Toddler Tuesday: Talking Nonsense

Eliza vocal abilities have been showcased in previous blog posts and, as you can see in the video, she uses words (or sounds that she thinks are words) to express herself and communicate with us.  Her personality continues to grow and grow even to the point that she will perform certain tasks just to make Mommy and Daddy laugh.  Unfortunately, we have yet to garner any video evidence of our little comedian.  Anyways, enjoy the discourse.

Someone Loves Pumpkins!

When we went to the grocery store on Saturday, there was a big pumpkin display at the entrance.  Eliza immediately "ooooohed" and "aaaaaahed" at the pumpkins.  So we let her "pick" one on our way out--she picked a giant one on the floor that she could reach and touch.  It was actually one I would have chosen, too!

We decided to skip the messy carving and instead chose messy finger painting to decorate our pumpkin!  It's an easy and toddler-friendly approach.  Here's the photo-diary of the whole thing!

Finding "the one":

Then the painting, the next day:

Toddler Tuesday: Reading is Fun!

Eliza is really taking after her Mommy & Daddy by becoming an avid reader.  She doesn't even need us!

Zoo Boo: Halloween Preview

The Indianapolis Zoo does a fun Halloween event each year during October where people go to the Zoo in costume!  There are special decorations, photo opportunities, and activity tent.  We spent some time at the Zoo this weekend and it was sooooo crowded.  We didn't stay too long as Eliza just seemed sleepy (and mommy had a headache, boo indeed!), but we did enjoy it!

Another pumpkin cut-out?!  I love these things!

Happy baby!

Funny face from our silly scarecrow

A close up of that awesome hat!  (check out the source list below for more info!)

Why are you staring at me?

Love.

If you couldn't figure it out, Eliza is a little scarecrow for Halloween!  I love her costume, but couldn't have pulled it out without some amazing women.

First, the custom tutu is from my go-to shop for hair bows, but she also makes amazingly full and beautiful tutus.  Her name is Holly, she's local to the Rochester area, and I love supporting her business!  You can find her online "shop" on facebook at HOLLY'S BOWTIQUE. (clickable link)

Second, the amazing hat and lavender flower is a custom piece from an online friend of mine, Denisa.  She is a magic-worker with yarn and needles.  She is local to Indianapolis, and her online "shop" is also found on facebook at HAPPY APPLE hats & accessories. (clickable link)

Finally, there is a adorable fabric rosette clipped to the hat.  This is also from an online friend of mine, Christie.  If you look back to my pumpkin patch post, Christie also made the orange and black rosette Eliza wore that day.  Christie is local to Indianapolis and she has an etsy shop that can be found at CLAIRE & LOTTIE'S bowtique.  (clickable link)

Thanks to these women and their businesses, Eliza has an adorable costume!  The other parts all from Eliza's wardrobe.  The only special purchase was the brown vest, and I got that from Old Navy recently.

We're looking forward to dressing her back up next week (perhaps with some extra details!) to go trick-or-treating for the first time!

Toddler Tuesday: Pigtails!

Granna has been watching Eliza instead of daycare yesterday and today.  Today she sent me this picture and I thought it was perfect for a quick Toddler Tuesday post.  Look at those pigtails!  She looks so grown up.

Pumpkin Patch!

This weekend we went with neighbors to a pumpkin patch.  We came home empty-handed of pumpkins, but  took plenty of pictures.  Obviously.  Eliza loved it!

Wait, we're not here for rocks?  Because these are awesome!

Can I pick this up?

Hayride to the pumpkin patch

Posing in front of the Farmall tractor (Eliza's Great-Grandpa Troutman had a Farmall and Grandpa "spent many hours" on one!)

I like this one!

The four babies

Showing off her pumpkin shirt!

Sitting on a pumpkin is neat!

With her Daddy

Eliza finds another one!

Love this face.

Trying on Daddy's hat

Our little punkin!

I love this!

DePauw Tailgate: Old Gold Weekend

This past Saturday we headed to our alma mater DePauw University for alumni weekend--called Old Gold--and to tailgate with Gary's "little" brother Travis who is a junior.  It was chilly, but sunny and Eliza had a great time!  We didn't go into the game, because Eliza was so sleepy.  Instead we took a nice walk to the new bookstore (which was super nice, but the clothes inside were a huge let-down...what's up with that new logo?!).  Then, we headed home!

It was a really fun day overall, and I even got mistaken for a student by actual students who wanted to know if Eliza was my little sister.  I still got it!  ;)

Here are some pictures from the day:

One of my favorite pictures ever (even though I was never  Sig Chi girl)

Mama and her girl

Uncle Travis!  Wish we had gotten more of them together.

Daddy and Eliza

Family photo in our DPU gear

The 4 of us.  Love. (minus Eliza's eyes closed!)

So worn out!

Self-portrait

Pit stop on the way home, showing off her bow!

T-I-G-E-R-S, Tigers!

Week in Photos

There's that fun ball again!
Dance 10/5/12

Hi there, Daddy!
Dance 10/5/12

Follow the Leader!
Dance 10/5/12

Sleepy, happy girl
DePauw 10/6/12 (more pictures in its own post!)

New Toy love
10/6/12

Getting help from Daddy
10/6/12

Dressed up for a party!
10/7/12

Playing peek-a-boo
10/7/12

Cruisin'
10/7/12

 The next set of pictures need an explanation.  We got this wonderful canvas just over a year ago from Canvas on Demand.  We noticed lately that the canvas was really saggy and loose (not like our other canvases).  So, a quick call to Canvas on Demand and we already have a replacement!  To prove we weren't keeping the original, we had to cut a hole from it.  So, what were to do?  Take some creepy photos, that's what!

Daddy Eliza
10/8/12

Big-girl Eliza
10/8/12

Mommy Eliza
10/8/12

Cast member of "Grease" or Manhattan-ite
10/9/12

Favorite face when she sees herself in the camera
10/10/12

Well, that was our week in pictures!