Elijah: 8 months

My sweet, sweet boy.  I'm writing this today as you turn 8 months on my 4th Mother's Day.  I was thinking that while Theo originally made me a mama three years ago, you made me a better mama this year.  You have made the second time around so easy, and I love seeing the relationship you and your brother are developing.  I keep having to remind myself that you will grow out of this baby stage so soon and I need to soak it all in right now. 

Weight:  still about 20 pounds
Size:  Size 3/4 diapers, and 12-18 month clothes.
Feeding:  You'll eat just about anything we put on a spoon, which we do three times a day.  We added some ground meats this month as well as oatmeal.  New tastes included prunes, cherries, ... You still nurse some at night, take one bottle while I'm at work, and then nurse two more times in the evening.
Sleeping:  I believe I did have my first full night's sleep since you were born this week! 
Likes:  petting Cori (all dogs), napping in the porch swing at Aunt Megan's, kisses on the head from random girls, sitting in the grass
Dislikes:  getting your finger nails clipped (you scratch way too much)

You have started getting up on all fours, and scooting backwards some, but I'm still waiting for you to take off crawling.

Finally, you have the biggest smiles for me when I come home from work to get you.  And you don't even mind being dropped off.  Your life seems full of happiness! 

Theo-Bot (Liam's Birthday Party!)

We had the pleasure of attending one of our Indiana friend's birthday parties this past weekend. I've known Ashley since we were about six and her son is about right between Theo and Eli in age.  This mom threw a really cute robot birthday party (I  was glad I packed Theo's robot shirt two months ago). 

I have always called my oldest Theo-Bot (don't know why), so I was especially excited she made a photo station that worked well.

 

Just one of the cute robot-themed menu items.

 Once gifts and cake were finished with indoors (my son is the only one that asks for a second piece... not sure what that says about my parenting).  Bubbles and Liam's new wagon kept everyone happy and busy outside on the beautiful day.

Eli loved playing with blades of grass...

and many kisses and hugs from the pretty girls there.

Too bad we don't live closer...

(All photos are courtesy of Ashley's little sister since Theo decided our camera was dirty and gave it a bath in the dog's water dish.)

Elijah: 7 Months

Elijah!  You are still such a sweet baby.  You aren't really moving a whole lot, but you sit up like a pro and will reach forward all the way until your tummy is on the ground.  You prefer the jumper for your exercise rather than crawling or rolling.  Some days you are quite chatty while other days you are more of an observer.

Weight:  about 20 pounds
Size:  Size 3 diapers, and I'm exclusively buying 12 month and up clothes now.  You still squeeze into smaller sizes.
Feeding:  Such a big month getting to eat new foods.  You like anything on a spoon, and will get impatient if we feed you to slow.  You have tried pureed:  carrots, pears, apples, squash, bananas, sweet potatoes, green beans, and peaches with your rice cereal.
Sleeping:  Someday you will be sleep trained.  Maybe when I'm not working and we're in our new house.  Until then you sleep with me at night, fall asleep in one of your grandparents arms, and nap best in the car seat while you are traveling all around Indiana.
Likes:  getting to really start playing in the bathtub, pulling everyone's hair
Dislikes: bumping your head

Another ABC Book Part 2

As I mentioned a while ago, I'm working on making Theo another ABC book, this time with verb based phrases for each letter.  With the more alliteration the better.  I snapped a few candid photos recently that I am sure will be included...

eXamining X-rays

Inspecting Insects

Hanging in a Hammock

Vera Bradley Outlet Sale 2013 Purchases

I lost one of my receipts, but this is as close as I can recall to what everything I bought for myself cost.  I was really into this pattern, Island Bloom.  Can you tell I've been craving a beach side vacation??  I decided that I still have a fall and spring pattern that I like, so this would be my summer one.  Next year I need to look for a winter pattern.

Frame Bag (Island Bloom):  $94.00 I think around $35

Clutch Wallet (Island Bloom):  $44.00 $20.00

Lunch Date:  $34.00 I think it was less than $20.00

Pencil Box Set:  $14.00  $4.99

Stationary Set:  ???

Cocktail Napkins:  $22.00 $5.99 each set of four (I got four sets)

Apron:  $28.00 $20.00

Vera Bradley Outlet Sale 2013 Experience

View from the "choosing floor".  When you enter, you immediately start down the aisles, bagging everything you think you may want.  Then at the end, you spread everything out on the floor to make your decisions before going to check out.  Your return the things you don't want to shopping carts throughout the area. 

A good thing about being in Indiana in the spring is the chance to go to the Vera Bradley Outlet sale.  My mother has gone for years now, sometimes getting tickets to go in the opening days, some years going several times.  This year, we were all pretty busy so we had to wait until the open session on Saturday to go.  We got there around 3:30 and it was busy but not too crowded.  There was still a pretty good selection.  Prices may have down a bit more on the last day of the sale, but I felt there were quite a few good deals there on the second to last day.

This time was special because it was little Maci's first time to get a VB.  She loves clothes and accessories already, so she was happy to look through the rows of VB items.  She was literally dancing through the aisles to the music, and did very well for being two years old and missing her nap.

We also took Eli.  He didn't get anything, and he slept throughout the whole event.  But, it was great that we had a stroller and a toddler because... we got expedited check-out!!!  I had no idea they did this, but apparently they let those of us with young children or guests with wheelchairs go through a separate (hidden) check-out.  I think tour groups also have a similar check-out.  It was great, we waited all of about 2 minutes and were at the counter!  After the several hour wait last time, this was unexpected and fabulous!  We will definitely be taking the babies with us in the future!

Got her purses (two of them-she knows you grab everything first and make decisions later).

A bag for pre-school in a couple more years.

Making her final choice.

Still in good moods after the short line!

There were quite a few new (to me) items that I thought were pretty neat.  There are now attache bags, that I would have to have if I were still teaching full time.  Perfect for taking papers back and forth to school in.  And the best was the contact lens case!!  I was super excited about this, but didn't find any in my patterns.  Will have to wait for an online sale or pay full price on this one.

Easter 2013: Photos

Sweet photos by:  Jess Leigh Photography
Use the card below if you'd like to book a session!

Finally a good day, update #2

The full moon might be bringing out some crazy behaviors in the kids, but it finally helped align some things for us today. 

In chronological order:
1. The ASEE who pay Brian finally deposited his first stipend (8 days late, but better late than never).
2.  I started my new job today, thankful I found a short-term position that will keep me busy and add a little to our down payment on our house.
3.  We got our security deposit back on our apartment, all of it!  After four and a half years with two kids and two pets there, I thought we would have to forfeit some of it but I guess everything was normal wear and tear.
4.  Found out that our third (or was it fourth?) offer for a (town)house was finally accepted!  Hopefully we will close by mid -May, if not before.  As long as the inspection and assessment go well we should be in the clear.
5.  Brian's grandpa came home from the hospital where he's been battling sickness lately.

So happy that we are finally getting some things to go in the right direction! 

Muncie Children's Museum

Last week we visited the Muncie Children's Museum.  Two of my sisters went to school at Ball State, so we are fairly familiar with the town.  A friend recommended this place after taking her 1 1/2 year old there, and we thought we would give it a try.

We took a 6 month, 2 year, and 3 year old with three adults (1:1 ratio).  We spent about 1.5 hours there and could have stayed longer if the adults weren't so tired.  This place was great for this age group, and would probably be good up through kindergarten age, maybe a little further up. 

The exhibits are set up very nicely so the kids can just go right from one area to the next, and you can monitor them from a distance. It was a task keeping Maci and Theo together, but we managed and had a lot of fun there.

Below are some of the exhibits/sections we spent time in and more info about the museum.

They both loved driving the large train, while we rode along as passengers.

Theo has perfected his "Yee-Haw".

Eli is still working on his.

Maci put on a show!

My favorite section is the grocery store, sponsored by Marsh.  So much fun!

It cracked me up that both of them knew how to run the credit card machines when they were pretending to check each other out.

This section is friendly for crawlers.  We'll have to come back in a few months to give it a better review once this little guy gets mobile.

They have several animals throughout the museum.  Maci was a smart girl and didn't want to touch the snake either.

Digging for dinosaur fossils is always fun!

Eli at the Ant hill with his Aunt Nae Nae!

There were also some musical areas, doll displays, a semi-cab they could get into and a tractor they both drove, an old auto they could pretend to work on, and an upstairs with three little pigs themed house construction play.  We especially love the 3 little pigs when we get together...  this time Eli was the one who made his house out of bricks.

If you live in the area, think about becoming a member.    If you plan to take one child 5 or 6 times a year, you will fare  better using a membership, if you have two children it will definitely be worth it after 3 or 4 visits.  Membership is  $70 per year/$120 per 2 years.  Daily admission is $6.  You can find a $1 off coupon on the website. Since this museum has reciprocity with over 250 other museums, you may even get free admission if you have a membership at a museum closer to your home.

*There are some half-price Sundays at the museum, and free Saturdays.  I know when some museums offer discount days they are way too crowded... not sure if this is the case with this museum or not.*