tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60621897453192596582024-03-14T00:44:16.830-07:00The Grieves FamilyKellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-1222665879017950672014-12-17T08:58:00.000-08:002014-12-17T08:58:08.980-08:00Sweet WordsLast night our Parents as Teachers educator came for her monthly visit. During these visits, she always brings an activity and we talk toddlers for an hour. This month's visit included a shape, color, question activity. Eli would spin the spinner which would give him a direction like 'find a triangle' or 'find a blue shape.' He would then pick a matching shape from the floor and would answer the question written on the shape. Here were some of my favorites...<br />
What makes you sad? E: Umm....thunder. (SO true right now)<br />
What do you like to drink? E: Milk<br />
Who lives on a farm? E: Horse<br />
What do you do with your food? E: Um...make a mess (Touche)<br />
What does a cat say? E: Meow, meow, meow.<br />
And then this happened....<br />
What makes you happy? E: My mommy, my daddy make me happy. <br />
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Oh sweet boy. Right back at ya. <br />
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In hindsight, maybe he was just buttering us up. Because he woke up FOUR times last night. Not cool kid. You sleep, we sleep, that's just what we do in this family. But even in my sleepiness this morning, I am so eternally thankful for a happy, healthy little boy who knows he is loved unconditionally by his mama and daddy. <br />
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Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-78896665523129555042014-10-27T12:54:00.000-07:002014-10-27T12:54:28.982-07:00That's What He Said...Eli has something to say about everything. The kid loves to talk. He speaks very clearly and in complete sentences, but when he gets really excited and can't form coherent words - that's the cutest. What a blog can't give you is the inflection and facial expressions, but it can give you the words and I want to at least preserve those. Hopefully you'll get a chance to hear these for yourself sometime soon.<br />
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Anyone: Eli...<br />
E: <em>Completely indifferent</em> What? <br />
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Ryan <em>(first thing in the morning): </em> Good morning Eli.<br />
E: <em>No response.</em><br />
R: How did you sleep?<br />
E: <em>No response.</em><br />
R: <em>Walks away.</em><br />
E: Dad! Close the door!<br />
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E: Hey! Pipe down out there! Tryin to sleep!<br />
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R: Love you Eli<br />
E: Uff you Daddy.<br />
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E <em>(playing trains): </em>Slow down Wilson! Track broken! <em>jabber jabber... </em>Puffer Pete come fix the track<em> </em>and my train go forserds and my train go basserds. Under the bridge. In the tunnel. MOM! MY TRAIN GO IN THE TUNNEL! Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-32281890538852171882014-10-03T10:04:00.001-07:002014-10-03T10:04:35.611-07:00And I'm BackBlogger tells me that this page had 203 page views last month. Seriously? Who are you? And why do you keep coming back? I haven't posted in over 6 months, yet you're still checking. That level of loyalty makes me blush. Your behaviors are now being reinforced as I have returned from the quiet. You can thank this return to a Friday morning in which the top half of my To Do list has been completed and the bottom half is being avoided. <br />
I assume those 203 hopeful checks were looking for updates on Eli so we'll start there.<br />
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<em>A conversation with Eli:</em><br />
Me: Eli, today is Sunday! What does that mean?<br />
E: We go church Sunday.<br />
Me: That's right. What will you do at church?<br />
E: Eat snack. Play backetball.<br />
Me: Who will you learn about at church?<br />
E: Gee-sus (it's all about the pronunciation)<br />
Me: That's right! <br />
E: Um, Sunday. Ewi go church. Play backetball WITH Gee-sus.<br />
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(I told this story to some 8th grade students. One boy looked at me and with all seriousness informed me that the sport of basketball had not been invented when Jesus was on Earth. I told him he was welcome to debate that with my two year old. :)<br />
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Eli's rendition:<br />
<em>Happy birfday today. Happy birfday today.</em><br />
Sweet boy told me 'Happy birfday mama' every day for at least 6 days. Maybe he'll teach his daddy that birthdays can (and should be) celebrated for weeks or even months at a time :)<br />
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Eli sitting in time out while we play with friends:<br />
E: Go talk Miss Shannon?<br />
Me: You can talk to Miss Shannon when time out is over.<br />
E: Noooo (shaking head), mama go talk Miss Shannon.<br />
<em>Translation: Mom, when you talk to Shannon, I get away with more. </em>Oy -we'll chalk that one up to some great critical thinking skills.<br />
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As to not bite off more than I can chew, I'll leave you with that. Maybe next time I'll tell you about how I want to start a 2nd blog. Bahahaha. <br />
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Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-12985434007665344812014-03-29T19:26:00.000-07:002014-03-29T19:26:02.271-07:00#spongeI suppose there comes a time in ever parent's life when they look at their spouse and think 'when did our kid learn that?!?' Here are a few from the last week.<br />
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Me: Next time won't you sing with-<br />
Eli: ME!<br />
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Ryan: One,<br />
Eli: Two, THREE!<br />
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Me: "Yellow duck, yellow duck. What do you see?"<br />
Eli: "I see blue horse...at me."<br />
Ryan and me: "Uhhh. What?"<br />
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It is amazing to see how much he is learning and to watch his little brain work. He is a full-blown parrot and we love to watch him discover his new abilities! <br />
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<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-54330242409166992082014-03-26T18:59:00.000-07:002014-03-26T19:18:28.454-07:00Spring Break 2014Spring break started out with a road trip to Atwood to visit Eunice and the rest of the Braxmeyer clan. We decided to flip Eli around hoping that riding forward-facing would provide some built-in novelty for the 4 hour drive. Silly me tried to snap a quick picture which had him requesting 'pitchers' before we were even out of the driveway.<br>
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Road trips with an almost-two-year old go something like this. 'Truck!' 'Big Truck!', Sing-along, book, book, book, 'pitchers', 'sock' (snack), iPah, repeat. Ryan recently purchased Eli his favorite MusicColor app for $4.99. <strong> $4.99?!? </strong>600 miles later...totally worth it. Other favorites include Peek-a-Boo vehicles, GoodNight Safari, and did I mention 'pitchers'?<br>
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While in Atwood we hit up the park, the store, and (while Eli was sleeping) the shooting range. I have a bit of an optical condition that makes it rather difficult for me to aim at anything. However, after some expert instruction from the little brother, and the foresight to not shoot with both eyes open, I hit the targets! The ones I was aiming for! <br>
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Later in the week we hopped back in the car for a little family trip to Omaha. We headed straight to the Omaha Children's Museum which was great for Eli! They had an entire area that was perfect for his age and interest. A fire truck to climb on, a lawn mower to push around, and balls to play with. What more does a little boy need? He also loved running through the 'maze' and I loved that all of the 'exits' came out in the same spot so I didn't have to worry about him sneaking out the back. They also had a few other areas that he can definitely grow into in the future.<br>
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After a nice long nap (for all of us) and a little bracket strategizing, we headed down to the Old Market to meet up with our good friend, Mike, for dinner. <br>
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The next morning started out with some truck watching out the window (arguably Eli's favorite part), a hot breakfast (hands down Ryan's favorite part), then a trip to the pool (probably my favorite part). Eli did great in the pool and hot tub. He practiced blowing bubbles (kind of), floating on his back (kind of) and fulfilling my dream of having my very own cutie-patootie in a swimming suit (all those years of teaching 3 year olds while dreaming of one day having my very own).<br>
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After a little power nap we headed to the Omaha Zoo <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">(along with the entire state of Nebraska) t</span>o enjoy the animals and the 70 degree weather . Eli loved the animals - especially the monkeys and the lion. Eli did not love having to hold our hands or be held. Unfortunately, we heard No! loud and clear a few more times than we would have liked. Needless to say we were exhausted by the time we exited the Desert Dome and headed out of the zoo (anyone else feel like they entered the Hunger Games or The Truman Show in that thing?).<br>
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We finished up Spring Break with a visit from Aunt Katelyn. Eli escorted the girls to Library storytime on Saturday morning where he worked the crowd (he literally shook a little girl's hand) and meandered around the carpet until I convinced him that story time was meant for sitting and listening not wandering. He could have done without Andy, but all in all it was a pretty successful trip. <br>
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<br>Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-84098287672276170662014-02-05T12:11:00.000-08:002014-02-05T12:11:10.978-08:00Snow Day Pinterest ProjectHa. Good one, right?!? However, when it was all said and done Eli had a great time and was able to use some new skills....and that was the point to begin with so I'll call it a win.<br />
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Pinterest Finger Painting in a Baggie....<br />
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1. We started off well. (It looks legit, doesn't it?)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet. She put tape on the window! I'll peel it off!</td></tr>
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2. The tape was distracting. So we moved to the high chair.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you're going to put me up here, give me something to eat!</td></tr>
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3. So we abandoned the paint and went back to the tape.<br />
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4. The kid played for 20 minutes removing and re-sticking the blue tape. Happy as a clam.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great idea mom! Thanks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All clean ... time to start over!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a boy and his masterpiece.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making sure it was just right.</td></tr>
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The rest of our snow day was spent trying on daddy's shoes, helping with the laundry and dishes, playing with every toy in the house, and alerting the neighborhood to every car and truck that drove by. Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-8913429454802751442014-01-19T17:35:00.000-08:002014-01-27T06:47:35.580-08:0018 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When everyone says that 18 months is SO fun....they aren't kidding. This age is probably my favorite so far. I know that I've said that before and I will say it again, but for now Ryan and I are loving this stage of life. At 18 months, we are blown away by how much Eli is learning! All of those months of our incessant talking (Look at the truck! It's a red truck! The red truck goes fast!) to a blank stare have come to fruition! It was as if a switch flipped and our little boy turned into a parrot. No longer do we have to repeat a word 563 times before every hearing it again. He will try to mimic most words and sounds we make. He is also learning how to make things work - like puzzles, driving his truck, and riding a 'trike.'<br />
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Eli, at 18 months you...<br />
- Love to walk/run everywhere<br />
- Love playing outside and throw a fit when we have to come in<br />
- LOVE reading books. It's the first thing you want every morning and the last thing you want every night. <br />
- LOVE trucks, cars and anything you can 'drive' on the floor or couch<br />
- Still have a fetish for hats (or maybe that's mom...)<br />
- Love reading your Family book - you can point out everyone and call Mama, Dada, Uncle Go, Auntie A, Joel, Gigi and Papa by name!<br />
- Feeding you is all about the presentation. (Using a fork or bowl makes everything taste better!)<br />
- Feel strongly that everything needs to be in its place (wonder where he gets that??). Just for fun we put his little chair inside of his tent. The next thing I know, he is dragging the chair out of the tent and back to its 'normal' spot. He will also pull out his lawn mower, mow the carpet, and then park his lawn mower back in his closet. Too funny.<br />
- Still love to sleep! You sleep from about 7:00-6:45 on school days (you like to sleep in on the weekends) and take a 2 hour nap in the afternoons. <br />
- You have 16 teeth and are working on your 2 year molars (or at least we hope that is what is causing the current fussiness and drool fountain).<br />
- Have really started playing <i>with</i> Maya at daycare. You two are quite the pair we hear.<br />
- Have been to the doctor 9 times in the last 11 months for your ears :( In approximately 12 hours you'll have tubes and hopefully no more fluid!<br />
- Wear 12 month pants, 18 month shirts and size 4 shoe. <br />
- Are rocking the 5% in weight, 10% in height, and 47% head.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3otFV3KuY3VJ7WgPANe3UAFBq0NYeUrfAXcpFIFol3XQM07laIpFvauuI62ns8zRsGxAV-jmSXZv_ppaZRokNjHDzghUGeqDvcGcMms3kZs9DkTbdDVleRumDMleoTD_Wxz8fPk6CeI/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3otFV3KuY3VJ7WgPANe3UAFBq0NYeUrfAXcpFIFol3XQM07laIpFvauuI62ns8zRsGxAV-jmSXZv_ppaZRokNjHDzghUGeqDvcGcMms3kZs9DkTbdDVleRumDMleoTD_Wxz8fPk6CeI/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TRUCK!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
You are the biggest blessing little one. We love you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrVO5YRB2TDrMbYj6TR2IKNBFkn_y7J3bEYgyIdbWLkMTCXNwzga4jlVZEVEGBxeLDnd8-BH-Z7jgGhvnC9KExl3_tTIvE_shwSI-zQ_NR_HI70e5yrRw7y1Pd-5koID-gS6jxDAB8BQ/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrVO5YRB2TDrMbYj6TR2IKNBFkn_y7J3bEYgyIdbWLkMTCXNwzga4jlVZEVEGBxeLDnd8-BH-Z7jgGhvnC9KExl3_tTIvE_shwSI-zQ_NR_HI70e5yrRw7y1Pd-5koID-gS6jxDAB8BQ/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-25281524550724042172013-12-21T18:13:00.002-08:002013-12-21T18:13:33.728-08:00Eli at Warp SpeedThis post will be shamelessly devoted to Eli's development because I know that, all too soon, I will forget it all. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPd19EqeaPBkbd4VGlq7DFK8pZZhtMdyDkuraHDHhWeeuyxA1hlfW5N0fmJOdWDFVb0I9RSoHLLN4TMwAS_SgVBx0MWzoU_GlW59gqfPsOH7Ir-V9fZWS9RndO5j2SS8pTaBbs4B9C4Y/s1600/IMG_1975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPd19EqeaPBkbd4VGlq7DFK8pZZhtMdyDkuraHDHhWeeuyxA1hlfW5N0fmJOdWDFVb0I9RSoHLLN4TMwAS_SgVBx0MWzoU_GlW59gqfPsOH7Ir-V9fZWS9RndO5j2SS8pTaBbs4B9C4Y/s320/IMG_1975.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How you doin?</td></tr>
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Eli is apparently growing and learning at warp speed. I'm not kidding. It's kind of scary. Quick little update on what our almost-18-month old is up to...He began walking at 16 months and now that he has that mastered, he's moved on to his verbal development. In the last three weeks he has gone from saying about three words to:<br />
<br />
- Knowing animal sounds (dog, duck, cow, rooster, lion and pig)<br />
- Saying car, more, shoe, hot, hat, and choo choo<br />
- Being able to identify (point to) a dump truck, tractor, cement truck, car trailer, firetruck, garbage truck, crane, monster truck, airplane, train, and bus<br />
- Knowing his eyes, ears, mouth, nose, fingers, hand, toes, foot, and hair<br />
- Being able to identify extended family members...and Santa Clause<br />
- Knowing how to stomp, spin and do a somersault!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTe7dqClB_fNFcgF09sUdVXnvJ6hVzjhKePRY4SRHJrqib-xjnpZd5H9AQsQmpSfVld7rhGozpIBONNhbFL_OEojdhS-N5kp65fy0Yt2SGabXiF30X660bK4Yb6BN4Y3et-wHg_joqiKw/s1600/IMG_1953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTe7dqClB_fNFcgF09sUdVXnvJ6hVzjhKePRY4SRHJrqib-xjnpZd5H9AQsQmpSfVld7rhGozpIBONNhbFL_OEojdhS-N5kp65fy0Yt2SGabXiF30X660bK4Yb6BN4Y3et-wHg_joqiKw/s320/IMG_1953.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In conclusion, this stage is SO MUCH FUN!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RFaKwyS332NvWz0aLMKc6AcVxv-QfBfiAt2066EwakT2wU5sB8ZEqjirOJS7YI-ymxDTHUbjU4jKyf_6mTNsW91yYlb24S9mbrzDw9CLcYtccL4CoQd6Wupc0HtN5vFlDF627wlupEs/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RFaKwyS332NvWz0aLMKc6AcVxv-QfBfiAt2066EwakT2wU5sB8ZEqjirOJS7YI-ymxDTHUbjU4jKyf_6mTNsW91yYlb24S9mbrzDw9CLcYtccL4CoQd6Wupc0HtN5vFlDF627wlupEs/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All photos in this post are courtesy of the one-and-only Aunt Katelyn. You're welcome :)</td></tr>
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<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-20605375418945664772013-12-21T17:53:00.001-08:002013-12-21T17:53:47.455-08:00Built on the RockAt this point, some of you may have received a Christmas card inviting you to visit the blog to see what we've been up to. In that case, I better get to writing. <br />
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Though I will always profess I am an eternal optimist, Ryan and I are good and ready to say goodbye to 2013. This year has certainly been a bittersweet year of hellos and goodbyes, illnesses and healing. Our pastor pretty well wrapped up the year last Sunday with a verse I've heard a hundred times. <br />
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<i>Matthew 7:24-27</i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text Matt-7-24" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">24 </span><span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23341A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span>“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like <span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23341B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span>a wise man who built his house on the rock.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Matt-7-25" id="en-ESV-23342" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">25 </span>And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Matt-7-26" id="en-ESV-23343" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">26 </span>And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like <span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23343C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span>a foolish man who built his house on the sand.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Matt-7-27" id="en-ESV-23344" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">27 </span>And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”</span></span></i></span><br />
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I could even sing you a little Vacation Bible School rendition if you'd like. <br />
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However, this verse takes on a bit more meaning when it feels like the ones you love are in a constant storm. Ryan and I were talking about this last weekend and came to the conclusion that we better make sure our 'house' is built on a good, solid rock. Because, as we saw this year, you certainly can't wait until you're in the midst of the storm to start construction. You've got to already be there. Thankfully we have a God who answers prayers and shows mercy every day. <br />
<br />
This year we are so thankful for -<br />
- The birth of our nephew Joel and the doctors who are helping him grow big and strong!<br />
- Prayer warriors and modern medicine which are helping Grayson and Berkley kick cancer's butt!<br />
- God's promise of eternal life as He welcomed my Uncle Brent home<br />
<br />
We are blessed to be able to live another day with the jobs, friends, family and life that we do. Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-90833529342868248342013-10-31T19:09:00.000-07:002013-10-31T19:10:09.657-07:00Happy Halloween Y'all!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIxeQLZhsxlGXRcRfISvrhRcVTUhyphenhyphenKhPmWlcoyNa8FLOFXIFEQqQw0kIJIx8QSzmxcDBOK1XxtjRHy6nBMiDfhBuDYWfewe1t0g-I_8h0mDB-Ygm461vi9QSe-RJkdZ0u2L3oh6zOUec/s1600/IMG_9550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIxeQLZhsxlGXRcRfISvrhRcVTUhyphenhyphenKhPmWlcoyNa8FLOFXIFEQqQw0kIJIx8QSzmxcDBOK1XxtjRHy6nBMiDfhBuDYWfewe1t0g-I_8h0mDB-Ygm461vi9QSe-RJkdZ0u2L3oh6zOUec/s320/IMG_9550.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Howdy Partner.</td></tr>
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For his first official Halloween, Eli got all gussied up as a genuine cowboy. You may remember this outfit from his <a href="http://thegrievesfamily.blogspot.com/2013/03/howdy-yall.html" target="_blank">first trip to Texas.</a> Yep, that's right, his cowboy outfit from Aunt Anita still fits! But that doesn't mean it wasn't a little stiff. Walking, bending his knees, and sitting in general proved a little difficult until he got his costumed loosened up. It was hilarious.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYsKXpFBguSmKnN2GqTlTXhEdzVAtc5pRlS9kZ5t020SP0U1EHR7ev7MTD1ep8JKRKYg8MjhXIabeqdmWYKm95Jmpz_ifeTsyxzqiexB-1a1IzG6mudVUe6d532xg6fhd3JKyqQsSs0Q/s1600/IMG_9516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYsKXpFBguSmKnN2GqTlTXhEdzVAtc5pRlS9kZ5t020SP0U1EHR7ev7MTD1ep8JKRKYg8MjhXIabeqdmWYKm95Jmpz_ifeTsyxzqiexB-1a1IzG6mudVUe6d532xg6fhd3JKyqQsSs0Q/s320/IMG_9516.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Has there been a cuter cowboy?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9G5uLddZ_VBnwaPu_hHgPJZhzJzH9FKIjhM5TUXhM3TtsPmmdvSto4snv04esqebHws8Me46w-RGOWYJcuR5dQBQSAzeU2tIXXVSQMuRYWb5MjItBgXGJuMyL4NocfE4U52rXhKZl1o/s1600/IMG_9548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9G5uLddZ_VBnwaPu_hHgPJZhzJzH9FKIjhM5TUXhM3TtsPmmdvSto4snv04esqebHws8Me46w-RGOWYJcuR5dQBQSAzeU2tIXXVSQMuRYWb5MjItBgXGJuMyL4NocfE4U52rXhKZl1o/s320/IMG_9548.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final preparations</td></tr>
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Our first stop was Buzz's house. All Eli wanted to do was walk in their front door - he had no interest in grabbing a piece of candy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpeUrMhmZmccWUnY-4-SJzHWV5IrbLOjVLVe2sS6Olfoy0CIp6UadUNG9pc-DGGvmQj_DWwJuEJ3mlKj-_zlmLfT3s3Oc_GoXyUFalPYsTQs1qavKvdhx82CRh1aVpte0qIXeh-IKVkQ/s1600/IMG_9576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpeUrMhmZmccWUnY-4-SJzHWV5IrbLOjVLVe2sS6Olfoy0CIp6UadUNG9pc-DGGvmQj_DWwJuEJ3mlKj-_zlmLfT3s3Oc_GoXyUFalPYsTQs1qavKvdhx82CRh1aVpte0qIXeh-IKVkQ/s320/IMG_9576.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dads' attempt at getting the kids in a picture.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NJd9UttDWaVcFNHGe3unssbC2Xrym0Jz9D08Nh_JXufNVHvThk2eKdf9YiMLMkeKv7jMCxHBKgOpRJMs4X2ayuPl-4oPSx-R2NSaqELjiKK_welGMGgC7PvgsTpqKokMs2sQqr2wmh0/s1600/IMG_9580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NJd9UttDWaVcFNHGe3unssbC2Xrym0Jz9D08Nh_JXufNVHvThk2eKdf9YiMLMkeKv7jMCxHBKgOpRJMs4X2ayuPl-4oPSx-R2NSaqELjiKK_welGMGgC7PvgsTpqKokMs2sQqr2wmh0/s320/IMG_9580.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does this count as a first date?</td></tr>
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After touring the cul-de-sac with Woody, Jessie, Buzz and Stinky Pete, he definitely got the hang of walking up to the door and grabbing a treat out of the bowl! That didn't stop him from trying to walk into every house we stopped at though.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW34eMaZq7rlVSSWsgoxs8LfAnIR5Pmt8OiofkFbgMpLO1DMRhi1mrxowu09FerKdh-zvxoEVPkK8D6Zf67UaP97HAhteY8wFx5TXI95AnRUt9gZZw84KNLmBGv7F4hdOULo4WtrOPSY/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW34eMaZq7rlVSSWsgoxs8LfAnIR5Pmt8OiofkFbgMpLO1DMRhi1mrxowu09FerKdh-zvxoEVPkK8D6Zf67UaP97HAhteY8wFx5TXI95AnRUt9gZZw84KNLmBGv7F4hdOULo4WtrOPSY/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for the candy, now can I come in your house and look out your windows?</td></tr>
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We had the best night with our favorite cowboy, great friends and a cul-de-sac full of fun neighbors. It makes me so happy that Eli will get to grow up surrounded by great families. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqlxy4F_1emUfhUOLIhpK0ndybzv5WQQw9nCo1rUxVTLFwhpqb-IYMjwlDZqH3V8qZwVWzOERvDcvhV5HB1chcnWrewYNM0cd6MDGqLYCfcXNAyprTsHQEDrcw1TgCdWm2jJ9vqRf1RI/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqlxy4F_1emUfhUOLIhpK0ndybzv5WQQw9nCo1rUxVTLFwhpqb-IYMjwlDZqH3V8qZwVWzOERvDcvhV5HB1chcnWrewYNM0cd6MDGqLYCfcXNAyprTsHQEDrcw1TgCdWm2jJ9vqRf1RI/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Block parties could get a little crazy up here on the hill.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4rXHmqp4qpwmAGbJWLfzlXuWbZqVSd7kroLm059O0htu7tQqYCy08TNHuWIblaYoXXYjUCdL6FObPet5Z7Kf_cPRbkoZlQSXAgWY6BI2ajjh1NTfXrN3UXt5rqJtCy87Xg3rkh89kaA/s1600/IMG_9561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4rXHmqp4qpwmAGbJWLfzlXuWbZqVSd7kroLm059O0htu7tQqYCy08TNHuWIblaYoXXYjUCdL6FObPet5Z7Kf_cPRbkoZlQSXAgWY6BI2ajjh1NTfXrN3UXt5rqJtCy87Xg3rkh89kaA/s320/IMG_9561.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Halloween Y'all!</td></tr>
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<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-14374343258349952342013-10-14T18:05:00.000-07:002013-10-14T18:07:31.846-07:00Sunday Funday at the Lazy T<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgKgHpRz55w4mWjmKDwNzNDRrmlJDwfybZd-mN9azixBubYLu3gofuy8aEbBQ02Mi2uWIG_gJ39L669ROHg7AJo2ShP2Dy_SuloAa1lWZjNNtDLcHH2VUQ1tXQZj8Cxvz8p2xDy4Yqtk/s1600/IMG_9404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgKgHpRz55w4mWjmKDwNzNDRrmlJDwfybZd-mN9azixBubYLu3gofuy8aEbBQ02Mi2uWIG_gJ39L669ROHg7AJo2ShP2Dy_SuloAa1lWZjNNtDLcHH2VUQ1tXQZj8Cxvz8p2xDy4Yqtk/s320/IMG_9404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
It is no secret that one of my favorite things about being a parent is getting to enjoy all the fun 'kid' things in life again....and this weekend's pumpkin patch was no different.<br />
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Ryan, Eli and I headed down Zeandale Rd, just east of Manhattan, on the most beautiful afternoon in the history of Autumn, towards the Lazy T Ranch Family Fall Festival. And, as Ryan asked - Yes, it lived up to everything I had hoped it would be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf6-qovIOTTDy_h0kKnq8k5G2d9xIS8tG8KdcS8DQFp7synWdfa9DR8sYfY-7wZphs8bWc1sPrTTzPMnVydEv0mZlKVsnDpuWoQhhLnnPMtjk2LBp78KoGP4ajaRuGA_6GuSG-RbXW_I/s1600/IMG_9359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf6-qovIOTTDy_h0kKnq8k5G2d9xIS8tG8KdcS8DQFp7synWdfa9DR8sYfY-7wZphs8bWc1sPrTTzPMnVydEv0mZlKVsnDpuWoQhhLnnPMtjk2LBp78KoGP4ajaRuGA_6GuSG-RbXW_I/s320/IMG_9359.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm...so many choices.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little help over here? This thing weighs more than I do.</td></tr>
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For you locals out there, the Lazy T has all sorts of fall fun to offer. We hit up the Old Barn, Hay Bail Maze, Pumpkin Patch, petting the horses and, Eli's favorites - the Pumpkin Bounce House and this little John Deere gator we found abandoned near the Hedge Apple Slingshot. We chose to save the High Zip Line, Tunnel slide, Pony Rides and Hay Rack Ride for next year. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoMbv_498AlCovuCDm3O_LSABVZr1PGkeu-2wH-V2gtySkg_RLfPhhyphenhyphenldgPzYJYa4vXqou_dYNTMakF9yUIKjDLncwT8Yp12vlSkdB40sBfU0-uONASpV3PXtG232MdT2KSIMowjXmwQ/s1600/IMG_9394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoMbv_498AlCovuCDm3O_LSABVZr1PGkeu-2wH-V2gtySkg_RLfPhhyphenhyphenldgPzYJYa4vXqou_dYNTMakF9yUIKjDLncwT8Yp12vlSkdB40sBfU0-uONASpV3PXtG232MdT2KSIMowjXmwQ/s320/IMG_9394.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who needs a pony when you've got a gator?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWS_PbO7fZngdoPcv1zGBFLTcEHzOaMQKn8ii7flE8lSjRITqyuysLu093j2uKb5rS-YwsLbqM-AVjX1Nd3WGTwFGFHy-fC2D-yCJ6henVI4tDRenYvSV4pBGjtfOUYvoT_-m27qBVbM/s1600/IMG_9438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWS_PbO7fZngdoPcv1zGBFLTcEHzOaMQKn8ii7flE8lSjRITqyuysLu093j2uKb5rS-YwsLbqM-AVjX1Nd3WGTwFGFHy-fC2D-yCJ6henVI4tDRenYvSV4pBGjtfOUYvoT_-m27qBVbM/s320/IMG_9438.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eli loved exploring all of the different 'attractions.'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iNCmllMCV0pzuJknMr9-Q3fpx2cvtB4e06_hQf4RPgS1Wu5yBZohmAnk-Qaga_JLivJFmaPzb0vCYqVAb5TqYCeXVMdlgQ9p4LP7AhLlYFJZMf3BE9vQI7xoxwiXGd-HLD4efcC0B-M/s1600/IMG_9444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iNCmllMCV0pzuJknMr9-Q3fpx2cvtB4e06_hQf4RPgS1Wu5yBZohmAnk-Qaga_JLivJFmaPzb0vCYqVAb5TqYCeXVMdlgQ9p4LP7AhLlYFJZMf3BE9vQI7xoxwiXGd-HLD4efcC0B-M/s320/IMG_9444.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love, love, love, love him. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiws3k6SqIjI880Jg310iCTYz9hXLLWXw5rQkBJcMxPPD05BVhcTyvaBPREnS1P1qmW5u52sXyYOVvJ0itjLNZTrV5_iRuDzJpCw4QPYuOU0jbHGTSF5JFesrWQ_kEWZqu-30MeaqKCQ0g/s1600/IMG_9485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiws3k6SqIjI880Jg310iCTYz9hXLLWXw5rQkBJcMxPPD05BVhcTyvaBPREnS1P1qmW5u52sXyYOVvJ0itjLNZTrV5_iRuDzJpCw4QPYuOU0jbHGTSF5JFesrWQ_kEWZqu-30MeaqKCQ0g/s320/IMG_9485.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How can you not have fun with these two cuties?</td></tr>
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<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-14281207346369483492013-10-09T12:57:00.000-07:002013-10-09T12:57:53.131-07:00Do We Have a Toddler?Well, well, well...look who's back. Contrary to popular belief, I have not fallen off the face of the earth - I simply went back to work. I can tell you right now that I'm going to feel the need to summarize the entirety of the past two months thus creating a disjointed and longwinded novel. Therefore, I'll start with the present and work as far back as I have the energy :)<br />
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In current news - we have a 15 month old! While his gross motor skills do not yet meet the definition of a 'toddler' I'm pretty sure his attitude does. <br />
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You know that laid-back, chill, go-with-the-flow baby I've written about in the past? Well, he moved out. <br />
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He has been replaced with an independent, sweet yet stubborn little boy. Don't get me wrong - I love his independence. Eli, literally, does not know a stranger. Last week it was the jeweler who Eli wanted to be held by. The week before that it was the strangers across the aisle on the plane. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddeSgxZb-Tl60ZdUpeyL2xKyUJHZnQbmgKwJ__C1jQz97F7xIH-6UAWMHBN_33aQmB4YhYR2IKISPbutafPgDWQhMZQoiiahiT45RA9yl0f6PCMEU1QFDOuygVGT149VQUZ_3Cvh5V88/s1600/IMG_2151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddeSgxZb-Tl60ZdUpeyL2xKyUJHZnQbmgKwJ__C1jQz97F7xIH-6UAWMHBN_33aQmB4YhYR2IKISPbutafPgDWQhMZQoiiahiT45RA9yl0f6PCMEU1QFDOuygVGT149VQUZ_3Cvh5V88/s320/IMG_2151.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He sat on this man's lap for at least 10 minutes. Then he reached for the lady by the window. They read a magazine.</td></tr>
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He is not particularly bothered by being left with a babysitter or at the nursery. Sometimes when we are all in the living room he will grab a toy and drag it back to his room to play by himself. But then....<br />
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Come the times when he wants to be held, played with, fed, or allowed to do something he's not supposed to. And when he doesn't get his way? <br />
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I imagine these are the things that are frustrating about being a 15 month old:<br />
- Mom is holding a steak knife. I sign please. Mom tells me 'no'. BUT I SIGNED PLEASE!?!<br />
- I know and can understand 40+ words, but I can only sign/say 5 words. Why can't they understand what I want???<br />
- Mom and dad spent all those months encouraging me to roll over, scoot, crawl, and sit up. Now they want me to just lay still to get my diaper changed??? Hypocrites. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyxJHoCeilGpgfR7B1TWvI6mPYMg7L388loC1HLAPsEL3MK2rw6rh0xHfVA3jSRVEP5JM7f4eiasHI3vzQpX5yYKKeannXDMV1fBMz19a11fMeQKx9piSIkV64Mw4Ps6VsK7YaYfy7J8/s1600/IMG_9074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyxJHoCeilGpgfR7B1TWvI6mPYMg7L388loC1HLAPsEL3MK2rw6rh0xHfVA3jSRVEP5JM7f4eiasHI3vzQpX5yYKKeannXDMV1fBMz19a11fMeQKx9piSIkV64Mw4Ps6VsK7YaYfy7J8/s320/IMG_9074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eli backed out on his hair cut last Saturday. I. JUST. CAN'T CUT. THEM. </td></tr>
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<br />At 15 months Eli walks with assistance, takes about 6 independent steps, says car, vroom, and truck, signs more, please and all done, has 10 (almost 12) teeth including his molars, has learned to point (and use the iPad). At his 15 month appointment, Eli was in the 5% for weight and 47% for height. He wears 6-12 month pants (they finally fit!) and 12-18 month shirts. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mrvR24zMs2iiE3qux-wSQ2Q6VO87RGi0AXjK9vKUzMzPpo4cVTh0sJqODG6EJS7DAySnLXCAXDwFf4UCtmr50E6YaZ8xQCZhyphenhyphencFnatB5LoWhkANC5MLWP2X0CrejNHV53OeW11byLq0/s1600/IMG_9076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mrvR24zMs2iiE3qux-wSQ2Q6VO87RGi0AXjK9vKUzMzPpo4cVTh0sJqODG6EJS7DAySnLXCAXDwFf4UCtmr50E6YaZ8xQCZhyphenhyphencFnatB5LoWhkANC5MLWP2X0CrejNHV53OeW11byLq0/s320/IMG_9076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have this innate sense that naptime is coming to a close - so I'll make it snappy. Here is a photo summary of the past two months. Enjoy! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2IzHJAaxh4cfEBxCFC_lPgRjXM7SihiOXsLKtUAftekDTYYyRlJzDNE1BUesFGeFLNpk3hK84Wkco-C0RJJzwqcqo54NtE3XTkeobbn8jnjrbGVMVQH6T5YTlzYwzPMQdfVLe_wP2qM/s1600/IMG_8276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2IzHJAaxh4cfEBxCFC_lPgRjXM7SihiOXsLKtUAftekDTYYyRlJzDNE1BUesFGeFLNpk3hK84Wkco-C0RJJzwqcqo54NtE3XTkeobbn8jnjrbGVMVQH6T5YTlzYwzPMQdfVLe_wP2qM/s320/IMG_8276.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eli loves to play and is ALWAYS moving!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfgYq19J7x_Bgf8Zf1KdXahmk3VYNTmmwGvX3J6ta2AG7njM3mNWAygVGpgxqB3feKDGU83saLue1DvZPNDLdy3i7F4kckk_4B8uInC3odAzU51lxtajvEpVZXE6wczBU2UVpLSWpNdM/s1600/IMG_8391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfgYq19J7x_Bgf8Zf1KdXahmk3VYNTmmwGvX3J6ta2AG7njM3mNWAygVGpgxqB3feKDGU83saLue1DvZPNDLdy3i7F4kckk_4B8uInC3odAzU51lxtajvEpVZXE6wczBU2UVpLSWpNdM/s320/IMG_8391.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freedom!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK2r0Cu_JYlFwe_WMicNc2eWibGvYY2x9BYYAWqReKlOtv5C9HDvnrybxNP-feKnI-kLnnMwSncpt8YIRopVK-JUod36gik1ln1QBHQWaHpBPIsqThSOk4YALN1iQpuFM-hCJjutbeOM/s1600/IMG_8500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK2r0Cu_JYlFwe_WMicNc2eWibGvYY2x9BYYAWqReKlOtv5C9HDvnrybxNP-feKnI-kLnnMwSncpt8YIRopVK-JUod36gik1ln1QBHQWaHpBPIsqThSOk4YALN1iQpuFM-hCJjutbeOM/s320/IMG_8500.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friends make the cutest babies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy's old stompin' grounds. Team Haley Hobbs represent!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOOrGWjecoLW_Z7bb56Cpb-QXrxTsbNpka4cW82QPS0_jpzVyGuiZuesSHK58TOU6HoUP7Y_UL52Dw_QyTh8SCyhqEbX80mXIaQTdNemutesMyR1GQ7S01Utl0XF6BDHnszc2yaxX9yU/s1600/IMG_8925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOOrGWjecoLW_Z7bb56Cpb-QXrxTsbNpka4cW82QPS0_jpzVyGuiZuesSHK58TOU6HoUP7Y_UL52Dw_QyTh8SCyhqEbX80mXIaQTdNemutesMyR1GQ7S01Utl0XF6BDHnszc2yaxX9yU/s320/IMG_8925.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He will climb in his chair and read forever - after he gets situated which takes...forever.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's pretend he did this for the entire flight.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyeu-XuFHgZZDiUV0oKUZUKFmQSychPDh3SJE3VTqATZ46Q_Jt4Z69eov48rZQkTw2x91uTbj4eqfUcyHprmfx6i7vbTfuE8-nrs-xmHVyvtGXj2DVY4vS_wcyAx2-Rdxdh1UTkNz5gQ/s1600/IMG_2103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyeu-XuFHgZZDiUV0oKUZUKFmQSychPDh3SJE3VTqATZ46Q_Jt4Z69eov48rZQkTw2x91uTbj4eqfUcyHprmfx6i7vbTfuE8-nrs-xmHVyvtGXj2DVY4vS_wcyAx2-Rdxdh1UTkNz5gQ/s320/IMG_2103.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh how I wish this picture had sound. His 'stories' are the best.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kZggWrOCFkHlRqrw84Lw8KuOTGz3pNiYZzGfxn3MgkCIFV5hl2PMX27b1fdcqCmUx_BAXMK-_kcgn64cCQyYqun5tfd6KiHOfLtepKtpPr-CC1gszOfLT3pvEGNFY9UpQA8EmrwJlkQ/s1600/IMG_8281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kZggWrOCFkHlRqrw84Lw8KuOTGz3pNiYZzGfxn3MgkCIFV5hl2PMX27b1fdcqCmUx_BAXMK-_kcgn64cCQyYqun5tfd6KiHOfLtepKtpPr-CC1gszOfLT3pvEGNFY9UpQA8EmrwJlkQ/s320/IMG_8281.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His favorite perch. So many cars and trucks to point out!</td></tr>
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<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-81158910437808895882013-08-05T19:02:00.001-07:002013-08-05T19:02:40.835-07:00Crawling BanditWhat is the most common comment Eli gets from strangers?<br />
- 'You're cute!' - Nope.<br />
- 'You have great hair!' - Nope.<br />
- 'You are FAST!' - Yep.<br />
<br />
While most 13 month ankle biters are working on their walking, Eli is setting PRs in the 100 meter crawl. <br />
<br />
STORY: Last week I walked into the library and saw three moms with their babies. I recognized one mom from playgroup. I had never seen the other moms. Here's how their convo with Eli went.<br />
<br />
Playgroup Mom - 'Hey, I saw you yesterday!'<br />
Stranger Mom #1 - 'Hey, I've seen you at the park! I recognize that army crawl. No one crawls that fast!'<br />
Stranger Mom #2 - 'Yeah! I've seen you at the Fountains! I'd recognize that army crawl anywhere. How do you keep up with him?'<br />
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Apparently Eli is making a name for himself all over the Little Apple. We've decided to officially begin training. He'll be in our basement crawling laps if you need him. :)<br />
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Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-70925668198876125992013-07-11T11:25:00.000-07:002013-07-11T11:25:39.413-07:00Alligator Got the PaciSo Ryan and I decided a couple of months ago that Eli's paci was nearing the end of its life in our house. I've read and heard multiple places that babies lose their sucking instinct around 6 months and after that a paci is just a habit, not something they actually need to soothe themselves. In addition, logic kept whispering in our ear that it was only going to get harder as he got older. No matter how hard it is now, it will <i>never</i> get easier, logic told us. However, Eli's first plane trip was planned for the beginning of July and we certainly weren't brave enough to attack that adventure without a paci. So our plane trip came and went, then fourth of July in Topeka came and went, and we had very little excuse left to delay the paci's exit. In fact, we were on a deadline because we knew the paci had to be gone by the time Eli goes back to daycare. Miss Dawn, bless her, loves Eli so much. So much in fact, that we knew there was no way she'd put him through the trauma of losing a paci. So it was now or never. <br />
<br />
Thus came the question - do we take it cold turkey or do we cut the tip off of it therefore rendering the paci pointless and (hopefully) no longer desirable to our sweet Eli. In a moment of wisdom, Ryan pointed out that Eli will pretty much go with the flow on anything as long as he thinks it's his idea. (Not our kid at all. Ha.) In other words, if we 'ruin' the paci then he will (hopefully) throw it aside deciding that he's done with it. I mean what's the worst that could happen? He sucks on it anyway and we ultimately have to take it from him? Seemed like a decent hypothesis to take to the lab. Here are the results of our experiment... (note - all observation was done through our video monitor :)<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Sunday bedtime </i>- Eli sticks the paci in his mouth. Takes it out and examines (<i>what the heck??</i>). Sticks it back in. Takes it out and examines (<i>what happened to this thing??</i>). Sticks it back in. Repeat for 5-7 minutes until paci was ultimately tossed over the crib railing and left abandoned in the middle of his room. Little man rolled around for a while and fell asleep with no issue.<br />
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<i>Monday Nap #1</i> - Mom lays paci in the corner of the crib then lays Eli down. Eli sticks the paci in his mouth. Takes it out and examines<i> (oh great, this again).</i> Sticks it back in and chews on it....like a piece of cud. Crawls around for a while - gnawing away until, ultimately, the paci meets the same fate - over the railing and onto the carpet.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Monday Nap #2</i> - Mom lays paci in the corner of the crib then lays Eli down. Eli plays with his blanket, rolls around, practices his clapping, bangs his head against his crib all before paying any attention to the paci in the corner. Then, spotting the paci, crawls over to it, promptly chucks it to the middle of the room, plays a bit longer, then falls asleep. <br />
<br />
Many of the same observations occured through Tuesday. Wednesday morning, Eli had been ignoring the paci long enough that I was pretty confident he wouldn't care if it never showed up again. And it hasn't. And he hasn't seemed to miss it. So, I guess that's that. <br />
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The alligator took a big ol' bite out of Eli's beloved paci, but, luckily, he still has no problem making it to dream land. <br />
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<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-39864999716102469892013-07-03T07:50:00.003-07:002013-07-03T11:25:39.000-07:00The Best YearOne short year ago, Ryan and I were anxiously (and I mean ANXIOUSLY) awaiting the arrival of our sweet baby boy, Eli Alexander Grieves. Our prayers for a healthy baby and routine labor were answered when he arrived at 4:21 pm screaming and purple (good, baby purple - not scary purple). In the last year we have sacrificed sleep, hobbies, lounging on the couch (or lounging of any kind really), and our own schedules. And we would undoubtedly make those sacrifices all over again to have Eli in our lives (which is good because I'm sure the sacrifices are just starting :)).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One short year ago...</td></tr>
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<br />
Sweet Eli,<br />
You are the complete embodiment of joy and unconditional love. Those are both huge concepts that are hard to grasp, but you, sir, have made it possible for us. From the moment you were born you have trusted and loved us without condition. And we have loved you the same. You have also shown us what true, unbridled joy looks like. There is nothing like your smile and your giggles to fill an entire room with joy. As much as your daddy and I love each other, we were incomplete without you. You have brought joy to our lives that we had never, ever experienced before. Thank you sweet baby.<br />
We are so proud of the little boy you have grown to be. You are loving and sweet and silly. You are also strong-willed and <strike>stubborn</strike> passionate. We are certain you have taught us far more than we have taught you and I am sure that will only continue.<br />
We continue to pray that you will grow to be a great man of faith who is kind, compassionate, and loving towards everyone you encounter. We love you to the moon and back.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maniac Man!</td></tr>
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At one year you....<br />
- army crawl at the speed of light<br />
- love to 'scare' us (Bah! BuuuuAH!)<br />
- eat table food and drink from a sippy cup <br />
- laugh when we tickle you and make bug eyes at you<br />
- like casting spells on anyone and anything <br />
- love to swing HIGH and swim!<br />
- climb on everything (bar stools, stairs, dressers, oven...if you can pull up on it, you will!)<br />
- will sometimes walk behind your push cart....but you're not really that interested<br />
- sometimes throw a fit when we put you in your carseat<br />
- sometimes get impatient when you have to sit still for too long (carseat, stroller) <br />
- have started to figure out your shape sorter<br />
- like to have 'conversations' with anyone that will listen<br />
- seem to be scared of men with dark hair (sorry Uncle Go)<br />
- do not understand the concept of 'stranger danger.' Everyone is your friend!<br />
- seem to be having a little bit of separation anxiety (at church and gym nurseries)<br />
- wave hi, bye-bye, clap and sign for 'all-done' and 'more' (except you use the same sign for both words...that makes things tricky)<br />
- love saying 'Uh-Oh' and dropping things just so you can say it (uh-uh-ohhhh) <br />
- sleep from 7 pm - 7 am and take two naps during the day (kid loves his sleep!)<br />
- LOVE playing and wrestling with your daddy<br />
- love other kids - watching them, playing with them, etc<br />
- love reading books - especially your Old MacDonald and Wheels on the Bus 'touch and feel' books<br />
- did great on your first plane ride to Texas!<br />
- go by E, E-Money, Monkey, and Maniac Man<br />
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Can't wait to see what year two brings! We love you E! <br />
<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-88036289466707165692013-07-01T18:51:00.001-07:002013-07-01T19:11:05.917-07:00In MemoryEleven days ago two of my favorite people set out on an after-dinner walk with no idea that only one of them would make it home. At the age of 54, with no history of heart disease, my Uncle Brent took his last steps with my aunt by his side before a massive heart attack ended his stay on this earth.<br />
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I do not have the words to adequately convey the kindness, faith, and sincerity of this man. His entire life was the definition of these three words. I will always remember him for the huge smile and giant bear hug I received every time I saw him, for buying a bike and keeping it at his house in Texas just for when I came to visit, for his willingness to play 'Follow the Leader' off of a diving board regardless of what crazy tricks I did first, for his tireless devotion to drive and fly all over the country to watch his kids compete, for his generosity, his selflessness, and, most of all, for his unquestionable love for my aunt, for his family and for his Lord.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHj0eu6Vj3KAHSBycUbcHCvVk4OTOZuBI6KwktvRFqvAzu9H8zr_B_0uY8heDUEqa0-bhUexeJ_LCBJDCAsq5Tr9EYcAsfKKq6FCcSX3m9mPWY619gdz28YBI-LDP3vhuIXLKhaUehPE/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHj0eu6Vj3KAHSBycUbcHCvVk4OTOZuBI6KwktvRFqvAzu9H8zr_B_0uY8heDUEqa0-bhUexeJ_LCBJDCAsq5Tr9EYcAsfKKq6FCcSX3m9mPWY619gdz28YBI-LDP3vhuIXLKhaUehPE/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, Anita, I see you with that camera.</td></tr>
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As Ryan and I tried to digest the shock and grief that began 11 days ago, we bounced from disbelief to denial and back again. When someone as wonderful as Brent is taken far too soon, you cannot help but ask 'why'. Why would the Lord take someone who was serving Him so well? There was so much on this earth that Brent could still do. But I think the answer might lie with the hundreds of people that came to honor my Uncle and to show their gratitude for his impact on their lives. Monday night's two hour visitation lasted four. On Tuesday, the ushers counted 1,000 people in a sanctuary built to hold 700. There is not a single doubt in our minds that 1,000 people left the church that day determined to find the type of faith and relationship my uncle had with God. I know Ryan and I did.<br />
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Yet, still, my heart breaks for my aunt and for my cousins who have lost their best friend, their rock. Though he won't walk through the door again, he has left a piece of him with each one of them that will never be taken away. Not only was my uncle an incredible man of faith, he was an incredible teacher of God's love for us. This was no more evident than when my four cousins stood in front of 1,000 people and spoke in their dad's honor. You see, he had not just been a man of faith in the quiet places. He was a man who lived his faith in everything he did, and he talked to people about his faith - most importantly his kids. Hearing the words they shared, the deep, mature understanding of their Lord and His promise of eternal life was such a testament to their dad. To what he taught them. He lived with urgency. An urgency to know and love the Lord and an urgency to share this knowledge with the people he loved.<br />
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As I sit and reread the words his family wrote for him, I am in awe of the perspective he gave them. Though he didn't know it, he was preparing them for this very time. As he told Greg, 'You have to know in your heart you are ready, that you are going to heaven. You have to embrace it and have no regrets because you never know when your time will come.'<br />
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If, at this point, I have failed to communicate how much Ryan and I admire Brent Lupton, let this picture clarify any lingering questions. In honor of Brent Lupton - our very own Baby Jay. <br />
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As I reflect on this past week, I am honored, proud and so blessed to be a part of the family I have. With only three days notice, over 50 members of our immediate family made their way to Kingwood, Texas to honor Brent. Work, travel costs, and obligations faded as we all found a way to get there to honor a man who we loved so much. I am thankful that distance and time does nothing to dilute the love and devotion our family shares. The thing is, I have three more uncles that followed Brent and me off that same diving board. When wedding dress shopping, they had to give us the largest dressing room to fit all of my aunts and cousins. The 'normal' definition of sister, brother, uncle, aunt and cousin does not apply to my family. We are simply one giant family spread over multiple states, living in different houses. But, when it comes down to it, we are all one.<br />
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<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-76787993808715088152013-06-06T06:49:00.002-07:002013-06-06T06:49:41.460-07:00Baby Check: 11 months This is it, folks. The last monthly 'Baby Check.' Because pretty soon our baby's life is going to be counted in YEARS not months. This post is going to be super short because as soon as I finish it I have to rearrange my entire kitchen so that anything breakable or dangerous is completely out of reach. Then I will attempt to put my house back together after what looks like an 11 month tornado hit.<br />
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Sweet Eli,<br />
The eleventh month of your life has put more gray hairs on our head than we can count (hence my first hair color...see Mother's Day post). At 11 months you are...<br />
- army crawling everywhere<br />
- pulling up on everything - your favorites include the fireplace, bar stools and bath tub.<br />
- climbing the stairs<br />
- opening cabinets<br />
- drinking from a sippy cup<br />
- waving bye-bye<br />
- clapping<br />
- talking non-stop<br />
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You love to climb, look out the back door, eat!, read books, swing, play catch, play with your farm truck, play at your table, take a bath, and splash. You also love to play at the stairs, reach for the outlets and play with the fireplace vent even though you know you're not supposed to do any of those things. You listen pretty well when we use our 'stern' voices, but that doesn't stop you from trying again later. <br />
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This summer is going to be a lot of fun I have a feeling!<br />
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Love you little one. <br />
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<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-78374437299055420702013-05-13T06:14:00.000-07:002013-05-13T06:14:03.171-07:00Mother's DayI love being a mom.<br />
I love my mom.<br />
I love my mother-in-law.<br />
That's a lot of love. <br />
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This weekend was a celebration of some of the most important people in my life. Though you've undoubtedly seen dozens of updates, tweets and posts from other people about how great their mothers and children are, I'm here to tell you mine are the best. My mom has been my best friend for 30 years, my mother-in-law loves me like one of her own, and Eli has brought more joy to our family than I can describe. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with the opportunity to be a mom and to learn from the best.<br />
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Because I am spoiled rotten, my boys didn't just give me a Mother's Day, but we celebrated all weekend. Saturday I started the day with a 7:30 hair appointment (if you're up anyway...why not get your hair done??). I am a few months shy of 30 and this was the very first time I have ever colored my hair. Ever. Unless you count chlorine, which I don't. Next up was a run at Anneberg Park with both of my boys. I'm currently training for a 10K and Ryan has joined in for a couple of the long runs. I love the company. The rest of the day was spent hanging out with the little man, working in the yard (I love being outside - I don't care why) and getting to see my parents and their dear friends. Such a wonderful, wonderful day.<br />
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Sunday was just as great as Eli, Ryan and I got to celebrate with the women who have taught us what real mothers are made of. Connie, Jane and Marge we don't know what we'd do without you.<br />
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Lots of mama love today and every day! <br />
<br />
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<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-9010859681824566762013-05-09T19:07:00.000-07:002013-05-09T19:07:04.035-07:00Baby Check: 10 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Life with a 10 month old goes something like this:<br />
Eli and I arrive home from work/daycare with a trunk full of groceries. Do I....<br />
A) Leave Eli in his carseat while I unload? <i>No - he will protest. A lot.</i><br />
B) Set Eli on the kitchen floor and go back out to unload? <i>No - he will crawl directly for the stairs.</i><br />
C) Set Eli by the kitchen door so I can see him while I unload? <i>No - he will try to crawl down the garage stairs.</i><br />
D) Set Eli on the garage floor and hope he doesn't crawl under the car. <i>Yes</i> - <i>Seems like the best option I've got.</i><br />
<i></i><br />
While Answer D did <i>not</i> result in my child crawling under the car, I did turn around to find him chewing on something which leads us to our next dilemma. Do I...<br />
A) Do a quick finger sweep with Walmart germs on my hands? <i>No. Ew.</i><br />
B) Let him chew on mystery object until I carry him inside, wash my hands and then do said finger sweep? <i>Again, seems like the best option I've got.</i><br />
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Before I completed option B, however, the little dude spit out the tiny pebble he found on the garage floor. Must not have had much flavor. I'll attribute that to how meticulously clean my husband keeps our garage (though as he's reading this, he's thinking to himself, 'What is she talking about? Our garage is a disaster!!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't look now, mom, I'm busy!</td></tr>
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There has been so much going on this month, but yet I've blogged about nothing. Therefore, this post will be a summary of Eli's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Line-Day-Five-Year-Memory/dp/0811870197" target="_blank">Daily Memory Journal</a> and other completely random ramblings. Side note: I have LOVED this journal and have been surprisingly consistent. About every 3-4 days I go back and write the highlight of each day, something new he has learned, or something important that has happened in the world. Over time we will rack up memories from year to year and be able to see what he was doing a year ago or two or three, on that date. This month's journal entries have included things like:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpP_csrIQJkkoNrd6R3xZyUaW6SigSZYH5n7kS7awIgxoeUVlaS3uwS803GdgIJlj-4SaACVlWF-5Xjh_xYx_Y1WT9A_A0BpDhZ297LxkjcAsN9V0Vd1_SzajYf1D_G7jYro78VECNprE/s1600/IMG_6180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpP_csrIQJkkoNrd6R3xZyUaW6SigSZYH5n7kS7awIgxoeUVlaS3uwS803GdgIJlj-4SaACVlWF-5Xjh_xYx_Y1WT9A_A0BpDhZ297LxkjcAsN9V0Vd1_SzajYf1D_G7jYro78VECNprE/s320/IMG_6180.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next Collin Klein?</td></tr>
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- April 4 - First forward movement! You've figured out how to inch worm where you want to go.<br />
- April 6 - We hung your swing under the deck today. It's a <strike>little</strike> lot high, but you love your hammock in the sky.<br />
- April 9 - Current favorite toys include beach ball, farm truck, maracas, and anything that's not actually a toy. And of course, the usual suspects, Sophie, your buckets, scoot scoot, and books.<br />
- April 10 - You like ground beef and hate pureed chicken. I think we'll stick to meat in its natural form.<br />
- April 20 - We have to keep you in long sleeves and pants to keep you from getting rug burns. You army crawl everywhere!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yahooooooo!!</td></tr>
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- April 22 - Today you learned that not only can you crawl to a toy you can crawl OUT of a room and INTO the next one. On your first journey you discovered the stairs, the laundry room and the bathroom in about 2.3 seconds. Let the games begin. <br />
-April 23 - Snow?!? Eli, I promise this is not normal!!<br />
- April 26 - You love to splash. Like - flood the bathroom kind of splash.<br />
- April 27 - Eli's first Wildcat football game!<br />
- April 28 - BYE BYE! You waved (responsively) for the first time today!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first of many trips to Bill Snyder Family Stadium</td></tr>
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I do actually have every day filled in, but these are some of the highlights. While we're at it, I might as well mention that during this month we also celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary (went to see <i>42</i> and eat at Wahoo! Fire and Ice - highly recommend both!), celebrated Ryan's 29th birthday (he received Cheez-its and chocoloate chip cookies - so high maintenance), and we are getting ready to celebrate my first real Mother's Day. May is a busy little month!<br />
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<br />
We are quickly closing in on the one year mark. Cannot.Believe.It. <br />
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Love you Eli! Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-51222976335125485782013-04-07T18:33:00.003-07:002013-04-07T18:33:57.052-07:00Baby Check: 9 monthsNot only do we have a 9 month old in this house....we have a mobile 9 month old. <strike>Yippee!!</strike> Yikes :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whatcha been hiding in here mama?</td></tr>
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What a fun age 9 months is. You're happy, you're playful, you can entertain yourself, you can interact with others, you laugh at your own jokes, and you're learning like crazy.<br />
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What a challenging age 9 months is. You are demanding, you are into everything, you are requiring us to start thinking about how to discipline and teach you boundaries, you're cutting more teeth. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why so serious?</td></tr>
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This month you had a LOT of firsts....<br />
- Your first spring break - may this be the first of many my child. If I teach you anything it will be to choose a profession that will give you a spring break for the rest of your life :) <br />
-Your first haircut. By dad. In the bathtub. Yep - he mohawked it then cut it off with the kitchen scissors. Poor kid.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama, does dad know what he's doing???</td></tr>
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- YOUR FIRST SWIM!!! It was SO fun...until you got cold. But you did great floating in your 'raft' and floating on your back. You didn't even mind having water in your ears. Yay!<br />
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- First night in a hotel (we all slept like babies...literally.)<br />
- You started rolling to get where you wanted to go. No longer is your world contained on the living room rug. You figured out you can roll, scoot and turn anywhere you want.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I go!</td></tr>
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- After a week or two your rolling turned into full fledged army-crawling. No longer do you have to attack your target with a sideways roll. You can now attack it straight-on. (You're not crawling on all fours yet, but you're good enough to get whatever you want if mom and dad aren't watching :)<br />
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- Also this month - you had one glorious day of 'mamamamamas' Haven't heard it since. You love to play catch, you throw everything, and you will no longer stay in your carseat at restaurants. You are eating finger foods (puffs, cheerios, banana, avocado, potato and pasta) and learning to drink from a sippy cup. You are also eating mostly formula. Your verbal and fine motor skills still seem strong and your gross motor skills aren't too shabby either. <br />
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Eli, you are so much fun to hang-out with. This month you really turned into a whole new kid. You are into everything and definitely mobile. You are still so sweet, happy and playful. However, daddy and I don't allow you to spit your food which has created a bit of a predicament considering you like to spit your food. Hmm. Let the battle of wills begin.<br />
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Maybe, if I'm really good, I'll come back and update your stats. We go to the doctor next Monday. Hopefully the little dude will be growing and released from his reflux meds. We'll see! <br />
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<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-82540949161146594942013-03-20T07:41:00.001-07:002013-03-20T07:41:55.047-07:00Adventures in Baby Cuisine<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't open any wider.....feed me!</td></tr>
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Pediatricians may say to keep babies on a liquid diet until at least 6 months for health reasons. In this house, we needed the extra time to figure out what in the heck we were doing :) Here is a scattered, non-research-based, unofficial account of Eli's adventures in baby cuisine.<br />
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- Eli started rice cereal right around 6 months. The recommended ratio of milk to cereal (4 parts milk to 1 part cereal) essentially makes...milk. We were basically feeding his bottle off of a spoon. It didn't take long before we ditched all measuring utensils and slowly thickened the texture until it was like cream of wheat. Followed baby's lead on this one. <br />
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- After about a week or two of cereal (I told you this was going to be precise), we started introducing vegetables. Luckily (in my opinion) we have the most laid back pediatrician (S.O. Dr. G!!) His direct quote at Eli's 4 month appointment was 'Don't make it harder than it needs to be.' I had heard and read about what order to introduce foods, how to alternate foods, how to mix foods, etc. Can you say overwhelming? Yikes! Eli began with squash and moved his way through green beans and sweet potatoes. This solid food thing wasn't so hard after all. We did follow the 'three day rule' (waiting three days before introducing each new food) to watch for any allergic reactions. So far, so good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who's this pretty girl feeding me?? I like her!</td></tr>
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I had originally thought that I wanted to feed Eli homemade baby food. For
some reason, when the rubber hit the road that was also overwhelming.
Thankfully a neighbor had given us some jarred food her son was not going to
eat (don't worry, it wasn't expired). When I looked at the ingredients
they read 'squash, water.' Um, what about all the preservatives and unpronounceable ingredients I assumed were in jarred baby food? Not
there. And these jars (which Eli will eat half of) cost 50 cents. Thus
my mind was changed and Eli and I trucked it to Dillons to load up on
jarred baby food. <br />
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- Then it was time for fruit. I decided it couldn't be that hard to mash up a banana and thus began our adventures in homemade baby food. We went from bananas to avadados to sweet potatoes (these I could mash with a fork....still had no idea how to buy a food processor without spending a fortune).<br />
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- After researching Cuisineart food processors as well as Baby Beaba and Baby Breza, I decided I didn't want to invest a fortune. A quick trip to Target and a shiny new Magic Bullet ($35) was ours!<br />
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- Fast forward 2 months and Eli is eating a wide variety of fruits and veggies. Some jarred, some homemade. The number one advantage to making his food is the variety. I tend to buy the foods that are inconvenient to make and make the foods that aren't sold in jars. I introduced him to foods in this order...kind of...I think. Squash, green beans, banana, avacado, sweet potato, peas, applesauce, carrots, pineapple, blueberries, zucchini, broccoli, peaches, potato. Next on the list are strawberries and edamame!!<br />
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So, if you're still here after all of this rambling. This, folks, is how I cook. (Note: I cook like my father. If the kitchen isn't a mess when we're done, then the meal's not any good).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The remains of my first attempt at squash</td></tr>
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1. I use a mixture of fresh and frozen fruits and veggies - organic and non-organic. <br />
2. After giving them a toss in the MB I either pour them in ice cube trays (3/4 oz per cube) or into (previously used and washed) baby food jars (4 oz when full). <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueberries and peaches - like a tropical vacay.</td></tr>
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3. Each morning I grab an empty jar and throw 2 fruit cubes in to eat with his oatmeal at daycare. I also grab him a frozen veggie jar and he's good to go.<br />
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4. At home I just throw cubes into a glass ramekin and thaw for 20 seconds to make his dinner. This makes it super easy to mix and match foods. <br />
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At first I was just making cubes and putting them in the jars to send to daycare. However, the jars only hold 2 cubes which is not enough food anymore. By freezing it in the jars I can get 3-4 ounces in there.<br />
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I guess there's not a whole lot else to tell. I hope you've enjoyed this riveting post or maybe even found it helpful. At the very least I'm hoping it will help <i>me</i> not feel so lost the next time I do this (hopefully). <br />
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<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-2843408458369160022013-03-11T19:07:00.000-07:002013-03-11T19:17:03.456-07:00Lately In a nutshell...<br />
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1. Spring came. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Higher!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMG_s-v83NRDiILIctIhK99tIbbbhlLuSIGALmkeBoZRr79ddBBt0DJl9bLDotCHMgjqha5yCgyGLkIFzFxMidlelXg6AyjZwHYa9EB4qB11o0X9AmY46JruwpMaijpcGC1Ca6NsBwD0/s1600/IMG_5259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMG_s-v83NRDiILIctIhK99tIbbbhlLuSIGALmkeBoZRr79ddBBt0DJl9bLDotCHMgjqha5yCgyGLkIFzFxMidlelXg6AyjZwHYa9EB4qB11o0X9AmY46JruwpMaijpcGC1Ca6NsBwD0/s320/IMG_5259.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching Wormey roll to his imminent death</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aEr6v8QV0T_li1VugW3qNdV2x2rIGsPbfpYhrmY4nAiwaw7TTN3tN4S2ZtnMqNt8kaxXAZDDCKx0btdxO84N3pTwML-zCWcXwi7lFKmf2KYitUTZFyVpaQaIfpr_zaKPDXU0QUku1x0/s1600/IMG_5286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aEr6v8QV0T_li1VugW3qNdV2x2rIGsPbfpYhrmY4nAiwaw7TTN3tN4S2ZtnMqNt8kaxXAZDDCKx0btdxO84N3pTwML-zCWcXwi7lFKmf2KYitUTZFyVpaQaIfpr_zaKPDXU0QUku1x0/s320/IMG_5286.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2. Spring went.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k1zCZe6_tVM19nqBWwinCSUXCCPvwtAiI-xLTU_pXUo7B31ZUdWkBZKilJIDhBCjlPbWmQVlnDanfW0hFFz_CXw0S9zU7gsYPKWVCKYDdgJArPYqfElc6zDOE7ngiV21jEqSIy_IbdA/s1600/IMG_5380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k1zCZe6_tVM19nqBWwinCSUXCCPvwtAiI-xLTU_pXUo7B31ZUdWkBZKilJIDhBCjlPbWmQVlnDanfW0hFFz_CXw0S9zU7gsYPKWVCKYDdgJArPYqfElc6zDOE7ngiV21jEqSIy_IbdA/s320/IMG_5380.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shovel trip 1 of 3. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDJOjq_w2n8gffUQX-z4hFKp6R7n82tJzSjKaAOnhe5NlPO6zK3YxT4_aM_9P1javbKK55uxKoeg0VQzQsY0mwbzlgYgY9ZBf99vmCRYoirV_YLhPw308pWLjLoE_T2cWiP_guMf8W78/s1600/IMG_5390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDJOjq_w2n8gffUQX-z4hFKp6R7n82tJzSjKaAOnhe5NlPO6zK3YxT4_aM_9P1javbKK55uxKoeg0VQzQsY0mwbzlgYgY9ZBf99vmCRYoirV_YLhPw308pWLjLoE_T2cWiP_guMf8W78/s320/IMG_5390.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. Eli built a snowman <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoUkxsVxgTs1x5gxn1sBK1NRAyDSDKteP6XmicA3ME-7xzCD9KOEggRtEz4DOY80pJtQmV-lWdPI_Fsx3hdVfJNxd4A2pOw4C59mATc4Mf4hhPElO3kiJZnGdxQ4EUCvxEgUSt5XQs-E/s1600/IMG_5437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoUkxsVxgTs1x5gxn1sBK1NRAyDSDKteP6XmicA3ME-7xzCD9KOEggRtEz4DOY80pJtQmV-lWdPI_Fsx3hdVfJNxd4A2pOw4C59mATc4Mf4hhPElO3kiJZnGdxQ4EUCvxEgUSt5XQs-E/s320/IMG_5437.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abra-ka-dabra!</td></tr>
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4. Eli's hands got cold.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqAWOPh2faKGG3kFcSO4YT99iw8FTbDpeXrtiFH-cX82TA3A979M-xXVabzymM-jQEHlMekJOVvp7uK6adbFvItmnCeHMysCh1IfynXiCjjx1rT-yZZrEr6Dvr31wemssMdZy_g0f6Sw/s1600/IMG_5462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqAWOPh2faKGG3kFcSO4YT99iw8FTbDpeXrtiFH-cX82TA3A979M-xXVabzymM-jQEHlMekJOVvp7uK6adbFvItmnCeHMysCh1IfynXiCjjx1rT-yZZrEr6Dvr31wemssMdZy_g0f6Sw/s320/IMG_5462.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">isth thtuck to my tongue mom</td></tr>
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5. Gryff came to visit. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsONe8PLbx_ZvfSoW-txq6TFBZVIFGsnVbD3u1yFTImO6MfpccFMUrAdYDgqqMxVtn-3f4j_jos8-2Y8BP4ftXB227yVvWLCWXZFglpz8KIcblBjsZN522UvxMIL2uP-3v3ygzNJS5VY/s1600/IMG_5412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsONe8PLbx_ZvfSoW-txq6TFBZVIFGsnVbD3u1yFTImO6MfpccFMUrAdYDgqqMxVtn-3f4j_jos8-2Y8BP4ftXB227yVvWLCWXZFglpz8KIcblBjsZN522UvxMIL2uP-3v3ygzNJS5VY/s320/IMG_5412.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Come play with me doggie!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LGNXSofLp_kzQbtIx1zUlvFydnClrHtXhiRhL_a6sAreKQc01Lgsx-ZYa35bDGtdoeWfHbPr4qYO7uxqq4iRzs_qcR34qMnrlsauI1SFna3ppWduK7X4AnftaNrN-egEE_QTzm0PBx0/s1600/IMG_5405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LGNXSofLp_kzQbtIx1zUlvFydnClrHtXhiRhL_a6sAreKQc01Lgsx-ZYa35bDGtdoeWfHbPr4qYO7uxqq4iRzs_qcR34qMnrlsauI1SFna3ppWduK7X4AnftaNrN-egEE_QTzm0PBx0/s320/IMG_5405.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe if I yell louder he'll hear me.</td></tr>
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6. Eli met Winston.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ckm4-qyPh-CS0snab6wXohJAueqsvR_AbLMCTsxYbTh-yPsQaowG24P62SiVPKe3NyUx5R7TYt3PqpHW8YBhpIYWRx1TfoJ3bbShM2E5azwhpG01Xr7lVDtWEBIFeVgcp09nQ2PnVVA/s1600/IMG_7084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ckm4-qyPh-CS0snab6wXohJAueqsvR_AbLMCTsxYbTh-yPsQaowG24P62SiVPKe3NyUx5R7TYt3PqpHW8YBhpIYWRx1TfoJ3bbShM2E5azwhpG01Xr7lVDtWEBIFeVgcp09nQ2PnVVA/s320/IMG_7084.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe this doggie will play with me?!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
7. Dean came to town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmYM6qEXR1Ft_OC6o-LR3rhU17n7isn9M1tcpOi6IopmIkayRH6vSdh5fvSH7MYrRxvPoG4iPJmAEQjfNJb3HtR289StKrNEEHAGUcuAs1uLSVSHiXPPIMtUx-VpGf_Jr3RKM49NDkLs/s1600/IMG_5474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmYM6qEXR1Ft_OC6o-LR3rhU17n7isn9M1tcpOi6IopmIkayRH6vSdh5fvSH7MYrRxvPoG4iPJmAEQjfNJb3HtR289StKrNEEHAGUcuAs1uLSVSHiXPPIMtUx-VpGf_Jr3RKM49NDkLs/s320/IMG_5474.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You talkin' to us?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOBXHErNVbQJ7umLt02Iy97HZBZNDbxS5lfJVQ0t1zNDtDQJD2G4s-5CGEWUH1RGoMOVc7Yh1bjig-MKm8eix8V1Rkx1EXuLgUqY7M61xc6NqQON2gsYEK3hn5wo_isW9JuuiE-iIgGM/s1600/IMG_5551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOBXHErNVbQJ7umLt02Iy97HZBZNDbxS5lfJVQ0t1zNDtDQJD2G4s-5CGEWUH1RGoMOVc7Yh1bjig-MKm8eix8V1Rkx1EXuLgUqY7M61xc6NqQON2gsYEK3hn5wo_isW9JuuiE-iIgGM/s320/IMG_5551.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So....three guys walk into a bar...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA3ObMixyjun-s0SGQfs0BHpv7YgGtuBNKdKxCmdoce0SiKxZ0mKZQNsdYf_7Aj6KeqDT7rprrU-6i0dMpwluqhD8acHSqCUBzJ1YcyFDempeoTLWh-r_YNjynVHOeNdb-UBqBkej3lk/s1600/IMG_5491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA3ObMixyjun-s0SGQfs0BHpv7YgGtuBNKdKxCmdoce0SiKxZ0mKZQNsdYf_7Aj6KeqDT7rprrU-6i0dMpwluqhD8acHSqCUBzJ1YcyFDempeoTLWh-r_YNjynVHOeNdb-UBqBkej3lk/s320/IMG_5491.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dude, where are they taking us now?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KOot7kOtn04Xs2m-MHUJbhegKi7vdZC68aVYbH2U3ev3zsqbOLpbRVqJLCesjo1Z41J3WvAl0cJ_nMbkhV4hkmo9vq9-OdlHBJ7OfLv-9AWsmsU05DmOhqYaud5MxOYq3W0enVGPID0/s1600/IMG_5555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KOot7kOtn04Xs2m-MHUJbhegKi7vdZC68aVYbH2U3ev3zsqbOLpbRVqJLCesjo1Z41J3WvAl0cJ_nMbkhV4hkmo9vq9-OdlHBJ7OfLv-9AWsmsU05DmOhqYaud5MxOYq3W0enVGPID0/s320/IMG_5555.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here, let me give you a hand.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5ylzYzBDRAklX-7jpHuJjR_kclUCUV4hQAckKTRZaJ3pDib1o6NVxUFDbZBQLJ8ScMY53dD8XP68eTnXXFJlAzDuDtkRtXASEaSl5cTki1bIr2-EboG3jABDOG_FBP64lynOa2oi5Yo/s1600/IMG_5556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5ylzYzBDRAklX-7jpHuJjR_kclUCUV4hQAckKTRZaJ3pDib1o6NVxUFDbZBQLJ8ScMY53dD8XP68eTnXXFJlAzDuDtkRtXASEaSl5cTki1bIr2-EboG3jABDOG_FBP64lynOa2oi5Yo/s320/IMG_5556.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Um...???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXI6Qqm7thBoyXB2ytou6vVE2NiI3AE80uu3VgsSqg9W0hWlpUqguB95VzBVm-geAbcv3PgcmCIsaEsMun3Bv2ntCpbzYHBcux2oorCy3kMbUuXg7SamvzWf1ybnW_vJZnr-NsmrSa6c/s1600/IMG_5567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXI6Qqm7thBoyXB2ytou6vVE2NiI3AE80uu3VgsSqg9W0hWlpUqguB95VzBVm-geAbcv3PgcmCIsaEsMun3Bv2ntCpbzYHBcux2oorCy3kMbUuXg7SamvzWf1ybnW_vJZnr-NsmrSa6c/s320/IMG_5567.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haha. No caption needed.</td></tr>
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<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-25247778547564921412013-03-08T18:38:00.003-08:002013-03-08T18:38:51.666-08:00Baby Check: 8 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjdtoYXAATEYzjcJYRUc_kGUat-C7JZozTcePHJpqCJIg02Se512t-Wf40BpDChsNGB3nJKNz_zrMzdaQjYeWoU6_yQs1v1-qAiIx6pPm3L-NAbygTP4rCrgyIJyuD1Rg4SMTemp3OSw/s1600/IMG_7134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjdtoYXAATEYzjcJYRUc_kGUat-C7JZozTcePHJpqCJIg02Se512t-Wf40BpDChsNGB3nJKNz_zrMzdaQjYeWoU6_yQs1v1-qAiIx6pPm3L-NAbygTP4rCrgyIJyuD1Rg4SMTemp3OSw/s320/IMG_7134.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This little dude is becoming a little boy. Be still my heart. As much as I love everything about this stage, part of me cannot wait until he's running around, laughing, talking and being silly. He has the best* personality and I can't wait to see it continue develop. (*In this instance, 'best' clearly means silly and ornery with a little attitude on the side). <br />
<br />
Eli during your 8th month of life you...<br />
- got to enjoy the warm weather in your stroller....like a big boy!<br />
- went to the park and got to swing for the first time. You love it!<br />
- spent your first evening with a {paid} babysitter - Taylor Kayser. You were asleep the entire time she was here and didn't even know we were gone :)<br />
- watched daddy shovel...and shovel...and shovel...and promise to buy a snowblower next year.<br />
- want anything you don't have. If you have a ball, you want the block. If you have the block, you want the ball.<br />
- have started pulling your knees underneath you. Oh boy.<br />
- spent two weeks with Gryff at our house. You love him and think playing fetch is the best game ever. He's slowly warming up to you.<br />
- have a new cousin - Joel Dean. You two are sure to get into some trouble in the coming years!<br />
- took your first road trip. We loaded you up at bedtime to make the 10.5 hour trip to Houston and you did GREAT! Now we'll hope your first plane ride this summer goes just as smoothly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIeACjJ7e3ksNLR3UR9TZrOT-LClsNTE4YQMJI1iAvMdb8GltRLivqA9j9P76RGFBU6eIHpHPONgq2tW4wHOVHJODAVqgMwbo95wLOpcn0-ZJGOmKU3rZx8tsCr1NhpUIy0AXtbORtAQ/s1600/IMG_7143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIeACjJ7e3ksNLR3UR9TZrOT-LClsNTE4YQMJI1iAvMdb8GltRLivqA9j9P76RGFBU6eIHpHPONgq2tW4wHOVHJODAVqgMwbo95wLOpcn0-ZJGOmKU3rZx8tsCr1NhpUIy0AXtbORtAQ/s320/IMG_7143.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now you see it...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgYFck-SqXR2S__AT7-e9dEBK4m67s1VZYVySwP9UsnqjBw2DglhFlPlaH1kPZwc4HRZ6pGhgT1kLmDE0bwo6fKqckL5L_4HOWseAE3WPRWywsuaekeFfzEenPLVWi_BUs5hg92jnFns/s1600/IMG_7160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgYFck-SqXR2S__AT7-e9dEBK4m67s1VZYVySwP9UsnqjBw2DglhFlPlaH1kPZwc4HRZ6pGhgT1kLmDE0bwo6fKqckL5L_4HOWseAE3WPRWywsuaekeFfzEenPLVWi_BUs5hg92jnFns/s320/IMG_7160.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now you don't!</td></tr>
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Eli, you grow and change every day. You are looking and acting more and more like a little boy. Miss Dawn says she loves watching you and we get compliments all the time about how adorable you are. You are starting to look more and more like your daddy and seem to be favoring your left hand. You love eating anything we put in front of you (including pineapple) and love playing with your stacking bear, reading books, and staring out the window. <br />
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Can't wait to see what this spring will bring! <br />
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<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-44324330434740447562013-03-06T06:58:00.000-08:002013-03-06T06:58:15.226-08:00Spread the Word...<a ajaxify="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=606231856070377&set=a.133543443339223.22050.124966907530210&type=1&ref=nf&src=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-snc7%2F483688_606231856070377_259181723_n.png&size=851%2C315&theater" class="uiPhotoThumb photoRedesignAspect" data-ft="{"type":41,"tn":"E"}" href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=606231856070377&set=a.133543443339223.22050.124966907530210&type=1&ref=nf" rel="theater"><img alt="March 6th is National Spread the Word to End the Word Day. When you say the word retard or retarded in a derogatory manner towards someone or to indicate you think something is dumb, lame or stupid, it sends a hurtful message to those who live with intellectual disabilities. WORDS MATTER! Please visit http://r-word.org/ to take the pledge to stop using this word. The only R word we should be talking about is RESPECT!" class="img" height="147" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s480x480/483688_606231856070377_259181723_n.png" width="398" /></a><br />
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March 6th is National Spread the Word to End the Word Day. When you say the word retard or retarded in a derogatory manner towards someone or to indicate you th<span class="text_exposed_show">ink something is dumb, lame or stupid, it sends a hurtful message to those who live with intellectual disabilities. WORDS MATTER! Please visit <a href="http://r-word.org/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://r-word.org/</a> to take the pledge to stop using this word. The only R word we should be talking about is RESPECT!</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">As many of you know, I feel very, <em>very</em> strongly about the use of the R-word. If you don't know my opinion on this, then you probably haven't used this word in front of me. Way to go and thank you! While I hate confrontation almost as much as I hate raisins, this is a topic that I will call someone out on...anywhere, anytime. Most people's response is "I didn't mean it disrespectfully." Too bad - it was. This is a topic in which 'intent' does not matter. It doesn't hurt the person, their friends or their family any less because you qualify it as a joke, a habit or a 'generational thing.'</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">Okay, I will kindly step off of my soap box, but thank you for taking a minute to indulge my passion. </span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">Happy Wednesday! </span></div>
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Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6062189745319259658.post-22007514491152543672013-03-04T10:54:00.000-08:002013-03-04T17:48:19.650-08:00What is Parenting?My thoughts for today - parenting is hard. No, being part of a family is hard. Because when you love people as much as you love your family, it hurts just as much when they are hurting.<br />
Today I'm sharing my thoughts, but please understand it is not judgment. It is introspection. Reflection on my own understanding of what it means to be a mom. Writing has always been one of my main coping mechanisms. This time I'm writing it here in hopes that it will be encouraging and reassuring to those who call themselves parents.<br />
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Parenting is a miracle. And it has the most demanding job description of any one you will ever find. <br />
You see, babies are miracles. Our God is so big and so omnipotent that he can take two microscopic cells and make a life out of them. Two cells that are nothing more than a dot in a microscope grow into a living being. But He doesn't stop there. Then He enables this little miracle to love and be loved. To show compassion and empathy and curiosity and joy. Because our God is not just powerful; He is compassionate.<br />
He does not keep these miracles to himself either. He asks us to take care of this child He has created and who is His. <br />
That's a lot of trust. I don't even like people to borrow my purple fine-point Sharpie, yet God has asked me to care for one of his most precious creations. A creation that is irreplacable. <br />
You know why He does it? Because He wants us to have joy. And that is what a baby is. Joy in its purest form. He wants us to understand, in some small way, what it is like to love without condition. To feel about someone the way He feels about us.<br />
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Parenting. Much of our society has whittled the single most amazing miracle known to man down to a trite compilation of arts and crafts projects. <br />
Parenting is not about Pinterest or Facebook posts or Instagram feeds. <br />
Parenting is not about the nursery color scheme or the Top Mom Apps or losing the baby weight.<br />
I owe Eli an apology. <br />
I have probably spent as much time praying for him as I have spent posting his pics on the internet. Man, that's hard to swallow.<br />
The day before Eli was born I wrote him a letter. I thought about posting it. <br />
I didn't. It was for him.<br />
But now that I am 8 months into this parenting gig, I have learned a thing or two. About myself. When I go back and read the letter, I realize it had a lot of wisdom. Wisdom that I wrote down in a journal and then promptly ignored. Because no one asks 'What are your hopes and dreams for your baby?" "What do you pray for him at night?" "What are your joys and fears about being a mom?" <br />
Nope. <strike>They </strike>We ask 'What kind of diapers are you using?' 'What products can you not live without?' <br />
So these are the things we think about and talk about and blog about.<br />
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In the letter, I wrote, "Eli, the world will want you to DO things, and HAVE things, and BE things. The world will tell you to be smart and competitive and polite and successful. There will be times that's what we want for you too. But God is your Father and He wants nothing more than your faithfulness, devotion and love for others." <br />
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Have I spent as much time worrying about his spiritual development as I have his physical, cognitive and social-emotional development? Is there a spiritual milestone chart on BabyCenter? What is more important to me - that he rolls over or learns to love other people? Of course, I want both of those things, but we don't always get everything we want - so I need to make sure I have my priorities straight. <br />
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Here's the hard part - Not all of our babies get to come home and enjoy their perfectly coordinated chevron bumper with their homemade wall decor. Not all babies get to go to library story time and mother's day out and meet all their developmental milestones on time. <br />
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But, look at them. They are happy just to be alive. They love unconditionally. They never question your loyalty and they never wish you were a better parent. In fact, in your child's eyes, you are perfect and beautiful in every way.<br />
Why do we make it so complicated? Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves? Why do we make a big deal out of the small stuff and a small deal out of the big stuff? Why can't we appreciate parenting for what it is? <br />
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For all you moms and dads - whether your children are biological or adopted or foster - give yourself a break from the world's checklist of what makes a good parent. Your child does not care what is on the walls or how many Facebook posts you've made. Erase everything from your to-do list except for these...<br />
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1. Love them<br />
2. Pray for them<br />
3. Teach them<br />
4. Be joyful<br />
5. Be open-minded<br />
6. Be thankful<br />
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That is what parenting is. If you have done this, then you have cared for God's precious creation - whether for just one day or many years.<br />
<br />Kellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865499334120639992noreply@blogger.com2