It happens...

What is it with moms?

And by moms I mean me..

I don't exactly know how many moms do it

But

I think I'm a little too overprotective of Eliana.

Is it because she is my first child?

I think at times I feel like I need to be like my mom.

I don't hear of many times of things that happened to me.
So I expect my kids to be safe from harm at all times.
Or that I can at least prevent it all.

I would say I have been a little of a freak with introducing solids to Eliana.

I'm always trying to be careful that she doesn't get hurt.

You know the whole stressing myself out.

Today I think I learned something.

While I layed Liam down in the playpen I believed Eliana to be perfectly fine sitting playing with the monitor on the couch.

I promise I made sure of it.

It was only seconds that I turned my eyes away.

When I turned back around Eliana was on her way to hitting the floor.

It was as if it was slow motion.

Happened faster than I wish it did.
She was trying to reach for something that had fallen off the couch.

I almost wanted to dive like in volleyball or slide like I learned to do in softball.

Instead I yelled "NO"

It scared Eliana and she took her hands out of her way, hitting the floor with her face.

Poor child.

I think it would have been better if I just let it happen.

There it is.

Just let it happen.

Somethings you just can't do anything about.

I think I have told Eliana a million times not to get on the arm of the couch.

She's a baby I know.

She's little, I know.

That's why I want to protect her.

But I learned that it is just not possible to keep your eyes on your child every second.

And even if I could I can't always protect her.

After she finally quieted down, she took a nap.

When she woke up she kept crying and crying and complaining about her arm.

We called the after hours clinic and they asked us to come in.

They checked her but she was so frustrated that people kept touching her.

The Dr. said she was fine but if she kept giving attention to that arm for a couple days to come back to get x-rays.

I sure hope it's nothing that bad.

I'm hoping it's just that her arm is sore. 

My poor little girl. 

I'm just glad I have a husband that makes me feel better when I feel like such a terrible mom.

He's right.

I do have two kids that I have to keep up with, something was bound to happen.

After the Dr. was done he tried giving Eliana a sucker.

She had never really seen one before much less know what to do with it.

She began to cry.

When we finally told her what it was she licked the wrapper and said "mmmm"

We had to help her a little more.

She then enjoyed that sucker and even used the arm she was complaining about. 

Yep. The hand that is holding the sucker is the one that hurts. A miracle right?

No after a while it was hurting once again.

Especially after she threw a fit and tried picking up her sippy cup then throwing it she cried from the pain.

Wish I could make it all feel better.

May I just add that every time she cried Liam thought it was funny and would get this big smile on his face.

No idea why.

Every time.

Don't mind the "Thank Heaven for Little Boys" bib. We only carry Liams bibs. lol

Fun in the snow like little kids.

Casey and I are more in love than when we got married...

But with a 1 year old, new baby, housework, and school

It's so hard to go on dates.

When we first move to these apartments I had an idea

 but never spoke of it.

So last night I invited Casey to sneak out with me.

When the babies fell asleep we snuck out to the porch.

We plugged the monitor to an outlet we have by our door and we played with the snow.

It was probably one of the funnest times I have had in a while with just Casey.

Sure we have left our kids with our parents and went out 

but I was never at ease.

Last night was different.

My kids were close and we had the monitor to hear and watch them.

So it was fun and relaxing.

Casey built an awesome snow man. 

It was probably 9 inches tall.

well...the snow wasn't how we would have liked it to make a my size snow man.

But hey 

I tried making one and it just ended up being an ant hill. It also began to snow some more while we were out there so some of the pics are blurry because it would focus on the snow flakes instead. Anyways we had lots of fun and can't wait to come up with other fun things to do to spend time with each other.

I thought I could also share a picture of Liam where I finally caught him with a HUGE smile. It's so adorable.

I can get him to smile huge now. 

He is also wearing a size 3 mths here. As you can tell his feet don't quite fit right and his legs are bent most of the time. This has been the first and only time he has worn this outfit and probably the last.

And little miss Eliana has begun pretend playing. From the time that she was 10 months she would take Casey or my phone and put it to her ear and pretend that she was hearing someone.

Now she picks up the phone, puts it to her ear, and actually begins to speak jibberish, pausing at times as if someone is answering back. She also plays with her stuff animals like they are saying things. She also has mega blocks. We recently bought them two mega block trucks and she really likes playing with those as well. She just cracks me up everyday. She has so many facial expressions and I would have to say that my favorite is when she is about to do something she is not suppose to. Her eyes widen, brighten, and her smile is one of a kind. We just know.
Eliana learned her toes, arms, and "open your mouth" within 2 days. Just from watching a video. She's a smarty pants. So now she knows Head, hair, nose, eyes, mouth, arms, and toes. I believe. She also likes to wear some of mamas stuff and tries to put it on herself. She also knows how to take off her jacket. Just needs a little help at the very end when her hands are caught. She also helps when I'm taking off her shirt. She can get it off once her arms are out. And well she's been a pro at kicking her feet out of her pants when I'm trying to change her diaper for a long time now. Trying to grow up so fast. Slow down baby girl.

How they like to play...

The days are starting to become a little more interesting.

Liam is more awake than ever, and gets very upset after hours of being awake.

So now I try to show him toys and put him on the play mats. 

He (at times) enjoys tummy time and kicks away like he's trying to crawl.

He has never really liked being on his back for some reason so those times don't last long

But when he is and he is on the play mat he likes looking at himself in the toy mirror.

He begins to goo and gaa at himself.

And he smiles Oh So BIG!

I just love his smile.

So I have caught him trying to reach for things. 

While on the mat he will reach for the mirror. Like the pic.

I have seen him trying to reach for the monkeys and elephant on the bouncer.

Eliana is getting better with having Liam on the floor.

We obviously still have to keep watching or she will sit on him.

Eliana has become a little obsessed with trying to fit herself into things.

When she was younger, before she could even walk, she would climb into her toy box.

At times she would take everything out and sit in it, or even with toys inside she'd sit in it.

Now she will find any basket and try to fit herself right in.

Her favorite is a green basket that I always put toys in. 

A lot of the times she sits she will fall backwards right after sitting in there.

She's a crazy girl.

When she figured out how to pull the drawers in the dinning area she began pulling them out, taking

everything out, and sitting in them.

Today was probably the funniest one we have seen.

She climbed onto the ottoman, hopped onto the glider, and grabbed Casey's lunchbox.

It was on the couch.

After a while of complaining that the top part of the lunchbox didn't come off she did her usual.

She fit herself right into it.

And thanks to my dad who found out that Eliana loves soup and called me earlier this week to ask if I was giving her soup. To which I replied no...oops... I bought her to "make" her soup and voila. She was so happy. 

Look at her enjoying that soup with some oyster crackers. mmmm

Oh these kids. And lots more to come.

This year I am excited about Valentine's I can't really say what I am doing for Casey because he just might read it. I will write about it when it's all over though. I just hope that Casey knows how much I love him and how much he means to me. Oh how blessed I am.

Funday Monday

Yesterday we were invited to have dinner with Aunt Katherine.

As soon as we walked in Eliana was so happy to see her.

She was just full of "HIs" and hugs.

We had yummy baked potato, meat, veggies and salad.

Eliana couldn't have enough dessert though.

She just kept saying "cookies"

There were cupcakes and cookies.

After dinner we played Yahtzee.

Eliana grabbed a die and put it in her mouth.

SO Aunt Katherine took some toys out.

This is where she surprised me.

She had farm animals and cars.

She saw the car and said

" OH VROOM VROOM!"

Um what?

"Casey did you teach Eliana what car is?"

No..me either.

Hm

Wonder where she learned it.

I may have said it once but that was a while while back.

So this morning when I woke up to feed Liam, Eliana was in our bed.

Casey says he didn't get her and I don't remember bringing her.

Since she knows how to get on and off of most furniture, 

We came to the conclusion that she crawled onto our bed.

When I brought Liam to bed and latched him on 

I found myself not tired.

I looked at the time.

Then it hit me.

Liam slept 8 hours.

It was 6:18am.

First night that we slept for so long.

Amazing.

It is around the time Eliana began sleeping through the night.

Now we can only hope it stays that way.

I am excited for this and because we may get "Your baby can read" today.

Last night Casey and I had a conversation over if we were doing the right thing in getting it.

We find it important our kids learn to read 

But will this mean that we are pushing our kids to learn too early.

Maybe we should actually let them learn when they feel like it.

Then it hit me.

Eliana loves books and reading.

She has been learning so many words.

Besides, I want to home school them.

Maybe she will enjoy it and see it as a fun game.

We also had a Lord of the Rings Marathon.

Casey got if for Christmas.

Sunday night Casey said

"So for tomorrows marathon would you like to watch Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or Harry Potter?"

The only thing about it is that I wished we already had the Hobbit.

I know Casey is going to want to get it, but I haven't watched it.

So I've been trying to workout and it seems like the kids are only letting me get 20 minutes of workout in.

So I have to find something that works really well that takes little time as 20 minutes a day. Great!

Liam is liking his tummy time. Today he lasted about 10 minutes on his tummy. Good job little man!

2 month 15 month Dr. Visit

About a week  ago Mr Liam turned 2 months.

The day was freezing cold outside. 

We didn't go out.

We had beautiful snow

but we spent the day nice and cozy inside. 

Different from the first month he is more awake.

His first month and a half was spent sleeping, eating, and dirtying diapers.

Oh the life of a baby.

From the start he rolled over from his belly to his back both ways.

So we never leave him on the edge for that reason.

He is a roller from the start.

He also liked to hold his head up from the day he was born.

Don't know who he thinks he is, but he is pretty great at it.

The past couple of weeks he tries to goo ga coo and ca.

It's quite cute!

such a sweet picture

From the day he was born he has smiled.

His smile is just so cute and I don't ever get tired of it.

This past month he smiles whenever he is spoken to.

He just loves it.

He loves to see his sissy speak to him, and stares at Casey and I at times.

I can't help but to stop and stare back and wait for a smile.

The one thing I am glad is that he does not scratch his face like Eliana did. 

Poor girl we had to put socks on her hands because mittens never fit.

This tells how diff they are

He on the other hand doesn't really scratch himself so we stop making him wear them.

They make his hands stinky.

He is getting better at sitting in one place for a while before he starts whining that he wants to be picked up.

He loves the bouncer and were working on the swing. 

He doesn't really enjoy it. 

When it comes to napping he is getting better at falling asleep on his own.

Liam has been sleeping so great over night.

He will wake up once or twice and all I do is bring him to bed with me and latch him right on.

It's great!

Today Eliana turned 15 months.

Unbelievable.

This month I've been trying to get Eliana to eat with her fork and spoon

but she still finds it easier to eat with her fingers, although at times she will use her fork or spoon.

She likes to drink from a cup now by herself 

but I have to give her little by little or she will pour it over herself or drink with her nose as well.

She likes when 'Choo Choo Soul' comes on she will sing along and dance along.

Her new favorite fruits are strawberry and grapes.

She likes bran flakes.

We still can't figure out how to feed Eliana whole milk other than a bottle.

But she no longer has been drinking milk period.

It's a good thing she loves yogurt and cheese.

She loves meat too.

She loves to watch movies with us, especially action.

And she loves to climb.

Literally fell asleep to her brothers cry.

Over Christmas we had to be careful because she wanted to climb onto the chimney at Casey's parents house.

Here at home, she climbs onto the ottoman and the glider. She likes to just sit or stand on them.

She tries climbing the couch but that is still a little too tall for her. Once she's on she likes to climb higher.

The last couple of weeks she has not wanted to take a nap until later in the day and they can last up to 4 hours.

It's a good thing she still sleeps through the night just fine.

She still loves to sing and dance.

Her favorite shows are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einstein, and Sesame Street which she calls "Elmo".

But I'm not sure that they really qualify as favorite since any show will catch her attention when there is music. And usually that's the only thing that she pays attention to. Once music is over she carries on with something else.

Her most said words are "no" "cheez" (please) "thank you" "yea" oh weeyee" (oh really) "Uh yea" "hey" "tid"(sit)

If she can't say it, she will figure out a way to make herself understood.  

I just love her curiosity (at times)

She repeats just about everything we say. Even if she doesn't know what it is. So we have to choose our words carefully.
Yesterday she began to say phrases.
"Audun" (All done)
"Tid cheez" (sit please)
"I Know"

The one that coughs the most at home is Casey.

So when Eliana coughs she covers her mouth with her arm like daddy. Good girl.

She has a total of 12 teeth and don't ask me exactly when the last 4 came in because I was too busy trying to have a baby lol

She loves to be outside but sadly with this weather it is hard. It's a good thing we have windows.

And just when we thought she couldn't reach anything she opened the snacks drawer and took some cookies out. Great! Need to look for a new spot now. She also took the drawer out after emptying it and sat in it. Then she pulled down the drawers. Casey looked at her and she said "I know."

On Friday the 18th we had their Dr. visit.

We didn't know exactly how the visit would go.

You know with both of them getting shots.

I cannot stand watching them get shots.

Such a terrible feeling.

I am just glad Casey doesn't want to miss it.

We know it won't always be that way but that is why he is taking advantage of the opportunity.

Everything was great until the shots.

It's a good thing that was the end.

In the rooms they have the walls full of "Winnie the Pooh" characters.

As soon as we walked in Eliana kept saying "Pooh...Pooh....POOH"

I loved how we were in and out of there.

They were both weight, measured, and had their shots back to back.

Eliana:   Height: 30 in    37.5%

          Weight: 19 lbs 4 oz  6%

          Head: 46 cm    54%

Dr said Eliana is doing good and that she is actually more verbal than most children are at her age, so that's good.

Liam: Height:23.5in 25%

      Weight:11Lbs 8oz 50%

      Head:39cm 55%
Well for Liam there isn't much to say but he is doing great for his age. He holds his head up when on his tummy. (He doesn't enjoy it but he doesn't fuss like Eliana did.) He watches us and responds well when we talk to him. He always gives us those Oh So Cute Smiles. He's starting to coo and such things like that.

It's so wonderful to know that Casey and I created these two beings and amazing how much we love them and the love that we get from them. We are excited to watch them grow (we don't want it to happen so quickly but we look forward to every step they take). 

I have two younger brothers and I know how it is to get in fights but I love them very much. Even though they are 5.5 and 12 years younger than I am, I can honestly say that they were my best friends. Every time I say that Eliana loves her brother someone says "Yea that's because they are still young." Well Eliana has her jealous times but she still loves him very much and that's the side I love to see. I'm not going to go around saying "Oh yea Eliana is very jealous of her brother." She's not perfect and there are times that she is going to want my attention when I am breastfeeding Liam but that doesn't mean her love will fade away. She will always love him. That being said, I am excited to watch them grow and become best friends and I know that they will be as close or closer than I am with my brothers. Gotta love them!

After the Dr we made a stop at the grocery store.

On our way towards the exit Eliana spotted the back of Elmo's head.

She immediately began yelling "Ehmo" "Ehmo"

We began looking for change.

We didn't have cash.

But we were glad Eliana was happy just by sitting on the ride.

She's not old enough to know exactly what it was suppose to do. Saved. 

Last night the bed was a success! Eliana slept the entire night! mmm

Audun!

In the words of Eliana...AUDUN!!

Today Eliana began to say "all done"..when she is done...or just because.

She actually said it after she woke up from a nap. Lol

Let me begin with saying that I have an incredible husband.

In the Latin world we have what is called "machismo"

The women are in charge of the cleaning, the cooking, the kids

And the men just work, come home, and eat.

It's their masculine pride.

I don't believe in that.

"Drawing" while I cleaned

Husband and Wife should be by each other

Not one in front of the other.

It helps keeping the relationship strong.

Casey is such an amazing husband.

At times I think "Man how did I get so lucky."

I have had no time to organize the apartment.

Until today.

Casey was a great help.

It helped that Liam is such a calm baby and Eliana was such a good girl.

I was finally able to clean every single room and vacuum. 

Pack some things that we won't be using for a while.

Got rid of A LOT of trash.

Filed papers.

It was a loooooong day.

But I am finally done.

Kids in bed.

Now some me time.

Eliana has been sleeping with us for a while now.

Judge me.

We couldn't figure out why Eliana was not sleeping in her crib.

Last night we gave her a pillow and phew.

She slept without waking up until 9 am this morning.

So..

Today Casey helped convert the crib into a bed.

She gets on and off on her own.

She was pretty excited that she now has her bed more accessible.

She's growing up so fast.

Please slow down a bit.

But I love it.

For some reason 

she began hugging random 

things today and says

"awww" and pats it.

Example.

After dinner, Eliana began asking for the spoon

we dished up with.

I gave it to her after a while.

This is what she did with it.

Silly girl.

For the past couple of weeks Eliana 

has tried putting her bibs on herself.

She doesn't quite do it right.

While Casey was folding laundry

(because he loves me)

Eliana stole her bibs.

She tried putting it on again.

Since it wouldn't stay on she held it with her chin.

Wish I had a picture of that.

Casey took the bibs so she stole a shirt

and did the same thing.

 I'm impressed that she could run at the same time.

I can say after a long day of hard work,

I am exhausted but so relaxed with a clean apartment.

Now we can enjoy and have a wonderful sabbath.

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....