Preparing for Halloween

We had a fun weekend preparing for today.  We carved both Colin's and Meli's pumpkins and decorated our house for Halloween.

All smiles and bed head!

Enjoying some cocoa. 

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Air & Scare

This weekend we went to the Air and Space museum for the annual Air & Scare. This was our first time going and despite the long line to get in, it was fun seeing all of the characters. Colin loved the Star War characters especially.

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

The Naming Game

While I was in Germany I was looking over some of my old blog entries and realized I never explained the reasoning for baby girl's name.  So...almost 6 months later here you go!  Colin's name favors Will's side of the family.  We knew we wanted an Irish/Scottish name, which we both are but Will is more.  I am 1/4 Irish from my mom's side and Scottish from my dad's (probably about the same).  We both loved the name Colin. It did not take long to decide on that.  He shares a middle name (Gallagly) with Will, which happens to be his grandmother's maiden name.  For Meli, we wanted to represent my side a bit more.  Naming a baby is hard and I feel a girl is even harder.  I did know I wanted to focus on both of my grandmothers.  My maternal grandmother had a very long name, Lillian Hattie Beatrice... (so many names to choose from) but we could not agree on one.  So, I decided that I would just like to have a Cherokee name to represent my mother's side.  My mother is 1/2.  I worked with a tribe organization to find a perfect name for our baby.  The meaning of the name was not that important for either of us.  Some names are so old that the meanings do not make that much sense now.  Plus, meaning would make more sense to care about if you first got to know your baby and then gave a name, which some Native American tribes do.  They would name a baby after a few years so that their name would represent who they are.  So, we went more for how much we liked the name itself.  I came across Meli (May-lee) which I just fell in love with.  This is the Cherokee's version of Mary.  The spelling is a little different, but I love the name and now that I have met her - it just fits.  She is a Meli.  When she is older she could even choose to go by Mae if she would like, which is what Will calls her most of the time.  We went with Anne for her middle name, which is for my paternal grandmother, Anna. 

We had originally decided to name her Adelae Jane, but I was not as fond of the nickname Addie, which is what most people would probably call her. So, with a few months left we changed it. 

Her personality is really starting to show through.  She does this super cute little shy smile when someone looks at her.  She smile and then hides her head in the neck of whomever is holding her.  She loves to roll and is getting better at sitting.  She has trouble when she gets too far to one side.

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Where is that Pumpkin Princess???

This past weekend we finally made it to the pumpkin patch.  My trip to Germany was somewhat short notice, so we had to change our plans.  It worked out fine.  At least our pumpkins will still be fresh for Halloween.  Colin had a blast!  It is fun seeing how much he changes each year we go.  He was big enough to do most of the activities this time and loved all the things to play on.  The whole time we were there Colin kept asking where the Pumpkin Princess was.  He sees her every year and seems to have a little thing for her.  It was funny to here him ask because when he says "pumpkin" it sounds like a not so nice word.  So, it sounded like he was say "where is the f'ing princess?"  We were laughing but at the same time trying to get him to stop. 

Meli seemed to enjoy herself as well.  She enjoyed looking at the animals and trees.  Meli loves the trees!  If we need to calm her down all we need is some tree branches and a little wind!

Colin introduced himself to all of the animals.  Randomly at dinner the other day, Colin told us that his favorite animal is a cow.  This was news to us, but he does seem infatuated with them recently.  A Chick-Fil-A opened up near us and we drive by the person in a cow suit every day.  Colin calls him his friend, the Cow. 

I fell in love with this little black pig.  He was so cute and trying to escape.  Meli thought his snorting was funny.

Every year we have taken a picture of Colin next to this sign.  I cannot believe how big he is!

This is Colin after going down the big slide. He had so much fun!

Colin after Will pushed him around the track a few times.

Colin victorious after climbing the tire pile.

Cute little siblings!

 

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family



Happy Feet

Meli is getting so big.  I was gone for a week and she changed so much.  She recently was given a exersaucer, which she loves!  She loves to bounce in it.  Now even when you hold her she is trying to bounce.  Her new favorite thing to do.  Little happy feet! Speaking of feet, she also likes to suck on her toes.  She is always trying to get them in her mouth.  Weird...but cute.  I am glad to be home.  We have so much planned for the next few months.  With birthdays, pumpkin patch, Halloween, etc.  Fun times!  I love fall!




Loving her new toy!





A lazy Sunday walk




My sweet boy!



~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

First Dentist Visit

Colin had his first Dentist visit today.  It surprisingly went very well.  He was super excited to go - after I cleared up his confusion between a Doctor and a Dentist.  He actually asked me, "I thought you only went to the doctor when you had to tell him that something hurts?"  I told him that the Dentist makes sure that his teeth stay clean and that if he is a good boy and cleans his teeth then the Dentist visits will always be nice ones. He liked that.

He was soooo good!  The Dental Hygenist was very impressed with the way he handled everything.  He even was allowed to pick three toys from the treasure chest, which of course Colin loved.He has been talking about it non-stop.  When I picked him up at the end of the day he asked if he could go back.  That went so much better than I thought.  I guess I should have known he is a pretty chill boy.

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

5 Months

Baby girl is 5 months today! She is getting so big!  I am on a trip right now, so missing my babies and hubby.  Luckily, it is not too long of a trip and I will be home soon.  Well, somewhat soon.  The above picture Colin asked me to take.  He wanted one that showed their pajamas (below) and then one that showed their faces.  He is such a sweet big brother who adores his little sister.

She is getting ready to try some fruit.  I am thinking that she will love it.  She seems bored with her food.  We have to keep our eyes on her.  Turn your head for a second and she will have grabbed whatever is on your plate.  Or table.  She also swats at our drinks when we try taking a sip.  This can be very messy. Jealous baby.

Colin - if daddy is reading this to you...I love you and miss you so much!  I will see you soon!  Give daddy a BIG hug for me and Meli a kiss!

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

We LOVE Autumn!

I love this time of year...I mean love, love, love! I get so giddy about it that it makes me think of all of the things I just LOVE. Like...

Coffee (or tea) in the morning - especially when Colin or Will make it for me,

our weekend "big" family breakfast,

storytime,

playing superheroes,

art projects with Colin,

family walks - (especially in the Fall)

watching Meli talk to herself,

seeing Colin love on his sister,

knowing that he is going to be such a great big brother,

hats (for me & Meli)

family movie night,

parent movie night,

ridiculously big earrings,

dark beer,

wine,

books - gotta say books,

Cuddles with Meli

Snuggles from Colin

The look on my kids faces when they see me after a long day at work,

hoodies,
weather that make hoodies necessary

fresh fruit,

hummus...mmm pita, which makes me think of Greece and then Greek food (so delicious),

I am obviously hungry...

delicious food makes me think of all the places I get to travel
all the beautiful places,
that makes me think of when I head home and see my babies and hubby...
ahhh...home!

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

 The B Family

Our Little Sunshine (20 Weeks)

Our Sweet Meli is twenty weeks! She has been rolling over quite a bit this week.  She can do a full roll but seems to enjoy just going from side to side.  She goes to where she is almost on her tummy and then flips the other way.  This appears to be great entertainment!

Playing with her turtle rattle.

I think it is super cute how she always sits with her one arm resting on the arm rest. 

First taste of rice cereal!

Eventually she ate it!

Happy baby

Playing with big brother.

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

On the Road Again

So, the traveling part of my job will be starting up again soon.  I have been very fortunate to not have any trips scheduled these first few months back.  Thanfully, the trip will not be the length of a normal OCONUS one and it is somewhere I want to go - so hopefully that will help in missing the fam department.  Going to miss my babies.  I am so fortunate to have such a good partner that I know will do a wonderful job while I am away and that has a skill for making my time away fun, so as to soften the blow for Colin.  Speaking of which, I need to go out and buy a little gift for him so that he can open it before I get home.  This takes his mind off of things.  Then I bring him a few things back.  One trinket to represent where I went and something that he can play with as well.  I will be visiting two countries that are on my list so that will make it easier for me.  My hubby is pretty familiar with one - so he has been sharing some helpful tips, useful phrases, points of interest, etc, etc. to help prepare me.  I wish he could go with me.  I am sure he would enjoy going back, but we will have to wait to go together when Meli gets older.

So, if you notice a lack of blog entries...you know why. 

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family