Spring Photos

Kissy Face


My Ellie


Hey, this is exciting!

We got some nice shots the past few days. You can't beat the great light you get from the sun and how their faces look. I'm so glad we got a better camera to catch these priceless moments in time!

Sunshine, anyone?

I just love it when dogs do this - totally relaxed, enjoying the warmth ... it just makes you want to go "ahhhhh....."

First Pony Tail

I managed to get a cute little pony tail in Amelia's hair today. It certainly isn't something that is necessary - as her hair isn't long enough to be in her eyes. But it is pretty cute!

Tulip Time

No, we didn't go to Pella - but Jack decided that the beautiful color along my front sidewalk was a distraction. He picked off ALL of my tulips. I could have killed him!

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Also, I have to share this cute story. The other day I was cleaning out bins of stuff for a garage sale and found an old doll of mine that had seen better days. Roger is very old - I think he was actually my mom's doll. And his head is no longer attached to his body.

So Jack saw the doll laying on the counter and asked, "Mom, what happened to that?" I said, "Oh, I found him while I was cleaning up stuff. He's just old." "Like you?!" "No, not like me!" Then Ellie chimed in, "Bubba, no - that's enough. Mama's not old. Don't say that."

It was too funny.

The Cruise

Royal Caribbean - Majesty of the Seas

We got to go on vacation! 5 days, sunshine, no schedule, and no kids! How relaxing! Every year since I've been doing Pampered Chef, I've earned an incentive trip. This year a 4-night Caribbean Cruise; porting out of Miami, we also visited Nassau, Bahamas and Key West, Florida. It was a great trip - and even better because it was free!! The only extra we did was Snuba in Key West. Which is pretty close to scuba - but you don't have the tank on your back, and you don't have to be qualified. They hook you to a tank that floats above water - but gives you the scuba experience of being under water. It certainly wasn't easy - but I figured it out and had a good time. Billy is still needing some more practice.

Bowling

We took the kids bowling for the first time a couple of weeks ago. They have bumpers - so there are no gutter balls. They made it about 4 frames before they wanted to go home, but we managed to keep them interested to get thru the entire game. It was fun and Billy & I enjoyed the help of the bumpers for our game.

First Steps

Okay - so it only took a couple days to out-date the post the other day. She took her first steps last night while as I was at a show and then she showed off again this morning while I was at another show - but daddy got it on video for mama today. Sorry it's turned, we can't rotate videos. We need to remember not to turn the camera when we are taking them. Don't send me your chiropractor bills.

Amelia 11 Months

11 down, 1 more to go - until our baby is 1! Wowzers - it goes so fast! She continues to work on her walking, but is still too timid to let go of anything. Not even for a moment. She'll stand alone, but her feet remain firmly planted. She's started moving along the walls and cupboards - including getting into the cupboards. She also enjoys getting into the toilet (let's hope Ellie remembers to flush!), pulling all the toilet paper off the roll, the cords behind the tv, eating dog food, and any other thing that ISN'T a toy is very enticing.

The most interesting thing, is that we found out that she swoons. When she falls hard, or gets hurt, she cries so hard that she can't catch her breath, and passes out. She's done it 4 times now, including today when she pulled the empty trash can down on top of herself. I picked her up, and tried blowing in her face, but within two seconds her crying stopped, she went limp in my arms, and her eyes rolled back in her head. It's a bit frightening - but the comforting thing is that when she passes out, instincts kick in, and she starts breathing. She comes to - and then starts crying again. I'll have to remember to tell the doctor at her well-check next month. If it's hereditary, then I know she got it from Grandma Barb - she was a swooner until school age!

We are planning a big birthday bash on Memorial Day weekend - Billy will turn 34 that week, my sister's birthday is also that week. I think Amelia might steal the show, but I don't think Daddy or Aunt Nicki will mind!

I'll take that.

When I pick Ellie up from preschool, I tend to hang out for a minute or two talking with other moms or her teacher. Ellie continues to play with her friends that are still there. Last week, while I was talking to a mom, Ellie stopped what she was doing and came over and asked, "Mom, how is it that you're so pretty?"

The other mom and I were like, "Awe, that's so sweet!" I responded, "Thank you, Ellie. How is it that you're so pretty too? Oh - because you're a product of me!" She just smiled, I know she liked the return compliment, but don't think she understood my second comment. I decided that I would take that compliment from my 5-year old daughter. I may need it on a day that I don't feel so pretty.

Other things to share

The snow finally melted - and the temperature is on the rise. Here is one of the first days we felt that it was nice enough out to take Goose out to swing with the big kids. Hopefully this doesn't make you dizzy.

Oh, to be a dog!

Jack Turns 3!

My favorite boy turned 3 - and I think age 3 is going to be a bit more challenging than 2 - as it was with his older sister. He really is a sweet boy, but likes to wrestle around and can be a normal 3-yr old boy that gets into trouble.

Recently, he's started asking me, "Mama, am I your favorite boy?" Since I've been calling him that for the past year - I guess I've started something that will get me in trouble if we get pregnant with another boy.

When asked to do something, he responds, "Sure!" And "See you later!" is pretty common too.
And even at 3, he still loves cuddles, his blanket, & story time. Do we ever really outgrow those things?

Easter

Here are a couple of photos from Easter. It was a quick basket and egg hunt in the basement before getting dressed to go to church. Ellie was to sing with all the children during the service - and so needed to look her best! Unfortunately, it was like 30 degrees out and pretty dresses with tights didn't seem logical!

Pretty

Ellie has been really into dresses and skirts lately. Unfortunately, this has come during the winter, when we only have 2 pairs of warm tights - and this mom thinks skirts and dresses are just kinda silly when the weather is below freezing. Also, Ellie isn't one to sit nicely in a dress - or be concerned about panties showing and/or tearing her tights. So, I tend to purchase jeans and pants for her.

Anyways, when she can, she either wears a dress or changes into a dress when she plays around the house. One day recently, I had told her she needed to take off the dress she was wearing (it was a spring, sleeveless type) so that we could go somewhere. She started crying and said, "Mom, you are taking off my pretty! Please, don't take off my pretty."

How do you spend an evening?

Watching TV? Playing board games? Doing a puzzle?
At our house, we dance in the living room - kids in their underwear. Or sometimes the cushions come off the couch, and Billy wrestles with Jack and Ellie. Amelia & I usually try to steer clear of that one - as that gets pretty rowdy. But the kids LOVE to turn on the radio - we listen to The Bus - and dance our little hearts out! I don't think you'll find any of us on the next season of Dancing with the Stars - but it's a good way to burn some energy.

Lazy Dog

It looks as if we rescued a very lazy dog! It works well, since we have a small house, and we couldn't really handle a high-energy, spaz dog. She pretty much lays around all day -- she enjoys her walks, and does play with the kids here and there. But for the most part, she finds joy being in her kennel or checked out on the couch.

Pizza Face

Luckily this is actually pizza on her face - and not early puberty on my 10-month old! Look, she's even got it in her hair behind her ear. Least to say, she had a bath after lunch.

"You're a Nark"

The other day, Ellie and Jack were racing across the living room. If you've been in my living room, then you know that this was a short race!

Ellie would say, "On your mark, Get set, GO!" And then Jack starting chiming in, but his sounded like this: "You're a nark, get set, GO!"

Mr. Funny

Jack has been quite the character lately - I wish I could remember everything he says these days. Today he was quoting Snow Dogs - a family movie - "You've got something wrong with your head, no, you've got something wrong with your head!" And he has been saying, "No way!" quite a bit. Mom: Jack, you need to pick up your tools. Jack: No way! Ellie: Bubba, let's go play downstairs. Jack: No way!

The other day when Ellie got home from school, he asked, "How was school today, Ellie?"
And he's also becoming a bit of a copy cat - saying and wanting everything his big sister does. So if she wants ketchup, he wants ketchup. If she wants to watch Clifford, he wants to too. She said, "Mom, why does he do everything that I do?!" I told her it was because she is cool and he wants to be cool too. She still thinks it's annoying.

She's a Movin'

under the coffee table standing at the tv

under the piano bench trying to get downstairs

Now that Little Miss is moving - she's everywhere! Pulling herself up on things, trying to get downstairs, there is nothing she won't explore. Here are some fun pictures.

New Animal - Round 2 - Nala!

Well, the cat didn't last that we got last fall - I think we had him 2 months before we realized that he was possessed, or something to that matter. We shipped him north to a Minnesota farm. Fortunately, the kids weren't attached, and were also glad to get rid of the little critter.

Last week, while searching online, a cute little face at the Boone Area Humane Society found it's way into my heart. We brought home "Cinnamon" - who has been renamed "Nala" this morning. She's a 7-month old lab-vizla mix; which is close to my heart because I grew up with a lab/vizla mix and she recently went to doggie heaven.

Nala has already taken to the kids and I think she'll fit in great! She was spayed yesterday, so she's still not feeling great. We are excited for the weather to be warm this weekend for us to go outside with her!

Cute

Darn it - she's just too cute. Had to share! And a photo of her standing on her own - she's getting stronger, and she can stand there for quite a few seconds.

Doctor Visit

I took the all three kids to the doctor yesterday. Amelia's 9-month well-check, Jack's 3-year well-check, and then Ellie had her hearing screened again.

Amelia - growing fine, doing well. 17lbs, 27 inches. Almost exactly the same size Jack was at this age. Found that she had her first ear infection, she is on antibiotics right now. She hasn't run a fever or been real fussy, so I was a little surprised. But we are all sick here - so I suppose I shouldn't be.

Ellie - she's been seeing someone to help her with her speech - and they wanted to have her hearing screened again. She can hear fine - so obviously, it's a focusing issue. Hmmmm?? Surprised, anyone?

Jack - to no surprise, he is in the 5th percentile in height and weight. He's proportionate, but is needing to put on some pounds. (He'll be 3 next month, and is just fitting into 2T clothing). So we need to push the protein and try to get this little guy to eat more. I wanted to share what he said during his vision screen.

For 3-year olds, since they don't know letters yet, they use a series of pictures. The 3 pictures of different sizes were an umbrella, a house, and an apple. The first picture, when asked what it was, Jack said, "A rain thing." And the 2nd picture he said, "Where a dog lives." I thought those were both very good descriptions of the items pictured. And he said it in his cute little voice. I wish I could have had it on video.

Overall, healthy kids. We are blessed!

Jane Fonda Workout?

Here are a series of shots of Amelia doing some great aerobic or yoga moves!

Crawling

Well, I think the day after I posted that she was almost crawling, she actually made the real moves to be crawling. She still is not a big fan yet - I'm not sure if it's really hard work, she's lazy, she wants to walk instead, or she just wants to be held. On occasion, she'll cruise around the house from here to there, but as you can tell, she's not real fast, and so it takes her awhile. But mostly, we get what you see in the video - crawling with whining.

An Evening Hanging Out

So the other night Billy had a meeting, and I had the kiddos for about an hour on my own. Usually, by this time of the day (7pm), I'm wore out and have lost most of my motivation to do anything too exciting with the kids, as I've been doing thing with them on and off throughout the day. Billy is really good about taking over when he gets home and coming up with something active for them to do.

Anyways, we went into Amelia's room to read books and hang out - as you can tell, they were each kind of doing their own thing at this point. This video ended up being kind of funny and I thought I'd share.

Almost Crawling

Amelia is getting so close to crawling. She also started clapping this week, which is really fun. You'll see that at the first part of the video quick, and then into trying to get moving.

Daddy-Daughter Photo

I think she has his eyes.

Snow Fall

As many of you in Iowa know - about 1/2 of Iowa got dumped on on Tuesday/Wednesday of this week. Ellie didn't have preschool either day, and this would mark the 4th day of no school in 2008. We did do some scooping (or shoveling, depending on how you say it), but a nice neighbor came by and ran the snowblower too. We aren't sure which one, as there are 3 around us that have them. We try to pay back with lawn mowing in the summer. I believe Des Moines got 8" - and the most I've heard is over a foot in more SE Iowa.

Blinking Amelia

Amelia has started a new thing - blinking on purpose. Sometimes she just does it just on her own, but other times you can get her to do it back and forth with you. Here is an example, while she's enjoying a snack of Cherrios. She just figured out this week how to get them in her mouth herself. Yeah! Now she can have snacks while I'm getting food prepared and I'm not having to put one in her mouth for her. This is much help for the busy mom!

One Small Boy

Here is what one small boy can do in a matter of minutes. Why are boys so destructive? And not even 3 years old yet, he knows how to place the blame on his sister.

The video is of the mess - the still photo is what it's suppose to look like - which took me about an hour to do. It was one of my afternoon projects while the little ones were napping.

Midnight in highchair

Hey - you got any of those eats for me?!

Alright then, I'll just wait patiently until you change your mind.

Other good kid photos

Jack, being a boy and hitting stuff.

Ellie's hair is getting long - and hard to keep tidy.

I know - you can say it - awe!

Here are some other good photos taken of the kids this month. I likey my new camera!
Click the pic to enlarge it.

8 months old!

I can stand up to things - but I need a spotter.

I'm elated to share that my baby is still a baby - and not mobile or doing all those big girl things like crawling, pulling herself up, etc... I'm just not sure we are ready for that yet! It'll come soon enough.

At 8 months, Amelia has decided to expand her food palate and eat fruits. She's even enjoyed some chicken and beef too. Last night we tried yogurt, but that didn't seem to go over well. Especially when it came up in the bathtub about 20 minutes later. Yuck - floaty purple goo.

The biggest challenge is diaper changes, as she knows now that she can roll over, and likes to be squirmy during those times. Also - she's been VERY clingy lately. Not just to me, but Billy too. She doesn't like to be left alone and has had a hard time learning to play with herself, or her brother and sister. She just wants to be held. Luckily, we are strong and don't give in too often.

Fun in the Snow

We purchased a new camera recently with some Christmas money - and it's so fun to take some clear pictures. I think you can even see the snow falling in these.

It wasn't too cold this evening when Billy took the kids out to run around - I love the shot of Jack's snot running down his nose (click it to view it larger). YUM! And then of him taking a tumble down the big hill of snow/ice. Billy then rigged up the big wheel with the pull sled for Jack. What a riot!

Animal Shelter

Standing over the cat - making sure he doesn't move.

Sitting down ... the cat hasn't moved.

This is taking too long, I'm going to lay down.

My home has become the animal shelter for my sister's cat and dog - since the recent house fire (click on the link to my sister's blog Skaar - to the left) they are staying in a hotel and even if they allowed pets there would be no room for the two of these guys.

Sydney, the dog, is obsessed with cats. She has to have her eyes on them at all times! I can't imagine how she'll get any sleep tonight. Midnight, whom you'd assume is black, but is white - is pretty laid back. Thankfully, because in a home with 3 small children and a cat-obsessed dog, you've gotta be able to roll with it.

I like the snuggles, wagging tails, and purring - but I will not miss the hairy couch, barking at the mailman during naptime, cleaning the litter box, and muddy paw prints. I can't believe I used to have both of these creatures in Ames - when did I find the time! These two better bring on the love if they intend to stay for more than a week! :)

First Teeth & other Milestones

I'm not sure when they cut thru, but yesterday Billy found both bottom front teeth poking thru Amelia's gums. This is the earliest teeth of my 3 kids - so it was a bit of a shock. She's been a bit fussy lately, but nothing terrible and so we weren't even looking. Darn, the cute gummy smile will soon be gone.

Amelia hit the 7-month old mark right before Christmas on the 22nd - which was also Billy & my 1st wedding anniversary. We were in Arkansas visiting his dad & the Faubus side of the family that day. We had dinner with them and then later shared a bottle of champagne to celebrate the day. The weekend prior we traveled north to Minneapolis with friends to celebrate our anniversaries together - knowing we would be gone.

It's been an amazing year - considering the challenges of getting to know each other, new baby, parenthood, etc ... we have been great partners to each other and we both feel very blessed to have been put into each other's paths. Praise God!