Halloween Yay!

As you can see, Stephen has figured out what a camera does and loves being the center of attention.














Pumpkin carving is a VERY important, mandatory Halloween activity in my family, so we attempted it with both kids this year, which they enjoyed despite not being allowed to play with the knives. Jaron liked drawing on/telling me how to carve the pumpkin and Stephen enjoyed playing in the goo.
My husband joined in the chili cook-off contest this year and made an amazing dish! It didn't win, but I thought it would have been an appropriate second place winner (the one I liked best didn't win either). I was grateful for the chili because it opened up my sinuses (I hab a code).

As you can see, Jaron was buzz lightyear (there were only four other buzz lightyears at our ward party....) and Stephen was an economy-style Woody (we just used stuff we already had). We couldn't really keep his hat on so I wore it most of the night. Jaron loved trick or treating and has been looking forward to that all month! He was so darn cute because I wouldn't let him pig out on the candy at the ward party until we had gone trick or treating, but I allowed him to hold the candy as long as he didn't eat it. He was true to the end and held it excitedly but obediently. So cute! I don't let him have candy much...or at all really...but I allowed him five candies of his choice at the end of the night. I was anticipating some form of whining or a tantrum but he was utterly pleased, chose five (three smarties, a small bag of whoppers, and a lollipop), and savored every one. He didn't devour it like I thought he would, but took his time. He was so happy! He was excited about the candy but he is quite a simple boy. He gets pretty excited about the festivities of holidays (*like his Grammy Cronin--I think it is in his genes) without the presents or candy.
His favorite part of Halloween were the pumpkins in every store. I bought him a pumpkin at the farmer's market for a dollar at the beginning of the month and I swear it was the best dollar I ever spent. He took that thing everywhere! It didn't last particularly long because he poked holes in it with a pen, threw it like a ball (we discouraged that), rolled it down the stairs, and drew all over it, but we bought another one the next week because he loved it so much.
How do you like my stellar pumpkin carving skills? Yeah, I know I'm good. Look, the cat has ears!

This is my favorite picture of little Stephen thus far. It shows his personality a bit. He is such a sweet mellow fellow. Jaron is still fond of him (yay!) We are potty training now, which has been particularly stressful for me. I hate the mess. But he is doing pretty well. I told him that when he goes poop he can have ice cream, but it hasn't happened yet. #1 is going well and he even makes it through the night half the time. Here is a picture of the family on Stephen's baby blessing day too. Daddy gave an awesome blessing!

Baby Smiles and Groovy Outfits

Little Jaron picked out this groovy outfit and dressed himself. The upside down glasses top this outfit off nicely! And baby Stephen started smiling this week! Dad is especially good at making Stephen smile and took these pictures in the morning before I got home from work. I'm so glad Stephen sleeps well at night for my husband's sake (I work graveyard about one day a week). Stephen has slept as long as 8 hours straight!

So here we are in front of our new residence together. Life sure is a wild ride full of surprises! Life has turned out different than I expected, but I think I mean that in a good way. (:

Introducing Stephen Douglas Fletcher! Yes, I know Stephen Douglas was a historical figure (politician), but the name actually originates from Stephen, my dad, and Douglas is my grandfather's name. I respect the honor and integrity for which these men live their lives and hope that little Stephen Douglas will emulate them.
So little Stephen was born June 17th, 12:49 pm, and weighed 7 lbs 6 oz. I enjoyed not pushing for an hour as I had to do with little fatty (little Jaron was 9 lbs 1 oz!) However, after requesting an epidural it took them an hour to come save my life, so that part of labor was not so enjoyable. I got to about 8 cm before they finally got there. I nearly hyperventilated and they had to put an oxygen mask on me because I was feeling faint. My wonderful husband took the day off to come be with me. He read short stories to me by O' Henry until I was in too much pain to listen further. He left for a short time and came back with several items, including my glasses, because he was concerned that I be able to see the baby. Is that not cute or what? I have the best husband in the whole world.
So little Stephen is the sweetest baby! I was prepared for a terror child because I thought I was blessed with an easy baby the first time, but this little guy is super easy going! I was pleased the first time I heard him cry because it wasn't wreched, and mostly he just squeaks when he is sad. He likes to make noises like he is clearing his throat. He is also a champion nurser. It came easy to this guy; he's a pro. I must say that it helps that his mouth is much bigger than little Jaron's was. And he sleeps very well at night. How did I get so lucky?
Little Jaron seems to be doing very well. I can't believe how much bigger and older he appears to me after having had another baby. It almost makes me sad; the time is going by too fast! Someday he won't be my little boy anymore...he will be a man! Crazy thought. As for his adjusting, I am not an overly doting mother, so he is used to me not giving him my full attention all day every day. I can tell that he is a bit angst (he has been hitting a little bit and can be rough with little Stephen/rough in general, which isn't like him) but for the most part he seems to really like his new brother. I have been trying really hard to include him in everything. I let him take a bath in the baby's bathtub (Jaron called it a boat), he likes to help me change the baby's diaper and put the pacifier in the baby's mouth. He also likes to hide poor Stephen under his baby blanket and say, "Where did he go?" and then take the blanket off and yell, "There he is!" He thinks the baby needs a pillow if he is lying on the baby blanket, so he is always bringing me "baby's pillow" (which is actually one of his own that he wants to share). (By the way, I think it is so cute the way Jaron uses the possessive tense now, e.g., Daddy's book or Mommy's chair, etc.) He likes to kiss little Stephen and smother him (hug him) and he has no reservations about picking him up in his arms (kinda scary), but he actually does a pretty good job of picking him up and cradling him correctly without any help from me at all. Sometimes I have to stop Jaron from trying to tear little Stephen away from me (often by his head), but at least he is excited to hold him, eh? He is always asking me to "share" the baby. And if little Stephen starts to cry he hands him right back to me (as if to say, 'I don't want to deal with him now; you can have him back!'). I do have to monitor Jaron 24/7 to make sure he doesn't accidentally suffocate or hurt the baby. We even put a lock on the baby's room door because little Jaron can climb into the crib in about 2 seconds.
I sure am happy to have two of the cutest kids on the planet. I thank the Lord for entrusting me with these sweet, precious spirits.

Easter

Jaron's first Easter where he could actually look for eggs! He looks pretty serious in these two photos but he was squealing out loud every time he found an egg. We got him all dressed up for dinner and look at those shiny new Easter shoes! He's stylin!'