Western Railway Museum

On Saturday morning we surprised Logan with Daddy having the day off and we took a trip to the Western Railway Museum in Solano County, it was there 14th Annual Pumpkin Patch Festival. Although we had already taken him earlier in the month to the Pumpkin Patch we though it only fitting since an authentic (re-built) train ride was on the schedule. Not only that but there was hay bale fort, hay rides, live music, games and much more to do at the Pumpkin Patch. A fun filled day for a fun filled boy!

We arrived promptly at 10 am, as the train was scheduled to depart at 10:30. Logan was beside himself when he saw all of the trains. The conductor was sure that he was crying because he was scared, but Mama knew better, he was excited on wanted on that train. Luckily once I told her that she insisted that we board 15 minutes early and enjoy our seats on the train. Which we did, as you can see.........

Logan didn't quite understand what the ticket was he was holding was all about but we promised him the train would be taking off shortly and he would hear the bell ring. Sure enough promptly at 10:30 the train departed and we made the 5 mile treck out into the country (about 20 minutes) to visit the pumpkin patch and festivities. There was so much to see and do Logan didn't know where to begin. But Daddy did, the hay fort of course.

Then it was off to the Pony rides.........Logan's horses name was Prince. I thought that was well suited for my little Prince.

We walked around and enjoyed looking at the animals in the petting zoo, Logan was quite enamoured by all the kids his age there. Running around hugging little kids he didn't even know. Too cute! Once we could tell he was all tuckered out and Mama and baby giraffe (that is the baby in my belly) were quite hungry it was time to head home and get some lunch and put Logan down for his nap. So we headed back up the hill to await the next train to depart to take us home.

We will be making this an annual Caldwell family tradition that is for sure. Although we will be bringing a picnic lunch with us next year and hang out longer. 

Fall Decorations....

Just a few pictures of how we decorate....

Can you find Logan's first Arts & Crafts???

Pumpkin Patch!!!!!!!

Fall, Autumn, Harvest, whatever time of year you call it, it is FABULOUS!!! My favorite time of year, the colors, the smell, the endless decorating ideas we are in love.

First stop was to Pa's house for his pumpkin patch, he sure grew alot of pumpkins this year for his grandson. (by mistake, yes by mistake, a volunteer plant started growing in early spring and well Pa just had to water to see what new species he was growing. Turns out it was a volunteer pumpkin, but not just 1 pumpkin, 50, YES 50 from a volunteer plant. Logan went over and had the pick of the patch, we took home 10, but I think we will be going back for more.

Then a week later, we met up with Logan's best buddy and cousin AJ at our annual spot, Stanley Lane. The boys had fun picking pumpkins, riding in the wagon, checking out the pigs

Climbing on the hay fort and in the hay fort. Throwing eachother down in the hay and dragging around in the hay. To be young and not have allergies yet. Climbing on the tractors and driving them WAS there absolute favorite part though. 

It was a gorgeous day, warm and musty out and perfect for picking all those festive pumpkins for our home. Mama and baby were hungry though after all that walking around, so off to Mary's Pizza it was.

Stay tuned for post of our Halloween decorations and crafts!

A Heartbeat......

A Heartbeat.......Yes it is true we are having another baby! I heard the hearbeat for the first time the other day, and of course it brought tears to my eyes. I remember when we heard Logan's for the first time, this was just as special. I am blessed and so lucky to be having another baby. Although it hasn't been easy for Mitchell and I to get pregnant we are so excited that we are being given the chance to go through it all again.

This pregnancy has been a scary one for us. We went through IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) again this time and transferred two very healthy embryos. When we took our first pregnancy test at about 4 weeks, we were so excited to hear the "Your Pregnant" results from our nurse Laura, our numbers were really high and she told us there could be a possibility of twins. (that made us a little nervous) The next blood test was another good one, our numbers were climbing just like they should be, we could breath a little easier now.

At almost 6 weeks Mitchell and I were getting ready to have an afternoon date, when all of a sudden like a ton of bricks I was having some major cramping, I had to lay down it was like I was in labor. Of course this was followed by lots of blood, when we called the nurse she said that there was nothing we could do except wait. Yeah, that is really what I wanted to do! She said that coming in or doing blood work wouldn't give them a definitive answer. I just kept thinking this was a nightmare, how could I be given this last chance and then have it taken away. Positive thoughts was what everyone kept telling me, there were lots of tears and sleepless nights for the next few days. I was still having morning, well all day sickness, so that was a good sign. I just knew deep down that I was still pregnant, but the bleeding wouldn't stop.

Finally on Thursday, Sept. 1st we went in for our ultrasound, and were given EXCITING news, there was still a baby there, with a very strong heartbeat, 134 beats per minute.

They told me to expect bleeding, but that I shouldn't have any clotting or cramping, nothing should change from what I have been experiencing. Unfortunatly for the next two weeks it was still a roller coaster ride, still bleeding and a lot of taking it easy, with Logan running around and wanting to be picked up. I had quite a few ultrasounds in those two weeks, I needed some serious piece of mind. I know right......the saga continues, they are pretty confident that I was pregnant with twins and miscarried one of them. 

But rest assured I am now 12 weeks and 2 days and I am starting to feel like myself, only pregnant!!!! My belly is HUGE, for 3 months, but that is typical I hear for the second or third pregnancies. I am trusting that my body knows what it is doing and I have an amazing support system. My family and friends have been here to take care of me and Logan and make sure that my positive and happy thoughts remain. Having babies has always been one of my dreams and I am getting to make those dreams reality. Thank you, we couldn't do this without all of you!!!! Here is a picture of our healthy baby, a few weeks ago.

Our little giraffe!

(check the sidebar for babies growth updates)

Train Town

Last weekend we finally had a family day! Just the three of us, Mitchell has been working like crazy taking Engineer exam after Engineer exam and after it being over, and him passing ( YAY!!!!!) We thought, Logan and I that is, that we would take him to lunch at a little brewery in Sonoma, Hopmonk. But you can't take a 19 month old (almost 20 months) to Sonoma, pass Train Town and not go there.

So, after lunch we headed over to Train Town for Logan's very first train ride and visit. Of course it really isn't all that, but he absolutely LOVED it. He loved riding on the trains, feeding the animals, riding on the train through dark tunnels, and seeing all the other little kids. We didn't hang out to do any of the rides that they have, swings, airplanes, ferris wheel, carousel, because they only had one conductor for all the rides.

We will definatly be going back just for Logan and recommend that any parent take there child! It is an inexpensive close activity to do and the excitement that they get is what it is all about. Next stop is the Railroad Museum or maybe the SF Zoo!

Eggs!

Cacciatore, you did it!!!! We moved our coop to the other side of the yard on Monday, to give the girls a little more shade. It turns out it was only for the shade, Cacciatore surprised us and has been laying eggs since Tuesday! Yes an egg a day, that is pretty typical for a chicken. She sure does talk too when she is laying.

See how cute they are!!!! Can't wait to try them when Mitchell gets off duty.

Beach, Dirtbike, Cousins and The Napa Town & Country Fair......

Mitchell just had Eight (YES 8) Wonderful days off, to spend some R&R with his family!!! Logan and I. So it was only fitting that we head over to the beach for one of those days! We took a special girl with us whom now has a new name. For some reason grandparents, aunts, uncles, god-parents and cousins all wish to be called that one special name, but it never fails that the child will and does come up with there own name. This certain somebody had a little help coming up with her name......

 we liked to call her Diva, cause that is exactly what she is! However, Logan decided this weekend to change it to an even more special name, "Dee". Which I find to be very sweet and true! She is a mini Dee! (or as I like to call her "shitbird") Yes they both fell asleep in the car, on the way to the beach!!!! We hadn't even been on the road 30 minutes, mind you it was only 10 am and they were both passed out. Logan for obvious reasons, he is still growing, Shitbird however, well........she is a teenager. (enough said, I feel a yearbook photo opportunity when she graduates.)

We had a blast, looking for seashells, building sandcastles so Logan can stomp them down with his shovel, chasing seagulls which decided to eat my Hershey's bars directly from Logan's diaper bag while we took a stroll down the beach! (I was not happy!!!!)

 Our big boy!!! 1 1/2, I just can't believe it!!!! Time is flying by.

Back at home Mitchell put Logan's training wheels on his dirtbike and now he wears his big boy helmet. (THANK YOU, PA!!!!!!) Mitchell is enjoying teaching him where the throttle is now, but NOW I am being informed that there is NO kit to adjust the throttle!!! Pa is going to rig something up to put this mama's heart just a little at ease.

Daddy went back to work and the house was too quiet, so when Joey called and said he needed a babysitter, I found it only fitting to offer to take my godchildren to the fair. Not just ANY fair, my fair, Napa Town & Country Fair that is, on opening day!!!! Logan was thrilled to have Karly and Jaron over for dinner, bath and bedtime!!! The next morning once Logan was up, I let Jaron and Karly go in and surprise him that they were still here. He was so excited he wouldn't even come to me to get him out of his crib, he said "no Jarrrrin!" Look at that grip and grin!

After a nice big breakfast, diaper bag packed and comfy shoes on my feet we set out for the fair tickets in hand. The only thing we were missing was ride bracelets, but don't worry they came shortly after a visit around the barn a silly photo op, and down the midway we went.

I didn't know what daredevils I had for godchildren.....Karly and Jaron will go on anything!!! Except the zipper, but only because Karly didn't want to and they wouldn't allow Jaron on he was still too small. They went on it all, Bumper Cars, The Hammer, Starship 2000, Surfs Up, Tornado, Wet & Wild, Bumper Cars, Silver Streek, did I mention Bumper Cars? Not just once either, at least half a dozen times EACH!!! 

Have you heard of Walk on Water? Apparently it is the new cool thing. You wouldn't catch me getting in this thing. It is a pool filled with water and then these giant beach balls blown up with a blower, (yeah like a leaf blower) then you crawl inside the beach ball and you are zipped in it!! I am not kidding, and of course these two wanted to do, so they suckered me in to paying for this. After they were inside these things I was re-thinking that move. SO WAS LOGAN!!! He obviously was worried about them too! See?

 CORNDOG!!! That is all I have to say!

 Logan was allowed on only two of the rides in the kiddie section! The Train and the Elephant, poor little buddy, but he loved them. Jaron and Karly were troopers too and went on them with him since I didn't want to let any of them out of my site. Plus, I am not a rides person. Maybe when Logan gets older and if he begs me to! But I think I will leave the carnival, Disneyland and all rides to his Dad or any other brave soul.

We had a blast! But we were all exhausted by the time we left. All Day at the fair is tiring, especially with no re-inforcements!!! But we will be braving another day this weekend, just Logan, Mitchell and I. Anybody want to join us?