Failure...

So I am now 8 weeks postpartum.
If there is something that I have been looking forward to for the last almost 2 years
Is working out.
Before Casey and I started dating
All I did was workout.
I was running 5 miles a day
and spent most of the day at a gym.
Once Casey and I started dating I said goodbye to that.
I became more busy with something much better.

It's been 2 years and a half and I miss it so much.
I began working out with a boot camp routine last year and became really dizzy.
That's when I found out I was pregnant once again.

Today I began to workout again.
That was a failure.
Why?
Babies.
It's like they just know.
They know when you are in a great mood to do something.
I think I lasted 20 min.
I'm waiting on my Insanity dvds
Casey and I plan on doing them after the kids fall asleep.
If only it wasn't snowing here.
I would have loved to go jogging with them.
Oh well I guess some things just have to wait. lol
But just so you can get an idea...this is me at the time....

Blah

Man things have been chaotic since we arrived from Texas.
I have this tendency of rearranging furniture and things.
A couple of days before we left for Texas,
I asked Casey to switch the bed once again to the other room.
So now all four of us sleep in one bedroom.
I've decided to use the other room almost like a storage.
If there is one thing I don't like is stressing last minute of packing things.
So I have been packing some things that we haven't been using.
That way we have very little to pack before the move.

So when we arrived to our little apartment the place was a bit of a mess.
I usually make sure I leave the place clean so that we come home and just unpack.
This time I didn't quite have time.

Then I rearranged our kitchen
then our dining area
and now the place is a mess once again.
Oh well

Then I forgot that our vacuum was broken.
Casey was able to fix it today and replace the band that was broken.
Early this week our toilet wasn't working.
The chain that helps to flush broke.
Casey found a way for us to flush it with a metal hanger.
After several days the owner came by and replaced the part.
Casey is so amazing at trying to fix things as soon as possible or try his best.
He's a very handy man, even if he thinks he doesn't know many things.
I just love him for that.

Anyways now I can finally vacuum.
Which trust me this carpet is in desperate need of it.
Especially since (the one thing I don't like about the apartment besides the small kitchen) there
is carpet in the dining room, and when you have a toddler that throws food.
It gets nasty.
I just hope these kids will let me.

The joys of motherhood

In my over a year experience as a mother I have learned a lot.

As a mother I've learned how close I want to be with my Heavenly Father in this journey of motherhood.
I have learned how patient and loving I can be with others even when communication is hard between babies and I.
I have learned to be more understanding.
And most of all I have learned that parenthood is between 3.
Casey and I and our
Heavenly Father.

I have learned how different two children can be.
Not only because Eliana and Liam are from different genders but their personality and needs are different.
By the time Eliana was two months we knew she was going to have a little attitude.
We knew she would be little miss independent.
Liam on the other hand is such a sweet little guy.
(Not that Eliana isn't sweet)
He loves to cuddle and wants to be held most of the time.
He is plenty shy but smiles a lot when being talked to.
We also think he's going to be a lefty like his daddy.

When Eliana was in my belly I knew just how she was going to be.
My mom always said hopefully I'd be blessed with someone like me.
So I just knew.
I had dreamt of having a girl that would wear dresses cute bows and loved dolls.
(Even though I was a spider-man, batman, superman, x-men, ninja turtles, power rangers loving, hot wheels playing kind of girl.)
I soon learned kids don't come exactly how you want them.
Eliana is a lot like her mommy.
She doesn't like dresses.
She pulls her bows and hairbands out.
She prefers toy cars.
She likes to have a mess opposed to rooms being tidy.
She's shy but hit the wrong button and she can be feisty.
Don't get too close or she will claw your eyes.
Mess w her brother and she will tell you how it is.
Some say she's a fighter but she's just trying to defend herself and I'm OK with it.
Just as much as she can be feisty she can be caring, loving, and cuddly.
She's wiped the tears off my eyes and hugged me when I was watching a sad movie lol
But the biggest lesson I have learned is to keep my eyes on her.
Once the home is quiet it means something is up.
From eating paper to getting a hold of dirty diapers.
Throwing socks into a diaper pail.
Playing w a push pin.
Biting on DVD cases.
I also learned to keep pants on her from the time she was 9 months.
This is when she learned how to take her diapers off.
I would find her running around naked or sitting w her diaper next to her.
 Who can blame her, they were dirty.

O the joy of being a mother. Life is going to get more fun in several more months once Liam does more.

But the one thing that makes my heart melt is when Eliana cries, I tell her to look at Liam and she is all better.

Mall trip

Last night I let Casey know that today

I wanted to go out.

Jeez it was cold at the end of the day

But it was a great day.

Rachel had her shower today and I took Eliana with me.

She was great until she spotted the food.

Then she just kept fussing.

I was able to see why.

She ate 3 meatballs 

(which were yummy)

6 strawberries

a piece of broccoli

1 chocolate covered cake pop

and a rice crispy.

Can you tell she couldn't stop looking.

Doesn't she look adorable even as a mess lol

Afterwards I picked Casey up and we headed to the mall.

There we just walked around and every now and then went into a store.

 I just needed to get out of the apartment 

and so did Eliana.

I'm glad we went.

Eliana got to play in the little play area they have there.

At first she was afraid to touch the turtle. 

She stood about 2 ft away and reached for the turtle and took tiny steps.

Then finally slapped it.

Then she played for I'd say an hour.

Hopefully I'll get her in there someday.

She was so tired afterwards that as soon as I put her in her car seat

she passed out.

Oh how wonderful this girl is.

I love watching her play. 

Christmas Break!

This year we were so excited that Casey was able to get about

3 weeks of a break from school.

He needed it.

But we were more excited because 

we got to go to 

Texas!!!

Yea baby

We were going home!

The Monday before we left I had my checkup and we were set to go.

We left the 19th.

We struggled enough with a child traveling on a plane.

We feared the worst.

The plane ride was actually great.

Until the last 5 minutes.

My mother-in-law traveled with us

and she was carrying Eliana the last 5 minutes.

Elianas tummy did not like it aaaand....

well lets just say her just that had been consumed earlier was now on her onesie.

Poor baby girl.

Luckily I had packed an extra pair of clothes and changed her fast.

She was fine after that.

For the first few days we stayed at Casey's parents house.

My parents and brothers were sick.

Eliana had a blast being around her cousins, Tanner and Brooke, who were also staying there.

On Sunday the 23rd Liam was blessed in the Rowlett 2nd Ward.

For Elianas blessing we were up at 7 am.

Eliana did not want to cooperate so were late.

Embarrassing.

This time we hope it would be better.

Was it?

Nope.

Eliana and Liam decided to sleep in and Caseys alarm did not go off. 

Once again we were late.

Anyways it was a beautiful blessing and he looked handsome in his too big for him suit.

We had brunch after the blessing at Casey's parents house 

and the dinner at my parents house.

For the time we were there we were trying to find a day and time that we could do Christmas for Casey's side of the family. When everyone would be able to get together. In the end not everyone could get together but most of us did on Christmas Eve Morning. 

Eliana had a great time with all the cousins. 

She had never been around so many kids. 

Liam of course chilled most of the time.

 For the kids there was a book exchange and well

Eliana LOVES books.

She can't focus on just one.

So new books for her is great!

She of course enjoyed Liams books as well since he can just yet.

For the adults we did a "white elephant" gift exchange.

We had fun with it.

Casey ended up with some coasters Melinda made

and I ended up with Withering Heights movie and bath salts.

Then we said our goodbyes to April, Anthony, Tanner and Little Miss Brooke.

We then went to my parents house for Christmas Eve party.

It can get a little crowded and crazy at times.

It was so great to be able to spend this time with our families and have them meet Mr. Liam

and see how much Eliana has grown. 

We had tamales and all the Mexican tradition stuff.

Just this year was not as traditional as we usually do.

This year was more of just socializing.

And because Casey and I are soooo old and have two kids we hit

the sack as soon as they did.

Christmas morning we gave Eliana the gift we gave them

It was Finding Nemo.

We then headed to Casey's parents house and spent some time with the Callison Clan. 

Austin and Michael had a great time messing with Eliana by tickling the back of her legs and fleeing the scene before she turned around.

She just kept yelling "HEY"

It is quite cute how she yells it, for now.

We stayed the rest of that week with Casey's parents so that Casey could spend time with Austin and Kenneth (his brothers) before they headed back to Houston.

After that we were back to my parents.

One of the nights we were staying there Eliana woke me up in the middle of the night with a fever. My poor girl.

Teething didn't help.

She's got 8 teeth and the molars.

She had never been sick before so she was just miserable.

When I told her she looked miserable she responded, "I knooooow."

She says things so cute.

But the fever only lasted about an hour. 

I rubbed doterra oils all over her.

Love them!

Peppermint, Lemon, Frankincense, On Guard, and a couple of other ones.

She fell back to sleep but woke up with a cough, runny nose, hoarse voice, and warm

but I kept checking and she didn't have a fever.

It just worried me that she lost her appetite.

Shortly after Liam began coughing, had a hoarse cry and runny nose. 

The good thing he didn't catch a fever. 

I think the fact that I breastfed (since my pump broke) the entire time he got sick, helped.

By New Years they were better and ready to party again.

Everyone (except us) got together at my uncles house and we were too tired. 

We slept early.

Again.

I actually wanted to be awake but wasn't.

I woke up and asked Casey what time it was he said 1:20 and then I passed out lol

Because the kids were sick Casey and I decided to postpone our Anniversary to the 4th and 5th.

Oh how wonderful it was.

We were able to leave the kids with my parents.

We went to the Dallas, Texas Temple where we were sealed 2 years ago.

It was so wonderful to be able to go after so long.

The temple is such a beautiful place where I can seek the Lords advice and it is so peaceful.

We took pictures and we had a great experience.

Afterwards we went to eat.

We then picked up the kids and went to Doug & Emily's wedding reception.

Then we headed to the hotel 

where Eliana enjoyed sleeping in her own bed.

It was the first night we all slept so peacefully.

The next morning we had a great breakfast! 

Eliana loved it!

We loved getting stared at bc we had two babies and carried our trays while pushing two strollers!

That's right! It takes talent!

We then went to Movie Studio Grill where we watched 

Les Miserables!

Why yes I do love musicals where no one talks at all.

I wish there were a lot more movies like that.

Then we got to eat where Casey and I had our last date before we were married.

Eliana loved the food.

Since Eliana has learned that we pray before we eat,

she thought that by saying "Amen" her food would be ready.

Which is why she kept saying "Amen" and turning to see if someone was bringing her meal.

O that girl.

Well when she finally got it she ate her heart out.

She can eat!

We were then off to my uncles house where my cousin was having her baby shower. 

Since it was a shower that both men and women could attend with their children we were all able to go from there.

Casey participated in a poop eating contest.

As you can see only two participated lol

When they counted to three they were to open the diaper and eat the ice cream inside. 

Casey won!

Of course he did.

The other guys were too grossed out.

My dad said it was because Casey was the only one changing diapers at the time.

It's true.

Then we both participated in a contest where I was to sit on his lap and he was to feed me apple sauce while he was blind-folded. 

(Wish I had a pic)

He started with the spoon upside down. 

And he got it on me of course but it was lots of fun.

Texas is our home because that is where the family is but after it all we were ready to be in our real home in Utah.

The night before we left we packed everything and headed to my uncles house one last time to say good bye to everyone.

Our Christmas break was so fun but it's so nice to be home finally.

P.S. Here are some other pics of great times 

  Eliana fell asleep on daddy's lap while watching sports news with him. Notice the xbox control on her hands.

She's a gamer.

Can't blame her.

Both parents are.

This is what my parents do with our children.

They dance.

And the kids love it!

Christmas Morning. 

Eliana telling a joke 

and giving Liam too much love for his liking lol

At the end of the day I can't help

but to love life

I have an amazing husband who loves me and takes care of me

and our kids

and kids who make me smile every second!

1 Month 14 Months

A little over a month ago Mr Liam was born.

We couldn't wait for him.

So many people were looking towards his arrival.

The second grandson in Casey's family (out of 12)

and the first grandson in my family.

We were so blessed to bring another baby into our family so soon.

It has been a little crazy but with the help of my mother and my mother in law it has been great.

I fear the worst when they are gone and Casey's in school,

but I know it will be fun as well.

We had dinner at Aunt Katherine and Grandma Callister home. It was delicious like always. 

After dinner Trish (Casey's mom) played the keyboard

while we sang Christmas Hymns.

It was quite lovely. 

So peaceful both Eliana and Liam fell asleep. 

Today Miss Eli is 14 months.

(Yesterday we flew in to Texas from Utah)

It feels as if we just had her yesterday.

She has grown so much and has learn so much as well.

She likes to get on a little red stool.

She says "up" as she gets on and "down" as she gets off.

She loves books and won't ever let you finish one before she asks for another one to be read.

Her favorite books are animal books.

She makes animal sounds when asked what they say.

These are some of my favorite.

Sheep "bah bah bah"

rooster "Cackoo"

Pig "oi oi"

cow "moo"
bee "zzzzz" (while moving pointer finger and thumb together in the air)

She tries to say "bless you" when you sneeze but comes out "echu"

When we read "Four spring flowers make eeyore sneeze" 

She then sneezed "Achuuu"

Broccoli is her favorite vegetable.

Bananas and Apples are her favorite fruits. She now knows how to say apple.

She will also point at it in her book and say apple. 

She loves yogurt and juice.

We end up having to spell juice because she knows the name of it.

She will ask "jush?"

She will also sit in front of where they are and yell until she gets one or is moved.

She loves her grandmas very much and loves when they sing and play with her.

 

 

People don't quite know that side of her unless they stay with us. She can be a little shy.

She has also learned to say please but it comes out "cheez" (Which I thank Casey's mom for)

 I would have to say that this is the month that she has learn the most. I do have to say both grandmas were here and for some reason she is more obedient with them :)

She is such an intelligent child and I am so grateful to be able to be home with our children and am able to see how much they are growing and learning. A large part of it is having such a supportive and helpful husband. He is the best!

All better!

So when Mr. Liam was born
not everything was great and we had to take extra care of him
when we came home.
His billirubin was high so we had to lay him on a photo-blanket.
It was not fun to see him in it.
We did have it better than the ones that have the photo-bed
but it was still not fun.
He lost 11% of his birth weight in the first week
and we could tell that he did not feel good at all.
But he is much better.
On the 18th, 19th, and 21st we had to take him to the hospital to have him get pricked and check his blood.
We only took Eliana with us the 19th. 
She yelled at the nurse who pricked him and was taking his blood.
Later in the day on the 21st we got a phone call from the Dr. saying that it was ok that for Liam to be off the blanket.
They believed that Thanksgiving should be enjoyable for us.

At his 2 weeks appointment on the 29th:
Weight: 7 lbs 8 oz
Height: 20.5 in

Because he wasn't at his birth weight just yet the Dr. wanted us to come back in a week to get his weight checked again.
On Dec 6th he weighed 7 lbs 15 oz.
We got the ok that he was doing good.

Because Liam was in the NICU for 48 hours
the Dr. asked us to go in to the hospital to get his hearing checked.
His hearing is perfect to us but you can never be too careful 

So we took him in on the 13th.
Poor baby had some things that hurt to take out because it pulled his hair.
I recognized the lady that did his hearing test because she did Eliana's last year for the same reason.
When the test was over she asked "Do you have any other children?"
Why yes we do.
She said "Yea I remember you from last year."
Wow good memory.

I'm glad this was only temporary.
It's sad to see your baby ill and not be able to fix it right away.
Lots of prayers got us through it.