The Pumpkin Patch

So we went to a pumpkin patch....3 weeks ago.  Josh was awesome and uploaded the pictures from our camera when he realized I hadn't in over a month.  Thanks honey!

Back to the pumpkin patch.  It was a fun little outing, but the mosquitos were crazy the day we went.  We were only there for fifteen minutes.  They had a maze that Michael wanted to go through, but he got upset when he discovered there wasn't a slide at the end of it.  Why did he think there was a slide at the end of it?  Well he's a toddler, and toddlers must think that mommy and daddy wouldn't take them somewhere unless it had a slide.  That would be so cruel wouldn't it?

Michael wanted to be pulled around in the cart

We got Michael one pumpkin, but we have yet to carve it.  The last month has been a little hectic.  We will probably carve it on Sunday.  Yup, we are very behind.  That means the holiday season has officially begun.

If you haven't noticed

On the side of my blog is a picture of two lovely people hoping to adopt a baby, Karissa and Jayson.  They are not able to have children on their own, and adoption is the right way for them to go.

As many of you may know, adoption is a painfully slow process.  They have a profile on the LDS Family Services website.  These great people have done everything they can, and are now just waiting, and waiting.  If you know anyone who is thinking about placing a baby up for adoption, please have them check out the profile, and you can even read her blog here.

At times I've wondered why some people cannot get pregnant and others find it impossible to prevent it.  The only conclusion I've come to is that whatever our trials are, we end up the better for it.

In my case, I know I can be a very selfish person.  Some of that I blame on age, but the rest I just have to blame on me and deal with it.  For me, having kids has been a bigger trial than not having kids.  I've learned more patience than I could ever imagine.  I've learned more about unconditional love than anything else in my life has taught me.  Most importnantly, I've learned about putting other people above my wants and needs.  Or at least that's what I call it when I'm feeding Elli baby food, trying to do the dishes, making Michael eat his vegetables, and then realize I haven't had a bite of food.

In the case of Karissa and Jayson, I know they will be amazing parents.  I've heard other people remark that it's a shame the adoption process is taking so long because they would be incredible parents.  They are loving and caring in ways that I can only dream of.  I think because they will be such amazing parents is why they've had this trial.  Karissa will put me to shame as a mother, without a doubt.  I'm more than willing to let that happen as soon as possible.

So please, if you know someone thinking about adoption, please tell them about this amazing couple!

A Day In The Life: Elli

I wake up to the sound of the front door closing.  Daddy must have gone off to work again.  Should I cry?  No, I have better things to do.  Like chew on the side of my crib.  This wood tastes so good.  I hear movement so mom must be up and coming to get me soon.  She will walk in and make fun of me being a beaver, whatever that is.  She walks into the kitchen and I hear the water going.  She must be making me a bottle!  I'm trying to tell her how hungry I am, but she just says "oh, don't cry it's okay."  Just give me the bottle!  Some days she just doesn't get it.  She finally brings me my bottle and I chow down on 5 oz of iron-tasting milk formula.  Yum.

As I'm eating I keep thinking about how great today is going to be, then I hear my brother running into the room.  No, I don't hear him running, I hear him screaming my name over and over again as loud as he can as he runs into the room.  I'm trying to concentrate here Michael!  He runs up to me and bangs his head against mine, the usual greeting from him.  It hurts, but I know he means well.  When he tells mommy repeatedly that I'm drinking my bottle (and driving her a little crazy) I can't help but smile and laugh.  Formula starts dripping from my chin and mommy takes my bottle away, but I'm not done with it!!  I cry until she gives it back.

During breakfast I'm stuck in my high chair watching everyone eating good food.  On top of all of this I have to listen to Michael scream every time I get a good bite of anything.  I love my brother, but some days I would like to eat in peace, or do anything in peace.

After breakfast we play in Michael's room while mommy reads Harry Potter to us.  Don't tell anyone this, but I think she does it so she doesn't have to sing patty-cake to Michael twenty times.

Mommy puts me down for my nap in my crib.  Before I can sleep I have to roll over and chew on the post just a little bit more.

"Mama go lunch!  Mama go bye-bye!  Elli!  Go Elli!" wakes me up from my nap, and every nap.  Mommy comes in and gives me a warm bottle.  It helps calm my nerves while Michael runs around screaming.  Half-way through my bottle he comes over and puts his face right next to mine, he tries to whisper (but really shouts) "Elli sleeping?"  Mommy tells him no and he shushes her.  Mommy gets annoyed but I think it's funny.  Michael can be a funny big brother.

After lunch we run errands.  No one seems to understand how boring it is to be facing backwards.  I can't see or do anything.  Most days, like today, I pull off my socks and start chewing on them.  Mom always gets upset at that.  It seems like we are never done, then the next thing I know I'm waking up to the smell of dinner.  At some point I must have fallen asleep in the car.

We're all gathered around the table and daddy is home.  This meal smells like it will be amazing!  I'm all ready for my plate when I see mom pull out...can't you guess?  The most boring food in the world, baby food.  Sometimes I wish my parents understood what I was saying because they don't seem to understand my screams.  This is so frus- oh, that's apples!  And a think a hint of chicken.  Oh, and they bought me the dessert peach cobbler again!  Wait, what was I saying?  Haha, Michael doesn't get any dessert, all he had was rice because he wouldn't eat his carrots.

After dinner daddy plays with us, which usually means we end up watching some tv show while he plays peek-a-boo with me.  I'm awesome at peek-a-boo, I can always get the blanket off of my head.  Wait, is that a binky??  I can see it hiding under the couch, I can almost reach it.  WAAAHHH!  Daddy rushes to grab me but it's too late, I've already hit my head.  Michael comes over and sits by me, giving me kisses and hugs.  He does annoy me sometimes, but I love the hugs and kisses.  At that point daddy says it's time for bed.  He gives me a warm bottle and lays me down.  It's been a decent day, a normal day, but decent.  Maybe tomorrow I can have pineapple upside down cake...humm, I wonder if they side of my crib tastes like pineapple upside down cake.

Just for a smile

I smile every time I look at this funny picture.  She's sure cute!

Week's Worth of Groceries

Have any of you seen this picture on pintrest before?

Sorry I can't make it any bigger, but here's a link.  It really interested me to see what some of these cultures eat and drink.  I laughed when I got to Germany and saw all of that beer.  When I saw Japan I thought maybe most of that bagged stuff was tofu, but that would be a lot of tofu.  I expected to see more of...well anything from France.  I pictured more bread and wine.

So I thought I'd compare my week with the week from the US.  The only thing I left out is 2-3 meals out a week for Josh or the kids and I (since we rarely go out together).  

Yes, I know that's a lot of tomatoes, I'm making homemade tomato sauce.  

What's funny is that Elli's portion is the smallest and probably the most expensive, but I'll blame that on the formula.  See the bananas, apples, and grapes?  Well if you picture that with the whole milk, half the eggs, half the cheese, and the bread, you have Michael's food for the week.  You might think I'm joking, but I'm not.  That fruit might not even last the whole week with him.  

Originally I was going to write this post to say that I don't think these pictures are really accurate.  Then I realized they probably are.  If you look at the US family, take away the pizzas, chips, and soda, and then add a couple fast food meals to my picture they look similar.  I don't have as much food as they do, but my kids are just that: kids.  They are not teenage boys.  When Michael is a teenager half of my table will be devoted to him, and I'll need a much bigger table.  

Anyone else want to do this and see if they don't fit the stereotype?

Bath Time

We love bath time around here.  The kids love splashing each other and chewing on the bath toys.  Josh and I love the break from all the crankiness that happens after 6pm every day.

Now this video doesn't show then getting too crazy, but it does show a little of the splashing and laughing.