Pumpkin Patch with his pal Van

Here are the pumpkin patch we hit up before Julian this weekend (see apple pics in this post) with the Randall family. For Maksim it was all about his fav pal, Van.

Smugglin some pumpkins.

He didn't want to take a pumpkin patch family picture with us.

Love,
First Gen Fam

All about Apples

This weekend was a fun and busy one. It started early by chance when we landed some cheap tickets to Disney on Ice. I first thought Maksim might be too young for it but he proved me wrong. He sat in his seat and watched Mickey and the gang skate around. No squirming or running off to my surprise. He loved every minute of it and we did have to battle him to get into the car when the show was done. He kept screaming Mickey!!! Friday night Stan and I celebrated our 10 year "real" wedding anniversary. You can read a little about it here. We ended up having a nice dinner at Searsucker, a trendy restaurant with a great atmosphere, in downtown.  The food was great, Stan had the flat iron steak while I got the scallops.

Sunday is when the weekend really peaked. It was all about apples. We headed out with the Randall family to enjoy a pumpkin patch (see pics on this post), bbq lunch, apple picking and apple pie (of course) in Julian. There really was no apples to pick but the kids had so much fun which made the experience so worth it. We know for next year we have to head out to the apple orchards when the season begins to really get the full experience.

The only way we actually were able to get some apples from trees.

Maksim let us know that that apples on the ground were a "mess."

Enjoying some fresh apple cider

Apple pie of course!

Love,
First Gen Fam

Happy 10

Happy 10 year (first) wedding anniversary to us.  Stan and I got married while we were in college but didn't tell anyone.  It was our little secret.  We were already 2 years into our relationship and we knew where it was heading.  The marriage instantly made me a CA resident.  This meant I didn't have to pay out-of-state tuition.  My debt is his debt and vice versa so it just made sense.  We said we would have the diamond ring and wedding when we were not in negative dollars.  We stayed true to it and got married at my church 4 years later when we had some $$$ to do so and invited practically everyone we knew.  This "first" anniversary is my favorite because it was just about the two of us.  No big hoopla of planning a party just Stan and I heading to San Diego County Recorder's Office.  Really simple but big on love.  So happy 10th to us.

P.S.  I love you Stan.

Love,
First Gen Fam

Nesting Weekend

This past weekend I was got the nesting itch.  I went through Maksim's old baby stuff. Clothes, blankets, accessories, etc.  Was he really that small?  I look at some of the onesies and think maybe it shrunk but I have to remember even though Maksim was a big baby (8 lbs 13 oz, 21.5 inches) he still was tiny.  We cleaned the car seat (like new now)and baby clothes.  All is organized.  I am almost ready, still got pack the hospital bag and fill out the maternity leave paperwork. All and all even if I had the baby tomorrow we would be completely find because we are staying ahead of the curve.

When we were not cleaning or organizing we did get out to have a little fun.  We took Maksim to the Disney store to get in the Halloween spirit.  He made a trick-or-treat bag, scavenger hunted, paraded around, danced and fell (see video below).  Saturday we enjoyed a 1st birthday party for little Frankie at Jake's Del Mar.  Maksim said the word "beach" for the first time.  He really enjoyed himself on a beautiful sunny day (still feels like summer).  We took him to Sea World again and he couldn't wait to go "up" as he so cutely says on the Sky Tower.  He told the grandparents over and over how he went "up," saw "Shamu" and "sharks."  When Maksim went down for the night Stan and I finally watched Avengers. This past weekend was just what we needed, relaxed and quiet.  Thank goodness because I officially feel "pregnant."  Fatigue and back pain all started as of last week. If I didn't know it before I do now....we're definitely having a baby.

Maksim and Frankie

Birthday boy Frankie

Love,
First Gen Fam

Week End.

Papa and Maki kicking back and enjoying happy hour.

Looking forward to a wedding-less weekend.  Not to say we don't like weddings but after 3 in a row they do leave us super tired and wondering where our couple days off went.  This weekend is the first one we actually have available to ourselves to kick back and relax.  I am in full nesting mode and getting ready for new baby by looking through bins of baby stuff we already have and creating a "need" list.

A trip to the Zoo or Seaworld might be in our cards this weekend because Maksim has been a really good boy.

Love,
First Gen Fam

Maksim's Train Table Video and 22 Month Updates

We cannot help but to spoil Maksim.  Maksim will soon be 2 years old but I found such a great deal on a train table that I could not pass it up.  Plus it is way too big to hide from him for the next 2 months.  So, it ended up being a early birthday present.  We did give it to him on is 22 month birthday if that counts for anything.  He is train obsessed these days so this train table is one toy that he plays with daily.  Just seeing his face light up when he plays with it makes me so happy I can burst.  From the video you can see we have one happy and overwhelmed toddler.

What Maksim is up to at 22 months old:

• He is a puzzle master.  Whether the wooden kind or on my iPad he is able to put most simple puzzles together by himself.
• You ask him where anything is and he is going to point and tell you "over there."
• He claims to be "stuck" quite often.  Whether in the laundry hamper or underneath blankets he calls out:  "help, I'm stuck."
• We can get him to go pee in his potty at least once a day now.  Kaka, well he constantly denies he makes one but we sure smell them.  I think it's time for pull-ups.
• He is always an amazing eater but lately watermelon, tiny sausages, and bacon are his favs.
• He loves getting tickled and asks for "more" all the time.
• He kisses my stomach and says "baby."
• He is wearing a size 8 shoe already.  Huge feet!!!
• He is insanely obsessed with his Aunt Jelena.  It's all about "Teta" (Aunt in Serbian) these days.
• He is already making fun of me by way of imitation.  He does a really good fake laugh.
• When he is throwing a tantrum our go-to way to make him listen/calm down is asking him if he wants to go to sleep.  The answer is always "no."  Followed by asking him if he is going to be a good boy he answers "otay" (okay).  If only I was punished by way of nap.
• He still give the best over-emphasized kisses and hugs.

Love,

First Gen Fam

Weekend: Orange Orchard Wedding

We have had a crazy September with 3 weekend weddings back to back.   This past weekend was the last and it did not disappoint.  We celebrated Kevin and Eileen's wedding in the Redlands on a private orange orchard.  Stan and I were lucky to be a part of the wedding party.  I was so happy to find a blush pink dress that fit me that I can wear post baby; thank goodness for the Von Vonni transformer dress.  The bride, groom, setting, details, and old friends really made it a spectacular party.  Congrats again to Kevin and Eileen!

I am sad to see my Aunt Mika go after a wonderful 5 week visit she has to return to Cleveland.  She was the biggest help especially with Maki and the current condition I am in.  I had someone to watch Maksim every weekend while we were away at weddings.  It was almost like a mini vacation having her around.  Maksim loves her too much and has learned lots from her in terms of going to the potty, puzzles, words, etc.  Please Mika move to San Diego already!  We love you!

Jelena, Mika, and I getting our nails done before the wedding.  We miss Mika already!

Love,
First Gen Fam