Halloween!

I did my best to create a spooky scene at home... more for Matt than Gus! Gus was a cheerful Jack-O-Lantern.

We didn't go out Trick-Or-Treating but Gus did have a candy pail. Of course, he was more interested in the cat!

Picking a Pumpkin

We took our pumpkin to the Summers Farm pumpkin patch in Frederick, Md.We stood in line for fresh pumpkin doughnuts...
and then let Gus touch his first pumpkin. As you can see, he was delighted!

We hung out until we got mobbed by bees trying to drink our hot cider (little twirps!). Eventually we drove back to our neighborhood and bought our pumpkin at a local church. As you can see, Gus inspected each one carefully.

"How about this one?!"

Peaking over Dad's shoulder... what a happy boy!

A very long line

We waited in a very long line to get Gus the H1N1 vaccine. 3.5 hours... in a misting rain. It may seem a bit insane, but doctors made it very clear that ANY respiratory illness could be a big challenge for Gus since his lungs are still recovering from his premature birth. The line felt like it was at least a mile long... I'm not kidding... it was LONG. When we finally arrived at the Fairfax County Office Building we were instructed to leave our stroller in "the parking lot." This is just a third of the strollers!

Can you see us in the reflection? I'm wearing a teal shirt and Gus is in a sling. It was a long morning but in the end it was sort of fun... people chatting, joking, hanging out. That said, I'm glad we will be getting the second dose thru his pediatrician!

I can't get enough of this face.

I know I'm a little biased but this little face just melts my heart.

Picture of the Morning

We squeezed in a little "tummy time" before breakfast this morning. "Gus, who's that cute baby?!"

Hats make us laugh!

I think baby hats are both cute and funny! Here are some of my favorites.
First hat, knit by Auntie Malia. His head was the size of a plum at the time.

First of many hats with little ears (though you can't see them). I so loved this little cap.

Knit cap by Heidi Eliott

"Crocodile Dundee" hat from Malia. Grandpa Steve got quite a kick out of this one.

"Pea-picker" hat from Great Grandma Betty. Grandpa Steve made him pose with the brim up but I did not approve of the styling!

"Little Rookie" baseball cap. This was his first baseball game - Frederick Keys vs Myrtle Beach Pelicans on August 30.

Crazy frog hat from Auntie Jill. What a look!

Teddy Bear hat, knit by Heidi. Love those ears!

Baby's First Goatee

Little Big Man, or shall I say "Matt's Mini-Me," sported his first goatee today.

I absentmindedly shoveled prune puree into his eager mouth until suddenly I saw it... a perfectly formed goatee! If he's anything like his dad and pop pop Pat, then this boy will most certainly grow a real goatee when he's a "Big" Big Man!

Here's a picture of Matt and pop pop Pat with Gus in the NICU.
Notice the matching goatees?! Clearly Gus has decided to carry on the tradition!