October 31

Happy Halloween!

Today was another do-nothing Monday, enhanced by the fact that Chris took my car in for an oil change. No car seats = we're not going anywhere! The kiddos didn't mind staying at home, though.

Caleb and Daisy hung out in their pre-costume Halloween garb,

(That's right, they had Halloween clothes AND costumes. Because that's how we roll.)

(Really, Caleb's shirt was a fifty cent garage sale find, and Daisy's was a gift from Grandmother.)

and inspected the pumpkins. Caleb was excited to see the Cardinals represented on them.

After naps, it was finally time for costumes. 

Caleb was Diego, from "Go, Diego, Go!"

This is Diego:

I think we did a pretty good job! The orange thing is Diego's rescue pack, and absolutely necessary.

Daisy was Diego's best friend, Baby Jaguar.

Here's Diego with Baby Jaguar:

So Daisy may have been more of a metaphorical jaguar than a literal one; I chose to spend $2 on a not-so-jaguar-y remnant of fabric for her costume, rather than buying a more realistic material. She didn't seem to mind.

My sweet little Diego and Baby Jaguar.

(Can you believe how big Daisy is getting? She's practically a teenager! Today I went in to check on her while she was napping on my bed, and she had rolled over. She was wide awake, chilling on her tummy. She looked up at me with a great big grin, like, "Hey, Mom! What's up?" It was crazy.)

Though it was Caleb's third Halloween, tonight was his first time trick-or-treating. We did it super-early (like, not quite 6:00) and only hit four or five houses. He did great: at every house, he said, "Trick or Treat!" and thanked the person, and he seemed to really enjoy himself. Our major mistake? Trick-or-treating before dinner.

Oops.

Caleb ate candy for dinner. Next year, it will be dinner first, then trick-or-treating. Rookie mistake, right?

Our happy family.

Jenny came over to hang out with us and took this picture. Our neighbors Drew and Melanie also joined us; we lugged our firepit to the driveway, and brought out a crock pot full of chili. It was so much fun to sit around the fire and chat and hand out candy! This Halloween was definitely a winner.

Also a winner? 

Our pumpkins.

They look so cool, I  barely even mind the fact that I sliced open my thumb while carving them. (See my bright blue bandaid in the picture above? I actually really do mind that I sliced open my thumb - the darn bandaids won't stay put!)

October 30

We had a great day today, but I was terrible about taking pictures.

Let me rephrase. I was terrible about taking pictures of Daisy.

I realized this at dinnertime, when we were having a wonderful family meal at Bread Company. So quick as lightning, I whipped out my phone and snapped this picture of my precious little sugar lump.

It ain't much, but it's all I've got.

(Right before this, I was stopped by two different groups of ladies who each wanted to ooh and ahh over my adorable, bright-eyed baby. It's nice to have people confirm what I've long suspected: Chris and I make beautiful babies.)

And my other sugar lump, his face crumbly with a Chocolate Duet cookie. 

Those cookies are my fave. My absolute fave.

Earlier in the day, this boy was being completely hilarious. (By the way, "hilarious" is one of his current favorite words, a fact that I find completely hilarious.)

He wanted desperately to take his shirt off, but this was as far as he could get. I told him that if he could manage to get it off on his own, I was fine with him being naked.

He spent the next five minutes struggling and saying, "You want to be naked!"

Then he decided he was happy with the one-arm look.

It is a pretty chic look, after all.

Then the parade celebrating the Cardinals' World Series win was on TV. Chris and I seriously contemplated taking the kids down to see the actual parade, but laziness won out and we stayed home. Caleb didn't mind too much.

He was enthralled by the parade on TV.

Every time he recognized a player, he would shout their name. If Chris pointed out a player Caleb knew, he shouted even louder.

"OOOOHHHHHH! It's Lou Brock!

OHHHHH! There's the Stan Statue!

FREDBIRD!!! There's Fredbird!

The Clydesdales! I see the Clydesdales!

There's Joe Mozeliak!" (Yep. He really said it.)

Caleb absolutely enjoyed the parade in high definition. What a funny boy. Tonight at bedtime, he said, "You will watch the Cardinals in the World Series tomorrow?" Poor kid. I'm not sure how he'll be able to wait until April to watch his Redbirds play again!



October 29

Something really exciting happened today.

Really exciting.

And I got out my camera to take pictures, and realized that I had left my memory card at home. Oops. I took photos on my phone, but they just don't do it justice. So I'll just have to tell you and not show you pictures. OK?

We made an offer on a house.

Now, don't get too excited. There are lots of obstacles.

First, it's a foreclosure. That means the whole offer-to-contract-to-sale phase will take much longer than a normal home sale.

Second, it's a foreclosure. That means there are lots of things wrong with the house. But we had a roofing company, a home builder, and a basement crack company all visit to provide insight; everyone confirmed that the problems in the house are largely cosmetic and it should be liveable as we slowly but surely make it prettier.

Third, we still own our current home. We're still holding out hope that we may sell it, but given the realities of this economy, we realize that we're unlikely to sell the house for what we want. So our revised plan is to keep our current home and rent it out. That means we need to find tennants. If (when?) the bank accepts our offer on this new home and we get a set closing date, we will intensify our search for renters.

But this new home? It's kind of perfect. Not perfect in an oh-my-goodness-it's-my-dream-home way, because there are lots of things I would change, but perfect in an I-could-see-us-growing-old-here way. The neighborhood is a-mazing, the school district is great, it has a community pool and playground, it's close to one of our favorite parks, it has a big front porch, it's brick, it has a fireplace and hardwood floors, there are mature trees, there's room to expand....

So. Join us in praying that God's will would be done and that He would use this situation to bring glory and honor to Himself. Pray that the bank will accept our offer (quickly), that we can find good tenants/sell our home, and that it will all work together for good.

Sorry there are no pictures - I wish I could have documented Caleb running up and down the hallway, shouting, "Oh! Look at dat!" or him grabbing my hand and saying, "Let's go see over dere!" And there was the moment when I had Daisy propped up on one of the built-in shelves like a little doll. Or when I sat on the hardwood floor in the front room to nurse Daisy and looked out the huge wall of windows to the tree-lined street. The sunlight turned orange and red and yellow as it filtered through the leaves on the trees, and everything was golden and beautiful and perfect.

Pray this will be ours? (But pray also and more for what God has for us - we are willing to wait for what He wants for us.)

OK. Enough about that. The kids. Pictures.

We started carving pumpkins today. Really, we just did the messy hollowing-out part. Caleb was completely uninterested, and Daisy was napping.

But Chris and I like to carve pumpkins, so it's ok.

Red shirt.

Did I mention that the Cardinals won the World Series last night? Because they did. And I don't want to brag or anything, but I believe that my children are directly responsible for the win. Their baseball jammies and diapers really did the trick, I think.

Chewing on a foam number 8 from the bathtub. Goodnight, Miss Daisy!



October 28

I'm not sure if it was the baseball diapers or the baseball jammies last night, but I think our family can take personal responsibility for the Cardinals' amazing win last night in Game 6 of the World Series.

Realizing that they bear the heavy burden of helping their team win the World Series, Caleb and Daisy spent the day preparing for the final game tonight.

Caleb gave Fredbird lots of love and encouragement,

and even game him a few pitching lessons.

Daisy wore her Cardinals best, but made sure to wear a bow in her hair, too.

(It was her first time wearing a hair barrette, and it went well, thank you!)

As the game started, we observed a few post-season rituals: 

Store-bought Cardinals cupcakes

and

an icy cold can of smooth Busch Beer (though we passed on the easy-drinking Busch Light).

It's long been a tradition of ours to drink Busch Beer when the Cardinals are in the playoffs. If we can't be at Busch Stadium, we can at least drink Busch Beer. It's a sacrifice we make for our team.

Now let's go, Cardinals! Bring home that World Series trophy!



October 27

Today was tantrum-free! How about that!

However, Daisy must have noticed how good her brother was being and worried that I would get bored, because she barely napped today. She was still pretty cheerful, though.

This girl loves her bouncer!

Then, while Caleb napped... 

Daisy played with all of his favorite toys!

It's a good thing he was asleep, because he would have descended into a tizzy if he saw Daisy slobbering on her schoolbus.

And look at her - she knows she's getting away with something! What a mischievous little girl!

After baths, both kids donned their baseball diapers and Caleb wore his baseball jammies to watch two innings of Game 6 of the World Series. Let's hope the Cards can do this! (Daisy doesn't look too optimistic, but Caleb clearly believes in his Redbirds.)



October 26

How about lots of pictures today?

Do you remember how the pictures I posted yesterday featured Caleb wearing shorts and Daisy in a sleeveless dress? Today, we've got snow boots, hats, and coats. It's one of the many reasons I love living in the midwest.

First, Caleb chose the brown hat. The mittens were also his choice; he saw that I had mittens on, and he wanted some of his own. Luckily, I had a brand-new pair waiting for him.

Then, while I was inside getting warmer clothes for Daisy, he took off the brown hat and donned the green hat. He put it on by himself, and was totally content to run around with it on this way. Wouldn't you think he'd be bothered by the fact that he could barely see?

He wasn't.

I was bothered by it, though, so I fixed it for him. Then I reminded him that this hat was a gift from his GREAT Aunt Maggie. In this photo, he's saying, "I love you, Maggie!"

Daisy, in her too-small-because-she's-so-stinking-tall snowsuit. All of the snowsuits we have are size 3-6 months. Guess I'll have to start looking for a new one! Also, her pom-pom boots are completely hilarious. They are never-worn hand-me-downs from a friend of a friend, and they are two sizes too big, but they stay on, they keep her feet warm, they make me laugh, and she loves to chew them. It's a win all around!

How about another hat for Caleb?

He saw Daisy's snowboots and wanted to wear them. He didn't understand that they were too small, so to avert a tantrum I offered to fetch his snowboots. Crisis averted, and in the meantime I found this hat that was also a gift from Maggie. I'm so glad it still fits!

Later, we decided it was time to prepare for tonight's Game 5 of the World Series (before it had been postponed due to inclement weather).

Yesterday, I saw on Facebook that CottonBabies had created special-edition baseball diapers. Of course my little baseball fan needed one, so I immediately texted Chris that he needed to go to the CottonBabies store on his way home from work to pick one up for Caleb.

See the baseball stitching around the edges?

Then I realized that two baseball diapers would be even cuter than one, so I texted him again and told him to get one for Daisy, too.

It was a good choice.

(Here, she wants the baseball, but he doesn't want to give it to her. She's fussing, so he's kissing her to make her stop crying. But no way can she have the ball.)

Really, I probably could have made the diapers myself - we have both white diapers and red embroidery floss. But I never would have gotten around to doing it, and it's nice that they have the diapers just in time for the Cardinals to win the World Series. (Because they will. Caleb has decreed it. Tonight he ran around his room, cheering, "YAY! CARDINALS WIN! HOORAY!")

Unfortunately, the adorable baseball stitching doesn't show up too well on camera.

But trust me, it's cute.

Almost as cute as watching this little boy teach his sister about baseball.

She totally wants that ball.

He's totally not giving it to her.

But wait!

He hesitantly handed it over.

She immediately put her mouth on it.

He freaked out.

 And so it goes.

That's a better choice, Daisy. Caleb won't scream if you chew on your foot.

Hey LaRussa - she's ready! Put her in, and she'll bring home a winner. She just has to learn to walk first...



October 25

I know I complained yesterday, (and my quads still hurt, by the way) but I think I need to complain a little bit more. Will you indulge me?

Today I have been:

bitten

pinched

tugged at

pulled on

kicked in my sore quads by little baby feet

kicked in my sore quads by big shoe-wearing feet

hit (hard) in the cheekbone with a baseball

screamed at

hit

and slobbered on

I love my children, and I love being a mommy, and I am so thankful that I get to be a professional, full-time mommy. But friends? This is rough. I know it will pass, and I know that today is just rough day in a field of beautiful days, but in this moment, I am totally spent. (Do I see all of you moms out there in cyber-space nodding? Have you been here, too? Did you survive? Does that mean I'll survive, too?)

How about some crummy pictures?

After tantrum #1.

I asked Caleb what he wanted for breakfast. He replied, "toast with jelly". So I made him toast with jelly. I asked him if he wanted water or orange juice with his toast. He replied, "orange juice". So I was about to make him orange juice, when he said, "No, you want chocolate milk!" Now, chocolate milk is a special treat in our house. Caleb will drink all of his chocolate milk and then be so full that he won't eat his meal. So I told him that I'd be glad to make him some chocolate milk, but he couldn't have it until he'd eaten his toast.

Apparently, that was the worst thing ever, because it spurred twenty-plus minutes of screaming, kicking, hitting... you name it. I did great, though. I calmly ignored him, spoke to him when he was calm, and repeatedly offered his choices. When he hit me, though, I knew something had to give. I got some blue painter's tape and marked a square on the floor. I told Caleb it was his time-out square, and he had to sit there for two minutes because he had hit Mommy. At first, he resisted and fought the idea. But then? He liked it. He wanted to sit there. When his two minutes were up, he asked me to set the timer again! I'm pretty sure that's not how this is supposed to go...

After time out, I took the picture above. Guess what's in the cup? Water. He never even got his chocolate milk, but he ate all of his toast. I say that's a win for Mommy!

Then there's this girl. The tantrums don't even faze her.

For as challenging as Caleb has been lately, he's been really good about sharing his toys with Daisy. He doesn't mind if she plays with his things, as long as she doesn't eat them. The moment his toys go to her mouth, he gets all antsy and uncomfortable. It's really pretty funny.

'

Later, before Major Tantrum #2...

I put Daisy down for an afternoon nap, and Caleb said, "You get the monitor and go outside and Caleb can ride Caleb's bike, please?"

It sounded like a good idea to me.

My brave boy rode all the way to the stop sign. Doesn't he look like a bold explorer, conquering uncharted territory?

Then he realized he could push himself up our sloped driveway, pick up his feet, and roll backwards. Talk about fun!

Then he pushed his bike into the garage, told me he was done, and wanted to play baseball. That's when he hit me in the face with a baseball and had Major Tantrum #2.

In other news, I scanned the signs the kids made me for my race. I thought this was so cute that it was worth sharing.

I'm now hitting the "reset" button on my day. Tommorrow will be better.