Memorial Day Weekend 2011

We decided to make a mini vacation out of Memorial Day weekend. Matt has been working a lot so it was fantastic to spend some quality time with him. We went down to Kemah, stopping at the Battleship Texas on the way down, went to the Kemah boardwalk, then on the last day we drove on down to Galveston. Elijah is at the perfect age where he LOVES the water, games, trains, boats etc. We stayed in the THE best hotel. It had the sweetest set up. TWO bathrooms, so Elijah was holed up in one in his pack n play at night and I didn't have to go downstairs and use the lobby bathroom in the middle of the night- yes I have to pee all the time. Here are the pics of the trip.

SOOO excited for the train ride! I love the shiny, red cheeks. A true sign that it is summer!

Riding the airplane ride. I didn't think he'd like it but he was obsessed.

Pointing to the fish at the aquarium restaurant. Funny side story: We were sitting down at our table, Elijah was being very fussy-kept pointing to his stomach. He had a very wet diaper so I figured it was bothering him. So Matt changed him. He STILL was pointing to his stomach and whining very loud. So I took him over to the fish tank to distract him til our dinner was ready. He made a beeline for some leftover food on a tray and kept pointing and sobbing, "be be be!!" Then it dawned on me, he was STARVING! The sun and rides really worked up his appetite! He has never indicated this by pointing to his stomach so it was new thing for all of us. He then proceeded to eat all of his dinner and some of mine :)

Visiting the Battleship Texas. Probably the best memorial site I've ever been to. Elijah loved watching the boats.

Matt pretending to take down an enemy plane.

They had this section full of different size corks. Whenever the ship got hit, the simply plugged up the hole with a cork.

At the memorial building.

Elijah looking up and saying, "WOW!"

We went to this restaurant that was featured on the food network. A popular item is Armadillo Eggs- a huge pickled jalapeno, stuffed with brisket then battered and deep fried. It was definitely something you could only take a few bites of. We decided that the food was good, but we don't have the stomachs or palate for southern food. Neither of us at much of our entrees- Me chicken fried steak and Matt pork ribs.

At the small beach near our hotel. Elijah is such a water baby. He loved going waaay out into the water with Dad and getting hit by the waves.

Elijah looks so big just building sand castles with Dad.

  

 

Train ride video

 

Airplane ride video

 

Matt trying his hand at acting. And me forgetting about my kid who was about a foot from going overboard.

 

Elijah flying his first kite. He became distracted by the dog in the distance, then on his way back decided to sit down in the sand and play.

 

Got some action of him liking the kite- for 10 seconds :)

Easter 2011

        This is Elijah on Easter morning.

And the succession of pictures we took to try and get a good one. I don't think they turned out too bad :) Love my handsome boys.

We had a great Easter. Elijah went on two egg hunts. He would pause after every egg, open it to see what was inside then toss it in his basket. The day before we had a pot luck at the neighbors house, which Elijah loved. They have two dogs and he was in heaven. On Easter Sunday we got all dolled up, went to church, came home and took naps, then I made a delicious Easter dinner. I tried my hand at rack of lamb for the first time. Oh.My.Gosh. Best thing I've ever tasted. We had a fantastic Easter and loved having the time devoted to remembering our Saviors resurrection.

Elijah updates: 22 months

 Love this little boy more than words can describe. What did we ever do without him!

-Has added cheese, car, mole, bra (yes, bra, he is my little shadow :), scar, bath, boo boo and waffle to his repretoire. I'm sure he says many more I just can't decipher them yet.
-So obedient and the best helper. Puts his binkies and bunnies in his crib when I ask, never fights nap or bedtime, helps me bring groceries and the garbage cans in, puts things in the trash when I ask him and many many more. Such a sweet little boy.
-Loves to help me bake and make breakfast
-Obsessed with Thomas the Train and dogs.
-Loves playing with the hose.
-Starting to pretend play with his stuffed animals and us. He pretends to give Elmo medicine or wants us to pretend to play the trumpet with anything stick like.
-Loves dancing
-Refuses to eat most "kid" foods. He'll eat maybe 3 bites if he's starving to death of: hot dogs, mac and cheese, hamburgers, most pastas besides ravioli. Weird child, I try but I think he's becoming much more aware of textures he likes and doesn't like.
-His favorite foods are grilled cheese, any fruit, beans, and ravioli. He also seems to know that anything with a crinkly wrapper is good and he immediately wants it.

Elijah Lately

 

Sprinkler video

Running through the sprinklers- post haircut. LOVES the water.

Cutest face I've ever seen-covered in blackberries after a stroll through the farmers market.

This is the face he gives the camera when I whip it out. He gets so excited! He LOVES watching himself.

One day he discovered that the drawer on his train table was rather comfortable and made it much more efficient to reach the trains. Clever little boy.

We went on a walk one day and he was being so cute. He was actually SITTING and SMILING for the camera. He looks so grown up.

He LOVES grocery shopping. He gets to ride in the car, drive with his feet and eat special snacks. Everytime we pass the store he yells, "CAR!" and squeals.

This is his "OOOOOHHHH" face. When he likes something and is excited about it, he does this. Amy can attest that he does this A LOT!

 

Elijah got a little golf set for Easter and this is him in action. Matt has been teaching him to fish out the golf balls from under the couch with his club.

 

Elijah "golfing"

 Lately, Elijah has really gotten into reading his books. Mostly Thomas the Train books. Whenever we get in the car he usually asks for a book and just happily reads away while we drive. I just think it is so adorable.

Baby Sunday #2- 21 weeks (ITS A BOY!!)

Obsessions/Rampages: Kind of obsessed that we're having another boy. I know boy already, I've got all the stuff and I want Elijah to have a brother to rely on as they grow up together. He and Elijah will be almost the exact distance apart that Kiersten and I are and remember having some of the best times (and getting her in trouble for giggling at night while we shared a room, even though it was really me making all the racket! ha!) I can already tell Elijah's going to be so helpful. He is such an obedient little boy, rarely throws tantrums and has a ready smile. The ultrasound of baby boy was the best. Within the first 5 seconds of putting the ultrasound wand on my second there was a little peep and bum staring right at you, the tech wasn't even looking for it! He just wanted us to know he was here! Also, he seems to have a different profile than Elijah's-more like mine- straight nose, flatter features. We shall see! Obsessed with where we are going to put the little fella when he arrives. I basically lived up stairs for the first 4 months with Elijah- seeing as I had to pump every 3 hours. I think we'll just organize and make room then decide what to do once he gets here. Rampage: My "freckles" are back, the same ones I got with Elijah while I was pregnant, thankfully they seem to go away after delivery. I didn't think they were that noticeable til Matt said something yesterday and he never notices things like that so I knew they must be pretty big.

Elations/Worries: Elated I'm getting somewhat of a belly. You can definitely tell I have one at the end of day vs. the morning. Although others say they can't tell much, I feel it! Also elated with all the little punches and kicks I've been feeling lately. Such a fun reminder throughout the day to feel him wiggling around. Worries- My runs are now over :( I usually workout during Elijah's nap but the last few weeks whenever I run for longer than 20 mins I am wiped out for the rest of the day and my head hurts. Perhaps my body telling me to take it easy. That's ok, walking, yoga and elliptical seem to wear me out enough and give me a little endorphin rush in the middle of the day. Probably because Elijah just seems to sap up my energy, he's such a fun little bundle of energy that I don't want to miss anything. I'm also worried about the preterm labor again, I feel like my body is working a lot harder this time around, just playing with Elijah and lugging him around. 30 lbs is feeling heavy these days. I try to take it as easy as possible on the weekends but it's not fun just sitting around. We'll see what happens as time goes on and hopefully if I just listen to my body signals everything will be a okay. And my sciatic is acting up, one of the downsides of not carrying your baby directly out front is that mine seem to like to settle right near my back against my nerves, ouch!


Aversions/Cravings: Water, love water. The summer heat is making me so thirsty.  Still not loving avocados. Love a turkey, cheese, tomato, sprout sandwich with hummus. I probably eat that 3-4 times a week for lunch. I still snarf down a bowl of cereal the second I wake up in the morning. I'm usually starving to the point that I'm nauseous. Also smoothies are a hit for myself and Elijah, he goes to the cupboard and points at the blender at least 3 times a week.

Baby Sunday #2: 17 weeks

 Baby Sunday #2: 17 weeks 

Obsessions/Rampages: Obsessed with putting my house together. We have a bunch of projects that have been on hold the last 5 months, but now that I'm feeling like myself I can go back to being proactive about things. Obsessed with blowing my nose, I always have a stuffy nose. I remember the same thing happening with Elijah. Rampages, not many just a tad bit more feisty than usual, but that's to expected with all the hormones.

Elations/Worries: Elated that I feel great again. I have my energy back, sleep a normal amount of hours and I get to eat food without puking! Yeah!  Also elated that I am starting to the feel the first "flutters" of movement. I forgot how fun it is to feel the little person growing inside move around. So precious. Elated that I have a little belly and elated my clothes still fit, although my jeans are getting a tad snug in the tummy. No worries at the moment I feel great about everything so far and can't wait to find out what we're having.

Aversions/Cravings: Aversions include mostly chicken and avocado. I can handle chicken in small amounts when it is mixed with a bunch of other stuff but don't expect me to just eat a chicken breast, yuck. No cravings yet. Although a lime fruit bar at the end of the day always tastes good and satisfies my sweet tooth. I'm trying to eat better and I can't handle all the sugar I ate with my first pregnancy. I need the energy that eating well provides so I can keep up with everything I want/need to do on a daily basis and eating a bunch of junk doesn't do that.

Elijah Videos Dec- March

 

 1st time going down the slide by himself- 17months

 

Just a typical day enjoying his yogurt, practicing with a spoon- 18 months.

 

Playing with a new set of Legos with Dad-17 months

 

Christmas Morning 2010 @ Grandma and Grandpa Andertons 17 months

Our neighbors gave us this bike for Elijah, great neighbors right!? He loves this thing.

Showing all his cool tricks-20 months

 

(I can't figure out how to turn the videos so you'll just need to turn your head until I figure it out :)

iphone photos from Dec-March

I love going grocery shopping, I get to drive!

Reading his scriptures like a good little boy :)

1st Fire Ant attack, poor baby!

Just chillin with my cool hat :)

New favorite place to play: laundry basket with some sort of toy. This day happened to be an old cell phone. The expression on his face is classic Elijah. I love it.

Katie and Kyle sledding during Christmas 2010.

Elijah wasn't a fan of the snow, too cold for this Houston boy!

Looking dapper for his first day of nursery. These were the best pics we could get, he was itching to run around. I think he looks darling.

Elijah- 20 months

I can't believe my baby is almost 2! Yet I can believe it, it has been the shortest and longest two years of my life :) He is getting so big. I swear over the last few months he has sprouted into this big boy with all these opinions and communicates so well. We love him so much, he makes us laugh at least 10 times a day. My favorite times with him are right after he wakes up in the morning and right before naps. It's the only time I can get him to sit still and snuggle with me. I love it.

- LOVES being outside. He starts to get really whiny and needy around 10 am or so and it's usually because he wants to get out of the house and go run around somewhere other than our house.
-Loves trains, trucks and playing in my makeup drawer. And he still can't get enough of animals, adores animals.
-Has yet to make peace with the vacuum.
-Is speaking more clearly everyday. Had added ball, blue, bird, binkie, the letter 'z' and 'b', and whenever he sees a cool toy or something he thinks is pretty dang neat he says, "OOOOOHHHH, yoah!"
-Doesn't talk a ton but I never feel it gets in the way of figuring out what he wants. He's very good at using his body language and showing me where things are. He's pretty easy for me to read.
-Loves Barney. I have no idea why but I turned it on one day when I was super sick and he has been obsessed ever since.
-He never stops. He goes and goes until he crashes for his nap and bed.
-Loves running through the sprinklers.
-Has learned that fire ants hurt really bad. He innocently dipped his hand into a pile to retrieve a cool stick (his other love-sticks) and he started whimpering and brushing his hands together. So sad. He had so many bites.
- Always has something in his hand, always. It's like he doesn't know how to play without holding something.
-Loves jumping on the bed. He has yet to fall off and bump his head :)
-Is very observant. I call him 'The Observer' (from the show Fringe). He loves just taking everything in and watching people. I think this may be why he remembers everything and knows where everything is.
- Is so sweet and gives us hugs and kisses on command.

Baby Sunday #2- 13 weeks

So it's probably time to start doing this again so this child gets an account of my pregnancy with him or her. It has gone by so much faster this time around. I think I'll just update every 4 weeks unless something exciting or hugely different happens within that 4 weeks. So lets get this party started!

Baby around 12 weeks

Due Date: October 3, 2011

Baby Sunday #2- 13 weeks

Obsessions/Rampages- I'm really obsessed that I think this baby is going to be a girl. Just an inkling in my mind. I don't feel as sick with this one as I did with Elijah, my skin is terrible- the opposite of my first pregnancy and I don't have as many cravings or aversions. But this may just be because I don't have as much time to sit on my butt and think about being sick or what I want to eat, I just have to suck it up and eat something before I have to chase after a toddler. I guess we'll find out in 7 weeks!

Elations/ Worries- Elated that I'm finally feeling better than I was a few weeks ago. Weeks 5-11 were terrible for me. So tired, nauseous all the time (with only a few throw ups, thank goodness) and my house was a mess. Now I only get sick in the evenings usually, which is nice because Matt is home to help me. I love that man.  Also elated that I've managed to keep up with my workouts the last couple of weeks. I still am comfortable running (I couldn't run past 14 weeks with Elijah, I'd have to go to the bathroom every 5 mins). I feel in much better shape than when I got pregnant with Elijah. Worries- No worries really, things are going really well. Although I wish my house were cleaner but whatever. One day my house will be spotless and I'll be wanting all my little ones back to mess it up! Better love it while it lasts. Oh wait there is one worry, that I'll have pre-term labor again (which was barely pre-term, but still it made everything that much harder). My doctor said it may happen, it may not. I just need to keep my salt intake somewhat low and if my blood pressure rises around 24 weeks or so than she'll order me to take a nap everyday, which believe it or not actually helps quite a bit. Nice to know I have an excuse to nap now :)

Aversions/ Cravings- Aversions- any type of poultry. Gross. And Avocado. Which is a big bummer, I ate that all the time before. Cravings-Love cereal again and Malt-o-Meal. I really can eat just about everything just as long as I don't wait too long to eat. Then I get so sick to my stomach that NOTHING sounds good. So I eat about every 2-3 hours, which can be a chore on some days when I'm out and about and forget to pack something. But it could always be worse, so I'll take it.

Overall I'm very excited about this new addition and for Elijah to be a big brother. I feel so blessed to be able to carry and have children. I love being a mom and I tear up every time I think about giving birth or watch one of those baby shows. Such a miracle.

Just in case you haven't heard...

Elijah has something to say...

Baby Sunday Part 2 will continue...

Elijah- 18 months

 Stats: 28.4 lbs (75%tile)
           33.5 inches (75%tile)
(Not sure how accurate these are, he was thrashing most of the time)

Skillz/Facts:
-Loves running EVERYWHERE
-Has the cutest little gallop/jump
-Points and squeals with excitement whenever he sees a dog, truck, or playground
-LOVES the park/playgroud. He goes down all the slides by himself. He plops his bum down turns around and goes down on his stomach, backwards. He could spend all day outside.
-Is a man of few words (says mama, dada, cheese, more, please) but constantly babbles and understands pretty much everything I say to him (Edit on 1.29.2011- He all of a sudden is trying to say ball, truck, golfball, park, pizza)
-Has all his teeth accept his 2 year molars, which might be coming cuz he drools aaaall the time.
-Still sleeps like a champ and now takes 1 nap a day, anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hours
-Loves drinking from cups and waterbottles
-Is becoming much more paticular about the food he eats, but I still can't complain he does a great job.  He is also practicing at using a spoon and fork.
-Loves pouting/sobbing when I won't let him do what he wants. Sad and funny.
-Loves playing with bowls of change (pennies are his fav.)
-Had his first time at nursery and was great the whole time. Didn't cry, he was pretty shy throughout just observing everyone, that's what the nursery worker said. We just dropped him and left when he wasn't looking :)(Edit on 1.29.2011- Pretty sure nursery has ruined him. He is now terrified anytime a child or adult is within 10 ft. of him and he can't see us. He thinks we are going to leave or something. He NEVER did that before he would usually just stare and observe. Maybe we shouldn't have just abandoned him the first time in nursery. We'll see what he does next week.)
-Sometimes he gets so upset when we have to get him ready for bed, he forgets to breath and almost passed out on us once.
- Loves watching Elmo videos on Youtube.
-Loves playing with pens- and now knows how to push the clicker down, this I noticed by looking at my couch the other day
-Likes to pound on piano keys
-We've trained him to give us back tickles, lasts about 5 seconds but he'll get better :)
-Hates getting his diaper changed or getting dressed, he crys and screams for about 1 min then settles down.
- Plays really well on his own. I was deathly ill last week (strep throat) and I laid on the floor til Matt got home and he just played around, making messes. Pretty sure he loved not having me bothering him. The only time he acknowledged me was when he needed his sippy filled up. I'd be passed out on the floor, he'd get in my face and say "EH,EH!" and shove his sippy towards me. So cute. Love that little boy.
-Gives the best hugs and kisses
-Loves playing with toy cars and mega blocks- mostly knocking the blocks over.

Funny of the Day

Matt was trying to put a video in our VCR so he could record a game (so old school, right?), and for some reason the video wouldn't go in. He tried about 5 times before I suggested that he make sure there isn't something stuck inside-remembering that we used to have the VCR down lower and Elijah would play with it and push the buttons. Well sure enough, Matt reached inside and felt a very familiar object hiding in the back corner....a binky. Love when Elijah does things like this, reminds us how cute he is! (And yes Matt is acutally recording something on VHS, he actually had to look it up on the internet to find out how!)

Elijah videos- from the last 3 months

   

Elijah's first pony ride, he loved it! He loves animals, don't ask me how, I certainly don't encourage it!

We went and saw Santa during our neighborhood Winter Festival. Elijah a NOT a fan. But who can blame him, he is a little creepy if you think about it.

About to be dropped into Santa's lap. He was clutching onto my arm SO tight!

Get me out of here!!

There was a petting zoo at our neighborhood Winter festival. Elijah loved just walking around and touching the animals, this llama he liked touching but once it started walking towards him he couldn't get away fast enough!
 

I love this sight. Elijah "reading". It's my favorite thing to see his little mind growing and observing instead of glued to the TV. I'm glad we've encouraged it. And for people with small children you know how big of a deal it is to get them to sit still for 2 seconds so this video is a big deal. We love our little boy!

 

Learning his body parts.

  

Like father, like son. The beginning of LEGOS. He loves taking apart his LEGOS. I find them EVERYWHERE- my nightstand, laundry baskets, purse. I love it. Makes me happy to see him loving this stuff.

This is the first time Elijah has EVER flipped out getting his hair cut (and I've given him probably 5). Must have been the late hour, but now whenever he even SEES the cape he whimpers. So funny!
 

Elijah rarely ever gets sugary treats, so when he got a taste of the good stuff (Pellegrino Lemonata) he went nuts. Can you say sugar rush!

More iphone photos

GOT MILK?

DIGGING FOR GOLD: The 1st Expedition

Little devil

Elijah-15 months

Stats: 25.68 lbs 60th %tile
          32 inches 75th %tile
          19.5 inch head 

Skillz:
-says mama, dada, maaa(milk), signs more and please and a bunch of other things I can't make out yet
-loves reading books, stacking cups, putting lids on things, trying to put puzzle pieces in their places
-loves pointing at things, handing us whatever he has in his hand and then pointing so he can have it
back
-Sleeps 7-7, takes 1-2 naps a day.
-If he doesn't like to eat something or when he's full he takes it out of his mouth and drops it on the floor
-Has started mini tantrums- he goes limp on the floor, folds over in his lap with his head on the floor and whimpers. He'll also throw things if he's frustrated or wants something different
-He has inherited his mother's impatience, and his father's sweet nature
-Goes up the stairs all by himself, but has yet to learn how to go down
-When I say it's time for bed he heads over to the stairs and looks at me. He knows his binkies and softy blankets are in his crib upstairs
- 6 teeth on top, 9 on bottom. Molar #2 is peaking through as we speak. Which by the way those molars were very painful for him. He had mysterious diarrhea for a whole week just from all the extra saliva he was swallowing.
-Loves watching Elmo
-Still fairly people shy (and by people I mean those over 4 ft tall), depends on the day and mood he is in
-Favorite foods are milk, italian food, pancakes, grilled cheese w/ tomatoes, etc... he'll eat just about anything (except plain rice, I don't think he likes the texture)
-LOVES animals, especially dogs
-Still flips out whenever the vacuum or blender are on
-Loves jumping off the stadium seating in our media room. Don't worry he jumps off onto a pile of blankets. This was daddy's idea. I have a heart attack 5 times out of 10.
 -Loves playing with his LEGOS

iPhone Photos

We got caught in the rain while loading the car with groceries!

I love the swings if you can't tell!

Trying on some new kicks (which are already too small) And I'm just going to call Elijah "the Blur". He runs everywhere!

The hairdresser in me had to spike up his hair, so kewl :)

This is a momentus occasion that must be recorded for posterity. Elijah fell asleep, in broad daylight, in the car!! He hasn't done that since he was like 8 months old. Adorable. And notice how his little feet are crossed, he does that whenever he is sitting.

 

 

 

 

 

 And some sweet photos of my niece Emmalee. I gave her my phone to entertain herself in the car and this is what I found on them the next day, I about peed my pants. So funny! Oh and don't worry she also took a 22 minute video of who knows what! This little girl kills me!

Trying out a suit for the wedding