Liam: {19 Months}

All intentions led to posting an 18-month update in June, but somehow it’s July and Liam is 19 months old! I can’t even believe his next birthday he’ll be TWO! It is INSANE how fast time goes when you have kids. Honestly, the saying “The days are long, but the years are short,” could not be more accurate for me!

19-months into this parenting gig, we learn something new every single day, whether it’s about Liam, his quirks, a new skill he’s mastered, how to deal with behavior issues, or how to be a better parent. Like all the stages that have come before this one, we’re having a lot of fun in this toddler stage, but it’s been pretty challenging now that we are facing some behavior stuff. We’re doing the best we can to continue to teach good manners and kindness despite some challenges in those areas.

Without further adieu, here’s some of Liam’s latest stats and quirks:

Height: 32.5" (57th percentile) Weight: 27 lbs (85th percentile)

Likes: Brushing his teeth, Addy, Dad, being outside, music, water, eating/snacks, making people laugh, waving, pointing and saying "hi." The child literally waves and says "HI" to everyone he encounters. He is a HAM.

Dislikes: Getting his diaper changed, changing clothes, waiting for anything

Favorite things: Liam has so many funny quirks! Put on music, the child starts to dance. He loves to do the chicken dance and rais´ the roof. Ask him if he’s “chillin’” and he does this hilarious shoulder shrug and giggles. He loves giving high fives and "knuckles" aka a fist bump. If you ask him to give you a squeeze, he puts his arms REAL tight around your neck and gives the best hugs ever. He has a face for all the major emotions: Happy, Sad, Mad and Silly. He is a huge ham and I am obsessed with him!

Sleeping: Bedtime is still 7:30/8pm and he sleeps until about 7/7:30am. We’ve had a few late nights this summer and while traveling, but thankfully, Liam is (so far) not one to come completely undone by being off schedule. If he goes to bed late, he tends to sleep later the next morning and take longer naps. Speaking of naps, we recently transitioned to one nap a day. He’ll typically go down around 1pm and sleep until about 4pm. I feel lucky he is such an awesome sleeper and will enjoy it while it lasts!

Eating: Liam is a champion eater most of the time. So far, we’ve not encountered many, if any, foods he doesn’t like. He’s willing to try anything once, so that makes it super easy on us when it comes to mealtimes. Some of his favorite foods are pickles (yep, you read that right), corn on the cob, quinoa and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches.

Milestones: Liam’s been cruising around for several months now. He’s also gotten pretty good at climbing on furniture, as well as up and down stairs. Jumping is a new thing. He’s started to practice getting dressed and undressed, and putting on/taking off his shoes. While potty-training is not in our near future, at the advice of our pediatrician, we’ve started talking to him about bathroom habits. We tell him what he’s done in his diaper, and now he’ll even tell us when he has pooped! EXCITING TIMES friends. 

The biggest milestone in recent months has been his verbal skills. He is talking A LOT, which I love. Liam has several very clear words, but definitely still has a few that he tries to say and come out in some garbled version. “Milk” for example, is “Mo.” “More” is also “mo.” He has mastered “go” and “no” and loves to yell all day long for “DAD” and “Addy.” For some reason, my name has gone from “mama” to “Ba,” and I have no idea why. It’s kind of hysterical but I do wish he’d call me my “name.” :)

We also had our first hospital stay in June. Liam got CROUP! It was so incredibly scary and it was excruciating to see my baby in pain and being so scared. Thankfully, after a night in the hospital, we were discharged and Liam was allowed to heal at home, rather quickly.  

Challenges: Communication, while improving, is still a challenge, and I think that results in some behavior issues. It must be so frustrating to want something and not know how to get anyone to understand! When Liam acts out or throws a tantrum, we try our best to communicate first and figure out why he’s upset. Other times, we can tell he is deliberately being naughty and that earns him a 1 minute timeout. Which, I might add, are pretty ineffective because when asked if he wants a timeout, he will say YES. The other big thing we are battling right now is hitting. Which is so crazy because he doesn’t see that in our home, so you have to wonder how they even know to do that.

That's our Liam in a nutshell! anything sound familiar from little people?

Read More

SHARE:

Mama Moment #3: Naked Baby Time

Liam loves bath time. LIVES for bath time. (Also known as "Naked Baby Time" in our house.)

When we're done eating dinner on bath night, we run into his bedroom, and he strips off his clothes and diaper (yes, we know how to do that now). 

I set him on the ground and he takes off RUNNING his little naked butt down the hallway as fast as his little legs will take him.

It is THE.CUTEST.THING.EVER. Ever, ever, ever. 

He wheels around the corner and stands in front of the tub chanting, "Bath, bath, bath."

His little butt running down the hall is seriously the cutest, and I never want to forget it.

Read More

SHARE:

Liam {15 Months}

I have really been terrible at blogging the past few weeks. Sorry about that. I've got a few posts in the works, but can't seem to find my writing MoJo lately. Even my Bachelor posts were hard to write at the end.

I thought a great way to get back to it would be to give a Liam update! Because who doesn't love Liam updates?! I actually have a lot of Liam updating to do. Since I stopped doing monthly updates when he turned the big ONE (I don't even think I did a 12-month update), I thought now would be a good time to post some recent pictures and share a little about what he's up to (Hint: EVERYTHING). I'll have to do a whole post altogether with his 1-year photos, and about 10 posts with just cute pictures. You know, the important stuff. ;)

Always flipping the bird, this kid.

It's so crazy how when they turn 1, they seem to go from baby to toddler overnight. All of the sudden these helpless babies turn into walking, talking toddlers. I feel like I have said it every month, but truly, every month with Liam gets more fun as he gets older. He is super verbal, active and he is just such a sweet, happy kid.

Stats

Liam's got his 15-month well checkup next week, but during our (many) doctor's visits last week, he clocked in at 33 inches, and 24 pounds. So he's getting taller, and maintaining weight despite how much more eats! I think it has to do with how active he is (aka, he is ALWAYS moving).

New Milestones & Skills

• So many teeth! He's got at least 10-12 teeth in there now, and his molars are on the way! I will not be sad to see the teething phase of life go.

• Walking/Running: He was zombie walking and wobbly around 1, but WOW is it amazing how fast they pick it up. These days he runs/trots everywhere and gives me heart attacks every day because he can't seem to figure out how to avoid corners and walls, and he is constantly face planting.
• Climbing: He climbs on to our ottoman/coffee table with ease, as well as the pouf in his room and pretty much any surface off the floor. See above re: heart attacks.
• Opens doors: Like, literally is tall enough to reach our door handles in the house and open. We don't have traditional door knobs, but we have the lever-type handles, so we're not quite sure how to childproof these. For now, we keep the doors locked at all times (including the oven door).
• Makes different facial expressions: He just learned to "smile" when I ask him to, and he also likes to experiment with different faces like furrowing his eyebrows when he's mad or making a sad face. All faces are the cutest. :)

• Imitates: He is very into repeating what he sees us doing, especially around the house. This includes brushing our teeth and hair, throwing trash away, picking up toys, putting things in the dishwasher, cooking, etc. He is into it all and we love letting him help and experience with new activities!
• Master of animal sounds: Name an animal, any animal, and there is a 95% chance that Liam knows and will tell you what sound it makes. 
• Hugging & Kissing: He will give you both if you ask him super sweetly. When he blows kisses, it's accompanied by an audible MWAH!
• Tantrums! Oh boy, the tantrums. We don't get then ALL the time, but they are frequent and always over silly stuff. Thankfully, he can be easily distracted, and we just try to explain why we aren't letting him do something. He's not a stranger to timeouts, and we also like to explain his choices and hope he makes the right choice! 

Words

Liam is super verbal! He's at an age where he will repeat anything we ask him to say. Most things come out as "Ba," or "Ca," but he does get some discernible syllables in there pretty often. I used to always wonder how the hell other women could understand their children when it just sounded like babble to me, and now I know! 

Whispering sweet nothings :)

It's also interesting to me that even though he can't communicate perfectly with words, he understands everything we say to him. We can ask him to put something away or tell him what room something is in, and he does it, and then communicate either by trying to repeat what we said or pointing, etc.

Some words in his repertoire: Hi, bye, mama, dada, Addy, cheers, paci, no, yeah, that, car, bath

Likes

• Animals - He's always liked animals, but it's reached a new level. We have countless books about animals, and his absolute favorite is a National Geographic book for kid all about animals. We look at it at least 5 times a day. He even hugs the animals in the book! There's also a channel that has 30 minute segments dedicated to individual animals, he just loves them.

At the zoo with a hippo!

• Books- We have at least 50 books in our house. He has us read them to him, and he reads them alone. :) 

• Running- Why walk when you can run? (And fall every.single.time?)
• Being outside - He knows what it means now when we say we're going in the car or on a walk and is super anxious to get his shoes/socks/coat on, and GO! There are usually tears when we come inside.
• Addy- Every time he sees our dog, he says "Hi Addy," with a wave, and he gives her hugs at least 10 times a day. He will also wag his finger and say, "No, no, no!" when Addy tries to take his food. :)

• Snacks - He is will aware where the snack cabinet is, and goes there every day asking for "bears" (Teddy Grahams) or "ca" (cookie and/or cracker). 

• Chewing on everything (books, wood, tissues, etc) - I joke with my husband that Liam has PICA disorder (you know, where they eat things that are not food). But seriously! We've had to throw away books because Liam will have taken bites out of the cardboard! He also likes to naw on wood, and put toilet paper in his mouth. {monkey covering eyes emoji}

• Cleaning: A boy after my own heart. We give him a wet paper towel and he wipes his hands and faces, then wipes the surface he's eating on. Also loves helping me Swiffer. :) 
• Timeouts: At our 12-month appointment, the doctor told us it was fine to do 1 minute timeouts in his crib, so we do. Usually when he is really not listening and we know he's doing it on purpose (aka, when he dangles handfuls of food over the side of his chair and looks us in the eye while we tell him no thank you, and then does it anyway). Anyway, he finds timeouts to be hysterical and just laughs while he's in there, so those are working out well for us. ;)

Dislikes

• Changing table - Yes, still.
• Sitting still for too long - Meal times are a little more challenging, but we have to have a lot of tricks up our sleeves when we go out in public! Usually at some point, one of us has to get up and walk around with him.
• Mom - Just kidding. But he's in a major daddy phase (still) and some days, he does act like he doesn't like me. (Full blog coming soon...)

Eating
We say goodbye to bottles in January and now Liam eats just like the rest of us, plus water and whole milk throughout the day. He loves most every food, and usually prefers healthy food to anything not "healthy" (like bar food). He loves his snacks!

Sleeping
Still sleeping from about 7:30pm to 7:00/7:30am, thankfully! We go through some rough patches with teething and sickness, but mostly he is a champion sleeper and napper, and OH how that makes a difference.

This phase of life is too much fun!

Read More

SHARE:

Mama Moment #1: A Shitty Morning

Becoming a mama is not only amazing - it makes for some great stories and a million awesome moments.

The storyteller in me is compelled to capture every moment - every giggle, every smile, every funny face and silly action, be it with my camera, a video, a SnapChat, or a blog.

But it's good to live in the moment, too. Just to let the moments happen and record them in your brain, for your eyes only, rather than sharing them for the world to be a part of.

I am so excited for the years to come with Liam. Yes, I know that toddlers bring a whole new set of challenges than a baby does, but bring them on, I say. Tantrums, candid comments, sweet gestures, unintentional comedy - I want it all! I know these years will bring with them so many things that I will never want to forget.

So this is my attempt at capturing those moments and memories. They may be sentimental, horrifying or hysterical. They're moments I never want to forget. I'll share them as they happen, and hope you'll do the same with me. In the spirit of other mamas doing the same on the Interwebs, we shall call these...Mama Moments.

Mama Moment #1

Bryan and I trade weekend days for getting up with Liam. On Sunday, it was my morning to sleep in. Sometime around 8:30am, Bryan came rushing into the room and with Liam in his arms, took him straight to the bath in our bathroom. I didn't have my glasses on, so I asked what was going on.

"I don't want to talk about it," he says.

I get up, go in the bathroom, and expecting to see Liam in puke or poop, I see the later. I go into Liam's room to see lay out some clean clothes. It's there I see the changing table cover is gone, and the pad underneath is covered in poop. But that's not all.

There is poop on the walls. On the crib rails. On the crib sheets. The floor is soaking wet. I stood there, stunned for a moment, and began to clean up. Bryan and Liam come back into the room.

I stood there, silently before asking..."What happened?"

Bryan explained that Liam had a blowout during breakfast and while changing him afterward, the poop got all over the changing table. So he put a naked Liam in his crib while he changed the pad and wiped things down.

Next thing he knew, Liam was standing up in his crib, and gleefully started peeing through the crib rails (hence the wet floor). Bryan went to get something to clean THAT up, he came back and noticed, in horror, that Liam had poop all over his feet, legs, hands, and crib. He had diarrhea...again, this time all over his crib.

And so we arrived at the moment in the bathroom. Thankfully, we were able to laugh at the moment, but let's be honest...it was a shitty morning.

(See what I did there?)

Read More

SHARE:

Liam's 1st Birthday

Well, as quickly as it came, Liam's birthday also went on December 18.

I feel a little bad, since his actual birthday was not much to write about. The night before his birthday, we went to the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights to see the Christmas lights and Santa, so that was a fun excursion.

Having the best time?

On his actual birthday, we left to go home to Iowa for the holidays that afternoon, so he spent much of his birthday in the car. :( But, we woke him up with big smiles, lots of kisses, and he opened a couple of presents from me and Bryan. We arrived home in the early evening, Liam had a little dinner, and then it was time for bed!

BUT, the next day, we made it up to him with a birthday party!

Ah, the first birthday party. I went back and forth about this. I know many moms out there go completely overboard, making the first birthday party the most incredible, Pinterest-worthy shindig ever, creating all the decorations themselves in an effort to make this the best party the kid will ever have. I have no problem with that, and to those parents, I say good on ya!

But for us, we decided to keep Liam's birthday party relatively tame, knowing that he will not remember it. We want to save the over-the-top, DIY, themed parties for later years when Liam can remember them and appreciate them. Personal choice.

A little unsure at first, but he got the hang of it!

So, we kept it simple. The guest list was our family and close friends in the area (which still totaled about 40 people). Being that his birthday is one week before Christmas, not everyone could make it, and that was totally fine. We ordered pizza, had beer and wine for the adults, provided cupcakes for the guests and a smash cake for Liam, and called it a day!

I did have a theme, which was courtesy of Etsy and Hobby Lobby, and kept with Liam's favorite animal: MONKEY! I was able to find a few cute decorations from Hobby Lobby, got some balloons from the grocery store, and that was that for decorations.

I had the invites done from Etsy and they turned out super cute. We opted to ask people for no birthday gifts, mainly because the chid needs nothing, but also because we knew he would get a haul for Christmas and we only have so much room in the car! Knowing that people would want to do something, we offered them a way to donate to Liam's college fund. I was so happy that most everyone followed our wishes! He did get a couple toys, so it was the perfect balance.

Invites and insert from CLacey Design

I did also have this chalkboard piece made to display at the party, and Liam took some photos with it a few weeks prior to his birthday. I love the way it turned out!

He had a great time and that's the most important part. It was wonderful to be surrounded by our family and friends as they loved on Liam, and also celebrated US - because hey, we did it!

Enjoy this photo of Liam eating his cake...it's too cute!

Read More

SHARE:

On Your First Birthday

My sweet boy, Liam.

It seems impossible that one whole year has gone by since I went to the hospital, in more pain than I ever thought possible, and that just 10 hours later, at 7:25am on December 18, 2014, you came into the world.

It all happened so fast, and so agonizingly slow at the same time. One minute you were inside my belly, and then there you were. The moment they placed you on my chest, all legs and arms and warmth, I knew I was a changed woman.

I didn't get to hold you again for a whole 24 hours - they had to take you to the NICU for tests and then I had my own complications. Your poor Daddy, torn between the two greatest loves of his life. I urged him, needed him, to be with you. To let you know that you were not alone in this great big scary world that you had just become a part of.

From the first breathe you took, you have been a strong, alert, adaptable little boy. Every time over the past 12 months that I've been anxious or nervous about how you will react to something, you surpass any expectation.

This past year has been unlike anything I could have imagined. Watching the world through your eyes is, in a word, amazing. From your little view, two-feet off the ground, everyone deserves a smile, every day gets a belly laugh, and every thing in your path begs a name, a thought, an explanation. Everything, and everyone matters to you. I hope that always remains a part of your character.

You have a catalogue of noises, smiles and expressions, different for every person or occasion.

You have a roar that turns into a scream that turns into a giggle that turns into a belly laugh that will forever melt my soul.

You are sneaky and mischievous, too smart for your own good, knowing already how to walk the line between being naughty and cute.

You laugh in my face, openly, when I tell you No, and I will never be able to stay mad at your adorable face. Manipulation has never been more sweet.

You are messy and dirty and fearless and destructive, and my sweet little boy, all at the same time.

You still fit perfectly in the crook of my arm and in the space between my chin and my chest.

Your cheeks are amazing.

You are so very smart. Pride is a word I didn't know the true meaning of until I see you taking things that you learn from us and putting them in action.

You are so strong, "The Hulk" we call you, yet so small and fragile in the grand scheme of things.

Your hugs and kisses are addicting, and even if I got 1000 of each every day, it would never be enough.

This first year with you has been nothing short of an adventure. It's been the best of everything. It was challenging, and continues to be so, but we'll keep adapting. As much as I teach you, you are teaching me. I've never done this thing before. You are our world, but we are yours. We're in it together.

And if you ever forget, my love, how much I love you (and you will, most likely in those teenage years that I'm already dreading), know this: There is nothing I wouldn't do for you in this whole world.

You made me a mom, and I have never felt so lucky. You will forever occupy a place in my heart where no one else exists. You are my greatest joy and easily the best thing that I have ever done.

I love you, little one. Happy first birthday!

Love, Mom

Read More

SHARE:

Liam {11 Months}

11 months old. My baby is officially in his last month before he becomes a "toddler." But let's be honest, he'll always be my baby, and I refuse to stop referring to him as such until he's two. You heard it here first.

Each month seems to get better and better. He learns new skills and interests by the day, and it's such a joy to watch him learn. He's so curious, super smart, Mr. Independent and super sweet with a just enough sass. 

At one of our many doctor's visits this past month (damn cold season), Liam weighed in at 20lbs, 12oz, but we aren't sure on height. I think right now he's about 21 lbs, 29 inches. I find that now he's so active, he doesn't gain weight as easily as when he would pack on a few pounds a month!

Milestones & Skills

• Standing -he doesn't do it often, but he can. He does it longest when he doesn't realize it
• Talking more! He can say Mama, Dada, Puppy, Puffs, That, Book, Up and Vroom
• Drinking out of a spouted sippy instead of straw
• Walks well - and FAST - with assistance or holding on to furniture 
• Sharing - so sweet!
• Shakes head back and forth - it looks like he's saying no, but it's actually a dance move.

Likes

• Clapping - he claps when he hears it in public or on the TV, and he claps for himself all the time :)
• Opening/closing doors
• Diving into pillows

• Tricking you - he acts like he's giving you something - a toy or his pacifier, and then when you're about to take it he snatches it back! It's hilarious.
• Chase - he loves when I sing "I'm gonna get you" and I chase him. He crawls away and I catch up to him and tickle him, while he giggles hysterically.
• Looking out the window - every morning we look out on the street and say "Vroom vroom" at the cars and construction workers
• Flirting - Liam is always so good when we go to eat with him (knock on wood). He is always such a flirt with the ladies, giving them big smiles and squeals!
• Testing us - he loves crawling somewhere or trying to grab something/put it in his mouth, and then giving us a sideways glance to see what we'll say. We try to let him explore as much as possibly, and only say "No" or "No thank you" when he's doing something like pulling cords, trying to eat dog food, or turning on the bath when he's not in it :)
• Dancing - He dances at any melody and it's the most adorable thing ever.

Firsts

• Haircut - He was born with so much hair, and I resisted cutting it forever. But it was starting to get super long in back and over his ears, so I caved. He did so good!
• Halloween - Unfortunately, it was horrible weather here in Chicago (cold and rainy), so we didn't go trick or treating. Instead, we went to our friends' house in the suburbs, and I dressed Liam up as a monkey for my own entertainment. (And of course, for a photo opp.)

Dislikes

• The changing table (still and always)
• The Nose Frida - We've been sick a lot in the past couple of months and while the Nose Frida used to be funny, it is now viewed as a torture device.
• Vacuums and hand dryers - Poor baby cries bloody murder!

Eats

Still eats 4-5 bottles each day, but lately doesn't drink as many ounces per bottle. He's also eating 3 meals/day and has some snacks, too! 

He's been a little more picky this month than normal, but we've found he loves waffles, almond butter & jelly sandwiches, quinoa anything, black beans, avocados, blueberries, raspberries, pizza and spaghetti.

Sleeping

It depends on the day, but typically Liam naps once in the morning around 9am, and again between 1-2pm. If his naps are shorter, he'll take a third catnap.

He still sleeps through the night, but in recent weeks, he's been waking up earlier and earlier. With the time change at Halloween, he went from waking at 730am to 630am, which we suspected. But we also assumed he'd just eventually get back to old sleeping patterns.

The past week or so he's been waking anywhere from 5am-6am! It ain't right. He's been battling a new mother-fricking cold (I swear he hasn't been healthy since mid-September), and I think that's playing a factor. Hoping he gets back to some normalcy (or at least waking up post 6am) soon, but until then, trying to enjoy the extra time we get together in the morning, rather than being super rushed!

The countdown to one is officially on! We aren't planning anything crazy for his first birthday. We'll be home in Iowa for the holidays and plan to have a get together with family and close friends. Just planning a low-key afternoon with pizza and a smash cake. And booze of course, because quite honestly, I feel like we deserve a party for us, too! We managed to keep another human alive for a year without a clue what we were doing. Here's to us!

See you at One, little man.

Videos

Read More

SHARE:

Slow Down

At the end of each day, after I've kissed my sweet baby good night, have cleaned up the toys, and settled in for what is finally a full night's sleep, I often marvel over how we got this far.

Generally speaking, parents have no clue what they are doing. Especially the first time around. It's amazing our abilities to intuitively know what to do, and figure things out as we go.

I've made no qualms about the fact that I thought the first 3-4 months were a bear. Those months were more intense than anything I could have anticipated, or could accurately describe to anyone who hasn't been there.

In those difficult moments, I wished time away. I wished for moments to vanish. I wished for milestones to come and go. I wished for days, and often nights, to pass more quickly.

Now that we've gotten to know our little man, and he us, we've settled into such an enjoyable groove. It feels like we've only just gotten to a point of pure enjoyment. A time where we can laugh through (most of) the hard moments, because we know it will all be fine. We're know we're going to blink and this time with our boy will be gone.

The other night, I was holding Liam's hand while we rocked before bed. I rubbed his ring finger on his left hand, thinking about how one day, there would be a ring there, a symbol of promise to be the keeper of his heart. And it wouldn't be me.

I pat his little bottom after bath time and watch him giggle, thinking how in just a few short years, loving pats on the bottom will be met with an eye roll and, "Mooomm!"

He makes hilarious noises and sounds to communicate, and I wonder what his little voice will sound like when he learns to talk. How he'll blush when I tell everyone how roaring was his communication method of choice.

He snuggles into my chest when we're rocking before bed, his little head a perfect fit in the space between my jaw and my shoulder, and he feels so small, so yet so big, in my arms.

I read him stories, the same ones over and over and over again, knowing that one day, sooner than I expect, repeating myself will be one of my least favorite past times.

Time is a thief, stealing moments and hours. Time lies, making me think there is more of it in a day, weekend, month. Sometimes, time feels like my enemy, seeking revenge for the times I wished it away, by making the best moments pass faster than the not-so-great ones.

So, I apologize, Time, for wishing you away. I promise never to do it again if you could just slow down.

Read More

SHARE:

Halloween Nostalgia

Happy Friday! I've officially worked for two weeks at my new job, and the good news is, I'm loving it! I got put on a huge project right away, so I've been busy already (hence the lack of posting), but I'd rather be busy than bored.

In any case, today marks the beginning of my favorite time of year: HOLIDAY SEASON! Starting of course, with Halloween weekend, followed shortly by Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I love Halloween. I've always loved celebrating it, and the ways in which I've done so have evolved over the years, to say the least.

When I was younger, every year I would look forward to going to see "The Costume Lady" with my mom and sisters. "The Costume Lady," whom I'm sure had a name, but this is how we referred to her, was a woman who had hundreds of handmade costumes that she sold out of her garage. If we didn't get costumes from her, my mom made our costumes.

And I must say, we had some kick-ass costumes. One year, I was a 50s girl, and I wore patent leather shoes, white socks, a white turtleneck and a handmade pink poodle skirt that twirled in the most amazing way!

Another year, I was a beauty shop technician. I wore a wig with curlers, a lab coat that had scissors, hair clips, a curling iron, etc that I carried in my pockets.

One of my favorite costumes was a Hershey Kiss outfit that my mom made. It was silver sparkly fabric stuffed with newspaper, and had leg and arm holes. I wore white tights and a white turtlneck underneath, and my mom made a hat shaped like the top of a Hershey Kiss, complete with the long white tag on the end.

As I got older, of course I went through a phase of dressing "sexy" for Halloween, mostly during college.

And even post-college, my hubby and I have always dressed up and gone out to celebrate. One year, I was a "Deal or No Deal" girl with two of my girlfriends.

There was the year a group of us went as Dominos (VERY HARD TO NAVIGATE THE BUSY BARS).

I went as Lindsay Lohan went she first went cray-cray and was out house arrest. I was also Rosie the Riveter.

A couple of years ago, I was part of the Brookie & Brookie & Ricky V.I.Penis skit from SNL (Thanks, Champagne!).

Last year, I was pregnant, so instead of dressing up, I took my niece trick or treating. And of course, this year, I'm a PARENT! And so the Halloween game changes again.

So this year, I'm being a mom. We're taking Liam trick or treating in the suburbs with my best friend and her son.

BUT we will be drinking while trick or treating, and drinking after they go to bed SOOO...I'm still kinda being cool.

At least that's what I tell myself.

In all honestly, while we do have parties we could attend after Liam goes to bed, it's pretty much impossible to find a babysitter on Halloween weekend. That, and we just didn't want to this year. We want to embrace special times like this now that we have a child. Even though he will not remember his first Halloween, and even though the candy he gets will be consumed by his parents, it's still all about creating traditions and memories, much like the ones I had growing up.

Stay tuned for pics of our little monkey!!

I hope everyone has a safe, warm, happy Halloween, whatever you're doing!

Read More

SHARE: