Elizabeth Grace

Name: Elizabeth Grace

Age: 2 years, 10 months

Favorite Color: Alternates between pink & purple.

Favorite Animal: Cats (see Grumpy Cat stuffy in picture) and unicorns/horses.

Likes: Watching Calliou, going for walks, climbing everything and stickers!

Dislikes: Being told "no".

What she wants to be when she grows up: "A monster".

The Older They Get

Today we had Aaron's parent teacher conference and we are very proud to say that according to his teacher he is very bright and is well ahead of where he needs to be.  Aaron knows all of his letters (both upper and lower case), numbers 0-30 and during the  the test he knew 47 out of 50 site words.  But I called him over during the meeting and asked him to read me the three words he missed during the test and he got two out of the three!  So basically he knows 49 out of the 50!  Woot!  The one "academic" thing he does need to work on is his penmanship.  

After we were done meeting with his teacher we left the classroom and some of the other kids were standing in line waiting to come in (school was just beginning).  Aaron walked out to get in line and put his backpack up.  One of the little girls in his class said "Oooh Aaron!  How'd you get in the class already?"  Well, Elizabeth was having NONE of that and ran after him yelling at the girl "HEY!  That's MY Baby!" (She calls him Baby).  LOL!  I guess she doesn't like other girls talking to her big brother!  I'm pretty sure she's going to be saying in high school "Listen Skank!  That's MY brother!  You better stay away from him or ELSE!"   Hahaha!  Then after we left Aaron in the class to start school we were walking back to the car and Josh was carrying her and I swear to God she was giving some other little girl the stink eye on the way to the parking lot!  Josh and I were cracking up the whole way.  

Back to the whole Baby thing - Elizabeth calls Aaron "Baby".  She won't even attempt to say Aaron!  She says so many other names!  Besides mama & dada she says Elsa, Anna, Sophia ('Phia), Gamma (Grandma), tia, Sam & even Malcolm!  But no Aaron.  Poor Aaron.  He doesn't seem to mind though.  

Elizabeth was still using her binky up until about 2 weeks ago when I finally decided to see if he would notice if I didn't.  I was just really giving it to her for nap and sleep but she started wanting it more again so one day after she woke up I just put it out of site and she never asked for it.  I put her to bed without it and it went really well for the first two days.  After that she would ask for it once in awhile but I'd quickly change the subject and that seems to work so far.  Yesterday was the first time she asked for it and kinda cried about it when I would give it to her.  I just told her I didn't know where it was!  Eventually she got over it but then she asked for it again today.  No fit, but still.  I'm waiting for the day she doesn't mention it.  Until then, I'm hiding them instead of throwing them away.  

Her birthday is next week and we're doing a Frozen theme of course.  The only other thing she likes as much is Sophia the First, but that's a more recent like.  We've ordered the cake and since we don't have family or friends close enough to invite to a party, we're just going to have cake and presents for us four.  I'm not sure if we will go out to eat (she loves pizza) or if we'll do it at home.  Either way I'm sure she'll enjoy it!  As long as she gets her CAKE!  

Hope you're all doing well!  Until next time!

 

Welcome Autumn!

Autumn!  It's officially here and I love it!  Now if only it felt more like autumn I think we'd all be happy!

Aaron's First Day of Kindergarten

Aaron had his first day of Kindergarten about 2 weeks ago at his new school in Livermore.  I think everyone was excited about that!  We've gone to back to school, met his teacher and even bought a school shirt for Spirit Days!  We bought him a new Jake & The Neverland Pirates backpack and lunchbox which he loves.  I think he must be liking it because I'm definitely not hearing as many complaints about going to school like I did in Sacramento.  

I also bought Aaron a small desk for his room at IKEA so he'll have a space to do homework and artwork.  It's white with a green accent drawer, which is is favorite color.  Now I just have to find a cute chair!

He still loves to read (we're currently reading a new chapter book about a zombie goldfish) and he loves animals of all types and he wants to be a veterinarian when he grows up!

Elizabeth Grace

Elizabeth will be 2 years old next month and just had her check up today.  She's 31 lbs and 2' 10.5" tall.  At Aaron's 2 year check up he weighed 2 lbs more and was 1.5" shorter.  So they're not too far off from each other!  

Elizabeth is currently between a 2-3T in clothes but at this point I am buying nothing smaller than a size 3.  She's still in diapers but has recently started to tear off her wet diapers and throw them in the trash can (all on her own!) so I think potty training is just around the corner.  

She definitely has a vocabulary though it is smaller than Aaron's at this age.  But she's saying more and more everyday!  Her favorite saying is "HEY NO!  THAT'S MYYYYYYY BOOK/TOY/MILK (etc)".  Today at the doctor's office though, was the first time she's ever introduced herself to someone!!  It was so cute!  She walked up to the doctor, pointed to herself and said "BUBBA"!  It was the cutest thing EVAH.  

Elizabeth is a fearless, feisty little girl.  She climbs everything, she tells pretty much everyone off and she will even haul off and close-fist punch her brother when he's bothering her.  At first, I couldn't stop laughing about it but now that it's happened several times I'm having to tell her that it's not right.  If her personality stays this way, I don't think we'll have to worry too much about her being bullied!  LOL!  Hopefully not anyway!  

Both kids are doing well and very happy to be under the same roof as their dad again.  We all are!  And we've had so many visitors at this house - it's been wonderful!  We are enjoying Livermore, still exploring, but definitely have found a few favorite spots.  Personally, I'm looking forward to my first autumn here.  With all the farms and vineyards and family activities in the area, I think this fall will be fantastic!

We hope yours will be too!  

 

Living in Livermore

We are now officially residents of Livermore! I am super excited to get out and explore this town. So far I can tell you that I love our space (even though it's still a mess of boxes), I love that we're surrounded by rolling hills, I love that there is compost curbside pickup, that I can see the windmills from our street,  that our walkways are surrounded by awesome landscaping, that there is a park playground in walking distance, that there is a 24 hour Safeway, that downtown Livermore is so freakin' awesome and that there seem to be tons of family oriented activities all over the East Bay Area! Not to mention that San Francisco and Monterey Bay are that much closer to us now. Like I said, I can't wait to get out and explore! 

We (and by that I mean I, because who are we kidding here?) haven't gotten as much done as I wanted to by this time because I got friggin' pink eye! And then Elizabeth got it of course. At first it was just a scratch that got infected in my eye, but somehow that turned into pink eye and I was washing my hands raw and washing sheets and towels everyday but Elizabeth still got it and then my other eye got it too. And let me tell you, it was awful. Just a few days ago I really started to feel myself again. Thankfully Elizabeth got over it much more quickly. 

Josh finally went to the doctor for his bad back and had his first PT appointment today.  Hopefully this is something PT can help! 

Elizabeth and Aaron are adjusting well to they're new surroundings and I was a bit freaked out about having stairs but they've both been really good about it. I mean, Elizabeth climbs absolutely everything now so she took the stairs head on. It's a good and not so good thing. I am glad she has the confidence to do these types of things (Aaron still doesn't) but just because the confidence is there doesn't mean she's got the coordination. I definitely have to get a gate for the top of the stairs. 

Aaron likes that we have cable again (LOL) and he loves his new bed and the big window in his room. And I know he enjoys the little pathways around our house as much as I do. 

I have a good feeling about Livermore and this move. This is right for us, I just know it! 

As we explore I'll be posting more pictures on Facebook and Instagram so check me out there! 

On The Move

Easter 2014

Well, we finally did it!  We found a place and now we're on the move!  These next 2 weeks are going to be crazy but we're packing and arranging and getting rid of things.  After months and months and months of looking - of Josh spending the week in Fremont and sleeping in his car - of our family not being together except for 1.5 days on the weekend, we are finally going to be together again!  I can't wait for this move to be over!

Our new hometown will be the city of Livermore, CA.  We found a townhome that is only about 30 minutes away from Tesla (Josh's work) so his commute won't be horrible and we get to see him everyday!  Once we get settled in I promise to post some pictures!  

Aaron is super excited and asks me "can we just move today?".  He misses his dad so much.  And even Elizabeth asks for him everyday.  Aaron will not completely finish school with his class since we are moving at the end of the month, but I'm already looking into the two elementary schools in the area for Kindergarten next year!  

Please wish us luck and send us good vibes because moving sucks and I need to stay positive!  

I hope you all had a good Easter/Passover and a great Mother's Day!  More to come after the move!

 

Parental Fail

Parent Fail: Smashed Ring Finger

So........this happened.  And I can't stop thinking about it.  It's playing over and over again in my head.  I thought maybe if I just got it out there in the universe it would leave me alone.  Because really, it was a big parental fail.

Aaron was in his room trying to put his pjs on (and by that I mean doing everything he could to delay putting his pjs on) and Elizabeth kept going into his room, playing with his toys and "distracting" him.  So I finally went in there, picked Elizabeth up and put her down in the middle of the hallway.  Then I walked back to Aaron's room, told him to please, for the 825th time, to put his pjs on and that I would close the door (as I was literally doing so) to keep his sister out.  Of course, Elizabeth is faster than lightening and in that 5 second interval of time had made it back to the door and and stuck her hand in the hinge side of the door.  And I closed the door.  All the way.  Without knowing she was there.  And when I realized it and opened the door her little ring finger was blue and indented and bent.  

She's crying and she clung onto me and wouldn't let go.  I tried to pull her away so I could get a better look at the finger and stick it under cold water.  She wouldn't let me.  All I could see was indented, blue and what seemed to be bent.  I never put her down.  I called my sister over and over but she didn't answer.  I told Aaron that we had an emergency and had to take Elizabeth to the doctor and I needed him to be good and listen.  Put shoes and jacket on.  Somehow I was able to get my own pants & shoes on, let the dog out and back in his kennel and get both my kids out the door.  Elizabeth is crying off and on.  The finger to me, looks bad.  Though it is getting better - I just can't get that first image out of my head.

We head to the ER and I get a call back from my sister.  She's still at work but will meet me at the ER.  Then I call Josh and tell him.  And part of me feels horrible for doing this because he's 2 hours away at work and can't come and I know this.  But I call anyway.  Because his daughter is going to the ER.  And it's my fault.  

And Aaron, who is being good but very vocal, is worried and wants to know why I'm crying.  We get to the ER and he announces to the ER that I was upset with him and I smashed the door on the baby's finger.  Which I'm sure sounded horrible to everyone.  My sister arrived just after we did and took charge of Aaron while I checked in.  Elizabeth, by this time had stopped crying and her finger no longer looked bent but did seem swollen and very red of course.  She just seemed tired now.  

Aaron wanted to go with me and Elizabeth everywhere.  But of course I couldn't handle it.  So I made him stay with Eva in the waiting room.  We checked vitals and back to the wait room.  We saw the doctor and then off to x-rays.  And then back to the doctor.  And Elizabeth was so good.  And I felt horrible.  And Aaron was so worried.  

The good news is that the finger is not broken.  The doctor just "prescribed" a cold compress if needed and OTC pain medication.  So we go back home and I give Elizabeth the pain meds and put her to sleep.  She slept through the night.  In fact, I had to wake her this morning to take Aaron to school.  She seems perfect this morning except for a red, slightly swollen finger and being tired.  

I thanked Aaron last night and again this morning for being such a good boy when I needed him to be and I reassured him that his sister was alright.  He gave me a hug and kiss.  The only thing I've ever seen of myself in Aaron is his looks.  He's looked like me from day one but even that wasn't 100%.  Now that he's getting older he's actually starting to look more like Josh.  But I've seen my dad and my older sister in him.  I've called him by my little sister's name before.  He's personality is more like them - my dad and sisters.  But this, him worrying about his sister so much - wanted to stay with her....... That's me.  The first time I've ever said THAT IS ME IN HIM.  I comforted him last night & this morning and will probably do it again tonight.

And though my sister came over last night and stayed for a bit after the kids were asleep, I still couldn't stop thinking about what happened.  And when I went to bed alone, all I wanted was to cuddle with Josh.  I texted him and we promised to cuddle when he got home this weekend.  Having Josh work 2 hours away, staying in Fremont for the week and coming home for a day and a half on the weekend we've joked that I'm basically a single mom during the week.  We've joked, but it's true.  And I don't even know how real single moms do it.  Especially after this.  And it's not even the physical, day to day stuff of being a mom.  It's the fact that I don't have anyone to share the ups and downs with during the week.  Josh wasn't here to go to the ER with us.  He wasn't here to go through this experience - to share the fear and anxiety and relief and guilt.  Even if he didn't feel all those himself, he could share in my feelings.  And I didn't have the physical comfort of Josh.  No hugs, no pats, no hand holding, no cuddles.  After last night I told him he could never leave me.  

He said "I'll never leave you, Bug.  Not until I leave this world".  And if I wasn't crying already, I was then.

This morning after we dropped off Aaron and school we went to Target because I wanted her mind to be distracted and not on the pain of her finger and because.... well, TARGET.  We stopped first at the Starbucks in Target and shared coffee cake and she was happy.

What pain?  I've got coffee cake!

By the time we got home it was her nap time so I put her to sleep and I've only thought about it 2,347 times today and cried 3 times.  I'm just one of those people who replays stuff over and over in my head until either I just get over it or it drives me insane.  Hopefully I'll just get over this.  I might need some help from my therapists, Ben & Jerry.  But if you're reading this, send me some hugs.  I need them.  And if you know some real single moms, hug their faces off too.  

   

Smarty Pants

Mermaid Lizzy

This kid.  It's amazing how kids grow both physically and cognitively.  Elizabeth picks up things so quickly - she is just So. Smart.

At almost 14 months Elizabeth weighs around 24 lbs.  She has 8 teeth on the top and 6 on the bottom.  She does plenty of baby talk but does say mama, dada & bye-bye.  She has moments when she'll say a word once or twice but then we won't hear it again.  I'm pretty sure she heard us say Seahawks (SB CHAMPS!) so much this past month that she has started saying it too.  Now she's using a lot of the "k" and "t" sounds.  

Just this evening she pointed her popsicle at me and said something that at first sounded Russian to me.  But I finally figured out she was saying "cut".  She wanted me to cut the wrapper down.  Every time she would eat it too short I would ask "Do you want me to cut it?" and she would hold it out.  By the 3rd time she was asking me!  "Cut"!  SO SMART.  

Earlier she was walking around with my pajamas shirt, cuddling with it and when she walked passed me I noticed her nose was running so I said "Oh Elizabeth, you have mocos" and so she turned her head into my shirt and blew her nose!  I'm pretty sure Aaron STILL isn't sure how to properly blow his nose and he's 5!  LOL.

Elizabeth walks well and she loves to be outside.  I like to try and go pick up Aaron early so it gives me enough time to allow Elizabeth to walk from the car to the classroom to pick Aaron up.  She loves it.  She walks around his classroom and all his little preschool buddies and love her.  Even the teacher and T.A.s want to pick her up.  One mom actually holds her and kisses her!  Surprisingly, I'm not bothered by it.  (Well, not that much anyway.)

As you can tell from the picture, she also loves the water!  She's so funny because she'll just lay down in the water on her belly -- no worries, no hesitancy.  And she kicks and turns.  I'll lay her down in shallow water on her back sometimes and she just laughs and kicks.  She has no fear!  Elizabeth is also a climber.  She tries to climb on her brother's toys and furniture and get on his foot stool.  I mean, I really gotta watch this one all the time.  

But I think what she loves most is FOOD!  Hahaha!  This baby girl can eat!  I mean, you'd think she would be bigger than her brother was at the same age but Aaron was a chunk!  And Lizzy really isn't.  I mean, she's got baby chub, but she's not like Aaron was.  And yet you can't eat a damn thing in front of her without her yelling at you and reaching out for it.  No joke.  I think she's only turned away food 2 or 3 times.  I pretty much have to portion control her meals sometimes because she'd just keep eating!  You can see her belly expanding!  haha!

But honestly, Elizabeth is such a smart & happy baby! She's doing wonderfully.  We hope you are too!  

    

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

I'm not gonna lie, this year has been a bit rough.  But I still have plenty to be thankful for.  Let me just preface this post by saying that I pretty much had this entire post written in my mind late last night when I was trying to sleep but of course, I'm sure I won't remember half of it.  

First off, this year was Elizabeth's first year and it was the best.  She is so wonderful and joyful and perfect.  Everyone loves her.  Aaron loves her and she is so in love with him.  I am thankful for my daughter for sure.

Aaron has started preschool with the Head Start program and it's really been great for him.  AND for me, of course.  He's growing so much and so fast.  This past year has been a bit difficult for him too.  He's started a new school, has had to realize that he's not the only baby anymore and has had to deal with his dad's new job.  But I'm hoping his new found attitude this year is a phase.  He's learning new things at school though, including how to socialize.  But he's my big boy now and I'm thankful for my son.  

If you've been keeping up, you'll know that Josh lost his job earlier this year because his plant closed.  When he couldn't find a job in Sacramento after a few months and we were in a pretty bad spot, I encouraged him to look outside of Sacramento.  We've been talking about living close to the water, so why not look, right?  

Josh applied for a job with Tesla and he was really wanting to get it.  For the first time in the 10+ years I've known him he was actually excited about a job!  We were all rooting for him and he got it!  Josh got a job with Tesla in Fremont, CA which is 2 hours out of Sacramento.

At first the job was temporary and we agreed that we wouldn't think about moving until he was brought on permanently.  He stayed in Fremont during the week and because we need the money, he has also been working the overtime on Saturdays.  So he comes home for basically a day and a half before he heads back again.  This has been hard on all of us, but Aaron the most (hence the new found attitude mentioned earlier).  Of course seeing this and also the fact that I knew Josh would be brought on permanently, I was looking at places anyway.  

And then we realized that the South Bay Area and the East Bay Area are both double in rent than what Sacramento is.  So the search has been tougher than expected.  We've not only tried Fremont but Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Mountain View, Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, Concord and Palo Alto.  We even applied for a place a few weeks ago but they gave it to someone else.  

Honestly, the whole process has been rather discouraging.  But I still have faith that things will work out for us and for that, I'm thankful.  And I'm thankful for my husband Josh and that he has a job in the first place to give us this issue to work on!  And so the search continues......

I am so happy to have my little family.  We have issues and fights and bad days just like anyone else, but at the end of the day we love each other - Josh and I are best friends - and we both love, love, love our babies.  And the dog.  Don't forget our first baby!

So while we've had some bumps in the road this year, like I said earlier, I still have plenty to be thankful for.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and yours!  I hope you are all having a year to be thankful for as well.

 

Our Vegas Birthday Trip

Happy 1st Birthday!

Well we are back from Vegas and I finally have some time to sit and blog.  Unfortunately when we got back Elizabeth came down with a stomach virus and then Aaron and mama and finally dada.  SO, needless to say we didn't get much done that first week back.  

The trip to Vegas was great though!  We had a wonderful time with both families.  We visited with my dad's tia Conchita who turned 90.  She was so happy to see us.  And though our visit was short (it was hard to fit all 9 of us in her small room) it was emotional I think, for all of us.  For me personally, visiting with her reminded me of my own grandfather (tia Conchita's brother) and when she was playing her guitar and singing to us, I got a bit teary eyed.  I miss my grandpa and thing of him often.  

Coblentz Ladies

We also got to visit Josh's mom and aunts.  His aunt Lillian lives in Vegas so we were lucky to have another place to feel welcome and visit with loved ones.  Lillian and her husband Evan were so welcoming and invited us to their home not only for meals and visits, but they were gracious enough to host Elizabeth's birthday party!  

Elizabeth & Aaron getting their fingers in the cake!

Elizabeth had an owl themed birthday party that was catered by Lillian herself!  The food was super delicious (my favorite was the lamb and middle eastern salad).  The cakes were from Whole Foods (just like Aaron's were) and everything was wonderful.  

Lillian and Evan were also kind enough to treat Josh, my sisters and I along with Josh's mom Tina and aunt Polly to a limo tour of the strip and downtown Vegas.  No stripper pole, but it was still awesome!  I joked that the driver probably thought we were the tamest group ever but it was fun!

And for one night Josh and I were able to sneak out on our own to walk and explore the strip, have dinner at The Venetian and visit one of my favorite places in Vegas - The Bellagio Conservatory!  They had a beautiful Fall theme with pumpkins, a scarecrow, talking trees and all sorts of autumn flora.  It was lovely.  The Venetian and Bellagio are my absolute favorites.  Though I super love the check-in lobby at Paris.

We also took Aaron to the Shark Reef at The Mandalay Bay.  He thought it was so awesome.  It was actually a really great, although small, aquarium.  All in all, the trip was great.  I only wish we had more time to spend with each of the families.  

When we got back, it was time to get ready for Halloween but like I said, my poor bubba came down with a stomach virus the day after we got back.  I literally went shopping the on the eve of Halloween for costumes with Aaron.  We came back with a minion and Agnes (the little girl with the stuffed unicorn who says "IT'S SO FLUFFY!!") costume for Aaron and Elizabeth.  Elizabeth seemed to be on the mend, but at the end of the night she ended up getting sick again.  Poor bubbas!!  

Minion Dave & Agnes

Thankfully now everyone is back to being healthy and we're back to our normal routines.  Today I took Elizabeth in for her 1 year check up and she is 24 lbs (95th percentile) and 32 inches long (100th percentile!).  She's definitely keeping up with her brother in that respect!  

Next up is Thanksgiving and it's just right around the corner!!  I can't believe it.  We're getting so close to the holidays and Aaron's birthday --- it's all going by too fast.

I'm trying to enjoy it while I can!  Happy 1st Birthday Elizabeth.  We all love you!

 

 

Happy October!

Elizabeth Grace 11 months

Elizabeth Grace loves giving herself kisses in the mirror

Elizabeth Grace is 11 months old and officially in her birthday month!  I can't believe she's going to be a year old soon!  The time has gone by so quickly with her it's unbelievable.  Elizabeth weighs 24 lbs and is just getting into 18 month clothing.  She still only has 8 teeth - 4 on top and 4 on bottom.  She crawls, she stands and she walks while holding onto furniture.  

Elizabeth has recently added grandpa to her vocabulary and is almost saying "reloj" ("watch" en Espanol).  She can give high-five and she actually talks to her dad on the phone.  I mean, literally, I put Josh on the phone with her and as soon as he starts talking she smiles big and says "dada!", babbles some and then tries to lick the phone!  Haha - I think she's trying to give him kisses.    

Elizabeth is a big people watcher.  She loves to stare and study people.  Trust me, she will check you out and up and down and sideways!  Elizabeth claps and yells "yeeeeeah!" and if I'm watching a show with an audience (like Ellen) she claps whenever the audience does!  It's so cute.  I can't believe she'll be ONE YEAR OLD!!!!  

But get this - she's going to have a super one year birthday party in, of all places, Las Vegas!  Two families, three birthdays and two mini reunions means a super awesome fun family time!  We can't wait!

Coolest kid in preschool.

Aaron has started public preschool.  Every day there is a morning struggle to get the slowest turtle ready for school and out the door.  But no matter how much of a struggle it is to get out the door, it's the same struggle to get him out of the classroom at the end of the day.  

The first day of school we had a meeting with his teacher and she told us he was already holding hands with some girl!  So we asked Aaron if he had a girlfriend and he said yes!  Josh and I were cracking up!  He told his dad secretly that they were probably going to get married.  Since then, sadly, they have broken up and he is currently back on the market.  :)  It doesn't surprise me since before preschool he said he wanted to marry Pocahontas and have five children.  And he's going to support his family by being a veterinarian.  That's not surprising either since he loves animals and won't even eat meat sometimes because of it.  Unless it's bacon, of course.  

We have been struggling with Aaron's listening and attention skills.  I think there has been a lot of changes in his short life and there are more to come.  These changes I think took a larger toll on him than we anticipated and one of them is not being the only child (and grandchild) anymore.  Not getting the same attention is hard on him.  We are trying our best but if any of you have any tips, please send them our way! 

But the kiddos are well and we're all looking forward to our trip, our visit with Grandma Tina, Elizabeth's birthday and Halloween!!!!  Aaron wants to be a mummy but the jury is still out on Elizabeth.  I was thinking a black cat.......

What's your October going to be like?

 

9 months in, 9 months out! The EGH Version.

Elizabeth Grace - 9 months

Elizabeth Grace is 9 months old!  Look at her adorable face!  She is doing so well and is always so happy!  She brings us so much joy.

Elizabeth went for her 9 month check up yesterday and she weighs 23 lbs 2 oz and is 29 3/4 inches long - both are the 100th percentile!!  100% people!  Public Warning: I produce large babies!  I mean, they are normal at birth but then seem to just jump right into that BIG BABY stage and stay there.  Aaron, at 4 1/2 years old is just recently starting to "slim down".  

Elizabeth sits up on her own, is starting to pull herself up from a sitting position and is trying super hard to get those big legs under her to crawl.  Right now she just rolls everywhere.  The doc said it's a bit tougher for "bigger" babies to get themselves going since they've got more weight on them. 

She is just starting to get a bit big for her 9 month clothing and so we've got the 12 months ready for her.  We also switched her diapers to 7th Generation because they are unbleached and she kept having reoccurring rashes.  These diapers have definitely helped with that!  

She's got 4 teeth on top and 4 on the bottom and loves to smile (and bite!).  Of course she puts absolutely anything you give her in her mouth including you!  She likes to chew on Josh's collarbone which for some strange reason I think is kinda cute.  She also loves to put her hand in his beard and pull his hair & skin!  She likes to smack her brother's head and pull his hair.  And with me.... well, she likes to motorboat.  LOL!  Yeah, I just said that.  I mean, she's been on formula for more months than not but she just likes to rest her face in there and open her mouth.  It's so funny.  I'm sure it's a comfort thing.  

She wakes me up in the morning by banging her feet on the crib and yelling "Mama!  Maaaama!  Mamamama!" but she always greets me with a smile.  She's been sleeping through the night for awhile and takes 2 naps a day.

Basically, she's doing awesome.  We love her to pieces.  Thanks to all of our family for helping us out lately especially.  We love you all and will hopefully be sending some pictures out soon.  

Stay tuned because we've got some stuff on the horizon!!! 



       

These little fish are growing

Eating solids - 6 months

Elizabeth went in for her 6 month check up and boy, is this chick growing!  Elizabeth is 19 lbs (90%), 27 1/2 inches (95%), head circumference of 17 3/4 (98%), wears a size 3 diaper, size 9 month clothing and 12 month in pjs!  Big girl!

We have just started her on solids and are still not quite on a regular schedule with it.  She seems to want it sometimes and then not others.  And sometimes it's just like she has no idea what to do with it.  But we're going to keep trying!  I've only tried the rice cereal once, but have tried a few of the fruit and fruit combo organic baby food and have given her mashed up bananas at home and organic apple sauce.  

Elizabeth's teeth are coming in and her mouth is hurting baaaaaad right now.  She has the bottom two already poked through and I'm pretty sure the top left one is coming through too.  It looks like we might have another Aaron on our hands.  He got all of his teeth super quick and close to each other (time wise).  We having teething toys, rings for the freezer and I give her wet wash clothes (frozen and non) to help her.  We also use the teething tablets and I have a teething bracelet that a cousin gave me.  She pretty much chews up anything she can, including me and Josh!

Even with all this though, she's a pretty happy baby!

Blowing in the wind.

Aaron is also doing pretty well, though extremely bored at home with mama and baby.  We're hoping perhaps he can start at public pre-school this coming school year.  He's happy to have his daddy home these past few days and even that has changed his behavior a little (very little) bit.

Today, separately and without knowing, Josh and I both asked Aaron what he wanted to be when he grew up.  When I asked it was at the dinner table and we were all there.  At first he said he wanted to be an elephant.  So when I explained to him what I meant by the question, and gave him several examples he settled on veterinarian.  After going over it again and again in his head a few times, I think he liked the idea even more and reconfirmed this great idea to us.  When he grows up to be like, 8 yrs old, he wants to be an elephant.  But then after that, a vet for sure!  He says he might even have to live in the forest because he'll have too many animals to take care of.  He loves animals, watches Planet Earth over and over again, knows the names of really strange and random animals and dinosaurs and even knows if they are herbivores, carnivores or omnivores.  I think he'd be a wonderful vet!  Now if only we could get him to stop chasing the dog!!!!

Happy 6 Month Birthday Little Lizzy Grace!

Elizabeth Grace - 6 months old

Today Elizabeth turns 6 months old!  Look at that smiley chubba face!  Last time we checked, she was around 17 lbs.  She's snugly wearing a size 6-9 months (snug in a 6, comfortable in a 9).  Her hair is still lighter than Aaron's, her eyes are still figuring themselves out I guess.  They change from blue, to grey, to green to hazel.  I'm not sure they've figured themselves out yet!  Her first tooth has just broken through on the bottom and I wouldn't have even known had I not stuck my finger in there for her to gnaw on!  She's such a good baby!

Elizabeth is rolling around all over the place.  She does tummy time so well now and even tries to push herself forward.  So now I have the challenge of making sure all of Aaron's little plastic toys are up before I put Elizabeth on the floor anywhere.  She rolls from one side of her mat to the other and loves to try and grab her feet & toes.  I think she's determined to get them in her mouth! 

She is just such a happy baby.  She loves to smile at her family.  Loves to laugh at her brother.  She loves it when you sing to her and greets you with a smile (almost) every morning.  She is our joy.

Happy 6 Month Birthday Elizabeth Grace!  We love you!!!  XOXOXO

       

Vampire Aaron

Vampire Aaron

A: Mom, where do vampires come from?

Me: Well Aaron, vampires haven't really been proven to actually exist but if they did, they supposedly originated from Transylvania, which is in Romania, which is in Europe.

A: Well MOM, I want to be a vampire.  I want to be a vampire so I can turn into a bat when I sleep.  But that means I have to be bitten by a vampire.  

Me: Yes, I guess it does.

A: So I want to go to Transylvania but you have to come with me to protect me.

Me: Protect you from what?  

A: Vampires!

Me: Well, buddy, you can't become a vampire if you're scared of vampires!  That's silly.  

A: Well, I want you to go with me anyway.

Me: Ok, sure.  I've always wanted to go to Transylvania.

Like mother, like son I suppose.  

5 minutes later.......

A: Mom, where is Transylvania again?

Me: Europe.

A: YOU'RE WHAT??

What a goofball!  Vampire Goofball -- I guess.