aching, deep, deep love.

The kind that makes you think and dream and dig deep inside yourself.

The kind that makes you live and breathe in each and every moment.

Because life truly is

 such a gift.

<3

Now, go have yourself a relaxing night.

And a pumpkin pancake or cider doughnut.

Much love to everyone. <3

Pumpkin Lovin'