I’m not usually much for costumes and oftentimes lack creativity when it comes to dressing up but the Halloween spirit hit hard for Finn’s first Halloween and I knew just what he should be!
FINN’S FIRST HALLOWEEN
A pineapple! A food costume was a no brainer and pineapple was the first thing that came to mind since it was my most consistent pregnancy craving with Finn.
The moment I saw this pineapple costume from Carter’s, I knew I had found the perfect thing! The only problem was that it was completely sold out. After lots of online sleuthing, I managed to snag one on eBay that was new with tags.
Finn did great in the costume and didn’t fuss or cry at all about having it on or about the headpiece. It looked pretty cozy to me.
There was a block party on one of the cul de sacs in my neighborhood so Finn and I strolled over. I only knew one person there but was determined to do something fun and festive with my little guy and I figured that a baby in a pineapple would be a pretty good conversation starter! I actually ended up recognizing a couple from my child birth class and chatted with them for a while.
My little pineapple was all tuckered out on the walk home. I laughed at him looking like he had partied too hard!
I say this in a way that I am not feeling sorry for myself but want to be honest with you…I had a lump in my throat for a lot of that walk. These are the moments where it’s extra hard not having someone to share them with and also to be away from my family. ❤️
I stopped and introduced myself to a few other couples with small children. I am pretty introverted and not usually very good with small talk but I have really been pushing myself outside of my comfort zone to meet my neighbors and other moms. It’s been a completely worthwhile effort and I am glad that I’ve done it.
Back at home I made dinner and didn’t pass out nearly enough Halloween candy. I have tons leftover so I see a lot of Reese’s and M&M eating in my future.
WHAT I ATE IN A DAY ON HALLOWEEN
I thought I would show you everything that I ate in a day on Halloween to wrap up the post!
Breakfast was two eggs scrambled in Kerrygold salted butter along with buttered sourdough toast and fruit.
I met a friend for a walk at 11. She’s a new mom to a 2.5 week old so before our walk I made her some oat and peanut butter energy balls (recipe coming) and lentil soup. I love this recipe from Oh She Glows. I ate one of the energy balls after our walk.
And I had a jar of the soup on my way to my next appointment along with some of Trader Joe’s pumpkin soup crackers.
This is an old picture but I snacked on peanut butter pretzels and drank a kombucha mid-afternoon.
Dinner was a bowl of leftovers. I had couscous, roasted cauliflower, rotisserie chicken, avocado, olive oil, hummus and Trader Joe’s Tahini Almond Butter Dressing. It was random but really good.
Dessert was two packs of M&Ms and two Reese’s pumpkins.
I started Schitt’s Creek in bed last night. That was a good call. Very funny!
Did you dress up or dress up your kid? If so, what was your costume?
Do you know your neighbors/have a “friendly” neighborhood?
My little guy was a chicken! It is one of our nicknames for him so it seemed appropriate 🙂
We have such a long driveway (as do the rest of our neighbors) so sadly we don’t know anyone. I definitely miss living in more of a “neighborhood” and if we ever move that is on the top of our must have list!
Finn looked super cute! And that soup looks delicious, thanks for linking the recipe!
Oh the chicken costume is so cute! I’m so sorry to hear that your neighborhood isn’t very neighborhoody. 🙁
Try the soup! You will love!
Such a cute costume for Finn! Where did you get those black pants you wore on the Halloween walk?
They are the new Lululemon Align Joggers and SO comfy!
This was our first Halloween in our new neighborhood (we moved in 10 months ago) and while my circumstances are different than yours, I can totally empathize because I’m finding it challenging to break into the long-established social circles that exist in our neighborhood (especially amongst the other moms). Everyone is super friendly, but I feel like they have all known each other for years (heck some of them went to high school/college together) and it can feel a little lonely :/ But on the bright side it is forcing me waaaay out of my comfort zone and like you said, totally worth it!!!
Christina, I TOTALLY get this. I’ve felt like that in other social situations and it’s a tough spot to be in. I hope that you guys do find your groove there with time.
I so relate to this! Being a total introvert, it’s hard for me to break in to the mom group in my neighborhood, especially when a lot of them already know each other! But I’m trying to push myself because I don’t want my son to miss out on friends because his mama is too shy!
I dressed my baby up as a skunk! Carter’s has the best costumes. Although it did not last long since it was a bit on the warm side for our 80 degree evening ?
haha! that is awesome! 🙂
The pineapple costume is so cute!! – and it does look like he partied way too hard! My 2 yr old chose to be a vampire lol.
On a different note, it’s wonderful that you are going outside of your comfort zone. I can’t imagine being a single mom but you are such an inspiration to everyone. I admire your strength & that you can smile through even the tough times!
OMG, a 2 year old vampire. That’s great! 🙂
And thank you so much for the kind words. It’s not easy but I guess in some ways I’m lucky that I don’t know it another way. I really try to focus on Finn and all the smiles, goofiness and love he brings into my life every minute of every day!
I dont know it any other way and I think I am grateful for that. We split when my son was 3 months old and I think even more importantly, Im glad this is his normal instead of us splitting when he would remember it.
Finn was the cutest little pineapple! That costume is just ?!
And so excited for you that you started Schitt’s Creek! It’s so, so good and absolutely hysterical! Gets better with each season, too. Wish we could start it over but will settle for getting excited for season 5 to come back on Pop TV in January!
The first few episodes sucked me in! I was looking for something short, light and easy to watch. This seems like just the ticket! 🙂
Pineapple Finn is ADORABLE! What a perfect Halloween costume for him 🙂
I live in a small apartment complex on the outskirts of a VERY fancy neighborhood so I do not get trick or treaters. But I did dress as a handmaid from the Handmaid’s Tale and wore it to work then changed into a cavewoman dress for CrossFit! It was a super fun Halloween!
I love that you wore a costume to CrossFit! 🙂
Pineapple Finn is the cutest! I had a pikachu, ninja and a puppy.
Our newish neighborhood is very friendly with lots of little kids. I’m a huge introvert and still struggle a little bit, but as they get older, kids tend to initiate the interaction themselves which does make it easier. What really struggle with these days is names and faces. I’ve never been great at remembering them, but with the added distraction of kids I’m now officially terrible. It’s great to introduce yourself to someone only to realize they know you, and all your kids, names because you’ve spoken several times before. Oops.
What a fun group of costumes! 🙂 I can totally see how the older kids that are more interactive with each other would foster more parent interaction. And OMG, I am also TERRIBLE with names!
I just want to pop in and say you’re doing an awesome job with sweet Finn. I did a stint as a single mom beginning when my daughter was just under 2 (her dad and I were never married but tried to make it work for a while) and it can be an incredibly isolating life. Single parenthood is one of those things that nobody can ever truly understand until you’re in those shoes. So hang in there. Life is all about peaks and valleys and just as you get confident setting into your “new normal” it will throw you another curveball. And not that being in a relationship is the be all end all – because it is NOT! – but I am now happily married to a wonderful guy and we have another child of our own. <3
Elizabeth – thank you so much for taking a moment to comment and to share such encouraging words. It is the craziest place to be and sometimes still doesn’t even feel real but I am just staying focused on Finn and taking care of myself so that I can be the best and most present mom to him as possible. And then I trust that the rest will fall into place and that brighter days are ahead. <3
Have you tried any mommy and me events or classes? I made a friend through baby and me yoga and another friend through nursing moms group.
No, I haven’t! But I have managed to connect with a lot of moms and friends through social media and online, which has been amazing! Hopefully I can also get together with some of the neighborhood new moms! 🙂
Omg How adorable is Finn! I had my eye on the pineapple for my 12 mo old but we went with the baby giraffe. My older son was Jake the pirate, mix husband was jack sparrow and I was a pirate. It was the first time I dressed up in YEARS it was so much fun. My husband is in charge of all the Halloween decorations outside and does a great job with a lot of special effects. We live in a popular trick or treating area so it makes it a lot of fun.
Way to go for getting out of your comfort zone. I envy you for that. That is something I also struggle with. I’m not good at making a first introduction and putting myself out there. Your an inspiration to me.
Jen, I can see you are so grateful for you life and you clearly appreciate all the gifts you have (including the adorable pineapple!), but it is ok to be sad or mourn what you have lost at the same time. They don’t negate each other. You are doing SO good with all of this. I am inspired by your attitude to just go out there despite how not everything in the picture you are living is necessarily ideal, but you are fighting on! That takes a lot of willpower to keep going and I am proud of you!
Finn is the cutest! I love the pineapple costume!!
Just wanted to mention a class at the YMCA (Harris) that I loved when my little guy was a baby. It was Baby Power Hour – you bring your baby in a stroller (since the class sometimes included running/jogging). It was a great way to meet friends, socialize and get in a workout. My little guy always loved the class – so much movement and entertainment!
Jen, my daughter was a single mom for 7 years, raising my now 16 year old grandson with help from her dad and me but I know how very hard it was. I witnessed it. I will tell you that she too made the effort to meet new moms, find mother’s day out programs and surround herself with supportive friends. The results are that our family has one amazing loving young man that loves his mom like crazy! Boys do love their mommas! I think you are doing great!
Aw, the picture of Zoey nudging Finn in his costume is so sweet. That’s a framer for sure!
hi Jen. Finn looks so cute in his costume! Your lulu lemon clothes always look so comfy – I will have to stop my the next time I am at the mall.
Thank you for your blog and sharing your life with us. You will find your groove – keep putting yourself out there. I remember feeling like you too! We totally underestimate how this little bundle of joy turns our lives literally upside down – right! I am rooting for you!
You’re one of the bravest women I know. Love you x
Finn is super cute in his costume!! And good for you for doing that! You seem like such a great mom and that’s one of those things you are doing for your baby. My situation is totally different but i completely understand what you mean, My husband is out of town a lot and my three-year-old has school stuff and birthday parties that I have to go to alone sometimes and it is hard!! Keep it up, you are making a wonderful life for Finn and this time will pass. My dad’s favorite saying: Tough times don’t last, tough people do.
PS My 5 month old boy was a baby shark. My 3 yr old a mermaid 🙂
Cute outfit! Can you send info about where it’s from? Love The joggers! Thanks ?
Finn made an adorable pineapple! My son, 7, was a pirate and my daughter, 2, was a parrot. We had the pirate costume and I made the parrot. We live in the country so we drive into town for trick-or-treating.
I consider myself a shy, quiet, introvert person but once I had my son I forced myself to open up and start conversations with people. I heard there was a mom group in town and called and invited myself – 7 years later they are my best gal pals and we still get together twice a month (once with kids and once without).
I can so relate to how it feels to put yourself out of your comfort zone to try and make new friends and meet new people. It’s hard!
Finn looked super cute! He will be trick-or-treating before you know it <3