happy halloween, yo

This was the first year we participated in Trick-or-Treating. I'm not super into Halloween, but we wanted Roman to experience it and we had a great time!

Roman's really into Peter Pan so he was Captain Hook...kind of. We may watch Peter Pan once a day... He also thinks that anything with a skull and cross bone on it is Captain Hook, so I guess Viggo was also Captain Hook for Halloween.

(Every time I told him to smile, he just stuck out his tongue. )

We met up with the Vasquez clan in their old neighborhood on Maxwell. Townes was a cowboy and Finch was a bumblebee. Too cute for words I might add. It took Roman a few houses to understand what was going on. He kept trying to go inside each house as if we were just going there to play. I guess I should start teaching him about stranger danger!

Most of the candy he got he couldn't eat, but thank heaven for my thoughtful mother in law. She bought a whole bag of skittles and starbursts thinking of Roman. Love her!

We headed over to my moms after about an hour or so. She wanted to see the littles all dressed up.

Sweet Sophia was a bear and her adorable mama was Velma from Scooby Doo. Thad was supposed to be Shaggy, but was lacking inspiration and motivation, I guess.

Then yesterday we went down to South Ames in search of a Pirate Ship we had heard about. I guess this guy and his son took three years to build it. We thought Roman would love it since he adores Captain Hook. Not. He was super scared. Poor guy.

Once we left he kept saying 'I scared,' or 'dat scared me.' I felt like a terrible mama.  For the record, we didn't know there were going to be skeleton pirates. And yes, he woke up a lot last night. Oops.

We ended last night with family movie night. What movie did we watch, you ask. Peter Pan. 

if you give a kid a ninja turtle...

...bedtime is no longer looked down upon, even in the eyes of a two-year-old. Instead, after books are read, prayers are said and a tired little soul lays down, APPARENTLY, drifting off to sleep is not so bad. No tears, no tired throats from 'disapproving' for a good half hour, no 'stay-strong-mama' or 'don't-go-snuggle-him-to-sleep', self talks. No, none of that. Just quiet.

Thursday night, before we tucked our RomanBells into bed, he went down to the basement with Cindy and Jeff and mustered through the collection of toys and other random goods that have found a home down there. I was feeding Viggo on the couch when I heard Jeff say 'Want to show mama?' They came over, Jeff, hands full of Roman, and Roman, hands full of Ninja Turtles.

My heart smiled.

Jeff was about Roman's age, or a little older, maybe, he was head over heels in love with these turtles in a half shell. And you can't really say you love something until you sleep on it. Meaning every night as a little boy, Jeff would snuggle up with his tiny versions of the 'crime fighting' hero's, while sleeping on his TMNT sheets. Because, really, nothing bad could happen to you if your snoozing with (and on) Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael. It's like a double dose of security...times four...or something. Regardless, Roman will be using said sheets when his time comes.

Back to bedtime...when it was time for bed, Roman took the Ninja Turtles with him to read books with Jeff. After he read and they prayed, Jeff laid him in his bed, and while he normally starts protesting immediately, he didn't make a peep. He just rolled onto his side, closed is eyes and fell asleep.Who knew. When I checked on him before I went to bed he was laying on his stomach, one hand clutching one turtle close to his face, the other hand holding another turtle, and a third turtle resting against his side. He was obviously snuggling them. (I'm super bummed I don't have a photo, but you know how it is when they sleep...you don't want to risk ANYTHING that may wake them up. And this boy is a light sleeper.)

We have TMNT fever. 

enjoying the small things

It's been a challenging 10 weeks and I've been trying to focus on what's good. Here is what I'm loving.

new fall nail polish.

Berry Hard is the name. I.Love.It. Thank you, Target for carrying some great nail polish.

holiday candles.

Picked up this beauty at TJMaxx this weekend. The warm scent of pear is now filling my the Barton's home.

a very fat two month old.

This boy is happy. He smiles all the time and it melts my heart. He's around the 16 pound mark and I still need to measure how long he is...

I could snuggle him to death.


apple orchards.

 

dates with my boy.
On this particular date last week, we decided to add to or pumpkin collection. Roman took his time deciding which ones were worthy of taking home...

...and sat on them to let me know 'this was it!'

Can I get an 'Amen!' for Ziel's Pumpkin Farm! $2 pumpkins, plus 3/$1 decorative gourds and much more. Woot!


truth.
Because I need to hear it often. Postpartum depression is fantastically challenging to deal with. But there is comfort in knowing that God has given His Word and some fabulous friends to speak truth into my life during this really crappy time. :) (in a nutshell).


baby feet...especially in festive jambos.

(I know this isn't of his feet, but I couldn't help myself.)