01-04-15 Smiles

Weeks I have waited for this and today, at 8 weeks and 3 days there was no mistaking it!

This little fellow is definitely feeling better. He slept 8 hours last night and today he kept handing out these cute little grins!

01-03-15

Things in our house tend to carry names that do not necessarily reflect their purpose or design. The name might have been chosen for its place of origin, or for the way that the children pronounce it. For example, we don't have magazines at our house, we have mazagines. Some adopted names make more sense than others, and some require a rabbit trail to understand. 

To show you what I mean, meet The Dwarf King.

Is there anything more boring than a carpet sample? I say no. Other than the fact it signifies we are getting one step closer to moving into our new house, there is nothing exciting about shopping for carpeting. Nada. Zilch. 

In fact, this particular carpet sample's real name is Oakmont. Boring.

However, when comparing this sample with the 50 kagillion other carpet samples we collected (or maybe 12), I could not remember its name. What kept popping into my head, however, was Oakenshield, which is not the name of a carpet color, but rather the name of leader of a group of dwarves attempting to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug in Tolkien's The Hobbit. He isn't just any dwarf, but the prophesied king under the mountain. The dwarf king. 

Hence, this carpet sample is now called The Dwarf King. See how it went from a boring, dull carpet sample to a protagonist we can root for? Is this the sample we have been waiting for? Will it stand up in battle against all other samples? Will it hold its own through price matches and installation dates? 

Well, today, Tim and I took the Dwarf King on such a journey. We went to multiple carpeting stores and compared it to so many other samples. We checked prices and options and timelines, and in the end the Dwarf King prevailed!!! So, before the end of 7 business days, the Dwarf King will take his rightful seat in our home and secure himself a place within our family lore by bringing us one step closer to moving day. 

That's how things work in our house. That's how we make tedious jobs fun. We look for something to root for. 

On a more boring note, each day brings us closer to everyone feeling better. Baby E had his best day yet and I am begging he lets me sleep tonight, as he so magnanimously allowed me 2 hours last night. I'm beginning to regain my sense of smell and my fever seems to have finally subsided. Things are looking up!

01-02-15

I still can't believe we bought a house!

We were supposed to be moved in by now, but the holidays and the endless parade of illnesses derailed that plan. I've packed a total of 1 box. Yup, ONE. Embarrassing, yes. Did I mention the fever? 

Anyways, today I had to meet the carpet measuring person at the house. Fortunately baby E was feeling pretty good this morning and up for the outing. He slept most of the time we were gone. My sister dropped by for a visit while I was at the house, so it was nice to get some adult interaction! But just to prove how well he was feeling, baby E promptly threw up all over her. *sigh* Baby steps. To make up for it, though, I believe he bestowed on her the first real smile. I'll admit, I'm a bit jealous! I've been waiting for that smile for weeks, and I'm sure I would have gotten it already if he hadn't been so ill. So, I did what any rational person would do and spent the next ten minutes trying to recreate the circumstances that produced that little smile. He looked at me and turned back to her and smiled again. Agh! But finally he gave one to me too. I've been working hard for another one all day, but he's not humoring me! I know, I'm being greedy!

I was happy when T got home cause I'm still running the fever, so I'm not able to cuddle with E like I want to. 

Huh, it kinda looks like he's smiling in this picture! 

Praying for continued healing, and for the two oldest kids who are still visiting their grandparents. We are missing them around here!

01-01-15

How do you bring in the New Year with the flu and a sick baby? Binge watching Netflix, of course. I stumbled upon Grand Hotel a few days ago. It's a Spanish series set in 1905. The thing about watching a Spanish series when you don't actually speak Spanish is that you can't look way because you will miss the subtitles and have no idea what is going on! 

Fortunately I had nowhere to go today, so I basically just stared at the screen all day. A few days ago I got a slight fever. Since my daughter had the flu during Christmas I was pretty sure that's where it was heading for me. My mom offered to come and pick up the two older kids so I wouldn't have to keep up with them AND a sick baby while feeling awful myself. I'm so glad she did cause my temp hit 103.5 last night so I wasn't in good shape. My mom called to let me know Eli was throwing up at her house. And poor T had the stomach bug the night before. As you can tell, our house has been fun the past few weeks! 

On Sunday, little baby E was diagnosed with RSV. It's been a rough ride making sure the coughing hasn't overtaken him. On top of that, he had the stomach bug too. Poor little fellow has had a rough week. Today was the first day that he had quite a few alert spells since he got sick. It was nice to hear him cooing again! Today he turned 8 weeks old. Wow, that happened fast! 

Blessing

Do you ever have days that you just feel sorry for yourself? Well for me, today was one of those days... Which, let's be honest, is pretty ridiculous. I'm pretty sure it all started around food. Seriously, I'm always hungry... ALWAYS. And when I am REALLY hungry, I am also undeniably cranky. Beware the nursing mom who needs a snack! It's like a switch flips in my head and suddenly I am no longer a rational, well thinking human being, but rather a ravenous bloodhound hot on the trail of box of Cheez-its or a s'mores pop tart. (man, are those things tasty!) And this morning, I skipped breakfast... Uh oh! I knew the moment I left the house that this was a bad idea, but I plowed ahead anyways... After all, my four year old's ballet teacher wasn't going to wait for me to make an omelette.

Now the unfortunate beneficiary of my hangry (that's a word, right!?!) outbursts is my husband. In this mind altering state, everything he does drives me crazy! Did he just open that door with an attitude?, or I asked him to change that diaper two minutes ago! Why does my kid still stink?!? , or Why is he driving so slow?! Clearly he doesn't care that I'm about to perish in a most inconvenient manner!!! Poor guy. This is totally not his fault. In my more rational and well fed moments, I know he is devoted husband who treats me with respect and kindness and patience, and most of all, love. He's my best friend and the awesome father of my children. So, after lunch and a two hour nap, I reminded myself of this... I have nothing to feel sorry for myself about... After all, I am unbelievably blessed!

So, now that it is late and I am rocking a gassy baby that is as stiff as a board and won't fall asleep, I figure I have plenty of time to tell one of the many reasons why. 

My husband- He's a pretty amazing guy! He's one of those dads that's on the floor with the kids, wrestling or playing dolls (whichever the situation requires.) He gets up at night when the kids wake up, so I can get a few more minutes of sleep. He really does change a lot of diapers, and most of them quite timely! He washes my daughter's hair because she screams like a banshee when  I try. And if you need someone to be impressed with toddler muscles and substandard drawings of Christmas trees, he's your guy! But more than a good father, he is a great husband. He tells me I'm beautiful when I feel like a frumpy, shabby mess. He sends me I love you texts when he knows I'm sad (or hangry.) He pretends every meal I make is the best one I've ever attempted and even forces himself to eat seconds just to cheer me up. Because he is my cheerleader (in the most masculine sense of the word, of course!) He chooses to see the best in me and forgives my shortcomings long before I've humbled myself to be penitent. He is the love of my life and I don't take the time to tell him this enough. He is my greatest blessing and my truest friend. I love you, Timothy. 

My two year old prince

Someone had a birthday yesterday! As a special present to mommy, he let me rock him to sleep last night. 

The Emperor of Absurdia

Dearest Elijah,

Before you were born, I thought you were going to be a girl. When you arrived the doctor exclaimed, "It's a boy!"  A boy?!? What did I know about boys? I was raised with a girl. Boys were uncharted territory! As I stared at you that first night, with admittedly, a little trepidation, I whispered, "How do I raise a boy?" Your father leaned over to me and softly said, "You love him." 

Little did I expect the fierce love that that would awaken inside me.

I pray for you daily that you will grow to be a man of integrity and honor; that your words will be uplifting and your courage will be unwavering. I pray that you will be strong and intelligent and passionate. 

But mostly, I pray that God will pursue your heart, to the ends of the earth, to the depths of the sea; and that you, in response, will guard your heart from idols and put your trust in the One that has loved you more fiercely than even I am able.  

For you Elijah, are my little prince. 

1. You love trucks, tools, trains and cars. Your sister got a Thomas track set for Christmas and you were heartbroken that we wouldn't let you play with it.

2. Your grandparents got you a big Tonka truck and you love to push it as fast as you can through the house and run into anything immobile. 

3. You call your dad, 'Papa' and your mom, 'My Mommy'

4. Your word for 'Charlotte' and 'Elijah' are exactly the same.

5. You still love to sleep, and yes, you still use a paci at night. 

6. You think it is funny to eat with your eyes closed. 

7. You are the most ticklish person I know.

8. You have had one haircut, just your bangs.

9. You were a blue monster for Halloween.

10. You hate veggies, but you can't get enough of eggs. You also like pancakes, bananas, and avocados. You love 'achacha juice.'

11. During Mater's Tall Tales, you scream when Lightning McQueen gets pushed down the big hill.

12. You have no self-control when you see someone lying on the floor. You MUST sit on them!

Love,

Mommy

Mommy, it's you!

After having the flu for nearly a week, I was disappointed that I couldn't take Charlotte to church on Wednesday night. I got her all dressed and as she walked out the door I reminded her that I wanted to hear all about it before bed. When she finally returned, she had a beaming smile and she giddy to tell me about her evening. She had said the long version of her memory verse, she had made an ark and played with her friends. Then, barely being able to contain her excitement, she handed me this picture.

"Mommy, it's you! And you have a pink dress! And your dress is a triangle! And you are walking on grass! Mommy, I love you!"

This girl melts my heart!

You make my heart happy!

Rain Rain Go Away!

C most definitely has Pearson coursing through her veins. From the very beginning we noticed her love of music. She gravitates to anything musical and artistic.

The other day while we were driving, I started singing "Rain Rain Go Away." It's a rather short song and at the end she would ask me to sing it again. After about the 8th time through she got frustrated with me.

C- "Mommy! I can't see your mouth!!!"

So I tilted the review mirror so that she could see my mouth and she asked me to sing again. I obliged. I did several more rounds and I noticed her silently mouthing along as I sang. Finally she said, "Now I'm going to sing it!"

And this is what happened.

Stop in the name of love!!

Charlotte is at that charming age when every day offers new adventures for her and new "Guess-what-my-kid-just-said" moments for me!

* Tim has been singing "Holy, Holy, Holy" to her at night before bedtime. We were driving home the other day, and I hear her in the back seat singing "Daddy, daddy, daddy! Merciful and mighty!"

* She was acting up while I was driving.
   Me- "Stop!"
   Charlie- "In the name of love!"

* In the middle of the night she woke up screaming. I went into her room.
   Me- "Charlie, what's wrong?"
   Charlie- "The froggies are going to get me?"
   Me- "What froggies?"
   Charlie- "The ones on the chair."
   Me- "I don't see any froggies on the chair."
   Charlie- "No, the boy ate them!!"

* My nickname for Charlotte is Bug.
   Me- "Hey Bug, come over here!"
   Charlie- "No!! You do not call me 'Bug!' My name is Charlotte!!!"

* While sitting at the dinner table, Charlotte proudly announces, "I toot like a cow!"

Who is that dapper fellow?

So, Elijah turned one.

I didn't think time could move that fast!

A year ago today, this was my dear sweet boy.

April 1, 2012

And now look at him!!

March 19, 2013

He is walking and talking! (By talking, I mean he can say "Uh-Oh" and "No-no-no" pretty well!)
He eats all the time.
His favorite food is hot dogs.
He also loves bananas.
And yes, he did eat a stink bug. Nothing like kissing a baby with stink bug breathe!!
He loves his big sister.
He loves to cuddle, just not before bedtime.
He likes his sleep. Don't think about depriving him of his mid morning nap!
He smiles more than cries.
He loves all things tools.
He ate his first french fry and then dove for the bag.
He's had a couple of stomach bugs, but has been relatively healthy.
He has the same belly laugh as his big sister.
He loves to chew on socks.
And of course, he looks great in a stache!

Around Thanksgiving, his grandfather gave him a mustache pacifier. I love this pacifier. It cracks me up. When we go out in public, and he is sporting his stache, he attracts the attention of all the ladies. Can you blame them? Look at that charmer!

In honor of Elijah and his stache, we decided to throw a mustache themed birthday party for him! We kept it pretty simple, after all he is not going to remember this one. 

First, the cake. Having seen the idea on Pinterest, I decided to do a mustache shaped cake. Actually we made two and they turned out pretty well! 

We also had mustache themed party games. 

A "Name that Type of Mustache" game for the adults.

And a "Pin the Stache on Elijah" game for the kids. 

And of course, what is a mustache party with out mustaches??

Family Stache Time

Birthday Boy!
He was not too thrilled to have his mustache on! I had to pin his hands down in order
to get the picture taken. Also, it must have felt very strange to him, because he refused to
close his mouth. He looks pretty dopey!  

Big Sister Stache

Daddy - Son Staches!

Hanging out with two of my very favorite mustached men!

Let's not forget the inaugural cupcake!

Happy Birthday Elijah!!

A little cautious!

He's hooked!

Happy Birthday to the sweetest, smiliest, cuddliest little guy I've ever met. I love you very, very much!

Party #1

The day before C's big birthday party, we had a small gathering with my parents and sister.

Excited about her grandparents coming to visit!

Loving on Nonna

present time

Her favorite present was her tea set. Time for tea, daddy!!

What? No presents for me?!?

Time for cake

cake is yummy

sneak attack

the hair pulling begins

tight grip

revenge...  *poke*poke*

Hi GP!

Silly Birthday Girl!

They don't know...

They don't know a pre-9/11 world. 

Sometimes this thought stops me in my tracks. The majority of my life was a pre-9/11 life. I met my husband, moved out of my parents' house and became an adult in a pre-9/11 world.

I can't even imagine a post-9/11 childhood and yet that is the hand dealt to my children. I am a post 9/11 mom with post-9/11 children. That date, for them, will be what JFK's assassination or Neil Armstrong's landing on the moon was for me- not even a distant memory, but rather the memory of a generation before.  They will read about it, they will hear people talk about it, but it won't be real to them.

They will never understand how the world changed that day.

Look at me, being all crafty!

For C's 2nd birthday I wanted to do a theme. My husband had shot down my "Pride and Prejudice" themed party early on, which in the end was probably a good thing because ever since C was introduced to the Backyardigans, she has had no time for the company of Lizzie and Mr. Darcy. *sigh* There go all my hopes for a toddler with a British accent  and a Mr. Wickham pinata.

So, I settled on an owl theme, cause I figured that it would be pretty easy to put together and very adorable. With the enlisted help of my sister and some friends, I think we pulled off the theme very well!

Some of the ideas came from Pinterest. Some of them just happened as we were working.

gift bags - the trick to these was to make sure they didn't look angry.
The guy on the right looks pretty ornery if you ask me!

My sister designed and created each of the masks. 

puppets

We cut out 'feathers' and created wings for the kids to wear on their arms.
This was pretty time consuming. I wasn't thrilled with the outcome because
they didn't stay on the kids arms very well. 

owls for random decorations- these were a lot of fun to make. As you can tell,
we got more creative with the eyes as we went along.

the big pupils are cute

look deep into my eyes!

I strung them together, along with the extra feathers, to make
hanging decorations. 

napkin wraps

Photo wall - Owl 'month' stickers

Pinterest was my go to place for food ideas.

Owl deviled eggs - they walk the fine line of cute and creepy

THE BIRTHDAY CAKE!!!

I knew I wanted to do something fun for the cake so

when I came across this idea I jumped on it! My sister made

the cupcakes and my friend Emily decorated them. The final product

looks pretty close to the picture!

Birthday cake!

Along with the cake, I wanted to make individual owl cupcakes.

I am delighted with how adorable they turned out!

owl cupcakes

It was a lot of work, but it was fun to watch it all pull together.

Stay tuned to see how C enjoyed her Owl themed party!