Windows Down

Paige loves driving with her window down and the wind hitting her face. The video is the best part because you can hear her belly laugh.
So much fun to drive along hearing that. :)

Trooper!

More toe drama for E Baby. It was the worst 2 minutes of my life today. I am still very upset when I think about it, and don't want to re-live it. I am only posting so I can look back one day and remember how strong my sweet darling baby is! He is such a trooper.

Connor's 12th BD

Connor turns 12 on Tuesday and we got to celebrate with him on Sunday night. He also got his braces off!Trampoline is always a hit!The kids were SO excited to sing to Connor and share in his cake. Sissy dived in.

The Funny Things They Say

Oh, how they make us laugh. Here are a collection of quotes that I have been saving up to post all at once. Enjoy.

1. Paige is a drama queen. And when she gets upset, she wants to be held and coddled. Normally I love to hold her and comfort her, but there are times I can't. The most common inopportune time she needs me is when I am feeding or holding Eli. Recently, she got upset one particular time that I was holding E Baby and the conversation went as follows,
P:Mama, hold you. (that's how she asks to be held)
M: I can't baby, I am holding Eli.
P: Put Eli down on the floor. On the carpet.

2. Jacob and Paige were up-stairs playing while I was, once again, feeding Eli downstairs. I heard a small crash of toys, then Jacob say this: "No no Sissy! That was a sad choice. Go sit in time out!"

3. I held up a certain Disney princess in a yellow dress and asked what her name was and Paige answered in the bigest twang, "Thas-a-my-bail" Translation: That's my Belle.

4. Jacob thinks everything that happens to him is hitting. One time he leaned in close to Eli then pulled away fast and said: "Ouch! Eli hit me!". Another time I was burping Eli and he came up to me and touched my hand and said, "No no, Mama! Don't hit baby Eli." And then the most recent; I was directing Jacob to his room for bed time and his body started to curve towards Sissy's room. So, I guided him with my hand back on course with a nudge to his room. Very gently too. However, he quickly scolded me saying,
J- Ouch Mama! Don't hit Jacob!!!
M- I didn't hit you. I kinda pushed you.
J- Well, that's not nice!

5. We were going to the doctors office, Jacob pushed the elevator button and stood in front of the doors. I said: "Stand back Buddy so that when the doors open the people can get off the elevator before we go in." He prompty backed up, the doors open, a lady steps off, Jacob thinks he is clear to get on. Then from around the door a man steps out and both he and Jacob stop in their step in front of each other and Jacob says: "Oh! Excuse me kind Sir." and lets the man pass. Every one around the elevator laughed. I was so tickled and proud at the same time.

6. Mama- Come on Jacob.
Jacob- You're not affiliated with Me!
(a line from The Incredibles.)

7. On a Tuesday and Wednesday night we will randomly hear Paige cry out from her Bed to us: I want to watch American Idol!

8. Daddy- Paige, say octopus.
Paige- Octomoose.

9. Mama- Paige, you're a coconut.
Paige- I'm a poke-a-nut.

10. Paige: I get married and have babies!

11. Paige saw some boys walking by our gate in the alley and Paige stopped what she was doing and waved her hand at them and said in another random southern accent,"HI BOOOYS!

12. Mama- Jacob, where's your Gordon train?
Jacob- It's upstairs. Imagine that!

13. Eli's physical therapist was picking him up and she said Hi, and he smiled big and made a "hi" sound. We both laughed because it sounded just like a greeting back.

3 Months

Eli hit three months old today. And what a shock- he was at the doctor again today! Seriously, in three months this kids has kept our doctors busy. He had three appointments this week- maybe to signify his third month. Busy, busy, busy! And BIG! He is a whooping 17.6. The fun side of going to the doctor is tracking his weight. My arms are going to be cut in time for summer holding this guy. At all the doctor offices he go lots of attention on how big, good, and cute he was. I had to have a quick toe procedure this week and I was holding Eli the whole time and it was amusing the doctor. He kept commenting on how laid back and content Eli is. He kept saying:"This is the best baby! I love this baby!" Me too!He reaches out and grabs toys and is putting his hands together. He is tolerating tummy time more but still is not a fan. He can turn almost a full circle on his tummy too.He loves to look at himself in the mirror when he is on his pillow like this. It is so cute to watch, especially when he talks to himself in the mirror. He also will give a chuckle now too.Jacob is a wonderful big brother. When he sees Eli, he is very careful to get as close as possible. One time he tripped walking backwards and fell right on Eli's back, scaring me to death. But Eli was fine. He cried for a second and seemed more startled than anything. I'm telling you, he is a tank.I know they will be buddies. Jacob is sharing his trains with him here. And if Eli is crying Jacob will come running up to me and say, "Mommy! Baby Eli is crying!" Like I couldn't hear him. It's so funny.And Paige is still crazy about him too. Still wanting to touch his eyes, nose, head, and her new thing is to pretend to take a bite out of him. What is that?? Makes me a little nervous but I am hoping she is just playing. I know she would never hurt him on purpose...He is an Incredible baby...Still taking a few 4 ounce bottles but has moved up to 5 and 6 ounces at a feeding. He has been a bit more vocal lately, crying more this month than ever before. I think because we are pushing him more with tummy time and such. Plus, he is the biggest mama's boy. If I need to put him in his chair right next to me while I make his bottle he lets out the most pathetic cry. It is so sad. He is crushed when I put him down sometimes. But happy as can be in my arms.He still cat naps through out the day, and still is up every night anytime between 3-5. 20 minute process then sleeps until 8. And will wake up from a nap the minute you put him down. Still sleeps through all the noise too.I just loved all those pictures in his costume. So cute. It is actually a dog costume and then I put the mask on.

He had to go to the doctor today because his toe that was worked on over spring break was red today. It had been doing really well. He saw the foot doctor Tuesday for his follow up and was good to go. Then this morning-red. The doctor put him on bactrim because of his mrsa history. Ironically, I am on the same drug. We seem to be having the same health issues. We are praying the meds will kick all infections and he will be fine.

ET to PT

Sweet Eli started his physical therapy today. His torticollis is mild and his therapist, Lindsay, is hopeful he will be dismissed in about 3 months. Because he has had MRSA she has to wear the gown and gloves while working with him, unless he gets three clear nasal swabs back showing he is clear. I didn't even know about that- I guess I will have to check. I keep learning more and more all the time about this horrible bacteria, which has popped back up on me too. I am on antibiotics so I hope and pray it won't lead to another hospital stay.

Spring Break

This has been quite a spring break. It started on Saturday with Thomas (previous post) and has been non stop since then. The weather has been up and down: sunny, rainy, sunny, windy, and lastly SNOW! So crazy. We will start with Sunday.
Sunday was gorgeous outside. Rolling down the lawn.Monday: Travis headed to Denver for business until Wednesday. We had a podiatrist appointment for baby Eli because he had an ingrown toe nail. Poor guy. Got that taken care of then met friends at the park and had Uncle Daniel spend the night with us. See his little big toe has a band-aid. Notice how Eli is lying here: how his neck and body curve to the side. I will mention it in a minute.Paige was not up for a picture I guess.Tuesday was a busy day too- Therapy for Jacob and Daniel over again but no pictures to show. I was so tired because Eli had a bad night of sleep and was high maintenance all day. Very unlike him.
Wednesday: Eli had an early physical therapy evaluation that went like I thought it would. He qualified for PT once a week to help with his torticollis. Also, Daddy came home!Along with his weekly sessions we have homework for him 8-10 times a day. I seem to only get half that in, but I hope to do it more frequently. I just forget. Here are the stretches we do with him to help with his tight neck and back muscles. Turn and hold his chin to shoulder on both sides....Raise and hold each arm....and pull his head to each side while keeping his shoulder down.He is really good about it. He doesn't fuss about it, unless I give him too much tummy time. They think the cause was his position during pregnancy. Remember how he was sideways up until the last few weeks. Plus- look how huge he is for an 11 week old! He's a tank.Thursday we had two more doctor appointments. The first was Jacob had his follow up ENT appointment for his tubes and, believe it or not, they still haven't fallen out. They are not working anymore and haven't been for a while. Technically the doctor wants to keep seeing him until they do fall out. But, his ears are doing great and we were thrilled with our tubes experience.The kids like Eli's bobby pillow.Grandma came over to watch the kids for my doctor appointment. The kids are always happy to see her. Finished the beautiful sunny day with dinner at one of out favorite places.Friday we got some much needed chairs for outside. We have tried to get some for a while but they are seasonal. This was like Christmas for me. Finally comfy and portable chairs for me to hold Eli in while the kids play.I love how Jacob plays with his trains in the dirt and weeds.Notice how sunny and cool it is. Windy, but a very nice day. We were outside almost all day it felt like.We also got the kids swim suits when we got the chairs. Jacob got a Thomas one...And Paige a princess one. She is such a ham!No new swim suits for E baby, but he looks good in his new onesie. Even though he curves to the side, he looks so cute doing it.Later that night Grandma and Papaw came into town and got to hold sweet sleeping Eli. Last time they saw him he was 4 weeks old.Saturday the the kids were so glad to had Grandma and Papaw to hang out with. It was cold and rainy so we just stayed in most of the day. But they came with gifts (Zuzu pets and a new DVD) which made the day inside more fun.Paige with here new purse and Zuzu pet mouse. She liked to hold hers while Jacob would let his run around.Papaw got some good smiles from Eli. He is always so happy to be in adoring arms.Grandma and Papaw got on the road around 5:00 before the weather got too bad. It was a quick visit but we were glad to have them here. Always good to see them. Travis got me some pretty flowers that the kids like to smell. They know from the arboretum that you only smell and look at flowers. No touching. :)We got some shopping done that night and got home with a car full of tired kids as the snow started to fall. SNOW in late March! That's a first for us. We didn't know how much would stick through the night, but it was pretty to see it falling. Eli is going to think it is normal to get this much snow in winter.Sunday we were pleased to find a lot of snow fell through the night at stayed until the afternoon. About 4-6 inches from what we could tell. We were excited to get the kids fed and dressed to play in it.These next few pictures are probably my favorite pictures of the entire post. Remember Paige's Zuzu mouse that she liked to hold- well she was holding it during breakfast. There is a warning on the bottom about keeping the mouse away from your hair...yep...she put the mouse on her head. We actually warned her since she can't read, but I guess she needed to find out for herself. Travis had to cut the mouse out of her hair, but not before I got a picture! She is crying asking me to hold her. How funny and cute is she?She recovered quick and still looks fabulous. We got everyone bundled up and went out in the freezing snow.I headed in with Eli because the wind was burning his sweet little face. Jacob and Paige lasted about 10 minutes longer.Once we got in it was time to break out the fun. That shopping we did the night before was buying a Wii. We couldn't think of a better day, cold and snowy, plus the last day of spring break, to whip out a little Toy Story Mania. It was fun. Eli enjoyed watching the kids and the game.The game is just like the ride at Disney, complete with 3-D glasses.And Eli gave his first laugh tonight. It's funny how hearing our baby laugh made us laugh, and filled us with joy. It's such a sweet sound.
There you have it- Sunday to Sunday. It was a good and busy week. We had fun.