Business as Usual

It's business as usual in the Baldwin-Williamson household. Doni is as cute as can be - especially when he gets excited. His favorite thing to do is kick his legs. When he's happy, he will kick those legs like crazy. Giving him a bath is a raucous occassion - it's like sitting in a jacuzzi. Rudy is still a crazy little Monkey. He wants all the love in the world - and I have no problem giving it. Gracie has been doing so well in school and is taking responsibility for her actions and it's just a wonderful change. I'm hoping it's a long-term change. For the first time, she's actually proud of herself because she can focus and work on things. Frankly, I don't know how she is keeping up with school work (she has about 3 to 4 hours of homework a night). We are currently preparing for Halloween (I can't wait!) and Gracie's 12th birthday (Nov. 2nd).

Fall Celebrations

Well, it's Halloween season, and that means it's "Apple Patch" time (as Rudy calls it - it's NOT a pumpkin patch). We went to Carters Mountain 2 weeks ago for apple cider donuts and an apple cider slushie. It was warm, so there were more people on that small mountain than I have ever seen. Rudy's favorite part was beating on trees and pumpkins with a stick. Then, last weekend we went to Graves Mountain Lodge and had a great time. Once again, it's been warm, so everyone and their brother was there. We ate Brunswick Stew and fried apples and got a bunch of Graves Mtn jams and cider. As soon as we got home, John looked for recipes for Brunswick Stew (if you know us, you know that we have close to 75 cook-books). I've been trying to make large batches of food to freeze, so I was thinking that Stew would be a good one to try. However, with John's approval, we will be making Brunswick Stew WITHOUT squirrel. I've been in Virginia for 7 years, and that's not quite long enough to justify eating rodents.

We have TEETH!

As our digital camera has decided to stop working (as of last week), there are no new pictures to post, however, this morning was a momentous occasion! Doni has cut his first tooth! Yep - it finally broke through - bottom left. It hasn't lessen his love of biting things (blankies, teething rings, toys, mommies and daddys), but at least it's on it's way out. Naturally Rudy walks up to me with a HUGE scary smile and explains that he already has big teeth. Poor monkey boy always has to make sure I don't forget him :)

Doni and his Feet

I thought that this title sounded like a great TV Detective Show. Doni loves his toes. A lot of babies are like this, but he's my first. I have to say I think it's pretty darned cute.

Virginia Beach

We finally made it to the Beach! The drive was nice (3 hours), the weather was great (in the beginning), and the kids were happy (until they missed thier naps). All in all, a great weekend! We saw 2 batches of dolphins swimming in the distance, and the waves were pretty intense. Rudy got hit by a big wave from behind shortly after getting in the water, then promptly spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the sand. I was very brave and put my feet in the water for about 15 seconds before I freaked out and sat back on the beach. Human beings have FEET - we are not meant to be in the ocean! :) On the way home, we took a spin through the outlet mall in Williamsburg and I drooled over Coach, Ann Taylor and Liz Claiborne.

She did it!!

My baby girl finally did it! She got her ears pierced on Saturday! She was very brave, and cried quietly after the first puncture, but stuck with it. She has taken very good care of them and some how seems more mature with them. Here's the weird thing: The person that pierced her ears. You all know that we live in Charlottesville - very artistic and educational, and at the same time, very "country". So we go to Claires in our mall, and the young woman who pierces Gracie's ears is all in black goth - 16 piercings in her face, tattoos, black long dreds (with the sides of her head shaved), and Amy Winehouse black eyeliner. Then she pulls up her sleeves and she's a 'cutter' - with fresh wounds. I had to look around repeatedly to make sure I was still in Charlottesville - I almost wanted to ask her if she was lost. While at Claires, Gracie found the next pair of earrings she wants - skulls and crossbones :)

My Babies

Random baby stuff: I've realized that one of my favorite things in the whole wide world is putting my kids to sleep. It's when I get my hugs and kisses and life is quiet enough that everyone can stop for a minute and just be happy. I put Rudy to bed last night and got my hugs and kisses and I told him that I loved him and would see him in the morning (what I tell all of my babies). He responds by saying "See you later Mommie!" That's his goodnight greeting - I love it. See you later Mommie. My heart melted.
Gracie has finally decided to get her ears pierced. We haven't done it yet, because I want to make sure she wont change her mind AGAIN, but I think this is it. Pictures will follow this weekend if we really go through with it. Her motivation: she wants to wear gothic earings. I'm getting more and more concerned that she is turning out like me :)
And Doni is as sweet as ever. Growing like a weed and getting aggrivated that he can't get up and walk around the house. Which makes us aggrivated. It's a vicious cycle.