I caught myself grinning from ear to ear this morning when I went back and found these pictures of Eli's first Halloween:
...and here's Jude.
Loving my bald babies!! I still see a brotherly resemblance, but the eyes give it away. I'll be back with more Halloween fun tomorrow, but I couldn't resist sharing these.
Oh fall, how I love thee! You are definitely my favorite season. And for so many reasons. I love the cooler, crisp temperatures, I love fall smells, I love the colors, I love fall food and flavors, I love the holidays in fall, I love football, I love, I love, I love! I love it all. I am trying right now to think of one part of fall that I don't like. Nope. Can't think of any.
Fall foods trump all other seasons' flavors in my book. Winter is a kinda-not-really close second. Then....wayyyyy on down there are summer and spring.
I have already outed myself as one who loves all things pumpkin...treats, especially. You know how much I enjoy my pumpkin spice lattes. Surprisingly, I don't enjoy pumpkin pie, but I think that is a pie thing, not a flavor thing. And I tried a pumpkin pasta recipe one time that I was not a fan of....but other than that, I haven't met a lot of pumpkin goodies that I don't like. My most recent pumpkin love is pumpkin ice cream from Brusters (with hot fudge!) Oh my word, YUM! Jude couldn't get enough either and would scream at me if I took two bites in a row without giving him a nibble.
Now, pumpkin is not the only fall food I've been indulging in lately. I have been branching out and making other yummy fall flavored recipes. Two recent hits in our house were Butternut Squash Soup.....
Matt was surprised how much he liked it. He didn't even know he liked butternut squash. Jude smacked his lips and couldn't get enough of it. Eli....not a fan. Well, he isn't a fan of soup, so he doesn't count. Overall, a hit all around.
Another hit. Don't know why it took me so long to try Nutella. I had heard all the rave reviews, but we are now a Nutella loving household. Eli is what you would call a HUGE fan!
Mmmm! In addition to taking advantage of the tastes of fall, we are trying to soak up and enjoy the cooler temps and blue sky days we've had this past week. We made our way to another festival on Saturday....not too far from home, The St. Mark's Stone Crab Festival.
Lots of fun things to see, yummy seafood, amazing people watching, and entertainment for the kids. Eli continues to love dress-up and playing pretend. With Halloween around the corner, it has been the perfect excuse to dress up even more. Face paint and dress up go hand in hand, so our new little Scooby Doo fan wanted to get his face painted as a.....
MONSTER!
So scary!! He absolutely LOVED it. In the past, Eli has almost always turned down face paint. He just hasn't been into it. Well, I'd say he is now a fan. What started out as a simple monster mask on the top half of his face, soon became an elaborate, full-face creation.
I think the face painter got a little carried away, but Eli was thrilled. He kept worrying about everyone having their pants scared off when they saw him. Hilarious! And let me tell you, it was not easy to get off that night either. We had an Adam Lambert look-alike with all of the stubborn black makeup around his eyes. Thank goodness for Mommy's eye-makeup remover.
Holidays are definitely more fun with little ones. Yay for Halloween and...
I took the boys to a pumpkin patch one day last week....
Eli was in a super silly mood, so I wasn't able to get a good picture of the boys together (...despite the bazillion I took). This is the best I got:
I think I need to come clean...not sure if it is much of a secret.....I'm kinda obsessed with pumpkins. I like them a lot. And when you add my favorite little boys to the mix....well, this means too many pictures to choose from. Here is a small(relative term...) sample of my favorites from this trip. (Yes, I intend to visit another patch before Halloween.)
Don't say I didn't warn you. I told you I really like pumpkins and my punkins. They are just too cute!! (I'm biased, I know...) Well, I hope you are enjoying the pumpkin season as much as we are.
Seriously. Once school started, I felt like I had more time on my hands with Eli back in school. Not so much anymore. There is always something to be done, some place to be. And as much fun as it is to document what we've been up to, I'd much rather be out, actually doing the document-able things!
So what have we been up to? For starters, last weekend was full of soccer, a Pumpkin Festival with some friends, another lack-luster Gator game, and a trip to The Lake to spend time with our extended family.
We have also been trying to set the wheels in motion for Jude's first birthday party. Doing our best to keep it low key and small-ish. Definitely want to celebrate the little man's first year of life, but definitely don't want to experience stressful party planning....if that is at all possible. We are doing a pajama party on his actual birthday. I've been feeling happy-sad about this big event coming up so soon.
The weather took a turn this week, and we have had some beautiful fall days. Blue skies, cooler temps, just awesome. It makes me want to open up my windows and eat pumpkin flavored goodies....again. Any excuse to do so, right? I just think pumpkin tastes better when it is cold out. Is it just me? This morning's pumpkin treat was pumpkin pie oatmeal.
Jude and I both enjoyed it for breakfast. While I used maple syrup to sweeten mine, natural apple sauce worked nicely for Jude. Mmmmm!
Another week down and another weekend to live it up. I know one thing for sure, the Gators can't lose tomorrow. Haha! Happy weekend to all!
I have mentioned a couple of times the rut that I'm feeling stuck in. This rut pops up in front of me from time to time and I fall in. I've been feeling that I am in deep this time.
Yesterday, I was crabby and moody. I caught myself snapping at the baby for fussing. Come on, Katie. Really? He doesn't deserve that. I was feeling overwhelmed and run down. I was feeling sorry for myself and pretty unseen. It was just that kind of a day. (We have all been there....definitely not looking for pity.) But the awesome part of the story, and the reason I am sharing it today is because amidst all my angst and wallowing, I escaped out to church to meet with some wonderful women and for a moment of peace. I left both boys home with Matt, and I made time for me. During our praise, I sang the word "awaken" and it hit my core. I sang it again, and I felt it. I felt a tingling rise up inside of me that manifested itself as goosebumps. I felt electric and alive. A smile spread across my face, and I felt happy. I can't tell you how much I needed this. The things that were getting me down or making me feel unworthy seemed small now as I had been awakened.
I am feeling different today. Better. Awake. The rut is still here, but I'm okay where I am in it.
(As I reread what I just wrote, it almost sounds cheesy, but hopefully the honesty of it makes it a little less cheesy)
*************************
You know what else makes this girl feel better when she is crabby? Being crafty. I took a little me-time to make the boys some homemade Halloween shirts....they aren't perfect, but I finished them quickly, and I think they're cute.
I have been a little depressed and delaying this post as it means it is real. It means that Jude is almost 1. My baby is almost 1. I can't get over it. Sigh.
Jude continues to be a light in our lives and is showing signs that he isn't a little baby any more. He does big boy things everyday. Like finding a fabulous center of balance. He is letting go more and more on his own, squatting and trying to stand back up. Maybe he will be walking sooner than I think. I am not worried about the trouble he'll get into when he walks...he is already a speed crawler and trouble maker/finder. I have caught him climbing up on tables and such. He's a mess! I don't want to admit my little mischief maker is old enough to walk.
Jude has become very verbal this month. He loves the sound of his voice....especially loud. He squeals, yells, sings, talks all kinds of gibberish, mimics us, and yes, he says some real words too. His favorite word (and toy...) is "ball." "Mama" is another favorite word these days. Some of the new words he is working on are: bye-bye, light, Eli, brother, go, dog, and many more. He really thinks he is carrying on conversations right along with us.
He continues to sign and is definitely understanding a lot of what we say to him. He can follow some simple directions. I love how he tries to copy us by talking on the phone and using the remote to change channels.
This boy's giggle is to die for and melts my heart. He flashes those 4 teeth and lets out a big belly laugh. He is so ticklish!
And yes, he also continues to eat well and is willing to try any and all foods. Jude is a little beggar boy. If you are eating and he isn't, be prepared to share whatever it is you are having with him. He has a super cute habit of smacking his lips when he is enjoying his food. Lately, he has decided to throw food on the floor when he is finished or if doesn't like it (or just isn't in the mood for it.) I'm not a fan of this...trying to get him to sign "all finished" instead, but he's stubborn. Though he has many food signs in his repertoire, he'd rather whine or fuss for more. In addition to his meals and snacks, he is still nursing 4-5 times each day.
Sleep has been going pretty well. He can sleep through the night, but it only happens once, maybe twice, a week. He usually naps twice a day, but lately, it is all over the place. His morning nap is typically great, and the afternoon one is so often interrupted and disrupted by errands and brother's activities, that I don't know what to expect from one day to the next.
Hard to believe, I know, but this month, this sweet little thing has learned to throw a mini-fit to express his dissatisfaction. If I take something away or lay him down before he is ready, he will throw a nice little fit. Thankfully it is short lived. I think he may have learned this new trick from big brother.
This has honestly been one of the fastest years of my life, for sure. We are beginning to plan a low-key birthday bash to celebrate sweet, Jude next month. The countdown to1has begun. (*sniff sniff*)
Wow. What a week we've had. Not much to report, but at the same time, super busy. Crazy how that happens. The days, as long as they can seem, zoom by and then the week is gone.
I've been struggling with my "at home" routine in the mornings. Jude's all over the place nap schedule is the major culprit, but he is sleeping better at night. Finally. I am feeling in a rut, but at least my house is clean. Haha. Kinda. Won't bore you with the ins and outs of our mornings, but I am definitely one that enjoys routine with a bit of spontaneous mixed in....and that is NOT what has been happening lately. Lots of whatever and lazing. Little inspiration and just plain old boring sometimes. I'm trying to find the energy to clean at least one thing each day...gives me incentive to get up and do something. One day, I'll get it figured out...but for now, I'll keep on keeping on.
Thank goodness for Pinterest to bring a little excitement and inspiration to my days. I see others being creative and it makes me feel a little better....even if it isn't me.
Haven't done many any of the crafts I've "pinned," but I have tried some recipes. So far, I've been on a rice krispie treat kick. These have been great Gator Game Day yummies....with some orange and blue sprinkles, of course. Both had
subtle flavors that didn't overwhelm. I think I preferred the pumpkin
ones, but both were delish!
I also whipped up this baby this week for dessert. An apple-cream cheese bundt cake that was a lot of work, but it was good.
Still trying to decide if it was worth the effort. At least it looked pretty.
Last weekend was beautiful!!! The fall weather came back for a visit, and we did a lot outdoors to just soak it up. Soccer on Saturday morning (Eli was a little less into the game this time. It was all about running with the pack. Who cares where the ball was...he ran with airplane arms and all. Hilarious and so fun!) and the Jr. Museum in the afternoon.
Then we headed out to Marianna on Sunday for a fort-building, marshmallow war, tree climbing kinda birthday party. Picture perfect weather for such a fun day.
While Eli was hard at work and play, Jude was ready to get down out of Mommy's arms for a bit. We found a sunny spot, free of cow patties, to stretch out a bit. He was intrigued by the wildflowers.
Such a sweet boy. Don't know if you caught my mention earlier that he is actually starting to sleep better at night. Only wakes up once and every once in a while, not at all. Now I have to learn how to sleep through the night again. I still think that he is working on those eye teeth. They will be popping out any day now. We recently discovered corn on the cob as a fabulous teether.
Yeah, he loves it. Tasty and it feels good on those gums too.
In other news....the cooler weather got me up off my booty. I (finally) went running for the first time since Jude was born. Ran with the stroller and everything. 10 minutes without stopping. Go me. I may or may not have almost barfed when I finished. The jiggly body didn't feel good either as it wiggled and jiggled with each stride. Baby steps back into the world of a toned post-baby body. I'm going to try and make the Turkey Trot my first running goal. Now, I just have to convince myself to get out there again and again.
Here's hoping for another fun and beautiful weekend. Hope you are able to get out and enjoy it. Go Gators!! (Yes, I know LSU will likely stomp us, but I still bleed orange and blue!)
