Last Minute Wardrobe Changes and Dancing Dogs

As I'm sure I've mentioned before, Bella is enjoying her first year of dance. She goes once a week, but would go every day if she could. The place where she takes dance has opportunities to perform at various events around town, which is perfect for Bella. She loves to put on a "show". This past Tuesday night, her class had a chance to dance on the battleship during their Halloween carnival.

The kids were supposed to be there by 5:45 dressed in their costumes and ready to perform. Bella had a princess dress that she had picked out as her Halloween costume. At 4pm, as I was trying to start getting Bella ready, she informed me that her dress hurt her belly. Once Bella has made up her mind, there is no convincing her otherwise. So, there was no convincing her to wear the princess dress. She wanted another costume. So, I threw both kids in the car and drove to the first store I could find, which ended up being Walgreens. Surprisingly, they actually had a decent costume selection. I had to keep reminding Bella that we were in a hurry (she got distracted by the Halloween candy). She finally made her costume selection.... She is now Scooby Doo.

We made it home in time to throw on her costume and jump in the car and head to the battleship. We got there in time, and it was insanely crowded. The kids barely had enough room to dance. Bella had a blast. Her dance class performed third, and Scott had to restrain Bella to keep her from rushing on stage during the first two performances. She did great and had to be physically removed from the stage once her class was finished. I think she will definitely enjoy dance for many years to come!

Here is a picture of her original costume. At least she wore it once to a Halloween party last Sunday!

There's my little Scooby Doo on stage! Unfortunately, she kept her back to the camera the whole time, but we managed to get some pictures and video.

First Day of School

I went back to work today after what seemed like an all to brief 8 week maternity leave. It was much easier to return to work this time around though. I only work 2 days a week, and those 2 days almost seem like a vacation after keeping up with 2 kids- especially when one of them is Bella.

Anyway, today was Austin's first day of school. He didn't say much, but I knew he was excited :) Getting 2 kids ready for school is definitely more of a challenge, but somehow I made it out the door with both of them. And I was on time! I met 3 of Austin's teachers today, and they were really nice. Defintely makes a mommy feel at ease when you like who will be taking care of your babies! I had to take a picture of my kiddos on his first day of school. Check out his cheeks!! They are huge, which makes them all the more yummy to kiss!

Pumpkins

Each year, I look forward to going to find a pumpkin. I have especially enjoyed doing this since having children. I pick out a cute fall outfit, and try to get that perfect picture while picking out the pumpkins for our front porch. This year, my sister-in-law found Bella's outfit- a jumper with a pumpkin on the pocket! I told Bella that today after her nap, we would change clothes and go pick out our pumpkin. She was excited! I was excited too- especially since I knew the place we were going had homemade pumpkin ice cream! Austin doesn't really have an especially fall looking outfit, so I opted for some jeans and a white shirt- that's fall enough :) His jeans were a little big...

Unfortunately, Bella woke up grumpy and when we walked outside it was a mere 48 degrees! Brrr.

We had the best time that we could given the cold weather and a bad attitude. The staff at Lewis Farms even recognized us from strawberry picking time back in the spring! We didn't get too many pictures because poor Bella was shivering. Even though I had dressed Austin up, he slept through the whole trip, so no pictures of the two of them at the pumpkin farm. But here are a few of Bella...

Bella humored me and smiled for one picture, but this is how she really felt...

Once we got home and Austin woke up, I was determined to at least get a picture of the two of them in their "fall" outfits. It didn't work out so well, here are two of the better ones...

Bell decided that the photo session was over and bailed out. Poor Austin was just tossed to the side...

Life with 2...

I have been asked several times since Austin's birth the question "how are you adjusting to life with 2 children?" The truth is, the transition has been a lot easier than I thought it would be. During my pregnancy, I heard so many times that life with 2 is such a difficult adjustment. I also heard that the work more than doubles. While both of these statements are true, I have been pleasantly surprised at how well I have adjusted. Don't get me wrong, there have definitely been moments where I have felt completely overwhelmed and could do nothing but cry, but these moments have been fewer than I had initially anticipated. The hardest adjustment for me has been accepting that the house can't be as clean as it was before. I had a good cleaning schedule when it was just Bella, but throwing a new baby in the mix has made things a little messy! I feel like I've accomplished enough housework each day when the dishes and laundry get done. So needless to say, things like vacuuming get put on the back-burner. But I'd much rather giggle with Bella or talk to Austin and see him smile than worry about a dirty floor!

One of the things that I have enjoyed most about becoming a mother of 2 is watching Bella become a big sister. She loves her little brother. And when I say love, I actually mean she's obsessed with him. She wants to "pet" him all the time. I think if I let her, she would rub his head all day. Bella is usually the first one awake in our house. She used to come to my side of the bed first, but now it's Austin's cradle that she visits when she first wakes up. I know there will come a day where Austin will start to get into her things and she'll become annoyed with him, but for now, she can't get enough of her little brother. Of course, this means that we have to watch her closely. She has been known to try and pick him up or almost completely lie on top of him- neither of which are good for poor Austin!

I'll close with a few recent pictures of my little munchkins. Life is good!!

Here they are after I walked in the kitchen to see that Bella had put a bowl on Austin's head. He's such a trooper when it comes to receiving all of Bella's "love"!

My little man at 7 weeks.

Bella has started taking dance once a week. She loves it, and I think she looks so stinkin' cute in her leotard!

Austin has just started batting at things. He's enjoyed playing on this mat a few times.

Bella enjoying a few moments with her baby brother before she heads to school. We are truly blessed to have 2 healthy and happy children!