Halloween 2011

We had a (mostly) happy Halloween and I hope you all did too. We've had a few festivities throughout the week (at MOPS and trunk or treating) and we completed them with a party at Peach's school and trick or treating with the family Halloween night.

We had front row seats at Peach's school for the parade. Our family was joined by my sis visiting from out of town and my MIL. We all watched as our little mermaid made her way along the parade route.

And then it was time to go inside for a party. This was our first school party and I think it went smoothly. Well, except for the part where I was supposed to bring cake pops. A couple hours before the party I was still trying to get the chocolate coating to melt so I could dip the red velvet cake balls in it, but it just wouldn' work for me. Maybe it was because I was trying to work under pressure... who knows. But I had to go with plan B and make a candy corn/M&M/pretzel mix. It was well received, but I had Peach all excited for those cake pops (the girls loves red velvet cake). I still have 2 dozen cake balls sitting in my freezer, so we can try again later!

The girls (the older three) all enjoyed the games. There were plenty of games to play. These moms were pretty creative and I can tell they put in a lot of work trying to get it all done. I'm glad I just signed up to be a helper--at least until life isn't as crazy and I can devote more time to things like being a room mom!

The last game was making a spider web. Very creative and my kids loved it!

We made it home and started to get ready for our own family festivities, but Brownie was not feeling or acting right. I didn't think much of it at first, but I soon realized we had a sicky on our hands. Poor girl rode in the stroller as we went around neighborhood. She didn't even get out to go get candy. So I knew she was for real.

We had Aerial, Snow White, Rapunzel, (earless) Minnie Mouse and a baby Dino monster! Matt was a dad and I was a witchy mama (no really, we didn't dress up). 

At first she wasn't even going to go, but she came out for our family picture and decided she'd give it a shot. She ended up having to go home half way through, and she sat on the couch with Auntie. I came home and discovered a fever of 102 and a very tired little girl.

With everything going on I didn't get anymore pictures, but Auntie and Grammy joined us for dinner. They hung out with us as we greeted neighborhood kids, played Halloween music out our window, and watched a little DWTS (not my show, but the girls love the dancing). It was a good night, except for my poor Brownie. She is still ill (a day later) with a 102 fever, so I'm hoping she's all better tomorrow.

Eight Months!

This is how our photo session started out!

I'm just a few days behind-- sweet baby girl turned 8 months last Friday (10/28). Eight months. I know, she's definetly growing too fast!

And because she's growing so fast, you know I want to jot some things down before she changes again and I forget them all.

-Recently, you started to get up off of your belly and on to your knees. Then you'll sit there and rock on your hands and knees. You started doing this about 2 weeks ago.
-You still only have one tooth, but there are several others poking through occasionally (before they go back under the gum).

-You are about to outgrow several 6-12 month and 6-9 month clothing. And what you haven't outgrown, you are perfectly snug in!

-I still can't believe how stinky your little feet are. But I love it!
-You are so easy to make smile--and you know I love that too!

-You are kind of sleeping through the night. About a week and a half ago, you started sleeping from 9ish to 6ish (HALLELUJAH!!!!!). But there are still some nights when you'll go down around 9 and get up around 3-3:30. Then you'll usually get up again around 5:30am.
-Last time I weighed measured you (about 2 weeks ago) you were 17 1/2 pounds and about 27 inches.

-Your smile is still quite infectious
-After eating peas the other day, you broke out in hives :(

-There are times where you'll nurse twice, drink an 8 oz bottle of formula and eat three containers of baby food within an hour-two. Seriously! WOW!
-You still love the baby in the mirror (your mirror toy always cheers us up)

-When you are fussing and we can't get you to stop, Daddy will start singing your first and middle name to the tune of "Where is Thumbkin." It ALWAYS works. But it has to be Daddy who sings it!
-And speaking of the Daddy-- you are the first of our five children who are nearly as interested in Daddy as you are mommy (this usually happens about a year from now). You will look at him as he walks by and fuss while you look right at him. Then he'll pick you up and you cease all fussiness! HA :)

-You have been a Zebra, a Bear and a Dino/Monster for your first Halloween activities.
-You still like to rub your face into my shoulder.

-You search for anything you can reach and put into your mouth. When you don't have anything near you, you will look for anything that is near you (paper, toys, toes, somebody's finger or shirt... seriously, anything) and get to it any way you can just so you can put it in your mouth. Even when you ride in the cart at the store, I'll turn around from filling a produce baggie to find you sucking on one of the metal bars that is at the front of the child's seat on the cart. EWWWWWWW, I don't like that! And I make you quit. Sorry, but trust me--I'm doing you a favor!
-You are working on waving "bye-bye."
-I still think you are the sweetest little thing and I can't get enough of you!

Hugs and kisses to my growing girl!