Snow White and 4 dwarfs

I am a planner -- to the extreme.

So much so, in fact, that on Jane's second day of life, I determined that she would make a perfect Snow White. Tragically, McCall's does not make a Snow White pattern small enough for an 8-month-old baby.

Then, around week 20 of my Elliot pregnancy, we found out the gender. What conclusion did I reach in my mind before the end of that day? With Halloween still 10 months off, I knew my Snow White dream would fit perfect with a little dwarf.

First, because I have an extreme love for Halloween and all things Fall, my SIL made Jane these adorable spider clips.


She had several outfits for the week that revolved around her festive accessories.

And then it was Saturday night. Jane was beyond excited about her "pretty pretty" dress made lovingly by Grammie Gail. In fact, as I put her dress on, she stroked her dress's puff sleeves and uttered (for the first time) "oooo, pretty!"

Now I need to give props where props are due: My mom has a serious sewing talent. I recall as a child, wearing my mother-made Christmas or Easter dress to church and having people ask me if I would someday sew just like my mom. I can answer them now: No. Sure, I can sew a dress, but I will never reach the level of talent of my mom. She rocks the boat. There is no touching her skill. Completing Jane's elaborate accessories was her little brother dwarf. Elliot was a wonderful dwarf. He completed the picture as 4 of the 7 dwarfs (Happy, Grumpy, Sleepy and Bashful).

We had no luck in getting Snow White to take a photo with her dwarf.

And then we went trick-or-treating with cousins

before the night ended with Lane's and my arms full of tired and/or excited babies.