Bathtime Fun for Kids!

We absolutely love "bath accessories" for our boys! They love taking baths and things like these Crayola bath dropz (pictured above) and Crayola bath markers (not pictured) make bath time even more fun! The boys get excited to pick a color for each bath & many times we have fun experimenting with, & learning about, color mixing! You can find these & other fun bath items at your local Walmart or Target! Happy splashing!

Big Boy Bed Update

I just have to say that Elijah has done wonderfully in his big boy bed!!! He has surely surprised and impressed us. He sleeps so well in it (not one change in his schedule has happened due to this re-location!). I love that he is such a good sleeper - what a blessing!

Next big process here is potty training. That's a big one! I am hoping to have him mostly trained before the baby comes so that there is only one child in diapers. ;) We'll see how it goes...

Cute sayings

The other day I was driving home after a full, busy day at work and I yawned. Elijah said to me, "Mommy's tired. Mommy needs a nap, too!" :)

He also is into saying "it's not working" if something isn't working right for him. Then he says "try again" (because I always tell him that, so now he tells me before I tell him), and then he'll either say "it's working" or "it's not working EITHER". :)

Sonogram!!!

We just found out we are going to have another BOY! His name is going to be Levi Ashton! We are very excited that Elijah will have a little brother! Our little soccer team is beginning to form! ;)

So tired

So, my mom and I just finished spending almost 12 straight hours working on the rooms/house. I am sooo very tired and worn out. On top of that, I have had a cold/throat infection and a bad headache all week and it seems to have gotten worse today. Elijah has also had a throat infection and bronchitis, so I am not surprised I am not feeling well. :( Hopefully we will both get better soon!

As I write, he is in his new big boy room/bed. He did really well going down, but he hasn't fallen asleep yet. So, we'll see how he does.

Okay, I need some rest!

Cute saying

I told Elijah that Gramma was going to come over to our house tomorrow and he said "Mommy, I'm happy...so excited!" :) I thought that was precious!

Playing in the rain

He sure does love water (in this case, rain)! I am sure, we are crazy parents for letting him play in it that day, but he was having the time of his life!

Growing up

I can't believe that in just 6 weeks, this guy will be 2 years old! Everyone always tells you, "they grow so fast" and it really is true. We are getting ready to move him to his "big boy room" this weekend (hopefully)! I am excited and also a little nervous at how he will do. He's such a great sleeper, that hopefully changing rooms/beds won't change his sleep patterns! But, I expect it might some, at least at the beginning.

For my birthday, Steve and Elijah brought me home beautiful flowers and small ice cream cake for us three to celebrate with. Elijah keeps reminding me that he "gave Mommy flowers...and a cake". He is such an active guy and loves to be outside - whenever Steve gets home from work, he runs to him, hugs his legs and says "Yay! My papi, my papi!!" And, then immediately either tells Steve to sit and play or go outside. :) I think it's funny how he points with his hand to an exact spot for us to sit. And, when we walk, he will say "Mano (hand), Mommy". He also loves money and loves putting coins in his pant/short pockets. He will keep them in there for quite some time. I try and remind him to put them in his bank - so he also enjoys putting his money in there. And, whenever we are inside, he wants his shoes and socks off. He doesn't like walking around in socks, I guess!

As far as the other little one on the way, we find out in 3 weeks what the sex of the baby is. :) That is very exciting! My Dr. always tries and "guesses" with his patients what the gender is (and I think he said his track record is very good - like 90% right or something). Anyways, at first when he was trying to find the heartbeat, he couldn't keep up with the baby. He/she was so active and moving all around, that it was hard to get a reading. At first, the Dr. said, "Oh, I think we have another boy here". I said, "Oh, really, what's the heart rate?" And, he said, "I don't know, the baby won't stay still long enough for me to get it." :) All I could picture was little Elijah running around in my tummy. Hahaha. Then, he finally got the reading and said, "Oh, this is very different from your last baby. I think it might be a girl, but I don't want to give my 'official' guess until your next visit." So, we will see. We will be so happy with either one!

And, totally random, but I am so happy about 3 things: 1) Tomato soup is back at Panera! (I know, I am silly, but I love this soup!) 2) Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back at Starbucks! and 3) the weather has been beautiful! No AC needed, just windows - my favorite! Oh, I love the fall!!! :)

Fun stuff

We had a wonderful week/weekend FULL of celebrating Steve's 30th birthday! It was a lot of fun being together and doing things just for Steve! I threw in a few surprises for him and by the end of the weekend, we were both exhausted!

This week I go for another baby appointment! :) I have loved being in my second trimester! The past couple of weeks have been soooo much better! The beginning was a little difficult for me as I had some potential complications and was put on medication for the first 10 weeks to help (which did, but made me feel worse!). I will have to share that story at some point. So, having been off that medicine for quite a while now and also being in the second trimester have made a huge difference!

I am excited to "hear" the baby again and look forward to scheduling my next sonogram at this appointment! We can't wait to see if it's a he or a she! When I was pregnant with Elijah, I *knew* it was a boy. However, this time, I am just not sure! This weekend, we talked more about girl names, and instead of narrowing them down, our list just started to grow. Oh boy, or should I say, oh girl! I think we have about 5-6 solid girl names that we like in comparison to the one boy name. :) So, we are excited to know the gender so we can make a decision about the name! My sister has her sonogram in about 2.5 weeks, so we are excited to hear what they will be having also!

I am also going to talk to the doctor about my birthing options since I ended up having a c-sec last time....

It is hard to believe that in 6 short months, we will have another one added to our family! Amazing! Next week, my mom is going to come help me figure out and arrange the rooms at our house. We are going to start with Elijah's "big boy" room - making it more of a toddler room now, instead of a baby room. It's exciting, but also makes me realize just how big he is getting!

Our little musician

Updates

This week is my very first week as a "part-time" employee. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be able to cut back my hours so that I can take better care of my home, son, baby on the way, and my husband! I am excited about this season of my life. I have definitely been overwhelmed at times over the past two years, trying to keep up the 40 hr weeks, plus take care of Elijah, Steve and our home. While at times it was hard, I know that God definitely helped me through them and also taught me things and "grew me" in a lot of areas. I look forward to seeing what's in store for us. It has definitely been a "step of faith" to make this change, but it was something that Steve and I knew was right and we know that God is faithful and does provide!

The BIG 3-0

Tomorrow is Steve's 30th birthday and I am so excited to celebrate with him!

I know I said this is the post below, but I love him so much and am so thankful for him! I am proud to be his wife! :)

Thankful

I just want to say that I am so thankful for my husband! He is such an amazing man and I love him so much! He is a wonderful father (he is great with Elijah - whether playing with him and being silly or reading to him, praying with him, and teaching him things)! And, he is a wonderful husband! He also helps out around the house so much! Washing dishes, picking up, or just helping where he sees a need. I am so very blessed!

Steve, thanks for all you do!!!!

Another one on the way!

We are very excited that baby #2 is on the way! I am due in March and look forward to adding this new little one to our family! It's a fun time as my sister is also pregnant and our due dates are about a month apart (we didn't plan it together at all!). About 2 weeks ago, we got to see the baby on the sonogram and hear the heartbeat - amazing! I know this is my second time going through it, but the feelings are the same! I cried as I listened to his/her little heart beating away! What a miracle! Elijah will come and kiss my tummy and say "hi baby!" :) - very precious! We are excited to find out what the sex of the baby is. We already have a boy name picked out (when I pregnant with Elijah - we had 2 boy names we loved and had a hard time deciding between, so we would use that other name this time). We have about 3 girl names that we both love - just haven't decided which one it would be. Elijah has gotten some good practice being a "big brother" with his cousin, Jadyn (who is a year younger than him). He loves her (well, they actually both love each other A LOT!). It is fun to watch them love on each other - sometimes too much soo! Just today, when he saw her, he went to her and gave her a huge hug and looked at me and said "hug Jadyn, Mommy!". So, I do believe he will be an amazing big brother!

Speaking of Elijah, it amazes me that he can count on his own to 11 now! And then from there to 20 (skipping some numbers in between). I think living on the 4th story of a condo building is paying off - we count the steps as we go up and down and now he does it! The teacher in Sunday School the other day told me she was counting with the kids and she got to 8 and Elijah chimed in, "9, 10,.." Hahaha. He also loves letters - he picks up the magnetic letter "P" and said "Papi" and the B - "baby". His favorites things right now include legos, puzzles, books and of course "AGUA"...he always wants to be in some kind of water (bath, pool, etc). He has always been a fan! Another favorite right now is an indoor pop-up tent that I bought him. He calls it "Elijah's house" and insists that Papi come and "sit with Elijah" in his tent. He brings toys in there and plays - it's quite fun for him! He is also talking so much! The other day, Steve was lifting some weights and Elijah went over to him and tried to pick up the weight and he said "it's heavy, Papi" - steve and I looked at each other and couldn't believe he knew what heavy was! Last night he called my mom on the phone and said "Hi, Gramma...eating a treat...bye Gramma...amo Gramma (Love you)" - it was very cute!

We are looking forward to Fall! I am already thinking of all the soups, desserts, etc that I will be cooking/baking all Fall long. It's definitely my favorite time of the year. It will be a busy Fall, though, as we have Steve's 30th bday, my bday, Jadyn's bday, Luke's (my nephew) bday, Elijah's bday, my dad's bday, my Father-in-law's bday and Justin's bday! My goodness! All between September and November! Not to mention Thanksgiving in there somewhere! Thankfully, I will be in my second trimester for all of this! I will need the energy!

He is his father's son :)

This morning, as I was getting ready for work, I heard Elijah in his crib playing. He was saying things like "whoah, go, kick, etc." When I went in to get him, he looked up at my and said "SOCCER!" He woke up thinking about (and pretending to play!) soccer! He proceeded to try to take off his shirt (this meant he wanted me to put on one of his soccer shirts/or jerseys). How does he know that he likes soccer already? ;) It definitely makes his Papi happy and proud!

Yummy!

We found this restaurant (randomly) on our vacation in Florida and it is pretty tasty! :) I love that you can get your tacos/burritos on a whole wheat tortilla! And, their chips/salsa and sweet tea - YUM! :)

When we got home, we looked it up online and realized there is one in Ashburn, Va. It's still a little drive, but we decided to head over there this past weekend. We made a day out of it and went to the Leesburg outlets, too! Fun!

Big Boy

HELP!!! He's growing up so fast!




Here's one of my favorite "conversations" that I have with him on many occasions:


Me: "What's your name?"
E: "Elijah"
Me: "How old are you?"
E: "Two" (for the longest time he said "three" - we would always say "No, you're not three - you're one!" :) But, he insisted he wasn't one. So, he finally settled on saying he was "two" which is fine at this point since he is closer to two than one!)
Me: "When's your birthday?"
E: "November"

Love it!

Long time, no post!!!

So, it's been about 5.5 months since my last post (and it was a short one at that!). Hopefully I will get back into blogging and keep everyone updated better! :)

Things are going wonderfully with us! I absolutely love my husband and my son. Elijah is at such a fun age (I think I say that at every "stage"). He is a BIG talker (has been for a while now) - using lots of words and phrases and loves to talk. Steve says he gets this from spending a lot of time with me. ;) He can count one to three in English and Spanish very consistently and sometimes from one to five in English, and he loves the number "cinco" (5) for some reason! He still absolutely LOVES music - he has always loved the drums ("bums" as he calls them) and singing (into microphones especially), but he also loves guitars ("tairs") and pianos (peebos - don't know if he is saying piano or keyboard - which is what it sounds more like). So, we will have to see which he favors more as he gets older (if either). His favorite song right now is Chris Tomlin's "Sing, Sing, Sing". Here are a few pictures displaying this love for music (they are a bit outdated).

THE ONE-MAN BAND, Starring ELIJAH



Singing/Piano


Drums/Piano


Guitar


Elijah will be 20 months old next week. He is still a "little guy". I think at his last appointment (18 mos) he was in the 15% for height and weight (only weighing in at about 21 lbs!). But, he definitely makes up for his little size with his very BIG personality!!! He keeps me and Steve on our toes and constantly laughing! I am sure I will have much, much more to "catch you up on". But, this is a start! Hope everyone is doing well!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it's 2008! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and that your year is filled with many blessings and much joy! :)

Happy Birthday, E!

Elijah's 1st bday was this past Saturday! He is now a big one year old! We had a small, family get together to celebrate. We ate lunch, opened presents and had cake (although E did NOT like it at all!). We had two cakes - one small round one for him and then a sheet cake (our theme was Elmo since he LOVES Plaza Sesamo - yep, the spanish version!). We put the round cake in front of him and he touched it a little bit and then got upset because it was on his hands. He was trying to get it off - so I gave him a bite with the fork and he really didn't care for the taste either. He wanted to get out of his highchair and get cleaned up! So, cake was definitely not the highlight of his bday. But, he did get some wonderful presents and he has enjoyed the new toys a lot!