Halloween! Plus!

My nephew, who I swear was just born yesterday, turned one last week. There was a party - with Eliot's favorite - pizza and cake. 

 

I think this is one of my favorite pictures ever - happy birthday. Get me out of here.

Oh, you got me cake? Never mind. I will stay.

Then Halloween happened, and we had the sassiest little raccoon you've ever seen. There's a long story behind this costume, but mostly I felt like a bad parent because when we were ready to buy him a costume we tried to get his input. Asked him, took him to a store and showed him costumes, and he had absolutely no opinion. So great, I dress him in the funniest thing I can think of. Then a week before Halloween he wants to be a train. Or a car. Sorry kid, next year speak early and often.

He didn't seem to mind after all. Once we were outside he kept telling the neighbor girl he was a monster raccoon. He was happy.

This picture? Part of the inside joke. Chris isn't really going to hit our child with a shovel.

And Trenton was the cutest pumpkin ever. He looked very unsure of the whole thing too

 



Eliot loved trick or treating though. He would run up to each house, try and press the doorbell himself and loved the fact that people put something in his bag at each house. I thought he would be done after one and just want to eat the candy. Nope. Once we told him there were more he kept saying lets go get more! We went around my parents cul-de-sac and could've done more...but he seemed happy. Definitely a fun year, and here come the holidays. I'm so excited!

A sort of summer recap

I think I just want to post some pictures here, recap what's happened this summer. I wish I had more time to post this summer but with the new house and the pregnancy and the rental and the heat...the awful ridiculous heat...and this stupid broken computer it hasn't gone well. Here's some of my favorite things I missed posting about in picture form from this summer.

Spinning in the back yard with Dad. Again and again!

Dad's new remote control toy.

From the front!

My nephew - check out those baby blues!

We spent almost every evening at the water table. Water saved this summer. These two boys are becoming such good friends - I'm jealous of all the fun they'll having in the next few years. Cousins are awesome.

At the "Choo-choo" park. Eliot spends every trip screaming "All Aboard" at the top of his lungs. It's cute to me, but a little loud to some of the kids.

The Children's Museum is so much fun now!

We love any and every park.

We made it up to the cabin a few times too. It's incredible how long these boys can play in the water! The cabin is the first time Eliot has ever skipped his nap. He's also a bit of a mess by the end of the day.

Chris had a busy summer clearing this area of rocks. I'm kind of sad that we don't have a finished product picture - it looks so nice now, I'll share soon!

A birthday party was a big hit. Matchbox cars are now a favorite. So many boys....

We went to a wedding and Eliot danced for hours.

Grandma's visiting.

One absolutely incredible sunrise off our deck...

The best end of summer haircut ever!

Hanging out and goofing off is always a favorite.

We went to the fair - Eliot's second - and he started the morning by eating an entire corn dog. Then donuts and a little bit of my raspberry malt. Eliot is a natural fair and food lover.

This is the luminarium at the fair - definitely worth the money. It was supposed to be rather zen-like but we missed that part with a 2 year old...and probably ruined it for others. But it was very cool.

Eliot loves curious george.

My mom is so great with these boys. She never complains about how exhausted they must make her.

Discovering more local parks. I played here when I was little. Full circle and all that jazz.

After a day at the zoo, falling asleep in our arms on the way back to the car. It must be great to sleep that hard.

Eliot and I went camping with a group of ladies and their kids. It went ok...would have went better if both of us hadn't been sick.

Fall came - and is almost gone already. Piles of leaves are awesome fun though.

Can't you tell we're at the apple orchard here?! We are. It was so hot - 80+ degrees - I've never picked apples in shorts and t-shirts. It was fun though. Great end to a great summer. To think that next year there will be two little guys to share it with!

 

Neglect

Today I am 13 weeks 2 days pregnant. Today I saw our baby on an ultrasound and heard the words "everything looks normal." What a great thing to hear. I didn't cry all day until about 10 hours later as I was rocking Eliot later, singing to him about peanuts and trains. And then suddenly I sobbed - catching both of us completely off guard. Because yesterday I was convinced something was wrong. Yesterday I was convinced this wasn't really happening. Up until today, I hadn't really mentally participated in this pregnancy. I couldn't. I was so scared. So I haven't written anything here in weeks. Not even about the house or Eliot or anything because I think I had put up such a wall that I couldn't even face myself. Such a wall that it took my 10 hours to even react to the news that this baby is ok.
I know nothing is guaranteed. But we all know nothing is guaranteed for any of us from day to day, but for today I know that the biggest hurdle of the first trimester is over now. And our baby looks normal. Such a boring word for such a wondorously amazing thing. Thank you for normal.
Now I can look to tomorrow. Look to finally take down this wall I've built so I can really welcome this baby into our family.
I'm happy. Over the moon. Really. I can't wait for you to come home little one. Your family is ready for you.

1.5 years

So I guess we reached one and a half yesterday! Crazy. I really feel like I don't have much to say this month to cover the last two months. I'll just illustrate what I can in pictures.

These pictures are getting harder to catch. See how big? 21 lbs 13 oz, 2 ft, 6 in. Maybe just big to me! 

Right after this picture he put the bear on the ground and proceeded to kick it repeatedly. He may be trying to tell me something. 

Fall came and went. It snowed for a while but now it's brown again.  

We've been figuring out things to do to keep us busy when it's cold. The Children's Museum was a huge hit! 

Family time is always fun too. Eliot loves to hug his cousin...his cousin is not a huge fan. 

We just had time to discover leaf piles and then they were gone.... 

So! We thought we'd try snow! 

Yea, he was not impressed at all. 

Eliot loves to brush his dad's "hair." Haha, I'd laugh too Eliot. 

We bought a year membership to the zoo! Definitely a great winter activity. 

Baths are also a favorite. Is there anything better than a clean baby? 

I don't think I've taken a picture of this thing yet - we got an indoor play/ball center. I think I really bought this thing for me because I am so jealous they didn't have this when I was growing up. He loves his ball pit!

He also loves horsing around with his mama. 

We did Christmas part one with my side of the family this weekend. A little pre-xmas excitement. 

And who can resist that face?! 

Ummmm....or that one! At leasts we know where Eliot gets his good looks! 

Our family just keeps growing - it's  a lot of fun. 

Opening up presents... 

Sharing his gifts with his 2 month old cousin, Trenton. 

 Trenton is wondering if anyone is watching out for his safety.

Seriously. 

Little bit of post-xmas overwhelmingness. 

Chris and I had our first foray into putting things together that should be simple while Eliot is sleeping but keep you up cursing Little Tikes until way past your bedtime. But the looks on his face when he got in his car...priceless. Is this mine? 

 Really mine?

Oh yea. I am so cool.