Fall fun

This weekend we took advantage of some amazing weather, and some local free fun at an orchard. Seems funny to do these family outings with just one child who could probably care less... but it was partly for me because I wanted to get pumpkins.  Turns out, I'm a pumpkin snob and did not want the lumpy bumpy odd shaped pumpkins there.  My proportional and beautifully colored pumpkins will be found soon...  Nevertheless, memories were made and I'm sure we'll go again!

Between being sleepy and sunny, Obi was clearly thrilled to be wedged between two pumpkins on prickly straw. 

Obi was kinda sleepy and loopy-- but he would not miss out on the tractor ride.  He loved it-- as much as a baby can love something :) 

Bad year for apple picking... spring frost and summer drought.  But the apple treats didn't disappoint.  Apple cider slushy, apple turnover, and caramel apples. 

I don't think I can snuggle him enough.  By the way-- he's 5 months old today!!!!

... And being 5 months old apparently means the perfect "tossing age" for dad. 

I think Obi likes it too!

funny baby

(Ok, I know I'm becoming the one who can't blog, post, comment, or whatever.... about anything but my baby.  But seriously, this baby is a large part of my life and he's adorable.  And you know you want to see it, right?? :)

He doesn't giggle, he grunts and growls. Is this the beginnings of raising a boy??

I don't know why Obi does this, but it's hilarious.  One thing that can typically ensure smiles and excitement is putting a blanket or something on his face and pulling it off quickly.  Lately, he's been doing this funny grunting thing where he holds his breath and acts like he's filling his diaper. And, that is quite possibly what he might be doing.  He went from having a few dirty diapers a day to now a few a week.  TMI? eh, baby poo is a part of my life now :)

Anyways, I feel like he only does this when he's super excited or trying to laugh.  I have almost an identical video of this from about a month ago where every time the blanket came off his face he got this look of shock and then did his little throat growl.

Funny funny child.  I'm loving this age, he gets a little more hilarious ever day!

the middle name-sake

Obi's middle name is Alan, after the grandpa he doesn't get to meet on this earth.  We visited Dad's grave on Labor Day and took some pictures.

This year was the 10 year mark.  A decade. Almost half my life.  Ughhh-- it's weird to think of it in those terms.  Last year I taught 10 year old kids who were so complex in their thoughts and lives... and all of what they know has occurred in the same time frame that my dad has been gone. 

It's hard.  Dad's first grandchild was born this year, and he has another daughter getting married this year....  Each milestone brings back that sting of death.  But then there's the joy when I look at life through the lens of hope.  And I rejoice in this hope of the glory of God. And hope does not disappoint because God has poured out his love to us through the Holy Spirit.  (Love me some Romans 5 and excited for our church to go through that book this fall!)

It's fun to imagine what he'd be like as a grandpa and how he would just love to take an "Obi-nap" in the recliner.  I'm sure he'd be introduced to his first BB gun even before my little brother was.

Adapting to change was the theme of my teenage years.  And we all love change, right? This concept of "change" is something I've thought about a lot lately in reflecting on how much my life has changed with the arrival of a little crazy-haired boy. I've reflected, and sometimes mourned, my former way of life before Obi.  I've come to the conclusion that we would be robbing ourselves of God's blessings by not accepting "change."  God gives us the grace and the tools to adapt to change as it occurs in our life.
I'm so thankful for my family and just last weekend I was able to spend time with ALL my siblings in one place.  That doesn't happen a lot anymore since we've all had different changes in our lives.  But I love the moments when (even though a lot has changed) it seems like nothing has changed at all.  :)