And the below picture was 10 seconds before that shot. As much as I love the picture above, I think I love this picture even more because it is a better depiction of us. This is our real life :).
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
{Real Life}
As you saw in my last post, this wonderful picture was taken on Thanksgiving day...
And the below picture was 10 seconds before that shot. As much as I love the picture above, I think I love this picture even more because it is a better depiction of us. This is our real life :).
And the below picture was 10 seconds before that shot. As much as I love the picture above, I think I love this picture even more because it is a better depiction of us. This is our real life :).
Monday, November 26, 2012
{Thanksgiving 2012}
Thanksgiving day was really a wonderful day. The days leading up to it and those afterward, I could have totally done without. A virus hit our family and the boys and I got it and it took us down. We have had someone sick since Sunday of last week, me included. I didn't think anything was harder than being a mom, until I tried to be a mom while sick as a dog. Chat worked 12 hour days this weekend and my dad is due for eye surgery this week and could not risk getting sick, so my parents couldn't help with the kiddos. Hardest weekend of my life.
But, by some sort of miracle, we were all well for the six hours or so we spent at my parent's house. Ben came down with a 101 fever by the time we got home, but you would have never known. We had wonderful food and a great time with my parents and my sister, Uncle David and Molly. We ate, played, napped and spent time outside. I made three pies -- pecan, chocolate and buttermilk. I really love baking at holidays and this year I even had a helper, Luke, which made it that much more fun! I also contributed corn casserole, a new addition to our Thanksgiving meal. I have been reading this book about Thanksgiving to Luke and it talks about why we eat turkey, corn and pumpkin on Thanksgiving. Well we never served corn as our Thanksgiving meal and I figured I needed to make the book true, so corn casserole we had!
Other than it being warm November day, it was the perfect way to ring in the holiday season...
This year we decided to start a tradition by writing down what we are thankful for each year. I got a table runner and had "Give Thanks" embroidered on it and also the year. Every Thanksgiving I will get the current year embroidered. I hope it will make sure all of us talk about what we are thankful for as a family and remind us what Thanksgiving is all about.
I asked Luke several times what he was thankful for. First, he said "cars". Then, he said "Thanksgiving". Lastly, he said "James" as in James the train. We wrote what we thought Ben and Molly would be thankful for, but hoping they can tell us next year. I hope this will be a keepsake that we love for years to come!
But, by some sort of miracle, we were all well for the six hours or so we spent at my parent's house. Ben came down with a 101 fever by the time we got home, but you would have never known. We had wonderful food and a great time with my parents and my sister, Uncle David and Molly. We ate, played, napped and spent time outside. I made three pies -- pecan, chocolate and buttermilk. I really love baking at holidays and this year I even had a helper, Luke, which made it that much more fun! I also contributed corn casserole, a new addition to our Thanksgiving meal. I have been reading this book about Thanksgiving to Luke and it talks about why we eat turkey, corn and pumpkin on Thanksgiving. Well we never served corn as our Thanksgiving meal and I figured I needed to make the book true, so corn casserole we had!
Other than it being warm November day, it was the perfect way to ring in the holiday season...
{Finally a picture of all us together smiling!}
{Cute cousins!}
Ben got a little startled when we tried to make noises to get their attention.
He had a little break down. But cute nonetheless.
This year we decided to start a tradition by writing down what we are thankful for each year. I got a table runner and had "Give Thanks" embroidered on it and also the year. Every Thanksgiving I will get the current year embroidered. I hope it will make sure all of us talk about what we are thankful for as a family and remind us what Thanksgiving is all about.
I asked Luke several times what he was thankful for. First, he said "cars". Then, he said "Thanksgiving". Lastly, he said "James" as in James the train. We wrote what we thought Ben and Molly would be thankful for, but hoping they can tell us next year. I hope this will be a keepsake that we love for years to come!
So we are officially on the mend. I am trying to forget this terrible weekend and get into the holiday spirit. With only 2 1/2 weeks till Ben's birthday party, we have lots to plan and do. Fa la la la!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
{28 Hours}
We just got back from visiting Chat's grandmother in Abbott, TX (population around 250 people -- yes, you read that right). From the minute we left our house yesterday until we got back today was a total of 28 hours. It was a long, busy 28 hours -- to be honest as I was packing up our whole house just to leave for one night, I started questiong why we do this. Traveling with two little ones is so much work. But then we got there. We spent quality time with Chat's grandmother who is 91 years old and lives alone who we maybe see twice a year. And then I remembered the reason we do this. Because we should. Because Chat loves his grandmother. And because spending time her grandson and great-grandsons brings her incredible joy. And we should all be able to experience joy like that in our lives.
There were times the trip was hard.
The 4 hour car trip there was hard. Like when Ben decided he was bored, restless and tired of being in his car seat starring at the headrest. He screamed for about 40 minutes straight with big crocidile tears and that was hard to hear and see. But then we stopped at Dairy Queen in Hearne, TX and got to see our kiddos eat ice cream and a blizzard. Now that was fun! What a memory...
We took Chat's grandmother to eat at Black Eyed Pea in Hillsboro, the closest town that had a restaurant. It was hard at times. Luke ran laps around our table because he had so much bottled up energy from the car. He literally would not sit down and would cause a big old scene when I tried to get him to calm down. It was quite embarassing. But then I realized that Chat's grandmother probably rarely goes out to eat. That she got to see her great-grandson Ben polish off an entire plate of macaroni and cheese (it was a site let me tell you!)! How special it must have been for her to be treated to a yummy dinner that she didn't have to prepare and eat with her great-grandchildren.
Luke was kinda a pill at times. It was hard to handle him during different times of the trip. We were in the house and he was jumping off of furniture, knocking things over and screaming at Ben when he tried to play with his toys. So we went outside and looked for cows. Luke and Ben got to run around in the field and "mooooooo" at the animals which was fun to see. And I got a picture of my son that I think is beautiful...
I didn't get much sleep. Not getting sleep is hard. Luke slept with Chat in a bed in one room and I slept in the other room with Ben who slept in a pack n play. The boys actually slept great, but I never realized all the noises Ben makes when sleeping. I was constantly waking up thinking Ben was about to start crying or wake up. But when we finally did wake up, we all sat around the breakfast table and got to eat wonderful, homemade kolaches made by Chat's grandmother. They are heaven! And Ben got to try one for the first time and I think he fell in love...
This morning we had to kill time. We wanted Ben to be really tired so he would sleep longer in the car, so we had to keep him up past his morning nap. Keeping up a tired, cranky baby is so freaking hard. So we decided to get out of the house and head to the cotton gin that Chat's grandmother runs (yes, at 91 years old!). Right by the gin is the railroad that runs through town. Luke, who is OBSESSED with trains, got to play on a real train track. I think it was a 2 1/2 year olds dream come true...
So yes, traveling is hard. The kids can be very hard. I realize that I tend to complain especially when I am tired, having to work a bit extra and burning the candle at both ends. But in the midst of all that, I need to focus on the good...less on the hard. For every 'hard' we had this trip, there was an 'oh so good'. We made memories as a family. And Chat's grandmother has an extra special Thanksgiving.
Luckily Ben slept almost the entire way home which made the trip back so much easier. It was much quicker and less stressful. We are all home, the boys are in bed and we ready for turkey and dressing tomorrow at my parent's house! As the minutes are passing me by now, the 'hard' of the trip actually seems harder to remember, and the good we shared over the past 28 hours seems to shine a bit brighter. We have so much to be thankful for and I try to remind myself that when times get hard. We are blessed.
There were times the trip was hard.
The 4 hour car trip there was hard. Like when Ben decided he was bored, restless and tired of being in his car seat starring at the headrest. He screamed for about 40 minutes straight with big crocidile tears and that was hard to hear and see. But then we stopped at Dairy Queen in Hearne, TX and got to see our kiddos eat ice cream and a blizzard. Now that was fun! What a memory...
We took Chat's grandmother to eat at Black Eyed Pea in Hillsboro, the closest town that had a restaurant. It was hard at times. Luke ran laps around our table because he had so much bottled up energy from the car. He literally would not sit down and would cause a big old scene when I tried to get him to calm down. It was quite embarassing. But then I realized that Chat's grandmother probably rarely goes out to eat. That she got to see her great-grandson Ben polish off an entire plate of macaroni and cheese (it was a site let me tell you!)! How special it must have been for her to be treated to a yummy dinner that she didn't have to prepare and eat with her great-grandchildren.
Luke was kinda a pill at times. It was hard to handle him during different times of the trip. We were in the house and he was jumping off of furniture, knocking things over and screaming at Ben when he tried to play with his toys. So we went outside and looked for cows. Luke and Ben got to run around in the field and "mooooooo" at the animals which was fun to see. And I got a picture of my son that I think is beautiful...
I didn't get much sleep. Not getting sleep is hard. Luke slept with Chat in a bed in one room and I slept in the other room with Ben who slept in a pack n play. The boys actually slept great, but I never realized all the noises Ben makes when sleeping. I was constantly waking up thinking Ben was about to start crying or wake up. But when we finally did wake up, we all sat around the breakfast table and got to eat wonderful, homemade kolaches made by Chat's grandmother. They are heaven! And Ben got to try one for the first time and I think he fell in love...
This morning we had to kill time. We wanted Ben to be really tired so he would sleep longer in the car, so we had to keep him up past his morning nap. Keeping up a tired, cranky baby is so freaking hard. So we decided to get out of the house and head to the cotton gin that Chat's grandmother runs (yes, at 91 years old!). Right by the gin is the railroad that runs through town. Luke, who is OBSESSED with trains, got to play on a real train track. I think it was a 2 1/2 year olds dream come true...
So yes, traveling is hard. The kids can be very hard. I realize that I tend to complain especially when I am tired, having to work a bit extra and burning the candle at both ends. But in the midst of all that, I need to focus on the good...less on the hard. For every 'hard' we had this trip, there was an 'oh so good'. We made memories as a family. And Chat's grandmother has an extra special Thanksgiving.
Luckily Ben slept almost the entire way home which made the trip back so much easier. It was much quicker and less stressful. We are all home, the boys are in bed and we ready for turkey and dressing tomorrow at my parent's house! As the minutes are passing me by now, the 'hard' of the trip actually seems harder to remember, and the good we shared over the past 28 hours seems to shine a bit brighter. We have so much to be thankful for and I try to remind myself that when times get hard. We are blessed.
{My boys}
Thursday, November 15, 2012
{I Am Ready!}
I am soooooooo ready for the holidays and so are Ben and Molly! I can already hear the Christmas music (that Chat will not let me listen to until Thanksgiving - argh!)...
Okay, maybe they are a little bored/annoyed with me and my shennanigans. But they are oh so cute in their festive gear!
Okay, maybe they are a little bored/annoyed with me and my shennanigans. But they are oh so cute in their festive gear!
Monday, November 12, 2012
{Ben: 11 Months Old}
Ben is 11 months old today! Only one month to go before we celebrate his big first birthday (with Santa!). This month has been very fun with him and all the new things he is doing...
1. Ben is a pointing fool. He points at everything and anything and anyone. That little pointer finger is the first thing I see when I walk in to get him from his bed or when I walk into a room where he is. It is one cute, chubby finger. I know one day he won't do this, so I kiss that little finger as often as I can.
2. He started to wave this month. Not a definite wave as I would do, but he raises his hand and kinda shakes it from side to side.
3. Ben has mastered walking! In just three weeks from when he started, he is now full speed ahead and can even get up to a stand from a sitting position and take off. He walks 90% of the time now and that means he is much more mobile, fast and inquisitive. He gets into everything! I am super happy his hands are off the floor and he doesn't have quite as much access to all the dirt on the ground.
4. Sleeping...where to start. The last I left off with that is that we were letting him work it out. It took about three weeks (misery for us both!), but he finally started sleeping through the night. Those books that say it takes three nights are full of it. That did not work on my sweet and stubborn Ben. It is pretty typical that he wakes up around 4:00 or 5:00 am and cries out for a bit, but goes back down. Sometimes he goes the full 10 or 11 hours without a peep. It is heaven and I wonder how we managed for those 9 or 10 months of waking up every three hours. He usually goes to bed between 8:00 and 8:30 pm and wakes up anywhere between 6:00 and 7:00. Daylight savings was a bit hard on us all, but he is back to sleeping to at least 6:00 am thank goodness. He naps like a champ now and has to be up by 4:00 pm from his afternoon nap if I want him asleep for the night at 8:00 pm.
5. He isn't saying any words yet really, but does say "uh-oh" (over and over and over again once you get him started) and repeats "mmmmmmm" after I say it when eating something really yummy.
6. Although he isn't saying specific words, he recognizes and knows who belongs with what name. If I ask where "Dada" is? He looks and sometimes even points to Chat. Same with the dogs and Luke.
7. We had Ben baptized on Sunday, October 28th at St. Michael Catholic Church (same place as Luke and the church we got married in -- as well as my parents). It was a special day...well from what I can remember of it. It was quite a juggle dealing with Ben and Luke in a church for over an hour with six other babies being baptized. Luke had a few meltdowns. Ben was great for the most part, just heavy to hold for that long. I was sweating by the end of it, but so happy we did it.
8. We cut his hair for the first time this month -- the mullet was just getting out of control! We took a bit off...okay a lot off from the back and some around his ears. His hair is definitely growing, but the back just wants to speed up and have its own party. My mom helped me trim it and then I did a little bit more myself at home. I am thinking this is the way we will do it until he needs a big, professional haircut.
9. The boy loves to eat now! For such a slow starter or no starter really when it came to baby food, he loves real food. His favorite...macaroni and cheese! He inhales it and I have trouble keeping it stocked on his tray when that is the main menu item. He eats bananas, grapes and apples well and loves all carbs (clearly my son). He really enjoys green beans and will sometimes go for the broccoli. He loves sweets and anything he can get of Luke's plate or sippy cup.
Speaking of sippy cup, when he turns one in just a few short weeks I am going to try to wean him. I have no idea if I am going to try to get him on whole milk through a bottle or go straight to a cup. I have never had to deal with transitioning to milk while breastfeeding with the whole bottle/sippy cup issue. He loves water from a sippy cup, but I don't know how he will like milk without getting to nurse. I know this might be a challenge, but I do know it is best for both of us to get him on to whole milk when he turns one. I just know we have a few different challenges with this and not really sure where to start. I guess I will take it one day at a time.
Our Ben is just a joy...always smiling away. He is such a ham and so fun to have around. He definitely has his moments just as all babies do, but he really is a sweetie pie. His first birthday party is going to be December 15th and I need to get into full planning mode! I have lots of ideas, but need to start working on them. I can't wait to celebrate this big guy -- it has been one heck of a year!
1. Ben is a pointing fool. He points at everything and anything and anyone. That little pointer finger is the first thing I see when I walk in to get him from his bed or when I walk into a room where he is. It is one cute, chubby finger. I know one day he won't do this, so I kiss that little finger as often as I can.
2. He started to wave this month. Not a definite wave as I would do, but he raises his hand and kinda shakes it from side to side.
3. Ben has mastered walking! In just three weeks from when he started, he is now full speed ahead and can even get up to a stand from a sitting position and take off. He walks 90% of the time now and that means he is much more mobile, fast and inquisitive. He gets into everything! I am super happy his hands are off the floor and he doesn't have quite as much access to all the dirt on the ground.
4. Sleeping...where to start. The last I left off with that is that we were letting him work it out. It took about three weeks (misery for us both!), but he finally started sleeping through the night. Those books that say it takes three nights are full of it. That did not work on my sweet and stubborn Ben. It is pretty typical that he wakes up around 4:00 or 5:00 am and cries out for a bit, but goes back down. Sometimes he goes the full 10 or 11 hours without a peep. It is heaven and I wonder how we managed for those 9 or 10 months of waking up every three hours. He usually goes to bed between 8:00 and 8:30 pm and wakes up anywhere between 6:00 and 7:00. Daylight savings was a bit hard on us all, but he is back to sleeping to at least 6:00 am thank goodness. He naps like a champ now and has to be up by 4:00 pm from his afternoon nap if I want him asleep for the night at 8:00 pm.
5. He isn't saying any words yet really, but does say "uh-oh" (over and over and over again once you get him started) and repeats "mmmmmmm" after I say it when eating something really yummy.
6. Although he isn't saying specific words, he recognizes and knows who belongs with what name. If I ask where "Dada" is? He looks and sometimes even points to Chat. Same with the dogs and Luke.
7. We had Ben baptized on Sunday, October 28th at St. Michael Catholic Church (same place as Luke and the church we got married in -- as well as my parents). It was a special day...well from what I can remember of it. It was quite a juggle dealing with Ben and Luke in a church for over an hour with six other babies being baptized. Luke had a few meltdowns. Ben was great for the most part, just heavy to hold for that long. I was sweating by the end of it, but so happy we did it.
8. We cut his hair for the first time this month -- the mullet was just getting out of control! We took a bit off...okay a lot off from the back and some around his ears. His hair is definitely growing, but the back just wants to speed up and have its own party. My mom helped me trim it and then I did a little bit more myself at home. I am thinking this is the way we will do it until he needs a big, professional haircut.
9. The boy loves to eat now! For such a slow starter or no starter really when it came to baby food, he loves real food. His favorite...macaroni and cheese! He inhales it and I have trouble keeping it stocked on his tray when that is the main menu item. He eats bananas, grapes and apples well and loves all carbs (clearly my son). He really enjoys green beans and will sometimes go for the broccoli. He loves sweets and anything he can get of Luke's plate or sippy cup.
Speaking of sippy cup, when he turns one in just a few short weeks I am going to try to wean him. I have no idea if I am going to try to get him on whole milk through a bottle or go straight to a cup. I have never had to deal with transitioning to milk while breastfeeding with the whole bottle/sippy cup issue. He loves water from a sippy cup, but I don't know how he will like milk without getting to nurse. I know this might be a challenge, but I do know it is best for both of us to get him on to whole milk when he turns one. I just know we have a few different challenges with this and not really sure where to start. I guess I will take it one day at a time.
Our Ben is just a joy...always smiling away. He is such a ham and so fun to have around. He definitely has his moments just as all babies do, but he really is a sweetie pie. His first birthday party is going to be December 15th and I need to get into full planning mode! I have lots of ideas, but need to start working on them. I can't wait to celebrate this big guy -- it has been one heck of a year!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
{Potty Training Update}
So this is pretty much my view at home these days.
What is it about little boys and underwear that makes them so darn cute?!?!
The last I updated, I was not sure how to move forward - go all in, go back strictly to just diapers or follow Luke's cues and go at his pace. We ended doing the third option and relaxing a bit and letting him lead us on how to do this. And the result?? Luke is actually doing pretty well. He wears choo-choo pants (aka underwear) when he is at home and for the most part is not having any accidents. He uses his little potty and likes getting his treats for his success.
When we are out and about or sleeping, he is in a diaper and it doesn't seem to bother him. He seems to go back and forth easily between the two. Occasionally he will request a diaper because he doesn't want to use the potty. I try not to fight him on this and will try to encourage the potty, but if all else fails, he gets his diaper.
I am thinking we will do this for a few more weeks and then maybe try underwear at school in December or January. I think he could actually do it now, but with the holidays coming up and lots of car trips and outtings, I am thinking if we wait it will be easier on us all.
We have taken a very relaxed approached and it seems to have worked. I am just praying that things continue to go well and this boy will be out of diapers soon! I am very, very proud of Luke. He sure is growing up!
What is it about little boys and underwear that makes them so darn cute?!?!
The last I updated, I was not sure how to move forward - go all in, go back strictly to just diapers or follow Luke's cues and go at his pace. We ended doing the third option and relaxing a bit and letting him lead us on how to do this. And the result?? Luke is actually doing pretty well. He wears choo-choo pants (aka underwear) when he is at home and for the most part is not having any accidents. He uses his little potty and likes getting his treats for his success.
When we are out and about or sleeping, he is in a diaper and it doesn't seem to bother him. He seems to go back and forth easily between the two. Occasionally he will request a diaper because he doesn't want to use the potty. I try not to fight him on this and will try to encourage the potty, but if all else fails, he gets his diaper.
I am thinking we will do this for a few more weeks and then maybe try underwear at school in December or January. I think he could actually do it now, but with the holidays coming up and lots of car trips and outtings, I am thinking if we wait it will be easier on us all.
We have taken a very relaxed approached and it seems to have worked. I am just praying that things continue to go well and this boy will be out of diapers soon! I am very, very proud of Luke. He sure is growing up!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
{Right Now}
Right now, I am:
- Sitting at my computer with the door open watching Chloe roll around in the grass
- Loving the lack of humidity in the air
- Enjoying the house being quiet
- Hoping Ben stopped crying after I dropped him off from school (I hate when he cries)
- A little worried that I am getting sick because my throat feels a little funny
- Excited that I get to go run errands by myself
- So anxious to get a look at the family/kiddo pictures we took this past Saturday
- Wishing Luke a good day at school and hoping his jealousy of baby brother at home subsides a bit
- About to head to Bed Bath and Beyond to hopefully find something I need for a surprise Thanksgiving project I am working on for my family
- A little unsettled about how my house is so junky at the moment
- Looking at the stack of invitations for Ben's first birthday party and wanting to send them out right now! (but waiting a few more days)
Happy Wednesday!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
{To Grandmother's House We Go}
The day after Halloween, Chat, the boys and I loaded up the car and headed to Victoria to visit the boy's great grandmother. Chat had to visit a power plant nearby so we thought it would be a good idea for me and the boys to come to spend some time with my sweet grandmother. She is 91 years old and doesn't miss a beat. She is very healthy and loves it when we visit, which isn't nearly enough. It felt so good to be able to spend time with her and let her see the boys and see how much they have grown. It was also wonderful to eat some of her amazing cherry pie!
Ben stole the show that day! He was almost as sweet as her cherry pie and just toddled around (I think he LOVED her carpet) and smiled and smiled at her. I think he made my grandmother's day. He sat in her lap a few times and they looked at books and she hugged on him. He found ever picture frame and nick nack on every side or end table. We had to put everything away, but other than that he was a perfect visitor. He even got a whole cookie to himself. I think he thought he won his own baby lottery!
Luke did well although it took him a little bit of time to warm up which is pretty typical of him at his age. We had a few train-throwing incidents and was a little rough some times, but he did well overall. He liked picking oranges from her fruit trees and playing on her back patio. He even gave grandma a hug a few times which I know she loved. I got a picture of one hug when we were outside...
I will be heading back to Victoria with the boys a few days before Thanksgiving and then maybe sometime in December to celebrate Christmas with her and the rest of the family. I hope we catch a few more memories on camera like we did this week :).
Ben stole the show that day! He was almost as sweet as her cherry pie and just toddled around (I think he LOVED her carpet) and smiled and smiled at her. I think he made my grandmother's day. He sat in her lap a few times and they looked at books and she hugged on him. He found ever picture frame and nick nack on every side or end table. We had to put everything away, but other than that he was a perfect visitor. He even got a whole cookie to himself. I think he thought he won his own baby lottery!
Luke did well although it took him a little bit of time to warm up which is pretty typical of him at his age. We had a few train-throwing incidents and was a little rough some times, but he did well overall. He liked picking oranges from her fruit trees and playing on her back patio. He even gave grandma a hug a few times which I know she loved. I got a picture of one hug when we were outside...
I will be heading back to Victoria with the boys a few days before Thanksgiving and then maybe sometime in December to celebrate Christmas with her and the rest of the family. I hope we catch a few more memories on camera like we did this week :).
Friday, November 2, 2012
{Halloween 2012}
It is already the 2nd day of November. Where is time going?!?! Halloween seems like it was a month ago, yet it was not even two days ago. We stayed in our neighborhood and had an absolute blast. Oh wait, first we made cupcakes when Ben was napping and then let the dogs lick the beaters....
Once Ben was up and we were done making cupcakes and got in our costumes, we walked to our friend's house (thanks Whitney and Chad!) around 5:30 and let the kids run around and we chowed down on some chili. Then we set out to go trick or treating around 6:30ish. Several families all went together and loaded up strollers and wagons. It was soooo much fun! Here was the whole gang (minus a few little babies who couldn't quite sit up on their own yet)...
Luke went as a baseball player. We had to think of something where he didn't realize he was wearing a costume. He doesn't like to wear anything bulky (we can barely get him to wear pants at times!) and hates any type of hat or head gear. So a baseball shirt it was! We personalized it with a Chicago Cubs patch on the front and his last name on the back...
Ben went as a baseball! We tried to get into a theme and well, since Ben is round, we thought a baseball would be perfect. There are no costumes out there like what I was imagining, so I got out the sewing machine and made this little number with felt and red ric rac. It was my first costume to make by myself and I was actually really proud of it (even though it was a very simple project). He was adorable!
Luke loved running up to houses, but also enjoyed curbside service when daddy brought him right to the front door with the wagon. He ate so much candy that night...his favorite being Starbursts and Laffy Taffy. I know I should have regulated, but if you can't eat candy on Halloween night, when can you eat it?? We have rationed it since with him only getting it when he uses the potty. Of course, Ben loved watching everyone and just being outside. He did great until the last 15 minutes or so when we had to carry him. My arm is still burning from that.
We finished up around 8:00 pm and headed home. We threw the boys in bed and collapsed on the couch around 9:00 pm. I had no idea Halloween could be this exhausting! But it really was such a wonderful night. It is crazy to think Ben wasn't even born this time last year. He is now laughing and walking and babbling away! Luke has grown so much and just so much fun to experience all the holidays with. I truly felt blessed after such a great night. I can't wait for the next two months with all the holidays ahead of us!
{My helper...}
{...who LOVES icing!}
{Two very lucky dogs}
{Finished product...yum!}
Once Ben was up and we were done making cupcakes and got in our costumes, we walked to our friend's house (thanks Whitney and Chad!) around 5:30 and let the kids run around and we chowed down on some chili. Then we set out to go trick or treating around 6:30ish. Several families all went together and loaded up strollers and wagons. It was soooo much fun! Here was the whole gang (minus a few little babies who couldn't quite sit up on their own yet)...
Luke went as a baseball player. We had to think of something where he didn't realize he was wearing a costume. He doesn't like to wear anything bulky (we can barely get him to wear pants at times!) and hates any type of hat or head gear. So a baseball shirt it was! We personalized it with a Chicago Cubs patch on the front and his last name on the back...
Ben went as a baseball! We tried to get into a theme and well, since Ben is round, we thought a baseball would be perfect. There are no costumes out there like what I was imagining, so I got out the sewing machine and made this little number with felt and red ric rac. It was my first costume to make by myself and I was actually really proud of it (even though it was a very simple project). He was adorable!
Luke loved running up to houses, but also enjoyed curbside service when daddy brought him right to the front door with the wagon. He ate so much candy that night...his favorite being Starbursts and Laffy Taffy. I know I should have regulated, but if you can't eat candy on Halloween night, when can you eat it?? We have rationed it since with him only getting it when he uses the potty. Of course, Ben loved watching everyone and just being outside. He did great until the last 15 minutes or so when we had to carry him. My arm is still burning from that.
{Curbside service}
We finished up around 8:00 pm and headed home. We threw the boys in bed and collapsed on the couch around 9:00 pm. I had no idea Halloween could be this exhausting! But it really was such a wonderful night. It is crazy to think Ben wasn't even born this time last year. He is now laughing and walking and babbling away! Luke has grown so much and just so much fun to experience all the holidays with. I truly felt blessed after such a great night. I can't wait for the next two months with all the holidays ahead of us!
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