Update on Nova! Swimming lessons, farm tours and more!

Nova continues to amaze us with her incredible energy, exceptional vocabulary and witty charm!

Enjoying the last few days of summer weather!

YES!!  Swimming!!

Nova and Daddy watching a movie.  Judging by her face, I think this was Frozen, during one of the more emotionally wrenching scenes. 

Nova has been a great mommy to Bear!  She used to love Grumpy Cat, but who needs Grumpy Cat when Bear is around?

Super Sister! 

Painting is fun when Mommy has absolutely no rules or interest in cleanliness! 

Upside down girl!  Mom and Dad - I did not encourage this! 

We are still enjoying many Fridays with our friends Katie, Jack and Seamus.

In late September, I joined a mom's group in order to stay active during the week, meet new friends, and give Nova more opportunities for social engagement/fighting with other small children.  Here, I am pictured holding both kids just before pumpkin painting at just one of these events.

Later on pumpkin painting day, I put Lynx in the high chair for the first time.  Nova thought it was really cool, so she jumped into her booster seat to hang out with him. 

On October 13, Heyser Farms (which is walkable from our house) held a fall festival with free ice cream (!!!), a tractor ride, pumpkin carving, etc.  It was raining, but that didn't stop us!

This was taken during another Mom's group activity.  We toured the Spicknall's Farm, which was just 13 minutes from our house.  She saw pigs, chickens, bunnies, cows, and a dog (who almost ran her over).  She was really into it.

Nova's first swimming lessons started October 22!  I love this photo of her, mentally preparing for this new adventure!

You can't see Nova, but she's next to Lynn (on the end).  She seemed to really like it...but she really likes everything!

 Later that day, Nova displayed how adept she is at being a big sister.  Little Lynx sure is lucky

Yesterday, October 28 (her 2 year, 8 month birthday), Nova, Lynx and I went to St. Andrew's Lutheran Church (also where she goes to preschool) to engage in a Trunk or Treat.  This is where people decorate their trunks and give out candy.  Also featured, this bouncy house, and a tractor ride.  Awesome day.

October 28 was extra awesome because Lynn returned from his first trip since Lynx was born.  While he was gone, both kids and I were sick, Lynx didn't sleep for more than 2 hours at a time and I couldn't find my bike.  I realized it had been stolen out of our carport!  So....that was rough.  Don't ever leave us again!  At least, not until you go to Chile in late November.  :(

VIDEOS:

I quit my job in August, but Johns Hopkins is keeping me on for a few months to help with the transition to my successor.  In Mid-September, I went in to review files with my successor.  I came home, and took this video of Nova. 

My dad, Scrampa Steve, turned 29 again on October 16.  Nova wanted to send this happy birthday message.

As I've mentioned above, Nova loves little Lynx.  Enjoy this loving video.

Nova and I doing what we do best - talking.

Nova STATS:

As of October 7, she rarely naps in the afternoon.  Such a bummer.

She's taking the stairs one at a time without the railing! I think I learned how to do that at the age of 8.

Conversations with our favorite Novers:

"Wain, wain, go away. Come back in the summer day."

Nova told Lynn that she wanted to wear shorts like he was. He said, "NO, these are just junkie shorts."  Then she said,"I want junkie shorts!" and wore "junkie shorts" for a full week.

I said, "Nova, we need to change you. You need a new diaper.  

She replied,"I no need new diaper.  Trust me, mommy."

Nova was standing below me, looking up.  Then, we had this convo:

Nova: You have no hair!
Me: yes I do.  What do you mean?

Nova: no hair in nose."

Me: Oh yes.  That's true.  Well, I do have small hairs in my nose.

Nova: Daddy has hair in nose.

Somethign small happened (I don't remember - Maybe I dropped something) and I said, "oh no."  Then;
Nova: Oh.  Sometimes it is a shoot.

Me: that's true.

Nova: Ya! Sometimes it is a my fault.

Me: At Thanksgiving, we give thanks for the things we love.  What do you love, Nova?

Nova: cake.

Me (giggling). What else do you love?

Nova: Lots of different cake

We were watching TV when Lynx started crying upstairs. Nova said,"Mommy, don't turn off TV. Go.  Go get baby."

I picked Nova up from preschool.  While walking to our car, she said,"I didn't miss you.  You missed me a lot."  I said, "So true!"