Character Day

Elliott had Character Day at school today. Where they can dress up as their favorite book character. We chose the Magic Treehouse series. He's been way into these books lately...and way easy to dress up as Jack! I do have to say though...there are a lot more choices for girls!! It was hard to think of something for this boy!

Everett Jacob -- 17 Weeks

Everett is 17 weeks old today. He is zooming right along!

Everett has slept through the night...in his crib mind you....5 out of the last 7 nights!!! From 6 pm until 5 am. 5 am is harsh at times...but it's been good for me. I feed him at 5 and I'm able to get a work out in before the rest of the house gets up. It's hard, of course, but it's nice to be done with the workout for the day!

Last Tuesday evening...when he was 16 weeks old...he rolled over for the 1st time on a FLAT surface! From his tummy to his back...and he did it TWICE! He hasn't done it since though.

We have established a routine for this little guy...it's so nice to have that down! I am still flexible in the routine...but it's super nice to get this guy on schedule!

He is getting a lot more neck/head control. He is doing better in the bumbo...but he can stay in it for very long before his neck gets tired. We are getting there though!

He's almost due to eat...so he's not as smiley this week...but he's still way cute!

Sweet sister had to jump in!

Art Walk in Old Town

So our cute little town had an Art Walk in downtown Burleson. So fun! It was small and a few things for the kids. It was just the right size for these little kiddos!

While walking around...we saw this in front of a business...how cute is this?!? Elliott refused a pic...but Emily was more than willing!

The highlight of the evening was getting their face painted! This was their 1st time that they were willing to get their face painted...and they actually sat still!!! So proud of these 2!

Trying so hard NOT to smile!! Ha ha!!

She LOVES her butterfly!

Everett Jacob -- 16 Weeks

Our sweet Everett is 16 weeks today!

We love this little guy. He is just getting more fun and social as the weeks go by. I love how he smiles at us and talks to us. I'm yet to get a fun giggle out of him...I can't wait for that. He did give us a half giggle a day or two after we got home from the hospital...must've been those angels!

He has started attacking his face and head again. No bloody messes yet...but a few new scratches have appeared. I've never had a kid that had a problem with scratching.

Everett is doing better in his bed. He doesn't complain or whine anymore when he goes into his crib. But he does wake up 1 time during the night. Sometimes he also wakes up right before I go to bed...so I get that extra feeding in...in hopes that I won't be waken during the night...but no such luck. Both of my other kids had been sleeping completely through the night by this time....Elliott was 10 weeks and Emily was 8 weeks.

I try to snuggle with him right before bed after I feed him...but sadly, he doesn't let me. He arches his back and wants to see what is going on with the world. I have to fit in my snuggles when he's upset or crying.

He is absolutely loving his baby gym. He just plays with it all the time. It's a good change from just sitting in his swing. My other 2 never played with it...but Everett loves it. It's so funny how these 3 are oh so different.

These two are definitely  my favorite...I was trying to roll him on his side..and he was just being so much fun!!!

Sick Elliott

What a super crazy and super busy week!!!

It's my birthday this week...followed by Mother's Day!

It all started the Sunday before Mother's Day. Elliott came home from church with a headache and a 103 degree fever. No other symptoms. We kept him from school on Monday. He seemed better for Tuesday...but he came home from school with another 103 degree fever....and a headache. So he stayed home on Wednesday. And then he developed a really bad cough.

Wednesday evening, my parents came into town. Elliott seems all better! No fever at all. So off to school he goes on Thursday! Patrick and my dad got up early for Patrick's surgery. And Mom, Emily, and I spend the day shopping.

We hear that Patrick's surgery went great...and he got home about 9 pm that night! So grateful!!

Friday morning...it's my birthday!! I gave Elliott some more cough syrup about 5 am...when my parents are leaving. And at 6 am...he has broken out in hives. I think it's the cough syrup. So we head to walmart early for benadryl...and off to school he goes. I had my quilt class...and then to babysit Patrick for the day.

I picked up Elliott...and he is covered head to toe in itchy hives!!!! Yikes!! Before we go home, he wanted to stop at HEB for cupcakes and ice cream for my birthday.

For the next day and a half he is on benadryl every 4 hours. The hives go away...but new ones always appear. Sunday I only gave him benadryl if he got itchy. Sunday night when we were putting him to bed...his back is covered with them!! I'll have to take him to the doctor on Monday. I have no idea what is wrong...he's been on benadryl forever....maybe this 103 fever, headache, and cough were all part of the rash/hives?!? I'm so worried about him.

Monday morning....ZERO hives! What?!? So very grateful for answered prayers! 

Even on his face:

Mother's Day 2016

So Mother's Day was pretty low key too!

Elliott was sick...Patrick was recovering. So we didn't get to church. And I wasn't going to get dressed up to just get some pictures taken. Maybe we'll do that the next Sunday.

I love Mother's Day...and no...not for the cards or any gifts...or any spoilage. Some years I get those...and some years I don't. It's a good reflection for me...as a Mom. Mostly...it's me being so grateful to be a mom to these 3 amazing kids of mine. I love these kids so so much. And I am so so grateful that Heavenly Father has entrusted them to me. For me....Mother's Day is about them. It's about what kind of mom I can be for THEM. It's about me loving them to the best of my ability and according to what they need from me as a Mom! I am so grateful for this little job of mine that some days go unappreciated...but I wouldn't trade it for anything!!

Here are some cards Patrick and the kids got me:

 

 

And...I am so grateful for our moms...and the way they raised Patrick and I. And for all the help they are constantly giving us!!!

The kids made these for our moms:

I think this one is for Patrick's Mom:

And this one is for my Mom:

My birthday....#37

So...I started my birthday week...knowing is going to be major low key! And that's okay. Patrick had surgery the day before...and he needs to rest. Plus we are trying to save money...and I really don't need anything.

Thursday, my mom did take Emily and me out for a birthday lunch. That was fun.

Friday morning, I had my quilt class...and of course I've been dealing with Elliott sick all week.

So I treated myself to a little shopping for my birthday.

I told Patrick beforehand...that I don't need anything...that I don't want him to do anything really. I really just want him to recover okay. BUT...I was worried about the kids. I didn't want the kids to notice that their Daddy didn't do anything for their Mommy's birthday....although I told him to do nothing.

So Patrick got me some cards...and Elliott and I got some cupcakes and ice cream. I think that was enough for them.

Here's my cards from my sweet family: