Blessing.

Both sets of parents came down for West's blessing the first weekend of November. A friend suggested that a good group activity might be going to this nature preserve a bit south of us (a pretty place to just walk around & let Quinn explore), so naturally, I took my parents & my inlaws to a large forested area full of copperhead snakes. No, seriously, we met a couple as we were walking out & the man was carrying a giant stick - which he said he used TO KILL SNAKES (he'd needed to use it several times in the past few months). There was a big sign at the entrance warning us about all sorts of horrendous animals & the whole outing was probably just a little bit of a bad decision. 

Oh, Texas. 

Also, I immediately texted this friend & told her we were in a fight.

Otherwise - we spent a mellow weekend together with trips to the park, some lovely Mexican food, a Chick Fil A introduction for the Whitings & lots of yummy meals at home. Q got plenty of attention from his grandmas & grandpas & I got my mom again for lots of help & mothering-ness. We were sort of exhausted by the time everyone left, but felt lucky to have our parents travel all the way here & were once again reminded what sweet blessings these boys are.  

(We're also lucky that West stayed peacefully asleep for his blessing, which took place during a bit of a sad phase in his life where we'd just figured out that he wasn't pleased with me eating gluten or dairy. Sigh.)

West hasn't taken a binky since my dad got him to take one while he was here. Another sigh. 

 Photos!*

*I somehow made a series of unfortunate wardrobe choices the entire weekend. Looking back at photos of our post-partum bodies is never pleasant, but as I was walking the other day I remebered that I've made two babies! And that's just really awesome, chubbiness & all.