Happy Halloween!

We had our Halloween celebrations the last two days.  They didn't quite go as planned, but we still had fun.  Friday was Daddy's work party.  Spouses/kids come in the afternoon to "trick-or-treat" inside.  It's nice to walk around indoors during the daytime.  And you can pick what candy you want since everyone just sets it out :)  As usual we had hoped to get there around 4.  But Rebecca had other plans.  Friday morning she started showing signs of a cold, but not too bad.  But when she woke up from her nap it was obvious she wasn't feeling well at all.  She cried and cried.  She refused to put on her costume.  She actually wouldn't put on any clothes for a while (just had a diaper and an undershirt).  It took Mommy a long time to get her settled and get her regular clothes back on.  And we finally made it out the door about a half hour later than planned sans costume...red nose and eyes and all :P  By the time we got to Daddy's work she was perking up a little.  And once we got to Daddy's desk we managed to get her cheerleader shirt on and ribbons in her hair.  That was as good as it was going to get :P  Rebecca got a little excited when she was able to pick out candy...and eat some.  But she did not like the kids that has masks on at all.  She's pretty scared of most costumes this year.  Since we got there late we didn't stay very long.  But Rebecca still enjoyed it, and it got her a little more excited about dressing up.

Yesterday was trick-or-treating in Grandville.  And Rebecca was actually excited to put on her costume.  We didn't go out.  We just handed out (and ate) candy.  Rebecca would stand at the window, waiting and asking where the kids were.  But as soon as anyone would come she would run away, scared.  At least she got to see a few friends.  And there were a few costumes she liked...any princess, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Buzz Lightyear.  Rebecca was pretty bummed when we told her it was over and she had to go to bed.  I'm sure costumes and candy will be the first things she talks about this morning.

Rebecca is still battling her cold.  The last two nights she's gotten up in the night and had to be settled back down and rocked for a while.  But thankfully it was only once each night.  She didn't nap yesterday either.  Hopefully she'll get back on track with that soon.  Being sick and lacking sleep don't work well.

Aside from candy and colds Rebecca is definitely going through some developmental changes.  All of a sudden she wants to be so much more independent.  She wants to dress/undress herself (just 2 weeks ago she could have cared less), she wants to be involved in everything, she has a strong opinion about everything.  If you're putting peanut butter on her toast, she wants to spread it, if you're cooking, she wants to watch or help...things like that.  She carries her stool around the house so she can see/have access to everything Mommy is doing.  We have to be much  more careful about what we leave out/on counters/on desks now.  Rebecca doesn't like you to help her with much now.  She knows what she wants, when she wants it...and she lets you know :P  Apparently she has a new fascination with being able to take off her pants by herself.  I've recently found her sleeping at nap time with her pants around her ankles :P  And she rarely wakes up from her nap with both (if any) socks on now.  Rebecca is starting to make progress with potty training.  And almost always insists that she wears underwear.

On the flip side, Rebecca is also being VERY clingy to Mommy right now.  I can hardly leave her sight sometimes.  Even if Daddy is by her.  She wants to be a part of everything I do.  She wants to sit on my lap at every meal.  It's sweet, but sometimes makes it very difficult to do anything.  Our Kindermusik teacher explained this phase very well in class last week.  The symbol for our class is the kangaroo.  At this age kids want to explore, learn and be independent.  But they also need to be able to run back to Mommy and Daddy for reassurance and security.  Like a kangaroon in a pouch.  So Rebecca is exploring her new abilities and independence.  But she also needs to know Mommy is right there...just in case :)  I'm sure this phase will last a while as we transition her from the crib to a bed and as we prepare for another baby.  Lots of changes to come.  And she'll need Mommy and Daddy close by to reassure her that everything is ok :)