Steppin' Out Saturday: Halloween Edition

Saturday night we stepped out for a costume party at my cousin's house.  We had an
absolute blast dressing up, bobbing for apples, making gooey slime, and eating lots and lots
of treats!  I had full intentions of dressing us all up in coordinating costumes inspired by
the movie "Shrek" but, we ended up all going in our own directions.  What can I say?  We
are a family of creative individuals!  Here's what we wore:

Brees:  For her first Halloween, Brees was a busy bee, pretty appropriate considering
her personality!  This costume was also worn by Isabelle for her first Halloween and it
was such a sentimental moment to see her in it!  I purchased this costume at a specialty
shop and love all of the hand made details, especially the bonnet with antennas!
Brees's general dislike for clothing made dressing her up in costume rather difficult as you
will see in the photo below and she spent most of the night trying to undress
herself, per usual.

Belle:  Isabelle deemed herself "The Great Pumpkin Witch", taking a dress and headband
I found for her and adding her own special touches and accessories.  Her wig was from one
of my old Mardi Gras costumes and the purple poodle was her "magical watchdog".
Isabelle LOVES Halloween and all things dressing up!

Shawn:  My husband, who avoids attention like the plague and will barely let you take
his picture, chose his own costume this year: DJ Lance Rock.  He said, "I think I'll be this
dude because Brees really likes this show and she'll dig it".  I really, really love him for
this.  He made me laugh every time I glanced over at him for obvious reasons.

Liv:  I was, according to Isabelle, "The Great Cobweb Witch" (I love how she adds
"The Great" to everything:).  I bought a witch costume and then Isabelle accessorized me
as she saw fit, per usual.  I actually really loved my sunglasses and hope to wear
them regularly.

We had so much fun and the night was definitely a huge success.  I will treasure these
photos of our uncoordinated family forever and ever... 

Sweet Friday

In a few hours, Shawn and I are leaving for our first overnight trip since Brees was born.
We are headed to New Orleans for our annual trip to the Voodoo Music Experience,
an amazing festival held in City Park featuring bands of every genre imaginable.  This
year, we will be rocking out to the iconic band Soundgarden, a favorite of ours since we
were 14 years old.  We plan to eat at a few of our favorite restaurants, meet up with
old friends, and enjoy the freedom of just being together.

The excitement doesn't still the anxiety I am feeling over leaving our girls.  My heart
starts racing every time I think about going to bed and not being able to kiss them
goodnight.  It's only one night, I tell myself.  You deserve this, your marriage deserves
this.  But a mother's heart is the master of guilt.  Somewhere along the line, I developed
this sense of reasoning that taking time for myself was selfish, that doing anything that
didn't involve my kids was gluttonous and wrong.  I don't know why, it just
naturally happened.  Have you ever felt that way?

But I'm pushing all of that aside right now, I vow not to ruin this amazing opportunity
by being anxious and upset.  Shawn and I are about to load up our car and hit the
open highway, New Orleans bound.  We have a playlist with all of our favorite songs ready
to go, bags packed, babies well taken care of.  And tonight, when we are swaying under
the stars to the sounds of "Burden In My Hand", Shawn's arms wrapped around me, I
will take a deep breathe and know that my children are loved and cherished.  We will
return home tomorrow refreshed and revived and they will have better parents for it.

Here's to kicking guilt and worry to the curb.  We've earned it.

Stats

Brees Elizabeth is 11 months old!!

In less than a month, Brees will be a year old and I am left sitting here wondering
how this year has flown by so fast!  

Here are her stats:

Feeding:  Brees began eating more table food and less baby food this month.  We have
been giving her servings of whatever we are eating as she shows interest and she has
been gobbling up everything in sight!  Her favorite foods this month have been:
spaghetti, grits, sweet potatoes, green beans, and cornbread dressing.  She is breastfeeding
5-6 times a day with her last feeding at 8pm.  She is no longer waking up at night to
nurse!  See how Brees baby led her own nightime weaning here.

Sleeping:  We ALL slept this month, FINALLY!!!!  After many, many restless nights
over the last few months, we finally decided it was time to move Brees to her own crib in
her nursery.  It was a very hard move for us as we had become very attached to
sleeping with our little one and loved being close to each other.  But as Brees became
more active and mobile, she began trying to climb out of bed, waking up every hour to
nurse, and crying off and on throughout the night.  It became very clear that she needed
her own space and so we made the transition from family bed to Brees in her crib.  After
only 3 nights of adjusting and a few tears (from both baby and parents), Brees is now going
to bed at 8 pm and sleeping through the night until around 7 or 8 in the morning.  Getting
a full night's sleep is something I will never, ever underestimate again!

Health:  Brees currently has 8 teeth and her incisors are making their way out as we
speak, creating two red, swollen bumps on her upper gums.  Teething is the pits, no
matter how you try to sugar coat it.  She has been a little more grumpy than usual and
chews on anything she can get her hands on.  Hopefully, these next 2 teeth will come
in quickly and she can have a break!   Brees now weighs 19 pounds and is still wearing
6-9 month clothing.  She is tiny and petite but has the personality and energy
of a giant!

Milestones:  Brees is walking!!  Actually, running, climbing, jumping, whatever mode
of transportation will get the job done.  She started walking on her 10 month birthday
and hasn't stopped since.  She quickly learned that those two chubby legs of hers were
much more efficient than crawling on all fours and she has made good use of them.
We thought she was a busy bee before: we had no idea what was in store!  She loves to
follow me around the house, walking behind me and babbling the whole way.  She also
started dancing this month, moving to the beat anytime she heard a piece of music.  Is
there anything more hilarious than a big diaper butt shaking it?  Dada remains her
favorite word but she has been saying Mama quite a bit.

Personality:  Brees seriously makes us laugh everyday!  She has such an adventurous
spirit and loves to explore and play.  I am completely terrified of what will happen to
our Christmas tree with this little girl on the loose!  She is a cuddler and loves to be
held, rubbed, and rocked.  She hates riding in her stroller and much prefers the comfort of
the Ergo.  For about the first hour after I get home from work, she is glued to my hip
and cries if I try to put her down.  She has become very shy around people she is not
familiar with, especially men with facial hair.  She has just discovered "Yo Gabba Gabba"
and will sit still for about 5 minutes to stare and dance.  She loves to lay her head on my
chest, twirl my hair, and hum.  She really knows how to tug at my heart.

This month Brees:

• Became very interested in our pets, sitting on the window sill and watching them run around the yard, giggling every time they lick her toes, petting them and pulling their hair.
• Started playing in her crib when she woke up in the morning, no longer crying right away to be picked up.
• Learned to stack blocks
• Continued to take her shoes, socks, clothing, and diaper off every chance she got

Thank you for bringing so much 
love into our lives, sweet girl!  

Wordless Wednesday

Home

We all have places where we feel safe, people who make us feel comfortable with who we
are, days that we look forward to.  My place is with my family: my loud, obnoxiously
large Cajun family.  I look forward to our Sunday dinners all week, my belly
anxiously anticipating the home cooked food, watching all the babies crawl and wrestle
and roll over each other, sitting with my cousins and talking for hours.  I've lived my
whole life surrounded by family, children underfoot, conversations swirling so loudly
around the room you'd think we were all deaf.  There's always someone crying,
someone getting into trouble, a mama breastfeeding, a daddy yelling at the football game,
a grandma with four babies in her lap, not enough room in the oven, not enough room at
the table, doors slamming as cousins go in and out, old stories and new memories.  This
is where I feel at home: wherever this group is gathered.  This is when I feel most like
myself, where I feel safe and free to be me.  Though we are all very different in opinions
and preferences, we are bound together by the same Cajun blood line.  We are a family,
and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Networking

I've debated for some time about becoming a part of this directory.  For some reason, I've
felt a bit insecure about joining this networking site, worried that I would
sound arrogant/lame/desperate when I asked you for support.  Therefore, I shall do
what any sensible, nervous mama would do: hide behind my ridiculously cute baby...

Hello, friends.  It's me, baby Brees.  If you like our blog, please click the box below and
then click the owl on the left.  My mama is a sucker for networking.  Thank you for all of
your sweet, thoughtful comments and the love and support you provide our family.
Blogging is pretty cool.  Now, if you'd be so inclined, vote for me pretty please!

Beauty Week

The lovely Michelle from She Said is hosting a week long blog party: Beauty Week!  Each
day this week she will be have guest bloggers  sharing their fashion and
beauty tips.

Monday October 24th: Beauty Routine
Tuesday October 25th: Hair
Wednesday October 26th: Make Up
Thursday October 27th: Fashion
Friday October 28th: Accessories

Head on over to read about my daily skin care regime as well as tons of tips and
tricks from some pretty spectacular ladies!

Steppin' Out

This week has been busy, exhausting, and completely chaotic.  I was on call: my phone
ringing off the hook with patients needing me to see them in the late night hours,
panicked family members, worried questions and concerns.  Shawn was away for work,
calling home every night to check in, the stress heavy in his voice as he heard how tired
and worn down I was despite my best efforts to sound chipper and upbeat.  It was one
of those weeks that make you feel accomplished and proud but I am so, so happy to cross
it off my calendar.  And now, my favorite day of the week, Sunday.  Time to relax, enjoy
our family, our blessings.  Time to enjoy a big meal with our aunts and uncles and
cousins, discuss the results of our local elections, watch football and chase our kids
around.  Time to kick my red velvet heels up and enjoy the fruits of my labor.
Sunday, I love you and all that you do for my sanity.

Here's what we wore for a little Sunday steppin' out...

Face

The Paper Mama's photo challenge this week: Face.

This little face, it makes me smile everyday...

Coffee Talk: The Answers Part 4

As this busy week winds down, I thought I would pour myself a cup of tea, enjoy the
view from our new, FINALLY completely finished back patio, and answer a question
from you, dear friends.  As Brees's one year birthday quickly approaches, I've been
thinking about this particular question a lot.
I can't believe how fast this year as flown...

What is you best family time memory? from MarieHarmony

Of all the many adventures and experiences we have embarked on this last year as a
family of four, there is one memory that stands out in my heart the most: Christmas
morning.  I come from a very large family and the holidays are always a busy time for
us.  There are so many parties and dinners and gatherings, people everywhere, laughter
and singing.  But for our first Christmas morning as a family of four, we decided to spend
the first few hours tucked away in our home, just us.  Shawn and I woke up early and
made cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa, putting all the finishing touches on Santa's
special delivery.  We scooped up our snuggly, sleeping Brees, only a month old, so small
and warm.  We walked upstairs and woke up Isabelle, her excitement filling the air the
way only a child on Christmas morning can.  We spent the next few hours opening
gifts, playing with new toys, eating breakfast, listening to Christmas music, lounging in
our pajamas.  I remember looking around at my little family: Isabelle overjoyed that she
had received the special doll she had been hoping for, Shawn taking photos and holding
his new baby girl, Brees sleeping peacefully through the entire thing.  I remember
feeling overwhelmingly happy, content, thankful.  This was one of those days where
you really, truly see and feel what life is all about, where you let every ounce of stress
and worry go and sink your heels into the present.  This was one of those days that
made me feel alive.
It was the best morning.

It's amazing to look back at these photos and see how much both of the girls have grown
since this special day.  This year, with Brees walking and talking and exploring every
thing that crosses her path, this year will be such a different experience.  I can't wait to
see what kind of memory we will make this Christmas morning...