October 2014- A bit of silliness, really

What fun we are having! The month was kicked off with Otto's 4 month check-up and pictures. He seems to be on the small side considering his height and weight percentiles (head size is average), but I often get told by strangers "What a BIG boy!" or "Oh, he's a chunkers!" So, what do I know? He's healthy, happy, and growing. Doctor is always impressed with his social development because Otto smiles and laughs and coos (and cries) appropriately.
Otto's adorable Halloween themed pictures can be seen on this blog's pages. Again, I give a lot of credit to professional photographers because that session took a few hours, many tears (some of them mine), and a lot of breaks. It was especially hard to get all the set and props perfect, place the baby perfectly into the pillows, only to have him arch his back and slide down taking the set and props with him.
We have all been working hard at improving our hobbies and enriching our lives with creative talents. Actually, a lot of that has taken a backseat to re-figuring out naptimes. Otto has been working on learning the sign words for milk, and more, and learning to hold his own bottle. He's also reading the classics and applying to Harvard.

About the middle of October was Fall Break for our All Aboard friends. We took that chance to join the Crisp family at the zoo for a fun day in the sun. Otto's "cousin", Connor was excited to show him around the zoo.









Otto got his pictures with the Otters.
That same week I was complaining about how I had not seen Tummy Mommy Marissa in some time and wanted to arrange a get-together. Low-and-behold, she called to say she was in town and wanted to stop by!

She looked amazing after spending two days at a hair and fashion conference. It was so fun to catch up.












The next week we were graced with a visit from one of our most favorite families in the world, or good friends, the Maxfields. We enjoyed dinner together, and their girls were delightful.








The next day, I saw them again for a surprise visit to All Aboard,where we used to work together). Robin managed to get a selfie with the whole group. Lisa, Renton, and their girls, Me (holding Otto), and Rhonda clear in the back holding Anna (Shannon's daughter).



We visited the local farm's pumpkin patch to pick out Otto's first pumpkin.











I will admit we had a rough and stressful couple of weeks here at the Earl household. Otto is still sleeping beautifully through the night, but has recently had trouble falling asleep for naps. He allows himself to get overtired and crying is the only proper reaction. The scary part, is that it can happen anywhere, anytime. Grocery store, car, home, at school, when guests are over for dinner, and there is no such thing as "crying it out" to fall asleep. There is just crying. Meanwhile, Matt is going through major transitions at work and has been slammed with a lot of responsibilities so he has been taking that stress out on his drum set while Otto gets ready for bed.

Luckily, the swing broke. This may seem like a major disaster since the swing is the only place he naps for any length of time. However, we went to the second-hand store and found the most beautiful, comfy, magic swing in the world. It looks and feels like a cloud, has music and lights, and a quiet motor. He now sleeps for 2 or 3 hours at a time. It seems as if things are looking up again.

Otto and I enjoyed getting dressed up for the All Aboard costume parade and waving at my former students (this includes almost every student at the school now). We also attended the church Trunk or Treat that evening in costume.



Otto helped the ladies at All Aboard get ready for their Fall Festival by filling up the ice buckets.









At the end of the month we celebrate Matt and my mom, Ann's birthdays. One at home, and other we celebrate from afar. Matt had a quiet evening at home with potsticker dinner and cupcakes. Otto got him a few dvd's of classic cartoons, looney toons, and popeye. They are excited to watch them together on Saturday mornings. I got Matt a set of Pearl practice pads for his drums that he is thrilled to try out.

We got a chance to send gifts to my Mom and wish her a Happy Birthday over skype. Otto was quite thrilled and entertained to see the people on the computer talking to him


Halloween kicks of the season of holidays and a year of firsts for our little family.
 Otto did get to dress up and entertain trick or treaters. Some even took pictures with us! Matt wanted proof that he dressed up. He wasn't sure what he was but I told him he could be the captain of my guard.


 Our friends, the Wilson's, joined us with their daughter to pass out candy and watch The Nightmare Before Christmas on our garage door.