Weekend Update!

Thank you Lord for the beautiful sunshine you have given us this weekend. It really has made a difference in our spirits. Walt has been able to play outside and run and be free and Ella has been out in it some too. Friday, Eric kept the kids plus our neighbor's daughter Lena, while her mother Katherine and I went to local kids consignment sales. I think I came out pretty well. For about $50 I got 8 dresses, 2 bubbles, and 1 sweater. 3 of the dresses are brand new! Poor Walt, I couldn't find anything for him, boys are so rough with their clothes. When I got home, Walt was down for nap and Eric was asleep with Ella on his chest. We had our neighbors over for dinner (steak and potatoes) and by the time they left I had a 101 fever and the chills.

Saturday morning was rough as I still had fever. Eric and Paul were having a brew day so I had Lena too. We made it work and I pretty much stayed in my pj's all day. After taking a nap in the afternoon my fever finally broke and we all loaded up for Emma's birthday party at Pump It Up. I think the adults might have had more fun then the kids, jumping and racing on the obstacle course.





Sunday, Eric had to work so I loaded up the kids and took them up to the fire station to see their daddy. We had lunch and then we were able to walk to Overton Park and play on the playground. Eric had the radio in case they had a call but luckily he was able to stay and play the entire time. We got home late for naps and I did a little house work.




Ella is really holding her head up well for 2 months. I just love these leg warmers I found at Target! Walt wanted pancakes for dinner so I obliged him (I promise I'll do better tomorrow) I made enough to freeze some in little bags to use throughout the week. He loves to have pancakes and dip (syrup or honey).

March

Wow! March already? I can hardly believe it. That means I have a 2 month old. What! Well, today she is actually 9 weeks old. I'm loving every moment of it (even if I have asked Walt 3 times to quit destroying his puzzle pieces on the kitchen table!) I've had a rather productive day if I do say so myself. Laundry, light vacuuming, dishes...the usual mundane housework. I also have been doing some decorating around the house. You see, Eric and I bought this house almost 4 years ago (May is the anniversary) and I have pictures that have been lying against walls for almost that many years that needed to be hung. My in-laws were here over the weekend and Susan helped me decide where these pictures needed to go. I found my girly pink tool box with the pink hammer and today during naptime the pictures went up on the wall. Wow...what a difference a few pictures on the wall can make...that made me soooo happy. I guess I was scared that I wouldn't like something once I got it hung but that is the beauty of it....it's just a tiny hole in the wall and things can be changed and redone. I'm also thinking about painting the dining room but indecisiveness has found me and picking a color might take a minute or two. My maternity leave is also winding down so I find myself making lists of things that I want to get done before going back to work. It will be interesting to see how much of it I can get done. Oh and yes, this weekend there was hammering and sawing outside....work on the back porch being done thanks to my father in law for setting a fire under Eric to work on it. I'm still dreaming of mosquito free lemonade parties on the back porch with the neighbors.....a girl can dream right!

Here's a random slide show of my favorite pictures from February:

Road Trips

We have recently made a few road trips. Ella proved to be a great traveler sleeping to our destinations. Luckily, we only went to Huntsville and Atlanta so the timing was perfect for us to not have to stop for a feed.

Our first trip was to Huntsville where Ella got to meet her Aunt Cathy, Uncle Jon, cousins Caerlleon, Ryan, Ryley and Great Grandmother Cotharin. It was nice to get away even if it was for just 24 hour trip. Gin and Papa needed a dose of Ella before they left for their annual ski trip to Colorado. This is the first year since Eric and I have been married that we have not gone skiing in Colorado. Maybe next year!
Ok, so this isn't the best picture but it was hard trying to get all 5 kids to cooperate...better luck next time!

Our second trip was to Atlanta to see my parents. Ella also got to meet Uncle Ben, Aunt Ashley, and cousins Emma Grace and Harris. It was great seeing my brother and his crew. I have not seen Harris since he was just a newborn. He is just the cutest thing. He sucks both thumbs. We also got to have dinner with my Aunt and Uncle! Eric and I spent Friday at IKEA and picked up some things to help organize our basement. We took advantage of the free baby sitting (thanks Maeme and Giggy) and also had our Valentine's lunch at California Pizza Kitchen at Atlantic Station. Eric let me go shopping at H&M and I came out with a few things for spring. The weather was cold and rainy. Looks like the groundhog predicted correctly this year.



We are hoping to get back to Huntsville this weekend to visit with Eric's sister Jennifer, who is in town from San Francisco. But, Birmingham is apparently under a winter weather advisory and they are predicting snow. Well, even the slightest thought of a snow flurry shuts the city down. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens tomorrow.

A month old...already!

It is amazing at how fast time is flying by. I spent 39 weeks carrying her and now Ella has been here for a whole month. I just wish I could freeze time. I'm slowly adjusting to life with 2, although I have not quite figured out how to get us all ready and out the door in a timely manner. I haven't ventured further then the local Chick-fil-A for a much needed #1 Combo with the two in tow and that was only because I met my neighbor and her 3 year old there and she could help me out! I do my major errand running when Eric is off and I can take Walt with me to get him out of the house. The cold weather and rain has grounded us and I'm definitely ready for some warmer weather. I'm still trying to establish a routine while catching up on my rest. Our Life Group from church has provided us with some meals so that has been a real blessing. Ella is changing everyday and growing. We take her next week for her 1 month appointment. I will be interested to see how much she weighs. Here's my latest pictures of my 2 favorite little people! Enjoy

3 weeks

It is hard for me to believe that Ella has been here for three weeks already! She is a true doll! She has blessed our lives so much and I know that will continue as we get to know her more. She is still a great eater and we are working on longer sleep stretches at night. I will not complain though because she will usually go about 4 hours at night which allows me to get a little sleep. Walt is still doing great. In fact, I had gotten him and Ella both to bed and had come back downstairs to straighten up. Well, Ella was crying and he came downstairs to inform me. When I went to the nursery to check on her I found his little wooden stool next to the crib. Apparently he had tried consoling her himself and when that didn't work he ran and told me. He is already looking out for his baby sister and that is my prayer for their lives. That they will take care of each other and love each other. Ok...it's late and momma needs her beauty sleep!

I love my hats!

Ella and her many hats!

Ella's First Week

Wow! I can't believe Ella has been here for a whole week. Time sure does fly by! We came home last Thursday from the hospital and have never looked back. Ella is the sweetest baby. She only cries when she is hungry or during diaper changes. She is eating like clock work and we just hope she keeps it up. Eric and I took her to the pediatrician today for our 1 week visit and she weighed in at 7 pounds and 9 oz, so we are on the upward trend. Our doctor was very pleased with her progress. My mom is here spending the week with us and she is such a blessing to us. She has been helping us cook and keep up with Walt. She wants to help me get organized but we haven't gotten too far. I just want her to enjoy being "Maeme". Gin and Papa also drove down from Huntsville on Sunday so Papa could meet his new granddaughter. I think he is pretty smitten with her. Gin has been busy making Ella different hats and they are so sweet. Walt has made the transition to Big Brother very well. I mean, he does have his moments and he sometimes reaches his limits but he loves his Baby Sister. He enjoys holding her but when she starts squirming he says, "Mommy, get her!" I couldn't be happier with how he is taking everything. Love that little guy! It is cold here this week and there is a possibility of some snow later on in the week, so we are staying in and staying warm. I went out with Eric this afternoon to run some errands and I felt remotely human again. I still toy in my head about how different it will be to run errands with 2 kids in tow, but I'm sure with time it will be second nature. Eric will go back to work tomorrow. It's been so nice to have him home with us getting adjusted to our new family. Of course he is getting decent sleep!