October 2016

October is always a busy month at our house.
We've got a big birthday girl to celebrate,
an annual visit to the pumpkin patch,
followed by decorating and baking all things pumpkin,
right up until Halloween.












But we decided that wasn't quite enough,
so we added a few more adventures this month;
a trip to Iowa and a Bubble Run.

The girls had an amazing time in Iowa...
jumping in piles of leaves raked by Grandpa


playing with cousins and celebrating October birthdays at Aunt Shelley's






and we even spent some time in KC.
We met up with Uncle Tyler & Holly,
spent some time with the Great Grandmas,
and two of us even got to see a Chiefs victory.


Sometime over the summer, I came across some information about a local bubble run.
Lauren can't get enough of bubbles,
so I thought it might be a fun activity for the whole family.
I greatly underestimated the bubble in BubbleRun.





We may have found a new October tradition.

Speaking of tradition...
This guy won the McQuinn Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest

by a landslide.

44 weeks

ten months

At ten months, Caroline Ann McQuinn...

... is a joy. She is so happy and sweet. Even the little growl sound she likes me make is adorable.

... is on the move. That girl does not stop. She is pulling up, cruising, balancing, and climbing all the time. She is quite mobile and will likely be more mobile in the near future.
**which is making these pictures harder and harder. Blurry options. Mama needs more practice.

... is a good little eater. She prefers table food to baby food purees, but when she is hungry she will eat it all up. She has also established a good relationship with the dogs, especially since she sneaks them food at least three times a day.

... adores her sister and her sisters toys. Caroline is tough, she can hold her own against her sisters toy stealing and general roughness.

... is a Mama's girl, smiles at strangers, but really likes her personal space.

... goes with the flow. She is along for the ride and doesn't seem to mind. With sisters school schedule, morning dance classes, and busy lifestyle, our schedule remains 'flexible' and Caroline doesn't seem to mind.

... loves music and dances, claps, waves, and bounces to the beat. Which makes dance parties in the kitchen a lot of fun.

... has 4 teeth. And loves to show them off. Can you blame her?

42 & 43 weeks

42 weeks & still playing with the blocks


Iowa

41 weeks & 3 years

This picture doesn't do much to describe our 41 week old girl.
But every other picture I snapped was blurry, because she can't sit still.
She tries standing,
she tries jumping off face first,
she plays blocks,
and shows off that top front tooth she just sprouted.

In the middle of Caroline's little shoot, I realized I never took a 3 year picture of Lauren.



I seized the moment,
one where she was willing and cooperative,
and snapped a picture.

I love it.
It captures my little Laurno at this very moment.
Her red runny nose, while she works on building up her immune system now that she's a big school girl.
Her shoes on the wrong feet as her independent streak leaves her doing more and more by herself.
Her unkept hair from a day full of play, movement, and an afternoon nap that we all took together today.

And if  you look closely, you'll see the hand of a 41 week little sister who can't get enough of this three year old.

I have a feeling this simple little photo will be a favorite of mine.
Not due to it's composition or beauty,
but its simple little reminders of a three year old girl.

Lauren is 3!

It's hard to believe we've got a three year old in our house.
A little girl-
with any trace of baby-ness or toddlerhood fleeing fast.

While that leaves this mama with a heavy heart,
seeing who this sweet girl is becoming brings a new joy everyday.

This parenthood thing is bittersweet.



At three, our sweet Lauren...

... is active. She likes to stay busy and loves to talk about her busy days. She is currently in MDO, two times a week, take dance once a week, and fills the rest of her days with walks to the park, projects, puzzles, and her love of books.
... has a great imagination. Dress-up, pretend, and role-play has all started at our house. We've also got a song writer on our hands. Lauren likes to make up songs to sing and loves classic favorites like 'Wheels on the Bus', 'Skip to My Loo', "Twinkle, Twinkle", and 'ABC's".
... calls herself Laurno. Consistently.
... has started the fiercely independent phase. And oh boy, her strong willed attitude is really coming out.
... is a leader. She knows what she wants and she isn't afraid to tell you. This can also be seen as 'bossy', but we try not to use that word. Future #girlboss.
... has an infectious giggle, adores her little sister, is still working on sharing though, loves Disney & books {two of her mama's favorite things}, lights up when her dad walks through the door, loves sausage, to talk, play with her friends at the park, and is a deal maker (Is that a good deal, Mom?)

She fills our hearts with love, tries our patience daily, and has taught us more than we ever imagined possible in the last three years.