We were a bit behind with our wellness visit. We weren’t in town around SJ’s birthday, and then I had a conference. But finally, in November, we made it to see Dr. Jen. It’s hard to believe it’s been 4 years. I remember taking a tiny little baby into the same examination room and feeling so helpless having to lay her on the countertop for shots.

Now she is such a big girl. She knows exactly what to do to measure height and weight. She had an eye exam and an ear exam. She doesn’t scream anymore when Dr. Jen checks her out. What I didn’t know (or just didn’t expect) was that this visit marked the last of her vaccinations until she’s 11. We weren’t expecting shots. It broke my heart to see her have such a great visit with the doctor only to have to hold her down and comfort her through shots. And the site on her little leg where she had two together became horribly swollen, red, and hot. It freaked all of us out. Dr. Jen said it was totally normal – especially with the last booster. But it was scary nonetheless. It’s been weeks since our visit, and the location is still discolored.

No more of that for a while!!! Jen’s pregnant. We’ll see how she likes torturing her own baby…. 😉

Of course the visit was right during regular nap time. We went straight home, and she crashed out. I thank God for her every day.

Selah June wanted to dress as Wonder Woman for Halloween this year. We went all out on the costume and the shoes. She even found a cuff from my jewelry box that she wanted to wear. But the night of Halloween, she decided her costume was too itchy. With quite a bit of drama, we made a quick change of course and found a princess costume in the closet that seemed the right look for the evening.

Jeremy coordinated a cousin pizza party at the house just before venturing out in River Gardens to hit up all the old people for premium candy. The kids were a hoot. Satie was Moana. Sebastian was Minecraft. Liam was a hot dog. They scarfed down pizza and stopped just long enough for me to snag a photo before running off into the road towards oncoming traffic. Aaron and Grandpa did a great job trying to get them to form a line, but all rules went flying out the window as soon as they headed through the yard of the first house.

They made it down the street toward Scenic Highway and then back up to the “spooky house” before pooping out. The one with the most whining was actually Liam. We labeled him the “Whiny Weiner.” At one point, Winston just laid right down in the yard.

They had a tremendous time, and we are so blessed to live in the same place. I am grateful beyond words for the connection these kids have with each other.