Reading together

Here is a cute video of Sariah "reading" to Ben about Christmas. I had to sneak up on them so they wouldn't know I was taking a video. I hope they always love each other like this.

Sam Ransom shared an Instagram photo with you

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"Tried to run to the grocery store really quick before naps. Eli didn't wake up when I got him out of the car. He slept in the grocery cart the whole time!"

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For real

Eli has a fierce army crawl that he has perfected for months now. But yesterday he actually crawled with real crawling moves!!

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"So tired. He crashed in his jumpy seat. Sweet boy!"

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Sorry blog

I wish I was one of those people that jourals everything and keeps track of stuff.  Especially since I have a horrible memory.  But I'm not and my memory still stinks.  So while I wish I had documented our crazy life the last several months oh well.  So here is where we finally are.  We have been in the new house for almost a month.  YAY!!  Still unpacking and organizing the new house.  But it is so nice to have more space and be in.  Our builder bought our old house as it did not sell before this one was done.  A blessing that we had that option and we are so thankful.  I know everyone wants pictures of the house and I will try to take some more and get them posted.  I have been so caught up in trying to get the house unpacked that pictures has been the last thing on my mind. 

We are taking a super hard Advanced Corporate Finance class.  Our midterm is next week.  So I should be studying but yet I'm blogging! hehehe 

The kids are growing as always.  I realized today that my header was from when Ben was about the age that Eli is now.  So I added the one from my sister in laws wedding, but I think a new family picture is sorely needed!

And now we head into our crazy time.....  My birthday is the 14th (the big 3-0 this year), then Ben is the 20th, Thanksgiving, Eli the 29th, then Christmas, James is Dec 30th, and then Sariah is Jan 7th.  Let the fun begin!!  (And yes we obivously stink at family planning!)

Ben

Ben has become much more talkative lately. Normally he was happy to let sissy or someone else talk for him. But now he's become a little chatter box.

Some funny things he says.

I too busy. (when asked to do something)
Or... In a minute.

Today I got new pink slippers. Ben looked at them and said "you have cute shoes mom"

This morning he told me, "mommy your hair is messy. You should go brush it."

And we saw a mummy at the store. One of those blow up lawn pieces. In trying to tell him the difference between mummy and mommy I sounded it out really slow. So now he says "we saw a mmmmmmmommy at the store"

He is so stinking cute sometimes.

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Errands

Today I took the kids to the library and the grocery store while James worked on his paper for school.

At the library, Ben bee-lined for the kids' computer. It is seriously his favorite thing. And how cute is he with those big headphones. Looks just like daddy.

Naptime snuggles

Ben often wakes up from his naps but isn't really awake yet. So I love when he climbs up with me and goes back to sleep.

I know there will come a day where snuggling with mom won't happen anymore. So thankful today isn't that day.

My little photographer

Sariah LOVES taking pictures. I braved it today and let her use my fancy camera for a bit.

Bike MS

My hubby did the Bike MS 150 this weekend. He did 102 miles day one and 38 miles day two. The picture is at the end of day one. It was a lot of training and a long weekend. But super proud of him!!

My brother in law George

Got a little something on your mouth

Ben was cracking me up at my niece's birthday party. He really liked the cake as evidenced by his green mouth. Also makes me giggle that this "tourist" shirt is one of his favorites! I try to tuck it back in the back of his closet. But Sariah helped him find it to wear that morning.

Green beans and hot dogs

Green beans and hot dogs are definitely high on Eli's favorite foods list. He loves that he can feed himself (and other than the extra clean up I love it too!). And he's got to be one of the smiley-ist babies I know. I can't get enough!!

My little dancer

Sariah has been begging for months to start a dance class. So when James' sister told me she was going to start kids classes up, I said count us in. The first class is Thursday. But today I let Sariah try on the dance clothes Jade is letting us borrow. She is SUPER excited. She twirled around the house all morning in them.

Funny things

Today Sariah was in tears as we were trying to leave the house. She couldn't find the bracelet that she normally wears and was quite upset over it. She turned to me in tears and all seriousness and said "But mom that bracelet goes with this dress."

Then for bed tonight, we thought Ben was upset because he wanted to sing Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam. But James came out and told me no, Ben wanted Jesus. As in he wanted Jesus to come here tonight.

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Welcomed quiet moment

On a busy day as this, I welcome the quiet moment I get to rock my sweet baby to sleep.

Biking

This pictures are a little hazy but oh well. We did the Bike for the Brain ride today with our friend Nathan. It was a great time. This was an amazing view of the city that was part of the ride. It started at Lamar in KS and went through a lot of downtown KC. The parts with lots of lights and traffic had me on edge. But there were two awesome sections that were scenic and just bikers. Those were heaven. I could bike them everyday! It has been fun to join James in this sport/hobby. He humors my slow pace and often stops to wait for me to catch up.

This was my 3rd time using my clip pedals. (where your shoe actually clips on to the bike pedal). But it was my first time not falling!! Yay!! I was super excited by that.

Big sis and Eli

Big boy lunch.

Biking

Tonight was a fun time. Watching the kids play on their own bikes.

Sleeping babies.

I think every mom does it. Holds their little sleeping baby and just stares at them and how precious they are. I was blessed to go visit a friend at the hospital with her new little girl today. That sweet baby was so incredibly teeny compared to Eli. And yet I feel like it was just me whom my friends were coming to see. Some days I have trouble laying Eli down, because I want to try to savor that moment and keep it in my memory. Today was one of those days.

Sweet biking buddies

Nothing beats my biking partners. Especially when the ride ends like this. So sweet!

Peekaboo

It is a little out of focus. But Eli has figured out how to do peekaboo. And I think it is the cutest this EVER!!

Grandma and Eli

Tonight, we celebrated Great Grandma Dorn's 87th birthday. At the end of the night, Eli snuggled up for a nap with the birthday girl.

King of the...hut?

Ben has claimed his place as the king of the hut at The Grove. I'm not sure if he knows how to get down.

Whirlwind

The past few days have been a crazy whirlwind.

James and I took an inpromptu trip to Denver. James found a super awesome bike he wanted. So we drove overnight, spent not even a full day to pick it up and do lunch with his cousin and hubby,. and then drove back. We left the kids behind with his sister and niece. Totally not something we would normally do.

Then we sent the kids to grandma for a night. This was planned well before the CO trip. This was so we could write papers since next week is finals and both of my classes are making everything due before Wed. So today I wrote-a lot!

My brain is tired. My body is fully off schedule. And it is nice to sit here and snuggle my baby who I missed so much.

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Roll over Roll over

There was Eli on the floor and he wanted a toy-- roll over roll over.

Yep Eli successfully rolled over this week from his back to his tummy. Then tonight he got from his tummy to his back.

Of course the minute I get the video out he won't do it. But I promise he can.

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Sariah singing

Busy, Hectic, Crazy, Overwhelming

Pretty sure I used all of those words at some point last week to describe my life.  Last week was a bit too much, so I feel much better now that it is done. 

Last week included:

Last Sunday- Open house with 2 couples coming through, a third showing was scheduled but cancelled.

3 other showings scheduled during the week - 1 cancelled but the other two showed and it meant getting the house ready 3 times. 

School-Midterm week.  I'm in two classes so this involved the regular homework, reading, discussions and then on top of that a team project for one class and an indepth case study/paper for the other class.

Eli is working on teeth so there were some sleepless nights.

Multiple runs with one at 5am.  Not sure my brain was at all awake for that one.

James was gone every night and then Saturday morning for Corporate Challenge events.

Sariah was so happy to go to a friend's birthday party.

Preparing a lesson for church where I teach the Gospel Doctrine Class.

Then James was sick this Sunday so I got the pleasure of all 3 kids by myself.

....

Just a few reasons I'm glad the week is over.  Life is still busy.  We are still trying to sell our house and so thankful for all of the showings even if it is a lot to get the house perfect for them. 

We are still building a house and hope to go by tonight to check the progress.  It has just been too busy to get over there. 

We are still in school but thankful to be past midterm week. 

....

I am thankful for my crazy life though.  I have healthy kids.  We are enjoying the library's summer reading program and going to farmers markets every week (often multiples in a week). 

I am thankful for a huband that works so hard so that I can be home with our kids.

I am thankful for friends and family that has helped everytime I have a showing and just giving me the strength I need to keep going. 

Another wardrobe change?

So some of Eli's onsies were getting pretty snug. Seriously? The kid isn't even 7 months and 12 month clothes are snug? So I finally succumbed and pulled out the 18 month bin. Yep. This little cute outfit is 18 months and fits perfect. Ugh! He is growing WAY to fast. I'm pretty sure all of the pants will be too long but yeah the onsies are definitely the right size.

He weighed 23.8 lbs this morning.

And then there were 2

Sunday Eli added his second tooth and today I got a picture of those pearly whites.

It's a...

Ben put his train tracks together like this and held it up and said, "Look Mom, it's a rainbow.".

Cute moment

Ben reading to Eli this morning. Talk about a cute moment. Melt my heart! Eli is super loved by his siblings.

A tooth

Eli got his first tooth on the bottom in the middle! Once I can get a picture I'll post it!!

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Growing up

This week Eli started sitting in our high chair/booster seat thing. And tried carrots. I should have a cute picture, but the first time I was feeding him and forgot, and the second time I was too busy making lunch while James fed him. I do have this angry picture of afterwards when he got too tired and wanted out.

Nana

Nothing beats having Nana rock you to sleep.

Fun friend

The kids were excited to get to play with their buddy, "Baby" Max today. His poor momma is pregnant and has food poisoning (seriously, this shouldn't be allowed to happen!). So we were able to come take Max for the morning. This is a little video at lunch of them all being so cute and funny. The best game of drop your sippy on the floor ever. Hehe.

Triple blessed

Looking at my 3 beautiful children this morning made me feel so blessed! What a lucky girl I am.

Happy Birthday Daddy

Today is my Dad's birthday. As I was looking at pictures of him, my emotions got the best of me. Losing my dad has been a life changing event. As I held Eli tonight, I was so sad that my kids won't know their Papa. I talked to Eli as I'm sure he knew Papa before he came to me. I'm sure Papa was loving him in heaven before he joined my little family. I wish he could tell me all about it.

My daddy was the best. And I miss him. I don't often let myself dwell on these thoughts because well I don't like to cry much. I hope I am a daughter that he can be proud of because he is definitely a father that I'm very proud of.

Happy birthday daddy!

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Snuggle all day

This chubby boy is so cute that I could sit and snuggle him all day.

Oatmeal thief

Ben loves oatmeal. And it always works that if I make enough for both of us, he won't touch it. But if I make enough for just me, he downs my whole bowl and then wants more. Today was such a morning. The oatmeal thief ate my whole bowl. But he's cute I couldn't say no.

Trying stuff on

Sariah was having so much fun trying on the clothes I bought yesterday. Here she is modeling my new dress.

6 months

Mr Eli is 6 months old today!! What a big man. He is our mellow baby. Happy to sit and grin at you. He loves to munch on things- toys, teething rings, his bib. He can often be found with his bib stuck in the corner of his mouth. He loves his yummy thumbs too. He still spits up so we have no idea how he gains so much weight. He is on reflux medicine so that helps some. He is eating cereal occasionally now. Planning to start more food soon.

Best are his smiles and giggles!

Eli talking

Temple Run

Today I ran in the second annual Temple Run. It is a fun, casual, and free 5k that starts and ends near the new Kansas City LDS temple. I ran last year while I was pregnant with Eli and made myself super sick. (Yep like ER visit the following Monday). But this year I am happy to say that I feel great. It was a nice cloudy day with lots of wind. I think my time was about 33min 30sec but will have to wait for the results. I started way behind everyone else because I got there late and didn't want to smush up with the other runners, which makes your time off from the clock. And I'm lame and forgot to get a picture until we were already back to our car. So no good picture in front of the temple or during the race. But here I am after completing my first race since Eli was born.

Cute dancing kids

Ab time

Day 8 done in the morning. I need to do better about doing this early in the day. Otherwise it gets late and I forget or just get lazy and go to bed. But I'm done today!

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Just go with it

I was chatting with some friends who are getting ready to have their third baby. They are a bit overwhelmed and unsure- which I totally remember. I told them it isn't like I feel like I have everything under control, but I am to where I've accepted the crazy. I know that taking all three kids to the store will be hectic and crazy, but I can do it. I just know this is life and I have to just go with it.

We have a few weeks off from school before summer semester starts- hallelujah!!

We are meeting with our realtor tomorrow to switch from "For Sale By Owner" to fully listed. We just weren't getting showings. I'm daunted by it but also excited. I am hoping to sell quick and be able to focus on packing and moving. So all prayers are appreciated!!

We walked through our new house tonight. It is changing so fast! The roof should be on this week. We went and picked out super cool appliances tonight. Very exciting!! I'm still not always sure this is really happening. It is exciting and crazy- but that's life and you just go with it!

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Finished

Day 7 done!! Yay!! Halfway!!

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Abs done.

Okay I think it was day 6 yesterday but yep it didn't happen until today. And really I'm okay with that. I'm still making progress. And I'm starting to see less bulge in my midsection. Yay!

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Day 5- a third of the way

Just finished day 5 of my ab workout challenge. It is becoming more routine if nothing else. So I'm a third of the way through which is nice. I really should have taken some
measurements but I didn't. Maybe I will half way through and at the end. I don't think this will get my stomach back flat or anything. I do think it will help it be more in shape.

When I'm honest, I know that I will need a more conservative diet plan and more exercise than just abs to get the last bit of baby weight off. But for now this is something and something is better than nothing.

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Day 4

Completed day 4 of my abs challenge. Not quite as sore today. It was still hard. Not sure it will ever get easy. Not sure I'll ever be able to associate any sort of "pack" with my stomach but hopefully this will lesson the pooch.

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Ben

Came out tonight to find Ben sitting with a bowl on his head, in the dark, watching Thomas on the iPad. Yep that's how he rolls.