Farmers' Market

 Today was the day.  We finally went to THE premier farmers' market in Ithaca, and let me tell you, it was quite a treat!

 

First we had to get some snuggly clothes on; it was pretty chilly.  Man, baby sweat suits are the best!

We walked around, got a yummy pumpkin raisin cookie, and finally decided on carrots, cabbage, and tomatoes.  It's inspired me to make some potato soup with braised cabbage on the side.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

PS: have I mentioned that we live in a beautiful place?

What to do when it gets foggy

 L. A. invited us to walk down to the farmer's market with us, so we leaped at the chance! I don't know about you, but shopping at the farmer's markets always makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, with the vendor staring at you as you look at their stuff.  I can't handle the pressure! 

On the way home we stopped to talk to the horses at the Cornell Equine Annex.  I wish I had taken a picture of it, but L got an ear of sweet corn and was eating it raw like a boss.

 Today I invited them downstairs to play in the fort Theo and I made.  It's simple, but I bet as it gets colder they will get more elaborate. The babies didn't care for it too much.

 This is more Theo's style.

 But L was lovely and brought chocolate covered strawberry slices to share with us.  The babies were very excited to try and grab some, but us mean old mommies wouldn't let them.  I love how well they play together!  Well, side by side, but it's still so cute!

 We built a fort, because this is what it looked like outside.  So beautiful, but not the most inviting for walks, etc.

My view out the front window.  I am a lucky girl to live somewhere so pretty.

Water Front and Cinnamon Rolls

 On Monday, L. A. Theo and I went to Cayuga Lake and walked a trail lining it.  I can't believe I live in a place as beautiful as this (and of course I didn't take a picture of the surroundings... sorry).  Along the trail there are little fitness stations, like chin up bars, balance beams, sit-up benches, and there are little signs describing how to use them.  It's such a cool idea.

 We stopped at a park along the way.  A. was hanging out inside one of those little tunnels, and Theo was looking in on her.  Too cute!  There were lots of cool things at this park, and I'm jealous of kids these days who have such neat parks.

Last night, we got together for girl's night at M.'s house and made deliiiiiiiiiicious cinnamon rolls.  I know girl's night was created to get away from the kids for a while, but we couldn't help talking about our cute babies. We stayed out far longer than I intended. Corbin was actually in bed when I got home. 

I'm grateful for fun friends like L. and M. to play with.

{insert clever title here}

Ready for a work out!  Or to eat some dry wall.

Now that Theo has top and bottom teeth, he likes to hiss.

He's also a tongue clicking fiend.

I just finished the Night Circus, and I loved it, although it left me feeling rather melancholy.  I highly recommend it, if you're into mysterious magical circuses and awesome characters. I listened to the book, and this copy was read by Jim Dale.  He also read for the Harry Potter series, which I listened to a couple years ago.  It was like having an old friend back.  And now my inner-monologue is in his voice.  I like it. 

I got to go to Mommy group yesterday, and L. and A. came with.  It was at Eastern Heights park, the one up the street.  There were tons of ladies and cute kids there, so it was quite the party.

Some of the cutest mommies and babies I know!

I'm starting to feel a level of familiarity with Ithaca now, even though it's only been a month and a half, and we still have lots to explore.  I think this Sunday we'll go on a walk down by the winery at the bottom of our hill. What better sabbath day activity?  But really, the grounds are beautiful, even more so than the rest of Ithaca, which is saying something.

Corbin stayed late on campus today, so Theo and I met him for dinner.  We ate outside on the lawn in front of the building he was in, then Theo and I walked around for a few minutes, trying to familiarize ourselves with the different buildings and pathways.  It is so different from BYU, and very historic-feeling.  There's so much green around, and it's beautiful!

What a little lady sitting criss-cross-apple-sauce

Also, I can't say how thankful I am to have L. and A. right upstairs.  If it weren't for them, I might not have much hope for sanity.  When we first found out that a young family would be living above us, I started daydreaming that we would become best friends.  I couldn't have dreamed that it would be this great, and I am soooo glad!

Our first Ithaca Date

 Last night Corbin and I got to go out sans baby and party it up Ithaca style.  Apparently all summer there has been an outdoor concert series in the downtown area, and last night was the last one.  I'm glad we caught the Jeff Love band, because they were awesome.  In the picture above, you can see the pavillion, and a big open space in front for people to dance.  And let me tell you, they danced!

 

Corbin and I got our groove on too, but thankfully there's no video of that. 

Afterwards we walked around the downtown area a little.  When we saw Collegetown Bagles, I mentioned our little inside joke and said, "We should eat there sometime."  That's what Corbin would say every time we'd drive by.  But this time he said, "How about now?"

So we went, and it was fabulous!  He got chocolate ice cream with brownies, and I got a chocolate covered cheese cake bar (I can't even believe how delicious it was).  

Dancing, good music, good food, and my wonderful husband.  What more could I ask for?

Shout out to the Gullys for watching Theo!

Equine Annex

 We went to the Cornell Equine Annex that's about a mile away from our house.  These silly guys wear collars, and didn't feel like coming to say hello.

 

Apparently this was too much for A. to handle. She did this for the majority of the walk home.

This is what Theo did on the way home.  And when you fall asleep on a walk...

Your mommy makes you stay in your hat.

Ladies' Night, Anyone?

Here is the fabulous L. with baby A. in the Bjorn.  Today we walked through our forest that's up the street.  Pardon me, I just noticed there's baby poop on my skirt...

Much better.  Anyways, we had a grand time.  The location above is only a 5-ish minute walk from our house, and I love it.  I'm so grateful I have great places to play, and great neighbors to play with.  Theo and A. were talking up a storm to each other, and it was very cute.

Last night I invited L. down to watch a movie and let the daddies put the babies to bed.  I now deep every Tuesday Ladies' Night. But we can't just watch fabulous movies every night, like Just Like Heaven.  I am cheap, so I could really use some suggestions that take little to no money, but would be a good way to get out of the house.  Any thoughts?

Sleep, Baby, Sleep!

 

I was going to blog about how I got to go to the store yesterday sans baby, and talk about how it's so much simpler, but a little more lonely.  I was going to talk about how I bought $50 worth of meat, because when I'd asked Corbin what kind of dinners he wanted, he just said, "feed me meat."  But all of this must be put aside for a more pressing matter.

This little man is killing me with sleep deprivation.  I know I've been spoiled with a really great sleeper, and some of you moms will guffaw at me, but I need advice.

He will go down around 8 at night like a champ.  He'll sleep through the night without making a peep.  But the early morning hours have been rough for about a week, and I can't take it. 

For instance, this morning he woke up at 5, and I gave him his pacifier and he went back to sleep... for 3 minutes.  Just enough time to get comfy in my bed again.  We did this a few times before I just gave in and fed him.  He thinks it would be great to just nurse and sleep at my breast for hours and hours. But obviously that's not gonna happen.

So then he slept... until 6:15.  I gave him some medicine (I think he maaaay be teething, but maybe not) and rocked him til he fell back asleep.

Then we woke up again at 7, at which point I said forget it and brought him into the bed with me and Corbin.  He slept until almost 8 and woke up for reals.

This all wouldn't be as terrible if I could get to sleep at a decent hour the night before, but for some reason I can't.  And if you don't already know this about me, I need rather a lot of sleep to function.  

So please!  If you know of something I can do better to help this man sleep through the early morning hours, give me a shout out!

Tutor Trail

Aren't they adorable?

 We have a park up the street.  Down the street, we have a walking trail.  It is a gorgeous wooded, paved path that goes for a bit over a mile.  There's a play area at the head of it, with picnic tables, a grill, and lovely shade trees.

 About half way down the trail, there's a sweet little gazebo overlooking a field.  It's the perfect place for a quick romantic getaway (Corbin- wink wink)

No Hunting- hiking okay

 L. and A. joined Theo and I as we walked this trail for the first time on Friday.  Today, we got to show Corbin all the wonders.  Squirrels, deer, and bunnies joined us on our walk.  Nature is so great!

 After we finished the trail on Friday, we went up to L.'s apartment and drank some delicious cold water.  A. has soooo many fun toys, but apparently the cat toys are better.

They thought their little baby claws weren't already sharp enough.  I would disagree, and I've got face scratches to prove it!