Lucky Me

The shirt is a hand-me-down shirt from Gage (who was born around St. Patties Day).  It says Lucky Me.  When I checked on our Little Man Eli the other day I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the feeling that it's the other way around.

Lucky ME!

Patience

I saw this on Facebook this morning and particularly liked it. What a great message...but aren't they all?

walk in the rain

Little Avery Ann took a walk in the rain the other night with her Dad.  She found her new rain boots and put them on herself.  Then she walked to the closet and pointed to her brothers rain coat.  Don't ask about the bike helmet.  We have no idea.

Then she headed to the door and said, "GO GO!"

Wade said the neighbors got a kick out of her, she got lots of smiles and waves. What everyone didn't know is that she had nothing but a diaper on underneath!

One Month Stats

Eli's one month stats are in.  He was 9 pounds 11 ounces this morning!  It was just two weeks ago he was at his birth weight ( 6 pounds 12 ounces).  I must say each one of those kissable little cheeks he has must be a pound each! At least those every two hour feedings are paying off.  Grow, grow my little man.

{One Month}

Mr. Eli is one month old! I cannot believe how fast time flies when you have a newborn - and 3 other children to chase after!

Mr. Eli is such a good boy. He nurses like it's going out of style. It might be hard to believe, but Eli is the first baby in our family that I can actually get a burp out of! He also hardly ever spits up! YAY! He has been on of the easiest babies to actually get on a form of a schedule. Eat, Wake, Sleep. Every 2-3 hours.

He is pretty easy going and loves to just be carried around. (as long as it's his mom) Don't make him wait too long to eat or he will REALLY tell you about it. His little cheeks are totally filling in and they are so kissable!

Gas. Eli has a lot. It really cracks us up how loud he can get. It's unfortunate that he gets gassy mostly at night. From 1-4. I've had a lot of time to walk him, bounce him and catch up on old re-runs, trashy gossip shows, and infomercials. Thanks to Eli and his gas problems I have the vision of Lady Gaga's meat dress burned in my mind.

Eli loves to snuggle, mostly with me, but occasionally at night (from 9:30-midnight and from 5:30-6 am when I'm attempting to sleep) he will accept Wade as a snuggle partner. What I love about Eli is that occasionally while resting on your chest he will lift his head, look up at your face (his forehead gets all wrinkly) and checks to make sure it's still someone he loves holding him.

Eli loves to be swaddled and held tight. He might appear to be angry that his arms are being confined at first, but he soon calms down, looks around with his big gray eyes, takes a deep breath and then is calm (if he doesn't quickly falls asleep).

We think he is a perfect addition to our crazy, busy family. We all are in love with baby Eli.

3 boys

My 3 little boys. About the same age. Same outfit. So, what do you think?

Does Eli look more like Gage? Noah? Or just like himself?

Time Out Spot

In the past few weeks Miss Avery Ann has been introduced to the time-out spot...otherwise known as the stairs.

At first she thought this was a really fun game. After committing a crime (hitting brothers her crime of choice) and I typically tell her that she needed to "go to the stairs." She then would let out a very fake cry "WWAAAAA" and dramatically stomp to the stairs. She would then sit down, giggle and then walk away.


Then I found out about the second step. It is magical and works. For some reason Avery is scared each time I place her on the second step versus the first step. Perhaps she is afraid of heights? She has known how to maneuver stairs for MANY, many months, but when placed on this second step she must forget that she can just turn around and get down? I'm not sure but it sure is funny to watch her, because she is SO upset with me now that I have outsmarted her. After her one minute punishment when I go and get her, she clings to me as if I were dangling her over a cliff as I help her down.

Don't let this second picture fool you. She was crying and pouting one minute, looked up at me and noticed I was holding the camera and then broke out this face and yelled "CHEESE!"

I'm not sure how long this second step magic will work. But I'm crossing my fingers. It's too funny and works so well!

baby projects

Last weekend I convinced myself to forget the dishes and cleaning for a bit and made two simple projects I planned to make for Baby Eli. Being boy #3 means you don't always get the newest things, so it was fun to make something just for him. Don't get impressed either, neither took much more talent than being able to sew a straight line.

Car seat cover/canopy. There are a lot of tutorials out there. For the most part I followed one at Make-it-Do.
I wans't sure I really wanted to mess with sewing the straps and I had read a tutorial that just used ribbon, so I first tried this one.

Wade came home, took one look and promptly told me that he would not carry around his baby boy with those big blue bows.

So I used some wider ribbon and Velcro and finished the project. It now has Wade's approval - although honestly, he didn't understand why we needed this in the first place.

(Okay, I admit, we didn't need it, but really it just made me feel better to sew and make something, which I think is justifiable too)

Project number two was this very simple receiving blanket. I like the light weight to baby burrito Eli up in. I also like to use it to drape over his little head in my Snugli pack when I'm out shopping or picking up Gage from school. It can also be a good nursing cover.

It felt good to take on some very simple projects that I knew I could finish.

Eli Quiz

In order to protect Eli from his very excited-to-help big sister he spends the majority time in:

a. our arms

b. a bouncy seat on the kitchen island

c. a laundry basket on the kitchen table

d. in the pack and play (play pen)

e. tucked away in his car seat

If you answered:

a. you are mostly correct, but think that my arms are made of steel, even 6 pounds can get heavy...and that I must have 4 or more of them to go around.

b. The only location Avery cannot climb yet, you are correct.

c. While Eli does make the cutest load of laundry you have every seen (proof is above) a resting place on the kitchen table would most certainly mean a closer final resting place. I am certain his sister would be most helpful at poking, prodding, pinching, biting and even trying to throw him from this location.

d. are you kidding? Gage, Noah, and Avery can manage to get in this location...and throw very hard items into it.

e. And get smushed by his sister? She loves to sit in the car seat, but only if she can do it while HE is in it too.

~~

We all love you little Eli. Even Avery Ann, in her own little way.

Salami

Today while watching a nature show there were some shots of birds flying over some geysers.

Noah looked at Gage and said,

"Look Gage, I think it's a Salami"

I think he might have meant Tsunami.

Tsunami. Salami. Geysers. They're all about the same thing, right?

A is for Apple, Noah's first week

Noah had his first day of preschool this week! Mommy-preschool that is.

(If you've known me for a while, this will not come as a surprise to you. Noah will do preschool for the next two years at home with me, just like Gage did. We love it! And I totally cheated and took this picture on Gage's first day last week.)

Of course, we started with the letter A. I have lesson plans and a schedule planned for the entire year, but I'm keeping it WAY basic right now....like I give myself a pat on the back if we get it done each day.

Newborn=tired mommy=basic preschool.

We read some books. We did some coloring pages. We played some pbskids.org together. Then today we did an apple tree craft and baked an apple pie together.

Noah has loved his one-on-one time with mommy at preschool. We might move it to the mornings and incorporate Avery into it later but for right now we have it during afternoon naps.

He loves having his own backpack and lunch box. We'll have to use them for some field trips later this year. He has his own folder that he picked out for all his things.

He so far he says his favorite things about preschool are: drawing pictures with mommy and getting to use the markers. (we have to use crayons when Avery is around).

YAY for Noah and preschool!

Drop off

At Gage's school drop off in the morning is pretty simple, you just drive up in a certain line and let the kids out - where then then walk back to their class lines by themselves. Unless, that is, you are in kindergarten, and then the rules are that you must get out of your car and walk your child back to the line. To pick up after school you have to get out of your car and meet them at the flag pole.

There are numerous reason I was looking forward to this school year, one of which was that I wouldn't have to walk Gage back to his class line any more. It really isn't that bad, but last year Avery and Noah (who I couldn't leave in the car) didn't really like the fact that Gage lines up right next to a giant playground that they aren't allowed to play on. Plus I now have newborn Eli to the mix. Since Gage doesn't want to ride the bus (and that's okay) I was relieved to know that I could at least drop him off in the morning without getting out. I would only have to venture across the packed parking lot with my three, three and under, after school.

The first day we walked Gage back. With Eli in the front pack, Avery on my hip and Noah holding my hand, we made it across the parking lot. One would believe that in an elementary school parking lot that people drive slowly and carefully, but they don't. It's a scary world out there!

Nevertheless, I wanted to make sure he got in the right 1st grade line, and he was a little nervous. We made it work. He asks us to walk back with him Friday, and then Tuesday. Wednesday this week after getting everyone out of the car and walking up to the front of the school, he met up with a friend in his class and they walked back together. Thursday, same thing, after I got everyone out, he found some friends, we only took him half way.

Today was the big day. I told him that we had walked back with him enough and that all the big kids did it on their own. He knew what line to get in and he knew exactly where to walk. I even had him watch how the other big kids gave their mom's hugs before they got out of the car.

We pulled into the school drive and I had him take his seat belt off and get ready. He walked up and stood next to Eli. I made him give me a hug (he rolled his eyes). I was starting to feel a little sad about this! Then he opened the door and jumped out. We waved good bye. I can't believe it, but I was really sad!

I pushed the button to shut the door, put the car in drive and proceeded to drive off.

Then Noah, who must have been feeling as sad and nervous about this as I was, jumped out of his car seat, got the sliding door to open again and kept yelling for Gage to come back and that he wanted to go with him! Avery, wanting to get in on all the fun, wiggled her little arms out of her straps and tried to face plant on the floor. Eli slept. I sighed.

I had to stop the car - almost got hit by the truck behind me, got a crusty from a lady who was in the other lane trying to park (although really I'm not sure why she was so mad at me, I wasn't in her lane?). I got the door shut and told Noah to get back in his seat. I meekly waved a friendly wave to the truck behind us and we attempted to leave the drop off line for the second time. This time success.

I think my heart was a little sad all over again watching him go. Just like another first day of school. I can't get over how big Gage is getting.

Like I said, Noah must have been sad too. Then we went to JoAnn's and he got a $1 pen with a ball on the end that lights up and proceeded to stick it (the light part) in his eye the entire way home. Who needs to be sad over dropping their brother and best friend off at school when you can blind yourself with a cheap light-ball-pen?

First of First

This week marked the first day of school for Gage!

Yesterday we went to the meet and greet and were able to check out his class room, hang out with some old friends and of course, Gage had to show off "his" new baby to everyone (including his old kindergarten teacher, who is due in 6 weeks!)

Gage and his friend Emily who says she is Gage's future bride. I think Gage loves her, but he tells me he is going to marry another certain red-head:)

Gage was so excited this morning. He couldn't wait for us to get out the door and leave for school!

Once we got to school I asked Gage if I could get a picture of him in front of the school sign like I did last year. He looked at me, (I'm pretty sure he rolled his eyes) and said, no mom. Oh - when did I become the "uncool" mom! Sigh. I didn't take the school sign picture this year. At least I got some pictures of him lining up with his class in the back.

Gage and our neighbor Jacob. We were so happy to be in the same class - they even get to sit with their desks right next to each other!

And off he went! He never even looked back...

Wade was able to be there to pick him up from school. Wade said Gage seemed pretty tired. Although to us Gage seemed pretty happy when he got home, but we had cookies waiting for him. He said his teacher is really nice and there are two of them (there is a student teacher this year). He said that they got to go to the library, but he didn't get to pick out any books yet. He also told me that he had lots of recess, which was his favorite part of the day.

One funny thing he mentioned to me when I was packing his lunch for tomorrow was that his teacher told the kids that they all needed to eat their PB&J sandwiches first, because that was "brain food" that would help them in the afternoon. He said a LOT of them had PB&J sandwiches. (they eat lunch in the room at their desks at his school, that is why his teacher told them what to eat...there is no lunch room...strange, I know!)

For dinner we had kept up the Bullard tradition of root-beer (minus the floats since Gage doesn't like that) and he requested homemade pizza and salad. (I must say too, that I asked him if could just order a pizza from a store or if he wanted homemade and he said "homemade" While I was just wanting to be lazy and order out, it totally made me feel good he likes my homemade pizza!)

I can't believe I have a first grader! What a big kid!

Summer Activities

At the beginning of summer we sat down as a family and created a list of things we wanted to do over the break. Then I wrote them all down on a bright orange piece of paper, attached it the front of our refrigerator where we looked at it often.

Since yesterday marked the last day of summer I thought I would re-cap some of our favorite activities we got done. While we didn't accomplish all on our list, we did manage to check off quite a few and had a lot of fun while doing them!

Swimming. Both boys took 2 sessions of swimming lessons. I told Noah that he could take more lessons after the new baby got here and after Gage started school. Now that both of those have happened he asks me every day when it's his turn to go to swimming. His session starts in October...September might be a long month for him.

Avery played in her new sandbox. And I literary mean IN. She can't sit on the side of it and play, she has to get IN. Each and every day. One day it was raining so I wouldn't let her go outside, she stood at the glass doors hitting and screaming at me for a very long time. This girl loves the outdoors.

I did some canning. Tomatoes, and not from my garden, because my garden was a flop this year. 17 quart jars are done though. Not too bad!

We held our annual backyard 24th of July camp out. Wade took the 11 year old boy scouts that he is in charge of camping, but we didn't make it camping (outside our fence) as a family. Pregnant mommy was okay with that.

We drove to Utah. Had a lot of fun. Visited the dinosaur museum, attended the temple, played with our cousins, rode ATVs, ate a lot of food and had a lot of fun.

The boys got these awesome sunglasses. I joke that I've got my very own secret service men in the backseat now. (Avery got a pair of polka-dot yellow ones)

We played with our cousins who visited. They teased us about our awesome sunglasses.

Wade took call. And took call. And took call. (at least that is how it felt to us at home).

Avery danced a lot on the table. Without pants. With cups on her head. That girl cracks us up.

Played a lot with Grandma and Grandpa Bullard. Mostly at different McDonald playplaces because it's a great place kids can run and we can sit. And parks. Gage got to have a sleep over at their house. He had a blast.

We watched Toy Story 3.

Gage earned new legos. Everyone played Legos every day. Where would we be without legos?

We made it to the beach 3 times. Once with Wade, once with cousins and once with friends.

Gage became an entrepreneur and opened a lemonade stand. He manged pretty well and made quite a bit of money (considering his lemonade was only 5 cents). After counting out his tithing, he promptly took his money to the candy store and bought a bunch of chocolate.

We welcomed our neighbor home from Iraq. Such a great day! I don't know why I EVER complained when Wade was rotating during our 4th year of school. I always knew where he was at and that he was safe. Whatever your opinion of the war, there are people like my neighbor over there in danger. Someone's husband, son and dad. They are the real heroes! They have two kids and this was her husbands 2nd deployment. We are glad he made it home safe!

We also welcomed Baby Eli into out family. A little bit earlier, but no complaints, we are all so glad he is here.

And at the end of the day, when it all was done, we crashed into our beds and couldn't wait to start it all over again.

Summer 2010 was good to us. It came and went so fast, we are sad it's gone.