Happy Halloween

Getting into Halloween was a little harder this year.  Maybe the whole newborn thing had something to do with it.  We didn't carve pumpkins and we didn't get to the pumpkin patch but we did make some Halloween cupcakes, attend the Halloween party at school and participate in the Somerset parade.  So in the grand scheme of things that's not too bad!

 

This year John Henry was a puppy and Schuler was a baby (with a pumpkin hat).  John Henry LOVED the parade because he got to ride in the wagon with his cousin Holland, Schuler slept through the parade, and I got to enjoy my wine as I walked with Jay, Sherridan, and the Calvert family.  So in the end it was great time for everyone.

 

 

 Our little puppy.

 

Cute cousins. 



 

Our little pumpkin slept through all the festivities in his stroller.



 

John Henry didn't want to put the candy in his bag.  He preferred to hold it.

 



 

On the back of the golf cart with the Calvert kids.  This was the before picture.

 

This was the after picture.  I'm not sure what caused John Henry to lose it or why Hunter looks like unhappy.  Regardless, I think it's a funny picture.

 

After the parade we saw sweet Emmaline. 

 

A puppy and Dorthy hugging.  Isn't it adorable!!!

 

John Henry pointing out the real puppies in the parking lot.  I'm not joking when I say he LOVES dogs.

 

The only picture I have of my boys together on Halloween. 

 

Daddy and John Henry

 

The Calvert crew in the golf cart.

 

 

On his way up to the first door to trick or treat.

 

John Henry thought it was pretty cool to take candy out of the basket and put it in his bag.  We had to stop him after he took his third piece of candy.

 

After the first house John Henry looked up at Jay and said, " More Candy".  Since he seemed to understand the whole Trick or Treating concept, Jay took him to a few more houses before they made their last stop at Bebe's house.  Bebe always has the best candy because he gives out full size candy bars.

 

Back at home Daddy got big hugs.

 

Any Mommy got a big kiss!

 

When you end Halloween like this I think it's safe to say the day was a success!

 

Newborn Pictures

One thing I regret is not having newborn pictures taken of John Henry.  Yes I have plenty of pictures of him as a newborn but I don't have those cute, posed, professional shots.  The closest thing I have is the pictures my Dad took for me.  They are great, but I wish I had more.

 

So when my co-worker recommended Stacey De Martini to me I jumped at having the pictures taken.  Stacey did the maternity pictures I posted earlier but her real love is doing newborn pictures.  Can't say I blame her.  She was here for 3 hours and we had so much fun posing Schuler and using her different props.  We could have gone all day except she had to pick up her sons and I had to feed my child. 

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Stacey took a thousand pictures while she was here.  Below are some of my favorites:

 

 

 

 

 

We don't have any sibling shots yet but hopefully I can get those taken soon.  Thank you again to Stacey.  I can't wait for you to come back.

 

If anyone wants to contact Stacey you can check out her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/staceydphotography

 

Before and After

 

Before October 1, 2012

 

 

 

After October 1, 2012

My thoughts exactly

One of the things I can't seem to understand is the use of the family stick figure decal on people's cars.  I just don't get it.  I guess it's not all that different from other bumper stickers or decals that people put on their cars.  It represents the owner of the car which I guess you can say is similar to someone having a college decal/bumper sticker on their car.  The thing is, I get having a college bumper sticker/decal on a car but I don't get the stick figure family.  To me it's like stickers for grown ups.  Living in East Cobb I see a lot of them and every time I roll my eyes.  That's why the picture below makes me laugh. 

 

I couldn't agree more!

Bringing home baby

We are very blessed to have family that helped us through our first week at home with Schuler.  The first week with a newborn is always difficult but even more difficult when you add in a John Henry.  John Henry is a great kid but he's active, so it was a huge help to have family that could watch and entertain him when we needed to take care of Schuler.  We have so many pictures from that first week but here are some of the hi-lights.

Daddy holding Schuler as we were leaving the hospital.

On our way home we stopped at the Starr's house to see everyone.

Henry and Max were so excited to meet their new cousin. 

And Holland was so careful when it was her turn to hold the baby.

Our first picture when we waked through the door at our house.

 

 

Grandma Schuler got to get some loving in.

 

Since Schuler had some jaundice we tried to get him some good old fashioned sunshine.

First picture of Daddy with his boys. 

John Henry loved having his Grandpa around.

Jay quickly became comfortable holding two babies.

Grandpa Schuler with Schuler

This was the best shot I could get with Grandparents and Grandchildren.  Maybe I'll be able to do better next time.

 

 

Grandpa and Grandma enjoying some time with an awake baby! 

 

I think Schuler is already over all the pictures...

Mommy and baby.  Look at the dark hair!

Hanging out at the Starr's pool.

 

John Henry loved to say good night to everyone.  He did his best to stall and not go to bed.

Jay and I with our new little man.

 

Our new family picture.  Clearly a bad picture of Jay and I but the boys look cute!