self accessorized

Declyn and I met Denise and Alyssa for lunch for Alyssa's actual birthday.  As she captioned this picture, "my hot date for taco Tuesday."

After lunch Lyss had to head back to work, so Denise and I went to walk around the town center and get a little shopping done.  Mike met us at Baby Gap for a hot second, and since we bought the new babe a warm, furry hat for the winter, we decided to cave (the kid already has four hats and the season hasn't even started) and let Declyn have the one he tries on every time we're at the store.  From the second Mike put it on him, he wouldn't take it off.  Hence why he was wearing shorts (it was 80 degrees today) with a Russian hat as his accessory, and also why he fell asleep wearing it.  This kid.

We told James to jump in between the gap that the two little ones so graciously left for him.  Brent and Declyn were screaming 'Cheeeeese' while James just sat there laughing.

They each sat next to a pumpkin, so I had to grab my phone and document this impromptu fall photoshoot that was playing out before me on CC & Pop's front steps. 

Looks a little better when the pumpkins are included.  

getting weird at the winery

We celebrated Alyssa's birthday at a winery.  Aside from the extreme wind, it was a gorgeous day with beautiful scenery. 

Figuring out this whole corn hole thing with Aunt Meag. 

I can't remember if this was before or after, but somewhere along the lines Declyn was posted up right behind the hole, standing on the board, and Meag hit him square in the face (basically using him as backboard to nail the shot).  Needless to say, he wasn't happy about it.

He really seemed to enjoy the game.

Taking the bags out of the hole.  Whatever entertains him is fine with us.

Just him and the world.

When it was time to leave, this is what we were dealing with.  The boy was so deliriously tired it took about twenty minutes to get him to the car.  He would walk a step, fall down, roll around, and start laughing.

I mean when something so simple makes you so happy, why not let it go on forever?

This had me hysterically laughing.

Mike changed his diaper and put him in the backseat without me seeing, so when I adjusted the mirror to look at him, this was what I saw.  No pants, sunglasses, and nasal spray.  When I asked Mike why he wasn't wearing any pants, he replied, "I thought he'd be more comfortable without them."  It'd say we all had a good time at the winery.

falloween

Our old stomping ground hosted a Falloween for little ones and I have to say, it wasn't half bad.  As if you can't tell, costumes were encouraged.  As for Dec, think Richard Simmons becomes a World Cup player.

One of the local petting zoos set up shop at the event, so we waited in line for Declyn to pet the animals.  As you can see, he loved it.

Aunt Meag was showing him the rocks in the fountain, until she dropped his cup into it.  At least he stayed dry.

Chatting it up with his dad while I waited in line to sample the nitrogen ice cream.

Poor kid was out of it when we first got there -- his ear infection probably had something to do with it.  These two pictures pretty much sums up how he felt.

Petting the animals, however, really seemed to perk him up.

Not sure what to make of the donkey's fur.

celebrating 37 weeks

This morning we went to the doctors for our 37 week appointment!  I cannot tell you how thrilled we are to have made it this far with this little one still cooking (Declyn was born the day I turned 36 weeks).  While the nurses and doctors in the NICU were amazing, hopefully that was our only time we'd have a babe in there. 

Celebratory donuts after our appointment. 

Picking the sprinkles off of the icing. 

Hugs and a stuffed face for Dad.

all.fall.down

James and Brent are in Florida for the week, so I've been getting updates on the fun time they've been having.    Look at that face.  Love him.

This was one of my favorite pictures.  How sweet are they?

Since James wasn't here to bridge himself between the couch and the table, Declyn decided to take matters into his own hand and fill in for him.

Here he was trying to get the right angle. 

My mom and grandma took Declyn outside for some fresh air while I was taking a nap, and when she came in Declyn was eager to show me the lovely time they had.

Casually kicking the ball around.

Deciding to roll himself over the ball, no big deal.

Honestly, I don't even know what happened here; one can draw their own conclusion.  My favorite part, however, was Smalls just casually standing in the background, hands in pocket (which you can't see here), just letting it happen.

when the hubs is away...

on a work trip, off to CC and Pops we go!

This guy will do anything for some Baby Einstein and the best part is he loves to snuggle when it's on.

He has taken his obsession with bath time to a new level.  Now he's not opposed to getting his bath toys out of the tub and walking over to the sink to play with them.

Clearly he's super serious about it.

Nanny and Declyn were looking out the window, waiting for Pops to get home so they could play before he went to bed.  Do they look the same size here?  Sadly, yes.

In a time when four dogs were having a slumber party, at my parents house my mom may have casually mentioned that Molly was the last dog they'd have.  After seeing this, I highly doubt that.

like father, like son

Picking up leaves off the ground.

 

 

 

Same outfit, same facial expressions.

 

 

 

Mike took these while I was running errands.  This picture immediately reminded me of a little boy I saw on Ellen singing 'Grenade' by Bruno Mars.  Here's the link in case you haven't seen it before.

 

 

 

Apparently he knows how to climb the monkey bars.  Until he gets to the top ... then he's not sure what to do.  Hence the face.

 

 

 

This boy has more facial expressions then I can keep track of.

anything for a treat

I told the girls to come and sit for a treat, and when I turned around Declyn was joining them.  I couldn't stop laughing... the first time he did it he literally had taken a knee in between the two of them, waiting for his treat.

 

 

Poor kid often gets stuck shopping with me.  Here he wanted to try on sunglasses, and believe it or not these were in the men's section (and there were multiple pairs!)

 

 

 

Jess sent me this picture of James getting ready to get on the train headed for Disney World. Do you think he's excited?

 

 

 

Declyn is so good at going to bed, but since not feeling so well he has had his moments where he cries when Mike puts him in his crib.  This was one of those nights. 

Instead of letting him cry it out, Mike grabbed a pillow and a blanket and laid on the rug, holding his hand, until he fell asleep.  Is he not an amazing dad?  The kids and I are quite lucky.

pizza for everyone

Nana came to visit, and thanks to the wonderful rain we had to the party indoors. 

 

 

 

My little man is growing up too quickly. 

On a side note, can you tell he's tired?  Aside from the staring, he has started biting his lower lip and kind of turning his mouth sideways like Elvis.

\

 

 

At one point James had about 20 pieces of bologna lined up on the counter, making sandwiches for all.

 

 

 

Can I help you?



 

 

 

She was making him laugh, and I can't not take a picture of his smile.