Happy Halloween! (and Pumpkin Sweeties II)

Okay, the pumpkin thing didn't work out so well- combined heat and procrastination... the pumpkins all started to crumble before today ever arrived... but that's okay- the guts are the best part anyway! I gave up halfway through carving, so that's all we got... it started to rot so we never did get to light it up- bummer! But the pumpkin- Gizmo/Gremlins- was dedicated to Chase with his crazy monster noises :)

The rest? Well... the chaos of costumes and scrambling to get everyone ready- I don't know how my mom ever did it with so many children- it's exhausting! But once we got to the face paint part of the evening- it was all worth it... lots of laughs and ooohs and ahhhhs... thanks Julz!

 (yes he looks reminiscent of a vampire baby)

Chase never did want to wear his hat I made for his costume, and we got as far as to make the one for Nathan, but he wasn't thrilled about it either. Good thing they're cute! Kaely was the "Queen of Halloween" (Or so she says)- for the first year she got to run around with old classmates and her Kindergarten/1st Grade teacher... so she wasn't bogged down with boring mom - so sad :/

 (or vampire monkey )

 (Kaely's friends Paige, Kae, Janice, and Anthony)

(mom with a platypus face- guess that's my costume)

All-in-all a great day! Happy Halloween!

Kaely's Class Halloween Craft Day

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Happy 10 Months!

Wow, 1 year is just around the corner- hard to believe! He is into EVERYTHING! And eating EVERYTHING! I'm starting to really lean more and more towards "big people" food- and less towards "baby" food. He loves chicken, salmon, beef, whatever you can give him... all veggies, fruit, snacks, etc. I love this age when they aren't picky about food, and genuinely enjoy it!

He has 4 teeth through- 2 top, 2 bottom, and looks like the 2 on the bottom on either side of the center ones are starting to come through now too- not a break in sight!

With our first taste of cold weather, I'm scrambling over here. I was soooooo looking forward to fall weather, but we seemed to have gone straight from upper 80's to highs in the mid 60's today- and we're FREEZING! I haven't quite figured out what to do with Chase at night since we aren't quite prepared to turn on the heat (low's in the 40's)- since the house will maintain in the 70's with the windows shut (but we're used to the house being between 78-82), so trying to keep him warm overnight without letting him sleep with a blanket is a challenge... not sure how to do this yet.

Oh, also had a chance to be reminded just how much perspective I've lost on how big he is now... met Baby Braelynn yesterday- and holy cow! She's a good 7 lbs- so about twice the weight Chase once was- but I was dumbfounded at just how tiny she was... Then holding her, and getting to feed her, I was in awe. Makes me snuggle our little boy and beam with pride at how far he's come.

(baby Braelynn)

Frankie Blue Eyes

Alrighty then... this is what being awake since 4am gets ya... I've been going through photos to put onto a digital keychain for my mom (someone gave it to her- my gift is the labor to upload all the pics- haha)... anyhow- since all of a sudden our PC took a crap (after I JUST transferred all my photos off my laptop onto the PC- seriously???), I have to go through all my online storage places (i.e., Photobucket, Shutterfly, etc).

Anyhow- came across a folder of pics I completely forgot about- some of my old baby/kid pics- and wouldn't ya know?? Yep- that's right- I had blue eyes FOREVER! At least through a year... Hmmmph... and- we were observing the other day that Kaely's eyes are changing- don't get me wrong, I doubt they'd be green, but she's getting gold/green around the iris. This is sadly where nature's vanity takes over. I don't want my kids to look anything like me, with perhaps the exception of my eyes- because that's the one thing I kinda like, and it'd be nice to see a little bit of me in there :)

(circa 1981-1982)

But this picture made me laugh, because aside from the blue eyes- the serious/solemn look screams of Chase. Chase looks sooooo much like Dave- but now I'm seeing more of me too- and it's downright scary! Just for laughs...

Happy Sunday everyone!

Pumpkin Sweeties :) Part I

Alright- Dave and I picked up our pumpkin almost a month ago now, but I'm determined to wait so we can carve it together as a family... well... maybe this weekend?

In the meantime, Raeshel got pumpkins for herself, Nathan & Kaely to do... so I thought I'd hang out and watch them play- these boys wanted to eat the darn thing- seeds, guts, and all... looks like there will be a "Part II" to this since no one really finished their pumpkin before dinner time- but the pics were funny, so I thought I'd share :)

It's Official!

This describes a few things this week...

Dave is officially back here at "home" now! Most definitely not gloating, just humbled and excited and grateful... I feel like a million pounds has been lifted off my shoulders... and so far? not negative adjusting pains- all quite enjoyable to have him here again... didn't realize how much I missed him here until I have him again :)

Also "official"- Chase is outta here! I have officially kicked him out of my room- and into his own room. I cringe at how the evening is going to go, sharing the room with his cousin, and the middle of the night awakenings... but... I need sleep! and to feel like a grown-up again... and he needs to be on his own a bit more- I will admit to spoiling the heck out of him.

(Kaely's self-portrait yesterday with Chase... goob)

Another official- Baby Girl Braelynn was born yesterday afternoon- a healthy, beautiful 7 lbs 1 oz (I think), 20"...and gorgeous! Congrats Aunt Heather & Uncle Wade!!!

The other "official" news- is that many years later from my original goals/dreams- I am going to be a "Gator!" I start in January, got my official acceptance yesterday/today... and man, I have to get used to juggling the schoolwork again with the baby stuff- but I'm stoked! No, none of this was my original plan- but I don't think I've ever had an "original plan" come to fruition. It's all good though- most of the unexpected or alternate plans tend to be far better than the original anyway :)

So... on that note, I will get back to trying to get the house cleaned, bake my pumpkin bread, and get ready to get Kaely from school (it's early day!)... I love October! I'll part with the inevitable bathtub pics... you know they had to share one sometime- just for fun, and to fight over the duck :)

Satisfaction

As we were driving back from dinner last night, I couldn't help but have a smug feeling of satisfaction... We had a business dinner to go to, and for the first time dropped off Chase with someone- my sister, but still... I was much better at not feeling too apprehensive and worrisome while we were out, but that feeling never fully disappears. When we got back to get him, he was asleep, and when he saw me he squirmed and stretched until I grabbed him- and he was so sweet and happy! Sorry, but it's still the best feeling to know that no one can replace "Mom"...

He does continue his game- if you will- of asking him to say "mama"- and he grins and says "dada"- UGH. But... he does say it when he wants to- little butt.

Kaely had some fall photos done- I can't believe how big she is now! I mean, I see her everyday so seeing photos like these make me see her in a different light. Time is just escaping me!

Fortunately today we woke up to absolutely gorgeous weather! The first "cold snap" since spring... a whopping low in the mid-60's! haha. But makes me so happy to open up the windows and try to clean up some... that and swing by the awesome French bakery and wait around for my choquettes... yummmmm... Happy Sunday!