Plumper Pumpkin Patch

Today we went to another nearby pumpkin patch. The view with all the rolling hills, the flowers and plants were just beautiful. There were lots of stuff for kids to do - slides, play structures, a hay maze (Madison's favorite) and a petting zoo. We bought some fresh veggies and another pumpkin. The weather was gorgeous and we had a great time.

Pumpkin Patch at The Roloff Farm

Mommy and Madison in the pumpkin patch...someone wants to go run around!
Where's Madison? Her shirt says "Daddy's Little Pumpkin".

The entrance to their farm

There are several stores, stands and attractions (on either side of what's shown in this pic)

Their house, as you see on the show

Matt Roloff
Here are Jacob and Molly who are on the show
Here is Jeremy, who's on the show

Here we are with Matt's parents inside the Western town that Matt built

Madison prefers the larger animals to the small animals for some reason

Have you ever seen the TV show on TLC, "Little People, Big World"? I watch it often and I knew the family lives in Hillsboro - the same town as my folks...and only about 15 minutes away. Pumpkin season began today, so we went to their farm! It was so much fun!! The weather was fantastic and the drive and the farm were so beautiful! We got to meet everyone in the family - the dad, sister, two brothers, the grandparents, etc, but the mom was away at a speaking engagement. Everyone was so nice, but I was too embarassed to ask if we could take our picture with them. We enjoyed a tour around a farm, seeing their house and the structures they've built. They had a small animal petting area and a large pumpkin patch. There were several camera crews there as well, filming for their show. It was a fun day!

A few pics around the house

Immersed in her books...
Immersed in the tupperware...
Just woke up! Look at my bed-head!
Tyson dressed up for an early Halloween...
Doesn't he look so happy?

The Little Gym

We took Madison to The Little Gym today - and it was fabulous! She LOVED it!! It was just what she needed - now, instead of crawling over/through/under furniture, she could do that on proper gym equipment...

Hunter's ultrasound pics - 22.5 weeks

profile

two little feet
profile with legs above head

front of face and abdomen

Yesterday, we visited a Perinatologist here in Portland, per my Houston doctor's request. We got a good report, overall. The doctor said Hunter looks "spectacularly healthy". He weighs about a pound and a half. All of his organs look healthy and are growing on track. However, because he was once again extremely active, it took the ultrasound technician a long time to take her needed measurements and pictures. He was quite stubborn and uncooperative, but hey - he looked like he was having fun flipping around, sucking his thumb and hiccupping. The only set-back we had was that the cervix is shortening. Not a big surprise seeing that I've been on my feet a lot lately, with all this travel, etc. So, the doctor has asked that I wait another week to go home to Texas. We were planning on going back this weekend, but we'll wait to go home next weekend. The doctor wants to see me again on Monday to do another ultrasound and measurement. Until then, she's asked I reduce my activity. So, if I'm on good behavior and lie low, I hope to get home soon. We have enjoyed our time here, but will welcome getting back to our own home.

Mark returned to our home on Saturday night from Dallas. On Sunday, he inspected everything in and around our house. We really were so fortunate. Aside from needing a new fence, we had no other damage to our home - praise the Lord! Power was recently restored and the water ban was just lifted. I got a call from Madison's teacher yesterday. School won't be starting for at least another week. Her wing of the school was severely damaged, with the roof totally blown off and the walls caved in...so they have a lot of repair and rebuilding. They're moving classrooms around. They'll be back in their original classroom by Christmas, hopefully.

As we expected, Mark's schedule will remain very hectic. His office building at the plant is completely damaged. He is currently working out of a nearby hotel, along with a team of people. He was told that now through the first of the year (2009), at least, he'll need to work every day, but will be able to take one day off every 14 days. I feel so bad for them!!! I can't even imagine, but I'm so thankful he's working so hard to provide for us.

What a little monkey!

We are doing fine and enjoying our time here in Portland, although we miss Mark terribly! The weather is chilly here. Madison is getting a mouth full of new teeth - so many to count. Her shoe size jumped two sizes as well. She is climbing on/in/through everything; she's a little gymnast. You won't believe it, but at 14 months, she can do half of a sommersault - Aunt Sarah helps her get all the way over. She has also learned how to give her Aunt Sarah kisses. Hunter is doing great and very active each day, especially in the mornings. I think he takes after his Granddaddy Chipley, who gets up before dawn every morning. Oy. I go to see a Perinatologist on Monday morning here in Portland for a check-up. Will update you then on that apt. Just heard that our neighborhood got power, so that is great news. Mark will probably be sent back to Beaumont this weekend, so he'll assess the situation and tell us when we should come back. Meanwhile, we're having a great time here! My family has been so good to us. My sister is a fun playmate for Madison, my Dad hooked up two computers with Skype and a webcam that we use as a video monitor for Madison while sleeping, and my mom - well, she just knows what to do before you even need to ask her!

Arrived in Portland

We arrived in Portland safely yesterday evening. Thank God we had a direct flight - we were a traveling zoo. Sarah and I didn't secure seats that were next to eachother until last minute. Again, thank God that we did. Me, my pregnant belly, Sarah and Madison, were stuffed into two seats. Our carry-ons, Madisons bottles/food, etc, and her DVD player, and my 16 lb cat were stuffed under our seats. In fact, when we were getting off the plane, a guy about 18 or 19 who was watching our spectacle, said, "Well how many little creatures do you have?". It was amusing and true. Madison and Tyson did well on the four hour flight. We thank Elaine and Dixon for Mad's DVD player and her packet of Baby Einstein DVDs!!! They are essential and a life saver. Madison remembered everything exactly as it was here at my folks since the last time we visited (a short two weeks ago) and went right to her toys and also to things that are not her toys, but my folks let her play with anyhow (although they probably wouldn't have let me or Sarah play with them when we were babies).
Talked to Mark. He is really busy, as is everyone else he works with. He's been given the job of communications liason between the chem plant and oil refinery for start up processes. Sounds like a very tough job, one that I don't envy. Better go, but will update soon.

Our time in Dallas

On the road again...traveling to Dallas...Sarah, Madison and Tyson together in the back
Baby Bennett Tucker - our really good friends, the Tucker family, also had to evacuate to Dallas (Terry works for Exxon, too). The traveled with Christy's mom who was in town visiting, plus their three kids - including their brand new 3 week old!
Out to eat with the Tuckers
Fun jumping on the bed
Enjoying the pool at the hotel

Before we leave for Portland, I wanted to post some pics. Here we are making the best out of our stay!