Thursday, December 25, 2008

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Santa Clause is coming.

In general we do not make huge Christmas plans. Both of us come from families that for different reasons celebrated as immediate family only on Christmas day so neither of us is used to big gatherings and having decided that we like it that way are passing that tradition along to our children. Our children who are currently wildly excited about Christmas and driving us just a little crazy particularly Elijah who hasn't been about to contain himself all day (Ok that is where I stopped bc neil had gone upstairs and Elijah was trying to take Emily outside)

Now picking up after dinner. The kids each opened one present after church. Elijah opened his spider man cape and after being unsure about it had fun tearing around the house and jumping into the play room. This year will be a bit of an adjustment for him as most of his gifts are lowtech. Emily opened a fabric book and Neil opened the Jack shirt I made him. I'll post pictures tomorrow.

Elijah is now worried that Santa might not come if he lets me take pictures of them in their matching pj's before bed. I thought we were done with Santa earlier this year when he came home from school announcing that a friend had told him Santa wasn't real but he seems to have drunk the koolaid again. I'm fine either way. I just don't want to blatantly lie to him when he asks questions. I think this will probably be our last year though. I know some people try to preserve this part of the Christmas magic longer but truth be told I think its just a magical either way. He will have to pretend for Emily for a few years anyways much like I did for Sam and even after that Santa will still bring gifts. Since our Santa doesn't wrap presents he mostly brings the hard to wrap items.
Stephanie

Monday, December 22, 2008

Well its Smaller.

Just wanted to let ya'll know that I went to the Dr today and the kidney stone that was left after the last one got broken is smaller then it was a few months ago. His best guess is that some of it broke off and came out unnoticed. He think it should have hurt but I reminded him that I have 2 kids and my back has hurt to one degree or another for 6 years so my nothing out of the ordinary is shall we say different from other peoples. The good news is the rest of it could pass and he said while he would be willing to go ahead and break it again he would advise me not to. So I'm supposed to drink lots of water and hope and pray for the best. Sounds good to me especially since its now a size that I'm allowed to keep.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

This and That

It seems that I go long enough between updating lately that its hard to form on coherent set of thoughts. Life is full and life is good though so who am I to complain.

We are getting ready for Christmas though thus far it hasn't been stressful. Most of the gifts are wrapped. I hope that the kids particularly Elijah are happy this year. We are not nor will we ever be doing a completely handmade Christmas but I did make many of their gifts this year and most of them are low tech. He is getting the Walee dvd and a mini web kin but other then that its some old school Lego's and mama made stuff. Emily's stuff is much the same. She is getting a ball popper but most of her stuff is mama made. Santa will be bringing her the parenting cube that Elijah wanted when he was little. Some of this was out of my desire to save a bit of money this year but most of it was wanting to encourage more creative play. Oh and I nearly forgot Emily and Beca are both getting pettiskirts and they look so fun I really wish I'd ordered an adult one for myself and will if there is another co op.

I'd also like to spend a bit of time bragging one my husband. Feel free to skip this part if you have a weak stomach. I should begin by saying that I think we all must try to find someone who is right for us and Neil is right for me in many ways I can't even explain but he has also done some things lately that are blatantly brag worthy. First off I've had a nasty cold this week and he has been letting me sleep in till he has to walk Elijah to school. He usually gets Elijah moving but not having to deal with either of them for a bit each morning has been incredible. He also wrapped my Christmas presents in fabric that Emily picked out at Elegant Stitches. It will be fun to figure out what to make out of it but its all very pretty. Emily even picked out a lady bug fabric that she also picked this summer so she must really like that. Oh and lastly Rehannon pointed out to me that it is uncommon to have your husband read the entire Twilight Series to you in bed but mine totally did. He liked them too though as they really are fun books.

As for the kids they are well. Elijah seems to be over his ear infections and excited about winter break. Emily had discovered whole milk and sippy cups so she is nursing so much less. I'm actually pretty happy about this. I like nursing but I'm sick of nursing bras and she is so active that she really doesn't like to take the time out of her busy day for it more then maybe twice. I just don't want her to drop her early morning one till she is ready to skip it all together bc this mama does not get up at 5:30.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

teeth tiaras and whatnot

Elijah lost his second tooth Today at Sweet Tomatoes.
3d shapes are now a part of the kinder garden curriculum. Here is a cube that Elijah made all by himself. He definitely has some good visual spacial skills.
Emily wearing Mommies old tiara. She loved it and didn't want to give it up but I told her she couldn't officially have it till she was old enough not to break it.
Last but not least my effort to be a cool crafty mama. Elijah is stamping the packing paper that Oma and Opa sent with their gifts to make wrapping paper. Truth be told he didn't love doing it so he only did this one sheet. If we do it again I will get stamps and ink pads instead of paint stamps. I think that would have definitely worked better.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Presents I love the presents

This is mostly a confession based post on my part but I came to a realization recently. I'm the one in my family who really loves to get the Christmas crazies. While we are keeping things more reigned in this year then we did when Elijah was littler I have to confess that I really enjoy buying and making neat Christmas gifts for my kids. Someone recently suggested to me this great set up based on the gifts the wise men brought Jesus and while it sounded like a great program all I could thing was I'm not sure I could bear it if I were only allowed to get my children 3 gifts plus one from Santa. I do come by this rightly. My mom is way worse then I am but I just enjoy it too much not to do it so many of our gifts are simpler this year but we will still be opening lots of presents bc it makes me happy.

Thanks for the music recommendations. I've been hanging out on utube deciding what I like. I still haven't updated my itunes account since loosing my wallet so no official additions to the ipod but we are getting there.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

I need music

So I'm having a slight problem. I am a musical person but not in the since that I make it well only that I love my ipod and need to relax. The really not so slight problem is that I'm bored with every single song one my ipod and every cd that I own. So my request is for suggestions. After all without Erin I wouldn't currently after more then 10 years be bored with my old indgo girls cd's. I mean its sad when I press skip on Virgina Wolf but its happened. So please please please songs and artists that you love new or old.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Sewing sewing sewing


I've been trying to make at least some of our kids Christmas gifts this year. These are some of the things I've done so far. Mostly play food for Elijah but some other fun things too.



Saturday, November 22, 2008

I got tagged.

I know I know usually I don't participate in internet games but this seemed cute. I got tagged by Sabrina over at "My Little Slice Of Pie". She is one of my friends from Sewingmamas and I really should add her to my list of blogs I visit. Anyways here are the rules.

Photobucket

Seven random things about me.
1) My kids love to get sick over the Thanksgiving holiday. In a strange way this helps remind me of one of the biggest things I have to be thankful for. That is that there is nothing seriously wrong with either of them just colds, ear infections, stomach bugs, and once an infected finger.

2)I'm currently obsessed with the Twilight books.

3) If I don't make something at least every few days I get really tense. Something about the process of putting things together relaxes me.

4) I use my crock pot a few times a week.

5) I wear a size 11 in ladies shoes.

6) I've been married for seven years.

7) I do yoga.

Now to tag seven people. Well at least some people several of the blogs I would pick have already been done and I really don't read a lot of personal blogs. Also just so ya'll know I won't be bothered at all if you don't play along I just figured I would for once.

1) Aaron at http://blog.hact.net/

2) Chrissey who's trying to blog daily so this will give her something to do http://baby.hact.net/

3) Frank at http://franknotes.wordpress.com/

4) Sherry at http://nelsonbabyblog.blogspot.com/

5) Erin at http://rutatasteofrue.blogspot.com/

6)Angela at http://angelastevebecazoe.blogspot.com/

7) Sorry not doing seven. I would have done thehandmade dress but she was already tagged or Jen but she has a brand new baby.

Friday, November 21, 2008

teeth most of our issues have to do with teeth

I have lots of pictures to upload but I'm waiting for Neil to put them up on flikr and since its his Birthday I'm not going to bug him about it today. That said lots of stuff has been going on around here well that and I don't feel like picking up the living room.

Emily has been miserable for a few days. I took her to the ped yesterday sure it was an ear infection and somewhat hoping that it was bc then she could have gotten some nice amoxacilin and started to feel better in a day or so alas her ears are fine, her throat is fine, her nose is a little snotty but fine, her mouth however is a mess. Poor baby is currently working of four regular teeth and one molar which explains the screaming, the snot, and the low grade fever. I guess I'm glad she's not sick but she is miserable even with origel and baby Motrin and she is inflicting her misery on those around her.

Elijah lost his fort tooth at school on Wednesday. I decided that your first tooth was worth 5 bucks. Neil was arguing for a quarter since that what he got but I told him that I got at least a dollar and more for the first so he agreed. Now his money is burning a whole in his pocket though so I'm going to have to take him up to science safari today after school.

Non teeth related we got to go to Elijah's school on Wednesday for a parent teacher conference and he is mostly doing well. He get distracted and day dreams which we knew already but he is at the top of his class in most activities. Some of the focus is that he does what I used to do and gets a bit off track on thinking about the reasons behind the assignment.

OK I've got to go clean. My parents get here tomorrow.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Elijah lost his first tooth

I have more to say but for now Elijah lost his first tooth today at school during lunch.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Really Captian Morgan

I'm watching Scooby Doo with Elijah right now and its all about a sea captain named Morgan causing everyone to have to run around looking for Captain Morgan. This is almost as funny as the baby boobie bird episode of Little Einsteins.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Christmas Pictures take 1

I'd like to begin this post by saying that no one need to panic Angela has already agreed to take pictures of my kids in their Christmas outfits. That said I used to be a pretty decent photographer from time to time too back before Elijah was born I could take great pictures of the kids at the daycare I worked at and what not. So yesterday part way through a school holiday and all around crummy day I decided to take my kids over to the lake in their Christmas outfits to take pictures. It was beautiful plus Angela doesn't like ducks so she would rather not take them there. The debacle started with it take 30 minutes and a lot of screaming to get Elijah into all three pieces of his outfit plus socks and shoes. By the time we got there the sun was in a weird position and well madness ensued. .She was yelling ducks.


I like this one except for the glare.



In this one Elijah is sneezing on Emily. Oh and they are beside a giant ant hill.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Haloween Pictures

Elijah decorated this cake himself at Wednesday Night live. Then he got bored and took himself to the nursery.




The Brave Knight and the Dragon Fly.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

babble babble babble

I do have lots of new pictures to post and perhaps I'll stumble back over here in a day or so to do it but right now I just going to babble. Its been an interesting but of time. Not bad interesting actually good interesting. I'm not sure how to describe it but I've just been in a really good place lately. Almost waiting for the other shoe to drop good. Not for any particular reason just enjoying my kids, my husband, and my life in general. So on that topic here comes the babbling.

I've been spending a lot of time just watching Emily lately. She got some bigger girl toys for her birthday which is good bc it hadn't dawned on us that she would enjoy little people and ride on toys yet but oh boy does she. She has been figuring things out and I have been staring at her. I join her when she wants but I always tried to engage Elijah and now I understand that you babies will not always let you stare at them. It seems like a little thing but about a year ago Elijah started getting annoyed with me when I did this so I'm going to eat it up while Emily is to little to be self conscious about it and if you little ones are still little enough I encourage you to do the same. You may think you have years but Elijah started to get annoyed with me at four.

Elijah is doing well though thanks to the election he has been out of school for two days and we are ready to go back. We are enjoying are walks on the greenway and he has made good friends with some of the little girls down the street.

I'm exercising a lot and doing stuff for church. Both of which I'm doing my best to enjoy. I may not be skinnier then I was before Emily but I am definitely stronger. I'm not sure quite how it happened I think it started with the power moms class that included running and weights two things that I did not do before. I've also made it back to yoga so I'm feeling more centered and my back feels better. I'm not sure what else but its all good there.

Oh and I've become a bit obsessed with my crock pot. It started with the blog you see linked on the side. I've been using it at least 2 or 3 times a week bc I'd much rather spend a few minutes throwing stuff into the crock pot in the morning then 30min of actual cooking in the evening. I've also been sewing but haven't taken pictures of much lately so eventually I'll pile it all together and take a picture.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Birthday Party




Yesterday was Emily's Birthday party. We had several friends over with their kids too cook out, eat cake, and open presents. The kids all seemed to have fun, poor little Emily had fun but she was so tired by the end of the day as you can see in the top picture. She slept well last night though and is upstairs sleeping right now. Don't worry better pictures are coming. Angela brought her camera so I really didn't feel the need to worry so much about catching everything. Chrissey probably got some great pictures as well but little Alex was overwhelmed by the experience. We had as follows 3 five year olds, 2 three year olds, 2 two year olds, 1 one year old, and 1 baby plus 11 adults who will not be broken down by age.

Ok and bc I'm watching the view can I just say that I can not stand the stupid blonde girl from surviver. I've known who I was voteing for since before the primaries were over but really what exactly makes her an experert on anything and why do I have to wear a flag pin to be supporting our troups. I will grant you that Obama should just do it since apparently some people think you have to put a lapel pin on to support the armed forces (apparently not wanting them in harms way isn't supportive?) but I don't see why he or anyone should have to. Its not like we are all pledges so we should not have to wear pins we don't feel like wearing. On that same not I really think stupid blonde wants his small children to serve in Iraque I mean I'm sorry that he is the only candidate who doesn't have a child serving abroad but he is also the only candidate who doesn't have a child over 18. Who knows what great or horrid things the Obama girls will do in their lives but I really don't think we should let them enlist till they're 18 and that we shouldn't hold their lock of military experience against their father. Grrrrrrr I can't wait for the election to be over don't even get me started on political adds. Why oh why can't adults act like adults?

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Finished the Christmas dress


I finished Emily's Christmas dress. It was my first time stacking cables so all my candy canes aren't exactly the same but I think it came out well. It was also my first bishop dress so I had to learn the pattern. There are a few things I will do differently next time but all and all I think it came out very well. She is not modeling bc she hates to be wrestled into clothes so I won't be posting those till she wears it for an extended period of time.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Cute pictures of the sleepless wounder and her sidekick







Ugh Why won't you just sleep.

I should begin by saying that I love to sleep. When I worked at camp I had a friend who would sometimes exclaim "I love bed." when she laid down at night a habit I have picked up and use from time to time to this day. I especially love bed since we got our nice new memory foam mattress that makes a welcoming dent to any part of my body that touches it. So the point is I like to sleep and truly don't get my daughters current aversion to it. I mean really honey you're a year old and Mommy wants a restful nights sleep and to not spend her days with an angry tired cranky baby that may take a 1.5 hour nap if she passes out from exhaustion but would prefer to fight it till the cows come home. Right now the little mess of angry exhaustion is up in her crib caring on about how much she isn't tired and doesn't need a nap. When I go up there she will be standing in the corner closest to the door. She was also up screaming for a good hour last night bc I don't feel that a 1yo need to be fed or rocked at 2am when she just ate at 10:30. Truth be told I'd like to drop the 10:30 as well. Oh and if your out there in cybre space thinking "well I have a much littler baby who sleeps so much better what a good parent am I" let me just tell you Emily slept great from 6weeks to about 8.5 months. Then she hit the dreaded 9 month sleep regression better known as learning to pull up and has been a little terror ever since. Oh and if your thinking "well gosh why doesn't she just rock, feed, or take that poor baby to bed with her?" its bc it doesn't help. I feed her and she's back to screaming within 20min (not enough time for mommy to fall asleep anyways), I rock her and she cuddles in but screams the moment I lean over the crib, I bring her to bed with us and she pulls up on our headboard and tries to take nose dives off the side of the bed. I don't find this conducive to sleep. Oh and she used to sleep till 8:30 (she'd wake up to eat but who cares if you get to sleep in) now its and event if she sleeps to 7:00. A rare event to boot. Ok I'm done complaining I love her very much and we are working hard on this but man Elijah was awful to start but we ferberized once at 9 months and that was that. Emily seems to need to be reminded constantly that babies lay down and go back to sleep if they wake up in the middle of the night and they don't need their mommies to do that.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Shameless brag about my kids.

Ok if your still reading you've been warned so no complaining. Both my kids had really good days though. Emily's didn't start out super well since she had to go to her 12month check up (19lbslloz 29.5in) but she figured out light switches today. Thankfully she can't reach them and has to really focus to do it but she figured at that I was using that little switch to turn the lights off and on and had to try it herself. Elijah got moved up a reading group and the principal gave him a special good behavior card in the cafeteria entitling him to a prize on Monday. Oh and then he and I went to Chocolate Bean to celebrate that and his getting a flu shot without throwing a fit (a big victory in its own right) and he was so well behaved and fun to be around. It was nice to get out with just him. Ok I'm done now. My kids ROCK!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Happy Happy Birthday Baby










That's right Emily is one today. We had a good day though she mostly seemed confused. I'll probably write about it later but thought you would enjoy the pictures.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Farmers Market






Since Friday was a teacher work day we went to the Farmers market to pick out a pumpkin. We met Mitch and Donna there and the boys could hardly contain themselves. We got the stuff we needed though plus some extras. I bought too many apples and some peaches so I just had to make cobbler and apple butter. Boy was my family sad. Then we ate and went to the park. While we had a good time at the end of the day we decided that next time we needed to start somewhere where the boys could express themselves without taking out any bystanders.