7 Quick Takes Friday-Escape Artist Edition!

Linking Up for the first time for 7 Quick Takes Friday, hosted by Jen over at Conversion Diary! I've enjoyed reading others'  Quick Takes for quite a while and decided to finally post my own. Here goes:

1.

Strangely reminiscent of
80s-style eyeshadow

Our streak of kid-cidents continues. After the cut on our daughter's right eye from the baby gate finally started healing, she decided to start the week off right and decorate the other eye by literally butting heads with her brother. First black eye: check. Then I had the pleasure of fishing a cell phone out of the toilet after my sweet daughter dropped it in there (thankfully it was an old 'play' phone). Even more exciting was my call to Poison Control yesterday when the baby got the lid off of my skin toner and tried to drink it. While I was in the same room, mind you. (For your information, Clinique Clarifying Lotion is not, in fact, poisonous, and he is a-ok). Also, this walking, talking, climbing 11-month-old of mine is a trained escape artist. Having been through this stage already with his big sister and brother, you'd think I'd be ready for him. But he is in a class of his own. Each diaper change is an epic battle, no matter how much I tighten the high chair straps (without cutting off his circulation), and he continues to somehow wriggle out enough kneel, stand up, turn around, and attempt to climb out. This morning he pulled out all of the stops and escaped from his crib--I found him screaming next to the door. On a side note, the little guy has developed the adorable habit of saying 'uh-oh!' when he drops something on the floor. I wonder if he had the guts to say it when he dropped himself on to the floor. After thoroughly inspecting him he appears to be just fine, but just as determined to not stay put if it's against his agenda. When I told my husband about this incident he said, "well hopefully it's just a one-time deal, but if he tries it at nap I'll pick up an electric fence on my way home."  Right. I have seen those crib nets, but I'm not totally convinced that they'd work on this crazy guy. I just can't believe it because he's not even one yet--suggestions needed! (Please!!!)

2. 

Did you know that October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month? You might be surprised to learn that child loss--miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death--are far more common than we would like to think. So spread the word and help celebrate all of our beautiful children! Also, if you or someone you know has experienced any kind of loss, take some time this month to reach out and offer support, or take time for yourself to do something in honor of your child(ren).

3. 

Colorado weather is something else. On Tuesday it was over 80 degrees. Today we woke up to our first snow! Just a dusting, but snow nonetheless. My four-year-old daughter ran around the house yelling, "Mommy! There's snow in the backyard! Winter is here and Fall is over!" Thankfully, it's supposed to be in the 70s again soon, because I'm NOT ready for fall to be over when it's just begun!

4. 

Cold weather and snow make for a very frisky puppy!

5.

Speaking of warm weather, when it was 80 degrees on Tuesday I discovered one of my new favorite places in the Denver area! We were meeting friends to celebrate and learn about our Guardian Angels on Guardian Angel Day, and one friend suggested we meet at the 'heavenly' Hudson Gardens. We made an angel craft and then explored--they have a breathtaking rose garden, "Monet's Place" which includes a graceful arching bridge over a pond of lily pads and willows, and a frog pond with huge tadpoles and more lily pads, and every plant, tree, and flower is labeled (for us amateurs who don't have a clue!). Turns out it was also the perfect place for Ann Romney to be that day--as I drove in they asked if I was there for the Ann Romney event, and throughout the morning they were setting up tents and blocking off various areas. Pretty crazy! At any rate, it was an amazing place and I can't wait to go back!

6. 

Did I mention that they also had a pumpkin patch with the biggest pumpkins I've ever seen?

7.

Here's to fall sticking around for much (much MUCH) longer!

BONUS TAKE:

Just couldn't take it anymore!

HAPPY FALL FRIDAY, EVERYONE!