The princess is here!!

I'm an AUNT!  I've been waiting to say those words for years now, and I am thrilled that the time is finally here.  Sister-in-law was due a few days before halloween, and naturally we all joked about her having a little pumpkin.  When her due date came and went, she informed us that she'd be induced on Monday morning - Halloween.  Turns out she went into labor just before her scheduled induction, and a few hours later my niece, hereafter known as Princess gal, arrived. 

Hubs and I are thrilled with this addition to the family.  She comes just in time to be bffs with our little lobster roll and she is so lucky to have two of the coolest parents she could ask for.  Hubs' sister and our brother-in-law are fantastic with Gobbles and are going to be a great mom and dad.  We're looking forward to many years of our families hanging out and experiencing milestones together.

This past weekend we took Gobbles to meet his two-week old cousin.  We told him how exciting it was going to be to meet his cousin, baby princess.  He of course chatted about it the entire morning, but clammed up when we got there.  As soon as he saw the bundle of joy, he began wringing his hands and looking furtively around in every direction but that of the princess.  Every mention of Princess's name caused him to glance in her direction and then offer up a form of distraction.  I placed him on the couch next to his aunt and cousin and he still turned away from them, but seemed happy to create a barrier between me and the baby. 

After we all got a little more comfortable, Gobbles seemed to settle in and play with his toys and took advantage of special attention from his grandfather while we fawned over the baby.  He was fine until he realized I was holding her, which caused him to run across the room in a panic and cry big crocodile tears until I handed her back over to her mom.  This again reinforces the fact that I am petrified for the arrival of Gobbles' sister.  He has not let me hold another baby without throwing an absolute fit.  I guess we'll have to figure it out somehow... Strangely though, he was fine with his Daddy holding the Princess, and even wanted to interact with her when she was laying on a blanket.  He's going to be a good cousin, and soon a good big brother.  We just need to work on his patience a little more...

Meanwhile, Look at this beautiful little girl!  She looks so much like her daddy but also has her mom's gorgeous blue eyes. 

Pretty Princess!

Such a happy big cousin! 

Here baby princess, have a ball!

Little girl, BIIIG stretch!

half crying, half sleeping

More stretching!

No Mommy, I don't want to hold the baby!

So what's the deal with my uncle here??

I know!  I'm aDORable!

And I stole the doggie's pillow!

Ok, ONE pic!

Enough is enough!

Awww baby princess.  As long as you're not tying up mommy or auntie's laps, you're A-OK!

Buddies!

Last weekend Gobbles and I got together with his two favorite friends, Little Buddy and Mooshie.  We had an evening playdate hosted by Mooshie's mommy and daddy.  Hubs was working but Gobbles and I were more than excited to come and play with the other boys and their 'rents. 

It was only about 6 weeks or so since the last time I had seen the Moosh man but it seems like he's grown so much.  I've forgotten how quickly a baby's development is during the first year.  Meanwhile, Gobbles seems to still be maintaining his same old habits - scream and cry when Mommy tries to hold another child.  He did, however, request to hold the baby.  So we sat them both on my lap, one on top of the other.  As soon as Gobbles shifted and Moosh was touching my lap, Gobbles began to push him away - 'Scuse me Moosh, 'scuse me.  Not because Mooosh was in his way, but because he was treading on Gobbles' turf.   11 weeks to work on this...

Meanwhile, Little Buddy and Gobbles enjoyed pizza and snacks and had a blast playing ball, trucks, coloring, and breaking into Moosh's toys that he hadn't gotten a chance to use yet.  Moosh watched his bigger buddies and looked at his mommy as if to say just you wait!  I'm gonna be running around like them soon before you know it!

The boys' moms and I traded secrets, stories, and hysterics about our evolving motherhoods, how far we've come since being friends a decade and a half, and each of our neurotic tendencies.  I always leave these playdates feeling more confident and calm with myself and my role as a wife, mother, and friend.  I feel so lucky to be going through these moments in life with these women, as we have similar thoughts and feelings on many things, but very different views on others, which somehow all mesh together for a comfortable, reliable friendship. 

And the fact that we have the most adorable handsomest little men in all the world doesn't hurt either! 

hey kid!  when you're old enough you can have a ball too!

C'mon Moosh! look at the camera, that way our Mommies will leave us alone!

Here - ya want the ball? 

Guys?  Where'd ya go??

Shhh... I can play with two if i want!

Hey Lil buddy - check out my reflection in the glass.  I know we're not supposed to bang on it but it's so much fun - drum drum drum!

Seriously?  no interest?  oh well, suit yourself!

No Mommy, I was NOT banging on the glass!



Hey Gobbles!  Why are they obsessed with taking pictures?  'Scuse me Moosh, just please get off my mommy's lap!



Honestly Mommas!  Enough with the pictures!  Trying to escape here!

Two boys, a bat, a ball, a large tv, a glass table, and a window wall.  Don't see any issues here!

I'm done smiling for you ladies!  Here's my kissy face instead!

Wow Mooshie!  You've got the coolest toys!

Look at that concentration!

Even Sophia got in on the action!  What a fun night!

falltime flurries

We had a rare October snowstorm on Halloween weekend.  Despite refusing a hat or gloves, Gobbles loved being out in the cold white goodness.  We stuffed him into last year's snowsuit since we hadn't prepared yet and ordered a new one, and luckily the second pair of boots I got him last year were entirely too big, so they fit just right now. 

He hated snow last year.  Probably due to the fact that he was still unsteady on his feet.  But this winter is going to be the year.   Chapstick is ready and hot chocolate is stocked, because my son is loving it.  Running, jumping, kicking, throwing.  Anything he can do in this stuff he's going to.  We need to get a sled!

Cheese!  Ready to play in the snow.  Even though i refuse mittens and a hat!

C'mon daddy!  Let's play!

Poonsh and colie, you too! let's play!

Even the puppies enjoy the play structure

I said PLAY daddy!

Driving the ship is so much more fun in the snow!

Whoo heee!

I can't get uuupppppp!

Just chillaxin!

safe!

Allrighty!  All done snow.  Don't come back until February!

Halloweentown!

A costume.  We knew it would be a challange for our picky little boy.  It takes an army to transition him to new shoes when the last pair is worn or outgrown, he refuses to wear hats, gloves, or slippers of any kind.  Certain coats are a struggle - daycare has even informed us of days that they'd put his coat on backwards so he couldn't unzip.  My poor little straightjacket guy.

But, as luck would have it, we didn't even have to think too far outside the box this year because Gobbles already sported the trademark accessory for his costume - his glasses.  He's gotten comments since acquiring his eyes, to which he has grown extremely attached.  Most of them to the effect of aw, he looks just like Harry Potter!  So from there, his costume was born.

I searched high and low for a ready made one, but the smallest cloak in child size was way to big.  So I set out to the fabric store and spend 10 bucks on some black fabric, some red fabric, and stitch witchery.  I'd never used the stuff but heck I can't sew either, so I knew it'd be an adventure.  I ordered a tie and a wand online, but the tie was way too big as well and there was no way we'd get it around his neck.  With hubs' help (yea I can't knot a tie either) and a hot glue gun, we created a little clip on that was just Gobbles size.

Over several nights while hubs was at work late, I made the cloak, half using instructions I found online, half winging it.  I think it turned out ok, besides the flyaway shoulders it ended up having.  That stitch witchery becomes pretty stiff and all the seams have about an inch thick ridge.  Oh well, it worked for Gobbles.  Only a few small tantrums as we put the cloak on and he was good to go!

The Friday before Halloween was the party at daycare.  It was so much fun seeing Gobbles and all of his friends together in their costumes.  The teachers had different activity stations set up where one could trick or treat and do a craft.  Gobbles had no interest in the candy, but enjoyed the scratch art so much we couldn't pull him away.  His teacher mentioned that she always gives him extra time when they're doing art because he is very particular about his work and doesn't like to be interrupted when he's concentrating.  My goodness where in the world would he get that?

On the actual halloween, not only did Gobbles become a cousin (more on the special princess in another post!!), but he got to see my family when they all came over to see him dressed up.  He was spoiled with gifts as usual and enjoyed the loving attention from everyone.  While my family held down the fort for trick or treaters, Hubs and I took Gobbles to trick or treat.  We went to about five houses because (a) he doesn't really need the candy and (b) we'd see most of the other neighbors when they came to our place.

He seemed to like the concept of placing the candy in his pumpkin, but as we walked down the sidewalk he began to get scared of his fellow trick-or-treaters.  After we went back home and sorted his "loot", he took more of an interest in the kids coming by for candy and helped his Daddy hand some out.  As the doorbell would ring, he would grab some candy from his pile and go toss it into the kids' awaiting pillowcases.  We all encouraged him not to, since we had plenty to hand out, but Gobbles was getting really into it and ended up giving away all of the candy he'd gotten during his rounds.  I managed to grab the fishies / animal crackers / lolipop combo one of our friends made especially for him, but everything else ended up going to home with another child.  Not that it bothered him in the least - a half of a Reese's cup was all he needed to eat that night on the candy front.  Not a big sweets guy, my son.  For real with this one, NO idea where he gets that!

All in all it was a great few days, the costume stayed on and didn't fall apart, and Gobbles enjoyed that whole social aspect of the holiday.  And he was the most adorable little Harry Potter I could ever wish for!

Mom are you kidding me?  No Tie!  I said no tie!

All right, I'll play with this bug for distraction.  And you're right, I wear the eyes much better than that imposter behind me!

I know, normally I'm left handed, but I'm just so into this scratch art I forgot!

You want to leave and go to another table?  why?? I could stay all day!

Expecto Patronum!

I'm on the big kids' playset - they never let us out in this part of the yard!!

Keep runnin' elvis, I OWN this slide!

Look out, train's a comin!

Yes Mommy, I'll wear this costume AGAIN for you.  But i'm not tuckin in my shirt this time!

Nom Nom Nom

Let's check out the goods!

Hmmm, I've already had one Reese cup, don't need this one...

Here ya go, kids!

Behind

i'm like 5 posts behind where i want to be.  so much has gone on in the past few weeks and as the 11 remaining weeks i have in this pregnancy are threatening to tick down, i'm getting more and more stressed... we're not ready.  we need to sell this house.  we need to get into a new one.  why the rush?  because if i have to transition poor gobbles to a new room not once but twice, he's going to freak.  all of the sudden his daybed is no good, and every night he's at the door crying and throwing pacis and blankies and trying to weasel his way into our bed.

it's been working.  hubs has been working 80 hour weeks for what seems like months now, so it's been up to me to take care of the nighttime stuff.  completely stressed out about my own work, not to mention the panic of needing to sell this house, i have not gotten a full nights sleep as it is.  this stress coupled with the joys of the third trimester have led me to just bringing our crying Gobbles into our bed after a second or third wakeup at night.  It seems to be the only way to soothe both of us. 

we've had so many good things happen recently that i needed to make this venting a separate post and be done with it.  Halloween and snow and playdates and the latest addition to the family are a few of the exciting things i need to record, so i can make room in my head for more - upcoming holidays, Gobble's second birthday, and eventually the arrival of his little sister!