Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween 2011, Baby!  It's MacKay's first Halloween... my 31st, Bart's 30th and Whitney's 4th.  

This year Whitney got the most adorable handmade witch costume from Bart's mom.  It's super cute.  

We went to our ward Halloween party this past Friday night.  I was NOT wanting to dress up.  I just didn't feel like it.  But for some reason Whitney decided that she didn't want to be a witch any longer.  She wanted to be a princess.  To help convince her that the witch costume really was much better than the princess one, I HAD to dress up like one too.  So, once again, I was a witch.  

Bart, well... what were you again?  Whatever it was, you looked pretty hot. 

And Bubba.  Oh, cute, sweet MacKay.  You are just about the cutest monkey ever.  (Thanks to Jen for letting us borrow!)

Tonight we're going out for the goodies.  

So Long...

As I am packing up our house (moving day is November 20), I am having a hard time saying goodbye to many things about Ohio.  I am compiling a long list of all the things I love and will miss when it comes to Columbus.  I'm sure it will be an emotional "Goodbye" as I leave with two kids to board that airplane to SLC.

As we have 3 1/2 weeks until our departure, we've been saying Goodbye to many of our friends here in Ohio.  One of those was my kids' pediatrician:  Dr. Koesters.  I've loved having him as our family's doctor. Just at this last visit for Whitney's 3-year appointment, she made it quite clear she didn't want him looking in her ears.  So he let her check her kitty's ears with the scope first.  Of course, MacKay is as laid back as ever each time we visit the doctor.  Now I know NOT EVERY baby screams like crazy when they see the nurse coming into the room to administer shots.  It's crazy to me how aware Whitney seemed at this same age MacKay is at right now.  Saying words, pointing to things and very strong-willed.  MacKay is laid back, on-the-move, loves to stick everything in his mouth and is SOOOO happy.

Another Goodbye was to Whitney's very sweet gymnastics teacher, Ginger.  It was when Whit was 16-months-old that she and Jadyn started tumbling class.  These two were by far the smallest girls and got their fair share of bumps, pushes and falls.  Now, they are some of the oldest in the class and love to rule the joint.  For the first many class-sessions, Whitney wanted nothing to do with Ginger.  She said that Ginger had "a diamond" in her tongue.  Yes, a tongue ring.  Now she calls out to Ginger saying, "Ginga!  Ginga! Come help me!"  

Whit can now do her forward rolls (somersaults), back walk-overs (with the aid of a mat), walk across the beam, hang on the un-even bars, jump like crazy on the tramp, jump off the vault and boogie to the background music.  

My baby is growing up.  

BACK THEN: 17-months-old

Now:  3-years-old

AND YES... we will miss Jadyn too!  Just yesterday THIS was their conversation:

Whit:  We're going to move to Utah.
Jadyn:  But I don't want you to move.
Whit:  We're going to be there a long time... a whole week!
Jadyn:  But I don't want you to move!
Whitney:  (As she's rubbing Jadyn's arm) It's okay.  Then you can come visit me at Christmas!
Then they hugged.

Pumpkin Patch

I usually love pumpkin patch pictures.  Uh, this year, we were really struggling.  The weather was awesome, the patch was super cute--- even had a petting farm.  Bart found a big old nasty frog in the pumpkin patch and used a giant sling shot to shoot a cob of corn across the field.  But somehow- my pictures didn't show any of that cuteness.  Oh, well.

Here's what I did get... These ones are pretty good...

This was our attempt at getting the two kids together...

He was obsessed with the grass.  She wouldn't let him touch the pumpkin that she picked out.

Another attempt at a good sibling pic:  Keys are used as attention getters.  It's clearly not working.  

Now that I look back at these, I am cracking up.  Look at these two:

 Classic... look at Whitney trying to get Bubba to smile for the picture.  Her method, grabbing his cheek. Bart's using a blade of straw to get his attention.  Uh, sweetie... I doubt he's going to look up for that single blade when he's got an entire bale under his bum.

Seriously?  Not one good picture of the pair?

 These two love each other.  Also very hard to get a good shot of them together.

9 Month MacKay

Oh My Goodness!
Where did the time go?
And how come he won't sit still long enough for me to get some decent pictures?

This is what happened on October 3rd... Whitney just doesn't shy away from the camera...

Attack...

This is what most of the pictures looked like:  MacKay trying to crawl off the couch, head turned to the side or sucking on that lion...

Oh Bubba!

9 months with you has been wonderful. 

At 9 months you are:

-21 lbs 11 oz (67%)

-27.5 inches (22%)

Head:  46.5 cm (81%)

(Getting a little taller, eh?)

At 9 Months, MacKay, you are:

-Sleeping 10-12 hours each night without food.  (Started waking up a bit this past month due to our travels and a cold.)

-Are officially not wanting to breastfeed anymore.  I had a very sad time trying to get over this.  Now, I am just trying to be positive about the whole thing.  

-Army crawling like a worm to get just about everywhere.

-Have been in many states... OH, UT, TX, WV, PA, NY, DC, VA, MD... there might be another one, but I can't think of it right now.

-Take 2 naps (on a rare occasion will take 3 still)

-Say "Ma ma ma ma" when you are hungry

-Cry in the same spot of your crib when you want us to come get you

-Wave "hi" with your chubby fingers

-Shake your head when we say "No"

-"Sing" along to any music

-Love strings and cords

-Loves any type of ball

-Like to eat crackers, pretzel sticks and cheerios

-Started eating yogurt and more table foods

-Wear size 4 diapers but 5's at night

-LOVE your big sissy

-Had your first camping experience... it was too cold for you.

-Love the swing at the parks

-Are such a laid back baby- unless someone tries to take something from you or you're hungry.  Then WATCH OUT.

MacKay you are getting around by doing a worm/army crawl.  You love it.  I turn around and the next thing I know you're halfway across the room.  You love strings, cords and anything that looks like that.  You immediately put EVERYTHING into your mouth.  You love that real football and will crawl to anything that resembles a ball.  MacKay, you are pure joy.  You love to smile, laugh, giggle, reach for people and just see what's going on.  I love being your Mommy.  

Daddy has a special place in his heart for you.  You two are little buddies.  He always wants you to watch football with him.  You are always watching him and smile whenever you see him.  Everyone knows you as "Bubba" now.  All the neighborhood girls call you by this name.  It's so very fitting.  

You are starting to thin out a bit.  You're losing some of that adorable baby chub.  It's okay- I still manage to squeeze you all day long.  

MacKay, we love you.  Thank you for coming to our family.

You are all smiles, and love your binky... even though it gives you a terrible rash.

You pull the cutest little faces.  This is one of my favorites. Look at those cheeks... ooooohhhh I just want to grab them so tight.  

Your first campout

Costco trip with Sissy:

Whitney loves to read you books.  You try to grab them as she tries to discipline you.

You and me on my 31st b-day:

You and Daddy at the campout: