Cutie Patootie 1 yr old

Look at this handsome little man! I got the pleasure of shooting him this past weekend. He goes to the same infant only provider as Eli. I had a lot of fun with him and, thanks to him and his beautiful mama, I have a new favorite pic. Check out the one of them together. How stinkin' cute is that !!





I'm on photo shoot overload but loving every minute of it. I got to shoot my aunt and family at a GORGEOUS home. It was a fun time! Can't wait to proof those and share. Thanks aunt E! Tonight, I'm off to shoot my friend's twins at 6 month. I'm sure it will be a busy time! I'm doing a walk thru at the Captital this weekend for my friend's wedding. Getting a bit nervous about that one! Schuyler is having her "friends" bday party this Sunday at Pioneer Gymnastics. She is very excited and I think Mackie is equally excited! In other words, I'll be having lots of pics to share once I get to actually proof them = )

We had the Mack Attack this week. McKenzie occasionally finds trouble. She decided to climb up and get the metal tip darts and poke them in our workout bench. I will never figure out what possess her to do some of the things she does?

This weekend we went to my mom's for some karoake (sp?). Schuyler loves the microphone while McKenzie will not go near it. It was pretty entertaining = )

Eli has started scratching his head? So hard, he has little scabs. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing. I am keeping his nails short but they grow so fast! He has found his tongue and likes to make silly faces. He is also trying hard to roll back to tummy. He gets up on that side and is very close!

Mark's best bud is getting married in Savannah, GA this fall and we are trying to figure out who is going. Mark is going for sure. Tickets just went down so we need to make a decision. I would really like to go, and, if I do, I'll shoot their wedding. On the other hand, I know I can't leave Eli. So, do I take him with us, and feel bad b/c I'm leaving the girls? Do we take the whole family, which will be expensive? Or, do I stay home with the kiddos? I can be so indecisive!

Wow. I guess I had a lot to say. If you made it this far, you're a true blog reader!

Oh, almost forgot. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! (a day early)!

Our "Butterball"

Look at him. Now 3 months old. He is a "big" baby and getting those fun little rolls all over. I like to refer to him as my little butterball! So fun to cuddle and love him up! He is really starting to use his extremeties...putting his hands in his mouth, sometimes a little too far that he gags.

I hope everybody had a good Easter. Ours was relatively laid back. I enjoyed my Friday afternoon off with the girls and managed to get a little "mommy" playtime in with my camera and the kids (hence the new picture of Eli). Schuyler had a violin lesson on Saturday as we prepare for another recital at the end of the month. Brian and Meghan were able to visit some, too. Brian has completely analyzed our son and has determined all his reflexes are working. That's what you get when your bro is a physical therapist = ) We also managed to have him change his first ever diaper, a poopy one no less! The girls' were without naps and extremely tired by the end of the day. Sunday, the girls awoke to an Easter Egg hunt which was a big hit. We had dinner with Papa and Grandma S came to visit in the afternoon. Grandma R came down on Monday to watch the girls since they did not have school. She also folded ALL my laundry (hugs)!

I have a 1yr old shoot this weekend. Should be fun as he is a cutie patootie! I also have a wedding shower for a friend. It's sure to be a fun time!

Bad Habits

Let's talk bad habits for a few moments, or other irritants. Schuyler has gotten into a terrible habit of chewing her hair. We have been in the process of groing it out now for about 9 months. She has now discovered she can put it in her mouth. Yuck. Her hair is already so fine and fragile that she is bound to get split ends. I'm ready to chop it in the cute little bob but she is insistant that we keep groing it out. Poor girl. She just wants pony tails and braids like the other girls. I feel like I have doomed her to bad hair. Darn DNA!

On another note, daddy returned last Friday and we were all glad to have him home! Sunday was a beautiful day and we managed to get outside. Daddy has a new golf mat so he can "practice" in the backyard. The girls have a new interest in golf and it was so cute to see daddy taking turns teaching his girls' how to swing a club.

Easter has snuck up on me and I'm not ready yet. I hope the Easter bunny finds time to get some stuff for the baskets = )

And, of course, here are some pics. My little E man is getting so big. I keep saying this over and over, but he is such a GOOD baby. He is laughing and giggling so much. I know he is enjoying his daycare b/c he smiles at Linda every morning. Also, some pics of one of my best friend and her twins from the baptism. Reagan is our godchild.

In loving arms

I LOVE this picture of my father with his grandkids. So many times, you try and get the so-called "perfect" picture where everyone is looking and smiling. But, more often, it's moments such as the above that speak volumes. A little infant yawning, tired from a morning with his big sisters. An older, protective sister lovingly looking over her little brother and the other snuggling in close for a hug. A grandfather, proudly holding his grandkids in his lap. And, all their heads being sunkissed by warmth of light.

We made it through last week. Eli ended up spiking a fever on Thursday. So, after a LONG Dr. appt of blood cultures, xrays, and a shot, Eli and I spent the day at home. Papa came over and rocked little guy so mama could get some much needed rest. Things turned around for the better after that day. Birthday parties were great and Mark and I enjoyed the baptism of Reagan. She is ADORABLE. I'll try and share some pics. We had an awesome dinner afterwards with Cori and Dan's families'.

Mark left yesterday morning. The kids and I faired well for our first night although you can tell they miss their daddy. I hope the rest of the week continues to go well. I'm planning a little slumber party with the girls in our bed on Thursday night as a little reward.

I have to say that Eli is changing so MUCH. He is really starting to grab onto objects and is cooing and talking a lot more. Most of the time he's such a smiley guy but I'm yet to catch it on camera, though I have it on video. Happy Wednesday!

Managing our brood of 3.

Monday, I returned to work. We are all slowly adjusting to having a working mama. Eli looked at me like "where are we going so early in the morning?". The girls were also a little confused. Eli had a good day at his "school". He drank his bottles, smiled for Linda, and even gave her a laugh. That night went by extrememly fast as it was bath nights for all the kids and Mark worked on cleaning up the yard. Eli slept the whole night thru for the second time. Must have been all that hard playing. The first time was on my bday = )

Yesterday was slightly better. The girls had tears in the a.m. but quickly cuddled with daddy. I spent the day at work with watery/itchy eyes and sneezes. Why is it I come down with a cold when I return to work and not while I was on maternity leave. Oh well. I slept in this a.m. and am going to work so I don't use up my very precious PTO.

Hope I can stay healthy for the rest of our busy week. Tomorrow is "father's night" at the Montessori and the girls will get to show daddy work they enjoy. Friday is a bday party as well as Saturday. Oh, Mark and I are God Parents to one of my friend's twins, Reagan. Do you remember her? So, the baptism is Saturday and supper afterwards. Phew!

Here is our brood of 3...

I died my hair!!

Yesterday marked the 30th anniversary of my birth. Mark and I celebrated Monday night with dinner at the Parthenon, an excellent Greek restaurant. This was also this first time we had been away from the kids as a couple since the birth of Eli. The kids helped me make a pineapple-carrot cake, which we enjoyed last night and I must say was delicious! Dad treated me to lunch at a new cafe type restaurant called "The Cup". As a present to myself and a way to mark the event, I died my hair strawberry blonde. I actually did this last week and Papa watched Eli. As seen in the picture above (photo courtesy of Schuyler =), it was pretty red to begin with. But, after several washings, it has tamed down and I am liking it!




For those that don't know, my hubby has began a diet and exercise program. He is down a total of 14 lbs (approx). Way to go Mark!



This past weekend, both girls went down to Missouri to see their cousin Maddy who celebrated her b-day on Sunday. I was a little hesitant to let Mackie go, but she did awesome and both had a wonderful time. It was a little strange having only 1 child. Being the worry wort that I am, I missed them dearly but did manage to enjoy some of the quiet time.



This week is my last week of maternity leave = ( It is a somewhat sad time as both I and the girls will miss our time together. I'm sure it will be a matter of time before we get into a new groove.



Here are pics from the winter times in NE. This week spring is shining through and we have been enjoying the warmer weather outdoors.

2 months already!

Wow! I know I keep saying this but time is flying by. Eli is now 2 months old! We had his 2 month appt yesterday. I have started calling him "big boy" so much that the girls' now mimic this. He, in fact, is a big boy. The stats from the Dr. appt yesterday: 14lbs which is 90% for weight and 24in which is 85% for height. Dr. says he looks like a 4 month old which explains why he's wearing 3-6 month sizes! The infant seat probably only last until he is 6 months. We'll enjoy it while we can. Eli has had a constant tearing and mattering in his left eye. This is being caused by a clogged eye duct. We are now trying a new medication to stop the yellow mattering and will massage the duct area. Hopefully, it will unclog itself. Otherwise, an opthamologist would have to unclog it but not until he's at least 9 months of age. All in all, he is an extremely healthy boy. Oh, Eli also has graduated to his crib as of last Tuesday. No more cradle/bassinet. This child grunts and groans in his sleep more than any other child I know = )

As for the girls, last Thursday they enjoyed a snow day at home with mom. Ofcourse, they wanted to got outside. So, until I got Eli down, they played on the fort in the backyard in the snow. Swinging and going down the slide. Pretty funny. I did manage to take them sledding and Mark got off early so Schuyler went out for a second round after nap. I will try and post some of those pics soon. In the meantime, so you can enjoy these. Mommy gets her play time too! Gma S made the cute little sweater and hat.