The month of October came and went quickly. It was a busy month, and although I fully intended to keep all of you updated along the way, there just wasn't enough time. Truth be told, there's never enough time, and it all boils down to the fact that I have a tendency to both over-commit and overachieve. To give you a better picture, in addition to going back to work part-time this month, I also spent the month of October making Jackson's Halloween costume from scratch, teaching our Sunday School class and giving our testimony in front of the congregation, making commitments to serve as the concessions chair for the music festival that Jackson's preschool is putting on in February and as a subcommittee chair for the WTS international conference that our chapter will host in May, and attending multiple meetings as part of both the nominations committee and board of trustees at church. Oh and I also spent the month of October raising two kids. But not just any kids...a very energetic toddler and his baby brother who wants nothing more than to eat around the clock. Like I said, October was busy.
Yesterday, we invited our families over for Halloween so that they could see the boys in their costumes and go trick-or-treating with us. You know you're the only grandchildren/nephews on both sides of the family when...
About a month ago, I asked Jackson what he wanted to dress up as for Halloween, and he was quick to answer with an enthusiastic "airplane!" I was pretty excited that he was able to choose his costume himself this year, so I encouraged it, and then I went out to search for an airplane costume. The only problem was that I couldn't find one. Jackson was dead set on being an airplane though, so my mom and I made him a costume instead. It wasn't a quick or an easy to-do, but I really did enjoy it and have already decided that I'd like to do it again next year.
Dusty Crophopper and his adorable little pilot
Jackson was not the least bit interested in trying on his wings {or any part of his costume} ahead of time, which worried me a little. I told Ben that I didn't go to all of that trouble for nothing and that someone would be wearing that costume -- even if one of us had to safety pin it to the front of our shirts instead. Thankfully we were able to get it on him, and as soon as he got outside and saw all of the other kids, he was all about it.
He literally ran from house to house and hopped down each step. Watching my sweet little 2.5-year-old "fly" around in his homemade Halloween costume made the many hours that I spent planning, shopping, cutting, and painting so worth it.
I had thought about making Dean's costume, too, but when I found this adorable sleeper and cap combo online for a decent price, I just couldn't pass it up. And although this poor boy didn't get any candy, he did get carried around all night, which is a pretty good consolation prize when you're into that kind of thing.
A couple of weeks ago, my mom and I took the boys to a nearby pumpkin patch in hopes of getting a few {or even just one} good pictures. By the time I got both boys and all of our stuff {camera, diaper bag, boppy pillow, blanket, etc.etc.} unloaded from the car, my sweaty self began to wonder if the hassle was even worth it. Although Jackson was excited to see all of the pumpkins, he was not the least bit interested in posing for a picture. Exhibit A...
But thankfully we did get a few really cute ones with the help of a sucker from Mimi.
Afterwards, we took the boys to the park in Rollingwood so that Jackson could run around. Jackson loved having Mimi there to play with him, and Dean loving having me there because...um, milk.
Check out those milk bubbles!
Why walk back to the car when you can catch a ride on your brother's stroller instead?
Now that the weather has cooled down a little bit, we've spent a lot of the past few weeks outside.
When life gives you lemons {also known as the worst Mopac traffic you've ever seen and a screaming, starving baby in the backseat}, you ask your husband to pick up dinner and to meet you at the nearest park.
Evening fun with the Jenkins girls.
As soon as we get home from preschool, we head to the backyard for some swingin' and a slidin'.
Friday night P.Terry's dinner with the neighbors.
Waiting for Daddy to get home and getting in as much outside time as we can before the sun goes down.
It's as if our swing set was made for this.
Last weekend, Ben went to San Antonio for work, and Jackson went to Pops and Memaw's house for a sleepover, so it was just me and this boy. And obviously he was just as pumped about our one-one-one time as I was.
In addition to treating myself to some Thai takeout, which I had to eat on the bathroom floor since the bathtub was the only place that I could keep Dean happy, we also went grocery shopping on a Friday night because we're wild and crazy like that. They were giving out samples near the beer and wine aisle, and apparently one of sales reps knew a thing or two about marketing to postpartum, breastfeeding mothers because I left with a four-pack of these. Low calorie, healthy, and hydrating? I'll take it!
That next morning, we hosted a baby shower for Abby and Baby Hays at my mom's house. Despite the crazy rain, so many people were able to be there to shower Abby with love and wonderful gifts and to enjoy some wonderful food and good conversation, too.
Abby, her adorable bump, and all of the hostesses -- Sonja, Dabney, Lisa, my mom, me, & Holly.
Twenty-something years ago, we were playing baby dolls, and in just a few short weeks, we'll be reliving those days but with real babies...real babies that cry, poop, and spit up and that are more precious than any childhood toy we ever had.
DSHS Seniors 2002 -- me, Wendi, Julie, & Abby.
Somebody loves their Aunt Holly.
Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse as soon as we got home, and Dean screamed for almost 5 hours straight.
Being outside seemed to help more than anything else, but he was so overly tired that he refused to eat and could only fall asleep for a couple of minutes at a time.
Thankfully Ben got home right about the same time that I had reached my wit's end, so while I put Jackson down for the night, Ben worked his magic.
I'm not sure exactly what he learned during Sunday school that next morning, but I'm fairly certain that the "makeup" that he put on with crayola markers was not a part of the lesson.
Last weekend, we also celebrated Harper and Evelyn's fourth birthday with a party at Kiddie Acres. Ben and I both remember going to Kiddie Acres when we were little, so it was fun going back with our boys. According to their website, it's been around since 1979, and based on the amount of duct tape and rust that we saw while we were there, I'm fairly certain not much has changed since they first opened. Thankfully the kids loved it though.
Another thing that I did quite frequently over the past few weeks was shop. Jackson was in serious need of some cold-weather clothes {in case the cold weather ever decides to show up}, and I was in serious need of some clothes that actually fit my postpartum body, so while Jackson was in preschool, Dean and I hit up the stores. He sure is cute {that coffee cup is empty by the way}, but truth be told, he's not really the best shopping partner.
For every hour that we shopped, we spent at least that {and usually more} in the changing room filling his belly and changing diapers. And that doesn't even include the amount of time spent trying to get him to fall asleep in my arms while simultaneously pushing the stroller. Exhausting, I tell you.
One morning, Holly decided to play hooky from work {she had been traveling the previous two weeks for work, so her morning off was much deserved} and joined us for both preschool drop off and some time at the mall.
Shopping was much easier and way more fun that particular morning. Good conversation and someone to carry/bounce my baby and push my stroller while I shop...it's a shame Holly can't off every Tuesday and Thursday morning.
There should be a law against stores not opening up till 10 when preschool drop off is at 9.
The only thing harder than keeping Dean entertained while shopping was getting Jackson to try everything on to make sure that it fit. Boys. Fingers crossed this whole shopping bit gets easier, but I'm not holding my breath.
While Dean and I shopped, Jackson had a wonderful time at school. It still amazes me how much he enjoys going each and every day. He is always so eager to go and comes home in the best mood. He often brings home beautiful masterpieces such as these, too. The objective was to fill the trees with leaves using torn/cut up paper and his fingerprints, but who has time for that? Done and done.
Unfortunately, he fell at school this week and gave himself two faint black eyes, but he assures me that it "feels better" already. He was running in the classroom, which is obviously a no-no, tripped over his own two feet, and hit his face on one of the small wooden chairs. Poor baby. I know it hurt.
We also bought Jackson some new shoes this month because...scooter problems.
As much as I would have preferred to make that trip without Jackson {or any of my boys for that matter}, I figured that it would be nice to have an extra set of hands, so before Ben headed out of town last weekend, we made a quick in-and-out family trip.
Ben and I also went on a couple of dates this month and took the little guy with us.
He did great the night that we went to 416 Bar & Grille and slept almost the entire time that we were there...
...but dinner at Chez Zee was completely different. He did okay in the beginning, but as soon as our food got there, things began to fall apart quickly. Ben ended up eating as quickly as he could and then took him outside while I finished my meal. Although part of me contemplated taking my time and enjoying the peace and quiet, I ate quickly and ordered us dessert to-go.
Neither of them were really thrilled with my decision to stop at Old Navy to look at jeans that night either.
Over the past few weeks, we also spent quite a bit of time snuggling and gazing into each other's eyes -- although Dean was never quite as into it as Jackson and I were.
I have a thing for stripes {especially blue and white ones}, so of course, I wanted to get a picture of Dean in one of my favorite outfits that Jackson also wore when he was this age, but obviously, he wasn't feeling it.
He also wasn't feeling the Rudolph that Jackson insisted on sharing either.
Another one of my favorite sleepers.
And again with "the look".
A clean diaper = a happy baby.
The Sunday that we gave our testimony at church, we dressed Dean up for the occasion and put him in Jackson's Easter outfit. Of course, he looked just as adorable as Jackson did just 2.5 years prior, and it's a good thing I got it on him when I did because I'm fairly certain it would have been too small by the time the next Sunday had rolled around.
Why sleep in the crib when you can sleep on mom instead?
Dean also sat in the bumbo for the very first time, which Jackson thought was super fun.
Never wake a sleeping baby.
Jackson and my mom also treated us with a delicious chocolate cake with {lots of} sprinkles.
And just because I like to keep it real, not every moment has been all unicorns and rainbows. This particular tantrum came about when I wouldn't let him eat the granola bar until he put the wrapper in the trash can. Being two is rough sometimes.
And speaking of tantrums, I felt like throwing my own just this past Friday {the only day that I have them both to myself} when a fun outing got cancelled due to torrential rain. Being cooped up in the house, we instead did laundry, jumped on beds, destroyed the house, and lost our minds.
Thankfully the rain eased up that evening just in time for Jackson to make his escape to Pops and Memaw's house for a sleepover and to make all kind of sweets, swim, and even get started on some Christmas crafting.
I've never been one to decorate before Thanksgiving, but this boy is ready. He's already talking about getting a tree and decorating the house in lights. Between this boy's excitement and our crazy schedule, Christmastime will be here before we know it!
