I realized when I sat down to write this that it turns out this was my second fall fair that I attended while pregnant. I don't know if it's the fact that I have days left in this pregnancy or what but it certainly is starting to feel like I am pregnant ALL THE TIME. I guess it's not all bad because I got that little cutie above out of the first one and goodness gracious if this kid isn't a ball of fun lately (what a change from just a few months ago, so SEE fellow mamas it does get better!). Papa bear and I were talking the other night and we both expressed the same feeling that we have both been on cloud nine over the fact that just recently Birdie has gone from engaging with us on a strictly "need" basis (i.e., I need to eat, sleep, watch a show, etc...) to having conversations or just "hanging out" with us for the sake of entertainment or "fun" and it has turned our world upside down in the best way possible!

So let's talk about the carousel. We actually had no intention of taking her on any rides. Pretty much any non-Disney theme park scares me a bit and I wasn't even sure she would be interested. Well was I ever wrong... She spotted the carousel a mile a way and whined until we got near it at which point she literally began to climb the fence surrounding it in an attempt to get in. So papa bear ran off to buy some tickets and I just kept repeating that she has to "wait, wait, wait" (also known as her most hated word to hear, ever). Finally we made it through the line and onto one of the horses. She was beside herself! Pointing to all the things and grinning like a fool. Then we began to move... You guys I about died! This kid got the most serious face and gripped that pole like her life depended on it. She never complained, never wavered, just stared straight ahead! You would have thought she was going on a mission to Mars! And then it all stopped. I was sure she would beg for me to remove her immediately but to my surprise she was terribly upset that it wasn't spinning anymore and we had a bit of a meltdown over leaving all those shiny horses behind. So I suppose she was hiding the entire time just how much she enjoyed the experience! She is such a silly goose that kiddo of ours!

We also fairly recently discovered that Birdie is crazy about popcorn so there was no way we were leaving without getting her a bag. She munched on that bag the entire drive home with an expression on her face that could only be explained as - pure bliss. I tell you this kid made out like a bandit at that fair! Carousels, popcorn, cotton candy and her prized possession - a plastic apple full of fresh apple cider! 

The next day at home we did one of our favorite things to do together and baked some desserts. It's something I've been doing with her since she was a year old and it's become one of my most beloved traditions. I give her some bowls and spoons and tell her to "mixy, mix" and together we measure and whisk and pour and bake. She gets so engrossed in the process and takes the job very, very seriously. I'm really trying to soak in and treasure these memories because in just a few days I will have two babies instead of one and I never want to forget these days. I am excited to create new memories as a family of four but there's something bittersweet about letting go of what we have known and learning to embrace something utterly different.