Tuesday, October 7, 2014

livin' the dream

Like I mentioned last week, I'd really been looking forward to going to the pumpkin patch this year. Looking forward to it for like...you know, the three or so weeks that it's been fall/OMGPUMPKINEVERYTHING!!! but also in a different sense, looking forward to it for five years. 

Side note, but...I don't even remember pumpkin patches being a 'thing' before like...five years ago. Did they exist? Were they around when we were little? I have no recollection (or pictures) of ever visiting a pumpkin patch. We got our pumpkins at the grocery store. We did not wear smocked thematic outfits to get them, either. I don't remember them existing in my city, not even in high school...but now they're everywhere, even around my hometown, so like...do I have pumpkin patch amnesia? Or is it a new thing? Or is it just something I never even noticed or cared about until I was afflicted with infertility and suddenly became hyper-aware of every single fun parents-and-kids thing that I was missing out on?? I've been pondering this for a few days. Also, is there a correlation between the skyrocketing popularity of PSLs that somehow made ALL pumpkin and 'fall' things become more prevalent??

I should probably go back to school and study this. Obviously it's important.

So there were a lot of years of expectations piled onto Saturday's trip to the farm, and thankfully, well..


I mean, I was at a pumpkin patch with my baby. What else mattered? I could have been ran over by a tractor, pooped on by a goat, and lost my purse in the corn maze- I was at a freaking pumpkin patch with my baby and my husband; it was the best damn day ever.


And then I went home and went all-out Obnoxious Mom on Facebook and posted a million pictures, so it was pretty much the quintessential Fall Saturday of Parenting.


The weather did us a solid and acted really fall-ish all day! I mean, it was in the 50s and WINDY when we got there at 10:00 a.m. That's legit by Georgia standards. It was in the upper 80s the day before, so...yeah, this was definitely Millie's first exposure to non-balmy temperatures. Matt and I were super concerned and hyper-vigilant about keeping her warm. We added layers upon layers. We cuddled her. We pulled the sweater back around tight. We kept grabbing her hands to make sure they weren't too cold. We don't really own any infant-sized cold weather gear like gloves, so we were improvising...


For instance, we found her (way too big) sun hat in the basket under the stroller. We stuck it on her head thinking it might help keep her head warm. A few minutes later we realized we had a hooded jacket in the car, so we swapped out her (much cuter) sweater for the (much warmer) hoodie. This ended up being a really hilarious (and maybe ironic) decision when at the end of the day we realized that she was indeed plenty warm, but had unfortunately acquired a sunburn on her face. AHHHH. Poor baby. Major parenting fail. Too concerned with warmth. Forgot to be concerned about the sun that can still inflict sunburns even when it's cold. UGH.

Anyway. We met my friend Amanda and her husband and son at the patch (it's actually a huge farm) and had a fabulous time taking in all the sights and attractions.

We corn mazed (maized?? HAHAHAHA)!

Wow, this is so much fun, Mom. Not.
 We ate tiny, lady-like portions of fresh kettle corn!


 We rode on various tractor-pulled train-type things!


We posed in front of giant rocking chairs!


We saw teeny baby bunnies!!! PS. I would like a baby bunny, thanks.


We rode the 'cow train'! Matt opted to ride with Spunky. Obviously.

This is also fascinating, Dad. Can we come back every weekend?
 We watched pig races!!


We wrangled every bit of fun we could out of the four hours we spent there. It was awesome. I think I had the biggest, goofiest perma-grin on my face the whole time. Millie was asleep and/or oblivious to what was going on for like 85% of the time, but I'm pretty sure I enjoyed it enough for the both of us.

Before we left, we walked through the sunflower fields for some final pictures. We would have walked for longer except for apparently sunflower fields are THE place for bees to hang out, and I'm not particularly interested in finding out if Millie has a bee sting allergy just yet. So we had to peace out quickly.


Speaking of allergies- apparently I have a really special one. See that orange bracelet thing on my wrist? You know, the thing they give you so that they know you paid for all the fun you're having? Yeah, when I got home my arm was all red and rashy around where the bracelet had been. You could see the band where the bracelet was (it was white/un-rashy) and then it was red bumps/welts around it. Really bizarre. Luckily I seem to have recovered, so...whew. I'm such an overcomer. And it totally will not stop me from going back. Can't no rash keep me down!

So we had four glorious hours to enjoy the crisp weather, the tasty food, our fun friends, and lots of cute animals. We came home with a few souvenirs (some gourds, the remainder of my kettle corn, sunburns times three, and my rash) and a lot of pictures so that I can remember how incredibly happy life can be sometimes. It really was the best day. I mean, I feel like I say that about every day now, but...it just kind of feels that way, you know? I had a lot of crappy days over the last few years...it feels really good to be living in a season where every single day feels like the best day. Gah. Bliss.

36 comments:

  1. Okay, so I was all perma-grinning with you (and yes, wondering when PUMPKIN PATCHES!!! OMG!!! became a "thing") and then I saw the picture of you with Millie in the sunflowers and I started crying. And then I hit your last paragraph.

    Erika -- after so many tears shed, praying, and holding onto hope with (and for) you, words cannot describe how INCREDIBLY AMAZING it is to cry happy tears over you, Matt, and Millie.

    And even though you would have been fine with it, I'm really glad you didn't get run over by a tractor or pooped on by a goat!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like a great day! I remember a local church had a pumpkin patch when I was growing up but we didn't go as a family to take pictures or anything. Of course, it would have been Christmas by the time the pictures were developed anyway :) I too got a sunburn on Saturday. You forget about the power of the sun when you're freezing! Love that last picture of you and Millie. She's a doll!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your joy is infectious! I found myself fist pumping when I read "best damn day ever!" I am so glad that little Millie had a great time, and was kept warm - so important, especially in these frigid 60 degree temps!!

    Is this place close to me? (You know how geographically challenged I am when it comes to the Georgia map, despite I could probably name every single town in Texas still, no problem.)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've always enjoyed reading your blog but I so love reading your words about this new chapter with Millie! Your excitement, happiness and gratefulness just oozes out of every post! That seriously sounds like the best and most fall day ever! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. That looks like such a great time. Your pictures are amazing, definitely frame worthy so you will never forget this special trip to the pumpkin patch! I have a feeling you will have lots of happy times this holiday season doing all of the things you've been waiting to do with a baby. :) God Bless.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I grew up going to the pumpkin patch every fall with my family! They have definitely been "a thing" for a long time around here (I live in the North). And yes as a mom I LOVE bringing my kids every year. Probably a little too much:) So glad you and your adorable family had a great first pumpkin patch experience...minus the sunburns and rash of course!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh and most of the pumpkin patches around here are also apple orchards too! So we pick apples & pumpkins. Not sure if that is common everywhere or not?!?

      Delete
  7. I love every. single. one. of the photos from Saturday. It's like Millie just KNEW it was a big day and she had to shine. I'm so glad the day was everything you hoped and imagined it would be!

    Also, pig races? Apparently there's a lot more entertainment at a pumpkin patch than just getting cute family photos.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Okay, no, really...that last picture of you and Millie with the sunflowers -- PERFECTION! Seriously, I better see that one in a frame soon! We had such a wonderful time with you guys and are already planning a trip back there within in the next couple of weeks. I'm still sad we missed out on the corn maze, not to mention our front porch is still lacking a set of pumpkins, and, um, we accidentally already ran through that entire bag of kettle corn... Clearly, another trip out there is necessary because is life really worth living without fresh kettle corn?? Thanks for a great day, good times and fun memories!! Look forward to seeing y'all again soon!

    ReplyDelete
  9. OMG I can NOT handle how cute this is! And the picture of you and Millie with the sunflowers?! Make some sort of card out of that one and send it to everyone! So happy for you and your gorgeous family sweet girl!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks like such a fun day! Looks like you are making wonderful memories for her to remember (hopfully!) when she gets older. On a completely unrelated note - what is your skin care regime? Your skin tone is so beautiful and even, I am envious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh gosh, thanks! I think the apparent even-ness is mostly due to the sun glare and the fact that my sunglasses cover up/disguise some of the worst parts?! Ha. I have basically no regime- I use Trader Joe's tea tree oil face wash and that's it. I do use Tarte BB Cream Moisturizer (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod2430045) and Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush foundation (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5560095), so I will pass on credit for any good-looking skin to those products!!

      Delete
    2. Thanks! I have never been to Ulta (sad face) since I don't think we have them in Cabada but I think they have this product line at Sephora!

      Delete
  11. Aww poor Millie getting a sunburn, Paloma got a tan a few times and I felt guilty about that but then I always reminded myself she's Latina and if she were living in Latin America she would be exposed to even more sun.

    Btw, your skin looks flawless in those photos!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Every post. You are making me cry with EVERY POST! I am 21 weeks pregnant with my miracle baby, after waiting about the same time as you and Matt (It was 7 years in August for us), so watching you live this dream has me extra emotional. I am oh so happy for you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yay for pumpkin patches with your baby and husband....best day ever! (and I vaguely remember going to one in elementary school for a field trip, but they definitely weren't a "thing" and as fun as they are now!)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Aw that picture of you and Millie and the sunflowers is BEAUTIFUL!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Looks like an amazing day! I told my husband yesterday that I want to take our baby to the pumpkin patch next year. She'll be almost 1 year old. He said, "She won't even know what's going on." Um....c'mon! First of all, 1 year is old enough to look at pumpkins! And secondly, we'll finally have a child to take to a pumpkin patch!

    (I never remember pumpkin patches when I was younger, but I would say they've been around for 10 years-ish at least in Nebraska.)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Pumpkin patches have been around for generations...maybe you southern people are just very slow to catch onto the trends? Except pumpkin patches aren't even a trend because they are so old!! Ha. Anyways, you guys look perfectly fabulous on what looks to be a perfect day.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Welcome to the world of random skin allergies! It's a peach.
    But in all seriousness, this post is DELIGHTFUL!

    ReplyDelete
  18. That last pic of you & Millie in the sunflowers... AMAZING!
    And you are totally right, where were all the patches when we were growing up?
    We did the whole quintessential pumpkin patch thing this weekend with our two girls.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I feel like there was only one or two pumpkin patches in the entire state when we were growing up. And they were not around me and my dad was not about to drive two hours to get a pumpkin, so we got our pumpkins at Kroger.

    Love this post! Saturday's weather was perfect for this kind of thing! Also, doesn't Washington Farms also do strawberry picking? I feel like that's a "thing" now too...but a delicious thing!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I think I had a perma-grin the entire time I was reading this post and seeing the pictures! How fun! I have always grown up around pumpkin patches and farms and such. In WA State we have a plentiful amount, even just in my home city. I have loads and loads of field trip pictures each year going. Over here, it's always been a big thing.... I love it! My favorite fall thing to do!

    Love all the pictures and I just LOVE how happy you are! I hope little Millie's face heals quick!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a beautiful family! Keep livin' the dream!

    ReplyDelete
  22. You look beyond happy! Like I've hit the million dollar jackpot happy!!! I'm so thrilled for you.
    Millsie is already getting so big. Slow down Mills...slow down now!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Um, shut up with Millie's pants! We are headed to the pumpkin patch on Friday and I can't wait. I also spent a good portion of an earlier nap time reading different blogs of people who put their babies in pumpkins. I think pumpkin patches have gotten bigger. I remember going on a field trip to a pumpkin patch when I was in grade school and in high school I went to a corn maze. But ours has pig races as well and another one near us has a giant pumpkin drop.

    ReplyDelete
  24. So fun! The last pic of you and Millie is precious!!!! Such a fun day!

    PS we live on Maize street and have always wanted to throw a Maized theme party :) Corn on the cob, popcorn, candy corn, the list could go on forever..

    ReplyDelete
  25. Washington farms!!! I'm dying to go and walk around the corn maze with my baby too haha!! Such a MOM thing to do ;)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love all the pictures. Looks like y'all had a great day! :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Love this so much. I echo what others have said: it is a joy to watch you living such a long - awaited dream. And yet I get the feeling this is just a small part of what you feel. Makes me think of a quote from Helen Keller: "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched: they must be felt with the heart."

    Also, on a much more shallow note, I am jealous of your kettle corn (obviously). Up here, we have more apple orchards than pumpkin patches...so I may have to console myself with an apple cider donut washed down with apple cider. It's the only reasonable thing to do ;)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love love love all of these pictures! So true about the pumpkin everything fad... PSLs and pumpkin patches... Weird!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Pretty sure we got our pumpkins at the farmer's market, so no, I don't remember pumpkin patches from childhood either. Pretty sure most of the must-do activities for parents now were created by Pinterest :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. This post makes me so happy! You guys look beautiful and the joy all over your faces makes my heart sing!

    ReplyDelete
  31. this makes me smile so hard, bc that's exactly what I want to do when we have a baby! Even now, I get ridiculous amounts of joy going on a walk with my husband and our dog, bc it totally feels like family time.

    ReplyDelete
  32. This is the happiest post ever. Cute babies, baby bunnies, pumpkins, pig races....too much to handle.

    And yes, pumpkin patches were a thing when I grew up. We took field trips to one every year and then came back and painted our pumpkins. There was a hayride and petting zoo at ours.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Fun fun and more fun! Ahhh this post makes me smile so big. Yay. BTW you are model gorgeous! Loving those shades with your bangs too!

    ReplyDelete

I love comments almost as much as I love Mexican food. Seriously.