Purple Presents

Last year, Colin was PETRIFIED of Santa. As cruel as it sounds, I still wanted a photo to capture the moment so paused a minute for the photo to be shot before whisking Colin off of Santa's lap.
This year, Colin couldn't wait to sit on Santa's lap. He was quite comfortable cozying up and clearly communicating his desire for a "Purple Present". Morgan nor I have a clue where this came from but I definitely get a chuckle out of it as I was obsessed with purple as a kid. Now "Santa" must find something purple. Not sure what that will be (although clear it won't be Barney!!) so a huntin we, I mean he, will go.

Logan as always sat in pure contentment, always happy in any set of arms. And the fact that we could avoid the mall and instead go to the little house along downtown which hosted Santa was the topper. It reminded me a bit of Ashland which is always a great thing at the holidays! :)

Changes...

I have just completed my first week in my new position with Hospice. I am sitting here in awe of all the changes that have occurred in fewer than 6 months. Logan was born, we moved out of LA, I left ABC and started a new position. PHEW! With this new career path - I still am in marketing. But as Director of Development, I will focus more heavily on fundraising and event marketing for this incredible organization. And I am mostly in awe because all these big changes just reaffirmed my belief that you can manifest what you want in life. When it was right, came the perfect position at the perfect time and in the perfect setting. I am 11 minutes door to door to the offices (although I won't really be in the office much) and after 3 months, Fridays will be off and spent with my babies. This is the scenerio I wanted - to find a position that was fun, creative and contributed to the betterment of this world, and that was about 30 hours a week. I got exactly that. And to boot, it came all within a couple weeks of my projected return date to ABC. The final offer letter popped up in my email inbox the day before I was to return which was absolute fate I believe. And with that, I was able to have an additional few weeks with my boys, a total of 6 months off. Life feels so balanced and good. And of course, mainly because of these two little faces that I adore.

Brothers

Growing up with sisters, it is completely mesmorizing for both Morgan and me to watch our boys together. I can honestly say, it is the sweetest thing I have ever seen. Colin from day 1 has loved Logan with all he has. He must kiss him and hug him and squeeze him 40 times per day. And Logan...well at only 5 months old, he lights up like a christmas tree when he sees his big brother, kicking his feet wildly and grinning from ear to ear. They laugh non-stop and giggle together for what seems like hours. I truly hope our boys are the best of friends always and forever and ever, take care of one another.

5 months

My pooka was 5 months yesterday! What a bundle of happy baby we have. Logan continues to be an incredibly happy and EASY baby and we thank our lucky stars every day he is ours. These days it's all about rolling... It is the cutest thing ever when he rolls onto his belly, holiding his head strong and high and then breaks into a huge smile as if so proud of himself. He so rarely cries and his smiles are just the best.

This past month, the boys began interacting and wow does that bring new meaning to sweet. Colin LOVES to be silly with his baby brother and Logan laughs uncontrollably at the silliness. It's evident that he is already completely in awe of Colin and lights up any time his big brother walks in the room. I had been warned that seeing your kids play is up there on the list of most amazing experiences and that warning was true. To watch them love each other is something special.

Sleep is getting better as our baby boy is solidly on 2 90 minute naps a day plus a mini nap in the evening. I had mixed emotions about moving from co-sleeping to the crib but the day came when it was necessary due to a complete meltdown from mama. He adjusted quickly to his crib for naps and nights are getting a bit better these days. Similar to Colin at this age, he still ends up in our bed half way through the night but at least begins the night there and the stretches are lengthening... and I really can't resist the snuggle time. Yes, I'm a softie!! :)

We are so blessed with an amazing family and I am really cherishing his babyhood as 5 months feels like 5 seconds. I feel sooo lucky to have been home with him these 5 months and will continue to be home for another couple weeks until I begin my new job. The stars really have aligned and I am so content in my new position being 10 minutes away, the hours being 8:30-4:30 and after a brief 90 days, going to Monday thru Thursday schedule. Those Fridays will be reserved time for mama and her babies and life really can't be better for the O'Bryant's these days.

Visitors

We had so much fun this past week! Grammie and Dave came for a visit from Oregon and we loved every second they were here. Thank you for making the drive and for your loving ways (especially when I was about to lose my marbles with sleep deprivation) with our little ones! Colin and Logan couldn't get enough of them and I think/hope the feeling was mutual!

Once they departed, my good friend Juliette came for a visit. She's the kind of friend that although we are on opposite coasts, it feels like no time has passed when we see each other. We didn't come up for air and still felt like we could have gabbed for another week!

We miss you already Grammie, Dave and my twin Jule!

My bumbo buddy

I love that Logan is now big enough to sit in the bumbo. In the morning, he hangs out in it while I'm in the shower - happy as a clam. And from there, I move him from room to room so he can be part of the action. His favorite room to date is the laundry room. Something about the white noise, he is all smiles and makes folding laundry a lot more joyous for mama! :)

My munchkins and halloween

We did it up this year, and loved every second. Yes, it's about the kids but we couldn't help but jump on the Wizard of Oz bandwagon after deciding Colin would be the lion, Logan the scarecrow and Siena, our good friends' daughter, Dorothy. Morgan pulled off the tin man brilliantly (with some awesome makeup touches from my sis, Tam) and I went as the witch. Friends Joe and Jenny were the perfect lollipop guild guy and Glinda the good witch.

I've always loved halloween and this year was especially awesome. And thanks to Auntie Tay Tay and Uncle Steve for sharing it with us. Perfect Halloween!!