A few Halloween pictures

Still catching up on October. We'll get caught up to real time eventually.

Growing up, my family didn't ever go Trick-or-Treating. Our churches always had big fair-like productions that we participated in (our church in central Alabama called it "Hallelujah Night," by the way). They were buckets of fun with tons of games/activities, plenty of candy, and gobs of friends (and you could dress up however you wanted; it didn't have to be biblical characters or ideas). Because this is what we did every year, I really never saw the appeal of Trick-or-Treating. It seemed so tame by comparison.

Our church here in Durham doesn't do anything for Halloween, and it seems that there aren't very many churches that do. So Trick-or-Treating it is! We have some friends that live a couple neighborhoods over who invite us to join them. Their neighborhood is much bigger than ours and gets into (a very family-friendly) Halloween. It's especially fun for our girls because the group of friends that joins up for this has a lot of little girls.

This year, Claire went as Belle, and she could not have loved her costume any more than she did. Side note: that dress is COVERED in glitter that flutters everywhere. I remembered a trick my mom taught me where you spray glittery things with hairspray, and the hairspray locks the glitter in. I held the dress over my tub and used about half a can of hairspray on it. Totally worked! It had to dry for a few hours, thanks to the copious amounts of hairspray, but the glitter litter ceased. #winning

Mom had found a fabulous tutu dress for Lily that just made Lily's life complete. It's Cinderella-themed, and I rustled up an Anna (from Frozen) crown, and she was a beautiful Princess Mix-and-Match. She was totally happy with this state of affairs.

The best shot I could get.

Lily was having a ball, and Claire was trying her hardest to help me get a good picture.

Barbara was in town and got to join in on the fun!

Everyone had a grand time and a LOT of candy was gathered by all (of the children). I guess that's a Halloween success.

Kat's Annual Visit

I'll be back to write more about Baby No. 3 soon, but I'm still trying to catch up on all the life that happened during this semester (while I was mostly in my bed being sick). So, this is more of what happened during October. Enjoy!

Several years ago (like, 12), someone made a profound comment that I've always loved. We were watching one of the Lord of the Rings movies, and she said, "Everyone needs a friend like Sam." It's such a simple statement but holds much meaning. Sam is an example of the best kind of friend. Always there. Always supportive. Always picking up Frodo's slack. Follows Frodo straight into Mount Doom to get the job done. 

Anyway. Kat is my Sam. 

I hope this isn't a perfect analogy, because that would make me Frodo, and he's just so not my favorite character. Such a troubled little hobbit.

She's never failed to come see me (Ukraine, Jackson, Boston, Durham), and we've been friends through quite a lot of life events at this point. She's BELOVED by my kids, my husband, my sister, and my parents. And she just gets me. 

She came and visited this fall, and we had yet another fun visit. Unfortunately, I was quite sick while she was here, so I didn't get to spend nearly as much time with her as I would have hoped, but we made the most of it, as we could. And, the girls got to spend quite a lot of time with her.

We celebrated Kat's birthday (which we only missed by a couple of days), talked for long stretches about things that probably only interest the two of us, wrangled children, and watched YouTube videos of things we needed to show each other. She also embarked on a journey with the girls that blew their minds a little bit: dinosaur eggs.

She undertook the task of making paper mache "dinosaur eggs" with the girls- BOTH girls. They did the paper mache one night, PAINTED (including Lily) another night, and then, unbeknownst to the girls, after the eggs were dry, she cut them open, sneaked a stuffed dinosaur into each one, and sealed them back up. Then, after a multi-day, dramatic build-up, the eggs "hatched." And the girls were just SO EXCITED. It was a really exciting series of events, and both girls are still VERY TAKEN with their dinosaurs. Lily's sleeps in her crib with her.

Note: all pictures that look good/are in focus were taken by Kat. She's an actual photographer. Although, she did take these fabulous pictures on her phone. I don't know how she does that kind of magic. It's a mystery.

Lily discovered the plunger...I wasn't paying attention, and Kat says, "Hey, so is Lily allowed to play with the plunger?" Um. No. She is not.

She also finally figured out how to climb onto the toilet, lean over, and turn on the water. It had been a goal for a long time. Related: we now have a "Lily Lock" on the bathroom door. Everyone but Lily can get in.

Painting dinosaur eggs.

About to hatch the eggs! Note the fort Kat built with them in the background.

So much love for the dinosaurs.

Deep discussions about the dinosaur situation.

We love you, Kat! Thank you for being the best kind of friend. 

Our hat trick.

Yep. We're having a baby! Wait...that's not what you were expecting with "hat trick?"

From the middle of September until, well, still ongoing, I've been preeeeetty sick. At this point, that's a pregnancy staple for me, and I've learned to accept it. We're all very excited, though (well, Lily doesn't really understand, but everyone else is excited.). I'm currently 20 weeks, which for me is actually slightly over halfway- this will be my second scheduled c-section (3rd overall)- so they'll do it at 39 weeks. My official due date is May 12th (the day after my birthday!), but the c-section will be scheduled for the week before. So...maybe Cinco de Mayo? Brad knows I'll expect queso in the recovery room should this be the case. He's hoping for May the 4th (be with her...). 

Shall we do a few FAQ's?

Have you been as sick this time as in the past?
Absolutely. It's what I do, guys. So far, I've been struggling with really debilitating migraines (several each week), constant quaking nausea, my fair share of vomiting, and...diabetes (I'll actually write more about this later. It's a whole thing.). Bleh. I'm 3 for 3 in pregnancy-induced, migraine-related trips to the ER for a few hours of fluids and phenergan. I'll have a migraine that makes me start vomiting, which means I can't keep my pain medication down, which means the migraine persists, which means I keep vomiting until I'm extremely dehydrated, which fuels the migraine...and I end up in a cycle I can't break out of. Hopefully, I've gotten it out of the way and won't have to do it again this pregnancy. BUT I have to give a shout out to Kieler, the amazingly talented wizard of a nurse who got my IV started in about 5 seconds with zero trauma to me. I was so dehydrated that I had absolutely no hope that he could get a vein in one go (this was not my first rodeo, y'all. Unfortunately, I know how this goes.), and I was steeling myself for lots of attempts, lots of discomfort, and lots of bruising (all while fighting a raging migraine and nausea). He was MAGICAL, I tell you. I'm going to ask if they'll bring him up from the ER just to start my IV when I have the baby. I'm sure that won't be a problem, right?

If you've been so sick, how have you managed taking care of things/the girls/your life?

Thankfully, we have some really great friends and a particularly fabulous mom and mother-in-law who have bent over backwards to take care of me and the girls (and Brad by extension) many days and weeks this fall. I was all but bedridden for a few stretches of time and fairly useless much of the rest of the time, and our moms kept things going. We are SO GRATEFUL.

Is Claire excited?
Of course. Have you met Claire? Excited is her default.

Are you concerned about Lily as a middle child?
No. Have you met Lily? She'll be just fine.

Are you going to convert your guest room to a kids' bedroom?
No. Please come stay with us in confidence that you will have a bed. In a room without children.

Do you want a boy this time?
Guys, that's such an awkward question. I wanted whatever I got (because, ya know, that part is determined before I even know anything about the baby's existence so I have no control, no say). Happy either way. But, I do want to go on record as saying that I have never felt that I would be cheated by having a third daughter. Of course parenting a boy would be fun and an adventure and so different than parenting girls. But I never want any daughter of mine to feel like they were inferior or weren't wanted (and celebrated) because they're not a boy. Much like Anne Shirley.

And on that note, we found out gender on the 21st, and we're having a...

That's our actual hat trick: 3 girls in a row! We are nothing if not consistent. I think we're pretty lucky to get to raise 3 women to love the Lord, love others, and do good work in this world. 

And no, we have no idea what we'll name her. We couldn't name Lily until we were holding her, so there's no telling if/when this baby will be named. 

Around here lately: October 2017 edition

October's collection of Claire-isms. Enjoy!

I thought you might need a friend, so I'm going to stay with you! to me

She was so brave. That's my girl! referring to Lily getting her shots

Supers.

Frogs are good at finding things. Write that down, Mommy.

Erin: You're a mess.

Claire: Why am I a mess?

Erin: I just mean you're funny.

Claire: So, I'm not really a mess? I don't have to get a bath?

At her first birthday party that she stayed at by herself (we had 2 parties that morning). The mom of the birthday girl sent this to me.

I just wanted to come make friends with you.

Ice bear = polar bear

Playing the "cello." It's actually her toy ukulele and homemade ribbon dancing stick.

Sees a video of a bear:

Oh, he's so cuuuuuute! Is he kind?

I got unbreathed a little bit. ran out of breath

Big school girl!

Lily, can you understand that I'm 4 and you're 1?

Flatsy was loud and woke me up. Flatsy is one of her bedtime lovies.

Dressing up the animal friends.

Can Lily come to the dentist and see how brave I am?

I want to make friends with you.

Pumpkin princess.

I want to stay up and chat with you.

Wanna have a chat about our bracelets, Lily?

Dress ups.

Kat: A cheetah is a really big cat.

Claire: Hahaha! Are you tricking me?

C'mon, you have to know this stuff.

She's a thing I EVER wanted!

Back when Bo came to town.

Bo (my sister, Amiee) is an incredible auntie. For Labor Day weekend, she made a quick trip to Durham to hang with her favorite gals, and they LOVED it. She was here for about 4 days, and we made pretty good use of our time, if I do say so myself (at least for people with little children in really hot weather).

Amiee had one culinary request for her visit: Donuts from Monuts. I love when Amiee comes (for many reasons but especially) because she always asks for Monuts. We tend to forget about Monuts just in our day-to-day life. They do more than donuts, but we reallllly love their donuts. They have super fun and eclectic flavors, so we get a mixed dozen and everyone tries a bite or two of everything. We probably all looked like Lily when all was said and done, but she's really the only one who we could photograph in a socially acceptable manner.

Amiee's visit overlapped with the dinner we hosted for Brad's Greek class (every time he has precepted or taught, we've invited his class over for dinner at the beginning of the semester), and it was extremely helpful to have an extra adult to help with prep. And by prep, I mean chase Lily around and keep her from climbing everything.

She also bought Claire this Belle and the Beast gown, which was the dress of Claire's dreams.

She was just beside herself.

We also watched Beauty and the Beast with the girls for the first time. This was Lily's take on things.

She actually enjoyed it, but she missed her morning nap, so she was just kinda hanging on.

Also that weekend, we ended up scoring free tickets for the Duke/North Carolina Central University football game (including vouchers for hot dogs, drinks, and popcorn). Obviously, we decked out in Duke blue and went to cheer on the Blue Devils (have you ever wondered why they're the Blue Devils? Read this.).

And look who was there for pre-game fun!!

Bought this cheap shaker. It was a very wise purchase. Also, this was very pre-game. A lot more people showed up by game time.

This little hand sign Claire's trying out is the hand sign that the college kids were using while cheering. I'm guessing it's for devil horns? Maybe bull horns for Durham: the bull city? An attempt to be like all the Texas schools?

I thought this was funny. I'm not sure if you can tell, but there are devil horns, tails, and pitchforks all over this sign.

Found this camel monument outside of one of the science buildings.

We left at halftime because a couple of girls were getting tiiiired. Claire and Lily were, too. Also. Immediately after this, we had to get Brad to use his card to get us into a random, locked building because Claire HAD TO GO POTTY NOW.

On Sunday, we all got to church on time and had beautiful weather. I can't remember what we did for lunch...I'd like to think we took Amiee somewhere fun, but it's completely possible that we ate leftovers; it's escaping me now.

Our attempt at a Sunday morning sister shot. Lily would not cooperate.

But we did get this one!

And Lily does not stand upon ceremony for Bo.

Amiee's birthday is in October, not early September, but we knew that we wouldn't see her until Christmas, so we had a mini party for her during her visit. We made some cupcakes and gave her our present, and Claire loved it because almost no one enjoys a party more than Claire.

We had such a great time and were quite sad when she had to leave. We're very much looking forward to seeing her at Christmas! We love you, BO!

Brad and I needed to take care of a few things at Target, so Amiee (and the Target dog) entertained the girls.

Amiee is really a wizard at getting great pictures with the girls. I stole, I mean borrowed, these from her.

My personal favorite.