Mary Cate, two months

Okay, she actually turned two months old three weeks ago. Also, this picture was taken a several days before that, but...ballpark.

Here she is, enjoying the incredible fall weather we had this year in late October. (Sidenote - Grandma Robynne knitted this blanket for a cousin years ago, and then John gave it to us when Eddie was born. Precious!)

Mary Cate is getting downright chubby, weighing in at 11.5 lbs. at her 2-month check-up. She's smiley and alert in the morning, but gets grumpier as the day goes on. It's kind of her thing. She's happiest when she's being held upright so she can check out what's going on. She loves when we sing to her, and at her best times she sings along or talks to us. She's showing interest in her toys and books, but still mostly likes staring at lights in classes 2-month-old style.

Mary Cate's only flaws are waking up every two hours all night and only turning her head to the right. She's clearly following in her big siblings' footsteps, though, so we have every hope that she'll be sleeping through the night in no time (after her second birthday) and will have full neck rotation functioning soon.

Thankful!

Among the many things I'm feeling grateful for this year, one is this!

I'm so blessed that MY grandparents can drive down and visit our school for Grandparents Day. We all enjoyed hosting Grandma Cathy, Papa Roger, and my dad! The greatest benefits of three generations of youthful marriage are the relationships, good times, and memories my kids get to have with their great-grandparents.

Halloween 2016

Let it be known, I actually had fun! It's no secret that I don't really like Halloween. Sorry. It's a holiday I just try to tolerate for the sake of the kids. I joke that any affinity for Halloween was transferred to Valentine's Day. I love Valentine's Day. What else is there to look forward to in Michigan in the middle of February? President's Day? Maybe.

Anyway, we ended up with a last-minute crowd, hosting 10 family members for a quick after-work dinner of frozen pizza and hot spiced cider before getting nine kids in costume. The weather was perfect, the candy was flowing, and the kids were in good spirits. It was an all-around pleasant evening!

Ah! The cuteness.

Team mom-and-baby

It was 50 degrees, not windy, not raining. A Halloween miracle!

Nine excited trick-or-treaters. Eight adults was barely enough.