Monday night we went progressive trick-or-treating as The Incredibles. We went to visit our nearby relatives after we went out to dinner (yes, in costume). I couldn't walk very far in those boots! The question of the night was, where'd you get those boots?
I borrowed them from my friend Dana who has all kinds of costumes. They were obviously brand new with cardboard and stuffing still in one of the toes! You can't tell in this picture, but Paloma is dressed as Jack Jack!

My car was also in costume for Trunk-or-Treat at church but we didn't get to go.

The Three Pigs Photo Shoot

The Three Little Pigs and Little Red Riding Hood were supposed to be connected by the Big Bad wolf but I ran out of time between tending sick children and laundering everything not nailed down, so Gabe was one of the three bears instead. We only went to Gigi's house in these since we still don't know what is wrong with Carmen.

Finally, evidence! With David's help, I caught her smiling on camera!

First Smiles on Camera

On a happier note, we had good news to share last week--we've got Jackie back! And even better, she'll be coming to our house and she's all ours! This is an answered prayer, truly a blessing (and a big relief!). The kids are thrilled, too!

However, Carmen was sick three days last week and again two days this week. Now David's sick, but he was still on TV today! Turns out my first week back to work, he's going to Washington D.C. for hearings on the Wright Amendment.

Gabe and Paloma have been at Bell a lot as I try to stay on top of things; we're approaching our first deadline on Halloween. Today was group picture day and tomorrow is portrait retake day. Between trips to Bell, we're also working on costumes and had snack duty for Kindergarten this week.

Right: Gabe would rather make shapes out of crayons than color, although today when he got a hold of a marker, he drew a "cool Mexican blimp".

My dear friend Patti lost her battle with cancer on Monday, the same day Rosa Parks died. These were both women I looked up to, both inspirational. We were colleagues; we met nine years ago when I started teaching at Hurst. She taught English also. We became close after a student dilemma my first year. We went together to hear Maya Angelou at TCU. She came to my wedding and my baby shower, made Carmen a hand-painted fabric book of Bible verses, hosted the first game of Bunko I played as a teacher, and got me involved in the American Association of University Women. When she was diagnosed with cancer almost four years ago, the doctors gave her 3 months to live, but she showed them! She retired in the spring so she could travel frequently to MD Anderson for treatment; the school where she worked held a lovely party. We all went to the funeral home last night since I couldn't make it to the funeral today. I am going to miss her.

Gabe is still just thrilled anytime Paloma is awake or when he gets to hold her, no matter her mood!

Carmen drew this picture of her holding Paloma on the couch.

Zoe and Allison paid us a visit Tuesday while Gabe was napping. Later, I heard Gabe crying, and Carmen confessed thay she "antagonized Gabe". When I asked him what was wrong, he said he was crying because he missed Allison & Zoe! (Carmen rubbed it in.)

She was smiley before I got out the camera . . .

Paloma reenacts the moments after her delivery with Dr. McDonald 6 weeks later.

Paloma is 6 weeks old today and also has her first fever.

MMMM

Mom made brisket & squash and chocolate cake with my favorite icing for my birthday... they missed it last week because Dad got tickets to the Cowboy game, so Mom thought she had to make up for it. It was nice out so we had my cake on the back patio, but the mosquitos forced us all to go back in.

Paloma, Zoe & Maya were all wearing some of Carmen's hand-me-downs.

Carmen enjoyed bowling for the first time at a friend's birthday.

She also read a whole (new) book independently tonight!

Our first family-of-five photo

We celebrated my birthday at Benihana and had yummy Italian cream cake at Lety's. (Thanks, Irma & Pepe!)

L.D. Bell v. Trinity, 2005 (Paloma's 1st football game)

The hype about the Trinity team's pregame dance started earlier in the week. Some described it as scary. I thought it was pretty funny to see those big guys doing a step routine!
Even during the pregame show, the noise rivaled the pep rally we attended a few weeks ago--the air horns were the worst, and even interrupted the Trinity Alma Mater as the Bell team took the field.
The football game was a disappointment to the Bell side of the stadium, but at least the band made us look good!

Here is how I feel today.

It's actually been this bad since Saturday night (my birthday!).

I thought it was a sinus infection and the severe headache was a side effect, but now that's it has hung on so long, I'm not so sure. The antibiotic and/ or painkiller I'm taking is not very pleasant for Paloma, I'm afraid.

This is excruciating!

I borrowed some ice packs (thanks, Mom) to strap around my head. I've been saying for years that someone should invent an ice helmet. This is the closest thing I know.

Aaarrgghh!

On a positive note, my cousin Chrys gave birth this morning to her firstborn, a son named Oliver, who follows Paloma by one month and one week! I want to go see them, but there is no way I'm driving with this headache. See the baby at
http://www.chrysandmike.com/blog/

Carmen wanted to have her picture made with Paloma since they were both wearing their apples today.

I wish I had the picture Carmen made at school that we saw on conference day. Her caption said, "Apples are saowr and juce (sour and juicy)."

Of course, after I took Carmen's picture with Paloma, Gabe wanted to have HIS picture made with her, too!

We have so many children, we don't know what to do.
No, just kidding.
But seriously, I have to go back to work in 3 weeks and we don't have childcare arrangements yet.
To say I'm getting antsy would be an understatement.

Happy one month day, dear Paloma...

Paloma enjoyed being the center of attention in our Sunday School class yesterday.