It's been a long time (now I'm coming back home).

Or something like that. One guess-- what song am I referencing?

Moving on, I haven't written in awhile because I've barely had time to breathe, much less indulge myself with writing. Life is mostly good here at the Hill House. Halsey is obsessed with the Hulk; Ethan is on the verge of crawling; Jason is working ridiculous hours (and is managing to make some awesome family movies on his laptop); I am working and trying to keep up. My brain is in constant overdrive and I am very thankful to only be working four days a week. I truly feel like I get a weekend and am usually ready to go back to work on Mondays. I'm excited about what we're doing in school and feel fortunate to have a career that makes me feel so satisfied.

A little more about the boys. Halsey is 3 and a half going on 17. I keep forgetting to write down some of the funny things he's saying: he always wants me to play his favorite songs on my iPot; when we go swimming at the Y, he insists to Jason that you DIE in the pool (even though we tell him we'd prefer he'd DIVE in). I busted him twice this weekend digging through the freezer and going to the microwave, attempting to make a hot pocket. He insists on ice cream after dinner every night (we don't usually give into this, but will offer him a frozen yogurt stick). He's asking for a remote controlled spider for Christmas this year and was thrilled when he saw one at Target (now Santa will have no trouble with that request!). He also really wants the Hulk hands, which Jason and I have agreed to NOT buy (they only encourage hitting and he does enough of that). Susan overheard him on the pretend phone yesterday, "talking" to Daddy and saying politely, "Daddy, if you're good, you'll get me those Hulk hands." Maybe the remote controlled spider will distract him? Maybe.
Ethan is two days shy of being 8 months old. At his doctor appointment on Friday, he was 19lbs and 27 1/2 inches. We saw a new doctor and she was great; much more supportive of our decision to do our own vaccine schedule and didn't even care that he sleeps in the bed with us! He scoots around on his belly with ease these days; if there's something he wants, he goes for it. When I try to put him down now, he goes to his hands and knees and rocks a little, so crawling is right around the corner. I'm excited for that but nervous for that, too. I mean, I'm exhausted now-- what's going to happen when he's even more mobile?
Halloween was fun; it was great to take H.Bomb trick-or-treating. He was-- surprise, surprise-- the Hulk and Jason made a turtle shell for Ethan. We had some friends over on Saturday; I made my signature pumpkin soup and mini caramel apple bites (I am obsessed with all things miniature). Today was a long day and I'm almost glad it's Monday. We'll be celebrating Jason's 38th birthday next weekend with a Wing Tour! He'll be in heaven-- wings and beer and football all day long. :) I'll be the D.D.

I'll be back for a picture post sometime this week.

Cheers!