I kept telling myself that I would keep up this blog so that people could see how things were going at our house but I get so busy! It's crazy! Right now I am putting off getting ready for church because it is earlier than it has been for the last month. I want to go but I just can't seem to get motivated. I'll make it though...eventually.
Currently, I am trying to start planning out the summer with Rayn and Elliott (and maybe Forrest sometime, too, if he isn't too cool to hang out with us) since Rayn won't be attending the boys and girls club this summer or next school year. They've raised the prices to way more than we want to pay. I am thinking a trip to dinosaur park in Ogden and maybe an end of summer Lagoon visit. Maybe a Hogle Zoo trip or two. We have talked about going to Wheeler Farm and visiting various neighborhood parks we've never been to or haven't been to in a while. The first stop on the park tour will probably be a little park on 5th East in between 27th and 33rd South. They recently revamped it and we have never been there before. I need some ideas other than parks though because they might get kind of boring for an 11 year old. I know we'll figure something out.
I'll try to post some pictures soon. Today, I'm just trying to update anyone on what's been going on.
Until next time....
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Feeding Frenzy!
Elliott has been going through a growth spurt so I haven't been able to do much of anything with blogging seeing as how I've had a baby attached to me almost nonstop for days. Now she seems to be slowing down a bit again (thank god!). I have a few things to share today.
Rayn started scouts last week. He's not in cub scouts anymore but full boy scouts. We're very excited about this as we're hoping it might teach him some better values. He'll also be starting outdoor soccer for the first time this week. He's only done indoor soccer so this should be a nice change. With his new scout masters, he'll actually get to go camping and do all the things that you would associate with boyscouts. We're all really excited because Derek will get to go camping with him and they can have some bonding time and all that.
Yesterday, Elliott had two firsts: Her first time rolling over from her back to her stomach and her first time going to church. It was also my first time going to that particular church (Unitarian Universalist) which was awesome. I've been doing a little bit of research trying to figure out what church would be best for us and that is the church that fits more than anything. I know most people don't think of me as a churchy sort of person but there are a lot of benefits that come with being involved in an organized community of like minded individuals. Hanging out with friends is great, but it isn't the same as having that helpful community. That was probably the only thing I ever envied about my LDS friends growing up was that they had such a great network of people to hang out with. Elliott really enjoyed being at church once she finished nursing. There is a coffee hour after the services and she was smiling big at all the people. We had a nice time. I'm looking forward to going again next week with Tricia.
Rayn started scouts last week. He's not in cub scouts anymore but full boy scouts. We're very excited about this as we're hoping it might teach him some better values. He'll also be starting outdoor soccer for the first time this week. He's only done indoor soccer so this should be a nice change. With his new scout masters, he'll actually get to go camping and do all the things that you would associate with boyscouts. We're all really excited because Derek will get to go camping with him and they can have some bonding time and all that.
Yesterday, Elliott had two firsts: Her first time rolling over from her back to her stomach and her first time going to church. It was also my first time going to that particular church (Unitarian Universalist) which was awesome. I've been doing a little bit of research trying to figure out what church would be best for us and that is the church that fits more than anything. I know most people don't think of me as a churchy sort of person but there are a lot of benefits that come with being involved in an organized community of like minded individuals. Hanging out with friends is great, but it isn't the same as having that helpful community. That was probably the only thing I ever envied about my LDS friends growing up was that they had such a great network of people to hang out with. Elliott really enjoyed being at church once she finished nursing. There is a coffee hour after the services and she was smiling big at all the people. We had a nice time. I'm looking forward to going again next week with Tricia.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Rayn's Birthday
Rayn's birthday was yesterday and we had his party Saturday. This was the best turnout he's ever had which was great. Last year, we invited about 10 kids to go to the Childrens Museum but only 3 showed up. It was really disappointing for Rayn so to have all the kids show up was a great thing. Of course, all of them are tweens and are too cool for party games this year so I had no idea what they were going to do. Rayn made it quite clear he didn't want party games. I made it a pretty simple party for him. Just cake, ice cream and pizza with some homemade punch. There were very little decorations and he liked it just fine that way.
Elliott doesn't know what to think of all the kids.
Rayn opening presents
Elliott playing in her playpen while the kids played the Wii.
Rayn still opening presents.
A couple of Rayn's girlfriends.
Rayn and friends getting punch.
The cake.
Enjoying pizza.
This kid is a trooper. He was very responsible and avoided the cake and ice cream because he is a diabetic. He even tested while he was there. He is only 9.
All the kids took turns playing Wii Sports. They seemed to have a really good time. One kid who's a bit of a trouble maker got picked on a lot and although I'm not a big fan of the kid it was really unfair. Rayn had been treated this way at a party in October and he really hated it, so I pulled him aside and reminded him of that. He really stepped up to the plate and made all the other kids apologize and he turned the party around. I'm proud of him for that. Forrest was also awesome on Saturday. He did most of the cleaning while I made breakfast and took care of Elliott. He then made sure to help out with the kids at the party. He made sure that everyone took turns on the Wii and he also let me know what was happening with the kid that was picked on. All in all the day was a success. Rayn spent the night at a friends and Forrest went skating so I got to take a turn on the Wii as well. That is a really fun game system. I love the fact that you are not just sitting on your butt. I can't wait till we get the Wii Fit system. Maybe it will help me start getting in shape. That and the weather getting better will make me want to get outside. I think that Elliott and I might take a walk today.
On Sunday, Derek had to work again. It sucked but that is what helps me be a stay at home mom. If he didn't have this job, I wouldn't be able to be here. It was a lazy day. The boys were out most of the day so me and Elliot just hung out together.
Monday, Rayn's actual birthday, we went and got him a game for the Wii and watched Heroes which is our family activity on Mondays. Elliott and I did a little shopping and got the car registered finally. All in all it was a good couple of days. Here's a cute pic of Elliott in her little polka dot dress:
Her hair is getting longer only on top. It's kind of funny. But it looks like it's going to be so red. We're excited about that. She made her first actual laugh yesterday but I haven't been able to get her to do it again yet. Soon she'll be laughing a lot.
Here's a few pics from today. Now it's time for us to go do some grocery shopping. Derek is out of town for the week which sucks. He'll be home on Friday though. I'll write some more in a few days.
Elliott doesn't know what to think of all the kids.
Rayn opening presents
Elliott playing in her playpen while the kids played the Wii.
Rayn still opening presents.
A couple of Rayn's girlfriends.
Rayn and friends getting punch.
The cake.
Enjoying pizza.
This kid is a trooper. He was very responsible and avoided the cake and ice cream because he is a diabetic. He even tested while he was there. He is only 9.On Friday, I had planned on getting Rayn a bike because there are really no kids his age in our neighborhood (which is odd considering we're a block away from his school) and we wanted him to have transportation to his friends houses. The problem is that the last time we got him a bike, he rode it to school locked it up and then left it there until someone decided to cut the lock and steal the bike. We were not really wanting the same thing to happen. I went to the local bike shop and they were charging nearly $300 for a kids bike! I didn't want to go to Walmart because we won't shop there anymore so I decided to change what we were going to get. If we were going to spend that kind of money it would have to be on something that wouldn't leave the house, that he would enjoy but wouldn't go against our rules on video games and television, and that wouldn't have him sitting on his butt. So...a Wii is what we got for him. This served two purposes - it's something Rayn would enjoy and we can get the Wii Fit which is what I asked Derek to get me for our 5th wedding anniversary which is coming up on the first of May. Rayn couldn't believe we got him a Wii:
All the kids took turns playing Wii Sports. They seemed to have a really good time. One kid who's a bit of a trouble maker got picked on a lot and although I'm not a big fan of the kid it was really unfair. Rayn had been treated this way at a party in October and he really hated it, so I pulled him aside and reminded him of that. He really stepped up to the plate and made all the other kids apologize and he turned the party around. I'm proud of him for that. Forrest was also awesome on Saturday. He did most of the cleaning while I made breakfast and took care of Elliott. He then made sure to help out with the kids at the party. He made sure that everyone took turns on the Wii and he also let me know what was happening with the kid that was picked on. All in all the day was a success. Rayn spent the night at a friends and Forrest went skating so I got to take a turn on the Wii as well. That is a really fun game system. I love the fact that you are not just sitting on your butt. I can't wait till we get the Wii Fit system. Maybe it will help me start getting in shape. That and the weather getting better will make me want to get outside. I think that Elliott and I might take a walk today.
On Sunday, Derek had to work again. It sucked but that is what helps me be a stay at home mom. If he didn't have this job, I wouldn't be able to be here. It was a lazy day. The boys were out most of the day so me and Elliot just hung out together.
Monday, Rayn's actual birthday, we went and got him a game for the Wii and watched Heroes which is our family activity on Mondays. Elliott and I did a little shopping and got the car registered finally. All in all it was a good couple of days. Here's a cute pic of Elliott in her little polka dot dress:
Her hair is getting longer only on top. It's kind of funny. But it looks like it's going to be so red. We're excited about that. She made her first actual laugh yesterday but I haven't been able to get her to do it again yet. Soon she'll be laughing a lot.
Here's a few pics from today. Now it's time for us to go do some grocery shopping. Derek is out of town for the week which sucks. He'll be home on Friday though. I'll write some more in a few days.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Just like starting over....
I don't know why I've decided to start a blog. Maybe I'm jumping on the blogging mom bandwagon. Maybe I'm just taking advantage of the internet this time around to share such a wonderful time with my family out of state. Who knows? I know that I love having a new baby after all this time. I have 2 boys that are 14 and soon to be 11 so having a new baby girl is surreal to me. I never thought it would happen. The great thing is that this time around, I am financially and emotionally better than I have ever been. I have a wonderful and hard working husband and I get to be a stay at home mom for now. I will be returning to school in the fall but won't be graduating for a while so I'll still be staying at home most of the time. I love that I can do that now. I guess I'll start posting about family life here in the house of redheads. I'm hoping I can at least post weekly but we'll see. Being a mom is a time consuming business. First I need to catch up on the last 3 months of little Elliott's life (at least in photos!).
This is Derek's first picture with Elliott after she was born on January 6, 2009. She weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces and was 19 inches long. Derek was awesome during the delivery. I thought for sure he wouldn't want to cut the umbilical cord because he thought that would be gross. Plus he had never heard of that before. After Elliott emerged, the doctor asked if Derek wanted to cut the cord and he said yes. Then the nurses took the baby and cleaned her up and handed her over to new daddy. After he held her for a little while, they gave her to grandma then to me (after a little bit of clean up) and she started breastfeeding like a pro right away. We struggled for few weeks on and off with her latching on technique but now we've got it down. It feels great to be able to breastfeed her when I wasn't able to breastfeed the boys. It also makes going places a little easier. I don't have to carry bottles and formula and all that.
Here's a picture I took after a feeding when she was a couple weeks old. I really hope she keeps the blue eyes. Isn't she a doll?
I love this picture. She was sleeping so soundly. Babies are so flexible! I don't see how anyone can sleep comfortably like this. That is one of my favorite little outfits but she has already outgrown it!
Okay just a couple more and then I'll stop for now. Elliott is starting to wake up from her nap and she'll want to eat. Then I'll be able to go shopping for Rayn's (the soon to be 11 year old) birthday party supplies.
Elliott is cooing and smiling a lot now. She hasn't begun to laugh just yet but she's getting close. That will be an exciting day and it will surely bring a blog post about.
This final picture is of Elliott and her grandpa Lindeman with the dresser that he handmade for her. Isn't it beautiful? She will cherish this when she grows up.
See you next week (or sooner) with details of Rayn's final soccer game and his birthday party!
This is Derek's first picture with Elliott after she was born on January 6, 2009. She weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces and was 19 inches long. Derek was awesome during the delivery. I thought for sure he wouldn't want to cut the umbilical cord because he thought that would be gross. Plus he had never heard of that before. After Elliott emerged, the doctor asked if Derek wanted to cut the cord and he said yes. Then the nurses took the baby and cleaned her up and handed her over to new daddy. After he held her for a little while, they gave her to grandma then to me (after a little bit of clean up) and she started breastfeeding like a pro right away. We struggled for few weeks on and off with her latching on technique but now we've got it down. It feels great to be able to breastfeed her when I wasn't able to breastfeed the boys. It also makes going places a little easier. I don't have to carry bottles and formula and all that.
Here's a picture I took after a feeding when she was a couple weeks old. I really hope she keeps the blue eyes. Isn't she a doll?
I love this picture. She was sleeping so soundly. Babies are so flexible! I don't see how anyone can sleep comfortably like this. That is one of my favorite little outfits but she has already outgrown it!
Okay just a couple more and then I'll stop for now. Elliott is starting to wake up from her nap and she'll want to eat. Then I'll be able to go shopping for Rayn's (the soon to be 11 year old) birthday party supplies.
Elliott is cooing and smiling a lot now. She hasn't begun to laugh just yet but she's getting close. That will be an exciting day and it will surely bring a blog post about.
This final picture is of Elliott and her grandpa Lindeman with the dresser that he handmade for her. Isn't it beautiful? She will cherish this when she grows up.
See you next week (or sooner) with details of Rayn's final soccer game and his birthday party!
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