Halloween 2015

This year, Halloween landed on a Saturday. So, we didn't just trick or treat, we had fun all day. We started with a healthy breakfast, then we did spider and pumpkin crafts. After lunch, we carved and decorated our pumpkins for the front steps. Ella wanted Princess Pumpkin to be her kid and had an awful time when she realized we intended to put the pumpkin on the front steps, not her baby stroller. It reminded me of this book that Abby used to love. Ella is such a sweet and empathetic little soul, even when it comes to vegetables. I think I'll get that book out of the library this week to read to her!

Oliver was the first to get into costume and he took his post immediately.

Nagymama created the perfect costume for the girls this year! She did all the sewing and cutting, while I stuck to the tutus, glue and glitter. It was the year of SUPERGIRLS!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcGFHc8xOVw

One of our favorite parts of Halloween night is the opportunity to be out in our neighborhood spending time with friends. This year, we had dinner with our friends and then went out trick or treating together. The girls love playing with our neighbors, Sam and Nick. It's a total perk that we love hanging out with their parents too! We were out in the streets with four superheros and a police officer.

Juliet and I headed home to hand out some candy, but the big girls stuck with their daddy and made it to more houses than ever this year! They both came home ready to dump and compare their piles. I think it's safe to say they did really well. We'll have candy for months!

The next morning, Abby started sorting and counting all of her candy. Our little girl is so math minded and loves organization. It was her idea to spend the morning tallying up all of her candy and recording the results. I just love her!

six weeks

We've hit the six week mark with our little beauty! At six weeks, she weighed in at 10 pounds 9 ounces. Her big brown eyes and sweet smile melt our hearts. She has even given us some full nights of sleep!

Life Lately

Abby sang in chapel during Grandparent's Day at school.

This sweet girl and her accessories make me smile every time.

Lack of sleep has been catching up with me and I've had some pretty tired mornings, but I'm thankful that it slows me down enough to be right here. A morning playing princesses together is just what we both needed. The laundry can wait!

Ella loves reading books to anyone who will listen, especially her baby sister.

None of the girls' grandparents were able to make it for Grandparent's/VIP Day at school, so Daddy went.

I laughed out loud when I saw these two playing school. I messaged this picture to my brother who still talks about how I always forced him to sit and play school or made him listen to me read for hours. Three things: 1. Ella plays willingly. 2. Abby's stack of books is way bigger than mine ever was, Cory. 3. Ella even raises her hand! :)

Bright and early! I love that our girls wake up one by one and crawl into bed with me for morning snuggles.

When it was time for Mama to leave, Juliet and I drove her halfway and met Papa for dinner. These were my dinner dates for the evening.

Somebody forgot to tell Oliver he is not the smallest baby in the house anymore.  He hopped right up, moved Juliet over a bit and snuggled into my chest. Then, he started snoring.

Ella reading Juliet nursery rhymes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ_HO3y1FEc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PepeatSEs0

One morning, while Abby was at school, Ella took advantage of the chance to be the teacher and not the student. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOIiFbAOqNw

Juliet Grace: One Month

Weight: 9 pounds 3 ounces

Height: 21.06 inches

nursing every 3 hours or so 

going down for the night at 10 and sleeping for a five hour stretch  (in the rock n' play next to our bed)

just starting to coo and smile 

becoming super alert and checking out everything with those big brown eyes

no longer sleeping through everything

loves: 

being swaddled at night 

listening to stories with your sisters 

being held by Abby and Ella 

the rain sounds on your sleep sheep 

your pacifier 

snuggling on mommy's chest 

making cute faces at daddy 

dislikes: the bath

nicknames: Julie Bean, Jules, Dollie, (Lovey) Dovey

You are the sweetest little love and the perfect addition to our family!

Pumpkin Patch 2015

It was a beautiful fall day. The sun was shining and the girls were serious about picking the perfect pumpkin.

Mama and I

with my girl

Abby and Mama

Abby found hers pretty quickly. Ella walked us around the patch multiple times. Each time we pointed a pumpkin out for her, she considered it, then quickly shook her head no. She was determined to find it herself. :)

Juliet slept the entire time, but she was there and we loved picking our first pumpkins as a family of five.

Look at these two so much!