Rainy Halloween with Friends 2015

So...remember last year's costume drama?

This year he was down with being a firefighter, but still wasn't really interested in putting the costume ON. Any time anyone asked what he was going to be for Halloween, he promptly replied "a firefighter." But the execution...wasn't quite there. 

In the end, the World's Most Literal Child just needed it to actually be Halloween. We packed it in a bag, took it to Georgia's house on Halloween night, and he sat down and put it on. 

Is he proud, or what?

Also, she was a fabulous mermaid.

He kept sticking his belly out like this when I said "show me your costume!"

So this is what you get.

These boots were a last-minute impulse buy on Amazon. I thought they might sweeten the deal a bit.

At present, he finds adult decrees that Halloween is over to be arbitrary. He has worn the boots all day every day since Halloween. I'm talking to school, out to eat, to nap, with jammies...you name it. 

This Tuesday also happened to be picture day at school, so they may be professionally captured for posterity. I drew the line at wearing the suspenders to school, but he is wearing a fire truck t-shirt in the picture for sure. Don't judge--that was the compromise arrived at after complex negotiations. Parenting!

Fall Fun 2015

Some snaps of our seasonal activities...

Kicking things off at my alma mater's fall festival. He's a big supporter.

You got a rock, Charlie Brown!

A childhood favorite which, upon re-watching as an adult, is...weird.

Fall also marks the return of hockey season. And Hockey Guy.

Foam helmet giveaway made for an entertaining in-game experience.

This is not seasonal; just funny.

The most efficient way to get the sprinkles on the Halloween cupcakes.

Picking our pumpkins!

C picked the best ones in the whole patch. 

(The "patch" is more of an "urban lot," but we do what we can.)

It rained on our chosen pumpkin-carving day, and I got lazy about that, so we just painted them instead.

Totally overwhelmed by the Halloween Carnival. But at least they had pretzels and cookies.

And minions.

Halloween adventures coming soon (IF he wears his costume)...otherwise it's just Saturday with candy.

18 Weeks (Round 2)

18 weeks with C

How Far Along: You guessed it...18 weeks. 

This is solidly in to the second trimester, aka the feel-good portion of the program. Over the past two days I have cleaned out all C's toys, finished switching my closet, washed windows, and started on the new big-boy bedroom, so...energy level is better than at the beginning. Also, BA thinks I'm crazy. 

Total Weight Gain: I don't know exact numbers as of today, but I didn't gain anything the first trimester and am expecting a rapid and shaming increase soon.

Size of Baby: a pickle or a croissant. Today's app update said that baby's weight will increase SIX-FOLD over the next month. Buckle up, people. And bathroom scale. 

Maternity Clothes: Yes indeedy. Didn't waste any time dragging my feet this time around. 

Stretch Marks: so far, so good. 

Gender: it's a boy baby

Movement: Yes! While I was able to feel definite movement earlier this time around, it still was not consistent at that point. Baby is just not big enough. Now it is getting more noticeable and more consistent, which I find reassuring. It is too early to see or feel it from the outside, though. 

Sleep: It's ok. I wake up a lot, but am usually able to fall back asleep quickly. Crazy leg seems to have started earlier this time, though.

What I miss: Once again, brushing my teeth without gagging. 

Cravings: None, really. Sweets haven't been calling my name so far. 

Other crazy symptoms: I wouldn't call it crazy, but I've definitely had an increase in round ligament pain and just the general sense of stretching over the last week. 

Best Moment this week: Honestly, some me-time to do all those housekeeping things (and get my car cleaned--HALLELUJAH) this week while I was on break all by myself. 

I'm Like Hey What's Up Hello

So what started as a summer break before re-joining the official working world turned into a mega-hiatus, and now here we are at Fall Break...

I return today partly because I am home and the child is at school (it's probably not cool to blog at work, right?) and partly because I ALREADY have guilt at how much the second child is getting shorted.

I make no promises about regular weekly recaps, because I'm real like that, but let's get a little caught up, shall we?

This one said, "I want a REAL brudder. I don't want to be my own brudder anymore."

As you wish, kiddo.

[AS IF it were that easy.]

Pro tip: don't do a reveal with balloons on a Sunday.

I had to buy them the day before and they were...not bouyant...by showtime.

The deets:

Little brudder (C has named him "Sister," because he wants to have his cake and eat it too.)

Actual name TBD

Arriving mid-March or so. Spring Break!

Early testing and bloodwork indicate all looks good as far as what they can test for early. Anatomy scan is later in October. 

More to come...

Happy "Mudder's Day"

School told C he should say "I love you" and give hugs on "Mudder's Day," so I love you to all and hugs for everyone...

for the veteran moms
and mommies of littles
still-baking mommies and brand-new mommies
moms of angels
those wishing and hoping to be moms (for the first, second, or sixth time)
and the not-there-yet future mommies who have still learned from the best...

PLUS the friends, sisters, sort-of sisters, fairy godmothers, and aunties (at all levels of Great-ness) who make it all a little more sparkly...thanks.

xo

Easter (Week) 2015

On Wednesday, we dyed eggs with Brooks

(no photos from the process as we were just trying to manage toddlers + dye + eggs...)

They preferred very vibrant hues. Or, more accurately, dropping the eggs in and going to play for a long time while "checking" them intermittently.

On Thursday, we visited the bunnies at Phillips.

He had a big Easter morning at home with his basket (lots of Cars cars), and then we had brunch.

(it's hard to see, but Waiter Mater has a tray of martinis he's bringing you...totally not child appropriate perhaps, and I don't understand why, but I thought it was too funny to pass up)

Sweet Momo had gotten up early and hidden some eggs in the yard...he picked up on the concept pretty quickly!

Happiest Easter to those celebrating, and a beautiful spring to all. 

xo

"Doc Shoes"

If you've known us for a bit, you might already know that my dad ("Doc") has a..shall we say...penchant for a certain brand of shoe.

Though he regularly attempts to claim he "knows about fashion"--an assertion that arises from attending New York Fashion Week one time in the 70s or 80s--this is a utilitarian relationship. He had a broken foot and subsequent surgery several years ago, and the foot has never gotten back to baseline. Indeed, each "pair" of his Merrells is actually 2 pairs, as the injured foot requires 2 full sizes larger than his other foot. 

So...a bit of a bummer, but we laugh about it nonetheless. He owns several "pairs": hospital Merrells (clogs, because blood), your standard everyday Merrells, and the dress Merrells he wears for ever-so-slightly more formal occasions such as his own daughters' weddings. 

Naturally, his tiniest adoring fan wants to follow in his Doc's mismatched footsteps:

(OMG that hair...scheduling a haircut now)