Pumpkin Carving

There aren't many things better than a fire going with a lit up carved pumpkin next to it while cozying up together on the couch. Some of my favorite Halloween memories growing up was sitting on the couch just watching the light flicker in our pumpkins. It is a memory that I am going to make happen for my own little ones. 

I was so happy that Everett was the perfect size to fit in a pumpkin. Now before anyone thinks it was mean putting him in a slimy pumpkin naked outside in the cold, I will tell you that the pumpkin was lined with a towel and as for the cold it was just a little chilly which is why we hurried really fast to take the pictures. I just loved seeing him in that pumpkin though. Also Stephen and I both put the pumpkin on our head to make up for Everett having to sit in it.

Pumpkin Patch

This is the first time I have made a bucket list for one of the seasons and hopefully it will become a fun tradition for us. With it being our first fall in Atlanta I figured it was time to start. One of the things I was most excited about doing this fall was going to the pumpkin patch. I love seeing posts and pictures of friends going to the patches this time of year. It makes me so happy when families are able to enjoy the Holidays together.
It almost seemed like we weren't going to make it to the patch as a family this year. Stephen has been pretty busy in his rotations and until his cores are done he is just going to keep getting busier and busier until May. Luckily he had this weekend off so we made time and went to the pumpkin patch at the Methodist church that is just a few minutes away from where we live. All of the big pumpkin patches are a couple hours away so I was really happy to find out about the one this church does every year. They do pumpkin patches in the fall and then Christmas trees starting the day after thanksgiving. If you bring one of your pumpkin seeds when you go to get your Christmas tree they will give you 5$ off your tree! I think that is absolutely adorable. We aren't planning on having a real Christmas tree this year but we kept one of the seeds anyways just for fun.
It was the perfect day for going to the patch, not to hot and not to cold. Stephen had gone to the store that morning because we were out of milk and he brought home some doughnuts. So we had doughnuts and hot chocolate for breakfast. Then after Everett's first nap we went to the patch. One of the workers there thought Everett was so adorable and that he looked just like a little scarecrow in his outfit. We picked the 3 best pumpkins they had and took lots of pictures. Then for lunch we went to olive garden. This was a great day and I can't wait to do all of the other fun things we have on our fall bucket list!

 

Date night

I am realizing more and more just how important date nights are for Stephen and I now that Everett has joined our family. Everett is such a good baby and is in bed by 8:00 every night and doesn't wake up once we put him down for the night which gives Stephen and I some alone time but with medical school and motherhood we have become those people who are in bed by 9:30/10:00 most nights. A couple weeks ago we did a date swap where we watched another couples two kids so they could go out. Then the next week we were able to go out on a date while they watched Everett. It was wonderful being able to go to dinner and then out for ice cream just the two of us. Then my mom came to visit for a week. We always have such a fun time when she comes to visit and she always helps out with Everett so much. This time visiting, she put Everett to bed for us three separate nights so that Stephen and I could go out. 

It is so nice having baby free time with your spouse. Plus having some away time from Everett really helps me be a better mother. One of those wonderful date nights that Stephen and I got was spent doing a session at the temple. We went on a night that we both would have just rather gone to bed early than hurry and catch the last session of the night, but we went anyways and were so glad that we did. The next night we went out to dinner and spent two hours at the restaurant just talking and enjoying our time together. 

The one date that I was most excited for was going to the Brave's game! It was the last week they were playing before the season ended and there was a Sam Hunt concert after. It was rainy and cold which made it even more wonderful that Everett wasn't there with us. Otherwise we would have just come right back home. We had a really good time. I feel more and more blessed every day having Everett with us. I also know that having alone time just Stephen and I is so important and something I hope we always make time for in the future.

Everett: 5 Months

Baby boy you are getting quite the personality.

We have started noticing some of your likes and dislikes.

The cutest thing ever is that you have your favorite books and some you just don't care for.

Your favorite books right now are if you give a moose a muffin, and chicka chicka abc,

however once mom started reading to you the five little pumpkins you no longer liked when I'd read chicka chicka abc. 

So for now the five little pumpkins is your favorite!

You are sleeping through the night every night now waking up around 6:30 or 7:00 every morning.

Just before your 5 month birthday you started sucking on your toes and it is by far moms favorite.

It is the sweetest thing when dad comes home from work and just hearing his voice makes you get the biggest smile.

We've started noticing that whenever you are in your bouncer, in your stroller, or even your car seat you like to always be holding onto something.

While rocking you to sleep you start snoring once your finally out.
Grandma Carman came to visit for a week this month and it was so much fun!

Unfortunately your nails are still sharp like knives and you wake up every morning with new scabs and scratches all over your face and ears.

Pinching has become very common with you. And ouch! It hurts.

You rolled over onto your tummy once this month while in your crib and you weren't happy about it.

At four and a half months we gave you oatmeal cereal and you love it!

You've now tried carrots too but prefer the oatmeal.

One dad moment this month was you laughing in your sleep while dad rocked you before bed.

You started this month in 6 month clothes and are now in 9 month clothes!

drool, drool, drool, and lots of spit bubbles.

Mom had to dedicate the song lose my mind by Brett Eldredge to you a couple times this month, raising a baby is tough.

You smile all day long but getting you to laugh is the real trick. But when you do it is incredible and hilarious because you have a little bit of a fat mans laugh.

My sweet beautiful baby Everett you continue to grow and grow. You are growing up so fast I feel as though you aren't even a baby anymore. Some days I just hold you and don't want to let go because the next time I hold you, you will be different. Time is such a funny thing when raising a child. Sometimes I wish the time would just speed up and other times I wish it could stop. Some days I can't wait for nap time and then once your napping I miss you and just want you to wake up so I can see you again. There are so many emotions with motherhood. Often times I find myself not feeling adequate for the job. But then you smile at me or do something else absolutely amazing and I'm reminded that this is the most important job I will ever do. Loving you Everett and being your mom has been the greatest thing for me.