Fall is in the Air

...at least in my foyer.  I might have a slight addiction to Glade Plug-ins and my house smells deliciously like apple cider.  I'm saving the exceptionally fall-scented "Pumpkin Spice" for next month.  The weather hasn't seemed much like fall with temperatures in the 90's last week (right after all the pools and spray grounds closed!) and 50's now.  Add in some rain and it's been a pretty icky couple weeks.

We did squeeze in a playground visit:

Some time in Congress Park:

And a 5k that Bob and I ran in:

sitting in a fire truck wasn't as fun as it looked.

With a playground stop afterwards:

But then during the weekend before last, MiniM.E. really wasn't herself (seen here looking utterly unimpressed with everything):

I had one of my worst "Bad Mom of the Year" moments Monday before last when I took MiniM.E. to the doctor after a couple weeks of extra fussiness to find out she had screaming ear infections in both ears.  Arg.  It was a rough couple days nice, relaxing break to lie on the couch with a cuddly, exhausted, sick toddler (even though I felt awful that she felt awful).  Unfortunately, it took her a while to get back to herself (I'm still not sure she's 100%) and we had a couple play dates we had to leave early and a couple activities that we started last week that she definitely wasn't excited about.  Hopefully this week will be better.

Last weekend we drove to NH for H.'s 2nd birthday party.  Remember his 1st?

We didn't plan much for the weekend since I made the cake this year and it took up a lot of time, but we did get to see my sister's new puppy "Crumpins" (named by MiniM.E.).

MiniM.E. helping to bake the cakes

Hi Crumpins!

THE CAKE!!

A playground break 

At the party

Crumpins in MiniM.E.'s kiddie pool

Happy Birthday H!

MiniM.E.'s NH boyfriend, H. (remember him?  No, check back here, here and here) turned 1 last weekend!  Time really does fly when you have a baby... seems like just yesterday they were meeting for the first time.

We drove to NH for the weekend.  H.'s party was on Sunday, so we had a little bit of time on Saturday to play in the pool and in the backyard.

On Sunday, while we were getting ready for the party, MiniM.E. decided she wanted to take a bath.  Must have been that she wanted to be squeaky clean for her boyfriend.  Unfortunately, she was already dressed for the party...

peek-a-boo!

H. had a great party a park close to my house.  Surprisingly, MiniM.E. was pretty good, considering everyone was paying attention to the birthday boy and there were lots of toys that weren't for her.

Greeting H.

Birthday hand-hold (almost!)

She might have wanted a few things H. had.  Like his hat...

and shoes...

and sit-n-spin. 

H. lost interest... so she had it all to herself.

Both a little confused at all the excitement

MiniM.E. licking some of H.'s new toys

H. wondering why MiniM.E. was on his present opening blanket

MiniM.E. with her favorite of H.'s new toys, the diaper rash cream.

Petting puppy was definitely a highlight.

So was trying grown-up food

HAPPY BIRTHDAY H.!

And, just because I think my baby is the cutest in the world... a couple more pictures from the weekend...