House Hat

Oh man, is it cold in our house. Our heat does a bad job getting to the back bedrooms and I worry about Marigold getting cold. We use the addition of a space heater for sleep time and a fireplace in our main room that does wonders. BUT, during those really cold days a house hat was in order. It's not like an outside hat. Outside hats tend to look like animals like a frog or a cow, or vegetables like an eggplant. House hat's make you look like an elf. An adorable, happy and funny elf that keeps me from worrying too much when Casey is trying to get home in a snow storm. Okay, I was still really worried but taking 150 pictures of a cute elf really helps.

First Snow

It's such a magical thing to watch your child experience things for the first time. Marigold and I spent the first snowy morning looking out our big living room window. She was so focused on the movement of the snow. She would get really excited and start jumping and then freeze and just stare. When I got her all bundled up we went outside to feel it. She was so quiet and observant. Every once in a while she would babble softly to a weed or the wind but other than that she was very still with watchful eyes. Welcome to snow love bug!

She fell over once and didn't even try to move. She just stared at me. I thought this was funny. What do you think she thought?!

A picture of Dada's favorite things. His girls and his wood pile. What a guy.

The Mouth

I marvel at it every day. You use it to express yourself and it gives you away before you make a sound. It's the most beautiful mouth I've ever seen. It's most definitely from your Dad.

Your level of excitement is catching.

You have a rubber face like your Mom. I hope you always use it.

It's your favorite toy (along with hands).

Humming bubbles.

So much laughing!

Best mouth ever!

Happy Halloween!!!

We had many a Halloween festivity this year. It started at Great Grandma Grace's house a week ago and just kept on a rollin. We gathered with family and had the little ones dolled up and hopped up for a Sunday dinner.

Marigold loves her Grammy.

Auntie Michelle, Cousin Alexander and cousin Lorelli.

Auntie Kim got Mr Orange away from the train set for a brief bit of coloring with the Bumble Bee.

The night before Halloween we got together with some friends for a chili and carmel corn Halloween Pre-funk. Aimee and baby boy Cash and Eva with Fin (And another on the way) posed with us. As usual the Mama's were way more into the costumes and photos than the babes were.

Finally, the actual night arrived and we headed off with the Croasdales for some trick-or-treatin. We skipped the whiskers on Marigold which we think made her a polar bear. I didn't want all the black stuff on her pretty skin (or my jacket).

She bear-ly fit in her car seat. That suit was THICK.

Fin at his first house ever. Yes! He went all the way in the house and had to be led back out.

He wanted to eat everything immediately. Halloween rules.

We went back to Rik and Eva's for a little sustenance.... candy. A few laughs too.

Happy Halloween everyone!! Let's do it again next year!

6 months old

Where does the time go? I know this happens to everyone but now I'm the one saying it and I just can't believe it. What a big girl! What love! What did I ever do with out this joy?!

Miss Marigold Louise!

18 lbs 3.5 oz - 88%

26.75 inches - 85% = May you always be so healthy! We are so proud!

43.1 cm head - 70%

You are the light of our lives. You make normal things magic and magic things dream like and perfect. You make things make sense and you are my favorite teacher. I love you bigger than the sky!

Food glorious food!

Contrary to the expression in the first picture, Marigold loves to eat. A child of Casey and Fidelia with a good appetite? Shocking! We started with rice cereal which backed her up and made her bum STINK! Once we switched to oatmeal cereal all was well. She's loved yams and peas and I think we'll do carrots next. I was a little sad to give up being her only food source at first but I'm now so enjoying feeding this little (giant) waiting mouth. She is going to be a good eater. No doubt about it.

Great Grandma's 90th

This last weekend we got to play dress up to celebrate Casey's Paternal Grandmother's 90th birthday. Grandma Phyllis is one of my favorite ladies to be around and we spent two days celebrating her wonderfulness.

Friday night we got all dolled up to go out to dinner. Marigold lasted the whole 3+ hours with just a wee bit of protest at the end. It was an hour and a half past her bedtime by the time we left. Ooops.

Saturday we headed to Great Grandma and Grandpa's house for a party with the whole Schoolcraft clan. Thank you to Cat for making this adorable outfit!!!

Marigold with Dada's Dada.

Marigold with Dada's Momma.

Great Grandma with her four boys.

Auntie Jodie and Zak came on Friday night and had a sleep over with us. Always fun... always.

Oh Marigold. This could have been a real keeper.

Our lil family!

That's better.

Cousin Reveille is almost a year old. Both girls wore flowery dresses and couldn't have been cuter!

Put this girl down and she'll draw a crowd.

But she's always good for a show.

Happy Birthday Great Grandma Phyllis! We love you so much!!

Big Girl

I'm a big girl now. I can sit in the walker Grammy got for me while Momma does the dishes.

I sing with Momma too...

I love my toys and make everything better just by being me.

My toes touch the ground now. I'm sure Momma will get to sweeping up those pine needles soon.

I can also sit in my bumbo so Momma can take a shower.

Oh my god rattles are awesome. Have you guys seen these? They are so cool.

I'm a big girl....