Halloween Adventures -- 2007

Halloween this year was a smashing success! This was Jared's third Halloween, but the first time he finally understood what was going on. It was pretty amusing in the days preceding Halloween, because he didn't really understand. He was sort of excited because he knew he had this cool costume that had something to do with Halloween, but he had also seen plenty of frightening Halloween images, so whenever the topic came up, he would say "Mommy, I scared of Halloween." It didn't help that we ran into life size ghouls and mummies everywhere we went! In the end, dressing as Thomas and the promise of lollipops won out and he got very excited.

On the other hand, Josiah spent his first Halloween (at 5 weeks old) doing exactly what Jared did during his first Halloween-- he slept. We dressed him in this adorable red chili pepper costume and he stayed awake long enough for a few photos (just barely) and then he slept for the next 3 hours.

After dressing the boys and taking photos, we finally ventured out to find that almost no one on our street actually answers the door anymore. It was initially a bit anti-climactic, but we hung in there and by the time we reached the end of our cul-de-sac we found some Halloween enthusiasts. Jared tried to go into a few people's houses which was pretty hilarious-- especially if there were dogs or other children there. The only way to get him to move on was dangling the promise of more candy at "the 'nother house". Mostly people ooh-ed and ah-ed over the boys and their costumes and Jared got the lion's share of lollipops. It was no surprise that Josiah slept the rest of the way home.

All in all, it was a fun night. I am all for any excuse to dress the kids up and take photos, but it was also fun to see Jared begin to grasp a cultural tradition-- even if it is a bizarre one that sort of involves doing something that scares you a little for the promise of candy! (Naturally we had to have a little chat about that! ) :)


"HAPPY HALLOWEEN, Mommy!!!! I am THOMAS the Tank Engine!"

"Okay, now it's time to get serious. I have my Halloween basket and I am ready to go..."

"Okay, this one little box of Nerds is not going to cut it, Mom. We have to go trick or treating!"

"Mom-Dad-- apparently I am a red chili pepper. I don't know why I am wearing this but it is VERY cozy, and I am going to get a head-start on my nap!"

"Come on, Josiah! Don't go to sleep. Mom and Dad said that if we put on these clothes and go to people's houses they will give us CANDY!"

"Okay, okay, Dad! I will wake up for a MINUTE! What are we doing? Where are we going? What is a chili pepper?"

"FINALLY!! I still don't understand what trick or treating is, but I have my basket and I am ready to go.... as soon as I finish this piece of candy Mom already gave me!"

"Hello?! Who is it? Happy Halloween! Candy?"


And finishing off our silly family adventure... is Josiah doing what he does best! :)

A Close Up of Baby Josiah

Because I know my mother is going to complain that the photos are too small and she can't see anything... I decided to post a close up of Josiah I filmed when he was searching for his thumb.

In this video he is 4 weeks old and weighs 12lbs and 10oz.... more than many 3 MONTH OLD babies! I grow monster size boys, don't I???

(It doesn't look like it, but the video is below-- it looks like a plain black box. Just push play!)


***VIDEO ALERT***

Josiah's a Baby!

I am SO behind in posting pics of Jared and Josiah since Josiah's birth, but I promise I will get caught up! In the meantime I thought I would post this video and the associated pic of the boys. Even though it is a bit dark and you can't see Josiah's face, it is soo adorable I couldn't resist posting it! :)

***VIDEO ALERT***

Here is the photo from today of Jared (2 yrs old now) holding his brother (4 weeks old)-- something he does every chance he gets!

And here is one of Josiah where you CAN see his face! :) This photo is actually from when he was 2.5 weeks old:)

More to come!

Welcome Josiah!

I just wanted to post a very quick message that Josiah Devine was born on Tuesday morning at 8:33am. He was 9lbz 11 oz and is absolutely a dream. Here are just a couple pictures to tease you with until I have a moment to post more!

Jared is delighted to have a little brother and has really surprised with us his constant interest and concern for his little brother. If he hears him cry, he will drop everything and come running, saying "Don't be sad! Don't be sad! It's okay! It's okay!" Or he will look at Josiah and just burst into a fit of giggles.

Here is Josiah after his trip home from the hospital!




Needless to say we are both exhausted and blissful! More pics and Josiah's birth story later!

Love from Penny, Dalvin, Jared and Josiah

A Baby Shower for Josiah

This weekend, several of Mommy's closest friends (Donni, Latoya, and Veronica) threw us a baby shower for the impending arrival of Baby Josiah. :)

This is the cool cake that Auntie Veronica ordered to match the safari theme in Josiah's room.

Apparently Mommy is supposed to freeze this little cake until Josiah's first birthday... I thought it was for ME! :)

Here I am contemplating exactly what this baby brother thing means... so he is going to live with us? And I have to share everything with him? Including Mommy and Daddy...? Hmmm....

But I get to play with him too?! Sounds good to me!!!! :)

Hey... guess what, Jordyn? Mommy says I am going to have a baby brother! Another kid for us to play with!!

Sarah and Micah are excited too-- they just got a new little sister recently and they say Baby Hannah is awesome!

All in all, I am pretty excited about this Big Brother thing! :)

You asked for it!

Okay, so I have had repeated requests for belly pictures... and as I approach the last month of this pregnancy, I realize:
#1. Pictures of me are far and few between this pregnancy
#2. I am HUGE!

I don't have any recent pics except several that I inadvertently took as I tried to take pictures of Jared on my lap. So here you go! :)

Happy Birthday to Me!

***VIDEO ALERT***

Guess who is turning 2?!

Jared turns 2 this Saturday-- how time flies when you are having fun! :)

playtime!

Jared recently had some playtime with his pal, Jordyn! Isn't she growing up?

"Mommy, Jordyn has this dancing Elmo thing... why don't I have one?"
"That's pretty cool!"

"And now Jordyn is showing me some dance moves! Fun times!"

the many faces of jared

This is Jared's serious, "how can I help you, Mom" face.

This is Jared's latest attempt at smiling for photos... "CHEESE!!!!"

"This is Jared being thoroughly entertained with himself, giggling up a storm!

And here is Jared's everyday, "Aren't I charming?" smile! :)

Jareds New Bed

This isn't really the best view, but this is Jared's new "big boy" bed which he absolutely ADORES! Its a loft bed with a dresser on one side and a desk on the other. The ladder is currently on top of the top bunk to remove temptation from my little climber~!

Every night before bed, we say nighttime prayers and then Jared snuggles up with Teddy and Pooh (not in picture). :)

It's not even bedtime and Jared is already cozy and ready to go!

Visiting My Cousins

"Recently we went to visit my cousins again. I always like to sit over in the breakfast nook, although I have gotten into my share of trouble exploring the foliage Aunt Laurel keeps on the table!"

"Cousin Micah let me ride the rocking horse! Very cool!"

"Hey Micah! I didn't see you back there!"

"Although, you can't tell in this photo, I really AM 2 years younger than Micah!"

"Sarah came in from playing with her friends in the neighborhood to say hi!"

"When it was time to go, Sarah, Micah, Sarah's friend and Auntie Toya snuck me away for a walk!"

"But then Mommy called me back... as you can see, I am not so thrilled about it!"

"I ran over to Mommy to see if I could sway her to join us for the walk, but she said we had to go home."


"So we said our goodbyes and headed back home!"

Teddy Love

Jared has only recently enjoyed snuggling with his teddy bears... Here you can see him snuggling with Teddy and Pooh.

And here he is giving Teddy a big goodnight kiss. "MUAH!"

Introducing Cousin Hannah Jolie

"Wow, look, Halmonee and Papa.... Hannah is so tiny! I think she is smiling at me..."

Here are Grandma, Mom, Sarah and Baby Hannah...

Here is Micah, snuggling up with Mom and Hannah...

Little Hannah after her first bath...

And finally, a close up of Hannah Jolie...