I love fall and everything about it, I love the smell of fall and the look of fall I really just love all things fall in general. If you would have told me when I was younger that I would love fall more then summer I would have laughed at you so much that I might just have peed my pants. Growing up I loved the summer because school was out, I got to spend time with my grandparents and do pretty much whatever I wanted to an extent that is. But as I get older and summer gets hotter and hotter for me with running around with a 16 month old little boy I sure end up loving fall for its cooler weather and pretty colors that come with it. This past week we had Halloween and it was really fun this year because Remy was old enough to go trick or treating but not old enough to understand that the candy is for him (but really it is all for us). He collected mostly any red wrapped candy that was in bowls because we have figured out that it is his favorite color and a lot of lolly pops because well Dan gave him his first lolly pop so now all he wants is lolly pops (which never ever happens like really once in a life time). As a family we usually try to coordinate our Halloween costumes as a family. At the end of last year I was convinced I wanted to do the family theme as UP but quickly changed my mind as Halloween got closer because I figured Remy would not want to carry around a walker with him the whole time. So this year we went as the Willy Wonka gang. Dan was Willy Wonka, I was a Wonka Bar and Remy was an Oompa Loompa, I found that our costumes this year were a sure success!! We attended a church Trunk or Treat where we had a photo booth, pumpkin carving contest, chili contest, and even a costume contest which I am proud to say our family won the best family costume!!!
Remy is really becoming a walking machine lately all he wants to do is walk all day everyday which is great but also a bad thing. Sometimes if Remy and I are alone and I need to run some errands it ends up being like a triathlon or like one of those insane tv shows America Ninja Warrior. I have to run into the store and carry him around the entire store while pushing a grocery cart with one hand because he refuse to set in the grocery cart, but if I put him down on the ground he will go no where that I need to go in the store. The plus side is that lately I have found that if I just put him the baby carrier and put him on the back he will do okay for about 30-40 min so I still rush through the store but it is better then running through the store with a screaming child in the grocery cart. I hope one day I will get a handle on this but by then I will be 200lbs and my hair will be all gone from the craziness that is a toddler. Remy is more of a player then he is a talker, he would rather run around and be a boy then learn how to speak any words. He now can say; Hi, Bye-bye, Dadda, Mama, baby, Puppy (rarely) and thats it but we are working on it. His favorite activity right now is to point to things and say da da da which I translate to that, that, that to where I proceed to get what he is pointing at and tell him what it is. He also really enjoys playing with the light switch while I say on, off. Another activity that Remy enjoys is looking at the picture frames on the wall and having me tell him who is who on the wall. Remy also enjoys bath time and he loves to read all sorts of books. Sometimes he will just be playing just fine then see a book and bring it to me to which I proceed to read that book about 5-10 times before I can stop or convince to read another book. It is crazy to see Remy learn so much and grow so much so quickly it makes me sad that he is growing so fast....STOP IT!!! This past month we took Remy to Union Station where they were hosting the Great Pumpkin Patch Charlie Brown!!! I was sooo excited, they took you on a 30 min train ride and read you the Charlie Brown story. After the ride was over you got to meet Snoopy and Lucy, not sure why they didn't do Charlie Brown. They let them decorate a pumpkin, gave them free apple cider, a free cookie, they colored and even had paddle boats to ride! It was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed taking Remy to something so special.
Dan and I are doing well we are both working hard and doing the best we can. Dan has been applying and interviewing for different fellowships which have been a roller coaster in itself. Dan is so close to finsihing his masters degree we can see the end. Just last night he told me " did I tell you I just registered for my last semester!!" I couldn't believe it. The time went by so fast and I dont know if we will stay here in STL or go some where else. I worry that I haven't done all that I have wanted to do yet if we leave. There is so much to do and so much to love about being here in STL. Dan and I along with Remy and Lexy took a day trip to Chicago about a week ago and it sure was fun! We walked a lot and used the Metro Train for everything which was awesome. We had Chicago style pizza, Pot Belly Sandwich, we went to a candy store, saw Trump Tower, went up the Sears Tower, and even went to Wriggly Field! (Poor Cubs) We did so much in such little time that we both agreed that we would go back again some day. I don't know what it is about Chicago but I really feel in love with that place. Dan and myself love all the adventures we are taking as a family and can not wait for all the adventures that lie ahead for us. We are always loving life as a family all of them no matter the ups and downs.
Lexy is doing okay she isn't that old but I would say for her dog life she is in the middle of her life. She is going blind and it is so sad to watch. Some days she is better then others. For example there are many times where she is in the other room and you just hear a bang! All of a sudden you look over and see that Lexy has run straight into the kitchen table head first. It is so sad to see her get so old. This week we have been watching a friends dog (this is her second time a male dog friend has been over) and she isn't such a good sport as she should be. It is always interesting to watch her interact with other dogs because she either A) hates them B) puts up with them or C) she shows her dominance and they leave her alone. In the end Lexy is always well loved and I love her and always will. A lot of times I do not know why but I worry about her when she passes and how I will take it. But one day Dan found an article talking about dogs in the after life that they will be there and it def has helped but with all the blindness she has it makes me sad. Sorry I really am a big dog lover!
Jesse
