Happy Halloween!

What a fun and busy day we had! We began with Elliana waking at 6:15 asking if it was Halloween yet. Given I have the philosophy that it's not a new day until I'm awake for the day, I muttered that in a few hours it would be Halloween, and stumbled back to bed. The distraction lasted only 20-30 minutes and we were up for the day, and it was officially Halloween! 

Elliana quickly put on her costume to wear to school, wig and all. Elli was thrilled about all the details! To make it a bit more special, I made her peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a pumpkin shape, drew a jack-o-lantern face on her cup of peaches and just happened to catch a glimpse of Elliana holding her long "magic" hair up to Maya and sing her healing song to make Maya feel better (who has been suffering Croup and an ear infection, not to mention serious lack of sleep), while I finished packing her lunch. 

 Nana came down to allow me to go to Elliana's first school party! What a special treat to watch my girlie girl bowl with a pumpkin, shuck corn, make a craft and eat her with hat cookie with a grin ear to ear. 

Showing off her witch hat cookie before devouring it

removed every kernel from that ear of corn!

Class picture! 

Rapunzel and I at her school party

Nana cuddled up with the girls waiting for trick or treat time!

Daddy and I took Rapunzel trick or treating while the grandparents stayed home to pass out candy. We didn't stay out long as it was bitter cold. Maya (our magic flower which matched Rapunzel's costume) was too sick to join us on our adventure so she stayed home. We made the most of the few streets nearest our house and Elliana just kept smiling, laughing and running from house to house. At one point, Elliana said, "This halloween is not like last year. The weather is not as good as it was last year. Let's order it to be like the weather last year, okay?" Oh, how I love this little girl's thinking!

Grabbing "one" piece of candy per bucket. 

Big girl trick or treating by herself as we waited at the street. She even thanked the buckets when no one was there to distribute candy!

And because Maya was too sick to join us for trick or treating, we played dress up again yesterday to get a few photos of the girls for Maya's first Halloween. She was a trooper and even smiled for a few photos between the pain. 

LOVE these little girls!

Prettiest flower I've ever seen!

Pumpkin Patch with my Pumpkins...

I admit, I have other things I should be doing than writing this blog post. It's nearly 4:00 in the afternoon, the kiddos are sleeping, I have a house to clean and I've still to get a shower today! But, documenting the fun we've been having is somehow just more important than continuing with my daily routine at the moment.

This week, Hubby went on a much needed getaway with his Dad...such a unique and wonderful opportunity for father and son to bond! Anyway, while he was away, I planned our days from sun up to sun down in an effort to pass the time faster, and bring Hubby back home to cheerful little girls (this momma included).

One fun activity we planned was a visit with my college roommate 2 hours north. We loved spending the day with "Aunt Sally" and watching our kiddos pick out pumpkins in the massive patch, bumping on the hayride and cuddling up under a blanket in the cool autumn air. Such a fun, fall experience and one that we are already looking forward to again next year!

Elliana and Katie on the hayride

Maya & I cuddled on the hayride

Just a bit chilly!

Photo taken by Elliana of Sally, Maya & I

Sally, Katie (and baby Micah in the belly)

picking out just the right pumpkin

Maya bundled up and going with the flow

7 Month Update

This is a record. I am actually posting Maya's monthly update, only 4 days after turning 7 months old! 

Maya has shown such incredible growth this past month. She has mastered the army crawl, gets up on all fours and rocks back and forth, ready to take off at any moment after her big sister. 

Even taking her monthly photo this month proved more challenging as Maya allowed me to snap just a photo of two before taking off her monthly marker and trying to crumble, rip off and chew her new monthly sticker.

Trying to eat her sticker

So pleased that she got her sticker off

Maya was also introduced to solid foods this month, with fruits and orange vegetables being her favorite. Any day I'm expecting her nose to begin to show a tinge of orange to it, just like Elliana's did around this age. I am loving every part of being Maya's mommy, and I am so abundantly grateful that she is a part of our family!

Laughing at her sister while she eats

Sisterly Love

Elliana and Maya are amazing. I know I'm biased, but the love they share literally takes my breath away. Reviewing photos of our recent adventures reminded me of the little things the girls do, the important, special, sisterly things they do everyday that I don't want to ever forget. 

Every morning, Maya and Elliana eagerly await the other to wake up, and greet each other with smiles that light up the room. Elliana will read, play, share, encourage and explain all she can to her baby sister. Maya responds positively and looks for Elliana when she is not by her side. At night, during potty breaks, Elliana whispers "Don't flush the toilet, Maya is sleeping and I don't want to wake her." Maya scoots toward Elliana with almost lightening speed, just to see what Elli is up to. During meal times, Elliana makes Maya giggle repeatedly and it warms my heart, fills my heart with joy and adds laugh lines to my face, every single time. 

Rapunzel and Maya the giraffe snuggling at HallZooWeen

Swinging together

My girls, with their smug, perfect smiles

6 Month Update

Every month I seem to say it, but how on earth is my baby girl already 6 months old?! Well, given I am late yet again in posting this blog she is now almost 7 months old!  Maya continues to fill our days with joy and laughter. Such a happy, smiley little girl who is no longer content to just sit back and watch,  but eager to participate in all she can.

Elliana at 3.5 years, frequently says, "Mommy, remember when she used to just lay there and not move? Those days are gone!" Boy, is Elliana right! Maya is an army-crawling, straight sitting upper, eating machine!

Maya weighs 18.2 lbs (84%) and measures 27" (86%) with an estimated BMI of 17.5! Wow, what a big healthy girl! These stats were all BEFORE she began eating solid foods which she is loving and happily eager to try.

We are all so abundantly grateful for Maya's contribution to our family. Thank you sweet girl for being YOU!