Hints of fall in LV

 There's something about the rain, that gets me in a writing mood.  Last night we turned our AC off, and... it's still off!  I love being able to open up with windows and let the fresh air in.  Fall is my favorite time of year.  I know I'm probably jumping the gun with all this "fall" talk, considering 95 degrees is still in the forecast for later this week but I just can't help myself.  Fall means Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means cranberry sauce, stuffing, corn casserole, grandma's homemade rolls, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, and turkey of course!  Chris's grandparents have hosted Thanksgiving in Cottonwood, AZ for the past 3 or 4 years.  We stay in these 10 X 10 cabins, hike, play games, do smores around the campfire, and have a great time visiting.  This year we've already RSVP'd and I can't wait!  I'm sure the experience will be completely different considering I'll be chasing Siege around everywhere.  The kid has no fear and I'm sure by Thanksgiving I'll be running to keep up with him.

Siege is in the get-into-everything-make-a-big-mess-for-mom-to-clean-up-over-and-over-again phase.  He has to examine every little thing he comes across and he wants to do it himself without mommy's help.  Which means I'm in constant fear of the disaster that lies ahead.  Just yesterday while I was out shopping, Chris sent me this pic of Siege on his latest exploration...

We finally got him a few good pairs of shoes so he can walk outside, which gives me even more anxiety every time he passes a curb or step. He doesn't want to be held anymore.  He's just about 25 pounds so I'm ok with that for the most part.  The tantrums have begun.  At first I thought they were the cutest things ever.  He'd tap his hands on the pantry door after I closed it and whined that his potato chips were no longer available to play with, but then forget 20 seconds later what he ever wanted.  Now the "whines" have turned into loud screams  and the "taps" have turned into loud bangs and the kicking has started.  I DO NOT like the tantrum phase.  Hopefully I come up with some ways to minimize this cranky behavior.

Siege is officially a dominant walker now.  It really makes him look like a big boy.



 Birthday party plans are in full swing.  One of my friends, the birthday party planner queen, has gotten me all excited about it.  Pinterest is loaded with ideas of games and decorations.  I think I'm really going to enjoy throwing birthday parties for my kiddos.  We're bringing in an elephant for Siege's 1st birthday party.  Kidding- but Chris already thinks I'm getting a little too carried away.  It should be a good time.

I haven't missed a day of 1/2 marathon training yet.  We are in week 3 and are going to run 5 on Saturday.  Not anything too unbearable so far, but pretty soon 5 will be my short runs.  Siege has been doing great in the stroller.  We did 3.5 together on Monday and he seemed to hang in there just fine.  We were supposed to go this morning... I had my watch on, my shoe laces tied and I open up the garage to some pretty good rainfall.  Hopefully I'll be able to go this afternoon.

Chris has started on another handy-man project in his spare time- shelves in our garage.  It seems like these days we can never have enough storage space.  Between fantasy football, his garage project, and all the running he's been doing to train for this half (wink wink) he's staying pretty busy.

My sis-in-law had her beautiful baby on Sept. 6th.  Exactly 11 months younger than Siege.  I have a feeling they're going to be great playmates and they just might look alike too.  I think the baby is definitely a Gifford!  

Baby Zoa

9 lbs 6 oz (BIG BOY!)