She’s a Bat!

Claire’s school encourages the kids to create a homemade Halloween costume so that they can be part of the creative process. This year she wanted to be a witch for her school costume. We got some black paper, (since we don’t have black paint), and she cut the pieces that needed cutting and taped the paper to her bag. Then she changed her mind and said she wanted to be a bat because she had told her teacher, Ms. Wright, that she was going to be a bat. And since black works for a witch and a bat, it worked out! I knew we could make some bat ears, but I had no idea about the wings. After looking at some pictures online, I dug in my t-shirt drawer for a black shirt I don’t ever wear. - I found one and cut some wings! I’m pleased with how it turned out!

And Ryan looks good as a skeleton!

Mrs. Merritt, Claire, and Ms. Wright

Cousins in Pajamas

I love being able to exchange babysitting with Stephen and Mel for dates so frequently! And the kids love playing together, so it’s a win-win! Here, they’re clean and ready to watch a movie. -- Actually, they were watching a movie. When I saw them watching a movie after I fed Dayton, I paused the movie to take these pictures, and then it was back to their regularly scheduled program!

Dayton - 11 months

Our little Dayton is already 11 months old! Wow!

These days, he likes to push toys while he walks, (a little wagon, a little shopping cart, etc). He likes to walk while he’s holding on to someone’s hands. He loves to eat. (I don’t think he’s met a food he doesn’t like!) He’s still a mama’s boy, but it has gotten better. It’s not always better, but it is better sometimes. He doesn’t spit up as much as he used to. (Hooray!) And he doesn’t have as many painful burps as he used to. He can wave pretty well now. He doesn’t wave all the time that I suggest it to him, but if he wants to, he’ll do it. One day when Claire, Dayton, and I went for a walk, Claire was up ahead of us, and Dayton waved and waved to her! It was cute!

He got some new top teeth recently. - First, the one just left of center came in, and the two center teeth are beginning to break through, too.

He took his first steps last Friday - on October 17! It was two little steps from the computer desk to the computer chair. -- I figured his first steps wouldn’t be trying to come to me. He has really been thinking about walking lately; I can just tell when he’s standing and not holding onto anything. I can just see him thinking about moving his feet, but then he falls or holds onto something. And then tonight he took a step and a half towards Jordan! He’s so close!

I love seeing Dayton light up when he sees Claire in the morning or when we pick her up from school. I’m so glad they both love each other!

We love you Dayton! We’re so happy you’re in our family!

Playgroup at the Park

For playgroup last week, we decorated Halloween sugar cookies at the park. The kids had fun and loved to eat their cookies and play!

Dayton sat happily in the stroller for a while, and then he wanted out. I realized I could put him in the swing! - I haven’t done that yet with him. And he loved it!

And Claire loved pushing him, too! (I love her tongue out in this picture!)

Random Doings

Here’s Dayton, climbing in that cabinet again. Recently, he has gotten all the way inside and then realized he’s uncomfortable because he can’t sit up all the way.

Claire with her bear

And happy little Dayton