Happy Halloween!

We went trick or treating around our neighborhood tonight.

McColley was a bit hesitant at first:

But then we met up with T, her parents and one of their neighbors.  So T's mom busted out the wagon:

And the group setting made trick or treating WAY more fun so running was required:

However, the pirate hat presented a problem all night:

Eventually Daddy was able to join our little Halloween group:

And we were quite the group:

We ended up back at our house, and I wanted McColley to put on his ladybug costume for answering the door... he refused.  (However, he had already worn it today to a party at Ms. J's... but of course there are no pictures)

So B attempted to 'jealous' him into putting it on:

There was no convincing him to be a ladybug, especially since he had a HUGE stash of candy to go through:

The haul was mostly candy, but he did get one set of teeth:

Which he then asked me to wear and then he took a picture of me:

Random Toddlerness

An example of how parents survive toddlerhood...

And why they become convinced that they should do this whole thing again.  :)

The Pirate Code

Arrr Mateys!

Pirate Code Suggestion #1 - Always steer your own ship:

Tuesday mornings we go to skating.  McColley is convinced that he should be allowed to drive us there (and everywhere).

Pirate Code Suggestion #2 - Roll with the seas:

He agreed to wear his belt!  It was amazing!

Although without the belt, we have a tri-corner hat which makes his costume a Colonial.

Pirate Code Suggestion #3 - Who ya gonna call?

Yes, this is the reason we go to skating.  This is pretty much all he cares about doing at skating... well, this and snacks.

Pirate Code Suggestion #4 - Always have some booty for the lasses:

McColley got a package from GGma McColley which included a backpack (he was very excited about that).  It also included a ladybug costume, but he hasn't wanted to try it on yet.

However, Tuesday night he decided to fill his new backpack with blocks and take them into Keira's room so they could play together.

Pirate Code Suggestion #5 - Always leave the lasses wanting more:

McColley enjoys looking at Keira, but he's still a bit uncertain about touching (either him petting her or her rubbing against his legs).

Pirate Code Suggestion #6 - Dress like a landlubber when ashore:

This is an outfit that Gma and Gpa Maguire got McColley at Disneyla.nd a while ago.  It was tagged as 24 months, and since the weather only turned colder yesterday, I waited until Wednesday morning to put it on McColley.

FYI - Dis.neyland clothes run small.

The shirt works, but the overalls were total high waters.  McColley only stayed in the overalls long enough to take this picture and then he insisted on changing his pants.

(And, of course, he got 'spilly' at lunch and covered one sleeve in honey mustard dipping sauce...

toddlers...)

Doctor #4

Yet another pre-natal appointment today.  It lasted a grand total of about 5 minutes and I got to meet Dr. #4.  He was pretty chill and answered my questions.

So far I have gained 32lbs and today my blood pressure was 92/56... so no worries about pre-eclampsia here.

The baby is measuring at 32 weeks (so apparently the over-sizedness has resolved itself) and his heartbeat is 140.

So, we are doing very well.  We go back in two weeks and will be seeing The Midwife again.

Also, we ordered a co-sleeper and it is now on its way.

Once it gets here, we'll set it up and make a decision about the mattress.  Some of the reviews I read said that the mattress it comes with is a bit too hard (in that it is like a playpen mattress) and that the organic mattress is a worthwhile upgrade.  So, we'll see!

Interestingly enough, we got the co-sleeper through Bab.iesRUs, but they don't sell the sheets or mattress.  So (not to solicit or anything) if you would like to purchase us some sheets, they must be bought through the manufacturer's website: Arm's Reach

Our co-sleeper is an 'Original'.

Pirates of the Delaware

Did you know that pirates can be Train Engineers?

And Roller Coaster Operators?

And Pinata Crushers?

We went to a Halloween party today at Ms. A's house (O is back!).  She was hosting the Halloween party for my Mom's Group.  

The only unfortunate thing was that the pinata was too heavy to hang... so we let the kids hit it on the ground and then Ms. A picked it up and scattered the candy:

The Other Big News:  We have a new kitten!

Her name is Keira.  We got her from  a lady I work with.  B took her to the vet today for her first kitten check.  (Much like babies, there are a series of kitten exams for new arrivals)

She has been exploring the office since yesterday afternoon, and today after nap time, we let her meet Orlando for the first time.  They seemed to get along...

(Orlando and Keira... get it?  For those that need a clue: McColley's Halloween Costume)

Pirates and Pumpkins

So, McColley is a pirate for Halloween.

He's actually super excited about that, except he HATES the belt.

HATES.

Which is why the only picture of him in his entire costume involves screaming.

Why was he in his costume the weekend before Halloween?

Fall Fantasy Trail.

We got there about a half an hour before it ended, which was great because the crowd had died down.

It was at a local park with woodland trails.

You walked the trails and found storybook characters:

Or in one case,

A PIRATE!

It was windy, so McColley decided to take his hat off and B decided to try it on:

Upon finishing the trail, we went to the playground and McColley checked his booty:

It took a LOT of convincing to get McColley out of his costume,

but eventually he agreed to design our pumpkins:

B made the world's smallest opening on our large pumpkin,

so to make up for it, he lobotomized the small pumpkin:

McColley 'helped' scrape the pumpkins:

Then he 'helped' even more by putting the cut-out pieces back into the pumpkin

while B was cutting the other pumpkin:

Here is our small pumpkin:

And McColley giving the final OK to the large pumpkin:

Now they are outside amazing and intriguing our neighbors:

(Yeah... our Halloween decorations are a bit sad... but I did only buy them yesterday at Target, so at least we're trying!)

Smarti.es

Problem????

We don't have a problem...

Ok, maybe just the smallest addiction to Smar.ties.

This is why you only buy candy in bulk for Hall.oween.

But, seriously... it's not a problem... really... it's not...

So what if the bag is almost empty an hour after we bought it...

Boo Zoo!

We had our second class at the zoo today. It focused on 'scary' and/or 'creepy' animals since Halloween is next week.

The class highlight was tiger-stripe face painting:
McColley is playing with a condor feather but behind the black sign are the two 'scary' animals the kids learned about today: Hissing Cockroaches and Opossums.

The Opossums are in an animal carrier (the tiger-striped fabric).  And, I believe the moms were more freaked out by the cockroaches than the kidlets.  However, I did learn that the hissing cockroaches only have hissing... that is their only defense mechanism (other than being freaky).

After the classroom time, we headed into the zoo.

Where it was important to compare tigers:

Since McColley is awake, I think he wins the Fierce Off.

Next, we headed towards the Petting Zoo (OK... Petting Goats).  

The goats had just gotten their hay, so our Tigers took the chance to 'feed' the goats:

We headed out, but McColley wasn't certain where he was being led, so he did his 'let's just check this out before we make a decision' walk:

Of course, T had discovered the Best Game Ever!

I call it The Touch-Prickly-Weeds-And-Say-OW-Over-And-Over-And-Over-Until-Mommy-Has-To-Bribe-You-To-Leave-Game.

McColley loved it too!

It was actually a pretty chilly day, so instead of a picnic, we headed to the mall. The one upside, I took our new double stroller and got to test it out in a real world situation. That baby can handle! (Now, can it handle a baby?)

Generation Gap

Conversation as B and McColley walk into the kitchen to get snacks:

McColley:  I step on 'puter!

B:  No, you do not step on computers.

McColley:  I go around it!

I'm sure you're thinking... why is the computer on the floor?

My answer:

McColley has a new favorite snack - Mandarin Oranges.

LOVES them.

And is now on his second helping.

But, talk about generation gap.... computers are so common that my son thinks he has the option of stepping on one!

Halloween Practice

McColley is already getting into character for Halloween:

And the walking off... he was on a mission to find more necklaces:
Which he quickly found in my jewelry chest (this would be why none of my nice jewelry currently resides in that chest) and requested that Brian put it on for him.

Yeah, he's blingin':

Random Question

OK, all my friends and relatives scattered around the US and world... I have a question for you:

When you go to the grocery store, does the cashier or bagger 'bag' your milk?  

I NEVER remember this happening in the Pacific NW anywhere that we lived and yet here it is standard practice.  Only once have I been asked if I would like my milk bagged... to which, I of course, said 'no'.  

I only thought of this today because I went to the Commissary and bought a TON of stuff, so I had to go through the cashier line.  The Commissary has baggers who work for tips only, and the etiquette is to tip $.50 per bag.  However, I refuse to count the milk 'bag' as a real bag.  

So, am I cheap or is it ri-freakin'-diculous to put the gallon of milk in its own bag?

Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act

I don't usually post political things on this blog, but this is different.  This statement has been going around the blogosphere:

October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the United States. More than 25,000 children are stillborn in the United States every year leaving mothers, entire families and communities devastated. Estimates of the rate of occurrence of stillbirth make it at least as common as autism.

Stillbirth is not an intractable problem. Greater research would likely significantly reduce its incidence, but good research requires good data. H.R. 5979: Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act is under consideration by Congress. This proposed bill would standardize stillbirth investigation and diagnosis, thus providing more data for the needed research. Better research means fewer children born still.

On October 15th, remember the thousands of unfinished children lost and the families who remain to grieve them. Honor them by taking action. Let's help pass H.R. 5979.

The Senate has a sister bill, S. 3142, which would also include funding for SIDS research.  Both bills aim to actually track stillbirth with a national database and, hopefully, find a preventable cause(s).  The Senate bill was introduced by Obama.

Rug and Stroller

We finally got our second rug!

It was on back order, but finally arrived by UPS.  Luckily, we like it as much as we remember and it matches the other colors in our living/dining room perfectly.

It goes under our table:

It's just stripped, but it really helps bring the space together:

Also, last night B put the double stroller together.

We wanted to check that the infant car seat would fit.  It only fits in the backseat, so we set up the stroller so McColley could climb into the front seat without help.

Which means that, of course, McColley only wants to sit in the backseat:

And, since it was getting so much attention, McColley had to try out the infant car seat:
Luckily he realized that he's too big for that car seat and agreed that it's "for Brady."

Hopkins Visit Part 3 (Plus Hayride)

Yesterday (based on a suggestion from Berta) we decided to go West and explore Maryland's Eastern Shore.  We 

(this is where I fell asleep....

woke up 30 minutes later due to my own snoring...

and realized I had somehow deleted a picture and apparently hit 'return' about 800 times)

started out by going to Chesterto.wn and eating lunch at a hotel in historic downtown.  At the hotel I found two maps.  One was a walking tour of the city and the second was a driving tour of the county.

We did the walking tour first and backwards.  We started out at the last stop so we could see Fountain Park:

This is also where we let GreatGrandma sit in the shade while the rest of us wandered around town:

Just for those who don't know, American Methodism started in Delaware.  It spread from Delaware into surrounding areas, including Maryland.

I took this picture from the top of the steps of the oldest United Methodist church in Chestertow.n.  B, McColley and Berta are walking by their white sign. 

However, you will notice that there is a church across the street diagonally:  

It is also United Methodist.

That congregation is about 100 years younger then the first church's (but their building is older because the first church grew and built a second building).

The joke now is, "Why aren't there any Star.bucks in the Mid-Atlantic?"  "Because the Methodists took all the best locations."

However, we did have to stop and get donuts to power us through the rest of our walking tour.  McColley preferred to only eat the sprinkles:

After the walking tour, we picked GreatGrandma back up at the park.  Then we took a driving tour of Kent Cou.nty (Maryland) while McColley napped.  Eventually we drove back into Kent Count.y (Delaware) and home.

This morning GreatGrandma, Berta and I woke up extra early to get them to the airport on time (hence the falling asleep in the middle of this post).

I got them there safely, and then got home just in time to go to the pumpkin patch with B and McColley.

After a hayride (!!!!!!), we went out into the pumpkin field and picked out our carving pumpkin.  We followed McColley's lead:

After picking out our pumpkin, McColley got a snack (juice and cookie).  But, he also had to check 'his phone', which he had been carrying in one of his pants pockets:

The outing ended with a trip to the petting zoo.  McColley especially enjoyed the sheep:

And pondered the horse:

We eventually forced him to leave the animals (note his expression), but he took a moment to smell the flowers with T: