Happy Halloween!

Today was Kathryn's first Halloween!  It started at daycare where they had pajama day and made trick or treat bags and then they changed into their costumes and went trick or treating at a few houses in Miss Becky's neighborhood.  I picked Kathryn up around 4:30 and we came home and ate dinner and got ready and around 5:45, we headed out into the neighborhood to go trick or treating.  We stopped at Pegi's house first.  She had a special treat for Kathryn.  Then we went around the rest of the neighborhood and stopped to say hi to Al and Helen.  She walked for them and was enamored with their cat statue.  I think she was trying to figure out why that cat didn't move or run away from her the way Sophie does. It was really cute.  We got home around 6:30 and she took a bath and went to bed around 7:15.  It was fun and I hope she enjoyed it too.  Again, she seemed indifferent to the whole thing.  Next year she'll probably be more interested, but overall, for a first Halloween, it was great. 

Stopping at our friend and neighbor, Pegi's house.

Pegi, Me and Kathryn

Trick or Treat

Kathryn and Me in front of a cool house.

This nice lady asked what "his" name.  I politely told her "her" name is Kathryn.

Heading home.

Our jack o' lanterns all aglow.

The front of her bag.

The back of Kathryn's bag she made.  The ghosts are her feet.

Carving Pumpkins

We survived Hurricane Sandy with virtually no problem.  We never even lost power.  I wish I could say the same for everyone, but it was an epic storm and the images from New York City and New Jersey are so sad.  It's devastating.  Millions of people are without power and I feel so badly for them.  I hope life can return to normal soon.

Jared and I both had the day off.  I went to the grocery store and then got Kathryn a Christmas dress and a birthday dress at Kohl's.  It's so cute.  It's got a turkey on it.  They were 50% off too, so that was nice.  We also decided to carve our pumpkins since tomorrow is Halloween.  Kathryn didn't seem very interested.  We obviously did all the work, but oh well.  It was fun.  Jared and I haven't carved pumpkins together since high school, so it brought back some memories.  I hope the weather holds out and we can go trick or treating tomorrow! 

Hurricane Kathryn

Well, here I go with yet another post today.  I think that makes three.  I'm trying to take advantage of the electricity as long as I can because I fear my luck will be running out soon!

While riding out Hurricane Sandy, we stayed busy playing.  We did stop to fold some laundry though, and Kathryn was a BIG help. (Note my sarcasm!)  She kept pulling the clothes out of the basket and wrapping herself in them.  It was actually kind of funny, although it got annoying after a while.  She had a lot of energy and as Jared said, while we were dealing with Hurricane Sandy outside and Hurricane Kathryn inside.  She really wasn't bad.  She never is.  She was pretty hilarious. 

Truckin' Along

All of a sudden tonight, Kathryn just started walking and walking more.  She kept standing up and toddling around. She's becoming braver and I think she'll be strictly a walker soon!

Jared, You ARE the Father!

Well, Sandy is on her way, but luckily we still have power.  The wind is picking up a little, but it's not too bad yet.  Jared's on his way home.  They kicked him out early because all state highways are closing at 1pm. I'd hate if he were trapped in Groton.  I think we'll carve pumpkins later this afternoon.

I figured while I still had internet access, I'd do a blog post. 

We always joke that Jared is not Kathryn's real father, because they don't really look alike. Yes, there are Isbell traits, like the chubby cheeks, but overall, they don't resemble each other.  My perception changed though when Rosi sent us some pictures of Jared as a toddler.  I totally see him in Kathryn now. 

Jared May 5, 1989

Jared's 1st Birthday Dec. 16, 1978

Jared at Derek's birthday May 28, 1980

May 5, 1980

Christmas 1979

Jared's 1st Birthday Dec. 16, 1979

Christmas 1978

Bekki, Jared, and Colleen Summer 1978

Bonaparte?

My mom refers to Kathryn's hair as "The Bonaparte" when it looks like this.  She does look a tad like Napoleon with her brushed forward like this. Hee hee...

No Sandy No!

I seriously cannot believe we're sitting here waiting for Hurricane Sandy to arrive.  I want to be positive.  I want to believe that power won't go out, but I still have nightmares of Hurricane Irene and no power for 2 1/2 days...and we were the lucky ones.  Most people were without it for a week or better.  I fear we won't be so fortunate this time.  We've spent a good deal of money getting ready: extra propane, lots of water for Kate's formula, lots of formula and baby food and baby snacks, and non-perishables for us.  We even broke down today and got a Smartphone so we can have internet access at home.  Last time it was torture to be completely disconnected from the world.  I'm hoping we won't need it, but I'm doubtful, especially after listening to the governor tonight. He said Sandy is the greatest threat to human life Connecticut has ever faced.  This is mainly on the shoreline because of astronomical high tides and flooding.  They said it'll cause tides and flooding Connecticut has never seen before.  It's pretty scary, so I'm glad we live inland.  I'm also grateful we have city water and sewage and not a well.  At least we'll have running water.  It won't be hot, but we can at least flush our toilet!  They've already called off school tomorrow and Jared's going in early so he can get home before the storm gets too bad.

After spending the day preparing, we decided to go to The 99 to have what could possibly be our last good meal for a while.  Hopefully it won't be, buy my chicken parmigiana was good!  Kathryn ordered her first meal at a restaurant.  Kids eat free today so we thought we'd try to get her something.  We decided on mac & cheese and applesauce with an ice cream bar for dessert.  She loved the applesauce and she REALLY LOVED the ice cream, but the mac & cheese...not so much.  I can't believe she's big enough to order from the kids menu.  She was such a ham at the restaurant and she and a cute little boy at the booth next to us were flirting the whole time.  She was also waving to a lady across from us.  She's too funny. 

Kathryn's first restaurant meal.

She looks a little drunk here!

She was being such a ham!

I assure you, her bow did look a lot better, but she kept taking it off.

Monster March

This year is Kathryn's first Halloween.  Halloween night is looking like it may be a dud because of the impending hurricane. So...luckily the town put on the Monster March.  We arrived at Davis Park (about a mile from our house) at noon and we built a scarecrow.  Then, around 1:30, all the kids (and parents) lined up and marched down Main Street.  All the shops were handing out candy.  It was a lot of fun and I'm glad Kathryn got to go trick or treating, especially since she might not be able to on Wednesday night.  We met my friend Leigh and her husband Greg and daughter Sidney  there.  It was a beautiful day.  The park was covered in vibrant orange and yellow leaves and it looked exactly what one would picture Halloween to look like in New England. It was something out of a postcard and such a small town thing to do.  It was great.  We can't wait to do it again next year when she's a little more interested. She was great today, but seemed rather indifferent about the whole thing.  She looked absolutely adorable in her octopus outfit though and so many people complemented her. I hope she can wear it again on Halloween night.  Stay away Sandy!

Kathryn helping to stuff our scarecrow.

The finished product.  Yes, our scarecrow has a very skinny waist.

We ran into Kathryn's buddy, Cogan, from daycare.

The festivities at Davis Park.

How'd an octopus get in the leaves?

I love the Baptist Church on Main Street.

More candy!

Some of the scarecrows.

Heading home.

One last shot of our scarecrow.

Kathryn and Daddy