Halloween with Dogs vs. Kids

Last year at this time, the options for Halloween costumes was something for me the 8 month pregnant lady or Stephen. Oh wait, enter dogs....

How can one NOT have fun dressing up your animals. It's entertaining for everyone involved. Ok, so maybe just entertaining for the humans. And of course it is much easier to dress up your dog as opposed to your pet ferret or snake.
This year Halloween was different - now it's not just Stephen, me and the dogs, but now there is LOLA!!

We'll have to take advantage of the time we have to dress her up...soon she'll want to pick her own costume.

It would only make sense to love Winter

It's not here yet, but Winter is on it's way in Colorado. There are of course the tell tale signs of winter - the temperature drops enough to wear a warmer jacket, you see snow on the mountains which inevitably leads to open ski slopes and typically it starts to snow a bit in Denver. We haven't seen any snow in the city...yet, but there was some snow near Breckenridge.
If you read the I Love Fall post, then you realize that the reason I love Winter has more to do with the clothing than it does with the actual weather. You might think me superficial - oh well, you can't please everyone. I wouldn't necessarily say that I enjoy being cold, but I'm not expecting to camp of the North Face of any mountains this winter. It's safe to say that I will be enjoying this winter in the warmth of my own home, my car, a ski lodge or even outside completely bundled up with the sun beating down on my face. Hmmm....the thought of that makes me happy. I know everyone keeps saying that I haven't experienced a Winter in Colorado, but I still think I'm going to like it. As most of you know, I previously lived in Dallas were the weather sometimes got cold, but not nearly enough to justify the following accessory.

But in Colorado, anything goes. Ok, not really. But scarves and hats and other type of winter boots are definitely a must. As you can see, Lola is ahead of the game.

I love the Fall

So one of the advantages of living in Denver is actually getting to experience the season that most people know as Fall. Chilly mornings, temperate afternoons and cool nights...also leaves change color and you realize winter is just around the corner. I know it sounds a little romanticized, but when you've lived in Texas most of your life, the Fall season can be a bit elusive. For starters, summer lasts through November, then it gets cold for a couple of days around Thanksgiving only to get warm again for Christmas, and then when it does get cold it gets icy which is not really fun. But in Denver I'm actually seeing a change in the seasons, so it's time to start pulling out the heavier blankets and sweater. Which leads me to the other and more important reason I love the fall -- the CLOTHES. I know, shallow. What can I say, I love to layer and wear sweaters and boots and great jackets. So it's not surprising that I would love to dress Lola as soon as the weather even hints at a Fall season. I can't wait for winter to roll around - Lola is going to live in puffy jackets and knit caps like the one you see here.

Our Latest Mini Adventure

We decided to take advantage of the weather and head out to the mountains before the snow starts to hit. Here's what we saw - gorgeous right?!? Lola slept the whole way while my heart raced as we drove along winding roads that had no guard rails. We also saw some wildlife - a yellow bellied marmot. I don't know why I get so excited when I see wildlife...I just do.
I would love to say that we hiked it out, but we drove. We're building up to the 14er hike. In other news, Lola is doing great with solids - she keeps adding new foods to her diet on a daily basis. She's starting to crawl a bit and loves "walking" while hanging on to the couch. It's only a matter of time before she starts to chase after the dogs...watch out!

You would think I'm hiding, but i'm actually biting this pillow

You would think I'm hiding, but i'm actually biting this pillow
Originally uploaded by The Poetschke's

So while I was playing hide and seek with the pillow, Lola was actually enjoying chomping down on the pillow. I guess when you have 6 teeth, everything becomes a chew toy - pillows, my t-shirt, watch, necklace, the side of her little bathtub - you name it, she's putting it in her mouth (or in the case of the tub, she leans forward until it's in biting distance) and trying to chew on it. Luckily, the dogs are quick and get out of her way or else she might end up with Miles' tale and Hemmingway's ear in her mouth. We'll have to keep an eye on that as she gets more mobile.

I'm wearing a dress

I'm wearing a dress
Originally uploaded by The Poetschke's

I just wanted everyone to see that I wear dresses. Thanks mimi for this cute dress.

Tuckered out - I love my blah blah doll

Tuckered out - I love my blah blah doll
Originally uploaded by The Poetschke's

Don't you just want to squeeze her. Ok, this is my last post for the night. I promise...Unfortunately, I don't have a blah blah doll to squeeze like Lola, but I do have to get up in the morning, so if it's off to bed for me. I hope you all sleep as soundly as sweet Lola - if you are having a hard time sleeping, think about investing in a blah blah doll - it may be worth it.

Hmmm...looks a little like Pebbles

Hmmm...looks a little like Pebbles
Originally uploaded by The Poetschke's

I promise, I really do have hair. I'm almost crawling too. Lola is almost 8 months old - next thing you know she'll be eighteen and heading off to college. It's crazy how time flies. She's not quite crawling, but if she really wants to reach something, she'll certainly roll around in every direction until she reaches her toy.

Who says I don't have hair

Who says I don't have hair
Originally uploaded by The Poetschke's

I've heard rumors that people think I don't have any hair. Well here's proof. I do too have hair. Maybe it's not a lot, but it's enough for now...

Lola and the Presidents

Lola and the Presidents
Originally uploaded by The Poetschke's

Our next stop was Mount Rushmore, heat does funny things to the brain. Wouldn't it be cool if we took a picture that made it look like Lola was also carved into the mountain? Poor Lola, the things she puts up with because she was born to silly parents. You have to admit, it is a pretty good pic...

At the Brewery - Lola passed out, one too many beers I guess

At the Brewery - Lola passed out, one too many beers I guess
Originally uploaded by The Poetschke's

Over 4th of July, we did a bit of traveling. Our first stop was some of the local breweries in Colorado. Of course, Lola didn't have any beer. She's more of a formula kind of girl. It was super warm which made for a good nap.

swimming at the pool

swimming at the pool
Originally uploaded by The Poetschke's

I also learned how to swim. Ok, so maybe my mom held me while I kicked a little water around. One of these days, though - I'm still keeping my olympic dreams alive.

Happiest Baby of All

Happiest Baby of All
Originally uploaded by The Poetschke's

I took a trip to Royal Gorge. The scenery was pretty - actually it was hysterical. For some reason I couldn't stop laughing. Maybe it was the river, or the train, or the scenery passing by.

Eating her greens - yum

Eating her greens - yum
Originally uploaded by The Poetschke's

Can you believe it? At 6 months I started solid foods. I'll pretty much eat anything you put in front of me. Seriously - if I could digest my mom's watch and her necklace - i would totally eat them. In the meantime, I guess I'll stick to green beans and such.

Look at those big eyes

Look at those big eyes
Originally uploaded by The Poetschke's

Ok, so it's been too long. I though I would be great at this blogging thing. Somehow I thought I would have all this time on my hands. HA! I have renewed strength for blogging - actually I really just feel like a slacker since all of my friends are updating their blogs. Aargh - so here goes - tons of things have been going on.

2 Month Check Up

Lola Onesie
Originally uploaded by The Poetschke's

On February 3rd, Lola turned 2 Months! Today she went in for her 2 Month Well Visit - translation - check her weight and stick her with needles. Thankfully she did incredibly well. She only cried for a couple of seconds. Luckily when they weighed her at 6 lbs 14 ounce (well below her birth weight) the scale was simply off balance since that would mean she's progressively losing weight rather than gaining it. Sigh of relief - I'm not a horrible mother and my child is not starving.

Two Things about our Lola

1. Our child is a human lint trap. Everyday I find all sorts of fuzz clutched tightly in her little hands. I guess the hands have it until her belly button gets bigger.
2. She makes the most pitiful silent cry before she lets out a wale - chin quiver and everything. It is somehow incredibly sad and somewhat funny.

Another Christmas Outfit

Lola's Antlers
Originally uploaded by The Poetschke's

Yep, those are antlers on that cap.

Lola's First Christmas

DSC00663
Originally uploaded by The Poetschke's

Like I said, who can resist dressing their child up?

Dressing Up Lola

DSC00632
Originally uploaded by The Poetschke's

Before Lola arrived on the scene we dressed up the dogs. I mean who can resist dressing up a Weim. Wegman does it and has had books published with his photographs. We only dress up the lab because we don't want him to feel left out. He's still a little miffed by the addition of Hemmingway.
Back to Lola, now that she's here - we get to dress her up with all sorts of hats and outfits. This is just one of the few. Check out the first Christmas outfits next.

Who says baths are fun?

Does this look like she's having fun? Imagine what mommy and dad look like as they are holding a wet squirmy child. Too bad no one was there to take a picture of us. I'm sure our faces would have a look of "We have no clue what we're doing, but they tell us everyone feels this way!"