Update

The last time I blogged the only pictures I had put in albums was Eli's first 2 years, Lilliana's first 3 months, and Newborn Photos of Ari that the Photographer took. The rest of my photos were on my hard drive. 

 

Since then I have gotten a lot done. Except for the pictures I am posting today all photos from this year have been printed and put in an album. It honestly has taken me maybe 5 hours total. Two nights of sitting down watching a movie and putting them in albums. Everything was already organized in folders on my computer so I was able to quickly just pick the photos I want and they uploaded for print. I went about my business and then came back to place the order. I also have January of 2012 done. I also have Ari's birth story half way done. I am having a block with that because it is involves digital scrapbooking and lately I have not wanted to be on the computer doing that, but I have been working on it. So here is a little sample of what I have gotten done. This album is from Project Life. You can look up Becky Higgins for more information on them. 

 

Since I have been gone I can't say I have take a lot of photos. I have not been getting much sleep, I sprained my ankle, and the kids have kept me busy. Ari has a lot of teeth coming in and screams all through bed time so it has meant sheer exhaustion.

For now a few pictures..........

 

I let Ari have spaghetti one night. He has not had many grains but I let him have fun.

 

Taking all three kids grocery shopping can be a lot these days, so instead I have been taking one child and just spending some time with them. Lilliana went with me a couple weeks ago. Normally I am busy in the store just trying to think about what we need. This time I was able to actually sit and talk to her and listen to her. She pointed out everything. Then we went by the sunglasses and she got so excited and insisted we stop and look. Then she saw these adorable glasses and honestly I couldn't turn her down because she looked so cute so she got them. She wore them the entire time through the store and everybody stopped to talk to her and tell her how cute she was. She ate that attention up and gave her cute silly smile. She even picked out a pair for Eli.

 

The first day of spring ushered in snow for us. It really has not gotten warm. The birds are everywhere with their beautiful songs but the warmth just is not. Hopefully soon.

 

When we got inside Lilliana crashed fell asleep oh so sweetly in the chair. 

 


This child has been a bit challenging the past couple weeks. I am hoping in the coming weeks as he gets outside more he burns off some energy. He is doing well with school, but if it gets hard he is giving up. He struggles with recognizing the number 9.  He also is testing his boundaries again. I told Anthony didn't we go through that at 3? We decided that maybe each year we will just deal with this.

 

This little boy has surgery coming up and we have been preparing for that. My heart drops every time I think about it and I am not looking forward to it but would rather just get it out of the way! 

 

That is about all that has been going on. I will be back to getting my photos printed but will probably update after this weekend. Have a wonderful week. 

More Presents

Living across the country from my family has many negatives and a few positives. One of the positives, is around holidays gifts trickle in from family members. So, it is like celebrating the holiday or birthday multiple times. It does not make up for not seeing them, but it helps fill a tiny space in a big gap.

Grandma Gloria's gifts did not make it in time for their birthday party. They arrived on Monday. Now Eli and Lilliana get excited when packages arrive because contrary to what my husband things 98% of them are for them....the other 2% well I am sure  you can guess are for me:) It arrived and they wanted to open the box. I knew it was coming so I made them wait while I wrapped their gifts. 

Lilliana opened hers first.......

 

She was SOOO excited to get her ballerina outfit and jewelry.

Eli opened his next in his underwear of course. He likes just wearing underwear.......

 

Yes, he got a doll. He has been begging for a doll for over 6 months now. Not just any doll a boy baby doll. So he got one. The doll came with the name Leamon Irvin. Eli won't change it or his clothes. He loves him. He puts him to bed and goes and plays other things. It is really cute. I personally have no problem with my boys playing dolls. It teaches them to be gentle and good dads. It is just like roll play. One day I want them to be amazing fathers just like their dad. They all play house and dress up so why not let him have a doll. I know in the end he will grow out of it and Lilliana will take him.

Lilliana got in her clothes right away and began dancing away. Eli was excited she got dancing clothes. He said, "yay! now I can dance with Lilliana." He grabbed her and began dancing. 

 

The necklace goes everywhere with her now. She wears the ballerina outfit all day too.

Eli put his doll to bed and some little girl went and got him. She is in love with Eli's baby and cries if we tell her it is Eli's. I feel bad but not every doll is hers. She would like it to be.

Honestly, I have dreamed of this moment. Watching her in her girly outfit taking care of her baby just melts my heart!! I LOVE every bit of it. 

 

Needless to say their birthday presents were a hit.

Ari has been Ari. His personality is just coming out more and more each week. He adores his brother and sister and is beginning to understand so much. Yesterday when they were playing dress up he was trying to put things on his head too. I put this mask on and he loved it. 

 

 He is growing up too quick. I laid him down and couldn't help but notice his adorable baby feet last night. Melts my heart. 

 

 Then today he fell asleep in the jumper as I was laying the other kids down for a nap. I have no idea how this can be comfortable but he was sound asleep.............

 

Silly kid. More tomorrow on him as I get his 8 month photos done! Yes I said 8 months!! 

A Tiny Celebration

Yesterday was really like any other day for Lilliana. She did get calls from Grandma's singing Happy Birthday, but it was pretty normal. We are having a celebration for Eli and her on Eli's birthday. Their parties are so close together we thought we would do it that way. I rented out Play. We are inviting family and all or their daycare friends. Regardless of all of that she needed to have something special. 

She helped me make her cake. This girl loves to bake and before I even would tell her what was next she knew and was asking for it. 

 

Eli woke up from his nap and of course wanted in on the action. We were done but that didn't stop him. He got his step stool and climbed up to the counter. Then he looked at the box and proceeded to tell me I did it wrong because I did not make cupcakes but one big cake. I love him! He likes things done a certain way and don't you even think of doing them differently. 

 

They enjoyed the best part of baking..........

 

Spent a lot of the day doing this......

 

She guarded those balloons all day and she loves wearing my shoes around. 

We spent some time outside. While her brother was content on moving snow, she was content to sit by me and talk and watch the cars go by. 

 

Anthony worked late so we had a late dinner and then it was time for cake. 

Precake cuteness............

 

 

 

She had a little trouble blowing out her candles so Eli was thrilled to help! Also I might point out once again how much I LOVE my camera. Little or no noise in these photos!! ISO 6400! Seriously with the old camera you would have seen every pixel imaginable! I even cropped the top picture. It has a little more noise but nothing I really care about. Oh and I shot in jpeg! I haven't done that in well over a year. I am trying to cut back on my time so personal photos I have been shooting in jpeg. It has helped with my time management. If I am doing something special I plan to edit special I still shoot RAW.

She then opened her one gift for the night. 

 

I love Eli's expression in some of these!! He loves birthdays. It was so hard for him yesterday. He really wanted it to be his day. He did well in letting Lilliana celebrate and not trying to over run her. It did break my heart today when he came in and told me today was his birthday. He knows his is afters. I got the calender and showed him and he just cried. He was so sad. He keeps talking about his balloons and cake. He will have his turn. I am grateful he is doing so well and not trying to be the center of attention. It is hard for them to grasp this concept at such a young age but he is doing well. All in all we had a wonderful day and now she is 2!