Faithfully Fit: ....fall happenings....

....we are in a groove....finally.....and when I am in my groove and things are flowing harmoniously, I remember the trials that got us to where we are today and rest happily knowing that we are in a new place....an easier phase.....just for the time being since all phases pass and then new ones begin.....and this new one has a Momma that is a whole lot more rested than she was a few weeks ago....and a rested Momma is a happy Momma....

.....sleep training is not fun, but it was necessary.....I fell into the trap of nursing my little man to sleep and he liked to wake up several times in the night for our ritual.....so I made a few changes....we still have our bonding time, but it's less frequent and not anywhere near the bedtime or early morning hours; so it's a win for all, plus I am now getting some good chunks of sleep....

.....and so is he.....

.....Brody Austin.....6.5 months.....

.....this Halloween was the most fun filled one since having kids....it was our first trick or treating experience in Manhattan, as we usually head to the burbs with friends.....but the upper east side town homes definitely deserve some recognition because they made the experience as suburban as it gets for NYC families.....

.....not to mention, the doorman buildings also served us well......we laughed as the girls made their way into fancy lobbies remarking that there are not many parents who can say they took their children trick or treating along Fifth Avenue.......

.....and I still can't believe how much candy we scored....the girls and their friends were in rare form, enjoying treats in between knocks at the next door.....and the last building we made it to actually dumped their bowl of candy into our pumpkins because they were done passing out treats......so needless to say, I have had my fair share of sweets this week.....

....it was a lot of work running around the neighborhood, but it was such a good time.....

.....the last touches....wiping off dinner before Rapunzel put on her wig....

.....and because we couldn't get enough of our little turkey's sweet face, Stefan snapped one of my favorite shots way past his bedtime.....we are so lucky that this little man smiles like this at 10pm after being dragged around the neighborhood bundled up in an outfit that made his sisters scream, gobble gobble at him all night?

.....but actually the day was full of festivities.....it gave me the chance to get to know Aiden, who has been mentioned quite frequently in our home......

....Elsie was ecstatic that he was also a superhero.....

....and I can't say that my heart didn't skip a beat behind the camera as I shot this picture....I wasn't quite sure what was happening until I set the camera down to listen to their conversation.....

......they just wanted their masks to touch.....

.....It has been very sweet to listen to her gush about her special friend....last weekend she put on an outfit and sweetly said, I can't wait for Aiden to see me in this.....

....it's her first crush and she adores him......

.....and his Mom tells me he has a thing for blonds, so the feeling is mutual.....

.....Callie was a hit at her school party too, especially when she donned the Rapunzel wig......my girl is craving long hair and her sweet pixie cut couldn't grow any faster if it were up to her....

....homemade placemats and cookies....

....she is thriving in her classroom, she loves her teachers and I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing her gain a new found independence outside of our home....she makes me so proud.....

....and although her strong will can make things difficult around here sometimes, it also has its many benefits....she woke up two weeks ago and declared she was done with diapers....she made up her mind that she wanted big girl underpants and that was that....

.....I'm two for two in the lucky Momma category for potty training.....both girls proclaimed it was time and there has never been any "training" involved......it has been one of the easiest facets of parenting for me and I know I am blessed and very lucky.....

....and we all need something in the parenting field that comes easy because the days can sometimes be long, but the years are flying by....time is passing and they are growing so quickly.....