Halloween 2013...

This year we had a little scarecrow at our house for Halloween!

[we gave out little bags of mini cheese balls, a la Sam's Club] 

Despite the big grin in the above photo, Deacon was not so excited about the costume being woken up from his nap so he already had an attitude problem when I put the costume on him.  Not to mention it was in the mid-70s outside while we trick-or-treated around the neighborhood.  Poor little guy.

He was kind of out of it while we walked around the neighborhood so we hit the road into town to celebrate Jeff's birthday after about an hour.  We came home and hung out for a little bit to see who would come trick-or-treating at our house, and then we headed to Outback Steakhouse for Jeff's yearly birthday dinner.

[observe the facial expression there in the center...

that's pretty much how he felt about the costume --

but he was dang cute, yes??]

Chuck E Cheese!

The other thing we did on Deacon's actual birthday, after giving him his bike, is take him to Chuck E Cheese for the first time.  I think I've only ever been to Chuck E Cheese maybe once, for a friend's birthday party or something like that.  We didn't have them in the area where I grew up so it wasn't something we frequented.  Jeff said the same thing.

I'm happy to say that with my limited experience, my expectations were exceeded by a fairly large margin.  :)  It was a lot cleaner (and quieter) than I expected it to be, and the food was pretty decent.  We got a package deal with a pizza, drinks and some a ton of tokens for the games/rides.

While we were there during the lunch hour, another kid had a birthday party so we were able to see the "show" that Chuck E Cheese and his friends put on for parties (without actually paying for it).  Deacon was pretty enthralled with it all (from a safe distance :), but Jeff and I decided then that we wouldn't do a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese.  Ever.

There were a few rides that quickly became Deacon's faves, but for the most part he liked exploring to see all the fun to be had.  Jeff and I had a pretty good time, too, but it was fun to watch Deacon have so much fun.  We enjoyed our time as a family at Chuck E Cheese!

a new bike!

Deacon's actual birthday fell on a Saturday this year and since we had his birthday party the week before, we were able to spend his special day together as a family.  It was so much fun!

The day was absolutely beautiful, with crisp fall temps in the morning and sunshine-y skies.  We started out with a "birthday biscuit" -- Daddy brought home breakfast for us!

Then we had a "birthday bath" -- okay, maybe it was just a regular bath.  But it was on his birthday so...

Then we gave Deacon his birthday present from us -- a balance bike!  It's a bike with no pedals, and the intention is to teach them to learn balance before having to deal with pedals.  He got a tricycle for Christmas from my grandparents, and he likes it, but he still hasn't gotten the concept of pushing one foot and then the other to make it go.  He'll get it, I know, but in the meantime, we thought the balance bike would be something he would enjoy.

Score one for Mommy & Daddy -- we were right!

three.

My sweet boy,

Unbelievably, another year of your precious life has passed -- you are three years old today!

I am absolutely amazed at what you can do, all the things you know and remember, how you've become even more fun in just a year's time.  You are such a joy to me, doodle!

You still love to chatter on and on, and even though it can be wearisome at times, it is one of the things I love about you.  I love to carry on conversations with you about anything and everything.  From trucks, tractors or trains to bible verses and things you learn at church, you are already so knowledgeable and perceptive!  My gracious, kid -- I see glimpses into your sweet heart and it just turns mine inside out.

You are so quick to pick up on all kinds of emotions that you observe -- and quick to ask for prayer when needed.  I hope you always remember that you can talk to Jesus about anything.

You have been so much fun to watch grow and change and learn over these past three years.  You are becoming quite the little man, with opinions and preferences of your own.  It's been so wonderful to watch you develop friendships with the little people in our lives, the sons or daughters of our own friends.  I think you're going to be a good friend to your peeps, buddy.  :)

We have enjoyed every minute of having you here with us and we're so excited to see you become a big brother next year!  You already seem to have a fondness for your baby sister and I have a strong feeling that when our little Natalie Grace arrives, you are going to be the best big brother ever!  And she will totally adore you, just like we do.

Happy 3rd birthday, buddy.

Love,
Mama

fall fun...

I posted about our new fire pit in the backyard here.  Deacon loves it!

round 2 // 20 weeks

Wow, halfway through this pregnancy already.  It seems to be going much faster with this one.  Probably because a lot of my attention is focused on a toddler (who's celebrating his 3rd birthday in a couple weeks!) that I didn't have the first time around.

They say time flies when you're having fun!

I had a regular OB appt, just a checkup, this past Monday and they say everything is still looking good.  The baby's heartbeat still sounds strong and there were no concerns about anything.  No news is good news!

We are getting ever closer to figuring out her name.  A lot of folks have been asking what we're naming her and we're waiting to share until we have her full name in place.  We have her first name which I think is the hardest to agree decide on so the hard part is done!  I feel like getting the middle name won't be as hard, though we have had a few conversations about it and it may not be as simple as I thought.  :)

a visit from Grandpa & Grammy...

At the end of September, Jeff and I went to a conference in Wake Forest so my parents came down to stay with Deacon for a few days.  They had a blast, as usual.  And with their smart phone technology, they captured some of their time together...

 [they read LOTS of books over the weekend.]

 [and took LOTS of trips around the tracks over the weekend.]

[ I *AM* BATMAN.]

Thanks, Momma & Daddy, for taking such good care of our boy!  We know you had a good time, and Deacon loved having you here!