Date Night

We had a date and it was so nice to get out of the house with just the two of us! We enjoyed some good food at Tre Cugini. They have a BOGO coupon in the GR magazine. It's still good until Thursday if you want a nice meal out! Then I found a little corner in my stomach to try out the new frozen yogurt shop next door too... 

Daily Luggage

Just because it amazes me every morning, I had to snap a picture of this [moment in my life right now]. Here are all the things I needed to go to school today:

infant carseat

laptop bag

purse

breastpump

diaper bag

misc. school bag

crockpot

Now, today was unique with the crockpot (we were making vegetable soup in class) and I don't always need that extra school bag (it all depends on my lessons and supplies needed). But it is usually quite a routine to pack it all in the morning, get each of us ready [happily] and fed, double check my list to make sure I'm not forgetting crucial things like pacifiers and breast milk, and get out the door on time. God bless those full-time working moms!! 

Advice

Advice.

Pride. 

Those two don't play nice around here. 

My pride usually wins out and taking advice becomes hard. 

Which is sad. 

People mean well when they give advice. 

They aren't judging you.

But that's how I usually take it. 

They must be advising me because they think I'll mess up or I've already done it incorrectly.

Today, I'm glad I took advice. 

Two years ago Derek's aunt told me to always check my oven before preheating it.

She said it was a chuckle, remembering when her boys put some plastic toys in their oven.

I chuckled, trying to take the advice graciously.

And shuddered at the thought of having to clean that out of an oven!

Friends, always check your oven before you preheat it.

I'm glad I did!

Apparently she was "baking" her sippy cup in her play time yesterday. 

I've never seen her open the oven door by herself... 

well, I still haven't.

Snow Day

I actually got a snow day today! We're still in our PJs over here and we baked cookies already this morning. 

Three Months Old

Dear Elijah,

You are three months old already and such a cutie. Oh, I love those chubby cheeks and thighs. You're a mama's boy right now and I love the snuggles. You fuss and fuss for everyone else and then as soon I get you you're fine. The only time you really cry for me is when you're really mad about our nursing time being over or when you're sleepy. Then it just talks a few minutes of snuggles and you're asleep.

You sleep pretty good. We can have you to bed between 9:30 and 10pm at night. You'll sleep in 3-4 hour slots. Sometimes you'll skip that late evening one and go 6 hours between feedings so we try and get you to bed as soon as Abigail is down and then we "run" to bed too.

You eat great! (Mama's Milk) You eat roughly at: 6:30am, 9:30/10am, 12:30/1pm, 4:30pm, 7:30/8pm, (11pm or skip it), and sometime between 1am and 3am. You'll skip the 11pm feeding sometime. If I try to feed you at 11pm in hopes that you'll skip the 1-3am feeding it never works. You must like that middle of the night snack.

You smile for me all the time and even laugh out loud! You started trying to "talk" as well, it's really cute to hear the "ahh" come from your mouth and then you kick and swing your arms all excited! You love to watch Abbi and other kids as well. You'll holler if you're left alone and can't watch people. 

You try to "kiss" when I pick you up and kiss you. When I go to give you a kiss you open your mouth and eyes really big.You hold your hands together and suck your hands and fingers more now. You kinda notice/watch tv when it is on which is funny (or if you're on my lab and I'm on the computer... as long as the screen is changing often enough to get her attention).

You wear 6 month clothes right now and shoes sizes 1-2. You're in size 2 diapers.

You weigh 15 pounds.

Here is your sister at three months old. 

Love,
Mommy

First Snow of 2013

 Mmm... hot cocoa with marshmallows. 

(instead of being excited, my toddler said, "No! I don't WANT hot cocoa, I want hot chocolate!" oops)

 This guy slept through it all while we played outside (with the monitor of course). 

Yup, his hat falls off in his sleep sometimes.

Cubicle Snack Jars

We made these for Derek this Christmas. Jars that could sit on his desk at work with our photos on them. 

Abigail got "sweet" with M&Ms in it.

Elijah got the "sour" jar with sour gummy watermelons in it.

My picture was labeled "salty" with salted almonds in it.

He's already looking for refills... :)

Skyping

One of Abigail's latest imaginary games is to get this toy out and "Skype" with her aunties and uncles. If you ask her who they are they always remain the same!

Dan, Sarah, Chris, Elizabeth, and Abigail

She always gets to be the purple monkey... it's so unfair, I'm sure everyone would like to be the purple monkey, right?!

Maroon Platoon

From the graduating classes of 2028 and 2031:

At Home

Footprint Plates

 It took a few days for the black and blue paints to wash off of Elijah's tiny toe nails after this craft!

 You can hardly tell that spaceship is made from a foot print!