Halloween...and a Wedding

We had quite a lot going on this past weekend. Of course, Halloween. Lots of trick or treating with the little man who really just preferred to ride his SpiderMan trike at the Gran's house. He wanted to be a football player which made it super easy costume wise considering we already had the jersey. All I had to buy was the helmet and some black sweat pants and there ya go. I decided to keep the theme and wore my throw back Eagles jersey also. Nick decided to wear a Gilley Suit. Reliving those military days, I guess.  

Saturday was spent at a wedding and then at another Halloween party. We literally partied until the wee hours and ended the night at Awful Waffle around 3am post time change so really 4am. Needless to say it was a long and eventful night with plenty of fun and of course I have no photos to show for it. Oh well, check out the fun below from Halloween night and a few shots of the guys getting ready before the wedding.

Halloween #TBT

I don't have any terrible Halloween stories to share and I can't really pick a best because they are all pretty awesome in my book. I love Halloween or really any reason to dress up in costume. Costume parties are the best. Got a bit off topic there. 

Pre-Brandon Halloweens were much more adult and alcohol related. Lots of late nights and adult parties to go to. Post-Brandon Halloweens have been much more family and food related (Children really do change everything) and I am enjoying these just as much as before he was born.

My favorite adult Halloween would probably when Nick dressed up as an Indian and I as Peter Pan in 2008. I mean, look at the photo of him below. He is in full body paint which is why I couldn't actually touch him. LOL How could I not pick this (he's completely naked under that fur loin cloth too). I actually ended up doing two different Halloween parties that year, on two different days. See, I love my Halloween parties.

Both of the Halloween's that I have had so far with Brandon have been fun. I have made both costumes which is always interesting since I cannot sew to save my life. This year Brandon really wants to be a football player so I am hoping I can pull this off without having to purchase some cheesy costume for him. His first year, 2012, I dressed him up as a pirate. Super cute and easy. Last year he was supposed to be an Ewok but he refused to wear the costume so I had to do a last minute costume and decided to make him Ace Ventura. It was a hit but I had to keep explaining to people who he was because all they saw was a little boy wearing a pink tutu. 

Halloween 2013

Halloween was definitely an adventure this year. I had been planning on what Brandon would be this Halloween since he was in my tummy. I was so looking forward to it that I never thought it wouldn't go as planned. Um...I should have known better.

Originally, I had wanted to dress him up as an Ewok. Ya know, those cute little cuddly bear looking creatures from Star Wars. I was obsessed with Ewok's as a child, I actually had a stuffed Ewok that I slept with, and couldn't wait to dress Brandon up as one for Halloween. I was going to make the entire costume but thought better of that since I lack in any sewing skills whatsoever. Instead, I found this really cute teddy bear costume that I could then just turn into an Ewok. Well, we get the costume and what do you know, Brandon is terrified of it. I mean, will not go near it terrified. After finally coaxing him into the thing he decides, Hell NO, this isn't going to happen and proceeds to flip out.

Since I couldn't count on him warming up to the costume by Halloween night, I had to resort to something else. So, I looked and looked and finally came up with something that wouldn't cost much and that I could partially do myself. Lo and behold, Ace Ventura, Pet Detective!!!

Nick hated that I was putting him in a tutu but whatever. It's Halloween and it was adorable. I had to explain to almost everyone who he was dressed up as because all they saw was a little boy in a tutu but I didn't care. We already had the clothes so all I had to make was the tutu which cost all of about 6 bucks and about an hour of putting together on my part.

We did end up trick or treating to a few houses. Brandon was very apprehensive to walk up to the doors but did pretty good considering he is only 19 months old. We spent all of the evening at Nick's parents house doing the family thing and eating plenty of chili and sweets and hanging out with all of the family. It was a great night considering it didn't really go according to plan.

Good news, the bear costume was big on Brandon so we just may try the Ewok again next year. Fingers Crossed :)

How did your Halloween adventures turn out?

8 Months Old

My curious baby boy,

I cannot believe that you are already 8 months old.  I know I say this every month but I just do not feel like you should be this big yet.  You weighed in at 22.3 pounds a few weeks ago.  That's crazy.  I caught myself scrolling through old pictures the other day of when you were first born and I am amazed at how quickly you have changed.  I feel like we are only a few short months away from you no longer being my baby and instead being a toddler.  This is both exciting and sad for me at the same time.





Last night, after your "midnight snack", I just held you close to me enjoying that you still let me cuddle with you.  You still love to fall asleep with your head on my shoulder, face towards me and you little arms wrapped around my neck.  It is one of my favorite times with you.  There are times when I just hold you longer than you need so I can soak all of this up because I know it isn't too far away that you will no longer want or need this from me as you are already starting to venture out on your own.


So much has changed for your this month.  It has been a constant "let's learn something new today."  You can now clap.  You can do it standing or sitting.  Yes, you can stand on your own now.  You have taken a few steps sans hands or holding onto anything.  Everything has turned into something that you can push and walk with.  You love playing peek a boo.  You will now grab your blanket and pull it up over your head and then pull it down waiting for me to say "peek a boo."  This is hilarious to you.


You are constantly laughing.  You have started laughing so hard that you cannot laugh anymore.  It's hysterical.  You now can make kissy noises.  You will lean in for kisses.  It really is the cutest thing.  And talking, you love to talk.  We cannot understand anything but you try so hard.  There is a lot of "babababa's" and "ahhh's"  "uhhh's".  No real words yet but I feel like you are getting close.

You love looking at yourself in the mirror and you will talk to yourself.  You also have started shaking your head from side to side.  I definitely think this is from hearing no from us when you get into stuff you shouldn't since we shake our head when we say it.  Oh, and your tongue is forever sticking out of your mouth.


You have had a lot of fun experiences this month.  Your first Halloween was a success.  You were the most adorable pirate I have ever seen.  You enjoyed your first visit to the park.  We went down the slide and you got to swing in the swings for the first time.  Your were all smiles.  You had your first Thanksgiving also.  You ate some stuffing and sweet potatoes but didn't really care for anything else.

There are some things that you just do not like though.  You are still not happy about getting dressed in the mornings.  It is a constant battle to get clothes on you.  I think it's more that you have to lay still when you really just want to be moving around and playing.

You also get REALLY mad when you want me to pick you up and I can't.  This is usually in the mornings as I am getting ready for work.  You will crawl up to me and then pull yourself up and stand below me with your arms up.  If I tell you no you get SO MAD.  One morning you actually threw your first temper tantrum (you actually sprawled out on the floor with your arms over your head and kicked your feet back and forth).  I couldn't believe it.  I actually stood there a laughed a little bit because you looked so pitiful and then I realized that wow, this is happening.  Isn't he too young to do this?  I felt so bad that I went and grabbed you and then you started laughing.  Great, I am already being suckered in.  LOL

Looking forward to this next month.  I am so excited for Christmas.  We already have the tree up and you stare at it daily.  Hopefully you don't try and pull it down.

I love you my sweet, sweet baby Brandon.

Mommy

Arrgg, Matey

Brandon's First Halloween was a successful one.  We decided months ago that he would be a pirate and I was excited to make his costume instead of buying one.  I am not a very craft person but I feel like I did an ok job for a first timer.

We ended up going to Nick's parents house because their neighborhood has a lot of trick-or-treaters and the whole family would be there.  It was a packed house with family and friends.  All the kids went trick or treating together around the neighborhood, even Brandon (minus half his costume by then.)  It was a late night for him but he never got fussy and was in good spirits the entire evening.

After we got home last night I made a comment to Nick about the difference between this Halloween (and all upcoming) and all the Halloween's before Brandon.  All throughout my twenties, Halloween was an excuse to dress up, party, and act a fool.  I thought that I would miss all of that but I now realize that doing all of this with Brandon and experiencing it with him is WAY more fun than any late night party.  Plus, I don't wake up with a hangover in the morning. Haha

I am already looking forward to next Halloween with Brandon as he will be toddling around everywhere.  Check out his costume from this year below.  The onesie is from J.Crew, pants Target (I just cut them) and the vest I made.  Bandanna was a great added touch.