Hows The Servais

Giveaway

2010-07-09T12:35:00.000-07:00

There is a giveaway at http://www.mybeatlesbabies.com/ for a Skip Hop diaper bag! I am excited, it is a really good giveaway!

Chloe

2010-06-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

It was Chloe's 6th bday yesterday. We went to Paint your Plate on Grand Ave, with my cousin, Rachel. It is also her bday that same day. Then we came home and Chloe and I ran errands for her party today. When we came home, there was a bad storm so we hung down in the basement for awhile and then we had our own little family party. She opened presents from us and we had pizza for dinner and then Dan surprised her with a DQ ice cream cake (my fave). She had a great day. Then today we invited all the girls from her class and a few from church. 6 little girls came, and we had a backyard BBQ and we put up the kiddie pools. The girls had a blast. This was Chloe's first friend party, she felt very special. Chloe, you are so loved by me, Ella and Dan. You are such a smart, bright girl. You learn things very quickly. You can already read any word or book that you look at. You also have a HUGE heart!!! You are very kind and loving. We love you and you are a great big sister! I will post pics soon of her bday.

More pics

2010-05-29T13:38:00.000-07:00

Ella was sick and fell asleep on the little Dora couch!

Mommy and Ella snuggling, she rarely does this, also she doesn't match because I just threw on some old clothes, because she leaked. :)

Ella and daddy hanging out.

Playing in the pool and bbqing! Also, Chloe gave Ella a mohawk!

Times are a changing

2010-05-29T10:17:00.001-07:00

Ok... lots have happened since I lasted posted. I am done working at Target, I quit middle of March. I am now staying home again/doing all the business, secretorial things for Real Seal Asphalt Sealcoating. Which is really keeping me busy. Thank God! This is our first year starting this business and it is going so well. We could not be happier with the results so far. We thought it would take all of Dan's time, but he has been managing to come home around 7 every night, so we still get to hang out a little before bed. Chloe has about 2 weeks left of school and then it is summer vacation. We are really excited to have Chloe home all day. It will be a fun summer. We have already pulled out the kiddie pool and sprinkler. BBQ and ate outside on the kiddie picnic table, which Chloe and Ella just love to do. It is so cute to see Ella and Chloe really playing. Ella is getting so big. She is almost 16 months, and Chloe is almost 6. Where has the time gone?? It is crazy.

Yay!

2010-01-25T16:56:00.000-08:00

So Dan got a new job and I am now working part time...I am available 3 days a week. Which will be perfect because I do enjoy my job, but it was tiring working all the time. I am so happy to be at part time and spend more time with the girls, especially since spring will be rolling around soon. So I had surgery and was out of work for almost 3 weeks, and only had to work full time for about 3 weeks. Not too bad. I still have 2 more weeks working alot, but that is because I just gave them my new availability. So thank you God for being in our favor...also Dan is home and done with work by 7...which is WAY better than when he was working overnights. Also, Ella is almost ONE...crazy and it went by too fast. I am enjoying it all right now though, it is fun to watch her personality come out. Chloe is also doing really well. She has learned to read, and barely gets stumped on a word. She is SO smart!!!

A few things

2010-01-14T06:28:00.001-08:00

I am so sad about what happened in Haiti...it is devastating. It is crazy how nature can be so wonderful and so horrible at the same time. I am praying for all the people effected by this, and also for all the volunteers that are there and going there to help. It is hard to just sit back and not be able to physically do much to help. On a side note, it is delurking day, which means that if you read this blog to comment on this post so I can get to know whoever reads. :) Also I read this blog mycharmingkids.net and she had a wonderful post today on how to be in the moment with your kids. It was a great post and it really struck me and has changed how I want to parent. I try to be in the moment, but sometimes there are days we forget and are trying to rush and do too many things at a time. I appreciated the reminder. Well let's all be in prayer for this natural disaster, and all the people effected by it.

Ouch

2010-01-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

So yet again...it has been forever since I posted...Well anyways Christmas was very nice and relaxing for us...we got a bunch of snow and we played in it, it our new backyard and it was so much fun to have nice quality family time. We also went to my grandpa's on Christmas Eve and then on Christmas morning...our little family stayed home and opened presents from Santa (with the economy Santa got less presents than normal, but it was Chloe's favorite Christmas ever) and then in the evening we went to my parents to open presents and have dinner. So it was fun and filled with family, but yet we spent alot of quality time in between. Then on December 30 (my mom's birthday) I had umbilical hernia surgery. I needed it because of my pregnancies...it happened from being pregnant. All of a sudden a few months ago, I noticed my belly button still stuck out...I thought that that was not normal and went to the doc...cause I had a feeling and sure enough. It did not bother me at all...I had no pain from it. The doc wanted me to have surgery anyways, more for preventative...it can get worse with subsoquent pregnancies. So my parents already got tickets to take Chloe to the Beauty and the Beast play...so my inlaws came and watched Ella. The surgery itself went REALLY well. I was really nervous that I would puke and or get really dizzy and sick...but I did NOT at all!! Which was a huge blessing, cause it has happened before and that is the worse part! So I came home and slept for like 6 hours then watched a movie with Dan and my in laws and the next few days were a blur...and then I did not need the pain pills anymore...but I still felt uncomfortable for about a week and now finally I am feeling better...thank you Jesus. I was really getting frustrated because I wanted to get back to normal. I could not clean or anything...which most would think was amazing...but I am sort of a clean freak...and I did not like it!!! Well since I started working...this surgery has been a VACATION...I have loved spending time with the girls and I also have been really sad that I do have to work. I really love staying home and I know I will not have to work forever...but it is still hard! This is not to make anyone feel bad or guilty...some moms love to work others have to do it to live...which is what I have to do...but it still is hard! Ella is doing so much new stuff everyday and she still is not at the crabby, tantrum throwing age yet...so it is alot of fun! Chloe is becoming such an adult person. She has her best friend from school, named Kayla and they both got each other presents for Christmas...it was really cute to see such a great bond. Chloe has such a HUGE heart, and I am so thankful for that. What more could you ask for? She always is thinking about other people. Well we had a good holidays, now back to the daily!!

Bittersweet

2009-12-11T18:56:00.000-08:00

So on Sunday I start my job at Target in the pharmacy. I have stayed home for 2 years now. My husband is self employed and the winter is his hard time...he has a seasonal business and he is starting off on his own this coming summer from splitting with his business partner. So this winter is a rough one especially starting a new business this summer. So I have decided to get a job. It is bittersweet. One of the only reasons I am ok with it, is that my husband will be staying home with the girls during the day and he is working overnights. So we will work opposite shifts so no one will be in daycare. (Not that there is anything wrong with daycare or working moms, this is all just my personal preference, also there is no way we could afford daycare on 2 children) I had to work for the first 3 and a half years of Chloe's life and it was hard for me. I get stressed out really easy and exhausted really easy so to have to work full time and be a mom, wife and everything in between is really hard for me. The one thing that will be nice this time is that my husband will do most of the cleaning, laundry and cooking so it will get done. Ella is now almost ten and a half months, so I was able to spend all her baby days with her...but I have never really been away from here...so it will be hard to get used to not seeing her all the time!! I totally trust my amazing husband to do a great job being stay at home daddy...but he is really nervous because he knows how hard of a job it is to get it all done, plus take Chloe to and from school, naps and cooking. This is what we have to do in this season of our lives, but it won't be forever and I am excited for Dan to spend quality time with the girls. They all deserve that.

5:30 am

2009-12-10T09:24:00.000-08:00

So Ella has decided to go to bed at 5:30ish pm everynight...which is great...but she then gets up at 5:13am EVERYDAY. It is early...I have been struggling with this...you know 7 am is ok...I can do 7...just not 5. Well this morning we tried putting her back to bed at 5 after I nursed her and it worked she slept...until about 7:30...ok, but in return of that extra 2 hours..she now will not nap. Usually she would take her first morning nap around 7:30 to 10...then her afternoon nap at about 12 to 2:30. Then she would go to bed at about 5:30. Well today that is not working...I have been trying to get her to nap all day...and finally she has now been quiet for about 2 minutes...we will see if that is real and will last...I hope so!! She needs to nap...ok so what is better a little extra sleep or some peace and quiet through the day...I think I like the naps better! :)

WOW

2009-12-06T17:35:00.000-08:00

Ok....so I am not that good at this blog stuff....I love reading blogs and I read some daily and I am really good at writing...I love journaling and usually have alot on my mind to write...but for some reason I just can't seem to update on here that often. It may be that I dont have alot of time or what...I think it may be because it is kind of hard to write down everything personal to you on the internet when you know that everyone can read it if they choose to. I am a huge people person and I usually tell everyone my business...but on here it is kind of hard to just let go and be completely honest all the time. So I am going to try to make a commitment and post something at least little everyday. So that is my december resolution...if there was one. :) Anyways...well alot has happened...we moved into a house that we are renting from some friends...but we can purchase it if we want to at the end of our lease...so its nice, it is kind of a trial. We feel really blessed to be in this house for Christmas and that we have the oppurtunity to live here. The house is really cute and we are settling in real nice. It is alot more space than our previous townhome...almost double the space and a fenced in yard that we love for the summer. Ok...on that note...my husband has a seasonal business and he is now going on his own this coming up summer for the first time...and we both have to work through the winter, until summer. So he has an overnight job and I just got a job at a pharmacy during the day. We will be working opposite shifts for the winter and it will be hard but at least the kids will have one of us at a time and he will then get some quality time with the girls also. I really don't mind having to work at this point, especially since it is temporary. Ok...other news...Ella is 10 months old as of yesterday and that is CRAZY...time FLIES! I should have known having a 5 year old, but I guess you forget how fast the baby stage goes. I will post a 10 month old post coming soon. We set up our tree and Ella has not gone for it yet...crazy I know...I was worried about it for no reason. Ok well we are really getting excited for Christmas and we love this season.

He will answer

2009-11-02T11:09:00.000-08:00

So the last week we have had alot of life, family, big decisions to make and we want to make the best decisions for our family and future, but we want them to be God's will and his decision. So Dan and I have been praying together and alone alot this last week and we have been patiently waiting for God's anwers. Well he did!! Everytime we ask him something...I am always like ok will he answer, will I know its from God, when will he...those are the things I think about when its a huge thing and I do not want to make the decision without asking God first. I know I should ask God about the little things too...I have been doing it alot more...I think that its just remebering to ask him about the littler decisions. Anyways, I know I should not doubt him, but when you have a personal relationship with him and he speaks to you...it is so awesome and sometimes you just can't believe he took the time to answer my questions. He will answer them through people, through situations, feelings, and plan just telling me.

Matthew 7:7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

Isaiah 65:24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.

Cute girls

2009-10-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

The little princess, wearing her dance stuff to a tumbling class with her friend Audrey.

Ella getting into mommy's books. What a smile!!

Ella wearing her pumpkin hat made from Nana!

my oh my

2009-10-18T19:24:00.000-07:00

Well, again...it has been a long time since I have blogged...we have been busy and sick. Well to update...Ella is getting older and older and older than any other time so far. It is crazy EVERY SINGLE day something new is happening with her. She went from scooting to really crawling and then all of a sudden she started to pull up on things and put her self in a sitting position. It is crazy and she will pull up and then not know how to get down and she will either fall and get hurt :( or just stay there until I move her. She also has not been sleeping that well either, she has been waking alot more and not falling back to sleep that easily. Chloe is sick...she has something bad...cough, dry throat, fever and just plain sick. She will be home from school tomorrow. Poor girl...we are praying that Ella does not get it! Well we are on a new adventure also....actually lots of new adventures. This year is a very exciting and scary time. We are moving into a house...which we are SOOO excited about. Space...we will actually have space!! Yeah! Also my husband is starting his own company. So we are so excited and we will be very busy!

Gone away...now back

2009-10-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

So if you had not noticed I have been gone for A LONG TIME!! One whole month I was without a computer!! I know, what is a girl to do without a computer....ok clean my house, stay up on the laundry, make home cooked meals every night, read a ton of books, and the list could go on. I got alot done without a computer, but this is a whole lot more fun than cleaning and folding laundry :) Our computer had a virus and was getting fixed. Ok...I learned that I need to balance it...sometimes the time gets away from me and then all of a sudden your babies nap is over and all you have done was read blogs. :) Ok well not anymore!! So I am happy to be back though! The last month Chloe started kindergarten and Ella started crawling. Chloe LOVES school....she already talks about a boy she likes though....and I am FREAKING out!!! I want to send her to an all girl school...but I won't and could not afford it either :) I do not want her to be boy crazy but apparently she already is...is this normal? When it is the weekend she is like I want to go to school to see the boy whom she refers to as her boyfriend...we will call him "Max." Ummm..yeah....I was like you should want to go to school to learn!! I really hope this passes and is just a phase because we have also had to have to talk that you are not allowed to have a boyfriend or date until you are SIXTEEN!! I know that might sound crazy, but she was running around telling EVERYONE that she has a boyfriend named Max and it was embarrassing!! :/ So Dan and I sat down and said No boyfriends until your 16....she said why and we are like because anything under that is too young. So Max is now her friend. Ok so off of that note....Ella is crawling...well scooting and sort of crawling....she is getting better using her hands. It is cute! :) Dan has been away this weekend for a men's retreat with church...he will be home late tonight...I am excited to see what happend. I went with Ella to the women's retreat a couple weeks ago. It was fun but it was hard to have the quiet time with God, when I had a 7 month old baby literally strapped to me the whole weekend. :) It was a nice time though!! Ok so that is all my ramblings!!

Girlfriends

2009-08-17T21:18:00.000-07:00

So tonight my girlfriends and I, went to our friend Becca's house. We had a chill little get together, and it was MUCH needed for me. If you read my last post about Ella teething, you will understand. So daddy was up to the challenge of putting both girls to bed tonight. He took them on a walk and then put them to bed. They were really good for him, which I am thankful for. I really enjoy my friends and love them dearly! Thank you friends and husband for a much needed couple of hours!!

Teething

2009-08-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was a TEETHING day...anyone with little children know what I am talking about. Ella was so fussy and nothing would make her happy for more than a minute or two. My husband worked all day until she was fast asleep. There was a span of three hours of just screaming. I could not go to the bathroom because even though she was screaming no matter what...she screamed EVEN louder when I put her down. She was so tired but would not fall asleep. The poor neighbors probably thought what was going on over there. Finally she fell asleep and I then had a HUGE bowl of ice cream to drown out my bad day. Today has been alittle better....she is fussy but not like yesterday. I have been trying to put her down for naps as soon as I can see that she is tired...because yesterday nothing worked once she got too tired. Well there is no teeth yet...so I will keep you all posted!!

Whoop whoop

2009-08-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

So today is my birthday! I am 25 years old...I am so young, but I feel so old! Having a kid that is 5 years old, being married for 2 years and having a baby, makes one feel old. My birthday has never really been a big deal to me, especially since I have had kids. So I am not really doing much for it today...we will maybe go to dinner next week. This week Dan has been really busy with a huge job he is doing, so no big plans this week and weekend.

sleepy

2009-08-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

So I can not believe that Ella has gone to bed at 6:30 the last night two nights. Yesterday we were at the pool for 3 hours, so I just thought that she was tired from that, but today we had a chill day of staying home and doing laundry and cleaning. (which was much needed) And she was getting tired and fussy at 5:30. So I gave her a bath and tried to keep her up as long as possible. (I did not want her to go to bed at 5:30) Then I fed her and she was out. So either she is going through a growing spurt or she prefers an early bedtime. I do not mind her new early bedtime...it has been nice to hang out with Chloe in the evenings.

Many more

2009-08-11T17:13:00.000-07:00

This is now, all of us having a "fancy" tea party for Chloe.

Dan and I at our wedding. At the head table.

Our first dance as a married couple.

So today is our anniversary. Dan and I have been married for 2 years today!! I love him more today then even the day we got married. I think having a baby with him makes me fall more in love with him, especially since he is such an amazing father. I love you baby!! :)

Reflection

2009-07-30T19:55:00.000-07:00

So tonight my 5 year old daughter and I got into a really big fight...yeah something that would happen when she was like a teenager. Yelling, screaming, attitude, mean things said and craziness. Well she has been acting up lately and it has been really bothering my husband and I. We have not known how to really deal with it...so tonight it came to a HUGE fight. Well then afterwards there were a lot of tears and apologies. I feel horrible, she feels horrilble and then we hugged, forgive each other and took a walk before bed. Well I can not get over it. I have been praying and crying and I just can't seem to move past it...so I knew I needed to blog about it to get the thoughts out of my head. Well how do I expect so much from a 5 year old when I have barely any self control as well. She talks with attitude as do I and she yells as do I. She is me...and parts of her are the bad parts of me. It is really hard. Your child is a mirror of you...whether you like it or not. And I do not like it. It is really hard at five to figure this all out, because now she is who she is. I love who she is don't get me wrong, but her stubborness and her attitude and not listening drive me bonkers. I wish I could have done it all over again. I was young, naive and a single parent and I did not take my job seriously. (Parenting Job.) It breaks my heart that I have been this way...you know so much more with your second child and with age. I feel like I cheated my first born out of alot of things. I am a great parent now and I am trying to do my best with my second one who is almost six months old, everything I did wrong with Chloe I promise I will not do with Ella. But how is that fair...it is hard to realize but it is reality. I just am doing my best now and I pray for her and my relationship that it will be strong and I also pray for the teenage years that we will have figure it out before that time comes. Also I have been praying about it and I feel that God is telling me to not care what other people think. I want Chloe to be the perfect child, because it is a reflection of me...but you know what I have to stop caring about what people think and start being an advocate for my daughter...who cares what people think about me as a parent...I care what Chloe thinks of me and God, because in the end that is what matters. My relationship with Jesus and my family.

MOVE

2009-07-23T18:34:00.000-07:00

So we finally moved...well actually we are still in the process. We moved all of our furniture on Saturday and have been slooooowly getting the rest of our stuff to our new house and unpacked and put in its rightful place. Wow is moving hard. I have not moved for three years and in those three years, we got furniture, a new baby and lots more stuff. Yeah last time we moved we bought new furniture so it was shipped to our house. That was nice. Well anyways we moved into a townhome and it is not really any bigger than our previous place, just a really nice neighborhood and great school for Chloe to start kindergarten this fall. We are very happy with the move!!

Baby Wearing

2009-07-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

So I LOVE to wear my baby. Ella LOVES it too! I am able to get things done and also able to hold my baby close to me. :) I have a baby Ktan and I love it. People always comment and make compliments on it. They want to know where to get one and how it works. This product is my favorite baby product that I have. Some people think that it will spoil her, but I do not think so. She loves to be close as do I, so why not. I won a New Native Sling on a blog that I follow and I am SO excited to try her in it. I think that the New Native will be nice for naps, because I can lay her down. The Baby Ktan is great for outings. It is really easy and quick to use so it is easy for outings. Ella loves to look around while we are out. The New Native looks like I will love it for home for the sleeping thing and when we are at home she is not as apt to look around. I love babywearing and recommend everyone with a baby to get a sling or wrap or both. I really want to try a mei tei also...but who knows when we will be able to afford another one. My husband has the Baby Bjorn and will wear Ella in that...but it is hard for long trips as it is uncomfortable after awhile. I love babywearing!! :)

Talk to God

2009-07-14T18:21:00.000-07:00

So on Sunday at church our sermon was about talking to God. Asking him questions? It is so true...if you want to know what to do in a situation just ask. Sometimes I forget to ask and struggle with figuring out what to do in a situation and other times I doubt God. I doubt that he will answer. So ridiculous...right? I have got to get better about constantly remebering to ask him...I DO know that he will answer...it just might not be what I want or how I want him to answer. So with that note I will try to ask him and remember to talk to him regularly. Ok off that topic we are moving and we will start cleaning and painting the new place this week and hopefully start moving everything this weekend. I am excited, but there is alot to do. We have to clean the new place and the old place, I do not know how this is all going to work with two kids, and not just any two kids, one is a REALLY needy baby...I can not just drop her off with someone while I get stuff done. My friends have been offering to take both kiddos while we do stuff....oh how lovely...not...my babe will not go with anyone but me or her daddy. Also she LOVES to be held. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE that my baby needs me and wants to be with me all the time and to be held....it is usually ok, but it does make it hard sometimes....oh well. I know we will get it done it just might take awhile and it might be hard. :) Oh....this is where I would just go about my way and try to do it myself....but no...I am going to ask God to give me patience while cleaning and moving and to have Ella and Chloe be as easy as possible...ok I guess just to really give me peace and patience! :) Anyways...also we got Ella the excersaucer...Chloe LOVED the swing, bouncer, excersaucer...she loved it all...no not Ella...she is ok for a couple minutes but then wants to be held. Well with the excersaucer she really likes it. So lets hope we can use that while moving. Also Ella is rolling all the time...it is cute...perfect time to move...we can babyproof the whole house. Yeah!! :) Chloe will be starting kindergarten in about 6 weeks...crazy....I will have a child in school...everyday...from now on for a LONG time!! It is crazy how fast they grow!! :)

mcklinky

2009-06-30T12:26:00.000-07:00

Ok so I read this blog Mckmama and she has a new link system. There’s a great new “linky” service available and I wanted to let you know about it. It’s called MckLinky – www.mcklinky.com. After realizing the need for a new, reliable linky capability, Brent Riggs and MckMama got together to create a free, easy to use linky service for all their blog friends.
MckLinky is a free link list feature that allows you to do include lists of other blog links like MckMama does on Not Me! Monday. You can use MckLinky any time you want your blog readers to leave a list of links on your blog. It’s simple, reliable, free...and loads of MckFun! Ok that was written by Mckmama...so try it out!!

Mystery!!!

2009-06-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

Ok...so Ella has had blood in her stools again!! Ahh....she has been really fussy while she has had bloody stools almost everytime she poops. The doctors do not seemed too concerned....but I am frustrated not knowing. I just want to know if its a big deal or not. It bothers me especially since she has been fussy as well. We went up at church to have someone pray for her... and every since that earlier today she seems alot better....lets hope for a miracle!!! She still has blood, but not fussy at all today...praise God!! So I am hoping God answered our prayers and if not I will be ok with that....just trying to figure our mystery baby out!! That is what everyone calls her, even her own pediatrician and that was even before the bloody stools!! We had a wonderful weekend. On Friday Chloe, Ella and I went to the pool with our friends Emarie and her daughter Audrey and son Will. It was a good time and then Friday night we went to Olive Garden to celebrate Chloe's 5th birthday!! She picked it out. Then we went to DQ to get some star popsicles, cause momma can not have dairy :( Then on Saturday we went to my dads friends son graduation party. Chloe had a blast...there were alot of little kids her age...it is so fun to watch her play with other kids. She is really nice to her friends!! Then on Sunday we went to church and then to Emarie's son Will's 1st birthday party...it was a really good time. She did a really nice job as hostess and the party was alot of fun. :) Happy Birthday Will!!

How to calm a baby that won't calm

2009-06-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

So today was the first day that Ella was SO fussy!!! Nothing worked with her today...I have not had that feeling yet of not knowing how to soothe my own baby. It was very frustrating not knowing. I hope it was just a fluke and tomorrow will be a great day with her. I left for a couple hours today with Chloe to take her to her first soccer practice and then the grocery store. Ella was home with daddy. It was a much needed little break even though I was worried and for some reason felt bad that daddy had to take care of the crying babe! I do not know why I felt like that. He is a very capable dad...I just guess with breastfeeding I can usually calm her. That is another thing...today she ate ALL day long!!! I was trying to leave to run errands in the morning and I felt like everytime I was ready she would eat and then nap. I did not want to wake her so I let her sleep..then she would wake up and then eat again...uggh...yeah it was hard but like I said before tomorrow WILL be better even if she is fussy I will be prepared :) Also tomorrow we are going to the splash pad with some friends. It has been like 93 degrees this week and we need some pool time!! Yeah Chloe and I are excited!! Summer is here!! Chloe had her soccer thing at the YMCA and she did so great!! They just practiced kicking the ball and throwing it over hand...she looked so cute!! I love her so much!! She is getting so old...we are able to talk like she is a bigger kid all of a sudden. She is SO smart!! I love both of my amazing children and it will be so fun to see them play together!! Everyone find some ways to stay cool this week with the awesome heat wave!! :)

Not a post for awhile

2009-06-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

Wow...it has been awhile since I last posted. We have been very busy. We were out of town for all last week, celebrated Chloe's 5th birthday, Dan has been working alot, I have been dealing with a needy, adorable baby. So it has been a little chaotic. Anyways, so the cottage was fun, it is in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin. Chloe loves it, she gets to swim almost all day. Ella did not know where she was, she seemed to be a little more fussy there. Yesterday we celebrated Chloe's bday...even though it is not until next Thursday. We had family at my parents house. It was a low key fun time. The weather was awesome and sunny and hot. The kids did a pinyata and pin the tail on the donkey and got to just run around and play. When I see Chloe with older kids I just think she seems so big. She acts so old. Now we are going to be getting ready to move. I am so excited. It is always fun to go through everything you own and get rid of stuff and reorganize it. I LOVE it!! I know it is alot of work and it will be hard with a baby (I can barely clean my kitchen, since Ella) but Chloe will be with her Dad all week of July 1st, they are going to his granparents cabin, so I will have one less kid and will hopefully get some things done. Today is Father's day. We went to church and then I asked Dan what do you want to do...we will do whatever you choose. So guys what he chose??? I just want to lay around and do nothing with the family. So that is what we did. Just hung out. Then he had to go to work overnight tonight :(

Giveaway

2009-06-04T19:16:00.000-07:00

There is a blog that I follow that is having a giveaway!!! We love giveaways!! :) Her blog is preppypapergirl.blogspot.com She is really awesome stuff!

The whole Fam saw the chiro

2009-06-03T19:20:00.000-07:00

Ok...so today we all saw Ella's chiropractor. I love her and she does any amazing job. I recommend anyone and everyone to see one. I read a magazine on chiro care and really it helps your whole being. It really is crazy. Also we had Ella's 4 month check up. She is 25 and a quarter inches tall, and weighs almost thirteens pounds, at 12. 6 lbs. So she is growing :) I also told her ped. that we have seen a chiro for her acid reflux problem and that she is off meds and that we are not going to vaccinate Ella for now. Oh my, it was not fun. She went off on the vaccine issue and told me reasons why the chiro worked. Well she has her opinion and so do I. Anyways, we are going to the "cottage" next Friday. We are all getting excited. The cottage is a cabin that Dan's whole family rents out every year for a week and all the cousins and everyone go. It is a great time and a great cheap vacay. The kids love it too. They are outside the whole time, and just play in the water and sand. Well once we go and come back I will post pics.

update on chiropractor

2009-06-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

Mommy wearing her baby, Ella loves the baby Ktan.

Chloe and her friends climbing on hay barrels.

Daddy with his little girl!

Mommy and Chloe playing mini golf at the farm.

So we were seeing a new chiro, because of insurance reasons. Well we saw the new lady twice and Dan came the second time to see the new lady. Well Ella screamed the whole time while she did what she does and when we left Dan was like I will let you go see the chiro that I love. So I was excited and saw her again on Friday. I love her, she does an amazing job and is very personable. Well Ella seems to keep on getting better and on Wednesday our whole family sees the AWESOME chiro, Dr. Katy! I will update how that goes. This weekend was really nice. On Saturday an old friend of mine who used to nanny Chloe from one to two and a half, came over to visit. Her oldest son is Chloe's good friend, and she has a ten month old and is pregnant. She is so cute pregnant. Well it was really nice to see them. Then on Sunday, we went to church and then Chloe was invited to a birthday party from a friend from preschool. We were all invited. It was at a farm. Chloe got to ride a horse and there were goats, lambs, donkeys, chickens, llamas, cats, dogs, and tons of horses. The weather was perfect, and it was such a blast.

Chiropractor

2009-05-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

So...I thought that Ella was all fine and that it was a dairy intolerance. Well I was wrong...she got really fussy again and NO ONE could figure her out. She was the mystery baby. Well someone mentioned seeing a chiropractor and I have heard that they can help babies. So I went and saw one. Oh boy...I am thrilled that I did. I saw a lady and she said that Ella's neck was tight and sore. She did a couple of things and voila...I fed her and she was great!! She is still doing alot better. We need to see a chiro two to three times a week as of right now. She also put her on a herbal supplement that should help with her enzymes in her tummy. Anyways...I hope and pray that she will finally be good and able to breastfeed. I really liked the chiro. I think our whole family is going to start seeing one. I hear that they are amazing and they are all about natural remedies. Which I love. I will let you know how it goes once we all see her and I will update you as to how Ella continues to do.

GIVEAWAY

2009-05-15T13:19:00.001-07:00

So there is a give away on a blog that I love to read daily. It is a mom with four boys and twin girls. Their family is adorable! Their blog is 4littlemen.blogspot.com. Check it out! Also I finally got my biopsy back from the mole on my shoulder I do not have cancer. Thank you Jesus!! When I went to the derm. and she did not think I had cancer I started bawling. Then Dan started to cry too! It was emotional. I told God I will never go tanning again!! :)

Just an update

2009-05-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

Well first of all...I have the best husband. He fixed up my blog for me. He knows alot more about this kind of stuff than I do! He is great. Also Ella rolled over for the first time last night. She rolled from her tummy to her back. Her head went clump...it was loud. She was startled, like what was that. She only did it once, we could not get her to do it again. Well today Chloe has a field trip for preschool. They are going to a park and then to dairy queen. She is so excited. Oh and Dan has his first job of the season. It is a church parking lot. Calls have been coming in alot lately. I just want to praise and thank God for the work he is getting. Thank you Jesus!

Kids growing fast

2009-05-09T12:32:00.001-07:00

So Ella is just getting so big, she is growing up so fast. It is crazy. She is lifting her head really high off the ground. She just started to the last couple of days. She is also sitting up in her bumbo, like a big girl. It is really fun to see her do more stuff and Chloe is enjoying it also.

Yeah!!

2009-05-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

So I think that the dairy was her problem. She has for the most part stopped pulling off of my breast while feeding and she cries alot less than she used too, while feeding. Also which was totally secondary, her face has no more baby acne which the lactation lady said would happen. My milk supply seems to be ok today and I just pumped like crazy the last three days, and drank tons of water. I pumped so much that, that was ALL I did for those days!! I am so glad that I can continue to breastfeed...If you ever have trouble or concern go see a lactation specialist. They are great!! Very supportive!

No more Dairy

2009-05-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

So we met with Jane the awesome Lactation Consultant...she said that I need to cut out dairy. She says that dairy is not good for anyone, but especially for little babies. It is just really hard on their digestive system. I have to supplement with formula to keep her eating while the dairy is getting out of our systems. Which can take up to two weeks. I have also been pumping galore, to keep my milk supply up. It is already diminishing, which I just have to keep trying. I love breastfeeding, I will try everything I can to keep on doing it. So if anyone has any advice to keep my supply up I need it. It will be hard to not eat cheese, and ice cream....my favorite dairy products, but whatever I need to do, I will do. I just hope that that is what her problem is.

Doctors, doctors, and more doctors

2009-04-29T19:02:00.000-07:00

So this week has been a pretty busy one. This last weekend we went out of town to La Crosse and Ella had really bad acid reflux. She is a great baby but this weekend she screamed and cried everytime it was time to eat. I felt horrible. I even called the doctor on call, which thank you God was her pediatrician. Well we went in to the doc on Monday to see what to do. She said to get an upper GI done. So on Tuesday at 8:30 am we went to the Radiology department at the hospital, and there is nothing anatomically wrong with Ella, and no reflux was present at the time. Which does not mean that she does not have it, just that it was not happening at that time. So well we came home and then today, she would not eat again. She was screaming. So I thought, well there seems to be not too much that her doctor can do at this point, so I called Lactation and have an appointment tomorrow at ten am, to see if maybe it is a postion or something that I can change to make it better. So I hope it is just an easy fix, I really LOVE breastfeeding. It is such an amazing bond with your child. I will try everything that I can to continue to nurse her. Well on a different note, Chloe had her first field trip today. It was at a bowling alley, she went bowling for her first time. How exciting! Also we are looking to rent somewhere different. So we have been looking at houses to rent this week. It has been one tiring week.

God is Good

2009-04-14T20:56:00.000-07:00

So Ella had a little umbilical granuloma, and we did not know what it was. So we met with the pediatric surgeon on Monday morning. The week before we were praying diligently for her and her belly button. Well the previous weekend it out of nowhere started to dry up. So we kept her doctor appt and the surgeon said that it was just a granuloma and that we are "lucky" that it started to heal otherwise he would have to put a stitch around it to cut the circulation off and then it would fall off. So all he had to do was put some stuff on it to help the healing process...so it was very awesome and easy. Thank you God for hearing our prayers. Now all we need to worry about and pray about is her acid reflux which does seem to bother her alot.

Decision has been made

2009-04-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

So this weekend we went to La Crosse, WI to see the in laws. It was my sister in laws birthday and we had a party for her birthday. It was a good time, we always enjoy going to La Crosse and seeing the family. All the kids are getting so big. Each time we see them they are just that much bigger. It is a good time. Well my sister and brother in law use Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers and we were able to try them out this weekend on Ella. We LOVE them! They are alot easier than I thought and everytime I changed her diaper I felt good about it. Also they are very cute :) Well so we came home last night and jumped on the computer and ordered them.

Cloth Diaper

2009-04-02T21:32:00.000-07:00

To cloth diaper or not...that is the question! I am so undecided on what to do. Cloth diapering is so overwhelming. There are so many different kinds...all in ones, chinese prefolds, pocket, one size, snaps or velcro. I am going crazy researching all the different kinds, then there are also so many different brands. I think that I would be a lot more able to make my decision and do it, if it wasn't so hard to choose. It is a huge investment, in time and money, so I want to make the best decision and then what happens if I become lazy and can't do it. Then I will feel bad that I spent all that money and did not use them. Well I still am not decided yet and I will let you all know what I decide once I know. I just keep thinking oh I will just use disposables and then I will stumble upon something that will talk about how bad they are for your child, let alone the environment. So I just keep coming back to that question!! Ok enough of my rambling. So Ella had her 2 month doctor appt on Monday March 30, 2009. She weighs 10.65 ounces and is 22 and a half inches long. She is about the fiftyith percentile for her height and weight. Bigger than her older sister Chloe, Chloe has always been at the tenth percentile her whole life. Still is at four years old. Well she had her vaccines, and I am not too sure still how I feel about those as well. It is hard to inject her at such a young age. I cringe just thinking about it. I guess once you have kids you realize how unnatural things can be. You just want the best for them, and for the rest of their lives. Right now you have the control to too make the best choices for their growing little bodies. Well, this is my venting on all the things I have been thinking about the last couple days. I guess I need to research some more on the topics I am undecided about. Well I need to go to bed, to be rested to play with my children tomorrow. So God bless and have a great weekend.

First mall outing

2009-03-28T20:34:00.000-07:00

So today was a very busy day. Dan and I cleaned the house that I clean every other week, and the kids were at my parents house for that. Then we came home and got ready and went to the mall afterwards. We were there for so long and lost track of time. Ella did a good job, except we think that it was a little overly stimulating. She is not used to so many sights and sounds! Especially on a busy Saturday. It was a fun time though, with the whole family and we took Chloe summer shopping. So that was fun helping her pick out her new summer wardrobe!! She loves to shop! :)

Pics...figuring out how to work this blog.

2009-03-27T21:39:00.000-07:00

My adorable little girls!

My amazing husband!

Me, babywearing!! I love babywearing!

A cute little smile! :)

Patience

2009-03-27T21:23:00.000-07:00

So since we have had Ella, Chloe has been acting out alot more than usual. I know she is almost five and has been an only child for so long, and I have read alot of stuff on how to handle a new baby with your older child. It is just so hard to do what you have read and know how to handle it. When your sweet little child becomes extremely difficult and you know that they know right from wrong, it is very hard to ignore it and just let it go. I am trying so hard to do what is right and to be PATIENT, but sometimes it is so hard. We have tried giving her alot of attention, and positive reinforcement, but she will continue to act out. I am just asking God for patience for us and to give Chloe happiness and joy even though, for her it might be hard. On a side note, there is this blog that I follow, My charming kids. Her son Stellan is going through alot right now with his heart and having heart trouble. He is only about 4 months. I just ask if everyone could say a prayer for her family. She is an amazing women of God, and has so much strength in this horrible time. When I read things like that I am happy and so thankful that even though things have been tough with the new adjustment, I am happy that that is all I have to worry about, and that my wonderful children are healthy and awesome!! God bless!!

Play Date

2009-03-26T14:01:00.000-07:00

Today we had a play date with one of Chloe's friends from school, Serenity. It was a good time. I had to refree a couple of incidents, but over all it went well. They live very close to us so that is nice. Last night at small group, we discussed the corolation of feeling disconnected and relationships and sadness. I feel very sad and lonely when I am disconnected to people. Since I have found my awesome group of girlfriends, I feel very happy and joyful. I have a support system. I have someone to always go to for sad times, and my happy times. I have an amazing husband that I do all of that with him as well, but we all need our girlfriends sometimes. Especially during the day when he is at work! I also feel more connected to God when I have a support system, friends and my church. You have people to help hold you accountable. Bottom line....we all need GREAT friends!!

Thankful

2009-03-23T07:14:00.000-07:00

I follow this blog, My charming kids, her son who is a baby was sick this weekend and decided to take her son to the hospital. Well to find out his heart rate is sky high, and nothing is bringing it down. I just feel so much pain for this family. I pray that God will heal her baby and bring peace to her and her family. I am reminded how blessed I am to have two beautiful and healthy daughters. Sometimes we take our children for granted but we are never guaranteed anything or any day with our family and loved ones. I just love my children, and am so thankful to God that he has allowed my husband and I to have amazing children! Thank you!!

Loving Life

2009-03-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

Since my husband and I have chose to live our lives fully and truely for Christ, I have not been happier. I feel a real sense of joy and contentment that I have never really felt. Everyday that I wake up it is just a blessing and I am always trying to look at everything as a positive, which was really hard for me. I think lately I have really tried to do that, since I have had Ella, 6 weeks ago. She is just awesome and I am trying to not take any moment for granted because it goes by so fast. I am really enjoying motherhood with my four year old and 6 week old daughters. I want to blog as a journal for my thoughts, prayers, and so my children can one day read this, and for family and friends to be able to be updated on our life. Life is great!!