Riley and Avery

So we did manage to go to Happy Apple Farm today, and Riley and Avery had a blast. The apples were mostly picked out and the raspberry patch was closed, but the pumpkin patch opened today and Riley really really loves pumpkins. The only real apples left were Jonathans, which are good for baking, and I know that I am not going to bake them, but Riley had a lot of fun filling her little bag with them anyway. She enjoyed the hay ride to the orchard and the pumpkin patch, and Avery like gnawing on her own little apple. The drive out to the farm was beautiful. Nothing like a drive through the mountains to remind me of why we moved to Colorado. And I scored some fresh apple cider, so I'm quite happy. The farm was absolutely crawling with children and Riley didn't want to leave. They're having a Halloween something-or-other next month, and I promised Riley that we would go.

Rudi had another trying evening with the girls. Riley was napping when I left for work, but she was perfect when she woke up. Avery, by Rudi's account, screamed the whole time, so he decided to bring them in, which made Avery happy, and caused Riley to melt down. Seems like the poor guy just can't win. Rudi says that the girls are too attached to me, and so on and so forth. I know that my practice of extended breastfeeding and cosleeping, and responsive parenting in general, is best for our children, and any children for that matter, and it's easy to place blame for separation problems, but shouldn't a child become distressed when separated from the mother who's been with them every minute of their lives? As the only caregiver to the girls, I made every decision about their rearing, and by working part time, I am giving some of my power over to Rudi, whose opinions about parenting have to be honored somewhat. I don't know if working part time and receiving a little paycheck is worth that compromise. Maybe I'm being a control-freak, but I think that I've done sufficient research to ensure that I am making the best choices for my children. Rudi did manage to clean the kitchen really well, but he didn't feed Riley and didn't change Avery's diaper. I'd feel really bad if I had to quit Starbucks so soon, but I may not have a choice. I have to work again tomorrow and Rudi said that he is not going to bring them in, since that seems to set Riley off. We'll see if that approach turns out any easier. This is the first time that I've had to work two days in a row.