Happy October 31st!

Whatever you call it...it makes for the best photos. Here are a few.









Insert your own captions...I think the last one looks like Elly is informing Cam of her plan to get the largest possible amount of candy! :)

My Husband's Kind of Pumpkin Carving

So...we're a little different. Caleb will forsake much for the final product to be fantastic, especially if it requires artistic touches. I am SO glad he's like this - it will make for much more exciting holidays for our children! :)

What a fun Daddy!! Look what he did with Cameron...


The "Pablo Pumpkin." You know, from The Backyardigans? Cam's fav.


The intentionally-scary Vikings football pumpkin. Yikes! Complete with face mask and logos on his helmet!

My Kind of Pumpkin Carving

So...here's an excellent way to waste time. No mess, no stinky pumpkin guts. Fun.

Giggleboxes

The pure joy of baby laughter! Caleb showed Cam how to give Elly "raspberries" and now he won't stop...at least they both enjoy it!

I love the way Elly looks at Cameron - she adores her brother!!

Ear Infections 'R' Us

Why are my babies "sick magnets?" It seems we cannot go even a week without contracting some new virus, infection, or going through a stage in life where they feel icky. I truly wish I could take on the sickness and spare their poor little bodies. I really, really hate baby fevers. They make me feel helpless.

Cameron slept about two hours on Friday night, he was in so much pain. Finally got him to urgent care yesterday after trucking him around to the XC meet (what a trooper!) His left ear in infected and his right ear is VERY infected according to the doctor who said she recognized me! Ha!! I didn't know I spent that much time at the hospital (I'd never seen her before)!!

Elly was an ANGEL at the meet -- no crying in her carseat, letting everyone hold her, being generally snuggly, etc. But this was explained by this morning's 101.5 fever. We'll see how she does and consider the doctor tomorrow.

I had all the necessary medications on the counter, ready to dispense at a moment's notice and it looked so funny, I had to take a picture.


The lineup, left to right: Cam's tylenol, Elly's tylenol, Cam's ibuprofen, Elly's ibuprofen, Cam's antibiotic.

This doesn't include the levothyroxine Elly takes each day, the vitamins they each take, the nose drops and booger sucker which help me clear the airways, or the baby orajel for teething. I feel a bit like a short-order pharmacy tech??!

So - I'm trying to REDEEM this season instead of resenting it. Trying to enjoy the moments of cuddling with my babies, no matter what time, day or night. Thankful we have an HSA and we can pay for medicine and dr visits tax-free. Thankful we have health insurance and are able to treat them. Thank you, Lord, for these things. Even when they're sick, they're the very sweetest babies!!!

I'm a Bad Aunt

(NOTE: This was supposed to post on Friday late at night, but apparently it saved as a draft. Kinda ironic, considering I was apologizing for missing something already...ahh).

I forgot to call my niece today - it was her 11th birthday. Caleb and I had a miscommunication. He thought I was calling, I thought he was calling. I feel horrible.

Ashley Christine is her name - she's the oldest grandchild on the Sieh side and she's sweet as can be. She has the most generous heart, the most sensitive spirit and the most contagious giggles. She's everything you could ever want in a big sister, niece or oldest cousin. She takes care of everyone and even dishes it back to Caleb when he gives her a hard time (GO, GIRL)!

I just want everyone to know that I am celebrating my sweet niece today! I love you Ashley and you are truly a blessing in our lives!!


Jocelyn, Caleb and birthday girl Ashley. Last Christmas.

Manic

Why is it that hour-by-hour, day-by-day, week-by-week I can't make up my mind? At one moment, I think that I could keep having kids forever...however many we can responsibly take care of and/or the Lord blesses us with. The very next, I'm wondering how I can handle feeding two kids at once, potty training Cameron in the upcoming months, etc. I'm back and forth all the time!

How can something like Elly cutting her top teeth fill me simultaneously with joy at seeing her grow up and acquire more abilities, and sorrow as she inches farther away from the mama who carried her everywhere just 5 months ago?! How can I be rolling on the floor, enjoying Cameron's hugs and kisses one second, then almost burst into tears thinking of how he'll go into kindergarten in just 4 (3?) years?

Anyone who knows me, knows I am a ball of emotion just waiting for the next opportunity to shed a tear. I'm fully invested in that part of my life. I have resolved, however, that no matter how many babes our family is blessed with -- even if it's only precious Cam and sweet Ells -- I am going to try my hardest to enjoy every moment of every day. To redeem the interruptions, curveballs, and changes, not resent them. This I learned at our Bible Study this week with Kathy Strandquist (oh, how I LOVE her!). More about this later...