Happy Halloween

Norrin, Mommy and Daddy

Norrin and Uncle Jim

Happy Giraffe

Norrin just wanted to run all over the neighborhood in his giraffe costume. He had a pumpkin bag that he wouldn't hold and he only made it to two houses, but he sure did have a lot of fun making Daddy chase him up and down the block. Mommy was just so happy she could get out of work early to see her lil boy in his costume.

Giraffe On The Loose

New Shoes and Crazy Weather

Yesterday was some crazy weather. First it was raining, then it was snowing. The wind ripped through every layer I had on and it was just all in all yucky outside. So, of course, I decided to take my kid to the mall for some shoes. His Grandmom Milligan bought him his first pair of Nikes and I bought him some faux Crocs from Target, but he was having problems walking in both of those, so I decided to have him professionally measured. He needs rubber soled shoes for all this nasty weather and I was desperate to get him shoes that wouldn't make him trip :). I went to Stride Rite...an expensive decision ($40), but the right one. They measured his feet and he had a new pair within minutes. Afterwards he spent a good half an hour running around in the new shoes around the fountain in Willow Grove Mall...no falls. The employees at Stride Rite were really good with him and the shoes are really cute (now if only they could do something about the price). After some exercise around the fountain, we got back in the car and out into that terrible weather to get some lunch at Allways Cafe. I love, love, love their food and its butternut squash soup time! Norrin loved the soup and I shared some of my sweet potato quesadilla with him. He held it together quite nicely even though he wanted to continue running around in his new shoes :). The car ride is half an hour and Norrin loved it. Now that he's forward facing, he can see everything and the snow was so exciting to him. He talked the whole drive home. It was just such a great outing...even though I know I'm a little crazy to be out in that kind of weather. Today is our weekly visit with Grandmom and Grandpop Milligan. Its almost 8:30 am and the lil guy is still in bed, so this might be a later visit (I time it for after his morning nap...whenever that should occur). Todd is still in bed, too. I'm the only fool who doesn't sleep in :). I had to pack a bag this morning for Norrin. I'm working on Halloween so I want to make sure Grandmom Milligan has all the supplies she needs for Norrin to make his way around her neighborhood. I've included our camera b/c I want lots of pics of my lil giraffe. I hate that I'm missing out on it, but it is what it is...better Halloween than Christmas :).

Whole Foods Baby & Toddler Festival

Today I took Norrin to Whole Foods, which is something I do at least once every two weeks...but today was special. Today they had the Baby & Toddler Festival! First, I had the Abington Police Department check my carseat. I just turned it to front facing and they were doing free checks and I never pass up something free :). I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I'm pretty darn good at installing a carseat. Then, we watched Tonjia's presentation (from Divas n Babes) on baby carriers. This was my first time meeting her in person and it was funny b/c she recognized Norrin from his carrier before I even introduced him. Then, we watched a baby food demonstration. Norrin is on solids, but he wanted to nurse and the seats were comfortable and while we were sitting there, they gave us a free sample. It was a blend of spinach, mango and pear and it was yummy (yes, I sampled a little of it myself). Norrin liked it so much, he allowed me to spoon it into his mouth, which never happens now that he's in his "I can do it myself" mode. We even had a second helping...since they were offering :). At that point, nap time had come and gone and Norrin wasn't going to tolerate any more time in Whole Foods, no matter how many free samples they handed to him. It was a wonderful way to spend our morning.

Wild Baby On The Loose

I Love Footie Jammies

Every child looks adorable in footie jammies...mine just looks exceptionally adorable :).

Photo Day

Today the cleaners came...which means I have to get cash...which means Norrin and I take a walk to the Wawa down the street (its nice until the weather gets too cold). Norrin usually falls asleep on the way back...I snuggle him close in his mei tai carrier and all the sounds of the neighborhood knock him out cold :). After the cleaners leave, Norrin makes a total mess of all his toys and books that they take the time to stack so nicely. Then, we have lunch. Today there was a new element...I took Norrin to Babies R Us for some professional photos. Its been three months since his last photo session there and I have to keep the pictures updated. When I got there, it was chaos. I hadn't anticipated how many people would be there for pre-holiday photos. Surprisingly, they could fit us in at 1:30 pm...an hour from the time we got there and dangerously close to Norrin's naptime. I agreed thinking there was no way in hell I was going to dress this child up again tomorrow when I had him there now. For the hour, I let him run wild in the aisles of Babies R Us. He threw books off the shelves, carried toys from one aisle to another and ultimately made a complete and total mess. Norrin's Uncle Jim got us a gift card, so I was able to get him his first Crayola markers (washable, non toxic and shaped like some freaky lil creatures). Finally, just as Norrin was reaching his breaking point...and I was reaching mine....they called us overhead for his photos. I thought for sure I was pushing my luck, but as soon as they busted out that feather duster, he smiled like the happy baby he generally is. The photos were great and I hope to never see that place again...at least not for another three months :).