Elijah, Elijah, Elijah

I can not believe that in ONE week from today my baby will be 2!!! He is such a little man! Where did the time go? He has been changing so much, even in these past few months. 

Here are some of his latest and greatest moments/sayings....

Food:

1. He will only eat the Oreo side that has the frosting. All he does is lick off the frosting and then he is done.

2. He LOVES Peanut Butter sandwiches. Tonight he ate one with an adult fork. 

3. He would drink a gallon of milk a day if we let him. He says "mommy, milk" which can sound bad "mommy's milk..." um yeah. Awkward! 

4. He enjoys saying "coffee" and pointing to my coffee mug. 

Daddy Moments:

1. He LOVES to wrestle with his daddy.

2. He waits in the Bay window and laughs so hard when he sees Josh riding home after work on his bike. 

3. He and daddy enjoy walks to see the ducks!

Mommy Moments: 

1. When I get home from working or an appointment E will say "mommy home, mommy home."

2. We like to meet up with Kelsey/Elle at the park between our house for play dates.

E Sayings:

1. When we say "love you" he replies with "love you too."

2. He likes to tell Mocha when he is being "naughty". 

3. "No hit Elle" (we have to remind him before going to Cousin Elliana's that we are gentle and don't hit.

4. "I scared" This is sad a lot about the dark, the train's horn and the dinosaurs at the MN Zoo. 

E Loves:

1. The ZOO.

(Leighton, Elijah, Annie)

2. The park.

3. The church nursery (He says "choo, choo" every time when tell him we are going to church...they have trains in the nursery)

4. PABLO (and Pablo kisses)

5. WATER...he would swim and play in it every day if he could. He has NO fear of the water. 

6. His Bible! He asks to read his Bible every night before bedtime.

Elijah entertains us, makes us laugh and boy do we sure love him!

I'm back...sorta

I'm back into the blogging world...well sorta! 

It's been a busy, crazy, too eventful last month here. I have obviously been absent from my blog, but thanks to my followers for sticking with me! 

I have been dealing with some personal things and health issues, along with my little man getting Croup, dealing with teething and having a 16 month old boy, picking up hours at work, and just trying to balance life. 

I have a lot going on right now but have many blog ideas running through my head! 

Here is a glance at what I have coming up in the next month or so...

1. A FREE Valentine's Day (how to celebrate on the cheap/FREE)

{via google.com}

2. A No-Spend month

3. Some NEW recipes!

4. And hopefully a giveaway

Thanks for stopping by! 

Still Kicking...

Hello Faithful readers!! I am still kicking over here, however barely! I have been working (first time really since E was born ALMOST a year ago) at the Early Childhood Center I worked at before E was born! Working, being a mom, wife, youth leader, baby shower planner, photographer, FIRST birthday party planner, friend and MOPS Hospitality Meeting Coordinator is really taking it's toll. I am physically, emotionally and mentally wiped out! So needless to say my blog has gotten the shaft! Fear not though...I will have SEVERAL projects to share including baby shower ideas and first birthday party ideas soon!! Stay tuned...

Gone with the wind...

I feel like I am gone with the wind...or more so sun! It has been so hot and uncomfortable in our house that I have not felt like blogging. So, I figured I better give you guys something to read so everyone doesn't abandoned me while I am melting to death. (*Side note...today is beautiful...not like yesterday's heat).

Our update...

1. I have been doing a lot of photo shoots these past few weeks!

1 year old Cole

My friend, Jess

Skoglund Family

2. Elijah does NOT like baby food anymore! He wants table food! He enjoys noodles, bread, chicken, peas (sometimes), cheese, rice cakes, avocados, bananas, and puffs!

3. Elijah is moving everywhere and FAST!! He is so tall (32 inches) that NOTHING is safe at about table height and lower! He loves exploring and getting into every thing!

4. Elijah loves animals! He LOVES Pablo and Pablo loves him! (Pablo is my sister's dog) They kiss, wrestle, play with the same toys, and take adventures under the table together...

5. Josh leaves for his annual River Retreat this Sunday! So glad I don't go...pooping in a hole, sleeping on the ground, carrying all your stuff on your back for days. Yuck!

6. My mom is on her first cruise (and vacation without my dad...I think) ever!! Her and 3 of her girlfriends from church will be boarding their ship tomorrow for Alaska! She did it in honor of her 50th birthday! A much needed vacation for her!! 

7. I broke my phone! Yep...for the first time since I started using a cell phone, back in 2003, I actually broke it. I kneeled down on the screen and crack...all white! But my brother-in-law gave me his old one. Thanks Mark. Oh yes...speaking of...Happy Birthday! 

Mark (my brother-in-law) and Elijah

8. I am getting back into holding Mary Kay parties again. I took a little break after Elijah and have my second one this next week and then one already booked for August! Looking forward to bringing in some extra money and getting out to see some friends! 

9. We have a wedding this weekend. It will be Elijah's first wedding!! 

10. I LOVE my Cake Pop Maker!! I tried it out tonight. It is so simple! My first batch was a little goofy looking...but after that I was on a roll. Now I have about 6 dozen naked cake pops to coat tomorrow! 

There is a quick update on our life. I hope to be back more regular this next week. PLUS I have a great project I am working on tomorrow (*hint: Lemons) and one next week (*hint: white paint). Stay tuned for those projects!! 

Top Ten while you were gone...

Josh was gone in CA on a Mission Trip with his Senior High Students for 11 days (including training). While he was gone I decided to keep a "journal" of what happened in mine and E's life! Here is the top ten things that happened!

10. Celebrated Father's Day with the Christenson's

E and Grandpa C

9. Had a play date at the Eagle's Nest. Went in the ball pit!!

8. E had a play date at Lara's house (with all her kids)...had SO much!! Cried when we left!

7. E got a haircut that was a little uneven...oops!

6. Tornado sirens went off...had to go to basement.

5. Stood up for over a minute!!

*Picture taken with cell phone camera

4. E climbed up 3 stairs while chasing Mocha!!

3. E signed "all done" at dinner!

2. First road trip with Kelsey and Elliana (3 1/2 weeks old)

Elliana (3 1/2 weeks old)

1. Saw all three sets of Grandparents (E's Great Grandparents) on my side of the family!! (Plus many other relatives this weekend)

E and Great Grandpa Marv

Great Grandpa Kenny and Great Grandma Hope with 7 out of 8 Great Grandkids!

Today I am linking up to It's a Crafty Life's Ten on Tuesday! 

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Elijah is 9 months old!!

My little man (well tall little man) turned 9 months old today!!

We had his 9 month appointment and here are his stats...

Weight: 21lbs 7oz (55%)

Head: 17.75 (50%)

Height: 31.5 in. (100+%)

The nurse laid him down and measured him, then went to chart it. She said "I think I measured wrong because he is off the chart! Do you think he will stretch out again?" Of course he would...so she remeasured! Well same results! I wish I had taken a picture of his height chart! I did however create one (click on it to make it bigger), so here that one is...

Chart from newparent.com, edited on picnik.com

Here are a few pictures of our little man today!

Elijah's Top Ten Updates

Remember my last Top Ten Update?! Well, here are the latest Top Ten updates on Elijah...

1. He is crawling everywhere...and FAST!
2. He has pulled himself into the standing position 2-3 times. [The first time was with his babysitter, Kayla].
3. He sits on his own!

4. He loves to make a new scrunchy face [He started doing this at the ISCR Auction last Thursday].

5. He dumps out his books every single morning and LOVES looking at them all!

Photo taken with Camera Phone

6. He has had some finger foods like turkey, chicken, mashed potatoes, and pasta. He loves eating ''real'' food off our plate.
7. He does NOT care for the grass! [Although he is getting better]

8. He tries to give Mocha [our cat] Eskimo kisses!
9. He still only has one tooth...but I think more are coming.

10. He has his 9 month appointment in June!

Top Ten Update

Here is a Top Ten update on my little boy...

10. Elijah's first tooth cut through the bottom this weekend. (*And I felt another one today, on top!)
9. Elijah attended his first Senior Retreat (and did great)! He LOVES the students! (and leaders)

Drew and Elijah in their matching MN Gopher apparel...

8 . He is rolling like crazy..and started army crawling a LITTLE bit.
7. He can sit for a few seconds when put in that position.

Reading a book

6. He LOVES giving Eskimo kisses, but he does it so fast and hard it hurts!
5. He loves doing the motor boat (thank you Grandpa Pat)...especially while eating!
4. He is getting better at taking longer naps...finally! (Rarely do we have a 20-30 minute nap anymore)
3. He gets so excited when Josh or I come home after being gone!
2. He loves going for walks outside and being able to look around!

He wasn't sure about me being so close to him. First walk of the seasons...

1. He is ready to wear 12 month clothing at 7 1/2 months!! He is tall like his daddy!

*Bonus: He discovered bubbles at childcare yesterday (yep, he went to work with me! I was in the Toddler Room and he was in the Infant Room). We tried them out when we got home!!

Checking out the bubbles...

Updates...

First update:
   I have been thinking about improving the name of my blog. I like Life's Journey but I don't LOVE it! I want the name of my blog to stick in your head, make you want to read it and make you remember it!! My blog will consist more and more of recipes (I create or find), some photography/crafty things, and life updates. So, any ideas?

Second update:
   Monkey has been traveling, three places thus far (Mexico, California, Boston), and many more to come! As soon as he gets back he will be heading to Florida on a road trip! Then to Nebreska to see another Elijah and after that to New Mexico!

Third update:
   Elijah will be meeting his girl cousin in just 14 weeks!! I can't believe Kelsey only has a couple months left!!

Here is Elijah saying hi to his cousin!



Countdown...

Well the count down is on...5 days until my due date! Now I know that most first time pregnancies go late (according to my Doctor) so I am not expecting to go early and I am actually feeling very well right now, except for the annoying cold I have, so at this point I am okay with it.

I had my 39 week appointment today and where is what we found out:

1. I am 1 cm dialted.
2. I am 90 effaced.
3. The baby's head is very, very low (which is great)!
4. I didn't gain too much weight at the State Fair! ha ha!
5. If I haven't gone into labor before the 3rd (my due date is the 1st) they will most likely start the induction process at my next appointment, which is the 3rd.

Here are some other updates on our life:

1. I worked a few days this last week (covering lunch breaks) and have one more day on the schedule for next Tuesday.

2. Josh performed another wedding this past weekend at the Carlson Parkway Towers for Elise Austad and Rocky Rigney and it was a beautiful outdoor wedding! The dog was the ring bearer...so cute!

3. Our amazing friends, Jon and Emily Lemmon, who now live in San Diego, CA were here this week and we enjoyed spending so much time with them!! Jon stayed with us a few days until Emily got here and the guys golfed the days away! Emily and I got amazing Deluxe Pedicures at Nails Touch in Brooklyn Park! I highly recommended this place to everyone!



4. We enjoyed a day at the State Fair yesterday. We went with Kelsey and Mark. We lasted four hours! I ate the following: Grilled Chicken Casear Wrap (something healthy), Hawaiian Shaved Ice (my favorite), Deep Fried Snickers Bar (tradition), Cheese Curds, Cotton Candy on a stick, and a Diet Coke! And yes I did pretty much eat that all by myself in those four hours! I did also try Kelsey and Mark's Garlic Fries, Josh's lemonade and Kelsey's Root beer.

I will try and update a little more over the next few days and things change!

36 Weeks

Wow where has the last 36 weeks of our lives gone?? I can not believe that I have my 36 week appointment tomorrow! I will actually be 36 weeks and 2 days at the appointment. My appointments are also now every Friday in August and into the first week of September unless this baby decides to come before that!

I am so excited to meet our little boy, to see what he looks like, to hold him in my arms, and to finally say his name out loud! :) Yes we do have his name, we actually have had it for a LONG time, but are keeping it a secret!

Here are a few updates since I blogged last...7 weeks ago!

*Nursery is coming along...crib is getting put together tomorrow night!
*2 loads of baby clothes are washed...several more loads of laundry to go!
*Birth Classes are underway...only one left. I have really enjoyed our classes! I went to the first one without Josh (who was in the wilderness with about 20 10th graders)but he has been able to go to the other one and will be attending the last one as well.
*I only have a few weeks of work left! I am technically done August 20th, but will probably work a few days the next week, depending on how I am feeling.
*I am registered for MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) for the fall! Crazy to think I will now be at that next stage of life.

We did have one little scare about 2 weeks back. I was working and we had bike day, so we had all the children in the center outside riding bikes. Myself and another teacher were standing on one sideline watching some of the children ride their bikes when a schoolager (who wasn't paying attention) ran into me with his handlebars...hitting me right in the side of my baby bump. It was definitely startling and did hurt. My director suggested I call my doctor and see what they said. I called the nurse and she wanted me to come in right away to get looked at. Work was super supportive and let me leave right away. When I got to my appointment they hooked me up to a Fetal Monitor and an Ultrasound Monitor since I was starting to have some Braxton Hick contractions. Everything was okay...our little one started moving and the contractions were nothing to be concerned about! Thank you to those of you who said a prayer for us as we went in.

I will try and blog a little more over the next 4 weeks as they will surely bring us new emotions and trials!

Where did the time go??

Today is already June 1st, 2010! Where has the time gone?? I was always told that once I got older time would go by faster, and they were right!

Tomorrow I will be 27 weeks...only 13 weeks until my due date! What a scary and exciting thought! It sends some panic waves through me to realize that I have much to do on my "before baby comes" to do list, but more panic to realize that this baby will no longer be inside me, but in this crazy, unpredictable world waiting for me to take care of him!!

I have been in child care my entire life in some way, shape and form...from babysitting to nannying to working in an Early Childhood Center, so you would think that I would be the most prepared person for raising a child...but with those children I do what their parents tell me to do and send them home at the end of the day...my little guy will be here for the next 18 years of his life! We will just truck on through the process with God by our side directing our steps as parents!

On a different note...here are just some random update in our lives:

1. My sister, Kelsey Rose, graduated from Northwestern College with a degree in Early Childhood Education.
2. My baby brother, Leighton Alex, graduated from Staples Motley High School.
3. Josh's sister, Amalia Elisabeth, graduates this Friday from high school.
4. We continue to make small changes and updates to our house...a never ending process.
5. I will start back up full-time at the Early Childhood Center (Bright Horizons) this summer...well with hopes of only working 4 days a week.
6. Josh will be taking a group to Guatemala City, Guatemala for 10 days in June!
7. Josh has been feeling our little guy kick more and more!
8. We do have a name picked out and YES we are keeping it a secret! :)