Baby’s First Halloween

DSC_0325My husband and I have a document on the desktop of our computer that is a running list of all of our baby’s “firsts”.  It includes her first time rolling over, first tooth, and even first time using a sippy cup.  We put the events that will (someday when I get around to it) be written in her baby book.  It is a fun list, but it is also very straightforward.  For baby number one it isn’t hard to take a minute to get that info down, and there isn’t really any thinking involved.

We also have those picture-worthy, “make sure she has a cute outfit” firsts.  Unfortunately for us, baby’s first Christmas was a bit of a blur, being that she was just a few weeks old.  We didn’t do anything for the first New Year’s Eve.  Her first July 4th was rather uneventful.  Really, we haven’t been too exciting for most of J’s “first holidays”.  That is, besides making sure she had a cute outfit, of course.  Will that change for Halloween?  Likely not, but I can sure hope!

The hubby and I have had different ideas of what Jessa should be for Halloween.  He wanted a get a cozy, warm (read that as too hot for just being inside as well as not something she can move well in) lobster costume.  I was leaning towards Snow White or Minnie Mouse.  I’d also pondered making her a candy corn costume before I realized I’m not crafty nor motivated enough to take on that job.

I found it interesting that I was putting so much thought into an 11-month-old’s Halloween costume.  She won’t remember it, get a chance to go around the neighborhood trick-or-treating, or even stay up for the whole time that we hand out candy.  It is also likely that Miss J could be annoyed with 99% of costumes out there, as I’m sure many would not allow her to crawl all over the place, may have itchy fabric, etc.  I’m indecisive and wanted to choose the right costume for her.

Halloween this year happens to fall on my day off.  This means I am going to put Jessa in her costume and take her to work AND daycare to show off her costume.  At least a few people need to see her!  She can also help hand out candy until bedtime.  I’m sure there will be plenty of photo opps throughout the day, one of which will probably end up in her baby book.  It will sure be one cute, fun Halloween!

My little baby is nearing her first birthday, and I’m finding in the last few months that the “firsts” seem to have a bit more meaning.  The original list we made of things we want to keep track of is almost full, as “first steps” is about all we have left!  I suppose this is part of the reason I’m putting a bit more emphasis on Halloween.  Realistically, it is going to be a day that is much like all the others, but I can try to make it special, right?

At this point you might be wondering what Jessa will be for Halloween.  After deciding that I didn’t want to spend very much, needed something she would be only slightly annoyed with, and wanted something cute (of course) that would be possible for the not-so-crafty mom to create, it was determined that Jessa will be an…80’s aerobics instructor!  I think the neon headband, side ponytail, leg warmers, and felt boombox will make for a fun, and memorable, first Halloween!

Share your fun Halloween traditions and costume ideas, even if it isn’t for your young one’s first Halloween!

Lana
Lana Criswell is a born and bred Hawkeye fan who has lived in Iowa City for almost ten years! She came for college and never looked back. Lana has been married to her husband, Tom, for two years and is momma to Jessa (3.5 months) and Charlie, the dog. She finished graduate school nearly four years ago in speech-language pathology and works at Children’s Center for Therapy in Iowa City. She is excited to be able to work 80% time now and have some “girl time” with Jessa each week. Lana loves spending time with family and friends, cooking/baking, going to Hawkeye games, going on walks around the neighborhood with the dog, and reading.

2 COMMENTS

  1. J might be a lobster!! Haha! Or maybe a bumblebee. We have both costumes, so whichever one fits him better. If your husband wants a picture of Jessa in a lobster costume, you can borrow ours. 🙂

  2. When I was little, my mom gave me a halloween basket of little goodies from “the great pumpkin”. She loves the Charlie Brown Halloween movie, which is where the “great pumpkin” idea came from. I am continuing this tradition in my family. Although my husband thinks I am crazy because he never heard of the great pumpkin!

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