Happy Halloween!

Seems like a long time since I've been on here telling you about our family.

Let's start with today. Shannon, Z, Grammy Lanie and I just returned from a trick or treat adventure on Vermont Avenue here in Asheville. Although the night was cold and rainy, the people were out in full force. We had an amazing turnout with hundreds of people decked out in their Halloween finest. We met up with the Floriani and Anderson clans as well as some other friends. Z was a tired little bunny. Shannon was an organically grown carrot and I was a farmer. Grammy Lanie was also an honorary bunny. We hopped from house to house getting some candy and taking in the festive mood. Check out the pics (a few ghosts may appear in some).

The girls were also gone for a week in Atlanta on the Jankins farm while I wallowed around in Asheville doing stuff to keep busy. Hard to believe November is upon us and the countdown to Turkey day begins tonight.

Dag

This is one of the best short videos of Z yet. Shan has taught her how to say dog! If you look closely, you may also spot the two teeth we've been fawning over as well. Watch and enjoy.

Jumping In the Bathroom

We've got jumper footage!

Mad Week

Things have gotten cold around here fast. It will sink into the 30's in the mountains for the next several days as fall has taken a grip. The leaves are almost at their colorful height and the nights are starting to stretch a little longer.

Zahra is growing beautifully. She is eating much more independently now a days. Shannon lets her pig out and eat most of her meals unassisted. You'd think it would be a messy situation but Z is pretty neat when it comes to her food. Of course she gets it all over her face but the rest of her remains pretty clean. Her language continues to evolve. The noises she makes are getting diverse. Sometimes it feels like she is really making conversation with you!

Shan has also taught her how to brush her two tiny teeth. It is the most adorable thing I've seen. Shan will model using the brush on her own teeth. While she is doing that, she will make a swishing sound. Then momma lightly brushes Z's ivory sharpies and hands her the toothbrush. Z then actually brushes her teeth. She handles the brush like an old pro. I was shocked.

The girls had a bunch of friends over on Tuesday for one of many mommy/baby afternoon events. Shannon brainstormed the idea with a friend to have a knitting club. The ladies can crochet and sew and knit while the kiddies hang out. It was quite a time I heard. Pictures of the event are here.

The days are flying by though. It's hard to believe we are half way through October. That means the holidays are lurking around the corner. Halloween come first though and we have a family costume situation all planned out. You'll have to tune in in two weeks to see the grand unveiling of that.

The Difference Between Boys and Girls

She's Fine

The pink eye is gone! Z has been better for a few days now. We think she is going through a growth spurt though as she is eating like a horse and is pretty crabby for long stretches of the day. Her eating has really taken off. She devours lots of food and craves finger foods. She always wants to eat what her mother is eating which is pretty funny. Fortunately, Shan's diet (in our ph world) is edible for Z so that usually works out.

The girls went to the North Carolina Arboretum on Wednesday and took in the fabulous fall weather. The went with friends Sara and Orion.

We are looking forward to a nice weekend. The Latino festival hits town this Saturday so we will be attending that. The weather may get colder here soon as the leaves are all starting to turn their gorgeous fall palette. More from us soon.

Pink Eye!

Z has pink eye. Shannon is furiously cleaning the house and trying to rid the place of any germs that may still be around. Of course I now have an eye itch that my mind has created. Fortunately, Z is not in any apparent pain and we now have an explanation as to why she was cranky the last two days. More updates as they come.

More Video!

For some reason, Z has stopped standing. However, she continues to expand her moving on her belly, except she goes backwards! And how adorable is the kid on the potty?

Shan's Birthday at the Farm

Today was Shannon's birthday. She turned a ripe old 26. We celebrated with lots of fun activities. Zahra and I set a few of these up on Saturday. We shopped till we dropped that afternoon as we searched for a few of Mommy's gifts around town. Well, we unveiled those gifts (a book Shannon wanted, some fun kitchen gadgets, and a special banana chocolate chip pancake breakfast to name those she received this morning) and then spent some fun family time at Hickory Nut Gap Farms in Fairview.

We drove out to the country (just 15 miles really) to go searching for our pumpkin. The farm had that and then some. We met some piggies (which Zahra absolutely hated), some little chicks, goats, bees, and a cute calf. We ate some delicious hormone free, grass few beef jerky and came away with a nice pumpkin to carve later this month. It was neat to go out into the pumpkin patch and pick one out. The corn maze had seen better days but was still cool. The farm was quaint and the folks were nice. Just another great experience for Z!

Poo Time!

You've heard the rumors and it's true! Zahra has laid her first tiny turds into a potty! It happened Saturday, a few days after Shannon bought the green mini toilet. I was gone off to accomplish some chores when it happened. I received a text message with a picture. About four little brown bombs lay innocently at the bottom of the potty. Could it be? When I arrived home, the stench in our bathroom was horrid. I traced the smell to the trophy of chocolate colored stool in the green receptacle. Shannon gave me the gritty details. Basically, when she felt the need to do her "doody", she placed Z on the potty to give it a whirl. Now Zahra usually drops bombs right after breakfast. The hunch paid off as Z sat with her Toilet Time book (courtesy of Grammy Capezzali) and did her business like an older child. Shannon praised her profusely and we hope the start of something wonderful will commence. She also did number 1 two times later that day. We dropped the ball this Sunday as we were busy celebrating Shan's birthday and were out and about, but we hope to resume this training first thing Monday morning.

Been Away From My Babies Too Long

The September to Remember has finally passed. I was away for a long weekend stay in Boston to celebrate a wedding. While I was away, my little Zahra changed.

Z has now really begun moving around a lot more. She is rolling freely onto her side and is crawling in circles and every which way except forward. She is also refusing to stand up, which Shannon blames on my absence. Her talking has really morphed and she is now uttering all of these fascinating new sounds. Finally, Z's two small razor sharp teeth have poked through the gum line and are threatening to continue their path upwards. We have been having a time trying to get a picture of those two little buggers so please be patient. But after a long time from home, I really was able to appreciate what I have and that's two beautiful and intelligent ladies that love me very much.

Speaking of the older lady, Shannon turns 26 on Sunday! We have a fun weekend planned including some dinners out in town, a visit to the apple orchard for some picking and a late night date night on Saturday night. More news to come and photos! Until then, I leave you with some video of her new favorite move.