Catching Up, Again

I feel like I have not posted anything in a long time but now that I see the date on the last post, it's only been a couple of weeks. This post is a little scattered but there were some things I wanted to record. The day after Eli's birthday party we went to the Dallas Zoo. The week before Luke had asked my Mom to take him to the zoo and then for ice cream. Don't know where he got that but that's what we did. Eli stayed home with Daddy while Luke, Nathan, Mimi, Uncle David, Kyle, Kristin and I went to the Dallas Zoo. It was fun, not too hot or too crowded. Mostly, I discovered the boys are still a little too young for the zoo. I pretty much just saw the backs of their heads as they ran after Kyle and Kristin. Here are a couple of shots to prove we were there.

On the monorail. I thought this would be a BIG hit with Luke but he was not that impressed.
The after-zoo ice cream treat!

Next Topic: On February 26 Luke went to his first (that he can remember) friend birthday party. It was for his friend Harry and was at WOGA. The interesting thing I found out was that Harry was turning 5, instead of 4. I guess I'm a little paranoid about Luke keeping up with the other kids in his class because his birthday is May 29 so it was quite surprising to find out at the party that several of the kids in his room are a year ahead and that a couple of moms there are planning to keep their kids back next year. I guess this is becoming a pretty common thing. Anyway, after the party Luke and I got something to eat. This, I'm sure, seems like a strange picture to post but sometimes a picture just really captures the essence of one of the boys. For some reason, I thought this picture really spoke of Luke. He tries so hard to be big and independent but really, he's just a little boy who loves his trains.

I was trying here to get a picture of him before the party.

Which turned to this.

And of course this.

Switching Again: Here we are in the backyard one day last week. It was this picture that made me realize Eli finally needed a haircut. Trains and mud and camo, oh my.

I did have a birthday on March 10. The big 36. On the downhill slope to 40. Am I where I thought I would be at age 36? Yes, pretty much. I thought I would be here a little sooner but basically I feel like things worked out the way they should. Time is a funny thing. In some ways it's moving so fast now but in others, it's still creeping. Ever had a head full of thoughts but nothing to say? That's how 36 feels so far. Maybe by 37 I'll have it all worked out. These are some flowers my very great friend, Sheila, sent me. Florida is just too far away.

Eli's Birthday!

Birthday Stats:

Weight: 17 lbs, 13 oz , less than 3%

Height: 30 inches, 60%

Head Circ.: 46.2 cm, 40%

Projected height and weight at age 18: 5'11'' and 120 lbs! HA! Maybe he'll be a supermodel!

Eli's actual birthday was on Wednesday which was a regular work day for all of us. But, I did manage to get some pictures of my sweetie as he woke up (actually I had to wake him up to go to school, he was sleeping in on his b-day).

Sweet baby, hated to wake him.

How many years to come of this mom why are you waking me up face?
There's my happy boy!
Ready for school. So much ham in my house we could build a pig.

Birthday Boy!

More brotherly love!

We had pizza and cupcakes for dinner to celebrate.

And, on party day...

The cake...

Party goers...

Frosting makes me H-A-P-P-Y!

Sugar Daze

Sweet Eli! What can I say about you that I have not said a million times? It is an absolute joy to watch you grow and change. You seem to change more and more quickly each day. You have started crawling to me when I come in and give me the most wonderful open mouthed slobbery kisses! You pat me on the back when I am holding you and whack me in the head if I'm not careful! Love pats I'm sure. You are pulling up, cruising around furniture and starting to let go a little. I'm sure you'll be walking before we know it. You love your brothers and always have a smile for them. They are a great source of entertainment for you! You are eating most anything you can with your two little teeth. You wear size three diapers and 12 month clothing. Your favorite toys are firetrucks that make noise, you push them everywhere! You also like the trains that have taken over our house. You LOVE Sandi. I am pretty sure you are saying "dog." But, I'm also pretty sure you are saying "stop" which is a very common word at our house but not the first word I had hoped for you. You love to be rocked at bedtime. Aside from some time you were sick recently, you sleep from about 8PM-7AM. Now if I could just get your brothers to do the same...I really, really can't imagine this life without you. I know our house is a little crazy sometimes Eli so thanks for your patience and calm manner. Your sweet smile cheers me even during the most poop infested bite fest. I love you baby! Thanks for being my sweet boy!

Happy Birthday!

Eli's real birthday post will come later, after his party on Saturday. But today, his actual birthday, I want to be sure and say Happy Birthday sweet Eli! One year ago today was your first day in this world. You always have been and still are the most amazing baby. It's hard to believe my little baby is one year old. This time last year you were a little bundle, swaddled tight, skinny little legs and quiet little cry. I can't even imagine this life without you.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

Happy Birthday!

I did not want to let today get away from me without wishing my Dad a Happy Birthday! There are a lot of things I could say about my Dad but basically he's the best Dad a girl could ask for. I could go on and on about all the times he's supported me, been there for me and helped me (unless it involves moving furniture up three flights of stairs :). In short, my Dad is Awesome!

Happy 7-0 Daddy!

Not Much

I think it's been about two weeks since my last post. Not much has been going on, at least nothing blog worthy. I went to a conference in San Antonio last week. I got a little stuck after the conference because of all the bad weather in Dallas and was not able to come home as soon as planned. I know Jeff was glad for me to get home when I finally made it. He had been stuck in the house for several days with all three boys because of all the bad weather. Thankfully, Jeff's Mom was able to come over and provide some much needed relief!

The next week was pretty uneventful too. Eli was sick and had to stay home Tuesday. Then, the boys were out again Wednesday because of snow and ice. Thursday the boys had Valentine parties at school. Luke really got Valentines Day this year so it was a lot of fun. Luke's teacher asked that we work with him and have him write his own name on the Valentines. So we did but the funny part is that he wanted to give every Valentine to Ms. Gina or Lauren. They are both very cute so not a bad idea I guess!

Valentine hat and love bug, made at school. Don't ask me what is up with Luke's smile.

Finally found the Elmo camera from Christmas. It was behind Nathan's bed.

Sweet Eli. Happy boy even when he feels terrible!

Still sick in this one but his lone tooth is showing. He does have another one coming in now so he'll have a couple to eat b-day cake with!

Tomorrow we start back on our regular schedule. Hopefully we won't have any snow or sick days!

Sweet Randomness

No theme or special happening with this post. Just some random things to record. I keep having these conversations with the boys that I want to remember but then seldom do. But, I just had one with Nathan and I'll write it here before I forget. I was taking him to get changed before nap time and he saw something and said, Hey! It's baby Jesus! I said wow, that's neat, I missed it (a common response for me since half the time I don't know what he is talking about). He said, can I touch it? Since I had no idea where the baby Jesus sighting came from I said, no, but one day when you are older you can ask Jesus to come and live in your heart, right here, and touched his chest. That was exciting because that set off a stream of, then Jesus can eat dinner with me, Jesus can go potty with me, Jesus can play with me. I agreed! It was neat and I'm glad I did not miss it.

We've had some great weather lately. Here we are in late January playing in the backyard.

Now here is something I would not have done with the other two...letting my 11 month old crawl around in the backyard. This one will have the strongest immune system known to man.

Watching a little Calliou. I can tell it's Monday in this picture because Luke is wearing his Monday Thomas shirt. He LOVES this shirt but it's stretched out, stained and too big. So, I strategically put it out on Mondays (when we stay home) so he will wear it. Then, when he wants to wear it to school, I can say, oh no, sorry honey but it's dirty! Manipulation, a seldom advertised but necessary skill of motherhood.

Mmmmm, Pop Tarts for breakfast.

Nathan wanted to help me cook dinner last night. Here he is on his step (there is a constant battle to keep the step in the bathroom, those couple of inches open up a whole new world of reach).

Mmmm, our dinner seems to mysteriously have a bite taken out of every piece?!

So the rest of this post could be filled with my ramblings about my swirling thoughts about what the next year will bring. I'm starting to interview for the permanent position at Texas Wesleyan. I'm pretty sure I'll get it but nothing will be final until probably the end of March. Then there is the question of when to move and where. I am ready to move because the drive is not fun and shortens my time to work which makes things all around hard. But, then I'm not ready to move and move the boys from their school, significantly lengthen Jeff's commute to the point where he could not pick up the boys (from their as yet unknown new school) which would cause problems with my job and schedule...so, I keep praying that everything will work out according to the right timing. And, that Jeff will get the right new job at the right time. Then there is the search for balance among my time at work, the boys, workout time (what's that? my flab says), and most importantly, time to pray about all this change. These are not complaints by any means, all these things are good and I spend many moments watching three little blond heads thinking how blessed I am. We just have some stuff to work out. These are precious moments and I appreciate each one, especially ones like right now when they are all asleep!

11 Months!

Happy Eleven Months Eli! They have certainly been happy for me. Here you are on the big day, slobbery shirt and all! It won't be long now until you are 1. I love you sweet boy!