Let's give the pumpkin a face

 

 

Mark and Lily carved her pumpkin tonight, just in time for Halloween. The weather was perfect to take the mess outside (woohoo!) and Ethan was perfectly content hanging out in his chair so I could snap some pictures. 

 

She didn't want to touch the guts at first, "eww" she kept saying. 

but then she finally dug her hands in..

 ...and came after me

 

 

awe. kisses.

 



Who's who

Okay, maybe it wasn't that hard to tell which baby is Mark and which baby is Ethan.

 

Baby Mark is on the left and our little baby Ethan is on the right.



Ethan is seven weeks now (whaaat?) and he is growing and changing almost daily. The little shirt he is wearing in the picture was Marks when he was a baby and I couldn't resist doing a comparison picture in the same 'pose'. I think they have the same nose and head shape but their eyes are different.  

I'll see if I can dig up a picture of me around 21 months and compare me and Lily next. Obviously it will have to be in black and white, I was rockin' the red locks then, too. ha!

Guess Who?

One of the pictures below is Mark and one is Ethan. Both pictures were taken during their seventh week of life. Who is who?

 

Answer will be posted Wednesday morning so cast your vote!



1:1

Lily has been doing well since her little brother was born.

In general, she is patient with him (and me) with all the 

extra time and attention he gets. At times when she is becoming 

frustrated and I'm challenged by two crying babies (yes, she is still my 'baby'),
I have to remind myself that she went from having ALL of the attention to
less than half. There are many moments throughout the day when Ethan is upset or I'm 

nursing him and she is also wanting to read or build block towers or is 

in the kitchen trying to do big-girl things she shouldn't be doing alone. Ha!
Bittersweet that independence...  

She's seeking my attention in more ways (good and bad) than before and I'm 

finding myself wishing there were 2 of me to balance both kids. 

...and since that can't happen, I am trying to be diligent with my time I
get alone with her. I am definitely working on putting aside my type-A desire/disorder to clean/organize and making use of our one-on-one time when Ethan is
sleeping so she knows I still love and care for her and that we can still do
fun things as just us girls.

I was able to sneak outside with my little lady on Saturday afternoon and at the playground in our neighborhood. We had so much fun chasing each other! I could tell she loved having all of my attention and that I was hands-free. I pray that Mark and I can have one-on-one time with our children when they are young and especially when they are older. I want us to learn to cherish these moments and develop deep relationships with our kids. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or expensive, just something meaningful to show that we love them.

 

 

Here she goes:

"more, more, more"

 

Fall weekend fun

This weekend flew by. Why does Fall always slide right by?.. and then Winter. Ew, I'm not ready for Winter!

Lily is getting over a cold and Mark is coming down with one. My remedy for a cold is to get outside and get some fresh air. Thankfully the weather was nice so we were able to do just that.

Saturday:

We saw a little tent outside Target that was full of pumpkins and a sign that said 'free'.
Um, yes, please. The rules were that you had to be '12 and under' and give them your email to receive updates on the mall construction (the closest mall is under construction until next fall). Sure, we'll receive emails for two free pumpkins!

'Dadda, I want THAT one'

the mall in the background

They even had a little table for decorating where Lily

painted and bedazzled her pumpkin with pink glitter.

 

 

Sunday:

Still coughing and sniffling meant no church for us. No need to contaminate all the other kids!
We headed into DC early for some more fresh air. It was chilly but not a cloud in the sky. There was also a race going on which was really neat to see; around 20,000 runners. I especially liked standing in line to use the restroom with runners in front of and behind me jogging in place. People, you rock!
We only spent a little time out this morning. We parked next to the White House and walked to the WWII Memorial and Lincoln.

"Listen here, I've got lots to say"

Dream big, my girl. 

 

 

Ethan slept a lot through our outings so here are a few of him inside:

 

 

Ethan: 1 month

Ethan Henry

 



About me: 1 month

• I weigh 10.8 lbs (70%) I'm gaining weight like a champ!
• I am 22.5 inches long (83%)
• Diaper size 1 and clothes 0-3 months.
• I am a great sleeper! Lately I've been sleeping from 7:30pm-1:30ish. I know my mom is tired so I like to give her some time to rest.

Notes from mama:

• You like being held upright to see what is going on. Lately you've been arching your neck and leaning your head back as you try to see lights or fans or voices.
• Your skin was extra dry. Your legs, forehead, and belly were all shedding skin on your clothes.
• Lily wakes you up a lot when she's busy being a loud toddler but she also loves on you a lot too, giving you kisses and making sure you're okay when you're upset. You two are going to be best buds and I am excited for our adventures together and memories with the two of you.
• You HATE the car. Unless I just fed you or you're about to go to sleep, you pretty much cry. It breaks my heart.
• Your eyes make my heart flutter.
• You love to be outside!
• Sometimes you get fussy at the end of the day and I just put you on the carpet and you calm down. You seem to like your personal time just like me!
• Thank you for being so calm and 'chill' AND thank you for those smiles you give me during your late night feedings. xoxo
• P.S. You're super cuute and that little voice of yours is something to remember.

hahaha!

I love you, Ethan!

Lily meets Ethan (video)

Ethan is here!

Ethan Henry Haller was born Sunday, September 8th at 10:46pm weighing 8lbs. 6oz. and 21" long.
Praise God for this beautiful, healthy baby!

 

My due date was actually Saturday the 7th so our little guy was 'technically' a day late, but who was counting the days? ha.

At our small group dropping off potato salad

and Lily so we could head to the hospital. 

Thankful for wonderful friends who loved on Lily

and set us at ease for her first 'sleep-over!'







 

During labor - 2 hours before Ethan arrived

 I mean, that's a good look don't you think?

 

and he's HERE!

Proud dadda!

Mark coached me through the whole birth.

I could not have done it without him.

 

 

 Lily meets Ethan!

 

blurry, but she's SO excited

 

'his nose'

 

lovin'

(please excuse my utterly exhausted but I'm going to smile-smile)

 

 

 

I just love him.

Angel

We're going home!