Behold your little ones

Our Eli so stinkin' smart. He is learning how to negotiate and verbalize his feelings, which I'm not complaining about, but in some ways it's getting harder to know how to discipline him effectively. 

 Here's a few examples of what I mean:

Me: Eli, please listen.

Eli: No, Mom... you need to "wissen". Time out mom.

or

Me: Eli, please clean up your toys it's time to...

Eli: Mom, ____more minutes. 

or

Nursery teacher to Craig: What do you want us to do when Eli starts hitting other kids over toys?

or

Me: Climb into your carseat, bud.

Eli: No thanks. I'll drive.

or.

Me peeping through the window on Sunday: I see 6 kids sitting and singing with the teacher in a nice circle. Where's Eli? Running circles around them.

or

Me: It's time for a nap. Please lay down.

Eli: Okay mom. BYE!

Me: Nuh-night bud. 

He usually sings and talks himself to sleep. This particular afternoon, he decided to jump on his bed and got a HUGE shiner as a result:

Don't get me wrong, I know these are examples that are pretty typical of a 2 year old boy. A lot of times I have to do all that I can to suppress laughter so that I'm not reenforcing behavior. But then there are days that are really, really tough. Days where I'm counting down until naptime or bedtime, and moments when I'm so frustrated it takes everything in me to keep my voice volume at "loud and firm" instead of a "scream." At times it's hard  for me to stay patient and understand that he is on a HUGE learning curve right now.

I remember that I was having an especially hard week a couple of months ago at church when we read this passage of scripture found 3 Nephi 17:21-23 when Christ is visiting the Nephites in the Americas:

"21...and he took their little children, one by one, and ^bblessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

 22 And when he had done this he wept again;

 23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones."

After reading these verses we talked about seeing our children for what they can become, and seeing their true potential as sons and daughters of God.  

Since then, I have had so many little moments where I feel like I really, truly see my kids. Little things that they do show me what they someday will become. I truly Behold them. Moments when I feel under-qualified, humbled and honored to have the opportunity to raise them. Often these moments come at the most unexpected times.

Me: I love you Eli.

Eli: Oh mommy, I love you SO MUCH.

or

Seeing Eli comfort Owen when he cries

 or

Without prompting, I hear the dishwasher open after breakfast or lunch, a plate being dropped into a random place inside, then the door of the dishwasher closes because Eli understands where the dishes go when he's done eating.

or

Overhearing him play with his cars (in his deep play voice):

or

Seeing him trying to microwave toys because he wants to imitate what he sees us doing

or seeing him play in the snow for the first time(last year he refused and hated it):

and my favorite:
Hearing him sing any song... but mostly I am a Child of God. "Weed(lead) me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the wayyyyyyy...."

5?!

I feel like this has been a big month for our Owen. He is officially rolling over and can get from his belly to his back and back to belly...unless he's really frustrated or tired. In that case, he'll just stay on his belly until he gets help. He is super smiley and is quite the little ham, but once the camera comes out, he's stone-faced. At his four month appointment the doctor told us that we could start solids anytime because 1. he's big enough and 2. it might help him sleep through the night. With Eli I was very particular and didn't give him anything but formula or me until 6 mo., but we felt adventurous with Owie, so we started him on solids this month. He LOVES oatmeal! We haven't tried anything else yet, I'm not really ready to introduce him to anything else yet... maybe this next month.  He's offically done with the swaddle. I always am a little bummed to end the swaddle phase, because it shows that my babies are getting bigger. But it was getting a little ridiculous with Owen because he'd just grunt and grunt and grunt in the middle of the night until he was completely unswaddled, then he's fall back asleep. It makes nursing a little more challenging with his arms out of the swaddle, and all crazy, but overall it's been a smooth transition.

First time with Oatmeal...I think he got more on his belly than in  his belly.

Of course the one time that I DON'T have an extra outfit in the diaper bag or car,   we have a blowout. ha. I had to take a picture, because this same thing happened with Eli when he was about the same size. You'd think we'd have learned our lesson...doh .

He is getting so good with his muscle control. I went out to dinner with some friends a couple of nights ago and while I was gone, Craig gave him a bottle. He said that he held it by himself the whole time! Where is the time going?!

Four!

Happy four months, babyboy!

We went to the doctor's yesterday and here are his stats:

Weight: 16lb, 5 oz(66.10%)...Eli was 15lbs 8oz at his 4mo. checkup

Height: 26"(84.30% and the same as Eli at the same age!)

Head Circumference: 17.24"(96.08%)...Eli's HC was 17.3

At four months, he is still nursing and is a generally happy baby. He had his first plane ride in December and just slept. While we were in California, he had a couple solid 8hr stretches through the night, but since we've been back he hasn't been very consistent. He'll get up about once a night, eat, then go right back to sleep. He is starting to laugh, and is really smiley in the morning and in the late evening. He smiles the biggest for Eli and dad. He is starting to figure out how to grab and hold on to things. He is rolling over from his belly to his back and will roll halfway from his back to his belly then gets stuck. He is only interested in the "magic" pacifier and uses his hands to self-soothe. I think we might need to start putting a bib on him so his clothes don't get soaked(he DROOOOLS!). He is in 6-9mo. clothes and size 2 diapers. He rarely cries, so when he's uncomfortable he just moans and grunts. Eli is constantly asking, "What's Owen doing?" The other morning, I found Eli in Owen's carseat then a few minutes later I found him in Owen's bouncer:

Free Tuesdays

If you know me, I LOVE Target. The prices, the clothes, jewelry, shoes, home decor, seasonal items, everything! And now I love them even more. They sponsor free days every month at different museums downtown. So we went to the Children's Museum Tuesday night and had so much fun!

Eli and dad watering the plants.

Crazy eyes, but I think Craig looks handsome.

We asked Eli to show Owen the stuffed animals....

...and this is what we got.

Eli Fishin'

Oh my those cheeks just get me every time!

 Our little firemen:

 

Eli loved being in the driver's seat!

Dad Eli playing the the kinetics section of the museum. He noticed my taking this picture just as it snapped. The look on his face makes me laugh.

And here they are playing together. :))

Waiting in line to buy groceries.

Loading the groceries on the belt. Check out the expression on the girl's face behind him. Ha, he insisted on loading each item one by one WITHOUT help.

And last, but definitely not least... the trains. If you ask Eli what he remembers about the museum, he'll say that the "loves" the trains. Even looking at these pictures, the only one that he really got excited about was this one. haha. Silly boy.

December 2012

I finally did it... I printed out our blog! We have FINALLY made it into a book. December was such a fun month for us. I know that every.single.picture comes from Mark and Mallory, but I plan on making more books from blog again someday so I'd like to have these pictures for our record. Craig's semester ended mid-December and starts again January 22, so we've had such a relaxing break! Our highlight, ofcourse, was CALIFORNIA. I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Mallory was so sweet to cuddle with my boys all break! Eli was sick for a good 2-3 days after Christmas with a CONSTANT fever, and she sat for hours(literally) in the chair with him and let him play on her phone. Thanks Mal!

One of the highlights of Eli's trip? Watching recorded videos of himself with Aunties Paige and Mal and Uncle Mark!

This picture just makes me so happy.

Who needs to take videos when uncle Mark is taking them?!

Paige and Eli conducting our Christmas Eve Family Home Evening

Acting out the Nativity

Paige and our sweet Owie

Opening a present on Christmas Eve

Before the presents were opened...

During....

and after!

Uncle Mark showing Eli how to play with his new puppets

We were able to take a short trip to Napa. My goodness, the older I get the more I appreciate how pretty it is! I love this place for the memories, good times, and family!

On their way to Aunt Cathy and Uncle Mike's!

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!