Bunny. Bath. Brothers.

Good Times at Schartner Farms

A hayride, pumpkins, a corn maze and a even visit from Mr. October. All of this before nap time!

My Life in Cliches

Insert your preferred cliche about the passage of time but how is it possible that Mitchell is six months old? It seems like just yesterday he was smoosh faced newborn and now he's a smiley chubby baby. The last six months have been a complete whirlwind. Again with the cliches!

Life here is crazy. I keep hoping that things will get easier, become a little more manageable. I am told that I can expect this to happen around the time that we send Mitchell to kindergarten. Kindergarten! In the remaining 5+ years, I need to learn to embrace chaos, irrational little people and utter exhaustion. A tall order for this fun-loving control freak (how's that for a positive spin?). But, as they say, when the going gets tough...the tough get on the potty.

Ah, a picture's worth a thousand words. Sorry. Last one. Promise.

For the record, Owen is reading Good Night Chicago.  And no, he did not successfully use the potty. Figure it's a good start, though.

Three Sleeping Linkers

Today was a big day. In a giant step toward boyhood, Owen threw his pacifier in the garbage right before his nap. Yeah, that pretty much went over like a lead balloon.

I escaped to the grocery store after about 10 minutes of Owen screaming, "MOMMY" at the top of his lungs. I came home to a quiet house and some seriously cute desperation napping. 

When Grandma Comes to Visit

When Grandma comes to Rhode Island, we have the most fun! She gives us ice cream and lots of hugs. She takes us for walks in the woods and by the ocean.

She captures our curiosities;

our cuteness;

and our neighbors...

Nom Nom Good

Much to Mitchell's delight and occasional disgust, we have boldly headed into the exciting world of table food. I was optimistic that filling his tummy with cereal and fruity goodness would help him sleep through the night. Unfortunately, I cannot yet count 12 hours of straight sleep (too ambitious?) as one of his many tricks. However, Mitch rolls over like a champ, munches on his feet like no one's business, talks up a storm and laughs in the face of a screaming toddler, a barking dog and an occasionally (often is probably more accurate) frustrated Mommy.

Owen's new purpose in life is to make Mitchell laugh and mine is to make sure that no one gets seriously injured in the process. While Owen gets a gold star for being loving and very enthusiastic, we still have to work on being quiet and gentle. Regardless, hearing these two boys squeal with delight is pretty amazing.

I can't believe this little munchkin is already five months old...

In a boat. On the water.

Last weekend, we four Linkers headed north to Conway, New Hampshire. Steve's co-worker has a cabin and teenagers and claims to miss the non-stop action of the infant and toddler daze. We appreciated a weekend away but this trip may have been the highlight of Owen's short life. Why? Owen got to ride, "In a boat. On the water."

It's true. Owen got his sea (rather lake) legs.

He even got to drive the boat;

And go swimming.

My happy boy! Little does he know that he's about to endure an interminable car ride home.