Halloween Take 1, 2 and 3

So let me begin the Halloween pictures with my chronicle of "costuming" my little toddler.



I found a cute alien costume a couple months ago and thought it was hilariously cute. In addition to the stuffed polka dot belly and googly eyes, there's a second set of arms that move with his arms. How funny would that be? Well, after the first "fitting" I knew he was not happy. He just kept saying OFF OFF OFF.

So I decided to keep trying, but get a back-up costume if needed. I found a cute dragon that was very simple, just pants and a hoodie. I thought for sure he wouldn't notice such a simple costume. Oh was I wrong. He was not a fan of the dragon either. He didn't even let me begin to take a picture.


Then I tried the alien costume again in hopes that he'd like it this time. It was going well (with the hose to distract him)
Then I pressed my luck and put the gloves on to make the arms move up and down. BAD IDEA.

Just when I thought he'd end up trick-or-treating in his boo shirt or skeleton PJs...

The Crawford boys offered their Nemo costume!!! Both Buie and Mason have been Nemo in past years, and were so nice to let Wade give it a go. Of course he LOVED it. He even kept the hood on, didn't mind the flapping fins, and wore it with a smile everytime! It was indeed the perfect costume. Finding Nemo is actual Wade favorite movie. When we get in the car he says "MO-NE!" (somehow he's mixed up the syllables? he does the same thing for Elmo)

And my little Nemo lived happily ever after....

Stay tuned for Halloween week festivities pictures to come...

I feel like a true American...

Now that I've finally been to Washington D.C.!Wade and I traveled up to see Robin, Mark, and Finn in their newesst hometown (they've had a few). I've always wanted to go to DC, but never made it up there. And even though we only saw a fraction of what out nation's capital has to offer, I feel like I can finally call myself a true American!

Aunt Sheesha also went to visit a friend, so I had an extra set of helping hands on the flights. Two words: life saver :) Wade can be a little high maintenance when it comes to being quiet. It's not that he's naughty, it's just hard to keep him from screeching, whining, and generally causing a raucous. At one point, we had Finding Nemo playing, a book in his lap, a lollipop in his mouth, and someone playing peek-a-boo with him. Oh, and did I mention mini M&M's? Given one at a time works wonders when all other silencing "devices" must be stowed under the seat or in the overhead bin for take-off and landing. Wade ended up doing great, but I was so happy to have extra help!

I've always enjoyed seeing the boys play together. With Finn being exactly 3 months older than Wade, it always gives me insight into the next few months. Well, I must say things are changing. Instead of following on the same path, just 3 months difference, we can already see how the boys are becoming their own little persons. Finn is a motor mouthy, can hold a full conversation with you, counting to 20, ABC singing, picky eating, cuddly little love bug. Wade is a rambunctous, monkey bar swinging, eat anything you give him or don't give him, inquisitive, "don't you dare steal my seat", little goof ball. Of course they're similar in many ways, but different in others. Amazingly though, they get along so well! We even let them worked out their own toy wars. NO BLOOD, NO PROBLEM. It was cute to see one "teaching" the other something new. Wade picked up a few new words from Finn ("Lily"), and Finn learned how to climb and almost escape his fenced courtyard from Wade. It's like Jenny and Forrest. They go together like Peas and Carrots.

Mark was nice enough to stay in with the sleeping boys while Robin and I enjoyed some evenings out. We had real adult conversations (without tantrums!), ate some great food, and even made it to see Jersey Boys at the theater. It was fabulous!!! Thanks Mark!

Around town, we visited Finn's favorite playgrounds....

We cruised by lots of monuments (Washington, WWII, Lincoln)...

Visited the Museum of Natural History (everytime Wade saw a dinosaur he said "roar")...

Went to BOO at the ZOO! It was hard keeping up with these two in costume...in the dark....

Fed lots of ducks and made many wishes in fountains...

And even dropped in on the Obamas...

Not bad, considering we had the boys! And how could I almost forget....we rode the Metro. Wade was so excited everytime the train came whizzing by. He just said "choo choo" over and over again. Does this mean I have to start watching Thomas the Train?? Oh no, I was dreading this day.

THANK YOU Lyles family for hosting us in your great city! We had a blast! Here's the rest of the pictures from the weekend:

Sneak Peek!!!

Since my little family was all together, at the beach, with my super talented photographer friend Kimsey, we went ahead and got some pictures taken. This was the first time we'd had her take some of the 3 of us together and I'm so glad we did.

I'M IN LOVE WITH THE PICTURES.

If you haven't guessed yet, pictures make me HAPPY. And awesome pictures make me ECSTATIC. So after getting you excited, I'll have to tell you that you can't see them yet. You'll have to wait for our Christmas card. I know it's mean. He he he.

Okay, fine. Here's a sneak peek!!!

Megan & Jason Jue

My college friend and sorority sister, Meghan Murphy, married her Prince Charming, Jason Jue, on Saturday. October 17. We all gathered in Savannah for a weekend of fun to celebrate. A few of us decided to make it a family affair and bring kids and stay out at the beach. Unfortunately, the weather didn't quite cooperate (along with a nasty cough/cold from Wade), but we tried to hit the beach despite the cold rain, and snot!
We were all invited to the Rehearsal Dinner Friday night. It was a great kickoff to the weekend.
Molly, Paula, Carolyn, Stephanie, Kimsey, Meghan (THE BRIDE!), Alex, Kriya, Kristin, Melanie

Some of the hubbies: Beau, Joe, Stephen, Beau H., Christopher

Neely looking like Tinkerbell in her adorable bathing suit (this was when we were still hopeful the weather would cooperate).

Caroline and me getting ready with curlers!

My little sand digger

Megan getting ready....

Brooke, Stephanie, Melanie, Kristin, Carolyn, and Paula. Paula deserves bridesmaid of the year award. She did it all with a broken foot and on crutches. What a trooper!

I was disappointed in my pictures from the weekend. I really only took a few so had to steal some from Stephanie. I didn't even have my camera and the wedding, so as soon as I get Kimsey's (which are going to be fabulous), I'll add to the post.

CONGRATS Meghan and Jason!!!

Pizza Night

A few weeks ago we had some friends over for pizza. We let the kids loose in the basement, guys played corn hole in the dark, and girls got to chat! Look at that grin on baby Milla! the "big girls" dine at a table of their own

Will Inman was Wade's only boy to wrestle with in the sea of girls!

Random Video of the Week

We've recently discovered story time at our local library. Wade really likes it!


Wade's in the middle of the pack (tan shirt, brown stripe). Luke Henson (Molly's son) walks through with the black/white stripped shirt. I just love how Wade gets so excited and looks around at the other kids to see if they think it's funny too. Peer pressure already?

Wade is 19 months!

(practicing wearing one of his halloween costume options)

It's been a busy month and we've been all over the place. Wade is such a trooper when it comes to traveling and sleeping in any bathroom or closet large enough to hold a pack n' play. DVD's help in the car too. And lollipops, lots of lollipops.

This boy is a climber. He can get himself into places I'd never imagine he could get to. And he likes to test his abilities on everything, everywhere, no matter how dangerous or safe it may be. He keeps you on your toes. Exhibit A:
(here's where I found him the other day. he uses the ottoman to jump to the chair, then up the chair to the bookshelf. the dismount is even more dangerous)

(I don't know if you can tell what this is, but here's how we found him sleeping the other night. I love watching him in the video monitor to see what type of positions he gets stuck in. He slept like this with his legs propped up for the longest time)

He still loves to draw and color. He'll go to the cabinet where I keep his stuff and say "draw?". I think his favorite part is just taking the caps on and off...and sitting at his table. He feels like such a big boy at his own table and chair. I'm having a hard time getting to sit in his highchair anymore. Oh well.

(playing fort with daddy. I don't know who was having more fun???)

(riding a tractor like a big boy)

We've been taking a Gymboree class with Sam and Avery. Wade loves the gym part but couldn't care less about the organized class activities. I think we're going to switch back to The Music Class next month. I know he misses the music! But he does love playing with his friends.

Wade gets better and better with the dogs everyday. He's finally learned the difference between petting and swatting Cali and Orwell. And I love to see the way his face lights up when he sees them. They're good buddies.