Happy Halloween, Love Lily

Happy Halloween! There have been a number of dates I’ve been counting down to this year, first, it was April 17, Lily’s original due date. Then when it looked like she was going to come early it was March 27.  (Eventually she ended up being born at 2 AM on March 28th). Then it was Fourth of July which Lily‘s first time meeting my whole family. Then it was September 9th, my brother‘s wedding. And then October 30/31st.

I knew this was going to be my first week back at work and that the 31st was going to be my first day physically back in the office. Mentally it was always going to be bit of a shock to the system but quite a few of the local moms I became friends with who also have babies the same age are all getting together today for lunch with their littles in costumes. It was the first daytime invite I’ve had to decline because I’m my mat leave is over.  Originally I was quite upset as I wanted to get a Halloween costume for Lily to wear and she still far too young for trick-or-treating but let’s be honest, I probably would’ve gotten her one even if she had no occasion to wear it.

However, thankfully on Saturday Lily’s nursery had a two hour Halloween party. They planned so many amazing activities and while Lily could not make a sparkly crown or decorate a “biscuit” she did enjoy story time with Halloween themed books. Mark and I bought almost half a dozen costumes for her and it was tricky as most of them are size 6-12 months and she is only just seven months old.  Of the ones we tried – including this giraffe costume, this adorable monkey, and a baby pumpkin outfit – this unicorn costume was by far our favorite.  It was an easy one piece outfit and while the socks didn’t come with it I had a pair that were a color match.  We had a great time at the Halloween party and Lily fell asleep in the carrier on the way home so we stopped for coffee. I love the last shot of her and Mark with the a big unicorn hood.

Then after the Instagram algorithm bombarding my feet with pictures of babies in pumpkins, I decided Lily needed to go in a pumpkin.  Mark rolled his eyes at me but on Sunday we went to work. Of the 100+ pictures I took my top two are below along and a few behind-the-scenes snaps as well. Halloween is not as big of a thing in the UK so finding a large pumpkin was a bit tricky but found one in a local grocer and it was an arm workout to get it home.  From our photoshoot these are my two favorite photos of Lily.  If people are curious for next year I can share some tips and tricks on the “making of”.  (And how cute would this hat have been?!)

And then a few behind-the-scenes shot of the packing of the baby in pumpkin because, why not.  The set of three vertical shots is actually from a 10 minute time lapse I filmed of the actual photoshoot and to say it is hysterical is an understatement. And a big thank you to Mark for carving the leg holes with his power drill and speciality circular attachment he bought just for this!

And there you have it, a Lily Halloween recap!