Halloween!!

Halloween is not my favorite holiday but the kids sure love it.  This year Esther spiked a huge fever the night before and she was tearful as she realized that night it meant she would not get to go to school and enjoy her class Halloween party.  We took her to get swabbed just to make sure it wasn't strep--there were many tears about swab fears too.  No strep so she had to just get through the virus.  Fortunately, with the help of some medication, by the evening she felt up to trick or treating just for a little while.  We dropped her off after an hour and hit a few more houses because Isaac and Lucy weren't "done" and I figured it was okay since they didn't have school the next day.  

  John HATES dressing up but I did get him to wear this awesome skeleton tee and it was pretty cute that he matched little Wesley's costume/pajamas.  

 The big sick "baby".  

 Minion!

 Taylor Swift striking a pose in her fancy dress.  

It's actually just Esther's old Christmas dress but she was happy as long as she got to buy red lipstick and a toy microphone.  Done.  

 Family Halloween pic--Wes has a hard time focusing for pics.

 My dad and Ann came for dinner--they wore their crazy Jazz hats. 

Those crazies.

Sorting and trading candy is always the best part of the night.  John and I enjoy stealing all of Isaac's prohibited candy (anything with nuts) and eating it as our necessary parental duty.

The Annual Awesome Pumpkin Carving Party with the Ayala's

A sweet friend always invites us to her pumpkin carving party.  We get to eat yummy soup, rolls, apples, and dessert and then we go crazy carving our pumpkins.  Mostly, the kids do the designing and John ends up doing the carving but we all still have a good time. 

 Lucy was really into her jack-o-lantern's eyelashes.

 Isaac picked this green pumpkin that crossbred in our garden--we didn't 

even plant pumpkins this year but thanks to not throwing out rotting pumpkins 

the year before we got them again this year.  Yay. 

 Esther focusing on her serious design.

 The party people.

 

The cute kids and their festive pumpkins.  

Wesley-1 Month Old

Can't believe it's been a month since Wes was born.  He is getting chubby and even smiling on occasion.  He still HATES to get his diaper changed but he doesn't cry quite as hard as he used to.  Wesley loves baths, nursing, being on his tummy, and being held--a lot.  And we do hold him a lot because having him is a little miracle to us that we can't stop adoring him and cuddling him.  It is strange what a different person I am from the one I was when I had my first baby.  I still have lots of anxiety and fear for him but it's so different and based on so much more experience.  I feel like a deeper more serene person and it's made having this baby a richer amazing experience.  I think I am living more in the moment and treasuring it.  Mindfulness.  I feel so blessed and yet having Wesley has made me miss Iris and my mom a little more.  I think it has made me realize how much I missed out on with Iris and it makes me sad to think Wesley will never be babysat, held, or cuddled by my mom.  She was really good with babies and helped me calm down with all my fears that come up with a vulnerable newborn.  John went out of town for a week for work and that's when I had a major breakdown and was really missing my mom.  She is just the one that made sure we were always okay when he was gone--having us over for dinner, sleepovers, and just hanging out and chatting with her made me feel not so alone with my 3 kids.  John's mom, fortunately, was able to stay with us for the week he was gone and that saved me.  She was so great to keep us company while he was gone--having her around at nights and on the weekend kept me sane--plus we got to have fried green tomatoes for the first time.  :)  I am so glad my kids and Wesley got to have lots of time with Nana.  Back to feeling blessed.  My grief will continue over the years but I am grateful I can mostly feel peace and joy.  This baby has definitely brought us a lot of joy.  Happy one month!  Didn't mean to go on so long...

Wesley-Two Weeks Old

If there are two things Isaac loves right now, it's preschool and Wesley.  He gets a little devastated on the days where he doesn't have preschool.  He LOVES to have a backpack and a "planner"(actually just a folder) like the girls.  He's so proud of everything he makes and learns--I love this guy's enthusiasm!  Then there's Isaac's love for Wesley.  He CANNOT stop kissing this baby.  Even when he has a cold he asks and asks and I finally relent and let him kiss his feet or legs.  This baby must get 50 kisses a day from Isaac.  We all love to kiss him but Isaac might love it the most.