Weekend Recap

This weekend Eli attended his FOURTH birthday party of the month.  It also so happens that they were all for girls!  We've enjoyed teasing Eli about all of his 'girlfriends'.  He just smiles and says "ses!" (yes).

This weekend was Kherington's 3rd birthday.  She and Eli have been to every birthday party for each other.  Eli was just a few days old at her first birthday party.

The next 2 weekends are more birthday parties, but this time for boys.  Counting his own birthday party, that will make SEVEN weeks in a row of birthday parties!  My 2 year old has more of a social life than I do.  : )  Or maybe it's just that he is my social life now, and I'm ok with that too.

Saturday we had a very lazy day and it was so nice.  We laid around, ran a few errands, enjoyed college football (at least Auburn didn't lose this week), and all took naps!

This morning we got up early before church and the rain so that I could go run.  I just finished week 5 of c25k, and for the first time in my life ran 20 minutes without stopping.  I definitely wasn't very fast, but I did it!

I think that's all to report from our weekend.  We only have one more week of school, and then we have a fall break!  Have a great week!

A Day on the Plains

Is it just me or are the weekends flying by wayyy too quickly this month?  Our Saturday was spent on the Plains.

After a quick trip by AU Bookstore in Haley,  we made our way to the stadium to see the Heisman statues.

 Eli's attempt at the Heisman pose.

Eli showed his muscles while posing with Cam!  : )

We had such a good time in Auburn.  Before the game even started we met up with several old friends.  It was so nice to see them!

Eli meeting the Iveys and Morrisons for the first time!

My old friend and band buddy, Jessica!

Eli was SUCH a good boy the whole day.  He really took it all in. He only napped an hr in the car on the way to Auburn, but stayed awake the entire day and wasn't even grouchy!

(haha, idk what Dad is doing, but I love this picture!)

 2012 family photo from section 10

Eli loooves Aubie!

Watching the game with Puddin'

Eli finally succumbed to sleep during the last 2 minutes of the game.

We may not have won, but it was a much better game than most people expected.  We all had a great time in Auburn, and look forward to hopefully attending a few more games this season!

War Eagle!

2 Year Check Up

 Today was Eli's 2 year check-up.

I realized once we'd gotten there that it had been such a long time since we had been last.  We're so thankful for a healthy boy!  No shots were necessary on this visit, but since we were there I had them go ahead and give Eli a flu shot.

 

The stats:

Weight - 27 lbs - 33rd percentile

Length - 32 1/2 inches (at home he measured 33 inches) - 10th percentile

Head Circumference - 20 1/4 inches

 

Eli doesn't look like a shorty to me.  His legs look so long here!

We did have a talk with the doctor about a sleep apnea I've noticed with Eli recently.  A time or two a week he will wait a ridiculously long time between breaths while he's sleeping.  It's not consistent right now, but definitely something we're going to start noting.  He's also woke up screaming a few times this week.  Mom and I were talking, and she actually saw something on the news about it and that could be a sign of sleep apnea in children.  Dr. Y said if Eli doesn't outgrow it, we'll do x-rays of his adenoids and send him back to the ENT.

Where does the time go?  It seems like just yesterday we were  in there for the monthly baby visits!

Before I was a Mom...

My sister wrote this great post, and so I decided to do the same.  Even though she's not the reader in the family, she's probably the better writer, so go read hers!

But, who am I kidding, before I was a mom I actually had time to read.  Now I only read books made out of cardboard.  Although, this has bumped my reading rate up a bit.  Ya gotta be quick to get all the words in before that page flips!

Before I was a Mom I would have blogged about something when I got the idea, not 4 days later.  I have Eli pictures and updates to do too, but it's a lot to drag out the camera cord and sit down long enough to blog!  : )

Before I was a mom I had a lot more money, although I don't know what the heck I spent it on!  (Not that we're made of money.  I mean, my husband and I are both teachers.)

Before I was a mom grocery shopping was a lot quicker and my house was a lot cleaner (not that it's dirty.  That's one thing I stay on top, the sinks and tubs just doesn't sparkle like they used to!).

Before I was a mom I didn't pee my pants a little every time I sneezed.  Eli spent 39 weeks and 6 days right on top of my bladder.  It happens.  : )

I agree with my sister, before I was a mom, I didn't really know how much my God or my parents loved me.

Before I was a mom, I didn't know how much I loved my husband.

Before I was a mom, I didn't have a clue how much my body could take.  I mean, 39 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, gained 34 lbs (then lost 50), 24+ hours of labor just to have a c-section, 17 months of breastfeeding, pumping 2x a day at work (everyday for a year), running on very little sleep for weeks on end, and just the every day of keeping up with my little guy.  Motherhood is not for the faint!  But it is certainly worth it!  : )

Fall Bucket List

 Even though it's only been like 8-10 degrees cooler, I'm saying fall is here.  I'm going with a 'name it and claim it' kind of philosophy!  : )

So, since the season is here, I figured I'd better make my fall bucket list for our family (and a few things for myself!).  The time will pass all too quickly and we'll be pulling out Christmas decorations before you know it.

Fall Bucket List

*Take Eli to an Auburn game.

*Tailgate and take pictures by the Heisman statues...can't believe we haven't done that yet.

*Go to the pumpkin patch.

*Take a hay ride.

*Make my own apple butter.

*Make something with burlap.

*Carve pumpkins.

*Roast pumpkin seeds.

*Make a fall trail mix.

*Trick or Treat

*Make a hearty soup.

*Bake pumpkin bread (or pumpkin something).

*Take a long walk (once it gets to be *true* fall weather).

*Do fall crafts with Eli.

*Date night!

*Run 2 5ks.

*Read Little Women (idk why this is on my fall bucket list, but it is)

*Start a new Bible study.

*Visit the Christmas in the South craft festival.

*Get a new fall outfit..or boots...maybe both!  : )

And of course, I plan to take lots of pictures of all of these things to share with all of you!

So, what's on your fall bucket list?

Random Thoughts

Thank you for the sweet and encouraging comments from the last post.  I really am fine, I'm not mad (or taking anything out on) at my husband, nor do I hate my job.  All of that was resolved before I posted.  : )

This weekend we really enjoyed being home and the break from the busy week.  We really didn't do much of anything other than relax, get caught up on yard work and laundry, and make a trip to the grocery store and to Target!  I did swing by Hobby Lobby and found some new candle sticks (I've been looking for the perfect ones for months, and finally found them!) for my mantle.  I felt like I needed a happy day surprise, so I bought myself one!  : )

This morning we took advantage of the cooler temperatures (65 degrees!) and went for a run before church.  I started c25k for the umpteenth time.  It's been surprisingly easy getting back into running.  I've felt like I could go longer each time.  Week 3 starts tomorrow.  I think I'm good until about week 5, that's usually where I quit.  Here's to hoping I can stick with the actual program.  We do have a 5K that we're running on Halloween weekend, so it will be perfect, if I keep with it!

I really need to be better about taking pictures.  I haven't taken many lately...and I even got a nice, new camera.  I've just kind of been enjoying life lately, but I am anxious to learn my camera...so stay tuned!

I'm distraught over the thought of no more Army Wives.  Seriously.  Boo.

I don't know if I've mentioned it on here or not, but we've been working to re-do our stairs.  They've been carpeted since we bought the house, and I've wanted to take the carpet off since we bought the house.  The last coats of stain went on the stairs today.  All that's left is to paint the white part.  I think I've put a picture on Instagram/Twitter, maybe?

I think I want to make some balloon curtains (is that what they're called).  I need to find a pattern I like, I wonder if it's hard to do?  I've got a couple of other sewing projects lined up (including curtains for my SIL), I just need to get my machine out.

Pray for my niece, Maddie.  She's just turned one, and is having surgery tomorrow to correct a kidney reflux that she is.  They live 13 hrs away in Texas.  I really, really wish we could be there tomorrow with them.  : (

I hope you all have a Happy Monday and a great week!  Eli and I will be jumping off curbs in the morning on our way in to school!  : )

My Bad Attitude Lately

 This post is kind of all over the place.  I've had a sappy mommy kind of day.  I don't know if it makes sense, but it was nice to get it out.  If you're an advocate for anti-daycare, please don't say anything rude.  I've had enough people share their unwelcome opinions and judgements about it.  I do it because I have to, not because I want to.  (In the same sense, if you don't have to use the d-word, I am not hating.  This is just our family situation.)

So, I've had a bad attitude the past few mornings, and it's mainly been directed towards my husband.  Let me explain.

I have a love/hate relationship with my job-sometimes.  I love what I do, I love my students (I have some really great ones again this year), I love the people I work with, I love the school I work with, BUT I love being Eli's mommy more.  By Thursday morning I'm usually struggling.  Thursday and Friday are hard days for me dropping Eli off at daycare.

I'm major type A.  I don't like being late places.  I kind of live by that motto, "if you're early you're on time and, if you're on time you're late" (which is funny because I'm not really early anywhere since becoming a mommy).  I don't have to be at work until 8.  It majorly stresses me out to be there any later than 7:50.  I like things to be turned on before my kids enter the room, and I love those few minutes of peace in my empty classroom before the chaos of the day hits.  The past few days I've been flying in there at like, 7:57, and staying until well after 5..or 6.., plus bringing work home.  It's just that time of the school year.  So many little things going on and to be done.

I have been very rude to my husband the past few mornings.  He helps me out a lot and does a lot for me in the morning to help us get out the door.  He has to be at work at 7:30, and even though he's offered to take Eli to school so I can get to work, I won't let him.  1) I'm his Mommy.  I want to take him.  2) I HATE Eli being there so early.  Before 7:30 they just park the kids in front of the TV and I'm not down with that.

To make it worse, my boy won't let me carry him in anymore.  I'm so grateful that he's a healthy and thriving boy, but I sure do miss my baby.  He tells me, "No, mama.  Walk!  Walk!"  So I put him down and we walk to the curbs and have to jump off of each. and. every, one of them.  Then we have to weave in and out of the columns walking into his school.  Once we get in, he gives me a quick hug and then runs to play with his friend Lily.  They're BFFs.  Really.  I pray Lily doesn't move.  Eli would be devastated.  Once he sees Lily, it's like, 'Mommy who??"  Really, I'm not exaggerating, he ignores me once he starts playing with Lily.

So, I've spent the past 2 mornings being ill with my husband, mainly because I want to do it all and can't.  I want to be the one who spends time with Eli in the mornings and gets him ready for school, and I want to be in my classroom early too.  But then I got to thinking today, that like so many other things in life, "this too shall pass."  And I'm not ready for that anytime soon.  One day I will be in my classroom super early, and it will be because I won't have anything else to do in the mornings.

I'm thankful for my time with my boy in the morning.  I love jumping off every curb with him and weaving our way around brick columns.  We say prayers in the car on the way to school each morning.  So, it seems a little silly that my feelings get a little hurt when Eli chooses Lily over me; we pray often that Eli would be a good friend.

So, if it means being late (are merely 'own-time', using my kind of logic) to work each day, I'll take it.  Eli and Mommy are making the most of our time together before our day really starts.  And, tonight, I'm thankful that we have the weekend to spend together.  I have missed seeing my boy all day!  And, of course, I'm thankful for a husband that helps out so much, and who gets me.  He never holds my rude mood against me, and loves me still.  : )

2nd Birthday Party

I tossed around several ideas for Eli's 2nd birthday party, but finally settled with bubbles.  I'm glad I did, bubbles were a big hit with Eli and his friends-it was very age appropriate for the kids who came.  Because Eli's birthday fell on a Saturday this year, we had his party on his actual birthday!

Here are a few pictures from the big day:

If you stand in the middle, and pull the hula hoop up, you're inside of a bubble!

Bubble refill station and make your own bubble wands

Bubble wrap stomp

Bubble art masterpiece station

Eli and Maddie with my grandparents

We missed you, Uncle Z!

Ginny, Grandma Frances, Eli, and Daddy

24 Month Post

  Eli, Wow, 2 years old!  You have made these the best years of our lives.  We love how you've blessed our lives and the joy you bring us each day.  We're so thankful for all of the ways God has blessed you in your two short years.  We pray you never lose the joyful spirit, curiosity, and loving heart that you have now.  We pray that you will always know and recognize God's goodness in your life.  We love you more than you know, Eli Taff!

News headlines:  2012 London Olympics, Chick fil A outcry, Mitt Romney/Ron Paul become the Republican ticket nominees in the 2012 Presidential Election

Milestones:  You communicate regularly and easily with speech, you can spell your name and frequently say "E-L-I, ELI!", you recognize several letters and can sing parts of the alphabet song (and know/sing phrases in other songs at the appropriate time), you are very familiar with the iphone-you love to post pictures to Instagram!  : )

Measurements:  Size 4 or 5 diapers, size 24 mths/2T clothes (some 18 mths in shorts), size 6 shoes, at least 33"+ tall

Favorite toys/games:  You LOVE to laugh and be silly, the iPad and the iPhone are still high on your list, and you love to play chase or hide and seek.  You also love just being outside.  Of course anything Elmo or Buzz are favorites!  You also LOVE to read books!

Words:  Yes!  You love to talk, but you are a shy boy in large group settings.

Challenges: It's good and bad, but you have become quite independent!

Our Days:  Since we've gone back to school, we have to wake you up at 7.  I drop you off at school around 7:30.  Daddy picks you up about 3:30 and y'all either come home, or come back to the school to hang out with Mommy for awhile.  Ate home we play, read books, go outside, and eat supper.  You have gotten to where you get a bath most every night.  This every other night business doesn't work out when it's so hot outside and you're a little boy that plays HARD!

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy AND Daddy's Favorite:  Turning 2, and all that went with it.

Upcoming Events: Auburn football and fall!

What a difference a year makes!

 Eli's 2nd year!

 See Eli's 1st birthday here!

....still to come, Eli's 2nd birthday party!!!