Memorial Weekend

On Saturday I worked and on Sunday it rained all day, but Monday was really pretty so we decided to take a trip to Jackson Hole. This is one of the trips that we've had on our "Rexburg Bucket List," so this weekend was perfect! We started out in Jackson Hole, and walked around some of the shops, but there is only so much time you can spend in the little shops that sell the same little trinkets, so we only spent about 30 minutes before we took a little boat out across Jenny Lake.

 On the side of the lake that we got into the boat, it was sunny skies and warm weather, when we got on the other side of the lake, it was SNOWING/raining and SO muddy! I think if we would have known how muddy it would be, we would have planned something a little different, because poor Eli had to stay in the pack the whole time. The hike back was about 3 miles(because we took a little detour to hidden falls), and SO pretty! I would recommend this little trip to anybody and everybody planning on going to Jackson!

 After the boat ride, Eli insisted on throwing rocks. We had just put him in the backpack, so we just left him there... haha.

HE'S the one that pulls the bill of his hat down to cover half of his face. When he's walking around he can barely see... but he gets mad when we try to fix his hat. So we just let it be.

 Hidden Falls

 Craig and Eli in front of the Lake

 This moose was not even 25 feet away from us! Right before we got off the boat, the driver warned us of bears, so I kept my eyes peeled, but instead saw THIS! trust me.... equally scary! Even if it wasn't phased by us. Eli's reaction? "Mooooose! Mooooose!" 

About 20 minutes before we got to the car, Eli fell asleep in the pack. Good timing Eli. 

Although these pictures don't show it, Becca and Elle Mele came with us. It was so nice to have some friends to keep Eli company on the drive and to help us out in Jackson. Because Eli had his little power nap, he talked and talked and talked on the way home. Poor Elle was trying to sleep while Eli's little hands kept poking her face. OH dear. I couldn't help but laugh. Thanks for coming with us ladies!

Just because it made me smile...

Yes, he is wearing a diaper. 

Yes, he is wearing a onesie.

Yes, he could pass as a plumber.

Fathers and Sons

Eli and I went to Twin Bridges Campground for our ward's fathers and sons, and we had a blast!  Kimi thought I was pretty crazy to take Eli camping, but I've been wanting to give it a try.  Kimi was doubtful we'd make it through the night.  She bet we'd be home by 9pm.  I set out to prove her wrong, and have a good time.

Eli got a kick out of watching the dog chase rocks the kids were throwing, and he also loved throwing rocks into the water after the dog left.  Within ten minutes of arriving at the campground Eli was filthy from touching the rocks around the fire pit(there wasn't a fire just yet), and stomping around in the dirt.  He also sat somewhat in the river, got his bum wet and then sat down on the dusty ground. Silly boy.   

We went on a hike along the river, and we saw a moose!  It was really cool.  We followed it for a little while, but she'd never let us get too close.  Eli kept pointing at it and saying, "Moose! Moose!"  

And then it came time to go to bed.  That's where the fun stopped, for me anyway.  Eli had a great time crawling around the tent being super silly.  He didn't fall asleep until 11pm!  He didn't sleep well, so neither did I.  I gave up at 2am and we headed home.  Although we didn't make it through the night and I am glad we stayed five hours longer than Kimi bet we would.  I had a great time with my little man, and I look forward to our next camping trip.  We'll work on the sleeping part ;)  

Big reveal...

That's right, we're having a BOY! I am still a little shocked that my "motherly instincts" were so off, being so SURE that it was a girl, but I am so happy! The more I think about having another little guy, the more excited I get. :)) Here's to more cars, trucks, sports, and DIRT!

2 minutes in the life...

I wanted to get a picture of Eli lining up his cars to make a "Choo choo train" out of his trucks and cars because this is something that he will do for HOURS. Of course the once the camera is out he's all over the place.Keep in mind that these were all taken in 2 minutes time...

 (maybe this is evidence that we need to pull out the camera more often so that he doesn't feel the need to come up and press all the buttons?)

 ("Cheese")

 (He is actually throwing the cars one by one off the TV stand)

 ...then building a choo-choo with the cars lined up upside-down.

...then finishing his line of cars on the stand. He really is a busy body!

This is the conversation that Eli and I had over dinner:

Me: "Eli, what should we name our baby?"

Eli: "Ummm baaybay"

Me: "No, what should we name the baby?"

Eli: "Meat!"

Maybe we shouldn't talk baby names over dinner...

The Scoop

I LOVE hearing about how other women's pregnancies and births go so for those of you who are like me, here's an answer to some of the frequently asked pregnancy questions:

1. How far along are you? Technically, I'm 20 weeks on Wednesday(May 16), but during my first ultrasound the baby was measuring a little big, so the doctor moved up my due date to September 29, making me 20 weeks on Saturday. Halfway baby!

2. Why have I waited a while to let the word out? See question 3. There are so many crazy comments that I've gotten from people that I do and don't know. I read a status the other day that said, "Often the people that know you the least have the most to say." Don't get me wrong, I'm not ashamed that I will be a mother of two in a few short months, I am thrilled! I have really enjoyed letting the word get out slowly(thanks to the people that we have told.:)) I WANTED to wait until we found out if it was a girl or a boy... but that didn't happen.

3. "Was this one planned?" Yes, that is a question word-for-word that I have been asked. I know a lot of women think it, but often when it's verbally asked it comes out SO wrong. This is a question that I have made a HUGE effort not to ask any other woman, because we are all so different. If they want to share it, they will. But YES, This baby was planned. Yes, This baby is wanted.  Yes, 2 years isn't very long between kids. Yes, I know I still have a toddler. Yes. Once Eli turned 1 we felt that another baby was waiting to come to our family. So yes. that's when the "planning" began.


4.How are you feeling? I can't believe how stinkin' tired I am by the end of the day. I'd like to think that it's because I have a little boy to chase after as well, but I am TIRED! I was really sick during the first trimester and have had little "spouts" of sickness and headaches since, but I've figured out how to eat so I don't get as many headaches or don't get as sick.


5. Movement? Eeee! Yes! I started feeling the baby move around 16-17 weeks, which is a lot earlier than Eli! Yesterday Craig felt the baby too! It's my favorite, favorite part or being pregnant!


6. Do you think it's a boy or a girl? This pregnancy has been SO different than my pregnancy with Eli, so I really feel like we're having a girl. Craig says that he thinks it's a girl, but he wouldn't be "as shocked" if it was a boy. Of course, I have done some of the myths and tricks, and these are the results that I've gotten:(thanks to parenting.com)

1. Highs and Lows If you're carrying high, break out the pink. If your bump is low, you're carrying a boy. 2. Be Still My Beating Heart                                According to legend, 140+ beats per minute indicates a girl, and below 140 a boy. 3. Sweet and Sour Craving ice cream every single day? Some people believe this means it's a girl. If you have to have salty or sour stuff, then it's a boy. 4. Chinese Birth Chart This ancient method uses your age at conception and the month you did the deed to determine gender. Try it here! 5. Even and Odd Legend has it that the Mayans determined a baby's sex by looking at the mother's age at conception and the year of conception. If both are even or odd, it's a girl. If one's even and one's odd, it's a boy. 6. Spot On If you're breaking out like crazy, blame it on your girl babe. The belief goes that girls steal their mother's beauty, hence, those annoying zits. 7. Nice Ring to It Pop off your wedding ring -- if you still can! -- and tie it to a string. Hang it over your belly. If it swings in a circle, a little guy's in your future. If it goes back and forth, you've got a girl. 8. Queasy Does It Sick as a dog during the first trimester -- or still? Signs indicate you're having a girl. Little or no morning sickness points to a boy.

1. I think it’s really too early to tell? 2. Girl- Last time I was at the doctor, the baby’s heartbeat was 154. 3. Again, this one is really hard. I love sweets so I’m not sure if I am craving them because I’m pregnant with a girl? In the beginning Ramen noodles(I know they are so bad for you) helped a TON with Sickness because of all the Sodium it has. 4. Girl 5. Boy- I was 22 in the year 2011 6. Girl- I have broken out like mad since I’ve been pregnant. 7. BOY- It started back and forth then went in circles for a looong time. 8. Girl- I have been so dang sick.

Girl: 4 Boy: 2
So... that doesn't tell us much either. Anybody else have any guesses before we find out at our ultrasound on WEDNESDAY? :) 

During the last four months...

Oh dear... So much has gone on in these last few months that it almost seems overwhelming to post anything. But after reading this quote, I know that as I write and record more regularly, relationships will grow and inspiration on what I will write about will come. Right?... Right.

So for a little update:
1. We are MOVING to Colorado after graduation in July! SO if you know anybody in the area that knows anything about the area, we LOVE to hear it. I'm a little nervous to leave my comfort zone here in Rexburg.

Sunday Drives have become one of our FAVORITE things to do. Here are a couples of pictures from last Sunday's Drive to a little swimming hole about 30 minutes out of town. One of Eli's new obsessions: Rocks!

2. We BOTH graduate with BACHELOR'S degrees JULY 21. The other day a girl at work asked me if it has been hard having a baby and going to school. Looking back it has been really tough! I feel that I was given the strength and motivation to continue on... and our schedules have really worked out. We have been so lucky!
3. Eli is 100% BOY! He is obsessed with cars, books, bikes, planes, and TRAINS! Yesterday was his 20 mo. birthday. During the last few weeks we have been working on the Alphabet with him, and we keep saying we need to get a video of it. Maybe it will make it here. :) Last week was his first week in Toddler Lab on campus and he has LOVED it. It's only 2 times a week, for an hour and fifteen minutes each day. They play, sing songs, read books, have snacks, and play. My favorite part? The observation booth!

The other day I had one of my friend's over, and when Eli and Juliet became quiet, I had to check on them. This is what I found them doing... Reading in Eli's "Prayer Chair".I'm sure this is completely normal at the this age, but Eli has become extremely attached to his blanket("ni-ni" or "bain-keck") and wants to take them EVERYWHERE.

I'd like to think that I'm not the only one who thinks adult-like mannerisms are cute when modeled by little toddlers.(notice the arms and legs... oh, I melt! I love love LOVE him)

Eli likes to say gross, which sounds more like "goes" when he touches my toes, but he's all about eating his own!

When we were down in Utah over break in April, Eli inherited this little treasure from his cousin Keaton and he loves it... which comes as no surprise since his mom and dad LOVE going on bike rides with him.

And a little look into the next few months:
I'm done with my LAST block class in JUNE!
We have a family reunion(eee!) then graduate in JULY!
We'll be in Colorado in AUGUST!
Eli will become a brother at end of SEPTEMBER!