Getting a 2 month picture of Ellie was a process today, thanks to her overly helpful big brother.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Happy 2 Months Ellie!
Getting a 2 month picture of Ellie was a process today, thanks to her overly helpful big brother.
Yeah!
This video is from a couple months ago when Ellie first came home and Griff's parents were here. Riley had finished all his breakfast and we were all really excited about that. Take a look.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Tuesday
A few weeks ago I heard on the Today show that Tuesdays are the worst day of the week for people. I really couldn't think of reasons why then, but today I can. Today has been a challenging/annoying/frustrating day, and it is only 11:40am. In the midst of it all there were blessing and I am trying really hard to focus on those.
One of the blessings is that Ellie slept through the night. I fed her at 10 and when I woke at 5 she had yet to be fed. I thought maybe I had slept so hard that she was crying, I didn't hear her and Griff got up and fed her. But he didn't get up either. Thank you Lord that Ellie slept through the night! The down side to feeding Ellie at 5:30 is that by the time she was done it was pointless to go back to bed, knowing that I would just need to feed her again at 7 in order to keep her on schedule. Today we really needed a schedule because I needed to take the Sante Fe in for an oil change at 8:30, run to Central Market to get milk and vegetables and make it home before her next feeding. So, after she was fed I jumped in the shower and started getting ready for the day. Riley started making noise at 6:15. It makes me wonder at what age it is that kids complain about getting up early and just want to sleep in. Riley doesn't quite get that yet. After I got myself semi-ready I headed into Riley's room. This is always a highlight because I love seeing his smiling face looking back at me. Another blessing. thank you Lord! Once we was dressed we ate a small breakfast, I fed Ellie again and we loaded up the car to make it to the scheduled oil change on time.
We were making great time and both kids were quiet when all of the sudden, while stopped behind a semi in front of the light our first major problem happened. As the light was still red another car pulled up into the left lane beside the car. Apparently she didn't see the semi had his left turn signal on and he didn't see her pull up next to him. As the light turn green he started to turn, she started to move and he without knowing plowed right into her side. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop? I had a car full of kids, an appointment to get to and not much time. I saw her get out of the car fine, heard him yell at her, saw the police man there within seconds and make the decision to keep driving. Despite the accident we actually got to Firestone early and my hope was that they would get me right in and we could be back home soon after 9. That didn't happen.
I dropped the car off, communicated to them the quicker they could get this done the better since I had a 2 and 19 month old with me and we took off in the double wide stroller for the Market. Once there got the needed goods and we even got a little snack and sat and ate a danish together. Ellie slept great and Riley was a peach. Another blessing! But, the Sante Fe was still not done. So I decided to walk around town waiting for the phone call that it was ready to be picked up. Things went downhill fast...
As we were walking I realized that the chai I had partially drank earlier in the morning was now hitting me. Great, I'm downtown, and have no idea where there is a public, handicap accessible bathroom. I find a city worker cleaning the sidewalk and ask him if he knows where one might be. Thankfully it was right inside the building I was standing in front of. I walk in the door and see a security check point staring me in the face. What! I have two kids strapped into a double stroller full of groceries and I have to go. I talk to the security officer who was very patient and kind and though I couldn't bypass the check point he was very helpful. Of course my double wide stroller didn't fit through the metal detector and we had to make a scene to get around and get everything through safely. I was getting really annoyed at this point as if Firestone would have just been on top of things, my car would have been done by now, it was 9 and they had had it for 45 minutes, and I could have been on my way home. Finally I got us into the restroom right as I was locking the door behind us Firestone calls. Are you kidding me?! I did my business and then maneuver us back out of the bathroom and out of the building.
By this time Ellie is waking up and starting to cry. She doesn't seem to want her pacifier and so we walk quickly. I get the car back, get the kids loaded into the car, and get ready to leave, all the while Ellie is telling me she is very very hungry. We make the 15 minute drive home without seeing an accident but enjoy the yelling, and crying of Ellie the entire way. It was one of the cries that she chokes herself up. It's the kind that makes me nervous and just wants to get her out and comfort her but I know we have got to get home. During the most intense time of Ellie's crying Riley just started making funny sounds. He brought a smile to my face. Thank you Lord for this little boy and the blessing he is to me!
We got home and I unload food and children as quickly as possible and get Ellie's bottle ready. She is finally calmed down and eating in my arms and now Riley is expressing his desire for attention. Oh Lord, help please. To make a long hour short I fed Ellie, laid her down to play and poured a bunch of blueberries (boobies as Riley would call them) onto his plate. As I was trying to clean him up I knocked over the half empty cup of chai I had left on the table earlier. In my attempt to clean up my mess, I stubbed my toe on a chair, hit my head on the table and said a few not child friendly expressions under my breath. Ellie was crying again, probably because Riley had just stepped on her leg. Is it nap time yet? No. Well, it is going to be. It is now 12:15 Riley is sleeping and Ellie is asleep beside me on the floor. Thank you Lord for sleeping children. But now I understand why Tuesdays are the worst day of the week. It's gotta get better from here right?
One of the blessings is that Ellie slept through the night. I fed her at 10 and when I woke at 5 she had yet to be fed. I thought maybe I had slept so hard that she was crying, I didn't hear her and Griff got up and fed her. But he didn't get up either. Thank you Lord that Ellie slept through the night! The down side to feeding Ellie at 5:30 is that by the time she was done it was pointless to go back to bed, knowing that I would just need to feed her again at 7 in order to keep her on schedule. Today we really needed a schedule because I needed to take the Sante Fe in for an oil change at 8:30, run to Central Market to get milk and vegetables and make it home before her next feeding. So, after she was fed I jumped in the shower and started getting ready for the day. Riley started making noise at 6:15. It makes me wonder at what age it is that kids complain about getting up early and just want to sleep in. Riley doesn't quite get that yet. After I got myself semi-ready I headed into Riley's room. This is always a highlight because I love seeing his smiling face looking back at me. Another blessing. thank you Lord! Once we was dressed we ate a small breakfast, I fed Ellie again and we loaded up the car to make it to the scheduled oil change on time.
We were making great time and both kids were quiet when all of the sudden, while stopped behind a semi in front of the light our first major problem happened. As the light was still red another car pulled up into the left lane beside the car. Apparently she didn't see the semi had his left turn signal on and he didn't see her pull up next to him. As the light turn green he started to turn, she started to move and he without knowing plowed right into her side. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop? I had a car full of kids, an appointment to get to and not much time. I saw her get out of the car fine, heard him yell at her, saw the police man there within seconds and make the decision to keep driving. Despite the accident we actually got to Firestone early and my hope was that they would get me right in and we could be back home soon after 9. That didn't happen.
I dropped the car off, communicated to them the quicker they could get this done the better since I had a 2 and 19 month old with me and we took off in the double wide stroller for the Market. Once there got the needed goods and we even got a little snack and sat and ate a danish together. Ellie slept great and Riley was a peach. Another blessing! But, the Sante Fe was still not done. So I decided to walk around town waiting for the phone call that it was ready to be picked up. Things went downhill fast...
As we were walking I realized that the chai I had partially drank earlier in the morning was now hitting me. Great, I'm downtown, and have no idea where there is a public, handicap accessible bathroom. I find a city worker cleaning the sidewalk and ask him if he knows where one might be. Thankfully it was right inside the building I was standing in front of. I walk in the door and see a security check point staring me in the face. What! I have two kids strapped into a double stroller full of groceries and I have to go. I talk to the security officer who was very patient and kind and though I couldn't bypass the check point he was very helpful. Of course my double wide stroller didn't fit through the metal detector and we had to make a scene to get around and get everything through safely. I was getting really annoyed at this point as if Firestone would have just been on top of things, my car would have been done by now, it was 9 and they had had it for 45 minutes, and I could have been on my way home. Finally I got us into the restroom right as I was locking the door behind us Firestone calls. Are you kidding me?! I did my business and then maneuver us back out of the bathroom and out of the building.
By this time Ellie is waking up and starting to cry. She doesn't seem to want her pacifier and so we walk quickly. I get the car back, get the kids loaded into the car, and get ready to leave, all the while Ellie is telling me she is very very hungry. We make the 15 minute drive home without seeing an accident but enjoy the yelling, and crying of Ellie the entire way. It was one of the cries that she chokes herself up. It's the kind that makes me nervous and just wants to get her out and comfort her but I know we have got to get home. During the most intense time of Ellie's crying Riley just started making funny sounds. He brought a smile to my face. Thank you Lord for this little boy and the blessing he is to me!
We got home and I unload food and children as quickly as possible and get Ellie's bottle ready. She is finally calmed down and eating in my arms and now Riley is expressing his desire for attention. Oh Lord, help please. To make a long hour short I fed Ellie, laid her down to play and poured a bunch of blueberries (boobies as Riley would call them) onto his plate. As I was trying to clean him up I knocked over the half empty cup of chai I had left on the table earlier. In my attempt to clean up my mess, I stubbed my toe on a chair, hit my head on the table and said a few not child friendly expressions under my breath. Ellie was crying again, probably because Riley had just stepped on her leg. Is it nap time yet? No. Well, it is going to be. It is now 12:15 Riley is sleeping and Ellie is asleep beside me on the floor. Thank you Lord for sleeping children. But now I understand why Tuesdays are the worst day of the week. It's gotta get better from here right?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Happy 25th to Griff
Griff turned 25 today and to celebrate we went to the Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville and took a tour. It is the oldest brewery in the US and it was really interesting to walk through. We got to go into the cave under ground that took 10 years to chisel out, only to be walled up by the government during the Prohibition. We got to walk through where they brew everything and and the bottling assembly area as well as get a little sample before we left town. It was a fun day together. And I think Ellie is officially the youngest tourist they have ever had. She was a trooper and slept the entire time.
And of course, what blog post would be complete without some cute kiddo pictures. In the first pic is Riley all swaddled up like Ellie ready for a nap. He really doesn't sleep this way but loves being swaddled by Mommy the way I swaddle Ellie. And notice the Cabbage Patch doll he is holding. It was mine as a child and he likes to carry it around sometimes and pats its back just like Mommy does Ellie. The last couple pictures shows Riley in one of my childhood shirts. Go Hawkeyes!
And of course, what blog post would be complete without some cute kiddo pictures. In the first pic is Riley all swaddled up like Ellie ready for a nap. He really doesn't sleep this way but loves being swaddled by Mommy the way I swaddle Ellie. And notice the Cabbage Patch doll he is holding. It was mine as a child and he likes to carry it around sometimes and pats its back just like Mommy does Ellie. The last couple pictures shows Riley in one of my childhood shirts. Go Hawkeyes!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Boots, Spots, and Pink
That is what these days seem to be filled with...
Boots - Riley loves wearing his cowboy boots (they were mine as a child). He would wear them daily if I would let him but I am so afraid they are gonna start stinking soon because he can't wear socks with them. The other day I told him to go put his shoes on because we were going to Wal-Mart and he brought me his boots. So, he wore the boots to Wal-Mart. He got lots of sweet comments from ladies there about his good lookin boots too and he really likes the attention of the ladies. :-)
Spots - The solver of all teething pain, sleep deprived crankiness and helper at nap times is Spots, Riley's stuffed dog. I honestly don't remember who gave Riley Spots at birth but I am ever grateful to them. He would carry this dog absolutely everywhere with him. He has torn the nose off, through days and nights of painful teething. The stuffing is slowly coming out as he is often Riley's wrestling partner. And I've washed it so many times there really aren't spots left on Spots. But, nonetheless he loves this dog and I love him too, a lot more though when he is freshly washed.
Pink - The color of baskets full of little girl laundry. Ellie continues to be a delight and I love putting on the sweet little pink girl clothes on her. I hope she doesn't one day grow up to hate the color. She is starting to engage more each day. She will follow you with her eyes and is starting to smile and coo. Those sweet little sounds make my day.
Boots - Riley loves wearing his cowboy boots (they were mine as a child). He would wear them daily if I would let him but I am so afraid they are gonna start stinking soon because he can't wear socks with them. The other day I told him to go put his shoes on because we were going to Wal-Mart and he brought me his boots. So, he wore the boots to Wal-Mart. He got lots of sweet comments from ladies there about his good lookin boots too and he really likes the attention of the ladies. :-)
Spots - The solver of all teething pain, sleep deprived crankiness and helper at nap times is Spots, Riley's stuffed dog. I honestly don't remember who gave Riley Spots at birth but I am ever grateful to them. He would carry this dog absolutely everywhere with him. He has torn the nose off, through days and nights of painful teething. The stuffing is slowly coming out as he is often Riley's wrestling partner. And I've washed it so many times there really aren't spots left on Spots. But, nonetheless he loves this dog and I love him too, a lot more though when he is freshly washed.
Pink - The color of baskets full of little girl laundry. Ellie continues to be a delight and I love putting on the sweet little pink girl clothes on her. I hope she doesn't one day grow up to hate the color. She is starting to engage more each day. She will follow you with her eyes and is starting to smile and coo. Those sweet little sounds make my day.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
1 and 19 Months
Ellie is just over a month old now and we are loving her more each day. She is a great baby with just a little issue with gas (this girl can fart with the best of them.) :-) She is doing great and bringing us lots of joy, though maybe not much sleep. Riley is enjoying her more and though he doesn't have a big interest in holding her he does like to be around her and help me with her. He has a small box he carries around with him to help him get up on the couch and other places and he has started pushing it up to the pack-n-play so he can peer in and watch me change her. Riley is growing, changing and learning so much each day. He is now 19 months old and loves to say the word "oopsy". It is so cute. He will purposefully knock things off his tray just so he can say, "oopsy". That isn't so cute but he is learning. And when it comes to Riley giving you a kiss he just pushes his head against yours. Also very cute. I love them both and I'm ever thankful for the family God has blessed me with, especially Griff. :-)
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Ellie and Grandpa Kevin getting in a little nap time together.
Ellie and Grammy Sandy meeting for the first time.
Riley is 18 months old and just had his first haircut. It wasn't really much of a haircut but rather a little snip of the mini rat tail that had been growing on the back of his head. Griff had wanted it cut for awhile but I kept putting it off. It's such a big first I just couldn't bring myself to do it. But, while my Dad distracted him I grabbed the scissors and clipped away. The cute little curls are gone but I must say it looks a lot better.
Daddy and Riley getting some playtime at the park.
Ellie's first bath! She did great. While Riley cried his head off during his first bath Ellie rather enjoyed the experience. She also likes having lotion rubbed all over her. I guess that is just a girl for you...likes being clean and smelling good.
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