At bedtime tonight, Natalie said, “My family is the bestest, greatest family in the whole world.”
Smart girl. That’s a good way to end a day that also had its fair share of whining stretched over the 10+ hours I was alone with the kiddos. Well played.
Happy Easter! We’ve had a busy Easter weekend… it started out with an Easter Egg hunt at a nearby church.
Has anyone seen my eggs?
Here they are!
Natalie loved the egg hunt but was very cautious about the Easter Bunny. She clung to me upon entering the same room as him (even though he was far off in the corner) and later told Jordan that she isn’t afraid of small Easter bunnies but that she is afraid of big ones that can walk.
Then, we spent the night at Nana’s and Pop’s (and Jira’s, Clayton’s, and Alex’s) place – Natalie’s request. She’s been wanting to sleep at Nana’s and Pop’s (she especially loves their bed, where she slept when we were varnished out of our condo for a couple days), but wanted her “whole family” to come along. I didn’t have my phone out for pics for nearly any of the visit, but I’m hoping Jordan will have some good photos to add later. Natalie died Easter eggs with Nana, and we had a super fun egg hunt this morning. Nat’s favorite treats were a “cough drop” (actually a chocolate egg – she’s just never seen one before) and a Lifesaver Mint. She was also super excited about the baby toothpaste that was the same kind that we just threw out. How did the Easter Bunny know that?!!? (I swear the EB also brought some more exciting things.)
Both kids loved playing with little cousin Clayton, who is already 9 months old.
Hey little couz.... watcha think about that bouncy gym?!?
Poppy joined us for church, which Natalie basically pouted through since she wasn’t in the front row. But the walk home was fun…….
As was the walk to the park after church….
Over two days, and 50 pics, this is the only photo I captured of both kids looking at the camera. Elliott is loving Natalie’s new Easter book from Mammaw and Natalie loved some gook that smelled like banana laffy taffys.
Going down for a nap was hard for both kids…. Natalie had at least 5 reasons to come out of her room (night light, uncomfortable dress under her arm pits, camel was too big for her bed, need a nose wipe, poop in her bum – should I get more graphic?!?, etc). Thankfully, she eventually sung herself to sleep… I overheard something about rainbows and hippos.
Natalie’s absolute favorite book series is The Berenstain Bears. I read at least 12 a week. Today, Natalie and I re-enacted a scene from The Berenstain Bears and the Rescue. She rescued 5 hello kitty’s from Great Bear Gorge (aka her bed).
Do you recognize Papa, Mama, Sister, Brother, Lizzy Bruin and Cousin Fred?
Erin was working out this morning, so I was getting breakfast for the kids. Here was Natalie, being an awesome big sister to Elliott and singing “You are my sunshine” to her bro while they waited.
Even if this mood doesn’t last the entire day, always a great way to start the morning!
Meet my newest nephew, Cameron David! Born at 8:19pm on Sat April 12th. 7 lbs 7 oz. Isn’t he a cutie??
Congrats Becky, Rob and Trevor (the big bro)!!!
I’m a terrible mother. I admit it. I just realized yesterday, more than 3 weeks after Elliott turned one, that we haven’t scheduled – much less taken – 1-yr-old pictures. Aw man. Jordan called – we’re going next week. I guess they will just have to be 13-mo-old pics. I hope he forgives me.
Also, a height/weight/head circumference update from his 1-year physical a couple weeks ago (at least I remembered that one). All proportions are right on track with his 9-mo appt.
Weight: 24 lbs, 14 oz (90-95th percentile)
Height: 31 inches (75th-90th percentile)
Head Circumference: (98th+ percentile)
Compared to his sister, he’s a bit less than a pound heavier and inch taller. After carrying this guy around in church today (let’s be honest – poor Jordan gets 90% of it, but I tried to take some of the responsibility, given the longer Palm Sunday service), by upper back and forearms are sore. He is on the move, but hasn’t quite taken off yet, so more slimming down – and respite for mom’s sore muscles – to come.
About two times a year, I’ll write a letter to Fr. Tom Murphy (“the Murph”), the priest who married Jordan and me almost 9 years ago. I wrote one tonight and had the odd feeling that we wouldn’t know if/when he passed away. I checked the Indy Star obituaries tonight and read that he passed away about 1.5 months ago.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/indystar/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-j-murphy&pid=169917018
Fr. Murphy lived a very full life and we trust he is in heaven with the Lord. We are thankful for his friendship, his encouragement to enjoy life and not take things too seriously and his commitment to family, friends and Notre Dame. When your priest tells you at 23 to relax and have more fun, you better take his advice. 🙂
We will miss you Fr. Murphy. God bless.
Elliott doesn’t sit still for books but we are trying to read anyways. Natalie’s choice for him tonight: Lady Bug Girl and Her Mama. No wonder he wasn’t interested.
Random cute pic to follow:
I don’t have a lot of cute pics to accompany the posts, but the stories are cute enough to stand alone.
Elliott is so close to being a walker. Last Saturday, he kinda took 2 steps, as he fell into me (he may have just been reaching for me and I was too far away). Today, he took two legit steps. Natalie and I are witnesses. He’s also been practicing letting go of couches and coffee tables to practice balancing. Funny enough, when he walks with help, he often side shuffles – I just realized this is the motion he uses when scooting along the couch, so it kinda makes sense.
Elliott’s mobility means that he is always in his sister’s stuff…. she is good about sharing, some of the time. However, we have constructed a 2.5 foot by 1.5 foot section by the windows, barricaded with two ottomans, a chair and a terribly old TV stand. Elliott, wedges himself between the TV stand and an ottoman, desperate to get a look at what Natalie is doing…. building magna-tile houses that he would love to crash, organizing memory cards that he would love to mess up, or playing with little figurines that he’d love to chomp on. He literally spent 30+ minutes in this spot this morning.
And, in supreme cuteness, Elliott loves the family photos that we’ve placed in our dining room. There are 3 photos – one of just him, one of just Natalie and one of our family of 4. Elliott’s pic happens to be near where he eats, so regardless of which direction is high chair is facing, he frequently turns around, points at his picture and grins. He won’t stop until we acknowledge the pic. Of course, Natalie then gets upset that we aren’t acknowledging her pic. So, we basically spend a lot of mealtime looking at the pics on the walls.
Oh no… little buddy just woke up crying. 🙁 He has a cold again, so maybe that’s bothering him. I really should be getting to bed by 9:30, as we’re frequently woken up 1-2 times per “night” (this includes the 5:30am wake-ups) by a needy toddler (My pull-up is wet, I have crusty boogers, I couldn’t find my lovey) or hungry 1-year-old.
