Halloween 2015, Trunk or Treat and costumes

I'm  so happy with how costumes turned out this year! I made them both again this year and they were both pretty simple! We got to give them a test run at the church trunk or treat last night, and I just love them!

First, the most adorable squishy, cuddly strawberry, made using this tutorial on Make it and Love it.

I didn't get a great picture of the back of Abby, but she was a butterfly, again. But with a different costume this year. We got the monarch butterfly tutorial here. 

We practiced trick-or-treating at home, knowing it would be an overwhelming experience for Abby. Last year we never once were able to get her to actually say 'trick-or-treat.' But our practice paid off, if you stood really close to her, you could hear the faintest whispers of 'trick-or-treat' and 'thank you.' Rua, on the other hand, reached right into the bowls offered here and plunked the candy down in her bucket. She thought it was the funnest thing.

This year we had to actually think about a plan for how to handle all the candy, in the past Abby has loved looking through her stash and playing with it, but never was interested in eating it. I knew that wouldn't be the case this year. After doing some reading on one of my favorite blogs for feeding kids Raise Healthy Eaters, I found her suggestions went along with what is basically my philosophy for all foods. Basically the idea is to teach our kids to be able to manage sweets and fit it into their eating in a mindful way, trying not to be too restrictive or permissive. We wont make a big deal about the candy - the day of Halloween (or trunk or treat) Abby can have what she wants, and then in the days afterwards, allow her to have some for a snack, until she is no longer interested or finishes it. And Rua, still young enough that she's not asking for it and definitely doesn't need it, so we won't offer it.

It's funny though, because since we never even have candy around (we are more likely to make cookies than have actual candy), Abby had no idea what the different kinds were. Maybe she's a bit too sheltered? After the trunk or treat as she sat looking through her candy, she would hold up each piece asking what it was, and I would describe it to her, and then she would want to try each one. Most times, she wouldn't finish it, she just wanted to see what it was. So far, she has discovered she likes M&Ms and starbursts, smarties and super sticky candy (like laffy taffy), not so much.

Letter to Rua - 12 months (One Year!!)

October 5, 2015

Dearest Rua,

My sweet little girl, how did this happen? You are one year old!! This weekend has been full of reminiscing back to one year ago. The anticipation and excitement as labor started, then me pushing through the pain, and the incredible moment when I first laid eyes on you. You were so beautiful and precious. And it's been such an incredible journey this past year as you have grown and learned and emerged as a little person with a mind of your own, and a gorgeous smile always at the ready. Rua, you have absolutely stolen our hearts.

What an exciting month this has been. Biggest news? You took your very first steps! Those hesitant, unsteady steps happened two weeks ago and now you are already steady enough to walk across a room. It's exciting and you are so proud.

You have learned how to clap this month and you just love to clap for yourself. 'If you're happy and you know it' is your favorite song right now because you can clap all through the song. You still love to wave bye and hello, all the time. Along these same lines, you finally had your first signs this month. You have a very energetic 'all done' and you can sign 'fan' and 'more' (I think). So we'll have to keep up with the signing since it seems to finally be clicking.

You now say 'da', 'ma', 'ah', 'ba', 'yah' but 'oh' is your absolute favorite. You pucker up your lips, lean your head back and say the cutest 'oh.' Love it.

You are slightly more interested in books. You will sit and let me read at least a few pages of your little board books to you. Hopefully you will start loving books because that is just about all you got for your birthday this year. :) You do love to pull all the books down from bookshelves though. Of course, who wouldn't?

You are a crazy little climber. Ever since you discovered steps and stairs a couple months ago you always make a beeline for them. But now if there is anything that has any remote possibility of acting as a step, you try to lift your little leg on top. Step stools cannot be left out, way too tempting for you. Boxes or packages are very exciting. You climbed all the way up to Abby's bed because her potty chair was left too close to her bed. That was super fun for you.

You absolutely love Abby's baby dolls, you drag one around with you all the time. Abby has gotten better about sharing or rather, tolerating you borrowing her dolls, but really we just need to get you your own. I was thinking Christmas, by maybe it should be sooner!

You love necklaces, purses, bags, backpacks - anything you can drape over your neck or carry on your arm

You are your sister's favorite person. (most of the time)

                             

                                                 

And you are one of my two favorite little people also. I love you so much. I am so grateful for this past year because you were in it.

Love,

Your Mamma

Happy Birthday Rua - One year old!

                       

My little girl had a birthday today! It's been so fun celebrating her! She sure doesn't seem like a little baby anymore. Abby had a great time helping get things ready - baking her cake, wrapping presents, planning birthday meals and what we would be doing. I think we have a resident party planner. And she didn't seem to grudge Rua the spotlight at all, she was so great about it. 

We did cake and presents yesterday so it wouldn't be rushed with bedtime after Eric got home today from work. Abby and I made a banana cake with peanut butter cream cheese frosting, healthier but tasty. Rua was super excited about it, but them wanted us to feed it to her on a fork and didn't dive right in. (She's been doing that lately which is funny because we never spoon-fed her)

  

                                               

                                               

Her birthday decided to be a rainy one which threw a kink in my beach day plans. So instead we had a leisurely morning with pancake waffles for breakfast (after which I promptly dropped the waffle maker on the floor and broke it, I think we've only every used it a handful of times :(

                                              

                         

Then we went to story time and played at the library, good for a raining day. And she got sung to at story time which was fun for me at least.

                                           

Rua with Jennifer, our story time lady

Went up to the roof area of the library because we just had to play in the rain

                       

Baby doll came too (Rua has tried to adpot one of Abby's babies, looks like she needs her own!)

                                                 

The rain subsided by early afternoon so we headed over to the zoo. Rua got to wear a special birthday sticker and Abby and I tried to pick all the places we thought Rua would like, meaning places where we could let her out to crawl, walk, and climb around. We had a blast.

                                              

                                              

                                             

                                             

And then we ended the night with one more round of cake lighting and singing, because why not?

Happy one year, Rua-girl!