Halloween 2013

 We had a super fun Halloween this year! Both Logan and Norah were really into wearing their costumes and trick-or-treating, which made it all the more fun. 

I can't believe how much candy these two got. Their first trick-or-treating experience was at Daddy's work party (Yes, they are in a Barbie box - Norah was especially entranced).

 We had a "mummy" lunch complete with mummy hot dogs, ghost bananas on a stick and pumpkin cheese!

 On Tuesday night we carved pumpkins

Logan drew the face on his all by himself.

Hard to tell but we had the pumpkins lit in this picture. We turned off the lights to get the real effect. The kids loved them.

Logan did great in his Halloween program and got even more candy from his classmates and teacher. 

Singing, "I'm a Mean Old Witch" - I remember learning this song when I was in preschool. 

We went to Arctic Circle for a Spooky Halloween lunch. Logan mostly wore the mask on top on his head. This was a rare moment when he put it all the way on.

 I tried getting some pictures of the kids later on at the house.

Mimicking Mom because I was making funny faces and noises to get them to look at the camera. Still didn't work.

 A better shot of Logan with the witch mask he made at school.

 Norah makes a cute witch too.

 Going for a different angle with my camera. Logan looks like a bobble-head in this photo. Haha.

 This is the pose Norah made for me when I told her to fly.

Captain America running into the leaves. Both kids would start in the back corner of the yard (where Norah is standing) and run all the way over to the other side. I made Logan keep his sucker out of his mouth while running after this photo was taken.

 

Here comes Supergirl!

Max was here too but I didn't really dress him up. He enjoyed trick-or-treating in the baby carrier and taking long naps. 

Happy Halloween!

October Happenings

 I've been trying to do a Halloween Countdown, beginning on the 1st of October. Here are a few of the activities we've done:

Pumpkin Patch

Halloween Activity Books

Logan has learned how to write his name!

Cherry Hill (these two had lots of fun with Daddy)

Playing mini golf,

going on a wagon ride,

going through a pumpkin maze,

 enjoying the bouncy house and ball pit,

 and riding rides (that didn't really move but were fun anyway).

Other things we've done are:

Reading Fall books

Donuts

Halloween Happy Meals

Halloween movie

Library storytime

Nature Walk

We're looking forward to:

"Boo" Breakfast

Sugar cookies

Carving Pumpkins

"Mummy" Lunch

Stickers

Halloween Party

Treat-or-Treating!

Max at 1 Month

 Little Man turned 1 month old!

It's amazing how much newborns change in just a few short weeks. Max is starting to sport a double chine and getting a little more filled out.

He sometimes LOVES his binkie, other times wants nothing to do with it. He's very alert and seems to be taking in the world.

He has a super cute dimple that I finally caught on camera! No smiles yet besides the sweet almost-asleep ones.

I love rocking him in his room and breathing him in. You know that smell, right? Ah, the best thing ever.

He's eating constantly and pooping even more. He gets smothered in kisses all day long from everyone in this household. He can lift his head really well. He doesn't have a loud cry but when he's mad it gets higher and higher. He knows his momma's voice and likes to be sung to.

Happy 1 month Max!

Maxwell's Newborn Photos

 We took Max to get some newborn pictures when he was 9 days new. Our photographer was great and so patient with our family. It was quite the ordeal for Logan and Norah to sit still long enough to get a decent family and sibling photo. 

Max was a little uncooperative and didn't want to fall asleep. He was fed and warm, but didn't want to lay on his tummy or get posed. We did eventually get some sweet sleepy photos. Here's a few of my favorites.

So in love with this sweet baby boy. I'm a lucky momma.

Our photographer can be found HERE.

First Bath

 The verdict: Max rather enjoyed the bath but didn't like getting out and being dried off. He liked getting warmed up in his clothes and a blanket and took a really good nap afterward!

First 2 Weeks

 Well, we have survived the first 2 weeks. Besides a little sleep deprivation and a whole lot of laundry, we are doing really well. My recovery is great, Max is an amazing baby, and we've been enjoying our time together as a family. Benj has been able to take the week off, plus I've had some amazing help from my parents as well as Benj's mom. 

Speaking of help, here are my two amazing parents right before they left to go back to Idaho. They were so helpful and it was hard to say goodbye!

Benj's sister and family came to meet Max too. 

3 days old

Max has gotten a lot of love from Logan and Norah. They have truly been great with him. I received the best advice. My mom told me to let the older kids feel like they are helping with the baby. My mother-in-law told me to spend some quality time with each child. Both bits of wisdom have helped a lot with this transition. 

Love this picture.

Maxwell at 1 week old. His daddy picked out the onesie, can you tell?

I love these sweet moments.

Today was my big boy's 2 week check-up. He did great. He now weighs 10 lbs 1 oz so he's growing like a champ. The doctor told me he looks like a 2 month old. She also thought Max's dimple was really cute. That'll be easier to capture when we start getting some smiles!

I had to do a side-by-side of my two boys, both at 2 weeks at the doctor's office. They are definitely brothers.

Things we've learned about Max so far:

-loves to be swaddled and held

-almost always waits for his diaper to be off before doing his business - seriously so much laundry

-usually sleeps in 4-hour increments at night

-sometimes is gassy, which has caused me to cut out some dairy and chocolate in my diet

-sometimes hums/sighs in his sleep

-turns his head when he hears my voice

-sounds like a pterodactyl when he cries

-head is a little lopsided from the vacuum. It should even out over the next couple months

-is super strong

-often kicks and wiggles out of his blankets

-never wore newborn clothes and fits most of his 3 month clothing

Happy 2 weeks Maxwell!