Trick or Treat

Well, here are our Halloween adventures...

This is the first year we've dressed up or gone trick or treating with the kids. Because our neighborhood isn't really kid friendly for this sort of thing, we weren't really sure where to go. Growing up, my family didn't trick or treat so I literally didn't have any idea of how this worked. A friend of mine was gracious enough to let us tag along in their neighborhood. 

Lilly absolutely refused to wear her ladybug costume even though she wore it previously for days and days. Josiah wore his but didn't quite get the concept of getting candy from other people's bucket and putting it into his. At one point he had candy hanging from his mouth and each of his hands because he didn't want to let any of it go. Lilly took the whole business of trick or treating very seriously. 

About 30 minutes in, Josiah got extremely fussy.... like screaming down the street. Granted, it was past their dinner time and he didn't have an afternoon nap, but we were disappointed to wrap things up so early, especially since my parents had driven down to visit and walk with us. Turns out, his toe was bent in his boot the whole time. We felt so bad for him. Once he got his shoes off and ate something he was perfect! 

We had a great rest of the night :) 

Here are a few quick snapshots from the night. None of the winners I was looking for, not even a whole family shot, but it was worth every second. 

Hunting for Squirrels

The kids are obsessed with nature. We love going on walks together searching for birds, dogs, sticks, pinecones, rocks but especially squirrels. I love watching Lilly run towards trees shrieking, "Squirrel! Squirrel!" 

Tonight's bedtime went better than last night. I was in their room by 7:30 and out by 7:45. Other than a few sad sounds from Lilly, all was quiet. Hopefully overnight is as uneventful. It was really cool when snuggling with both kids in the rocker during bedtime, we could feel the baby kick. It was like he wanted to be a part of things too :)

On our walk tonight: 

Where'd the squirrel go, Mom?

Throwing leaves on Lilly...and having a BLAST

Watching the construction workers

I love you so I need to let you cry

For the last week, Lilly and Josiah have been getting up several times a night.... like 10 times a night. It's not only exhausting for Steve and I, but for the kids as well. We really have no idea why. One of the hardest things about raising multiples is that you cannot physically be there for your kids whenever you want to. In the last 2 (ish) years that we've become parents, we've learned that sleep schedules (or lack of) is a very controversial topic. There's the debate about how long to let kids cry or whether families should co-sleep or how long to leave them in their cribs, etc. These are very personal choices for families.

Although Steve and I have discussed this topic with friends and family and have read extensively on this, there's nothing....NOTHING that can prepare you for the issues you face when dealing with your own kids. To say nothing of the strategical components, your heart is so sad for your little ones when they're exhausted or grouchy; when they call out for you in the middle of the night or when you let them cry themselves to sleep.

And in the moment, I can't remember a more torturous time in my life than right now when Josiah and Lilly are calling for me, crying in their room. We've decided to try the "let them cry themselves to sleep" approach this evening. You see, we can't keep getting scattered handfuls of restless sleep. Yes, there's work and daily living that we need to be rested for, but the kids are so tired. We just don't know why they are doing this besides general curiosity and wanting to spend time with us. Heartless people that we are.

After snuggling with them, singing to them, tucking them in bed and placing them back there each and every time they got up, I left the twins' room at 7:50. When Steve came home, I was pretty upset after listening to them yell and bang on the door for 30 minutes. I was determined to wait until 8:30 to give them the chance to work it out themselves. At 8:28, it was finally quiet. Steve moved Josiah to his bed and that was that.

A good go to book for us has been Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. We've found it to be effective and reliable.

We'll see how the rest of tonight goes...

Happy Birthday, Michelle!

The Beginning of Fall

It's certainly been colder and cloudier these last several days. Halloween, Thanksgiving and then Christmas are just around the corner. Yikes. 

I ordered costumes from Target which were supposed to arrive today however I'm told that the order will be delayed until October 31st. In a hail mary attempt to find something quickly (and reasonably priced) we stopped by Once Upon a Child, a place that pays you for your very gently used baby and children things. We found a Pooh costume (it's Pooh dressed as a bumble bee so he can get honey from the bees) for Josiah and a lady bug costume for Lilly. Originally they were going as a lion and a lamb (because the outfits were ridiculously cute) but we'll just have to scrap that idea this year. 

I also picked up Timberland boots for Josiah and little white Stride Rite flats for Lilly. Both kids insisted on wearing their new shoes tonight....and their costumes...

He wasn't sure at first

Lilly loves being a big helper when Grannie B crochets. She enjoys the feeling of the soft yarn (fingers it and rubs it on her face) and the shiny needles.

We've been fortunate to spend a significant amount of time outside for walks, trips to the park, etc. Last Saturday, Steve and Lilly went to run an errand while Josiah and I went for a walk. I'm struck by this picture because he looks so grown up and so little all at once. Love that fluffy hair too :)

I tried to get video of them in their Halloween costumes because they looked hysterical, but it didn't turn out so well. Plus, I was breathing like a serial killer because I am pregnant and was crawling around on the floor with them- ha! Excuse Lilly's lack of pants in the second one. She just wanted her costume top and her new shoes on. Girls!!!

In other news, congratulations are in order to my sister and Trevor Oates on their recent engagement!

Fingerprint me, please

I thought today was supposed to be cold and cloudy, but was pleasantly surprised to see the sun peak through our windows at (a depressingly early) 6:45 am. Yesterday afternoon, Lilly, Josiah and I met several friends of ours (and their kids) at Jelly Bean Jungle. A local indoor play place, it allows the kids to roam free and explore in a fun and safe environment. Sign. Me. Up. 

We had a blast! It was great to hang out with my friends and their kids. We ordered pizza and ate it there in the little cafeteria area. Lilly and Josiah were a lot of fun to follow around. There were several times Josiah kept heading for the rest room (so he could turn on the water and play in the sink) but more than anything, he was entranced by the old piano they had. He kept freaking out over all the "bups" or buttons. Lilly was amazing to watch. For the most part she was very independent. They have a series of tubes and tunnels which she navigated through. The girls were so nice about watching out for whichever kid I wasn't hanging out with at the time. 

All three of us were utterly exhausted by the time we left. I've been putting the kids to bed at the same time (an initially daunting task for me). So far, it's been wonderful. They both snuggle on my ever expanding lap and we rock and sing until they're relaxed. I slide from the rocker to the floor, laying the more asleep one on the floor while I place the other in bed. Then it's tuck in time for the last one. 

Today the kids took a morning nap in addition to their afternoon one AND went to bed early. I am impossibly sore & fatigued from dragging them around and chasing after them yesterday. I unexpectedly fell asleep on the living room floor in the middle of the afternoon and have had a hard time bending, standing and even sitting in certain positions. I'm more than thankful for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby, but this pregnancy is so much different than last time. With limited naps or resting, most days it's hard to move at all. 

While watching a new favorite show, Raising Hope, I noticed how many fingerprints were on our TV; as I turned to the window, I saw how cloudy it was with fingerprints, and as I turned to our pictures on the wall, I was stunned to see them covered with small impressions. How is it that I've not noticed this before? There must be a sign that says, "Children, please touch me, lick me and sneeze on me." Gross.

We spent a delightful morning running around the mall and then the afternoon at a local park. It was wonderful to let the kids roam and climb around on such a beautiful fall day. 

Freaking out after finding a cool stick

He's doing the sign for "eat". My question is, when is he not hungry?

 Teaching Lilly to balance on the balance beam.

Loves to swing by himself

I love to SLIDE!

I love to CLIMB!

"Good girl!"

Chasing the kids with a giant stick

I heart you.

Lilly loves playing "dress up" with hats, necklaces, coats, shoes, etc. It's adorable. 

Baby and I at the OB for a routine appointment. He's big and taking up a lot of space, but all is well!

They're beginning construction on the burnt part of the building. It's cool to see it come together. 

When Lilly does something she's proud of, she claps for herself and says, "Good girl!" Here she's tucking crochet needles under her chin and applauding herself. What a nut :)

Park Tour...Reversed

I always forget to upload the pictures in the correct order, thus reversing our day. 

Ohhh, well. Time's too short to go back and do it again. We've been trying to put Josiah down for the last hour. You'd think after such a fun day he'd conk right out. Taking my off shift to update the blog and catch up on a few things before I go back again. 

We got to play with Ryan, Susan and Hudson today!

 Saturday at a few parks throughout the day: