Costume Par-tay

On Saturday night, we had our ward trunk-or-treat. Marcus stayed home with Drew, and I took the older kids out for an evening of chili-eating and trunk-or-treating.

This year, Emma decided she wanted to be Tinkerbell. She got a dress-up trunk for Christmas that had a Tinkerbell-ish dress and wings, and ever since then, that was her costume. I thought I was going to get off easy this year. However, there is a new Tinkerbell DVD coming out, of which Emma received a preview book. In it, she has a new look:

Emma decided she wanted parts of the new Tinkerbell costume, including the tights and cape. She also wanted to wear this ugly hat we have, but I talked her out of it. She also had to wear a shirt under the dress because the cape we made is "too itchy". So her costume isn't really a traditional Tinkerbell costume at all. She looks more like some random green fairy. I thought I wouldn't have to buy anything, but with the tights, shoes, and material for the cape, I ended up spending more than it would have cost to buy a premade outfit at the Disney store. Oh well.

Kyle on the other hand was quite easy. Somehow he discovered Spiderman, and it is the only thing he considered being for Halloween. I found this costume at Party City- the only one without a mask for a face. I think he looks pretty darn hilarious.

One Halloween event down, one to go. Hope you're all enjoying your own festivities!

Darn it all

Apparently the picture slideshow only works on my computer. Anyone else see it? Well, for those who couldn't see it before, here are the pictures- in a different format.

Fun with Grandma

Greetings from the land of the sleep-deprived! Having a newborn again is certainly a challenge, especially to someone who treasures her sleep.

My mom came this week to help around the house, and most importantly, entertain my children. This gave me the opportunity to focus on the baby, and also to get some rest during the day. She took them to the mall, the park, the Phoenix Children's Museum, some stores, and entertained them at home while I got out of the house to run a few errands.

We also got to go out to dinner at the Brazilian Bull- a local Brazilian steakhouse. Mmmm.

Now she's back in Denver, and soon it will be just me and the three kids. I'm feeling a little nervous about it. But I know so many of you have handled three and more, so I know I can do it too. I would wax rhapsodic on appreciating the phases of babyhood that pass so quickly, but I'm too sleepy. Instead, I hope you enjoy the pictures from our week with Grandma Kathy.

Getting to know Drew

I made it home from the hospital Thursday afternoon (though I had to do a little smooth talking to get them to release me). Since then we've just been trying to get used to each other. I wasn't able to see the kids while I was in the hospital due to flu restrictions, so it was an adjustment for us all to be away from each other, and now back together with an extra family member.

So far, this is what I've learned about Drew:

• He hates having a messy diaper.
• He hates having it changed even more!
• He hates getting swaddled.
• He loves BEING swaddled.
• He has brown eyes- and has just started actually opening them for more than a second.
• He, like all babies, sleeps more during the day than at night, though I am working on changing that around.
• He has a strong neck- he could turn his head from side to side while laying on his back from the beginning.
• He smells wonderful.

I'm looking forward to getting to know him even more.

Here are a few more pics:

Proud Papa

Coming Home (did NOT like getting buckled in)

All better now

First bath

Introducing...

Drew Emerson Earnest (7lbs 8oz, 20 inches)

He Is Here....

Our new son was born at 1:22 pm. He was 7 lbs 8 0z (our biggest yet) and 20 inches in length.

Mom and new baby are doing great.

I forgot the USB cable for my camera so no pictures until I get home in a few hours - SORRY !!

- Marcus

The final countdown

The baby clothes are washed and folded in the dresser. The bassinet and car seat are ready to go. A few meals are prepared and frozen. Groceries are stocked up. The bottles are sterilized. I have one day to finish cleaning my house and complete those last, needful tasks before I am off to the hospital tomorrow.

I was thrilled to have a weekend with which to accomplish all the above tasks- plus we got to spend time together, just the four of us, before baby makes five. I got to just sit and talk to Emma, and sit and play with Kyle, enjoying the things that are special about each one of them.

The kids are excited about having a new baby come home. Yesterday I found Kyle laying in the bassinet and Emma on the changing table. Let's hope that's the extent of their regression into babyhood.

I'm excited. I'm apprehensive. I'm missing my sleep already. I can't wait to see our new little boy and give him a name. I feel like I've been pregnant FOREVER, and yet I can't believe the time is almost here.

I guess I should pack my hospital bag.