Sweet Nephew Bennett.

There's a new sweet baby in town! Our little nephew Bennett Collin Bills was born two weeks ago. I was in Franklin for the week while Matthew was out of town for work, and was so glad little Bennett was punctual about his due date! Kelci's water broke ON her due date, and she had him later that night. If you know Kelci at all, this shouldn't surprise you. She is the most organized, punctual person ever. Bennett is already taking after his mama. Little Bennett weighed about 7 and 1/2 pounds I think, and 19 inches. He is so sweet and tiny!!

 

 

I'm not sure what the deal is with Eli and his new "smile." Tell him to smile, and he gives you this squinty-eyed shy face. It makes for really good pictures, obviously.

This one is a little better, although he still wouldn't smile. Our Christmas card picture options this year look bleak.

I certainly did not look like this after giving birth. And my belly is already as big as Kelci's was on her due date! Rude. 

 

Matth came back in town that Saturday and we headed up there again to cuddle that sweet boy. Matthew is just an ole' pro now- bring on the babies!

 

 

Sweet brothers picture.

 

So far, he looks like a little combo we think. Maybe Anthony's nose, Kelci's eyes and face shape, and both of their big lips!

 

Holding Bennett makes us even more excited for our new little boy to get here!! Babies are addicting!

Grrrrrr.

 

Holidays are so much fun through the eyes of your own babies! This year Eli has really just eaten up all the fall fun and activities we've done, and we have loved seeing how excited he gets! We went and picked up our pumpkins at this local roadside stand in Knoxville this year. It's the same one we went to last year and Eli loved picking out his own pumpkin!

 

He is insisting these days on trying to do everything himself, and we are trying to let him!

 

We didn't even end up carving our pumpkins yet because Matthew had to go out of town this whole week and we all packed up and headed to Franklin. Eli has started pretending around our house--most days, he crawls around as a lion, tiger, or bear and growls at everything or pretends to eat it. When I saw this costume at T.J. Maxx I thought it would be perfect for our little growler. He loved wearing it on Halloween and really took his impersonation to the next level. He growled, crawled around on all fours, etc. Such a little ham.

 

This picture was as close as I could get to a smile...he only wanted to make faces and growl!

 

Off to Cottonwood for trick or treating! I grew up in this neighborhood and I love how involved the whole neighborhood gets with celebrating--bonfires in driveways, every light on, front porches decorated, and families out and about everywhere! So much fun!

 

We didn't really talk to Eli much about "Halloween", mainly b/c I just don't care much for the "holiday," but I am all for dressing him up and letting him pretend play and get some candy out and about with his little friends and making some fun memories for this "sweet treats day"! I think it does make a great opportunity to get out in your neighborhood and fellowship with your neighbors! Bring on November and celebrating being thankful!!