On the Mend

Despite both kids coming down with a different virus, we had a good week and managed to make it to two fall festivals over the weekend. Ella woke up with a nasty cough on Monday morning, and by that evening, we decided we'd better get her breathing tested. After a visit to the pediatric convenient care, it was determined that she had croup and they gave her a steroid to open her airways. She still has a cough, but the croup has cleared and she's feeling much better! On Friday, Jack woke up with a stomach bug that resulted in him vomiting almost every 15 minutes for the first half of the day. He had a similar experience over the summer, and just like that time, he was fine by afternoon and ended up making up for his lack of food during the first half of the day. It was another gorgeous fall weekend, and Saturday afternoon found us at the Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest with family friends. Sunday we made our inaugural trek to the Highwood Pumpkin Fest, where we spent the morning and early afternoon with Uncle Jeff, Aunt Kristin, and Jace and Finley. And what would a good weekend be without a trip to Scooter's to cap it off?!

The upside to having sick kiddos - lots of snuggles.

With Ella not feeling well, we finally made use of the playroom.

She wasn't feeling the best, but she still made a good waitress.

We finally got out on Tuesday afternoon for a walk and stopped at the local nursery.

Ella taking selfies with her buddy, Morgan, later in the week.

They may have been pretending to get married.

Sick kid #2... and more snuggles.

We ca always tell when they don't feel well, because it's the only time they'll fall asleep on the couch.

Helping me set up the pack 'n' play for baby sister.

Moo Cow had been missing in the house for a couple of days, and Ella was happy to be reunited.

Riding the train with our friends, Liv and Will, at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

A break during our scooter/bike ride for a jump in a leaf pile.

Carving pumpkins at the Highwood Pumpkin Fest.

Aunt Kristin and cool dude, Jace.

Jack wasn't a huge fan of the pony.

Jace and Jeff on the pony ride.

It was on the ferris wheel that I realized how much Jack is like me and Ella is like Jeritt when it comes to our sense of adventure. 

A big hit, the motorcycle ride.

My favorite rides as a kid involved the cars and motorcycles, and Jack loved this one.

Kristin and Jace on the train.

Three Weeks to Go!

It was a busy week around here, beginning with Jeritt's last business trip before baby and ending with the wedding of good friends today. Ella also had a dentist appointment - everything looked great - and I began my weekly prenatal appointments. I'm almost 37 weeks, and baby girl is running out of room. Ella helped me pack my hospital bag and begin writing in the baby book. And maybe it's because he's about to become a big brother, but all of the sudden our baby boy has turned into a "big kid." His sense of humor, attitude, and conversational skills have really taken off lately, and we're looking forward to seeing him in his new role soon!

Ella has really perfected her poses lately.

"Look Ma, no cavities!"

Ella tried her hand at rock climbing during a classmate's birthday party.

Ella and Moo Cow dressed up like princess kittens.

Making muffins.

I arrived early to pick Ella up from school and caught the last of their leaf walk. She spotted me and shouted, "Hey, my mom has a minivan like ... hey, that's my mom! Mom, it's not time to pick me up yet!" It was pretty cute.

All dressed up for a Sunday afternoon wedding!

Faux Fall

Fall may have officially made its entrance this week, but we've been enjoying some amazingly warm weather. With the looming thought of winter constantly on my mind, we took advantage and hit the parks as much as possible. Or at least as much as this preggo can handle these days. 

Playing hoops at the park.

Jack loves playing at Ella's school. I wonder why.

Making smoothies.

On Saturday morning Ella and I enjoyed some "girl's time," which included a volunteer project and ballet.

Jack picked out his own clothes. And got his hands on my water.

Playing at a fall festival.

Ella and her pal, Morgan.

Donuts!

Ella's pouty face after I told her she couldn't stand on the back of the fire truck.

Picking out a pumpkin.

Ella and her friend, Mia.

She created a tripod for her camera.

Jack "wookin" (working) in his room. He is wearing part of his fireman's hat.

We got pumpkins and Ella decorated hers.