Dear Readers

Happy Halloween!
Winnie here, writing my own entry for the blog. Mom and Dad are both passed out after a Snickers-induced sugar rush and subsequent crash. I paced myself on the candy, hoping that they would fall asleep without putting me in bed - thus opening the door for as many Sesame Street episodes as I could handle. Have you seen the one with Max the Magician? You know, Will Arnett ripping off his Gob character from Arrested Development? Sorry, didn't mean to go down that rabbit trail.

I wanted to say "hi" to all the readers out there. Usually Mom or Dad puts up some cute or zany photo, and exploit me to feel good about themselves. I must say that I like it, though. Being the center of attention is something I really enjoy, and my goal is keep that pesky baby in our house from stealing my spotlight. So thanks for always tuning in and being part of my life.

Uh-oh, I may have overestimated my tolerance for the Crunch bars. MMMMOOOOOOMMMM!!!!!!

Two Loves

This photo features two of Winifred's favorite things: her Baby Stella and this ridiculously small infant hat.

Stella is understandable. She's so cute and lovable. Winnie carries her with her everywhere. She stays dirty from trips to the grocery, being drug in the garage, and naps in Puddy's bed. Winnie does a sweet job caring for her. She rocks her in her little crib, she nurses her, she makes sure she has her magnetic binky, and she gives her hugs and kisses when no one is looking. It's really cute to see her love a doll so much!

However, this little hat is so weird. She pulled it out of the giveaway pile and has been insisting on wearing it everywhere. I try to ignore her when I can tell she wants to put it on, but she just chases after me, shaking it, saying, "hat, hat, hat, hat." I laugh every time I see her with it stretched out over her head!

One (Wo)Man Band

Winnie plays harmonica and wanders the house with her new squeaky shoes. Add this to her lack of gainful employment and time spent in her cardboard box, and you've got a bonafide homeless person.

Big Time

I love this Bumbo chair! Winnie had a different brand that didn't work until she was older. We stole it from my parent's house...it belonged to Remi. This one holds Rush up so well. I think he likes the change of perspective. Mom, doesn't he look more like me than W did? Especially in this picture. I think it's the eyes.

Miss Bossy

Winnie has become a little bossy. She likes to tell Puddy what to do. She likes to try to boss Andy, Rush, and me around. Her latest victim is Baby. (Really, Baby Stella, but she's just now "Baby.") Poor Rush is in for it. I was trying to finish making W's lunch a couple days ago, and I tried to occupy her by sending her in to "read" Rush a book. He was lying in his Boppy pillow. I went in to get her, and she had somehow removed Rush from the Boppy and took his place. At least he seemed fine and happy beside her! Did I mention that she is quite strong? She was pretty proud of herself.

Peek-A-Boo

Where's Winnie?

Here she is!

Zoo Time!

We decided to go do a brief tour of the zoo on Saturday, since the window of warm weather is beginning to close on St. Louis. The River's Edge seemed like the best way to spend our short time, since there are at lease a few animals there that Winnie has seen in books. The rhino, elephant, hippo, penguins (another exhibit), and pelicans did not disappoint. All the bears were inside, unfortunately. Every time we would turn the stroller to walk away, Winnie would start to say "more, more." She was scared of the elephant and the hippo always freaks her out. But overall I think she really loves the zoo.

Rush slept the whole time, that genius.

Puddy

We couldn't ask for a sweeter dog to grow up with Winnie and Rush. Puddy puts up with so much--occasional neglect, tail tugs, face tugs, Winnie pouncing him while he's sleeping, Winnie dumping his bed over while he's sleeping, etc. Sometimes, when it is ultra-chaotic and babies are crying and screaming and puking, I swear he looks at me with eyes that are begging, "Please, no more babies!" We are so thankful for our sweet Puddy.

Puddy with Winnie at 3 months

Puddy with Rush at 3 months

Little Gymnast

Last weekend, my mom "Googie," kick-started Winnie's gymnastic career by teaching her how to do a somersault. She has been doing them this week and couldn't be more proud of herself!

Such Is Life

We went on a big walk yesterday, and I took my camera to get a cute picture of the kiddos in their fall gear. I took about 30 pictures, and this is the best one. THIS ONE. Every time I said, "Say Cheese," W would burst into tears and R would start squirming down if the stroller stopped moving. And W refused to keep her shoes on. I looked super cute on our walk in my fall clothes...I wish the kids were able to take a picture of me for the blog. I think my friend Greta will like this post because it's more real life than a lot of the other cutsie photos I have on the blog. On a good note, Rush, I discovered, is a hat person. This one is from our friend Peggy, and I just LOVE IT.