Not So Happy Halloween

Trick or treating in our neighborhood was Sunday afternoon. We had talked about the concept with Claire and even practiced at home. When I first told her about it, she shut the door to her room, knocked on it and asked me for candy. She's a sharp little girl. Post nap, she watched me hand out candy to a kid or two and became very excited to get her costume on and head out. Aunt Mimi came over to join us as well.We went directly next door to a little boy's house that goes to her daycare and whom we see outside all the time. However, when we got close to the door, Claire froze. She yelled "no" and started hysterically crying. She buried her head in my legs and refused to look at anyone or take any candy.
We thought maybe that was it, but she agreed to try another house. There were no tears at the second neighbor, but she had Mimi carry her and kept her head on her shoulder while we chatted.

We only tried one more house and then headed to our daycare provider, where we hoped she would be more comfortable. When she was greeted at the door with candy, Claire blazed right by and let herself in the house. I guess she was more comfortable. We stayed and chatted a few minutes and had a beer (not me of course:). That was the best house by far. Maybe next year she will feel more comfortable with the process, but the outing was very short yesterday. We didn't mind too much, since the weather was a little wet and cold.

Nana Kathleen and Papa Dave gave us a twin size bed for Claire. Without anywhere to store it, we decided to set it up in her room over the weekend (Lucian would like his garage parking spot back:) Claire was enamored with it from the get go and made the transition to a big girl bed just like that. She has been sleeping in it since Friday night and I don't foresee going back. She has said her baby brother cannot have her crib, though. We'll have to see about that.

¡Viva México!

We returned from Cancun just in time to avoid hurricane Rina. We enjoyed spending time with family, lounging poolside, snorkeling on the reef and a beautiful wedding of course. Claire was a trooper traveling. We flew through Houston each way and had connecting 2-hour flights. It was somewhat nice to break it up and let her out of her seat for a bit. And our well prepared snacks, videos and books came in very handy.

Aunt Mimi's wedding took place Friday in a gazebo on the beach. As you can see the scenery was amazing and the ocean breeze felt great. Lucian served as the wedding photographer, so I credit him with all of these shots. Although I thought he was crazy for hauling lights, stands and other equipment with us, a few test shots proved instantly that he would need it all.

Mary Ann & Andy

I was in charge of wedding day hair. You can't see much in this photo, but I think it turned out really well.

Mi familia

The wedding was at 1pm, when Claire is usually napping. To be perfectly honest, we skipped her nap entirely most days we were there, which led to some interesting behavior displays. She usually crashed around 6pm when we were headed to dinner. Occasionally the wait-staff made her a bed with 2 chairs and we had a peaceful meal. She is back on schedule now, but wasn't too cooperative for wedding photos.

Claire and Aunt Mimi

We spent a good amount of time poolside. The main pool had a shallow area with 2 levels for kids. It was nice not to be secluded at a separate kiddie pool.

Reading poolside

Spen, outside our room

The ocean was like bath water and a beautiful blue. Claire had a great time frolicking in the waves and washing the sand off her hands.

Packing, Packing

Not much to report on this weekend. We mostly wrapped up loose ends around the house and prepared for our trip. We leave Wed. for Cancun, Mexico! This is the first major vacation we've taken Claire on, so we've been downloading books and fun apps to the iPad, purchasing snacks and deciding how many baby dolls to let her bring. I think she'll really enjoy, it and so will we.

Here are last weeks belly shots. We tried some fun lighting and cropped them without my head. I think they're pretty fun. 28 weeks already!

Mondo Weekend

The fall weather has been fantastic here, a little more like summer if you ask me, but I am not complaining. Claire has been her usual lovely, busy self and we are trying to keep up.

We met a friend for breakfast and a trip to a park Saturday morning. The girls hugged and giggled while they ate and had a great time swinging, sliding and pushing toy trucks at the park. It was a gorgeous morning to be outside.




Lucian, Spencer and Papa Dave headed out to a Mexican wrestling/burlesque show on Sat. evening called Mondo Lucha. A co-worker and friend of Lucian's puts it on annually. It's at a really great venue and Lucian was very excited to have complete access for photography. Here are a few shots that he took. It was a great boys night out, from what I hear, while us ladies gathered at Nana Kathleen's to watch Bridesmaids.

Bump Photos

We've started documenting my belly in photos once a week at Lucian's office. He helped set up the studio there and has access to some great equipment. Here is what we have so far. I feel fortunate to have such great shots this time around.

25 weeks

26 weeks

27 weeks

Pumpkin Farm Fun

It's become an annual tradition to meet a few of my University of Dayton friends at a pumpkin farm in the Chicago suburbs. This year we happened to choose my birthday as the date. The weather was great and I loved catching up with the girls and their expanding families. And, this year, the three of us are all pregnant!

Claire had a blast climbing on all of the play areas

She got to ride a pony

We measured her height. She is in fact 3ft., but this photo of her skipping away from the sign was too cute.

Claire and the mommies

Claire loved this tunnel and spent quite a bit of time running laps through and around it

We learned it's rather difficult to get three 2-year olds to pose for a picture

But we had fun trying

It was a perfect way to spend my birthday. We also stopped in at Ikea on the way home.