The Trick or Treat Bust

So tonight is Halloween, and trick-or-treat is actually going on as I sit here typing this blog. We got the kids all in their costumes and headed out for what we thought was going to be a great night filled with tons of candy. Natalie and Nathan were in the double stroller, and Nolan was walking. Nolan hesitantly went to our neighbor Matt's house and got four pieces of candy...and refused to say "trick or treat". We could tell that Nolan was being stand-offish, so we were trying to hit the houses with people we talk to regularly first, and whom Nolan is friends with...but he absolutely refused. He said he had enough candy, and just wanted to go home....so we did. Matt took Natalie and Nathan around to several more houses, but Nolan was satisfied with his four pieces of candy, and was ready to call it a night. I even called Mom-o to try and convince Nolan into getting out there and getting some more candy, but even she couldn't persuade him to do so. He told her that he was shy....whatever....this kid is normally the social butterfly of the community. He also said he didn't want people to see him in his costume....I guess sometimes he doesn't like to be looked at, or to be the center of attention.

So this year's Halloween was a big BUST! Hopefully, we'll have better luck next year!

Camping In

Yesterday, I found Nolan's tent, and Matt put it up for the kids. Nolan and Natalie both loved it! They both stayed in the tent lying in their sleeping bags, playing with flashlights, and watching TV for over an hour (Just look at the static in Natalie's hair)! At about 8 o'clock, I put Natalie to bed, but Nolan said he wanted to sleep in the tent. So at about 10 o'clock, I got in the tent with him until he fell asleep...then I curled up on the couch just in case he woke up during the night frightened. But, he slept there all night without making as much as a peep.

Today, Nathan had his 9 month check-up (we are a month behind schedule with him). He was given a good bill of health. I hadn't planned on him getting any shots today, but the doctor talked me into giving him the flu vaccine. Nolan went to the appointment with me since Matt had a meeting an couldn't come home. Our neighbor's mother was kind enough to come over to our house and sit while Natalie took her nap....I just didn't think that Nolan, Natalie, and Nathan would be cooperative at the doctor's office all together...so it was just me and the boys. So when I decided to go ahead and have Nathan get the flu shot, I warned Nolan that Nathan would cry when he was pricked, but that he would be okay. Surprisingly, Nathan didn't even flinch when he was injected! He was just a little angel, and a tough little guy! I was very pleased, because I didn't want Nolan to think that shots were a terrible experience, and thanks to Nathan, I think we may have helped get this point across.

I'll take Nolan in for his flu vaccine at the beginning of November, but the doctor was hopeful that the nasal vaccine would be in by then....so maybe Nolan will escape a shot! Natalie, on the other hand, won't be getting a vaccine. Since she has an egg allergy, the doctor said it was best to leave her out. Since the kids are home with me all of the time, I'm not very concerned about them picking up the flu, but I went ahead and decided on the vaccinations just in case....I don't know how I would be able to cope if all 3 of my kids ended up with the flu!

Pumpkins and Bedtime

This week, we had two days in a row of company. On Wednesday, Steve and Teresa came up, and then on Thursday, my dad and Shirley came. The kids really enjoyed seeing their grandparents again. Though, neither day did Nolan have a nap, so he was a bit cranky the next day....but this was quickly fixed when he took a 4 hour nap on Friday! Everyone is back on schedule and doing well.

Today, we (or I guess I should say "I") carved our pumpkins. I'm not the best when it comes to using a knife, but thankfully I escaped any cuts, and I think the pumpkins turned out pretty nice....though one pumpkin lost a tooth in the process! Trick or Treat night is on Wednesday, and I guess Matt and I will be taking all the kids together, so we won't be handing out any candy at our house...we'll just keep the house nice and dark.

We were working this week on having Nolan back to sleeping in his own bed. Matt asked Nolan when he would start sleeping in his bed, and Nolan said when he was 6 years old. So Matt said, "how about when you're 4." Then my little negotiator countered with, "okay, how about 5." I don't know how in the world he is so smart, but he is. Nolan later saw a duck game on TV and asked if he could have it. So I told him that if he slept in his own bed for 10 nights in a row, we would go to the store and he could get the game. Well, night before last, Matt took Nolan to his bed very quietly and climbed in with him for a moment. Nathan started wrestling around in his crib, and then pulled himself up to see his daddy and brother in the room. He then began to chuckle at them, and that was the end of that. Nathan was awake, so Matt took him downstairs for a bottle, and Nolan climbed in bed with me. I guess we will have to wait until Nathan is big enough to sleep in the big bed with Nolan...probably when Nolan is 5, like he said!

Here are some pics from the week.

Natalie wearing her daddy's shoes.

Natalie helping herself to Nathan's Cheerios.

I just love this picture of Nathan...he looks like a linebacker trying to psych out his opponents.

Let's Go Mountaineers!

So the kids came back one day early from Mom-o and Pops' house...They were glad to be home, and ready to catch up on some sleep. We didn't give them much of a nap this morning, because we decided to go tailgating again. It's funny that I have been to more WVU tailgates this season than I have in my life...but what do you expect when you live so close!

The kids did great as usual. It was very windy at first, but when the sun peeked through a little later, it wasn't as chilly. We stayed about 2 hours, and decided to head home in plenty of time to watch the game at home. Here are some pics of the kids today.

Nolan wearing his sunglasses on the way to the stadium.

We made our double stroller fit three...look at Nolan all laid back!

Natalie looking for something to get into.

This is the best shot I could get of Nolan in his jersey.






















Once again, Nathan just hanging out!

Just Nathan and Me

I haven't blogged in a while, so I'll try and catch up. There's not a whole lot going on here now, except for me trying to make my house extremely clean. Nolan and Natalie are staying with Matt's parents for the whole week! I so badly needed a break...and I am so thankful that my in-laws stepped in to help! If the kids do well, they will be coming home on Saturday...but if they start to get homesick, we'll pick them up earlier.

It's been nice to spend time just with Nathan. I was a little worried that he may not be as pleasant with his brother and sister gone, since he watches them constantly and they provide entertainment for him. However, he has done fine. He is content playing by himself. He just crawls around looking for new things to explore. He is trying so hard to find a way to pull himself up to stand. I just don't have many things that are at his level to help him accomplish this. When I stand him up on his feet, I wait until he gets his balance and then I let go. He has successfully stood on his own for about 10 or 15 seconds. He wants to walk so badly...he reminds me of the way Nolan was....very determined!

I must also share our deceitful tactic to get Nolan to eat more at dinnertime. The other evening, Nolan was resisting his food as usual. We pretty much have to set a number of bites for him to eat...and it's more fun for him this way. Matt told Nolan to eat ten bites...but Nolan countered with six. So I said, "Okay, you can eat six bites for Daddy, and I want you to eat four bites for me." So he accomplished his ten bites without even realizing it!

I'll try and blog again this week, since I'll have more time....and I'll get some pictures up next time too!

Balloon Festival

Yesterday, we went to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in town. Unfortunately, none of the balloons were there at the time, but we saw a few today in the distance from our house...so I guess that was good enough. The kids had fun riding the carnival rides and playing some games. It was extremely hot, so we didn't stay too long. This post is very short cause I'm busy...but here are some pics!







Nolan on the carousel
















Matt and Natalie riding the carousel















Nolan shooting













Natalie thought this was too fun!

















Nathan just chillin' as always















Taking a pony ride












Another failed attempt at a "good" pic of the kids together...sigh