Halloween 2012

We had a butterfly and a tiger this year for Halloween. I asked Brooke what she wanted to be, fully expecting her to name a Disney Princess, but was pleasantly surprised when she said, "butterfly"(I actually think it stems from a Team Umizoomi episode, but we'll pretend like she was being creative and an individual).

I was prepared (but not excited) to fashion the costume myself. Now, when I say "fashion," I mean "put several store-bought pieces together". Did you think I meant I would sew? If you did, we probably haven't met...and you've never even read this blog before. I was a few store-bought pieces into the costume (and also going a little crazy trying to plan her birthday parties) when I stopped into Old Navy and found this beauty for $12. I mean, it was the economical choice, right?

Unlike last year, Brooke could hardly wait until her friends came to "pick her up" to trick-or-treat.

 

She kept saying that she was "fluttering," but I think it often got lost in translation.

 

 She was really into it this year. At most of the houses, she'd say, "Happy Trick or Treat!" Or occasionally we'd have to prompt her, "What do you say?" as the door opened and she'd say, "Thank you!" instead of "Trick or treat."

Miles was a trooper even though it was a little chilly out.

 His little buddy from our block, Thomas, was also a tiger.

Jill and Ainsley were very patient with Brooke as they went around our block, then we parted ways and headed over to Matt's parents' house.

Miles was ready for some dinner, so he stayed back with Grammie Deb, Grandpa and Aunt Jamie while Matt and I took Brooke out for some more treats.

These are the best shots I could get of the two of them together. And I took MANY.

 

 

 

 

We finished the night with some jack-o-lantern carving.

 

 She wasn't too sure at first.

But I think she was satisfied with the final product.

And then....we had a meltdown. And this doesn't include the one at Matt's parents' an hour earlier. I'd like to blame it on the candy, but I think it's more the stage we're in...and probably will be for another 15 years or so.

 

We also had a costume playdate with Tye and Grace last week.

Aaanndd another meltdown. Memories, right?

She had fun coloring a pumpkin with her crayons from her teachers at school.

We also got "Hob Gobbled" by a neighbor and Brooke had fun playing with the treats in our goodie bag.

 

And this guy is enjoying the world upright. Carts and highchairs? He's got this...for the most part.

Miles at 7 Months

Little Big Boy will be seven months old tomorrow. Again, I feel like I've been updating pretty regularly, but here's a quick summary. His "fangs" (not sure what the technical term for them is, but it's the two teeth on the sides of his front two teeth) have popped out. He will chew on anything and everything. He's still quite a drooler, but not as bad as he was before those teeth popped out. I tried to get a shot of his teeth but he was making it tough trying to grab the camera.

He's enjoying solid foods much more now. He eats 2-3 solid meals a day and nurses 4-5 times per day.

Yep, still Matt's mini-me.

He's scooting around on his belly, but no crawling yet. (Probably somewhat due to my giving in and picking him up when he cries when he's on the floor playing.) He's easily rolling both ways. He's sitting up, but needs some padding around just in case. He sleeps from around 7 to 7 each day. He's still taking a 30-60 minute nap in the morning and a 90 minute - 2+ hour nap in the afternoon. Mama's not complaining.

He's getting more and more social. It's so fun to watch him flirt. He's really started babbling and is fun to make laugh (although, what baby isn't?). He's such a sweet, happy, easygoing little guy. We love you, Miles!

Three Years Old?!?

Have I mentioned that Brooke's birthday was last weekend? It's sounds so cliche, but I really can't believe she's been in our lives for three years already. I feel as though I've been giving pretty steady progress about what she's been up to lately, but I'll give a quick recap here.

She can be a pretty silly girl, especially now that she's using her imagination more. She loves eating out - and who am I to argue? She likes to know what our plans are ahead of time and refers to later in the day as "today-tomorrow" (i.e. I'll be putting her down for her nap and she'll ask, "What are we doing today-tomorrow?" meaning, "after I get up"). Speaking of naps, she's still napping for a couple of hours in the afternoon. She goes to bed around 8:30 but sometimes doesn't fall asleep until 10 or so. She wakes up around 8 or 8:30 in the morning. She's potty trained when she's awake, but usually saves her pooping for nap/bed time. Someday I'll have the energy to send her to bed in underpants. Overall, she's still very compliant, but I do think that we're seeing her "Terrible Twos" a year late. She's definitely testing limits more often. She's still super-sweet to Miles and overall is very kind and compassionate.

Here she is with Grandpa at birthday dinner at Medinah.

And at Sonny Acres with Aunt Jamie.

Today was her birthday celebration at preschool. She was SUPER excited to play with this Melissa and Doug cake. I know I'm sarcastic a lot, but seriously, she was talking about it all the way home.

Before eating her birthday treat at school (don't judge - you're supposed to bring store bought treats).

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl. We love you SO much!

Birthday Fiesta

 

After "The Most Important Nap of Her Life" (Matt's pep talk to Brooke before her nap on Saturday. It worked - she slept over 2 hours.), Matt's family came over for a birthday dinner for her.

Brooke and Miles got to spend some time with Grandma Audie.

And we all got to meet Jack's baby, Peter. He and Miles will be golfing buddies in the future, I'm sure.

Brooke got to hang out with Uncle Dave and Uncle Mike and Aunt Jane. (And Grandpa, Uncle Bruce and Aunt Karen, but unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of them.)

The menu was Mexican  - Brooke's favorite - along with cake and sherbet ice cream. It was her first time having sherbet and it was a big hit.

Playing with some of her presents. The girl is set for beauty time. She got dress-up clothes, "make-up", and a vanity, among many other great gifts.

Matt rose to the occasion and was able to put the vanity together.

I'll say it again - we're very blessed to have so many people who love our sweet girl so much.