We're low-key people.

And we like low-key costumes.

Mabel took inspiration from her favorite flower fairies, the Mallow and Columbine, and we came up with this:

She was going for subtle.


Oliver liked the $3 pirate kit from the grocery store.

And swords. Lots of swords.
(And a light sabre. I told him that pirates didn't have light sabres, but whatever. It's his costume.)



Happy Halloween!

Boo!

A little post-tubbie joy

and more teeth brushing.

Why is this so cute?

Simple Pleasures

Oliver came home from school today with pumpkin scented play dough.

He was happy.

This conversation followed:

Oliver: Mom, can I play with hard animals in my play dough?
Me: Yes.
Oliver: This is the best day of my life!

Sometimes I wish I were a four year old boy.

Stella is very concerned with the state of her dental health.

As evidenced by her most recent attempt to climb up to the sink and brush her teeth all by herself.

I'm so weak.

I had just sworn off all desserts until Thanksgiving (I'm saving myself for pumpkin pie), when I made the mistake of opening my November issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

I found this:

I have to make it. It's like I don't even have a choice.

I'll tell you how it is, but I'm sure it will be divine.

In case you can't read the recipe, here it is:
Prepare and chill 4-serving-size package of instant vanilla pudding. Then beat 2 cups whipping cream with 1/4 cup sugar until soft peaks form. Cut 8 slices of pumpkin bread into cubes. Layer the following into 8 to 10 small serving dishes: pudding, whipped cream, and pumpkin bread. Top each with a dollop of pumpkin butter, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and chopped walnuts. This dessert holds in the fridge up to two hours before serving.

Is your mouth watering yet?

Today

Ben and Cathy got married.

(Cathy is my beautiful sister-in-law.)

This is what happens when you stand behind the photographer.

There, that's better.
(Ben & Cathy and my in-laws)

It was lovely.

(And also hot.)

Tomorrow

I'll be there.
Won't you join me?

We went for a bike ride tonight.

I stole this picture from Mike's blog.
I just love it.

There's about 100 pounds of cuteness crammed in there.

The most wonderful time of the year.

It was so nice here the other day that Stella wore her jeans.
And let me just say, that while I'm not usually a fan of grown-up clothes on babies, there is nothing cuter than Stella's body in those skinny jeans.

This week I decided that fall is my favorite season. I even love fall in Arizona. We don't have leaves that change color yet, and we sure don't have cold weather, but it is definitely cooler and there is something very fallish about the angle of the light outside. It is beautiful in its own desert-y way.

Mostly I love fall because it means that I can start baking pumpkin treats. Speaking of, have you made some pumpkin bread yet? If not, you will find my recipe below. Do yourself a favor and bake some right now. I'm serious. We're on batch #2 in two days.

Pumpkin Bread
3 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
3 cups sugar
1 cup oil
4 eggs
2 cups canned pumpkin

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients.
3. Pour into two greased bread pans.
4. Bake for one hour.

If you are going to make one pumpkin treat this season, make this bread. Next to Marie Callender's Pumpkin Pie (which I eat year round), this is by far my favorite. The recipe comes from my great Aunt Lucille. My sister, Leslie, likes to serve it with cream cheese frosting. It is good plain, but for an extra treat, here is the frosting recipe:

Cream Cheese Frosting
2/3 cup cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar

1. Beat cream cheese and vanilla until fluffy.
2. Add sugar. Beat until smooth.

enjoy.

This one's for Grandad.

Thank you for sending our kids to Disneyland!

They had the best time, and we couldn't have done it without you!

The Last Thing

It wasn't that long ago that she was this new.

Babies don't keep.

This is a lesson I have to relearn with each of my babies.
I try to enjoy every moment, because I know this time won't last nearly long enough.

This was taken just moments ago.

Have I mentioned how much we love this silly baby?

Thing 6

No matter what the parenting books say, it is ok to rock a baby to sleep.

I'm so tired of hearing about "sleep training". Eventually all babies sleep through the night. So rather than stress about it, I have decided to follow my instincts (see Thing 5) and rock my Stella to sleep.

Now, I realize that all babies and parents are different.
This is what works for me.

She's still not sleeping through the night, and that very well may be my fault, but I'm ok with it.
I can get more sleep when she's not a baby anymore.

Thing 5

Trust your instincts and follow the Spirit.

I think it took having my other babies to really trust my instincts.
I feel confident in my ability to mother and that has made all the difference.

Also, I have found that it is better to be calm, to be quiet, and to listen.
I think that as mothers, we need to rely heavily on the Spirit. I know I do. I'm not sure what kind of mother I would be if I didn't listen to that still small voice guiding and reassuring me.

Thing 4

Stella at age 2 months

There is nothing better than a tightly swaddled baby.

I don't think you non-swaddlers know what you are missing.
Not only does swaddling make babies ooze contentment, but it turns them into a nice little package that is so easy to carry.

For Stella's swaddle, I used large square pieces of jersey fabric.
These blankets (which I discovered shortly after her swaddling days ended) are also fabulous.

For my swaddling tutorial, go here.

Thing 3

It's ok to give your baby formula.

I think we can all agree that breast milk is best. But I have learned with this third baby that sometimes formula is ok, too.

When Stella was first born, she wasn't gaining any weight. I think there were a lot of reasons for this, but it left me feeling like quite a failure. I had to start supplementing with formula when she was two weeks old. I quickly came to realize how very lucky I was to have that as an option.

And now Stella is fat.

Hooray.

As if you needed it, here is more proof that Mike and I are a perfect match.

We are making the same exact silly face in this photo.
No, it wasn't planned.
We are just totally in sync like that.

(Please ignore the huge bite of food in my cheek.)


Look for Thing 3 tomorrow!

Thing 2

No changing table is complete without a clip-on mini book lamp.

(Also, if you are going to hang pictures right above the changing table, make sure they are lightweight and durable, as they will be kicked off the wall at nearly every diaper change. Stella!)

When babies are new and still need their diaper changed in the middle of the night,
these lights really come in handy.

They are bright enough to allow you to see what you are doing
without making the baby think it is time to get up.

(Let's face it, no new mother has the energy to use these lamps for their actual purpose,
reading in bed late at night while your husband is sleeping,
so they might as well be put to use in the nursery.)

Now that Stella is older, she doesn't need to be changed in the middle of the night,
but she is less inclined to stay still during a diaper change.
The lamp keeps her busy.

Bonus.

Thing 1

Bananas make great cups.

I saw my sister-in-law, Lindsi, feeding her Ellie a banana this way and I never looked back.
(Try saying Ellie and Stella five times fast.)

It is so easy and so clean.

After cutting off the top of the banana, use a spoon to scoop out bites.
In the process of scooping, the banana gets a little bit mashed, making it the perfect consistency for teeny mouths like Stella's.

Brilliant.

Some things.

Stella turns one next month.
I don't know how she got so old.
Sigh.

In honor of her first year of life, I thought I'd share some things I have learned this third time around.

stay tuned . . .

I didn't take very many pictures on this trip.

Here are my favorites:

Me and my sisters with my beautiful Grammy P*.

We were all in town to see part of a new building at my grandparents' alma mater, Chapman University, dedicated in their honor. It was a really special experience.



If only we sent out regular Christmas cards, this one might have made the cut.


These three boys (Jack, Parker, and Oliver) sure had a lot of fun together.
It's really too bad they live in 3 different states.

Doesn't Jooj have gorgeous hair? I'm seriously jealous of that wave.

I love this shot of Audrey.
Yep, we spent yesterday at Disneyland and then drove straight home to Arizona.
It was a long, but really fun, day.

I used to love packing.

Some of the stuff required by our family of 5 for a weekend trip.

Then I got married and had 3 kids.
Now it's a little out of control.

We're headed to California for the first ever extended P* family reunion.
See you next week!