Bye bye baby

It's creeped up on us once again.  Sadly, our baby is no longer a baby anymore.  Elli has turned one!  The first three months went by slow enough that I remember her newborn stage.  The last nine months have gone by in a blur.  Good thing I have some cute pictures and memories written down.  Here is what Elli has been up to lately:

• She's pulling up on things, especially people, and can stand by herself a little bit.
• She will walk along things a little bit, but not much.
• She says dada, uh-oh, hi, go, and sock (maybe socks because she puts a "z" at the end) clearly enough for us to understand her.  She does not say mama, it is rare to hear and has been heard a total of ten times.  She also doesn't say milk or water in any way because it's a fight to get her to drink anything.
• She has her front four teeth now.
• She's been giving Michael kisses a lot, but rarely anyone else.  She will randomly crawl next to Michael and the next second it looks like she's trying to eat his face.  Luckily he doesn't care.
• The only foods she hasn't liked so far have been green beans and broccoli.  She loves carrots, zucchini, avocado, and all fruits.  
• She has a very distinct personality.  We've decided that she is exactly like me.  She can be very independent, but when she wants attention she will let you know and she better get it.  
• Most of her day is spent chasing Michael around or playing quietly with her toys.  
• She enjoys singing, especially wheels on the bus which she dances to.
• Her favorite toys are Michael's cars, legos, dinosaurs, and tools.  She has never really liked baby toys unless they make a lot of noise.  She adores stuffed animals.  She sits and hugs them for a really long time.  
• Her hair is growing at a rate of 1/8" per month, but it is growing.  It will probably stay bright blond, but we're not sure if it's curly or not.  
• She responds to peanut, bean, and stinker as much, if not more, than her name.
• Her attention span is ridiculous.  If we turn on an interesting kids show she could watch the whole thing.  She can play with the same toy for a long time if nothing distracts her.  However, when Michael's around it seems to be that of a normal baby/toddler.
• She is still adorable and gets away with far too much.

Because the best birthday pictures are of kids covered in chocolate...

She looks at her hand

She eats her hand

She enters a chocolate coma

She emerges victorious!

The Happiest Family on the Block

Okay, so maybe we aren't the happiest family, but the last week has seen an incredible mood shift.  I will simply thank the weather for it.  We've been able to go outside for extended periods of time EVERY DAY.  I can finally take the kids out in just a long sleeved shirt and not worry about coats, which gets us out of the house so much faster.  It has been pure bliss!

We've gone on long walks, visited a park one day, went to the zoo twice, and visited a duck pond.  Elli loves sea lions, likes giraffes, and ignores monkeys.  Michael finally learned that the white duck is still a duck, not a chicken.  I think the duck almost had a heart attack as Michael chased it screaming "chicken nuggets!"

This weather has really made a difference with Michael.  That poor kid can't stand being shut up indoors.  Unfortunately it's too hard to carry Elli around while he plays in the snow because she just wants to crawl around after him.  Soon he will have a yard where he can run out the back door and play in the snow whenever he wants.  That can't come soon enough.  Until then I'll take the warm weather, the Vitamin D, and the happy sounds of Michael chasing ducks.

Never-ending sickness

You might be wondering why I post so sporadically.  Well, I'll enlighten you a little.  Let's go back a few weeks.  Oh, and don't read this if you can't handle puke or poop.

I reached the end of my first trimester, where I should be done with the morning sickness.  Well, I wasn't.  In fact it got worse, sooo much worse.  To the point where I couldn't keep anything down all day and had lost 5 lbs.  I know, I know, don't complain about losing weight.  See I would have no problem with losing weight in the first trimester, when you shouldn't gain any at all.  I do have a problem with losing weight when you should be gaining a pound every week or two.   

With some different vitamins we thought that got all cleared up, but it's not anymore. 

Then we get to Josh and the kids.  Just when I was starting to feel better Josh thought he had a little stomach bug, which turned into a monster of a stomach flu.  He was miserable all night, and I was very miserable the next morning when Michael puked all over the carpet.  We are going on day 5 of this stomach bug.  This bug isn't an ordinary bug.  See my kids on Sunday?  They were as happy as could be!  No stomach problems all night or that morning, or even through church.

Then we got home.  Yesterday I did three loads of pooped on or puked on clothes, sheets, mattress covers, pillow cases, and even pillows.  There was the baking soda I had to dump all over the carpet and vacuum up.  Plus the three baths. 

Today I've already washed one set of sheets and a bunch of blankets.  Then there are the six diapers and one bath.  Oh yeah, don't let me forget the poop on the carpet...that currently has a second pile of baking soda on it.  

The smells - even with baking soda, lots of laundry detergent, taking diapers out constantly, and a fancy glade candle that's almost gone after three days - are getting to me.  

So this is why I haven't been blogging.  I've either been horribly sick, or the kids have been keeping me constantly busy.

Jealousy

Have I mentioned before that Michael is jealous of Elli?  Well he is.  Just like how all siblings are jealous of each other.  Well Michael was jealous that because Elli made such a mess eating she got a bath when he didn't.  I turned to throw her diaper away and this happened

I can't really blame him, he just wanted to play in the tub too.  I'll just wait until they are teenagers and want none of my attention, then the jealousy will end.

Tired

Some days you are just tired, like I've been every day.  I've been falling asleep everywhere, like in the car, any comfy seat, and laying on the floor while the kids play around me and climb on top of me.  Josh so lovingly pointed out to me once that I'm not a cute sleeper.  That's okay, my children are.  That, or they are hilarious when you find them sleeping in weird positions.  Like this:

She was sitting up in her crib and fell asleep leaning forward against her bumpers

Why can't we all be this adorable when we are tired and fall asleep in weird places?

How?

See what's in his crib?  It's a play mat.  In the very edge of the picture you can see the bottom of Elli's crib, it is perpedicular to Michael's.  The play mat was folded behind it.  I put them down for a nap in their room together.  Not my smartest idea, I know.  But I had stuff to do and they were both tired.  After a half hour I couldn't figure out why neither one was sleeping.  I walked in on this.  A happy boy with a play mat unfolded in his bed (however he reached it and got it in there) and a grumpy girl who wanted to play with the toys hanging from the mat.

They don't take naps together anymore, no matter what.

Oh Today...

It all started when Elli had a blowout diaper.  I decided to put her in the tub.  Well Michael wanted to get in too, so he dived head first into the tub, fully clothed.  I caught him mid-dive before he smacked his head.  It doesn't help that ten minutes before this whole thing started Michael dumped at least 20oz. of water on the carpet in my room.

Then he started trying to bathe her, all while sucking on the washcloth while doing it.  

Don't worry, Elli had her own toy to suck on.

Then he kept making her laugh.  Unfortunately Elli is a little camera shy, but here is what kept happening.  

When Michael got bored of bathing her he thought he'd bathe me, again, fully clothed.  He would stick his hands in the water and then rub them on my jeans.

Sometimes I'm so frustrated, but I still have to laugh at these kids.

To Milk, Sleep, and Dry Diapers!

Milk-drunk baby pictures are always some of the sweetest.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

She just wanted to cry.
He just wanted to tickle her.
She didn't know what to think.
He knew to go straight for her toes.
She smiled at him.
He laughed.
She kicked him.
He laughed harder.
She got annoyed and started crying again.
Rinse.  Repeat.

What my blogging teaches my kids....

If I can sit in front of my computer seemingly doing nothing, they can sit in front of their computer seemingly doing nothing as well.

What we do for toys

Sometimes a girl just wants to play with her toys...even if it means dumping the whole basket on herself and getting stuck in it.

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!

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.

More Cheese

As a mom I think a lot about what my kids eat.  As a crazy health nut I'm constantly thinking oh no, you can't eat that!  That has too much salt for a little kid.  No more crack-a-wahs (Michael's way of saying crackers)!  Then I'm looking up homemade, organic recipes.  Like my homemade chicken broth, but that stuff tastes awesome.  Also, being a health freak doesn't mean I can't eat cheesecake whenever it's in sight, health rules don't apply to the amazingness of cheesecake.

Some days I decide to give up and let Michael enjoy food.  Or I'm too lazy to make anything.

Like this little beauty.  Michael didn't need freshly steamed veggies on brown rice, or salmon with mashed cauliflower, he needed crackers with cold pepperoni and cheese.

Oh, and an apple.  I have to feel a little better about the meal.  Of course Michael didn't like the pepperoni.  So he just ate the cheese and a couple crackers.  Then he asked for more and more cheese.  I guess he inherited that trait from both parents.  We were hoping it skipped a generation.  Cheese is really expensive at the rate we go through it.

We also have another cheese lover here.  I offered her cheese and puffs, she went for the cheese.

Don't think the steamed veggies and salmon happen at lunch here very often.  They happen maybe once a week if I'm feeling productive or guilty.  The guilt that comes when I realize Michael's had a peanut butter sandwich for lunch the last 4 days in a row....  The health nut in me wishes they happened more often, but who has the time?

Wordless Wednesday

Evolution of a Smile

WARNING:  DON'T READ UNLESS YOU WANT A BABY, WILL CAUSE BABY-HUNGER

I wrote about how I could not get Elli to smile for a picture, well over the last couple of weeks a mini evolution has taken place.

First it started out as this

Then a slight side smile

She was thinking about it

Then she tried to eat me

Then it happened!

Then she laughed!

And kept doing it

Morning, afternoon, evening, and night!

Brand New Babies

I've mentioned before how sometimes you wake up and all of the sudden you seem to have a brand new kid.  Yesterday was one of those days, with both kids.  After a week of what felt like endless whining (which I attributed to teething) Elli woke up a new baby...who still doesn't have any teeth.  Michael had some big changes too, I really didn't expect this out of nowhere!

First, we went to the splash pad/park by our house.  I had Elli sitting up somewhat resting her head against me while Michael ran around.  At one point he needed help so I left Elli sitting there without even thinking about it.  I looked over after I was done helping Michael and Elli was still sitting up!  She seemed happy and content so I let her sit up by herself for another 5 minutes.

Here comes one of Michael's changes.  I didn't plan on him wanting to run around in the water because the last time we were there he ran away from the water and ran straight to the slides.  Well my little boy went straight to the water.  Thanks to the mom in my ward who gave me a swim diaper, because it was impossible to pull him away from the water.  He would stick his face straight in the water.  He would stick his hands in the water and then pretend to scoop the water into his mouth.  My little guy in just a swim diaper and the shirt he had on was having so much fun and laughing while running around that other parents were laughing at him.  Just imagine the screams when I tried to take him home an hour and a half later.

If you know my little girl you know she doesn't laugh very often.  I've never figured out why because she smiles all the time and is very ticklish.  Well when we got home I let her sit up and play with toys.  Michael sat next to her and they spent a good minute staring at each other and laughing at each other.

See how horrible this picture is?  I couldn't get a better one because Michael learned how to photobomb.  Every picture he stuck his head in front of.  Anyways, he spent a lot of time cuddling me, yes, CUDDLING!  He's not a cuddler, he's too busy running around and getting into everything.  I loved all of the cuddles!

I didn't work last night, which is a nice break because I work the next week straight, so we decided to go to Seven Peaks and get some good use out of our season passes.  Michael is usually a little nervous of all of the kids and slides.  He warms up if we go down the slides with him, but it usually takes a while.  When we got there he tried to run straight into the 4ft edge of one of the kids pools.  I had to pry him from the edge of the pool to put a swim diaper and life jacket on him.  Not only did Michael love the water, but Elli couldn't get enough of it!  She sat in the kiddy pool splashing non-stop.

On our way home we decided we would grab a quick dinner since we won't be having dinner together for a while.  We had a free meal at cafe rio and headed there.  For the first time ever we had to get two high chairs and two kids quesadillas.  We tried to give Elli tiny pieces of it, but settled on just giving her little bits of strawberries, her first actually solid food.

When we finally got home everyone was tired, but we knew the kids needed baths to get off layers of sunscreen.  Instead of being cranky for being up so late, they were both happy little things.

It will soon be time to get rid of the bumbo as the bath seat.

I couldn't believe my kids changed that quickly at once.  It's a little sad for me to see them growing up so quickly, but it's fun.  It was a busy, fun day.  Well, every day is busy, but this one was full of fun, sun, and enjoying the last few weeks before Josh starts school again.  If only every day could be just like this.

The Last Month...

Here's what we've been up to.

Going to the zoo.

Seeing Grandpa on Fathers Day.

Getting into the pantry and finding crackers while I'm feeding Elli.

 Going boating.

 And tubing.

 Running around the house and stealing keys.

 Sleeping in weird positions and with toys.

 Learning how to do chores...

 And applying it to the rest of the house.

We've also gone swimming in our pool a couple of times.  

Gone to 7 peaks a few times.

We both went wakeboarding, and I'm still awesome.

I've worked a lot, like last night was my fifth night in a row.

I've been doing Josh's genealogy since mine is pretty much complete.

We've seen my grandparents a lot.

Michael lost a shoe, but he's outgrown them anyways.

We've been made primary teachers.

We had our 3 year anniversary.

Josh had his 25th Birthday.

Elli's about two months away from crawling, she already pushes herself backwards and in circles.

I got a cold, then Elli did, I think Michael had it but he slept it off.

Michael slept from 5pm to 8am the next morning.

We are staying busy.  

I hope to blog a little bit more than I have been.  Life really has been crazy the last few weeks.  Since Josh hasn't had homework we take advantage of every opportunity we have to do fun stuff with the kids.  I'm no longer in training so I'm working a lot more.  I get the feeling that in the fall this blog will be a lot more interesting.  For now, thanks for reading!

5 Months

Forgive me for not posting in so long and not having pictures.  It's a pain to get pictures off of our camera and onto the computer, so sometimes I just avoid it for....like two months.  Then I have hundreds of pictures to go through.  The only reason I finally did today was because my brother needed pictures of a house...that shows you how motivated I am to deal with them.

The fifth month is always an interesting one.  I always note the second month as the worst month because all of the sudden babies stop sleeping so much, but they aren't smiling yet.  They seem grumpy most days.  Well the fifth month is characterized by a jump in intelligence and mastery of the skills they've so far learned.

While Elli doesn't seem to have grown, she has definetly changed.  She has stopped scrunching up so much.  She still kicks her legs up and down all the time, but she likes to stretch out now, making her look longer. 

She rolls around more, and sits up more.  She plays with her toys now, and can pass them between her hands.

Elli has started solids, well she's been on them for over a month now.  She loves them, almost too much.  She will gladly eat 10oz a day, and some days we let her so she sleeps more.

She hasn't stopped falling asleep in the car quite yet, but she's getting better so we got on more outings.

She is on the same schedule as Michael most days, but takes an extra nap at night.  She also goes to bed a half hour earlier and gets up a half hour earlier.

Elli is a smart little girl.  She understands what is going on around her.  She knows who people are and understand certain actions.  Like she knows that when I clean off Michael after a meal it means we are going to go play so she gets really excited and screams.

She is one cute little thing and we love her so much!  I'll leave you with some pictures!

Swinging her rattle around

I think she's annoyed that he was trying to hug her...and he was taking her toys

Prunes.  I just love the mustache.

A day at the zoo

I don't know why she always gets this face when I try to get a picture of her smiling but she does.  I don't think I have one picture of her huge smile (it's a lot like Michael's was).  Maybe I should just post a pic of Michael's smile so you can see it :P