Pumpkin patch pictures (say that really fast 5 times)

A trip to the pumpkin patch

As you can see from the pictures, we went last Thursday to the pumpkin patch. There were tons of pumpkins to be had, and Alex had a few ideas in mind, even some she couldn't lift. But after about 30 minutes of searching we found Alex the perfect pumpkin. She was really excited about the pumpkin patch and we had fun. We went on a hay ride, went through a sunflower maze, had doughnuts and cider, and even stoped to play in a huge barn full of hay. Next on the agenda is getting the pumpkins carved.

Alex and Gracie

Here are some pictures with Alex and her China sister Gracie. We are fortunate to live close to a few of our China families and we have seen them a few times since coming home. I think it is important for these girls to know each other and see each other. Alex always has a great time with whoever she sees and so does Mommy and Daddy.

Gracie with her Mommy Kay and her Daddy Harold

Adventures in Potty Training

Well here is a cute picture of Mommy and Alex on a good day.

We recently had lunch with our Chinese family-- Harold, Kay, and little Gracie. (pictures to follow). Gracie is one month older than Alex and is using the potty pretty good so I asked Kay if Alex could watch Gracie use the potty. So the 4 of us piled in the big stall at Champps and we made a great fuss about Gracie using the potty figuring monkey see monkey do. So the next day I put Alex in big girl panties. We didn't have any luck in the potty but she told me when she had already peed in her panties and on the floor and on the carpet. So our babysitter has been working with her and the potty and in just a few days Alex has almost mastered the potty for her. She went all day yesterday with no accidents even during nap time. Well , of course, with Mommy it is a different story. She will sit on the potty but won't go and then last night she peed on the floor in Bob Evans. I was trying to decide if the right thing to do was slink on out of there and no one would know or ask for paper towels and clean it up. Of course I did the latter. When I asked for the paper towels the girl gave me a look like what do you mean she peed on the floor. I was like -- she's 2 she had an accident. Then we proceeded to go home and she basically had a temper tantrum for 2 hours. Yes-- you read that right-- 2 HOURS. She only does this for me most of the time. Right now she is at Nana and Pop Pops and will probably go on the potty for them. She is something else that's for sure. I am going to get my hair done today-- I need to cover the gray I've gotten in the past 2 days from temper tantums and peeing all over.

On a brighter note-- our girl is talking more. She is learning more words everyday. The other day she was eating with a fork and one of the tines broke and she said-- Mama bro (her version of broke) and pointed to the fork. I thought that was awesome. We were also at the store and she picked up an outfit and said -- Mom -- coot (her version of cute). I just laughed and laughed and am amazed that she uses words in the correct context. She is just growing up so fast.