First Halloween

December 5, 2010

For a many years, I hadn't enjoyed holidays.  I guess that happens when you grown up, start working, have other responsibilities.  For the most part, I spent a lot of holidays alone.  Whether literally, or figuratively, the heart only knows that it's lonely, so it begins to dread the holiday.  But now, I am seeing the holidays in a whole new light!  I get to see the wonder and excitement at all the new sights, smells and even energies that surround us now that Jack is in my life.  For me, Halloween was going to be a big coming out party!  The brief slip of time between the oppressive heat and RSV/cold and flu season, the only time I could take Jack out around a group of people. 

So as for Jack's costume, drum roll, please............

DRAGON!!!!  Notice the white claws on the feet, and the white teeth.  And there was also a squeeker in the nose!!  AND, I found it at a thrift store for $4!!!  I'm thrifty! Gotta save for this kids college!!

We had a great day!  We started with a drive to Columbus for the annual Bickerstaff Halloween party.  They are Aunt Katie's in-laws and they throw the best parties.  Jack's cousins are there, as well as lots of family and friends and their kids.  We had a great time, and then headed back to Fayetteville. 

On the way, we stopped at the Brooks United Methodist Church for their Fall Festival.  One of our friends, Marilyn, was bringing her horses for pony rides, and I was hoping Jack could meet his first horse, which he did:

Then, Marilyn asked me if I wanted to ride the horse, WITH JACK!  Now, in my previous life, I would have absolutely not gotten on a horse, especially with a 6-month old baby.  But, you know what, when you watch a 13-day-old baby go through open heart surgery, stop breathing several times, have to have his heart restarted three times, and then come home and absolutely THRIVE, you begin to "live a little!"  I completely trusted Marilyn when she said that her horse was calm, and I also trusted myself to protect Jack and keep him safe.  So below, you will see us riding a horse!!!  I'm so glad that I'm capturing so many of Jack's "firsts" on camera!!

Don't we look like naturals?  :-)

After that, we visited Nurse Nancy (from the Egleston NICU) and her family.  She has two daughters and we were planning to go trick-or-treating with them, but after such a long day, Jack had had enough, so he had a meltdown.  So we headed home, and waited to greet our own trick-or-treaters.  And as a bonus for Jack, I dressed up his puppy, Raleigh!!  Below you can see Jack trying to get Raleigh to quit scowling at me!

Come on, Dude!!  You look awesome!

In the weeks leading up to Halloween, the Grandmothers sent some super-cute outfits, so take a look below!

JACK-O-Lantern!!  Get it?  JACK!!  HA!!

Spell it out!  It's his first! 

I know this one is blurry, but just imagine Jack laughing so hard that he can't keep his body from dancing with joy.  I love this one, it really shows the joy that fills this child up!!

Love,
Maggie and Jack