Happy Halloween!

I will hopefully get the full review of our costumes up soon today.  But thought these may be helpful for some of you tonight.  I didn’t want to be a bad neighbor and not have candy for all the munchkins we have around us.  But William and I both want to take the kids trick or treating.  So I found these printables and will leave a bowl of candy out with one of these signs.  Click on the picture to take you to the site where you can download the full page version.  Happy candy getting! :)

Weekend in Peoria

This past weekend, we had a fabulous time in Peoria.  We went for a couple reasons.  1) I needed help getting the kiddo's costumes done and 2) my brother, Philip, was in town to see us his new girlfriend, Kara.  We arrived Friday night just in time for some Monical's pizza.  The kiddos got to stay up late and then the adults watched We Bought A Zoo.  Cute movie, if you haven't seen it yet.

Then on Saturday morning, we ventured to downtown Peoria to go the newly opened Caterpillar Visitors Center. It's a pretty impressive building.  If you don't have kids with you, you can actually read about how Caterpillar got started and all the neat things they do around the world.  Or if you have kids, you can chase them around as they climb on the really cool tractors.

William enjoyed the architecture

thanks Louise for the adorable outfit!

getting ready to head inside

checking out the massive two-story Cat 797 truck

he really didn't love being in the driver's seat

Grandma and Ellison

   

we both fit in the scoop!

just a few of the tractors

walking up and down the stairs was his favorite part

William and Owen

that's one big wheel

Kara and Philip went with us

Then we went home to do lunch and naps.  That afternoon and evening, my mom and I worked on getting the kiddo's costumes all finished up.  Then on Sunday, we got to go to my parents church.  It's always so fun to see all their hard work.  We love it there!

in Sunday best

  

worship

hanging out in the cry room

Kara and Philip

so cute.  haha - just checking that you read my blog :)

All in all, a fabulous weekend.  Thanks Mom for helping out with the kiddos so much while we're there.  It almost feels like a vacation.

Happy 6 Months!

My sweet little girl is 6 months old (well, a few weeks ago).  A half a year.  Whew that went fast.   The first birthday party may already be in the planning stages.  She is developing such a sweet little personality and for the most part is a happy little girl!The Stats: This was a week ago or so, but she’s growing great.  She’s 16lb 12.5 oz (75th percentile) and 26.5 in (75th percentile).  Her head continues to be the perfect knitting head model at 42.5 cm and exactly the 50th percentile.  Milestones:  She’s been sitting up for about 3 weeks now completely by herself.   She loves the freedom this is bringing her.  I think Owen thinks she’s a big kid now because he’s been a little more rough with her lately.  She also can scoot herself backwards while on her tummy.  I have a feeling she’ll be full on moving much quicker than I want her to.  She babbles all the time and is a shrieker!!Loves/Hates:  She loves to sit up and play with her basket of toys.  Owen only allows her to play with certain trucks and cars, but she does love when she can get her hands on anything that’s not a “baby toy.”  She loves her jumperoo and likes to be in on all the action.  She loves bath time, especially now that she can sit up just like her brother without anything holding her.She loves to kick her legs.  Anytime you lay her on her back, this is what she does.  She’ll do it for awhile before putting herself to sleep.Feeding:  She is still a great nurser. She typically just nurses on one side unless it’s before bedtime.  I love nursing at this stage.  She gets so excited before diving into the boob.   She is getting a little more distractable, so we usually have to go nurse in her room to be sure she eats everything.    But onto the more fun things: “real” food!  She’s doing a great job eating.  I’m pretty lazy with this, so she only gets it about once a day.  She is the messiest eater which drives me crazy.  So far, she has had:

butternut squash
avocado
pears
apples
peas
sweet potato
banana (poor girl’s tummy was a mess after these)
rice cereal Sleep: she’s a great napper.  Usually 3 a day.  One early morning, one right around lunch and the last one later in the afternoon.  I nurse her and she’ll put herself to sleep.  Nighttime sleep is awful right now though.  I feel like she’s reverted back to newborn sleep and is up every 2 hours or so “needing” the boob.  We’re about ready to do a little night weaning tough love. :)  This momma’s tired. Other stuff: She is going through some major stranger anxiety.  I tried to leave her in the nursery for a Mom2Mom event and I got paged within about 10 minutes.  But she finally recognizing William as her dad though and she gives him the biggest smiles!Except for once or twice, she continues to leave things on her head!  I’m one happy momma about this one.And of course, she’s still madly in love with her brother.  She lights up when he comes in the room and watches his every move. I pray they continue to be good friends! Such an amazing little person.  We love you Ellison Jakeh!

Pinned It, Did It Monday

Every Monday, I try to show you the pins I did from Pinterest that past week.  But today, I would simply like you to take a look at this.  I have no shame. Enter my craft room: Oh yes.  It’s really that bad.  This what happens when you 1) have craft ADD and 2) are crazy and decide to make your kiddos costumes.  But I think they’re going to the be the cutest things ever.  So no extra pins done this week.  I will leave you with these previews and I’ll try to resume normal blogging soon! :)

first time in jeans

I just love babies in jeans.  No, they aren’t very comfy but look how dang cute she is?!  She wore this little number to church last week and out to eat with friends at Olive Garden. Ahh, that’s a little more comfy. Mmmm, these toys are yummy.

Claire Ruth

Whew, bad blogging week for me.  Sorry folks, going to try and catch up today and tomorrow while we’re in Peoria and I have a few extra hands to help.

This past Thursday, Ellie and I went to a baby shower to celebrate this sweet little girl, Claire W (picture stolen from her mom’s facebook page).I sadly took no pictures of the shower, but wanted to show off the girly cuteness I made for her.  A “C” onesie, headband, and matching bib.  And of course every little girl needs some headbands and clips! Welcome to the world little Claire!