8 weeks

Wowza! It was 8 weeks ago that Hunter was born.

He has been so funny the last couple of days (when he's not a grumpy guy....) he has developed this funny smile that he smiles with his whole face. His mouth is open WIDE and he looks like he's trying to swallow you whole! I haven't captured it quite right because he only does it for me, and only when I'm making silly faces at him. (and not when I'm behind the camera) But it sure is cute.

I've also noticed that he tends to scowl a lot. Poor little guy's going to have grumpy wrinkles.

He's also quite vocal. He does this thing when he isn't necessarily crying - but he's growling and kind of whining....it's interesting, and sounds pretty pitiful.

And he's getting a flat head on one side like Gabe did. Yeah, not happy about that, and I'm sure the pediatrician will say something about it tomorrow at our 2 month visit. The interesting thing is that the side that I always lay him on isn't flat. I noticed today that even if I lay him with his head to one side - he always changes it to the other side.

And tummy time? HA! He hates it. Anyone have any suggestions for ways to get him to enjoy it better? I lay on the floor with him and talk to him - but he still just rubs his face on the blanket and screams....Well here he is.

(The pictures on top are from today - and these ones of him in red are from a couple of days ago).

a few pics

It's been a bit since I posted some pictures of the boys - so here you go. Hunter's been smiling more, and more responsive to our voices. He is still pretty fussy in the evenings, and wants to eat almost anytime he's awake - but we're loving him. Last night he decided to get up every 1 1/2 hrs - 2 hrs which I wasn't too fond of...but once again - I love him to pieces.

And I finally got around to taking pictures of Hunter in his blessing outfit. He's quite a bit bigger now...but oh well. At least I snapped some pictures, and I won't have to keep looking at the blessing outfit on the dresser and feeling guilty that I didn't have any. (I left the stuff out to remind me - but it still took me several weeks to get it done). He is 7 weeks in these pictures.

Gabe continues to crack us up. He says some of the funniest things, and he's teaching Cory and I that we really have to watch every word that comes out our mouths - he picks up EVERYTHING. (the good, bad, and ugly)

He's also decided that everytime we go to the store he should get a toy. Nice. Yesterday he threw a royal fit because I wouldn't buy him a 40$ Diego playhouse toy. And I even offered to get him a smaller Diego toy and he just had to have the expensive BIG stuff. I have a feeling he gets that from his dad :) He also has already started his Christmas list of things he wants (and the list is LONG) - funny kid.

Well lots going on this week - but nothing exciting to report really. Hope you all have a great week! Take care.

digital layout

Gabe is a giant....

Today Gabe has been fascinated with the word "GIANT"....not totally sure why.....But at lunch time he had spaghettio's and had made a big mess. I said, "Gabe! You're a GIANT mess!" Then he kept repeating "Giant Mess! Gabe Giant Mess!" over and over again. When I cleaned him all up after lunch I thought I'd gotten it all, and he pointed to a spot of spaghettio that was on his hand. I said, "uh-oh - that's because you are a GIANT ______" (and I waited for him to shout "Mess!")

And Gabe yells, "GOOBER!"

:)

Gabe

Gabe always wants me to take pictures of him when I get the camera out to snap some of Hunter. Last night he wanted me to take a picture of his bandaid, his 'unders', him wiggling, and him running. So here you go - here's Gabe in all his glory.

Hunter

Here's our little guy. But I guess he's not quite so little anymore. I weighed him the other night and he's hit 10 lbs. Good job Hunter! He's started to be awake more, and started smiling more. And he loves to click his tounge - and have us click our tounges - it's cute to watch him try to do it - so much concentration on his face.

6 weeks old

Holy Moly! It's been 6 weeks! Here's the blog post of the week where I drone on and on about how fast my kids are growing up. I know you'd skip these posts all-together if I didn't include pictures of my cute kiddos - but my camera is in Gabe's room where I left it tonight, and he's alseep - so picture will have to come later...sorry.

It's been 6 weeks since Hunter was born. I think at this point I'm supposed to have my act together and be in a routine...but alas that hasn't happened quite yet. Yesterday we did have a pretty good day - ran lots of errands, went to a Weight Watchers meeting, went to the library - and all without any major meltdowns (from any of us). I was really happy that it went as well as it did.

Part of the reason we don't have a routine down yet is that as soon as I think I'm figuring out Hunter, and the way he is going to do things - he changes it. I know that is probably how it will always be - so I'll just learn to go with the flow a bit better. I do know that at night he wants his bath, and he wants it right away - and he wants to stay in as long as the water is warm. Tonight he was pretty wrinkly when we got him out. He even calms down just by the sound of the bathwater, and the sound of the tub draining makes him cry. My little water baby...

Gabe is adjusting to Hunter really well. I think the troubles we have with Gabe aren't Hunter related - they are 2 year old related. He really seems to love his little brother. He's always wanting to show Hunter things, or tell Hunter things. Tonight he kept wanting to show Hunter his "unders" (underwear - see the previous post) - and was really proud of them. He gives Hunter the funniest kisses too - so gentle and with a funny little sound at the end. My favorite is when Hunter is crying Gabe always runs to me and tells me, "Hunter's crying - Get it!"

So it's exhausting having two little boys - but as my dad has reminded me, "this too shall pass" - and when it does, I know that I'll be sad that they're not tiny anymore...It's a vicious cycle...

Tales from the Potty Train

So today Gabe once again wanted to get out the underwear that I'd bought him to wear (of course - it's 'Cars' underwear - who wouldn't want to wear them?) I took my Aunt Charlotte's advice, and decided that I'd let him have the whole experience of the 'wet' feeling - so he'd know what not to do. But at the same time I was really hoping that he'd just come at it naturally....

No such luck.

We tried the whole idea of going to the bathroom every 10 minutes. He'd sit on the toilet - but wouldn't go to the bathroom. At one point I said, "Gabe - do you have some pee-pee that needs to come out?" He looked at me with the most serious look on his face and said, "No mom - just farts." :)

Anyway, he did end up peeing in those cute little 'Cars' unders (that's what he started calling them - Unders - I thought it was so cute!). I don't think it really bothered him except for the fact that he peed on the kitchen floor and then slipped and fell in it....(you can laugh, it makes me chuckle). I was grateful for the easy cleanup on the linoleum - and he was fine with jumping in the tub to clean up.

Ahhh.....tales from the 'Potty Train'. I'm sure there will be more to come!

Silly Names

I saw this quiz on another blog and thought it was pretty funny. Take a second and do the quiz and post it on your blog!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Fred Suburban
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Mint Choco Chip Choco Chip (slightly redundant...)
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
J-Ell
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Red Dog
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Marie Provo
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Ell-Jo
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The Red Dr Pepper
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
Robert Theodore
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)
Love Spell Snickers
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )
Marie Paul
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Burton Baltimore
12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Spring Daisy
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Strawberry Sweaty
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Smoothie Flowering Pear
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)
The Scrapbook Snow Tour

Gabe's (first) trip to the ER

Friday night was exciting at the Ellis household. We had a neighbor over doing some work on his Bob-Cat in our yard - scraping some gravel and leveling out our driveway. Gabe was so excited to watch him move the dirt around and kept yelling for the "BOB!"

Well he was running into the house and tripped, hitting his poor little chin on the cement step - HARD. I was in the house, but after hearing Cory yell some explitives and hear him barreling in the house - I knew something was wrong. I was feeding the baby, so I called out, "What's wrong?" Cory yelled back at me, "We're heading to the ER". I slowed him down enough to find out what had happened, and get a look at the cut. I actually called our Dr's office and asked when they recommended he come to the ER - how bad it needed to be. The dr said that if it gaped at all - he needed to be seen. It was definetly gaping open, and there was quite a bit of blood - so Cory volunteered to take him in (so I wouldn't have to take the baby out and all)

I hated not going with him - but I knew Cory could handle it. I made sure they had a camera to document how it went (these were the only 2 pictures they got) - and off they headed to the hospital. They really weren't there all that long - I was impressed with how quickly they were in and out. He didn't have to have stitches - they just glued him up with some stuff like super-glue. He was only upset because they held him down, and he didn't like that.

Overall he didn't really cry very much. He was upset because he wanted to go back out to watch the Bob-Cat, but wasn't terribly phased by the blood, or the pain. We were grateful for that. Now he just has a bandaid on his chin that he proudly shows everyone we see - sure to tell them that he fell on the stairs. It's healing well from what I can tell.

I know that this was certainly not our last experience like this - I'm sure with this rough and tumble little boy we'll have plenty of visits to the ER.

Woes from Wednesday

Wow! I honestly never knew how much a 2 year old can wear you out. Gabe has done a number on me. I love him dearly - but he has me at my wits end. His screaming, constant talking (loudly), climbing on everything, temper tantrums, throwing things, eating habits (or NOT eating habits I should say....), lack of obedience, demanding everything, wanting to help with everything (he says, "Mine do it!!!") WHEW!

I know it's normal for a 2 year old to assert his independence and test boundaries. I know he's developing language skills, strength, independent thinking....but I'm also developing a headache.

So I'm throwing it out there - any advice for raising an energetic toddler? Any suggestions for discipline? I'm open to ideas and suggestions at this point.

This afternoon he was on one of his kicks - screaming, yelling, demanding things he couldn't have. It was pretty ugly. I was trying to get his diaper changed and he said he wanted to go potty. Then he went to his closet and screamed that he wanted a "POTTY TRAIN!!!" and pointed to one of the shelves. It took me quite a few minutes to understand what he wanted - he wanted some underwear I bought him when he was showing interest in going potty on the toilet. So I had to sit and try to reason with a screaming toddler that there wasn't an actual TRAIN, and that he couldn't have worn his undies until he went potty all the time on the potty. Ugh - rationalizing with him isn't working.

Want to know a secret?

Shh....I have a secret. You can't tell anyone - most especially not my cute husband Cory. The chore I've always detested - weeding - isn't 1/2 bad, and in some ways is oddly enjoyable. (yikes - I said it out-loud!)

• It's (almost) bearable to do when it's rained all night, and the weeds seem to come right out.
• It's (almost) satisfying when you work for a few minutes and get a HUGE pile to throw in the trash can. Makes you feel like you've accomplished something.
• It's (almost) enjoyable when you pull out a HUGE weed that looked too hard to handle without a small tractor - and get all the roots.
• And it's most definetly worth it when you pull out that HUGE weed and your sweet two year old claps and cheers as loud as he can and say, "YAY MOM!"

But shh....don't tell Cory....

Charity Never Faileth

Last night was one of the longest nights I've had as a mother. Hunter wanted to eat constantly, and then Gabe got up at 3:30 demanding oatmeal (we didn't give in - I didn't want to start a precedent with middle-of-the-night eating). Anyway, it was exhausting for Cory and I both, and I woke up incredibly grumpy. Hunter aparently did too - and he just had a rough morning. I had decided that things had gone so badly that we weren't going to make it to church - even if we did go he'd be screaming the whole time.

Anyway, I kept having that feeling - the one that told me that I belonged at church - today more than normally. I wanted to be there - that wasn't it - it was just that it was getting harder and harder to see how that was going to be possible. But we did finally get our ducks in a row and head to church (late - but better late than never, right?)

As soon as our Sunday School class started I knew that there was defintly a reason I was supposed to be there. Everything the teacher said resonated with me in a way that confirmed that it was important that we attended church today. We started talking about charity in reference to the scriptures in 1st Corinthians chapter 13. I've read these scriptures before, I've heard them in lessons - but today they stood out to me.

I realized that I have a large area in my life that needs extreme work - in the area of charity. I need to be more charitable in my life, and I need to practice charity towards others more often. I think that is the missing piece in my life right now. Being in that class was one of those "A-Ha!" moments for me.

If I was more charitable I would have handled this past week (which has been a struggle for me in many ways) differently. Having charity towards others - especially my family - would have helped me to reach outside of myself. I wouldn't have felt so sorry for myself on so many occasions and I would really have served others more openly, and willingly - instead of grumbling through so much of my week.

During the lesson one of the people in our class suggested going home and reading this article by Marvin J. Ashton from the April 1992 General Conference. The article is great and I loved this part:

Be one who nurtures and who builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them. Be fair with your competitors, whether in business, athletics, or elsewhere. Don’t get drawn into some of the parlance of our day and try to “win” by intimidation or by undermining someone’s character. Lend a hand to those who are frightened, lonely, or burdened.

If we could look into each other’s hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care.

So I encourage each of you today to "Be one who nurtures and who builds". I hope that this week I can focus on serving others, and having more charity in my heart, and in my life. Have a fabulous week!

Five for Friday

1. I had a tasty sandwhich for lunch today. An onion bagel (I found some yummy 1 point bagels - Western Bagel brand) with light garden veggie cream cheese and sliced turkey - only 3 points total and really quite yummy.

2. Gabe has a friend over playing. It's a neighbor boy who's 2 months older than Gabe - and 2 heads taller. I don't think his mom leaves him with people very often - so we'll see how it goes (20 minutes into it it's going alright - we have 2 1/2 more hours to go). Gabe keeps saying, "c'mon Noah! C'mon!" (come on). And they're down playing cars right now. Yesterday I had a meeting and Gabe was all excited to play with the little girls who would be there. Unfortunately they were playing dress up and princesses, and the poor little guy felt left out. So this will be good for him. Cory's taking them on a ranger ride later too - so lots of fun for the little boys.

(this picture cracks me up. I told the boys I wanted to take a picture of them together. Gabe kept hugging Noah, and saying, "Cheese it Noah!" When Noah wasn't cooperating Gabe took his hand and said, "C'mon Noah, hand!" Noah didn't ever really warm up to the camera)

3. Hunter turned 5 weeks yesterday. He had a bit of a hard time last night, not wanting to go to sleep. While I was trying to get him down I realized I hadn't taken any pictures of him at 5 weeks - so I pulled out the camera. Cory couldn't quite understand why at 11:30 at night I was snapping pictures of Hunter...(men - sheez!) And no, I don't plan on taking pictures on his "weekly birthday" for the rest of his life - but right now when they totally change by the day - I figure I want to document all the looks.

4. Speaking of Hunter - he LOVES bathtime! There is only one of his cries that I have learned to really decipher - and it's his, "I want a bath!!!" cry. About 8:30 at night he is ready for a bath and starts to scream. He can be screaming and screaming and I'll start the bath-water and he quiets right down. He loves really warm water, and has just started to discover kicking his feet makes splashes in the water. Gabe also loved his bathtime. There are times when he has a fussy night that I wish I could give him a couple of baths - just to enjoy that peaceful time.

5. We had some fun visitors this week. Paul and Nicole came through on their way back to Rexburg from Farmington. Even though life was hectic when they were here (sorry you guys...) it was good to see them for a second or so. Taylor is such a sweetie. I hope that she and Hunter can be good friends since they're only a month apart in age.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone! I hope that you all have a wonderful and relaxing one. I'm hoping to visit a few of the houses at the Parade of Homes. Cory was in charge of the whole parade this year (and next year too) - so I hope that I can at least get around to a few of the homes. We'll see...

Digital layout

Here is a layout using some pictures I took of the boys this morning. I had sat Hunter in a little chair we have (Gabe calls it the "book chair") and then Gabe wanted to get in with his little brother. So the two of them posed a bit for me. Gabe loved getting in and out of the chair and kept asking me to take more pictures.

1 month old

Yup - he's 1 month old as of Sunday. It blows my mind that a month has gone by. I know that's all I say on this blog, "My kids are growing up to fast...blah...blah...blah..." But that's what I've noticed most in the last couple of months. Time literally ZOOMS by. So here is my sweet little baby on the day he turned 1 month. It's been a good month little guy - I love you to pieces.

"Mom, where are all the pictures?"

Here's a little quiz for you all.



When Hunter gets older and he asks, "Mom, why does Gabe have 100's of pictures from the weekend when he was blessed, and I only have like 5?" what will be the answer?

1. Well honey, remember when we told you about the devastating fire of 2010? Unfortunately all of your pictures were damaged in the fire.


2. Our computer crashed shortly after the blessing. We recovered all of the photos but the ones from that weekend. I'm so sorry sweetie.


3. Pictures? I'm sure they're around here somewhere....


4. We were so busy with family and friends that day, and enjoying Logan's baptism that we didn't get many pictures - so sorry.


5. Hunter sweetheart - you are a 2nd child. That simply means that we didn't take pictures because we were not only trying to take care of you, but chase after your big brother. Sorry buddy.

(The answer is #4 & 5....I feel bad, we really ended up with about 5 pictures. No family pictures of our family, no pictures of everyone there, no pictures of Hunter and Logan together - his cousin that was baptized, no pictures of Hunter by himself. I'm so sad, and feel really bad that I'm fitting into that stereotypical "second child" mold.)