Happy Halloween!

We survived Christian's vacation. He went home to Utah for 10 days to hunt, fish, and visit his family. His goal was to finally get his deer before turning 30, and he accomplished that goal halfway. I'm going to compare it to fishing by saying it doesn't count unless you get your fish in the boat, but Chris did his part to thin out the deer herd. He shot a buck, but lost it in the mountains. They did, however, have a successful fishing trip, and he had a lot of fun spending quality time with his family.

The kids and I stayed at my parents while he was gone. That wasn't my initial plan, but I got mastitis for the third time the day after Chris left so we stayed there while I was on the mend and then it seemed easier just to stay over the rest of the week. The weather was so nice. Quinn played outside in the leaves with Bella, and we went on a lot of walks to soak up the sunshine and enjoy the pleasant fall weather. And, I'm not going to lie, it was really great to have my parents' help with the kids and to have people around in the evening. Even though I enjoyed being with my parents, I missed my husband, and it is really great having him back.

When Chris got home he said it was like coming home to a new family. Quinn is saying so many words and phrases, even some adult words (thanks to grandma), Daxton is huge, and...I cut my hair! I decided to cut it off after my last haircut went horribly wrong. The layers were awful and she took way more off than could be considered "a trim." I spent so much time fussing over my hair, it took a long time to style (before we went out I would only have time to do either my hair or make up), and I have had the same hair forever. It was time to let it go (I haven't seen Frozen btw, so not really a reference). Anyways, it is short now. Sometimes I like it and sometimes I don't, but I think that's how it goes with any hair style.

Daxton is huge! I weighed him at my parents', and he was 16 lbs. He is my little chunk and I love him. He is either smiling or going into a high-pitched squirrel scream. He is my sensitive soul. Sneezes, sudden movements, singing, and stepping out into the cold are things that have set him off lately. He does not like to be set down or left somewhere, but he does love his brother. Daxton will just sit and watch Quinn play all day long. He really loves his big brother, which reinforces the feeling I had that these two were meant to come down to earth this close in age.

Quinn's new thing is feeding Bella from his high chair. He knows he's being naughty, but we haven't exactly been consistent in telling him not to. My dad will just laugh, I'm 50/50, and my mom gets after him. It is so cute. I can't seriously tell him to stop. He also has a new game. He will hide his bink and Daxton's bink under a pillow and saying, "Where bink go? Baby's bink go?" Then he will get this little grin on his face and pull the pillow away to reveal the binks. It is so funny.

Halloween was a bit uneventful compared to last year. Christian had to work and my parents went to LaCrosse to watch Ben's last football game. I was not about to go out in 30 degree weather with two babies by myself. We stayed in, and I was excited to hand out candy and see all the cute kids in their costumes. I got one set of trick or treaters; they were tween girls wearing sweatshirts. I live in a town home development full of kids! I thought for sure I would be out of candy, but now we have two huge bags leftover. I guess it makes up for not going trick or treating.

Halloween...

The selfie setting was all hazy, and I don't know how to make it normal so...ghostly Halloween selfies it is!

Too Soon!

Daxton rolled over the first time today! He turns 3 months tomorrow. He even waited for Christian to be home before he did it. I had Daxton on the floor when Chris came home for dinner, and a few minutes after he'd been home, Daxton just rolled over, with no help or anything, he hasn't even been attempting to roll. It was a very unexpected but pleasant surprise.

Fall!

There's something about this time of year that makes me want to stay inside and eat pies and crisps and drink hot apple cider. Fall is by far my favorite season. Pleasant weather, changing leaves, and the start of the baking season. What could be better?

I have come to find out that seasons and holidays are so much more fun with kids. The joy on their faces from experiencing something new or receiving a gift is priceless. Who wouldn't want to make cookies for Quinn when he says "cookies" so cute and has a huge grin on his face when he gets one? I can't refuse him. His happiness makes me happy.

The weather was beautiful today so we went out to a pumpkin patch to get a pumpkin for Quinn and see the animals in the petting zoo. I'm always showing Quinn these animals in pictures and making the sounds, but he finally got to see cows, sheeps, goats, and chickens in real life. It was so fun! Sure enough, when Chris was feeding a goat some corn, Quinn made a bee line for the pond and got one leg wet. Chris snatched him out, and we didn't let the wet shoe ruin our day.

On another fall day we raked leaves at Grandma's and Grandpa's.I couldn't get him to hold still to take a decent picture, but I did my best.

My Friday Night

That, my friends, is 8 eggs, a cup of milk, a little bit of garlic powder, and some salt and pepper all over my toddler and my floor. 20 minutes before Chris would be home to eat dinner before going back to work. Needless to say, he had leftovers.

2 Months & 18 Months

Daxton

It is hard to believe we have only had Daxton with us for two months. It feels like he's been around forever. A good kind of forever. He has started to smile and talk to me, and he has grown out of his colic. He has such a handsome smile. This boy is a chunk. He's huge! At his Dr.'s appointment he weighed 14 lbs. 4 oz., and that was two weeks ago. He has a really long torso so he is wearing Quinn's 9 month onzies. I was not expecting a big baby. I feel like I have to keep going into Quinn's old clothes to get the next size up for Daxton. I can't keep up with him! At this rate he will be playing with Quinner in no time. He's been sleeping through the night and going to bed earlier, which has been absolutely wonderful for me. I'm only 25, but staying up until 1 a.m. is way too late for me.

Quinn

I could write pages about all the cute things Quinn is doing, but I'll try to write the condensed version. He is talking so much. He will repeat most words that we say and has even started to repeat some phrases. He loves to watch me cook, and he is still my little cleaner upper. Today, before he ran out of our bedroom, he noticed some of the dresser drawers were slightly pulled out so he stopped and pushed them in all the way before continuing on his way. Quinn likes to wear hats and will take Christian's hat from his head and put it on himself. He gives kisses and makes sure that everyone gets one while he's giving them out. He definitely has a sweet tooth, but he is still a really good eater and eats whatever we give him.

Quinn has taken more interest in Daxton. I had Dax on the floor the other day and Quinn kept putting the blanket around him and trying to pick him up. Quinn will also grab Dax's bink when he is crying and makes sure he has his blanket. Quinn is shaping up to be a really great big brother.

Me

I have found that as my love for my children grows and develops, my love for Christian has also evolved. I love him for more reasons than when we first got married, and I can't imagine being with anyone else. Having children has been a blessing in my life, and I wouldn't do things differently if given the chance. Our family has been so blessed. I feel undeserving, but eternally grateful.

World's saddest clown. He wanted grapes.

Malt o meal goatee 

I had to hold him down to get him to take a picture with me.

The boys' first bus ride. We rode to the zoo on an animal print shuttle bus 

We became "those parents" that put their toddlers on a leash. How else do you keep him next to you?

 This is the dresser my parents finished painting for me to replace the bulbous entertainment center we had before. This really opens up the room and adds a splash of color.