Oh Baby!

It must be a January thing

2012-01-31T18:59:00.000-08:00

I just can't seem to get motivated to blog this month - I guess I am busy with all my New Year's resolutions (give up diet pop, exercise three times a week are at the top of my list). That and Wes was out of the country for two weeks, and the kids have been more challenging than cute some days. With all that in mind it is not surprising that I haven't taken many pictures at all. I will make it a February resolution to take more pictures! I know I have a Nana out there looking for updates!

While I haven't taken too many pictures, I came across a video of Elise Wes took right around when Lilah was born. It is pretty entertaining, so I thought I'd share:Scarecrow song.

Here are a couple of the few pictures I took:

Mommy and Elise before Disney Princesses on Ice

Lilah rocking with her baby

Reflections

2012-01-10T07:01:00.000-08:00

I don't usually reflect too much on my blog, but I have a lot on my mind and need an outlet.

Wes has been out of the country for 10 days - he comes home Thursday. Elise and I are counting down the days - Lilah would be, too, if she understood the concept of time.

I had been pretty anxious leading up to Wes's trip. I love my children dearly, but day in and day out with no break was daunting. Sometimes, after just one hard day, I lose my patience with them. I asked for prayer and prayed a lot - that God would give me patience, that I would enjoy the extra time with just the girls, that I wouldn't resent Wes for leaving us. God was so faithful. There were moments of panic, loneliness, and impatience, of course. But overall, the time went fast, I was patient, and the girls were wonderful.

There has been one surprise during Wes's absence. I didn't anticipate how insecure it would make Elise feel. Elise is normally so confident, so well-adjusted. But, during this time, she has been timid, clingy, and sad at times. Things she normally loves, like going to school or spending the night at Grandmama and Papa T's have been stressful for her. It reminds me a lot of when she was an infant and she had such a strong, adverse reaction to being left at daycare (I eventually quit my job because it was so strong). Her sense of security and safety has been rocked.

Of course, I have re-assured Elise that Daddy will be home soon, and we've gotten to Skype with him three times, so we've seen his face. But it really has made an impression on me of just how important stability in the home is for children. I mean, I knew that beforehand, but I've really seen it now. We can't guarantee stability - there are so many things in life out of our control, but Wes and I can continue to do our best to provide stability for our children by loving each other well and putting the other one first.

An old picture, but a pretty one of Elise and a nice reflection on the pond

First Snow

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Over the Christmas break we got our first accumulation of snow. Elise LOVES snow, and couldn't wait to get out and play. Lilah, taking after her mama, is less impressed. She'd probably enjoy it more if she would keep her gloves on! The girls make adorable snow princesses, I must say.

Building the snow man - Wes made the face out of candy, which lasted about two minutes before Elise ate it.

Sister Love

I'm cold - can I go inside now?

Snow Angel

Third and Fourth Christmases

2012-01-03T07:57:00.000-08:00

Our final Christmas celebration got split into two because my niece was under the weather, so we successfully drew out Christmas about two weeks. Can't beat that!We gathered at my parents' house on the 30th and then at Jon and Christi's on the 1st. The only sad part of this holiday season was not getting to see Josh and Rachel. But, we're so excited for Baby Boy Simmons's arrival THIS MONTH! Can't wait to meet him!

Elise's first two-wheeler - princess-themed, of course!

Lilah is a little mama - she loves her babies

Ready for ballet class

Elise, Lilah, and Katherine - teamwork!

Katherine and her mama got matching aprons

Christi with the girls

I've been trying to get a good picture of these three girls since Lilah was born - still haven't gotten it yet.

Fort Wayne Christmas

2011-12-27T11:05:00.000-08:00

We continued on the non-traditional path with Christmas in Fort Wayne! Since Christmas was on Sunday, we opened stockings on Christmas Eve night (though Lilah was asleep), and then opened Christmas presents after church on Christmas morning. Regardless of tradition, it was merry indeed!

One tradition that did make it through was Christmas eve pjs for our family. Wes and I got matching Small Paul monkey pjs, Elise got ho ho ho pjs, and Lilah got 'I love Santa' pjs (but eluded the camera for the pj pictures).

Ready to open presents

Tim and Molly opening presents for Colton - who managed to avoid the camera spotlight (sad)

Elise with her princess suitcase gift - she is ready for some traveling!

Lilah kissing her new baby.

Elise and Nana - Elise painted a birdhouse for Nana for Christmas

Papa J and his new Cowboys gear

Mike with a record from Wes - I have no idea what it is, though....

It's Beginning to look a lot like (a non-traditional) Christmas!

2011-12-27T10:59:00.000-08:00

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, and we were loaded in thte car to head to Fort Wayne. We made it about 20 minutes north, and we heard some gagging from the back seat. I turned around just in time to see Lilah vomit about four times all over herself and her car seat. The kind people at Holiday Inn Express went above and beyond to help us. About 45 minutes later, we had Lilah back in her carseat (covered by a bed sheet with holes cut for the car seat straps) and were back in the car on the way home to Bloomington. Magically, Santa had delivered presents and stockings to our house while we were on the road. Elise was hesitant initially about touching the gifts (it wasn't Christmas morning, after all), but we convinced her that Santa wouldn't have delivered the gifts if we weren't to open them. So, on December 22nd in the evening, we had our first Christmas celebration. Poor Lilah didn't feel too great, but she was back to her normal self by morning.

Checking out the Christmas tree before Santa's arrival

Elise's first present from Santa - her favorite movie - Fantastic Mr. Fox!

Opening the stockings

Lilah practicing her baking with new play kitchen food

New Michigan gear for Wes

Elise enjoying her new toys - Nina Ballerina and Fold and Go Castle (both Melissa & Doug - great toys!)

Lilah hiding out in her princess castle from Santa - this was taken the next morning - she was feeling much better!

Oh Christmas Tree!

2011-12-17T17:54:00.000-08:00

We've enjoyed an annual tradition with our great friends, the Arnolds, to cut down a Christmas tree for four or five years now. Before that, I was an artificial tree girl, but they instilled in me the magic of the real Christmas tree. We had absolutely beautiful, unseasonably warm weather this year. I wore a scarf to appear wintery, but it was unnecessary.

Elise was so excited to decorate the Christmas tree once we got it home. The first week we had it, I would catch her just sitting and admiring it. It is so sweet watching the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a child!

Elise's best bud Rebekah - they used to be only an inch different in height - Elise has fallen behind....

The Arnold Family

The Erwins

Eve and Lydia - cutest Santa's helpers I've ever seen!

Decorating the Tree - Belle and Wardrobe ornament from Nana and Papa J

Dopey ornament for Lilah - Wes says there is some resemblance....

Putting up the tree topper

Christmas Fun!

2011-12-17T17:38:00.000-08:00

I had to take a blogging hiatus - our computer had a major virus that had us down for a week or two. But we're back! We've been busy enjoying the holiday season. Elise had her first preschool Christmas program. Oh my goodness, nothing cuter that 20 3-5 year olds singing! Well, the parents and grandparents all poised with cameras and videos were pretty cute, too.

Last weekend we traveled to central Illinois to visit Wes's grandma. It was such a nice trip. The girls loved Great Grandma Z's house, and they got to play with three of their second cousins, which was very special. Elise was especially taken with her Great Grandma and enjoyed helping her make Jello! Sadly, we forgot our camera, so don't have any pictures to share.

We've been up to other Christmas fun as well - enjoy the pictures!

Lilah is ready to watch Elise sing, so long as she has her goldfish crackers

Getting ready to sing

Two of Elise's preschool buddies - Adeline and Molly - these three have been together at school since their one year birthdays

Elise loves helping bake... and eat the Christmas goodies!

Got to meet and pet a reindeer at the Wonderlab - "Look Mom, there's a reindeer behind me!"

Petting the reindeer!

Petting the Arctic Hare

Watching the Christmas music/light show at a local church

The light show - it was pretty impressive!

Happy Birthday Elise Noelle

2011-11-17T16:01:00.000-08:00

Elise Noelle,
I can hardly believe you are four. I remember the day you were born - it was traumatic for both of us! And though the transition to motherhood was a little tough for me, you and I have grown so close. I enjoy who you are very much and it is such a delight to spend time with you.

One of the things I love about you is how much you love and care for people. You absolutely adore your grandparents, your aunts and uncles, and your friends. You love people, and you love them well! You are very thoughtful. Just recently, you were at a birthday party and your Nana and Papa J were home with Lilah. You asked the hostess if you could take home yogurt pretzels for your Nana and Papa J because you thought they'd like them. So sweet of you.

You are also FULL of compliments. No kidding, when we are in the drive through, you shout from your window, "I like your hair" or "You have pretty earrings" to the cashier. I have to say, you are very good for your mommy's self-esteem. You shower me with (undeserved) praise - "You are the best mommy in the whole world" and spontaneous "I love you, Mommy!" statements.

You are a very funny girl! I certainly laugh more because I have you in my life. You like making people laugh and really enjoy being the center of attention. You have an abundance of ideas, and you like to lead. We have to sometimes talk about asking your friends if they want to do something rather than just assuming they want to go along with your schemes. At preschool, you always want to be called on, and you don't like when you don't get called on if you know the answer.

You are quite a little smarty - particularly in your command of the English language and your sharp memory. You use a lot of big words for a little girl and generally get them in context. Words I've heard you say recently are particular, unusual, and reasonable. Daddy and I can't rely on spelling out words to keep you from knowing what we are saying - you usually can pick up enough context clues to know exactly what is going on. We've found, you are ALWAYS listening, even if you are in a different room of the house.

You don't like to be alone - AT ALL, and you abhore silence. The only way I can get you to spend time by yourself is if I put music or stories on the background. You also are a Chatty Cathy - I really can't believe how much you talk! I won't lie, sometimes it drives me crazy, but generally it is very amusing. Right now, your interests are princesses, beauty supplies, technology, reading, games, and crafts and art.

The last thing I want to remember about you at this age is your inquisitive mind. You ask a lot of good and hard questions. You are particularly curious about your faith. A couple questions you've asked me recently: Do all people go to heaven? Will we recognize each other in heaven?

Elise, I love you so much! Happy Birthday!

Elise in Wonderland Birthday Party

2011-11-17T15:32:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun with the "Elise in Wonderland Tea Party" birthday. Exhausting, but fun!

Elise in her Alice dress from Nana and Papa J - arrived in the mail just in time!

According to Elise, this is a picture of her "going down the rabbit hole."

Tea Pot Magnet Craft

Edible Tea Cups - Too Cute!

The Arnold girls crafting - Eve especially loved doing art.

Hot Tea Pot (Hot Potato)

Musical Hats (like Musical Chairs) - The kids loved dancing to the music.

Making her wish!

The Party Attendees - No wonder I was exhausted - that is a LOT of kids!

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-07T11:49:00.000-08:00

There were just too many fun pictures from Halloween. My THREE kids all had so much fun dressing up for the occasion. Elise didn't understand why I didn't want to dress up. I, personally, would rather be taking the pictures and handing out the candy. Enjoy the pictures!

Colton Lewis Erwin

2011-11-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

We got to meet our new nephew, Colton, this weekend! He is so gorgeous and so sweet! We love him dearly already. Here are a few of the favorite pictures.

Snuggling with Mama - looks pretty content!

Okay, that is the cutest thing ever, don't you think?

Elise was very excited about holding Colton.

Uncle Wes had a knack for getting smiles.

Small Group Outing

2011-10-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

We are having BEAUTIFUL fall weather - what better way to enjoy it than pumpkin picking with good friends? We met some couples from our church small group at Freeman Farms (Uncle Mike came, t00). Kids and adults enjoyed the festivities - pumpkins, farm animals, and hayrides.

Play Group Fieldtrips

2011-10-02T11:42:00.000-07:00

When Elise was about six months old, I started a play group with three other moms - four moms, four babies. About three years later, the play group now has six moms and 15 kids (with a 16th on the way)! I'd need a mathematician to tell me exactly what percent growth that is, but I know it is substantial. The kids love playing together, and the moms really enjoy each other's company as well, even if it truly chaotic. This fall, we've enjoyed two fieldtrips - one to Columbus, Indiana, (children's museum, indoor playground, and old fashioned ice cream shop) and Trafalger, Indiana, for AppleWorks. Any suggestions for other fieldtrips not far from Bloomington?

Look at those tiles!

2011-10-02T04:05:00.000-07:00

In our bible study, the question came up - how has your spouse changed since you married him/her? I answered, my husband has become such a handy man around the house. Well, our recent project goes beyond handyman. Wes and my dad retiled our entryway and did such a beautiful job! Thank you, Wes and Dad, for giving up your Labor Day weekend to do this project! I love it. I love you!
(Here is a before picture from another post: http://ohbabyerwin.blogspot.com/2008/08/random-thoughts-and-pictures.html)

Double Take

2011-09-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

Lilah has discovered that it is fun to climb on the step stool. It seems Elise made that discovery at about the same age. I will admit, I staged the picture of Lilah. I think it is fun to have the same picture, different kid. I don't know why....

My Little Sweetie - Lilah June

2011-09-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

So, Lilah June turned one, and we celebrated, and now it is time to pause and reflect on who she is, what she likes, what she doesn't like, and all those sweet details that you think you'll never forget, but somehow you do.

Lilah's Personality:
Of course, her personality is ever-emerging, but I can see who she is and will be a bit more every day. She is quite independent - she is happy wandering around the house with a toy or pushing the doll stroller. She babbles the cutest nonsense talk in the world. She is generally easy going and enjoys playing with Elise. Elise is always dressing her up, and Lilah manages it pretty well.

Though easy going, Lilah lets you know when she doesn't like something. She is not short on opinions. She lets out an awful screech if her sister hugs her too tight or I take a remote away from her. And, if you tell her no, well look out! It seems Lilah has gotten her mommy's sensitive spirit (I wish I could have spared you from this, Lilah!) When you tell her "no" or "not for Lilah" she bursts into full out tears.

What is Lilah up to:
I mentioned the pushing things - she is always pushing something. She also enjoys bringing me my shoes (and insisting I put them on), waving hi and bye, and giving kisses and hugs. Lilah is already very attached to her lovey (a stuffed kitty from Uncle Jon, Aunt Christ, and Katherine) and her blankie. She will pull them out of her crib and carry them around the house.

Sleeping and Eating:
As soon as I weaned Lilah, she started sleeping through the night. Good thing I didn't know this ahead of time - I may have stopped nursing before the first year was up! She generally still takes two naps, around 9 and 1. They are solid 1.5 hour naps. Lilah goes to bed at night around 7:15 and sleeps until around 7 am.

Lilah's opinions certainly come out at meal times. She was a good baby food eater, but has pretty much given up most vegetables now that she is solely on solids. And, she has even gotten picky about fruits. She would prefer her diet consisted solely of goldfish. She is the only one-year-old I know who ate all of her birthday cake, very efficiently and effectively I might add.

Besides goldfish, Lilah enjoys yogurt, peaches, cheese, eggs, and bananas. She eats other things, but these are her preferences.

Lilah sliding with Grandmama

Lilah June, we are so thankful for you! You are a wonderful daughter, beautiful inside and out. We look forward to watching you grow! Love, Mommy and Daddy

State Fair

2011-08-13T04:00:00.000-07:00

We are bringing summer to a close. Elise starts pre-school on Tuesday and is oh, so excited. Her teacher came over to meet her this week. Elise was very enthusiastic and impressed her teacher with her ability to write her name. One last summer hurrah - the State Fair! The girls all loved seeing, petting and feeding the animals. The adults all loved the food! Here are just a few pictures from the evening. Ar

Third and finally

2011-08-07T19:28:00.000-07:00

Three birthday parties for a one-year-old - CRAZY! Miss Lilah June is totally worth it, though. We hosted a family gathering on Lilah's actual birthday. It was wonderful to spend her day with the people we love so much, and who love Lilah dearly. Wes made a delicious dinner, and Lilah enjoyed more cake. I think she was expecting some cake today, given it has been a regular occurance this week.

We wrapped up the weekend with Lilah's baby dedication at church on Sunday. It was wonderful to have both sets of Lilah's grandparents present for the occasion. We feel very blesed that God has given us two beautiful girls to raise, and we wanted the opportunity to express to our intention to raise Lilah to know and love Jesus Christ, and to also ask fellow believers to help us in this endeavor.

What a great weekend!

Birhtday Round 2: Playgroup Party

2011-08-06T06:56:00.000-07:00

Lilah's birthday celebration continued with a party with her playgroup friends. It was a garden-themed gathering - the kids 'grew flowers' and 'fished.' Kids and mommies all seemed to enjoy the celebration! The princesses made an appearance at the end of the party. Thanks to Wes for braving play group to take pictures.

Lilah's Birthday Round 1: Uncle Tim and Aunt Molly

2011-08-06T06:52:00.000-07:00

Lilah's birthday celebration began last weekend when we visited Uncle Tim and Aunt Moly in Chicago. She certainly enjoyed her cake!Thanks to Tim and Molly for making her feel so special and loved!

First Movie!

2011-08-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

Elise and Wes went on a Daddy-Daughter date to see Elise's first movie in the theatre (pronounced the-ATE-r by Elise) - Winnie the Pooh. Here they are at the beginning of the outing. I should have gotten an after picture of Wes carrying Elise in asleep.

Reading with Elise

2011-07-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

Reading with Elise has been one of my favorite parts of being a parent. I come from a family of readers, so reading to her is a natural activity. I started reading to Elise when she was very young - she always seemed to enjoy it. (Lilah June is just now developing the patience to sit through a short board book). We come home from the library with a huge stack of books, and Elise is ready to read each book, cover to cover, right when we get home. Our reading sessions are a little shorter now with Lilah June around, but still get quite a few books in each day. As Elise has gotten older, she has developed quite a passion for characters from stories, so we've explored a few chapter books. If the book has a movie, seeing it first seems to help her follow the storyline. Most recently we read Fantastic Mr. Fox, and I had to capture the moment on film. Some of the other chapter books we've tried have been hit or miss. Any childhood favorites you would suggest?

Will I need to label my photos?

2011-07-08T03:50:00.000-07:00

The other day someone said how much my girls looked alike - that I was going to need to label my photos to tell who was who. I assured her that wasn't the case. If you compare baby pitures, they each have their own unique look. I suspect the older they get, the less they will look like each other. Regardless, they are both fearfully and wonderfully made, and the most delightful gifts from God!

Elise - 9 months

Lilah - 9 months

Elise - 11 months

Lilah - 11 months

A Walking Baby

2011-07-02T04:21:00.000-07:00

Lilah June is officially a walker. She grows more steady every day. She is growing up right before my eyes.

Joy (Summer in Bloomington)

2011-06-30T19:10:00.000-07:00

One of the many reasons I love being a mom in Bloomington - Super Sand Day and Kids' Concert in the Park.
(Of course, later in the day, Elise was with her babysitter and got a very bad report, which dampened the earlier joy of the day - too much fun can turn into tired and grumpy.)

The view from my window

2011-06-21T10:56:00.000-07:00

There is a moment in time when when your status changes to PARENT. But, as any a mom or dad can attest, the process of becoming a parent - a good parent - is an ongoing and neverending process. Wes is a great dad to our two girls, and I think he had one of those transforming moments a few weeks ago. It all started last summer, really, when Elise realized that a playset was something that she wanted in her backyard. When the opportunity came to make that happen, Wes dedicated a whole weekend toward making sure our new-to-us playset was a secure, safe, and fun place for the girls to play. He went above and beyond, building a clubhouse in the bottom, equipped with window. Wes isn't one of those guys who loves to do projects all weekend long, so for him to sacrifice an entire weekend to this, it really speaks very loudly about how much he loves his girls. He even used a saw, which he does not like to do after his near loss of finger to a saw in high school, and asked for a tool for Father's Day. I mean, who is this guy?! He's pretty awesome! So now, I get to enjoy this sweet view out the kitchen window.

Video 2

2011-06-10T04:34:00.000-07:00

This video was too big, so I had to upload it through Youtube. Isn't she cute?!

Whoops - 10 months

2011-06-09T15:29:00.000-07:00

The tenth month went so quickly! May was a big travel month for the family - I guess that is why it went so quickly! It has been a busy month of firsts for Lilah. Here are some of her milestones.

First vacation/first trip to the beach (see previous posts)
First (and second, third and fourth) plane ride - 3 out of 4, she did excellent!
Meeting many of her Greats - Great-Grandmama and many Great Aunts and Uncles

Development:
New tooth on the top (that makes four top teeth)
Signing 'All Done'
Waving
Playing 'So Big'
Cruising and walking behind push toys
Self-feeding - At Lilah's nine month check, Dr. Franklin gave her the go ahead to start trying many finger foods. She loves to feed herself - she actually self-fed her whole breakfast the other day. Some table foods include: veggies, fruits, rice, noodles, and bread.

Last, but not least, Lilah made a huge step in the sleep department (last night). She didn't wake until after 6 am. Then she ate, and slept another hour. Yea for sleep!

Here are a couple videos of Lilah 'performing'.

Happy Anniversary

2011-05-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

Wes and I celebrated our ten year anniversary during our vacation. We celebrated with an evening out to dinner (without kids). It was delicious (and peaceful)! In some ways it is hard to believe 10 years has passed by so quickly. It really has been a wonderful journey so far, and we look forward to many, many more years of wedded bliss! In reality, it isn't always blissful because life can be hard, but I feel so blessed to have someone as wonderful as Wes to go through each day with. We balance each other very well - he keeps me from taking life to seriously; I keep him grounded.

Beach Faves

2011-05-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

The kids all took to the beach and the pool, and enjoyed playing in the sand and surf, as well as splashing in the pool. It took Elise the first day to get reaquainted with swimming, but after a few hours, she was paddling around everywhere. Added bonus of three hours of swimming every morning, Elise napped every day except for one. Sun and water definitely wears kids out! Despite great naps, sleeping was probably the hardest part of the trip. Lilah and Katherine both had a hard time staying asleep in the pack-n-plays. Elise slept pretty well in a twin bed, but all kids were up bright and early each morning. While it was hard to leave at the end of the week, the hope of better sleep at home was a decent incentive.

Beach Photo Shoot

2011-05-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

We took over 480 photos on vacation, so I can't share all the memories, but I'll attempt to post some of my favorites. One evening we had a little beach photo shoot. Elise and pictures don't go too well these days, so we have to be very fast. She does not have the patience for sitting and smiling. It was also very windy that evening. Despite the challenges, we walked away with some good ones - not great, necessarily, but they'll work!

9 months

2011-05-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

You know I am thinking it - another month has passed?! This month has felt a little longer than most. Lilah has been teething for most of it, so her sweet demeanor is sometimes interrupted with some fussiness, especially around dinner time. Wes and I were both commenting on how this is our least favorite time of day. It is so hectic trying to get dinner on the table, keep both kids happy, and not have complete chaos. Generally, Wes walks into chaos when he gets home. I am not doing a good job modeling all those marriage books, having a freshly lipsticked smile and a glass of ice tea waiting for my husband. Oh well - he knew he wasn't getting that kind of wife when he married me.
Anyway, back to Lilah. She has been busy pulling herself up on anything and everything. She is crawling fast, but she gets upset when she works hard to crawl to where we are only for us to get up and go to a different room. Her knees are a little red from all the crawling.
Lilah has three teeth coming down on the top, which you can see a little bit in the second two pictures. Her other big accomplishment is signing "more," which she does eagerly for Cheerios.
Sleep remains one of Lilah's weaknesses. She gets up twice a night - around 1 am and 5 am. She takes two naps during the day - around 9 am and 1:30 pm.
Lilah loves the bathtub. She wriggles and kicks in excitement as soon as she knows it is bath time. I'm looking forward to pool weather - I am hoping she enjoys the pool equally well.

Happy Easter

2011-04-25T06:37:00.000-07:00

It truly was a wonderful weekend celebrating Easter! We enjoyed coloring eggs, attending the city Easter egg hunt, having friends over for dinner and egg hunting, and most importantly, celebrating Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. It is now Monday, and I am exhausted! Here are just a few pictures from the weekend. A special thanks to the Lewallens, who passed along the dress that Lilah is wearing for Easter. And, check out those adorable headbands the girls are wearing - you can get one for your own cutie on my friend Abra's Etsy store - Rosemary's Cuppa.

And she's off!

2011-04-15T04:42:00.000-07:00

Lilah turned 8 months and hit all kinds of milestones within a week. In that week, she crawled, waved, clapped, said mama, and pulled herself to standing. It was a busy week! Here's a video of her crawling.

Then and Now

2011-04-14T04:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my mom for keeping several of my dresses for about 26 years! I now have a daughter big enough to wear them. Perfect timing - vintage is IN! (I am certain there is someone else who could more accurately tell what is in, but I'm pretty sure vintage is in right now :)).

8 months old

2011-04-06T06:12:00.000-07:00

Yep, another month has come and gone! Lilah has been busy this month. She has learned to go from laying down to sitting up, and she is very proud of this new ability. Mommy and Daddy are proud, too, but it is hesitant enthusiasm because she keeps performing this trick in the middle of the night and then cries because she's tired and sitting up. She does know how to lay back down, but it must be too hard in the middle of the night. I find her half standing, trying to pull herself up on the edge of the crib. While she hasn't fully pulled herself up (she can get to her knees), she really likes to stand and play at her activity table. Lilah also clapped, actually for the first time today, and did a backward wave at a lady at Elise's gymnastics class.

Lilah's appetite continues to increase. This month some of Lilah's new foods include squash & apples with cinnamon, carrots, parsnips, and apples, and mango and pear.

Lilah has started to show a preference for people she knows by kicking her feet with excitement. (She also does this before bathtime). The other day she lunged from the person holding her to get into my arms. She always has a huge smile, cooing, and kicking when Wes comes home. She says 'da-da' pretty regularly, but hasn't mastered 'ma-ma' yet.

Here's a video of Lilah doing two of her tricks (sitting up and then clapping). Enjoy! (Listen for Elise in the background - she just can't stand Lilah getting the attention).

Sleep - Oh how I miss you!

2011-03-28T16:34:00.000-07:00

Sleep - it consumes the thoughts of new mamas. We cruelly ask each other, "How long does your baby sleep at night?" I don't know why we do this. It is no fun to hear when someone else's baby sleeps better than yours and usually, if you are asking the question, that is the case.

I try not to compare my kids, but I'm going to right now. Elise was an amazing sleeper. She'd sleep 12 hours straight at night and then take 4 hours of naps during the day. I credited this to God, because I prayed regularly for a good sleeper when Elise was in the womb. But, I also gave myself a pat on the back - hey, I must be doing something right! However, today I give all the credit to God and the power of prayer because I didn't think to pray about this with Lilah. I figured I'd get another good sleeper. I was wrong.

Not that Lilah hasn't teased us into thinking she was going to be a good sleeper - she slept several 12 hour shifts in her 3rd and 4th months. Then she was on a once up a night routine for months five-seven. That was fine, too - very manageable. However, as we creep closer to month 8, things have not been going well. Lilah is up at least twice a night. We've tried changing her bedtime, more solid food, her cry it out; none of it works. Nothing works but milk.

Oh how I miss sleep. I've pretty much given up on getting it this year. Perhaps next year.... (Good thing she's so cute during the day!)

A Stroke of Creativity

2011-03-25T12:49:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine mentioned wanting to hang up some sort of line for her kids' art work. I loved the idea! We have drawings, paintings, and colorings of Elise's all over our fridge. It would be fun to be able to display and contain her art in a better way.

I am sure you can buy something already made for this, but coming up with it on your own is more fun, don't you think? I wandered around Hobby Lobby looking for inspiration. When I came to the aisle with all the drawer pulls, inspiration hit.

Here is what I came up with:

All you need are:
2 drawer pulls
picture hanging wire
mini-clothespins (these are the type sold for baby showers - don't say BABY! I dislike that game. This is a better use for the clothespins).

Total cost: $10 (and it could have been less if I had waited for sales or 40% off coupons)

When I Grow Up....

2011-03-13T16:36:00.000-07:00

I hear this statement a lot these days, "When I grow up, I want to be...." Here are some of the careers Elise is considering (in her words):
Animal Doctor
Actor
Rock Band Singer
Recycle Collector
Building Builder
Dolphin Entertainer and Feeder

Like her daddy, she is full of ideas. In the meantime, she is enjoying being a kid.

7 months old

2011-03-07T04:31:00.000-08:00

Another month gone by? Lilah is now 7 months old! This month hasn't held any huge milestones. She is moving around by rolling. She likes to sleep on her side and tummy more than her back. And she continues to try more foods (prunes, squash, peas, and carrots are the new ones this month.) Although these first two pictures are adorable, the third (with Elise and cousin Katherine) with the fingers in her mouth is how Lilah is 90% of the time. She loves those fingers. Lilah is a really inconsistent sleeper, which may just be her personality, but I've decided it is at least worth trying giving up caffiene in my diet. That's right, you heard it here, no caffeinated coffee for me, at least for awhile, to see if it makes a difference.

Modeling

2011-03-03T11:06:00.000-08:00

The other day, Elise, my parents, Wes and I were playing a rousing game of Go Fish. Whenever someone would ask Elise for a card she had in her hand, she would make this silly throaty sigh to express her irritation for having to fork over the card. We all found it amusing and wondered where it came from.

Fast forward a few days, I'm doing something around the house, honestly I can't remember what. But I encountered a minor frustration - just something slightly irritating that created more work for myself - and all the sudden I hear myself making this throaty sigh of annoyance.

I am the cause of Elise's silly noise - I make that noise. The reality hit me - this girl is watching me and she's modeling me. Not that I didn't realize it before, but now there is evidence. What other qualities, actions, idiosyncrasies have I passed on to my little girl? Are they good, are they not so good? Probably some of both. I'll be watching myself more carefully these days to make certain my words of instruction to my girl match what I am showing her with my actions.

My name is Elise!

2011-02-23T06:29:00.000-08:00

This week Elise learned to write her name. In the top picture you can see the progression of practice and then the final product at the bottom. The S is still a bit tricky for her, so I help out a bit with that letter, but she's got the rest of them down. She's also been enjoying making the letters of her name out of other objects she can find, like these blocks. I'm proud of you, sweet girl!

A Brighter Day

2011-02-15T07:37:00.000-08:00

Didn't want to dwell on the negative too long (see last post)! Elise is generally very spirited, but sweet little girl. She is well-intentioned. We just have to work on getting her to think a little bit before she acts. She's definitely impulsive. I wonder what quirks Lilah's personality will hold.

Lilah had her six month check on Thursday. She is growing up and doing great! She was 26.5 inches long (75-90%) and 17lbs (50-75%). Here is a comparison of the girls - both six months in these pictures. Elise peaked in chubbiness around this age - right before she began to crawl. Lilah isn't a skinny girl, but she's not tipping the scales in quite the manner Elise did.

Happy Valentine's Day?

2011-02-14T09:48:00.000-08:00

This day had such potential, and yet ended up pretty disappointing. Typical of Valentine's Day, yeah?
The kids and I headed to our friend Abra's for a Valentine's Day celebration - craft, cookie decorating, card exchange - such potential! And the party was fun! Unfortunately, the party took a bad turn (at least for me) when Elise tried to remove the bow from a friend's hair and hurt her friend in the process. Elise denied causing her pal's tears and refused to go to timeout. So I end up carrying her out to the car (in my socks) while she expressed her anger by scratching the daylights out of my chest with her finger nails.

How do things go so badly so quickly? I now feel completely emotionally drained because conflict, even with a three year old, is incredibly difficult for me. (Plus, this all went down in front of my friends - embarrassing!)

So, it hasn't been the greatest day. But, hey, it is only noon....

Lilah's 1/2 Year Birthday

2011-02-05T17:19:00.000-08:00

One of Lilah's classic expressions - we see this one a lot

I remember when I was a child, asking my mom, did she ever get bored being alive so long. She told me that time seemed to go faster the older you get. How right she was! I can hardly believe we've had Lilah for six months, half a year, already.
Lilah's been busy this last month. She has mastered sitting up, as you can see in the picture. She sprouted her two front, bottom teeth. And she is fully into eating solids. She's had sweet potatoes, apples, and green beans so far. This week, we plan to try avocado and pear. Thanks to all who have provided baby food making advice - it is actually pretty easy and even kinda fun.
And, I am happy to say, last night Lilah slept fully through the night - 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. She has done that before, but not in a long time. Now, that definitely doesn't mean she'll do it again any night soon, but it sure was nice to have a night of uninterrupted sleep.
Lilah continues to be such a sweet, happy, incredibly smiley part of our lives. We just love her to pieces!

Balance

2011-02-04T10:28:00.000-08:00

Balance is an idea that consumes my thoughts. I think it is something every mom struggles over. When I am working, I am thinking about my kids. When I'm with my kids, I am thinking about my neglected housework. When I'm cleaning, I'm wondering if I'll ever have time to pick up a book and read again. And yet, we have one child and find it so worth it, despite the extreme lack of balance in life, that we want to have another. And then you get these wonderful, sweet, irreplaceable moments. I love watching my daughters become buddies - they are both tickled pink with one another.

Learning how to smile

2011-01-28T08:02:00.000-08:00

You'd think with a title like that, this post would be about the infant. Nope - it's Elise. We've really struggled to get her to smile at the camera - she's a girl on the go, and is generally uninterested in pausing the fun for pictures. But, we seem to be turning a corner; I've managed to get some cute pictures of her lately. Here's what she's been up to.

Make Believe - So baking cookies in her play kitchen isn't too imaginative, but it makes for an awfully cute picture, right? Usually, she chooses some object other than the play cookies (like legos) to be the cookies on the tray - I guess that's where the imagination comes in :).

The other day I mentioned to Elise that I still had my blanket (Fuzzer Wuzzer) from when I was a little girl. She was intrigued by this - when I showed it to her, she quickly became attached. Her loveys now include Hippo (pillow pet), Stripe (the blanket) and Fuzzer Wuzzer.

For Christmas, we got Elise a leotard and told her we were going to sign her up for gymnastics class. Here she is before her first class. She had a great time and can't wait to go back.

Another comparison

2011-01-25T10:49:00.000-08:00

It has been awhile since I posted a comparison picture of the girls - they definitely look more alike in these shots than the last comparison I posted. They are no doubt sisters, and yet unique, especially from what we can tell of their personalities.

I'm so hungry....

2011-01-18T19:27:00.000-08:00

I'm so hungry, I could eat my foot....

Maybe I should try some rice cereal instead.....

I planned to wait until six months to start cereal, but Lilah went from sleeping 10 hours straight at night to sleeping two, waking up ravenous, so I decided it was time. She certainly seemed ready - she knew just what to do and slurped that cereal down.

My Talented Friends

2011-01-17T15:39:00.000-08:00

I am surrounded by wonderfully talented people who can make things with their hands - my friends knit hats, sew aprons, make diaper wallets, and create all sorts of other wonderful, handmade items. And I reap the benefits! Here is Lilah sporting her tutu handmade by my friend Abra. (My friends also downplay their talents, but as someone with no crafting ability, I find their talents to be AMAZING!)

Who knew toilet paper rolls were so much fun?

2011-01-11T10:10:00.000-08:00

Elise is really into crafting these days (her words, "Crafts and books are my favorite things!"). And I must say, I enjoy crafts far more than playing Wizard of Oz. So, we try to do some kind of craft together most days. I've been running low on ideas - I have a pretty low creativity meter, but I remembered when I used to have to take my recycling to the Center, there were always bins to collect toilet paper rolls for classrooms. Thanks to the web, I was able to find a ton of toilet paper roll crafts - we chose to do the autumn tree with finger paints (I know, its winter, but I like fall much better) and a sheep with cotton balls this week. Lilah enjoyed watching from her high chair.

Jumperoo

2011-01-06T05:51:00.000-08:00

Here's a video of Lilah enjoying her jumperoo.

Lilah is 5 months old

2011-01-05T14:11:00.000-08:00

I say it every month, but it is hard to believe another month has passed so quickly! While it is going all too fast, I am enjoying each stage better than the one before. Lilah is at a fun age right now. Her schedule is pretty predictable (not quite like Elise, who took very strongly to a schedule), so we can plan our days pretty well. And Lilah is up to all kinds of new tricks. She is rolling both directions now. I happened to have the camera out when she rolled front to back for the first time (see pictures below). She is sitting up really well, and can even hold the sitting position a couple of seconds on her own (before toppling over - Wes and Elise like to play "Which way will she fall" - poor second child). She also thoroughly enjoys bouncing in her Jumperoo. Lilah recently dsicovered her voice, which she shares when she gets tired (she doesn't cry, she shrieks a high-pitch scream - its really awful). She remains a smily girl - living up to her nickname - Smilah Lilah.

Elise's First Drawing

2011-01-02T19:39:00.000-08:00

Well, I didn't feel much like blogging over the holidays. It was such a nice break. Wes was home for two weeks - we enjoyed a lot of family time. Maybe I'll get around to posting some pictures. But, today Elise drew her first real picture, so I just had to take a moment to share. Back to the grind tomorrow.....

The Day was Fun, The Pictures Weren't Great!

2010-12-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we headed to Indianapolis for breakfast with Jon, Christi, and Katherine, and then off to the Children's Museum. The Indy Children's Museum is among the best, in my opinion, and even though Elise was exhausted from three nights of late bedtimes, she had so much fun. We were there for about four hours and only covered a few of the exhibits.
The highlight of the trip was a special 50 minute production of a sequal to the Wizard of Oz. We didn't know the show was going on - it was just an added bonus. During the show, Elise kept yelling to the characters, "Hi guys! Hi friends!", but when it came time to meet them afterwards, she was very shy.

So, our pictures from this trip were not the best - these were the best we got. Elise moves quickly and doesn't like to smile for the camera. Oh well! It was a fun day!

Elise and Lilah Stats

2010-12-15T07:02:00.000-08:00

As promised, here are the girls' latest stats:

Elise was in the 75th percentile all around. And since this is my blog, so I'm going to brag on my big girl a moment. On the development test, she was at 4 years old. She is my smarty, that is for sure.
Lilah was in the 75th percentile for weight and 90-95% for length. She was right at 4-4.5 months for development.

Regardless of their weight, height, or development, they are my sweet girls - I'll take them just as they are!

Lilah is 4 months!

2010-12-06T18:25:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe Lilah is 4 months old already - a third of a year, as Wes put it. Lilah continues to be a real sweetheart with a mellow personality. She has started sleeping through the night - 11 or 12 hours straight. Wahoo! That is something to celebrate. She hasn't rolled over yet (besides one time that I think was a fluke), but she is grabbing and holding onto toys. She also has an adorable laugh - she loves laughing at her big sis, and Elise loves making Lilah laugh.

Finally, I have a video of Lilah to post - here she is shaking her rattle. We head to the doctor for Elise's 3 year check and Lilah's 4 month check on Friday, so I'll have some stats to post then.

Oh Christmas Tree

2010-12-04T13:47:00.000-08:00

It has become an Arnold/Erwin tradition to get a Christmas tree together. I think the first year the guys actually cut the tree - the past two, we've opted for pre-cut. But, today's Christmas tree selection couldn't have been more picture perfect with fresh fallen snow. The girls loved playing in the snow, playing hide and go seek among the trees, and snacking on popcorn and hot chocolate. Where is Lilah, you ask? Well, she slept through the whole trip!

Elise and Lilah

2010-12-01T05:54:00.000-08:00

Just a couple memories I want to document before I forget. Elise loves Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and particularly likes the part where Violet turns into a blueberry ( see clip here).
We were in a store and a larger man with a blue coat and red face (from the cold) walk in. Elise turns to me and says, "Mom, he's like a blueberry!" Embarrassing! Not sure if he heard or not. How do you handle your child's overly honest remarks?

Lilah has really taken to sucking on her fingers. Sometimes it is one hand, sometimes it is both. It is really a wonderful thing because she self-soothes. Elise, for some reason, doesn't like it, and is always trying to take Lilah's fingers out of her mouth. Personally, I think it is so sweet!

Shutterfly holiday photo cards

2010-11-29T18:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas cards were always something I eagerly looked forward to in the mail near the holidays. It was like a blast from the past getting cards from families and friends that we had not seen in years. I always enjoyed seeing how the years had treated the people that my family was close to, especially kids I grew up with, and cousins I did not see regularly. That tradition has carried on as I have gotten older and now have a family of my own. I now get to see my friend’s children age each year through the holiday cards. The technology behind photo cards makes this process so much easier, and enjoyable. I thoroughly enjoy getting to put my creative juices to work as I try to find just the right design to share the beauty of my now larger family. Shutterfly has made this process fun and easy and I hope to utilize their service again this year to send my greetings out to those close to us.

Here is the link to create your own memories to send to your friends and family: photo Christmas cards to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

We're off to see the Wizard - Party Pictures Part 1

2010-11-23T08:23:00.000-08:00

We're off to see the Wizard - Birthday Party Post 2

2010-11-23T08:19:00.000-08:00

This weekend we celebrated Elise's third birthday along with Eve and Lydia Arnold's second birthdays. It was a fabulous, Wizardly party. The activities included Pin the Heart on the Tinman, Create a Cowardly Lion Mask, and Find the Lost Scarecrow.

While Elise's friends haven't seen The Wizard of Oz and couldn't truly appreciate the theme, Elise got it, so that is what really counts. My wonderful mother sewed Elise the cutest Dorothy dress, which Elise was absolutely thrilled about. Wes, master of creativity, made an amazing Yellow Brick Road cake and Emerald City suckers.

Here are a few pictures from the event. The pictures took a back seat to the fun, so they aren't the greatest.

A big thanks to my dad for holding Lilah for pretty much the whole party.

She's Three

2010-11-18T05:32:00.000-08:00

Elise, I can hardly believe you are three today. Your sappy mommy has tears in my eyes just thinking about it. I can just hear what you would say to me, "Stop crying, Mommy!" You aren't super-sensitive - that isn't a bad thing - you are a resilent kiddo. Unlike other kids your age, when you fall (which is quite often, my little klutz), you just pop back up - you don't put on a show. You are adaptable and handle change of plans remarkably well for a young person.

You are also a very confident girl. When I take you places, you are eager to make new friends. In classroom settings, you love to participate and loudly express your opinions. Once we were at the Wonderlab pre-school class, and the theme was making cottage cheese (Daddy's cheese - your favorite). Some of the kids were saying it was gross. You very loudly and adamently told them, "Daddy's cheese isn't gross, it is good, guys!" Your outgoing personality is a wonderful characteristic. Your mommy and daddy will have to help you learn to also be sensitive to others' turns and feelings, and to be good listener, so that your outgoingness makes others' feel included and loved.

You are quite smart. You have an uncanny memory. You remember driving directions to your favorite spots in town, words of songs, and things we did up to a year ago. Just recently you said to me, "I like going to Nana's church. In Sunday School there were puppets and I threw my shoe at them." This happened at least a couple of months ago and seems pretty insignificant, but you remember. You've always been very verbal and word-oriented. You know your letters and their sounds. You can identify what words start with by sounding them out. While you are generally a girl on the go, you do love to cuddle with Mommy and read. And I love reading to you. Being a girl on the go, you ask me two questions pretty much every morning - Where are we going today? and Are friends going to be there?

Like your daddy, you are a performer. You love to sing. When you don't know the words to a song, you lips sync with a lot of passion. You wave your arms and nod your head with much conviction. I always laugh out loud when you do this, which makes you want to do it more. You like when you make other people laugh. You recently told me about how you put marker on your teeth at Sunday School and everyone laughed at you so you did it more. Your Mommy does not enjoy being the center of attention, so I can't relate to this quality, but I love it!

You had a very big change in your life this year - you became a big sister. Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more proud of what a great big sister you are already. You love to make Lilah smile and you don't want her to miss anything. I often catch you sneaking into her room to wake her from a nap. I'm excited to watch you and Lilah become sweet friends.

Sometimes, my sweet Elise, you drive Mommy absolutely bonkers. You hate being alone, so nap time has become quite a battle. You are tired, but you just can't slow yourself down enough to rest. You become more independent every day (you can put your shoes on by yourself now), and part of that process is testing boundaries. Sometimes I have to punish you, which makes me very sad. But, it is Mommy and Daddy's job to teach you boundaries - we want you to be a loving and respectful person. I hope you always know that when we punish you, it is out of love. Because, Elise, we love you so very much. We are so blessed to have you. You bring much joy and laughter to our house.

Happy birthday Lisey Bear!

Elise 3 months

Elise 1 Year

Elise 2 Years

Click here for Elise's 3 year pictures (plus Lilah)

Little Cutie

2010-11-14T12:02:00.000-08:00

Lazy Day

2010-11-13T19:33:00.000-08:00

Gotta love sleeping kids on a dreary Saturday afternoon!

Family!

2010-11-07T06:01:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of the family - Uncles Josh and Jon and cousin Katherine

I'm a Little Teapot

2010-11-07T05:58:00.000-08:00

Elise singing I'm a Little Teapot

I realize I haven't posted any Lilah video yet. She has an adorable new giggle, so I'll work on capturing that this week!

Happy (Belated) Halloween

2010-11-07T05:48:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween from Belle and the Bunny (and Belle's friend Elmo)!

12 Week comparison

2010-11-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

Didn't want to dwell on the sad post too long. Here is a comparison of Lilah (top) and Elise (bottom) at 12 weeks old. I couldn't find a good smiley one of Elise. Do you think they look alike?

Feeling a Little Heartbroken

2010-11-01T06:01:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe 12 weeks has passed already. It has been such a precious time. Lilah is such a perfect addition to our family. She is a sweet a charming little girl, cooing and smiling at anyone who makes eye contact. She's a little stubborn when it comes to napping, but otherwise couldn't be an easier baby. Today I had to drop her off at daycare for the first time. I won't lie - it broke my heart. Feels very unnatural to leave her. Look at these pix of my sweet girls and you'll understand.....

What's a mom to do?

2010-10-22T10:06:00.000-07:00

Here's a recent conversation with Elise:

Elise: Mom, why do you have a tattoo on your bottom?

Mom: Good question, Elise.

Elise: Mom, did you have to take your pants off to get a tattoo?

Mom: Yes dear.

Elise: Why, Mom?

Mom: Because, Elise, your mom was not a very smart teenager.

Oh, how many more of these conversations will we have over the years? Lord, grant me grace as my girls get older....

Here are some sweet pictures of my girls from the last week.

A Perfect Day

2010-10-15T16:07:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those perfect days, one of those days where I think, Wow, Life is so GOOD! I am so lucky to get to spend my day having fun with my kids. Elise, Lilah and I along with our play group friends went to Apple Works. Apple Works is way in the sticks, but is worth the drive. The weather was perfect - sunny and just the perfect temperature in the sun. The kids were all happy and well-behaved. I was with good friends. Lilah was her laid-back self, enjoying the fresh air and the view from the Moby. Elise was overall a good listener, and had a blast with her friends - especially riding the train and feeding the goats. Elise and Rebekah rode in a train car by themselves - no adults. When did they get so big?! Here's a link to last year's trip, if you want to see how much they've grown. (I didn't get pictures of all the kids - I tried, but they move fast!)

Elise and Rebekah

Jonah

Lilah enjoying the Moby

Eve - so photogenic!

Elise feeding the goat

Elise, Carson, and Rebekah

Two Month Check

2010-10-09T08:16:00.000-07:00

Lilah had her two month check up yesterday. Much like her sister was, she is a BIG baby! I can't believe how much she has grown since she was born. Remember, she started out weighing 6 lb 14 ounces. Well, she now weighs 12 lbs 8 ounces (90th percentile) and is 23 3/4 inches long (90-95 percentile). Yeesh!

Lilah had the two shots plus an oral vaccine yesterday. I couldn't watch. Between Elise, Lilah, and I, there were no dry eyes. Sweet Elise didn't want Lilah to get hurt and had sympathy tears. What a kind big sister! Afterward, Lilah slept most of the day. She was pretty sad when she finally woke up, but she seems more like herself today.

I looked back to Elise's two month check, it was neat to see what Elise was up to then and also how life has changed. Elise was a very motivated baby - she remains a motivated preschooler! She is very smart, and she never stops. Personally, I was going through a painful time going back to work full-time. I was really longing for more flexibility and more time with Elise. God certainly provided. I have to say, as November 1 nears (when Lilah will start some childcare), I can't say I'm looking forward to it. But, I'm so grateful that I can work part-time in a job I enjoy and still have lots of time to spend with my girls.

We're in Fort Wayne for the weekend - our annual apple picking trip. So, I'll have lots of good pictures after the weekend. Sorry for no pictures in this post.

Dentist

2010-10-01T05:20:00.000-07:00

Elise had her first trip to the dentist this week. All three of us girls went - first I got my teeth cleaned and then it was Elise's turn. The sight when I was getting polished was likely very amusing. I'm tipped back in the chair with Lilah on my lap and Elise sticking stickers all over me. I'm pretty sure the hygienist forgot to polish some of my teeth, but I wasn't going to remind her. After my turn, Elise was up. She looked adorable in the chair (see from the pictures - no, because I forgot the camera!) and she opened wide just like we practiced at home. My dentist is great with kids, and put Elise right at ease. She was excited to get a Belle toothbrush and a prize at the end. After first selecting a woopie cushion from the prize box (and then feeling embarrassed when the ladies in the office and I giggled; I always feel bad when I accidentally embarrass Elise), she decided on a streamer wand (I did get a picture of her playing with that!) I also got a keepsake picture the dentist gave me of Elise and her teeth, but I'm having scanner problems, so it isn't included. Instead, you get a sweet picture of Lilah showing off her "I'm eight weeks" smile. Speaking of Lilah, she just woke up, so I'm off to get her. She's still doing great. I think she weighs about 12.5 lbs and she is sleeping a seven hour stretch at night (thank you, sweetheart!)

Let's Play a Game

2010-09-27T11:21:00.000-07:00

I've managed to catch Lilah in a couple of similar poses as I had of Elise about her age. Can you tell which is Elise and which is Lilah?

Baby Love

2010-09-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

I just love cuddling this little baby girl! So sweet! And I love my expressive big girl, too! Lilah will be seven weeks tomorrow. Biggest seven week accomplishment - growing! I can hardly believe how big Lilah has gotten. I think she is weighing about 11 and half pounds. The other big change is she is moving her bedtime earlier. She went to bed around 8:40 last night. When she was born, she was going to bed more like 11 p.m. She is smiley and talkative - she especially likes smiling for her daddy.

This is our life

2010-09-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

Last night I had the chance to go out with the "girls" - the girls being my mom friends from our weekly playgroup. Of course, Lilah was along plus the three other children busy growing in their mommies still.... We had fun conversation, laughing at realizing we relate more to college kids' parents than the kids anymore and disapproving of the dresses the high school girls were wearing for their homecoming dance. At one point the conversation turned to blogging, which leads me hear. I am resolving to blog more about life's moments that make me laugh and cry and all the emotions in between. I want to remember those and be able to share them with my girls when they're older.

So, Elise. She is definitely a terrible two. She whines, she disobeys, and she runs and hides pretty much anytime I want to get her dressed. She tests Wes' and my patience daily. Despite that, she is full of personality. Life will never be boring with Elise. Whether she is running through the house riding her broomstick, wearing a witch hat, and singing the wicked witch song from Wizard of Oz, or sitting on the toilet reading ESPN magazine (learned from her father, no doubt), Elise makes us laugh.

Yesterday we ventured to the Fall Festival Parade. My childhood insecurities came out as I worried the older kids would get all the candy and she wouldn't get any. I realized my timid personality as a child may have led to no candy, but Elise, she's gonna go for the candy. She isn't shy - she asserts herself! We walked away with plenty.

Can't believe she's six weeks!

2010-09-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

The time continues to go very fast. Since Lilah is going to be our last baby, I haven't been in such a hurry for her to get older the way I was with Elise. I can hardly believe how big Lilah seems in my arms. She's definitely gaining weight and adding some rolls to her frame. He sleep continues to improve - she's had a couple of five+ hour stretches. usually she goes down between 9 and 10 p.m. and is up in the 2 a.m. hour and the 5 a.m. hour.

The big change right now is I am going to start putting in some hours next week. I'm only going to be putting in 12 hours and won't have a set schedule, so it shouldn't be too difficult, I don't think. I'll do that for the next five or six weeks, then I'll be back 25 hours starting November 1. This is absolutely the hardest part for me. Overall, I don't mind working part-time; it is just the initial adjustment that is so hard.

5 Weeks

2010-09-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

I had such a fun day with my girls today. We spent the morning at the library getting a huge load of books, cds, and movies, and then went to the IMU to have lunch with Papa T. Elise was a great listener and was simply pleasant to be around, which isn't always the case these days. Lilah slept like a little angel in her carseat most of the trip and was happy when she awoke. We came home, read a few stories from our new books, and then both girls went down for a nap. It is nice to start enjoying more moments in life than just living them. (I have had a lot of joy since Lilah's arrival, but it is a lot of work!)

Lilah is doing really well. She is stretching out her sleeping a bit at night - she has gone a few four hour stretches, and the last couple of nights has only been up twice (around 1 or 2 and then again around 4 or 5).

Enjoy a few new pictures!

4 Weeks

2010-09-03T06:10:00.000-07:00

Four weeks post baby and life is good. Challenging, but good.

Lilah has had a couple developments this week. First, she has learned to coo and say ahh. Oh how I love those sweet baby noises. Much more pleasant than her regular grunt. Also she smiles. I know it seems early, but she really seems to smile in response to people. It was even confirmed by an unbiased, non-family member. Haven't caught it on camera yet, but I'll keep working on it. The other change we noticed this week is that she is balding - right on the top of her head. I suspect she'll be like Elise - bald for a long time and then a blond.

Elise is doing really well this week. She's been a good listener for me and has seemed happy. The big challenge with her is that she is the most dependent child ever. She literally will not play by herself. She's never been good at playing independently - I think it has gotten a bit worse with Lilah's arrival - she doesn't want me spending time alone with Lilah. Elise would rather sit beside me and watch me nurse than go play. It can be a little taxing - playing "Wizard of Oz" with her can get a little old after a couple hours. Hopefully as more time passes and she continues to feel more secure about her place in the family, she'll give me just a little bit of space.

Wes and I continue to adjust as well. It is a lot of work right now - we often think, will we ever be able to relax again?! The interrupted sleep seems to be catching up with me. Around 6 p.m. every night, I start feeling a little cranky. Lilah is still up two to three times a night - she usually goes 3 hours, then 2 hours, then 1 hour. I'm ready for a four hour stretch, or at least for her to do several three hour stretches.

IU football kicked off yesterday. Lilah attended her first tailgate party, but sadly she didn't make any pictures. She was sleeping away in her car seat. Elise went with Wes to the first half of the actual game. The picture of all the ladies are friends from church.

3 Weeks

2010-08-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

Lilah's third week of life has come and gone. Time is going so quickly yet slowly at the same time, if that makes any sense. It feels slow because we can't keep the active pace lifestyle we typically lead, but three weeks have passed so quickly all the same.

Lilah continues to be an easy baby as far as babies go. She is up two to three times a night, but she is usually not up long (as short as 10 minutes, sometimes more like 30 minutes), so I'm able to head back to bed pretty quickly. During the day she does a lot of eating and sleeping. She has two or three alert times during the day as well - usually spread out morning, afternoon, and evening.

I've had the girls a couple of days now on my own. I'm finding that having loose plans for the day is a good approach. I like having a few things that we are going to accomplish - even if it is just laundry or going to the park - but anything too structured or time specific would be stressful at this point. Some of Lilah's first outings have included: Target (all too many times!), Career Development Center fall party, and our weekly play group.

Elise continues to do better and better. She's been a much better listener and more smiley this week. She has replaced her grumpiness with popping out of bed at night and nap time. This, of course, is incredibly frustrating, so tips for overcoming this behavior are welcome.

Elise and I headed out this morning for some much needed one-on-one time. Our outing included getting her Build-a-Bear puppy repaired, playing with the dogs at the pet store, getting some craft supplies to make a wind chime, and sharing an Auntie Anne's pretzel. Our goal for the fall is to get Elise pedaling her trike on her own. She's getting close, but doesn't quite have it. She looks pretty cool, though, right?!

Grumpy Girl

2010-08-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Elise has been a bit grumpy these days - her way of dealing with our big transition. It has been hard to get a smile out of her, especially for pictures.

We're counting on this phase passing quickly!

Growing like a weed

2010-08-20T15:47:00.000-07:00

Lilah is two weeks old today - it feels like we've always had her. Even though life with Lilah has been an adjustment, she fits right into our family. She is such a sweet little baby. Elise just adores her sister. We headed to the pediatrician this morning for Lilah's two week check up. She is a healthy girl and is growing like a weed. She's already put on a pound and a half! Hard to believe. I thought Elise had gained a lot by her two week check up - she put on 13 ounces.

Elise started back at school on Wednesday - she'll go Monday and Wednesdays. She was excited to go, and didn't shed a tear when Wes dropped her off. She got a great report when I picked her up - even was told she was a good listener for the day (that is quite a feat for our little busy body).

Wes heads back to work on Monday, so Tuesday will be my first day alone with both girls. I'm a little nervous, especially trying to occupy Elise while I'm nursing Lilah (she can be a lengthly nurser at times), but I'm sure we'll manage that adjustment as well.

For Elise and Wes' last daddy-daughter day, they headed to the zoo with Papa T, Uncle Jon, and cousin Katherine.

Our new life

2010-08-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

The Erwin family is alive and well - I'd say we're even doing better than just surviving the first week as a family of four. Lilah is quite a little sweetie! I get nervous to say it aloud each time, but she has been an easy little girl so far. I never thought of Elise as a hard baby, but she was pretty needy - liked a lot of attention (this has stayed consistent as she develops into a little person). Lilah is a bit more laid back - she doesn't mind being put down, which is a huge blessing and answer to prayer!

Elise seems to do a little better each day. It has been an adjustment for her and has acted up a bit, but she loves her sister. She likes to help with diapers, and she wants to make sure that if she takes a nap, Lilah is also taking a nap. (Since Lilah sleeps a lot, that hasn't been a problem.)

Lilah had her first check up yesterday. She has already put on 6 ounces! She looks so small now, but I'm sure she'll have little rolls before too long!

Yes, Lilah is flipping off the camera in this one, but her eyes are open, so I wanted to include it. She slept in three hour blocks last night, and then had a nice wakeful time this morning.
Elise with her newborn Cabbage Patch doll from our friends Mike and Amanda - we appreciate the overwhelming generosity of all our friends and family.
Elise doing ballet (choosing out a princess outfit for her buddies' Rebekah and Deacon's prince/princess themed party) and blowing out the candles on Lilah's birthday cake. Elise actually came up with the idea of a cake on her own... I think she is just savvy at finding ways to get cake :).

Wes has been such a good daddy (always is, but especially this week). He's had the job of taking care of Elise, which can be quite exhausting. I'm so thankful for him! Here he and Elise are at the Wonderlab.

Lilah June Erwin

2010-08-07T10:17:00.000-07:00

Lilah June joined us on Friday, August 6, at 8:52 p.m. True to my family legacy, the final leg of the journey was quite brief. We checked into the hospital at 8:44 p.m.! Three pushes later, we had our daughter. Now don't let that fool you - it was a REALLY TOUGH eight minutes! But then she was with us. Lilah is 20 inches long and weighs 6 lbs 14 oz.

Here are a few of Lilah's first pictures. Elise was so excited to meet her sister and did terrific with her. She just kept saying, "I love you, Lilah." When Lilah cried, she said, "Its okay, Lilah." Very sweet.

We're going to head home this afternoon. My parents will keep Elise one more night (THANK YOU!). Night two is typically the hardest, so say a prayer for us!

Waiting for Lilah June

2010-08-03T12:21:00.000-07:00

I was just looking back at some posts from when Elise was born, and I realized a few things. One, I was much more reflective pre-child. Two, I haven't posted much about what it has been like to anticipate Lilah. And three, what I'm feeling now, waiting on Lilah, is very similar to what I was feeling when I was waiting on Elise.

So, I thought I'd take a minute and dedicate a post just to Lilah. Wes and I are very excited to meet her. From her ultrasound at 20 weeks, we had a feeling she might have some of her mommy's qualities in her. Whether she is very similar to her sister or totally different, we know she'll be the perfect fit in our family. And, as far as we're concerned, our family will be complete. Because we can't see her or hold her in our arms yet, it is hard to imagine what it will be like to love her as dearly as we love Elise, and yet we know we will love her totally and completely. (Of course, we already do love her, but its a bit abstract at this point!)

Lilah is taking her time, choosing her grand entrance into the world. With her due date on July 30, I have to say the weekend was hard. I was so disappointed when she didn't come. But, today was a new day. I realized that she will come and I have to be okay with not knowing exactly when. I trust that pregnancy and labor are natural processes, and I just have to find some patience to wait until the right moment. From what I understand, it isn't exactly clear what starts labor, but I trust God/my body/my baby to know when the time is right.

Lilah will move into Elise's old room. Since we're having another girl, we didn't change too much in the room - I'm far too practical to redecorate. But, Lilah does get her own artwork - these adorable giraffe, lamb and duck photos above the crib. And, I actually got some baskets for the changing table - I don't know how I managed without before. Everything was just in stacks and piles.

And the final picture has been my project for the last few months of pregnancy. I've always been pretty practical with money, but I've gotten even more thrifty since becoming a mom. So, I've been scouting the best deals on diapers and stockpiling. Quite a collection so far! As I unloaded all these diapers from Lilah's closet, a couple thoughts crossed my mind. First, I really must be bored to unload all these diapers to take a picture and then put them back. Second, I really should cloth diaper. I hate thinking of all the waste I'm causing. However, I'm going to selfishly stuff that conviction down deep and not acknowledge it.

If you think of it, say a prayer for our family as we wait - that we'll be patient, and that when Lilah does come, it'll be a safe, healthy, and joyful delivery.

Killing Time

2010-08-01T16:37:00.000-07:00

Well, due date came and went, and we have no baby to show for it. We managed to keep pretty busy through the weekend. We got to see friends from our 'newlyweds' small group who have moved away and got to go out with friends after church, including a good friend who recently moved to Florida. I even ran errands with Wes, which is very unlike me, but I just couldn't stand the idea of being at home with nothing to do. If I stay at home too long, I just think about when I'm going to go into labor. In addition to seeing friends and running errands, we took advantage of one of Bloomington's latest fun things for kids - a public (free!) splash pad. It has a really nice playground attached as well. Elise didn't warm up to the splash pad until right when we were leaving, but she had fun on the playground. Here are a few pix! I also posted a video from Wes' birthday before this post, so be sure to check that out as well :).

Wes' Birthday

2010-08-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

Indianapolis Zoo

2010-07-21T05:39:00.000-07:00

My mom, Elise, and I headed to the Indianapolis Zoo yesterday - wanted to get one more trip in before Lilah's arrival. It was a great day for it - wasn't hot like it has been, it was overcast, and it wasn't crowded at all. The weather report had predicted rain, but we didn't get a drop. Elise had a great time, and I actually captures some of her genuine smiles in the pictures. With a slow camera and a girl that doesn't stop moving, it can be hard to get those true grins. Elise's favorite part of the zoo was the carousel - go figure - but she also enjoyed petting the goats and watching the baboons.

Elise has been driving me a little bonkers lately - she has been resisting napping and then finally succumbs around 5 p.m. It isn't the most convenient time for her to take a nap. Hopefully this is just a short phase that she'll work through (preferably before Lilah arrives). I'm frequently saying to myself, I've totally lost my patience - can someone please help me find it?!

Passing the Time

2010-07-21T05:35:00.000-07:00

We're just passing the time here in Bloomington, waiting for Lilah to arrive. She seems pretty content for the time being, so I'm not expecting her for another week or so. Wes' brother Mike came in for a visit this weekend, and he, Wes, and Elise headed to IU Saturday morning. Here are some pictures of them enjoying the football field.

For those who don't know, Wes is doing a push up challenge this year - started with one push up on January 1, and then adds one every day to his total number. So, this week he eclipsed 200 push ups in one day.

Elise apparently ran the whole 100 yard football field. She was worn out afterwards. She's looking a little warm here (it has been quite hot in Indiana this July!)

Elise as Dorothy

2010-07-06T19:51:00.001-07:00

I mentioned that Elise can carry a tune - this video doesn't showcase that so much, but it is a great picture of Elise's personality. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3jcyihkrKo

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-05T05:07:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July! We had a great time at the parade and celebrating with friends adn family! Elise and her buddy Rebekah - so cute, holding hands and watching the parade!

Elise with her other buddy Audrey (Audrey's mom is babysitting Elise this summer)

Loving all the candy!

Wes' mom requested a belly shot - I haven't done a good job of taking a progression this pregnancy, but I think this gives a pretty good idea of Lilah's growing size. Were at 36 weeks now!

Elise enjoyed doing some sparklers and little fireworks - the big show is just too late. Each time Elise did a sparkler, she started out making this funny face (above). Must have been some sort of nervous reaction.

In Honor of Father's Day

2010-06-28T05:36:00.000-07:00

Fathers Day has come and gone, but I wanted to take a moment and acknowledge the wonderful father Elise has. Some of Wes and Elise's favorite activities to do together are sing and dance. Elise has recently started really enjoying singing - especially songs from Wizard of Oz. I know Wes loves that Elise does in fact like music and can already carry a tune better than I can.

One of Wes' great parenting characteristics is that he has a high standard for Elise while still showing her plenty of grace. I think this will be an incredibly important attribute as Elise gets older and is faced with hard decisions of obedience, making good choices, and loving and caring for others well. She'll know that her daddy expects her to be the best version of herself she can be, but that if she doesn't make a good choice, she will still always be loved unconditionally.

Enjoy a few pictures of Elise and Wes spending life together....

Babymoon

2010-06-18T04:35:00.000-07:00

Wes and I had the chance to get away just the two of us last weekend - some refreshing time away before Lilah June arrives. It was our final travel after about six weeks of straight travel! Elise went to Fort Wayne for the weekend, and Wes and I headed to Columbus, OH. Why Columbus, Ohio? Well, it is a long story (ask Wes), but we had a free night stay there.

We actually really love Columbus - it is a fun town - it has the fun of a college town, but more to offer since it is a bit bigger (but not too big). It actually became a bit comical how many people we ran into with ties to IU. Plus, we randomly met another couple who also work in in college career development - very small world!

Wes and I were both surprised that we did miss Elise a little bit, but there was one time she definitely wasn't missed - mealtime! We had some great food in Columbus and were able to sit and enjoy it. Our typical meals at home feel so rushed - I'm up and down a minumum of five times getting things for Elise. Our conversations are interrupted by our talkative little girl. But, our meals in Columbus were leisurely, relaxed, and delicious!

So, in my opinion, all the pictures of Wes and I make me look ENORMOUS, so here's a nice one that just has our heads. The others are some of Wes' artistic shots, including the adorable duck family we saw and from our garden walk (Wes was a great sport to go on the garden walk with me.)

I'm a big girl now!

2010-06-11T04:18:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not talking about my ever growing belly! Elise spent her first night in her big girl bed in her new room. I haven't gone in this morning to get her yet, but she seemed to do great! Elise is now in what was the guest room, and Lilah will be in Elise's old room. Don't worry guests, we'll kick Elise out of her room if you want to come visit. That's why we put her in a double bed. She's a big girl, but she could probably manage with less bed :).

Fair Oaks Farm

2010-06-07T19:09:00.001-07:00

On the way home from Chicago (see previous post), we stopped at the Fair Oaks Farm. We'd heard about the farm from several people, but didn't really know what to expect. It was such a fun place. They had all kinds of activities for kids - a giant bouncing pillow, a train, powered tractors, and a maze, to name a few. We watched a baby cow be born - they have 3000 dairy cows and around 10 calves are born a day. And we got to take a bus tour of the dairy. The cows get milked on this carousel-type thing. It is crazy because they know when to get off the carousel without anyone telling them. Apparently cows are animals of routine, so once they learn the routine, they stick with it. (I always loved cows - used to collect cow things - maybe this is why - I, too, enjoy a routine). It was a fun detour - I recommend it to anyone traveling up 65.

Chicago!

2010-06-07T19:09:00.000-07:00

So, the Erwins are just a travelling family right now. We made our second to last trip before Lilah's arrival this past weekend. We went to Chicago to visit Wes' brother Tim and his wife (my college roomie) Molly. And, Wes' other brother Mike got to come down from Madison, WI, too, so it was good to have all the brothers together. Tim and Molly were wonderful, gracious hosts, and we had a great time. As I think I've mentioned, Elise is just a little intrigued with the Wizard of Oz right now, so we made a special trip downtown to Oz Park. Elise got her picture taken with all the characters. If this obsession continues, I'm predicting a Wizard of Oz themed birthday party in our future. It is fun to watch Elise's imagination grow. Often when we're walking dogs, she'll want to pretend that we are going to the Emerald City with "her friends" (the lion, scarecrow, tinman, and Dorothy).

Elise at the Beach

2010-06-01T19:26:00.000-07:00

Vacation - Round 2

2010-05-30T17:34:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures and a video from our most recent vacation with my parents and brother and sister-in-law. We travelled to Destin, FL. Elise did great in the car, and we had terrific weather. Elise would get in the pool and not get out for hours. Thank goodness for water wings - they gave her a lot of freedom to paddle around the water without being held the whole time.

While there, Wes and I celebrated our nine year anniversary. My parents graciously watched Elise, so we could enjoy a night out just the two of us. Josh and Rachel teased us for our early dinner (reservations at 6), but we've gotten used to eating early with Elise. We also enjoyed a nice walk on the beach together.

Pregnancy is moving right along - I look and feel huge (see picture below). Definitely getting to the point where I can tell I wear out easily. I pretty much have given up holding Elise - she's just too heavy sitting on my belly. Lilah has gotten very active. I head to the doctor tomorrow for a check-up, which is happening every two weeks now. If the time wasn't slipping by quickly, going to the doctor every two weeks makes it go even quicker. I'm 31 weeks now, and I believe at 35 or 36 weeks, I start going every week. It actually seems a little excessive to me, but I'm not a medical professional.

Enjoy the video of Elise paddling around the pool. I'll post one of her at the beach soon.