We kicked off Arabella’s second Halloween about a week early when the girls decided to get together for a fall lunch on Friday. Some of the minis wore their costumes, but I wouldn’t let Arabella wear hers because nothing good was going to come out of wearing a white fur unicorn costume to brunch before family photos. So instead, she wore her Halloween outfit— and I wore mine. Yes, it’s true, I caved and purchased a novelty maternity shirt. But honestly, when you are 36 weeks pregnant the week before Halloween and legitimately look like you have a pumpkin in your shirt— how can you not!?
Friday was also Arabella’s 18 month doctor appointment. Doctor says she growing like a champ- 99th percentile across the board- and is very social. (She was very comfortable around him and even gave some smiles). Unfortunately, her smiley demeanor did not continue at home when we tried to take her 18 month photos. But we still managed to get a pseudo-keeper!
Saturday was our family Halloween outing. Since Jarmon was headed to Pittsburgh on Sunday morning for the Monday Night Steelers game and I was working on Halloween, the Saturday before was the only chance we were going to get to celebrate as a family. We thought about going to the Lincoln Park Zoo, but decided on the Wicker Park festival instead because Baxter could go too. I had previously purchased Baxter a unicorn costume because I thought Arabella would like it (and she did- she has literally been bringing it to him every day since Halloween), so I thought it would be fun for him to participate. When Jarmon found out that Arabella and Baxter were going to be unicorns, he asked if we were too? I said no— why would be spend money on costumes when literally all we would be doing was taking a photo then storing said costumes in our already full house? Well, my husband knows my weakness and went in for the kill saying, “But when in our lives will we have another chance to take that photo?” Five minutes later I was on Amazon ordering unicorn costumes for Jarmon and I. We wore them on Saturday. The weather wasn’t great, but we were determined to get out long enough to get some photos. We met friends at the park at about noon— and had about an hour before the rain started. We drove rather than walked so we could make a quick(ish) escape when the rain started. (My foot is getting better by the day, but I’m still not moving very quickly… and definitely not in place to be walking to the park). We didn’t really participate in any activities, but Arabella enjoyed seeing Sailor and running around in her costume. Franci and Joelie stopped by too. We even spotted Barkley- another cavapoo walked by Jan- in his adorable pirate costume. And when the rain started, we slipped out as quickly as we slipped in and were ready to get on with our day. Unfortunately, the weather was so crappy we never left the house again. But we got our family Halloween photos, so the day was not a total loss. We ended up ordering the rest of the baby gear we needed (some winter items and parts to make our single stroller a double) online. I hate online shopping– like, really hate it– but I’ve given in to it the last few months because of my foot. I still hate it, but guess it has its place.
On Sunday, we got invited to a Halloween party in Hyde Park. Once Arabella got past her initial shyness (she’s been going through a shy stage), she was excited to see Grace and Scarlett. She happily jumped in Scarlett’s bouncy house and ate iced Halloween cookies until it was time to come home.
I had hoped that Jarmon would take Arabella trick or treating on Halloween— at least on our street— but it was snowing and gross and that wasn’t in the cards. I don’t think Arabella knew the difference.
Trina Orlando 