Fall Is Here

So, Fall is here.  Fall is usually my favorite season.  I still love it, but it's getting really cold already.  We've had some nice days, and those are always spent outside, but on the cold days, we go to one of the museums that I have a year long pass for.  Joshua is really into giving me camera smiles recently.  I usually have to take the picture before I say three if I want a more natural expression.    He's said some funny things:

"I want two babies."

"I'm only pregnant with one."

"But, I want two!"

"We can only have one."

"But, I don't want to get rid of Mercedes when the new baby comes!"

 "Mom, did you know that Heavenly Father made me?"
"Yes, I did know that."
"He's very nice."
"Yes, he is."
"Daddy helped."
"Well, that is true."

"Mommy, I love all of your beautiful parts."

"I'm going to teach daddy how to fly because I am Superman and I know how to fly.  So, I will teach him."

"Can I have more farties?"  (Smarties)

My little Mercedes is constantly into something she shouldn't be getting into.  Recently, She was about to do something that was definitely not okay and Jon Mark sternly counted to three and then went to put her in "time-out".  This was the first time that we implemented time out and Joshua was beaming.  He looked at me and with a smile said, "Wow, Mercedes can get in trouble now."

Oh, Mercedes.  If I had one word for you, it would be: feisty, strong-willed, determined, busy, firecracker, independent... okay, so that's more than one word, all equally describe you.  You definitely keep me on my toes and it's no wonder I am so skinny right now even with a little belly (morning sickness is to blame as well I suppose).  I swear, if you're not into the toilet, you're climbing on the table, if you're not climbing on the table, you're emptying my cupboards, if you're not doing that, well, then you're getting into the garbage.  You definitely know what you want and you are strong-willed to try to get it--no matter what.  We're trying to teach you how to sit during church, but you make sure that everyone around you thinks I am torturing you.  You love your brother, but sometimes he drives you crazy and you just have to do something like bite him... which he thinks is funny.  You can hold a grudge if Daddy reprimands you, but you love your daddy so much, especially when he gives you horsey rides.  No one can make you laugh quite like Joshua can, and you copy his every move.  You love me to hold you, until you decide you don't love it, in which case you will suddenly arch your back and throw back your head into my jaw.  Oh, but I love you.  I love your spunkiness and attitude (we'll just have to channel it a little bit).  I love your cute little smile and little curls on the back of your head.  I love when you try to sing "ashes, ashes" or "abc...".  I love the way your cheeks jiggle when you run down the hill.  You're precious, even when you eat rocks after I've told you a million times not to.

 At the zoo, Mercedes devoured this apple.  Core and all.  She would not let go of it for anything.  I guess it was a mighty tasty apple.

 Joshua loved this real suspension bridge.  He ran across it so many times I lost count.

 Joshua gave me my camera and asked me to take a picture of "me eating my bread."  So, I took a picture of him eating his bread.  Ignore the messy room, sadly it's always like that.

When the weather isn't too bad, we go on walks around the block and collect leaves.  Joshua has an "outdoor collection" in a bucket that has more leaves, rocks, and acorns than I can count.  Occasionally, I try to throw out one or two, enough to give his collection some relief but not enough so that he'd notice.

 Joshua loves the walk, but it's a little long for Mercedes, so this is usually what she looks like about 100 yards from home.  She refuses to walk any further, and so I end up having to carry her.  One of these days I will be smart and bring my stroller.