Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Giving Thanks

Can't believe it is already November. I am going to be cliche and say, where has this year gone.
In an attempt to be more thankful (it is the month, after all, that we celebrate Thanksgiving) and thoughtful about the plentiful abundances that we have been blessed with in our lives, I am going to dedicate the next month to the "Cummings things that we are thankful."

The first thing that we are thankful for is Pearson F. Cummings. It also coincides with his birthday. 37 years ago today God (and Johanna and Gary) created the most imperfect perfect man, husband, and father. Thanks for making our lives filled with many more laughs, hugs, kisses, and love.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Prelude to Halloween

Today we dressed Mae and Whitaker in their Halloween costumes and hit the streets of Madrona for the Madrona community Halloween activities (we did the same thing last year). Since Whitaker is the same size as Mae was last year, I decided to put him in her costume [shark] and we got Mae a dragon costume. Both kids were warm and happy and Mae loved saying, "trick or treat" and getting candy. Or as she said, "beans" aka M&Ms.

Here are photos outside of our house and at the park.













Friday, October 28, 2011

Pumpkin Carving

Tonight, Mae, Whitaker and I decided to carve our pumpkin. More like, I decided to carve and convinced Mae that it was going to be real fun. She was more than happy to help and play with all the gobblely gook inside and Whitaker was content to sit around and watch the excitement. It was the perfect way to spend a fall Friday night, however, far different then the cries of happy hour of a previous life. But I did have wine while carving.

We weren't able to get the carving and lighting complete before Whitaker and Mae's official bed time so we let Mae come down after bath and putting Whitaker to sleep to help with the final touches. Although, the carving was exciting, her running commentary of things on our kitchen counter after we were done was hysterical, sayings included, "purple wine" and "Mae will have some coffee." This is the stuff that they write about in books.

Tell kid to go grab her stool to help.
Pour Mommy some wine, put on the final game of the world series and get pumpkin on the counter.
Stare at pumpkin intently and hope that it carves itself. Also ask kid what we should draw on it.
If not, give one kid cheerios and one kid a toy.
Then employ one of the kids to wipe off the very dirty pumpkin.
Then get excited for the guts to come out.
Take off cream sweater and get dirty.
Get all the seeds and gobblely gook out.
Give other child baby pumpkin since toys aren't interesting enough.
Light pumpkin after complete.
Let child get up really close to blow out candle (actually probably not that smart).

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Progress Update

I have been out the last two nights (unheard of) and started writing Whitaker's five month letter yesterday afternoon. When I said I started writing, I was able to get two sentences written during the day before getting called away by one of the kids. My intention was to finish the letter tonight, however, I just logged onto the computer and the letter was finished! I know a fairy didn't hack into my computer and write a letter to Whitaker so it can only mean that it was written by Pearson. Very sweet and charming.

Since, I haven't penned a letter to my sweet, sweet boy for his three or four month "birthdays," (I have been a total slacker) I was thinking that his five month letter would let me brag to him about how he continues to be the most amazing baby, detail how he hasn't been sleeping, and tell of all things he has started to accomplish. But Pearson is beyond sweet and charming and already wrote our letter to him, here are some highlights from the last couple of months.
  • Again, how many times do I need to say that he really is a happy, easy, and relaxed baby but I will say it again. Whitaker is a happy, easy, and relaxed baby.
  • He is getting bigger and bigger by the day. He is exhausting to carry around and I feel that on most days I am setting him down more than I would like simply because I can't carry him as much because he gets heavy.
  • Whitaker grabs and picks up toys.
  • He can roll over from front to back but hasn't done back to front. This isn't surprising since Mae also didn't really like to roll over.
  • He likes all the contraptions he can stand in - Johnny Jumpup and Exosaucer.
  • He adores his older sister and smiles every time she is near. He also loves reaching out and touching her and be near her.
  • He makes lots of noises including lots of grunting. His sound is distinctly man - low and husky.
  • He hasn't been sleeping more than a couple of hours throughout the night but we are hoping to turn that around with some Cry It Out. Will report back at six months or sooner.

Every Thursday for a Year (Week 22)

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Dearest Whitaker

My Dearest Whitaker,

You are five months old today. As I type this it seems way too old. You were just born yesterday, and yet you're definitely getting older (and bigger). You have been an unbelievable baby, happy at every turn and just a pure joy to have in our family. You never fail to put a big smile on my face, no matter how stressed I am or how tough of a day I've had.

And you have a great personality already. While we want you to stay young, the thought of watching you grow brings excitement and joy to my heart.

We love you, Mr. Whitakers!

Mommy and Daddy