Equinox X: Humdinger September 24-26

This past weekend marked the tenth annual celebration of Equinox. This year's gathering was appropriately named HUMDINGER as it really is amazing that a group of people have been coming together for the last ten years to celebrate life, love, family, music, and being together! For some folks this was the tenth time they have come to this wonderful event. For others it was their first time celebrating the Equinox. Many others have been coming for the last 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 years. It is truly special to gather with old and new friends and family members each autumn.

This year the Pennsylvania-based band Cabinet played three sets of music beginning at 4:00 pm (and there was also a special Pappy/JP set while the rest of the band broke down later in the night). They were excellent! Things got started on Friday evening and wrapped up on Sunday afternoon, with the main event occuring on Saturday.

Trafton did very well with his first camping experience. He was a great baby through the (very overstimulating) weekend and slept most of the way through the night on Saturday. He awoke at 4:00 am with a little cry of hunger and I snuggled him in my sleeping bag with me. That feeding/snuggling session in the dark 40+degree chill up on the farm's hillside might be one of my life's most favorite moments.

As I have grown accustomed to feeling on the Post-quinox, I was filled with a bittersweetness when the event grew to a close on Sunday and everyone was saying their goodbyes. My heart gets filled with so much love at seeing everyone (some people who I only really get to see once or twice a year anymore) and there is so much great energy building toward this event, that when it's over, I think many people may feel just a little lonely. But, alas, it was a remarkable weekend, maybe the best Equinox to date.

We were blessed with a beautiful autumn weekend at the farm.

Trafton and Cristl (my best friend since we were seven years old!)

Trafton and I tailgating in the camping area on top of the hill.

Tara and Kenny with Trafton

What a beautiful blue sky as things get underway on Saturday!

The bar that the guys finished constructing on Saturday morning.

Jonathan and Andrew won this year's horseshoe tournament.

Al's famous sausage and pepper sandwiches are an Equinox favorite!

Daniel on stage with the band as they get set up. Trafton's onesie says "Really, I'm with the band." How fitting.

Joseph, Rich, and Jake relax in Jay's super-cool orange truck with hydraulics.

Joseph dancing with Mama Kristin.

Jessica and I with a napping Trafton under our sunshade.

Jessica's mom, Patty, with Trafton. He is wearing his earmuffs so we could get close to the band without damaging his hearing.

Scott and Daniel

Cristl, Jenny, and Cristl's beau, Chris, resting under Trafton's homebase sunshade (it may never stop amazing me how much 'stuff' babies need to stay happy throughout a weekend!)

Chillin' under our sunshade

Cristl and I with a sleeping Trafton.

Cabinet rocking out! Dylan is on the electric bass - how great!

I am dancing into the night with Trafton (who is sleeping and hopefully cannot hear a thing).

Cristl and Chris with their dog, Winter Irie.

Mandi and Mike with their little nine month old, Matthew, who camped near us in the family camping area. Their tent had multiple rooms and a screened-in porch. I was a little jealous.

Katie and Jim

Brandon and Jessica and Pappy's dog, Gypsy

Joe (the Reverend) giving the annual Equinox sangria toast. He did wonderful job, just like he did when he married us!

Everyone with sangria cups in hand, listening intently.

Sunday morning outside our tent. You can see the Pack-N-Play set up inside.

Bundled and warm Trafton

In the morning, he actually slept in until a little after 8:00 when I decided to wake him.

It was a chilly morning. Trafton had on 2 pairs of pajamas and this fleece wearable blanket.

Trafton and Daddy in the morning

Trafton with Uncle Jason

Trafton with Jessica on Sunday morning

Trafton took his Sunday morning nap on Mandi

and his Sunday afternoon nap in the barn.

3 Months Old

Yesterday Trafton turned 3 months old! He is growing so quickly. At our 2 month check up, he weighed 12 1/2 pounds - it seems like he must weigh close to 16 or so now - he has outgrown most of his 3 month clothes, so we are working on the 6 months sizes now. We were fortunate to get much clothing in larger sizes, too, before he was born, so Trafton still has a pretty good sized stylin' wardrobe, thanks to all of our friends and family! I was originally scheduled to end my maternity leave at the end of October and start back to work on November 1st. I have, however, just extended that so that I will go back on January 3rd instead. Trafton is enrolled in daycare beginning on that day, but I am trying not to think about that too much :) Here are some of the highlights from Trafton's third month of life.

Relaxing with Daddy

Our friends Holly and Jim had us over for dinner. This is Trafton sitting with their daughter, Hope. She is 4 years old and was curious about how Trafton drank his milk :)

Tummy time

Morning story time - maternity leave allows me to relax in my pajamas with my morning coffee while being with my little guy every day. I love it!

Trafton loves to be held in this standing position. While he can bear a good bit of weight on his legs, he has no interest in lifting his head or being on his tummy at all, for that matter :)

Trafton being in the middle of the action as I make our daily round of morning smoothies.

Trafton sitting atop daddy's shoulders for the first time.

relaxing in bed with daddy

Yes, this is a Ramones onesie, my favorite band, ever! And yes, the words say "too tough to cry"

I am amazed at just how far that bottom lip can come out when Trafton fusses.

at the Point Barn

Chillin' with Pappy on one of the many days that Daniel's father comes out to Bloomsburg to help us with house projects

Playtime in the backyard

Milk Drunk - don't think I need to say more than that

We are about to take one of our morning walks to the Bloomsburg Farmer's Market.

Trafton is much happier on his back than he is on his tummy.

He always falls asleep with his hands in the air like this!

Under the baby gym

A beautiful autumn day in our backyard

Trafton can sometimes get a thumb in his mouth. He has no interest in a pacifier (or a bottle, unfortunately!) Sometimes, he just sticks all of his fingers near his mouth in the hopes that one gets in there to suck on.

Hangin' with Daddy and Charley Hogan

Ready for a road trip!

Happy in his bouncer

Ready for bed

Labor Day Jamboree

This past weekend we spent time at Pappy Beyer's cabin in New Jersey. Jonathan threw his annual Labor Day Jamboree on Sunday. This was Trafton's first overnight somewhere other than in our house. He did well sleeping in the Pack-N-Play. He has been consistently sleeping through the night, and although he woke up every three-four hours, he ate and went immediately back to sleep. The party was a wonderful time!

Relaxing with Pappy Beyer in the morning before the party

The band, Only Living Boy, getting set up and ready to play

Trafton's been getting a real kick out of being held in the standing position lately

Daniel holding Trafton in a pose he likes to call the "Chicken Wing"

pretending to eat the Chicken Wing

Uncle Mike

Cousin Bob with a fussy Trafton

chillin' on the drum kit

Trafton loves to be worn in this position - he can be right in the middle of the action this way!

Last weekend my brother, Jason, came to visit and our good friend Scott came to town as well. We had a great time relaxing together! The Myers family even stopped in on their way to Selinsgrove from their home in New Jersey to say hi for a bit on Saturday - it was great to have so many visitors in one weekend!

Uncle Jason

enjoying his nephew

There's a smile!

Scott hangin' with Trafton

and relaxing in the rocking chair

Bassinet

Trafton has finally transitioned into his crib and completely out of our room in the bassinet. We were actually going to give it a couple of more weeks until the weather was a little cooler, then we wouldn't have to use the monitor, we could just keep our doors open. But, the little bambino just got too big. One night I awoke to loud thumping - I actually thought he was going to tip over! He moves around a lot in his sleep and he just wasn't able to stretch out.

This particular bassinet has a wonderful history that I feel we were fortunate to be a part of. Here is the history - which I hope is accurate! The bassinet belongs to friends Brad and Lori who used it for their son Aidan. They passed it to Kristin and Jay for their son Caden. It was then sent to Marisa and Stan for their daughter Annalise. From there, it was returned to Brad and Lori for their daughter Lily. It then went back to Kristin and Jay for their daughter Abigail. They brought it to us when Abby was one month old this past Memorial Day weekend and we have had it since. Since we are through with it - maybe it will go to Tara and Greg next?

Thanks Brad and Lori for sharing your wonderful bassinet and letting us be a part of its journey. It has served us well!

Here are some pictures of Trafton sleeping in it. It is white with a blue ribbon that can be interchanged with a pink ribbon - perefctly versatile!

3 weeks old - he loved to be swaddled

2 months old - he still sleeps with his hands up above his head

too big!