Plain Ol' Saturday

We had a really good Saturday.  It was so nice to be home and have nothing planned to do.  The boys and I walked and rode bikes, stopped and played on the playground.  Then, we came home and washed the vehicles.  Lunch, nap time (a movie for Jason and I), a delicious grilled dinner, then an evening playing outside.

We got a kick out of the boys.  It was one of those evenings where they played SO well together, and were really creative.  They like to watch the show Top Shot, which is a shooting competition, basically.  Well, Jason was outside grilling when he caught the boys playing "Top Shot".  They took turns pulling each other in the wagon and "shooting" at "targets".  It was fun to watch.  Of course, they both claimed to have won the ultimate competition.  Ha!

Then, after supper, they headed back out for a little baseball game.  The weather was perfect, and they really got into it!  Owen is just learning the basics, and Corwin--of course--is an old pro.  He's just dusting off his equipment, gearing up for the upcoming 2012 Summer T-Ball season!

Ella had to check out what her brothers were doing, of course.  She was quite intrigued.

But, not old enough to participate yet.  Someday, Ella.  Some day soon, I suspect!

One Third of a Year

Well, Ella is four months old now.  Wow, it has flown by!  (Well, to be honest, the first two months were long due to lack of sleep and eating issues.  But, the third and fourth have flown by!)

She had her check-up and shots.  (Still not fun.)  She weighed 13 lbs. and 5 oz. and was 24 inches long (which is about average).  She is perfect, according to her pediatrician (and Mommy).  We have started rice cereal.  Ugh.  I'd forgotten what a mess teaching them to spoon feed can be!  Every day seems to get a little better, however.

As you can tell, she wasn't a big fan.  She still isn't a huge fan.  She is too impatient and wants that bottle!!  Forget this cereal junk!  GIVE ME A BOTTLE!!!

Anyway, she is doing great!  She is so happy, and pleasant!  She is up around 7:30 a.m., and goes down between 8:30 and 9 p.m.  She eats four times a day with 3 naps.  She likes to suck on her fingers a lot, and has pretty well forsaken the pacifier.  She loves being outside, playing on the floor, and talking.  She rolls over from back to front easily, but hasn't mastered the other direction yet.

I have had some fun with the sewing machine!  I've made her a couple outfits and this summer dress.  It is a little big now, but should fit perfectly in a couple months.

I know I say it every post, but we are blessed, folks!  Truly blessed!

Easter

Our computer monitor has been on the fritz, so I haven't been able to get on here and post my Easter pics. Thankfully, I think we have found the problem. Now, finding the money to fix it... that's another story.

Anyway, we enjoyed a beautiful weekend in Arkansas for Easter.  We were fortunate to see a TON of family and enjoy the outdoors at the same time!  Of course, there was horseback riding on Uncle Brett's horses....

Owen loves to ride on Buck!

And, thanks to Kylee, there were several little baby animals running around.  Well, they started out running around, but who knows if they survived the children mauling them.

Corwin said the baby bunnies were his favorite.  I can't say I blame him.  They're my favorite, too.

Ella enjoyed TONS of attention, and loved being outside!

And, we got to finally meet Cousin Annalee.  She is about 2 1/2 months younger than Ella.  She is gorgeous, and I know these two girls are going to have a lot of fun together in the future!

And, of course, Owen found dirt to dig in.  That boy CANNOT miss a good ol' dirt pile!

Ella, "CHEEZing" for the camera.

This is a picture of all of Mimmy and Pappy's great-grandkids together, plus some baby animals.  Cuteness!

And here are the three rugrats I am blessed with.  Sometimes I can't believe these precious faces belong to me.  (I'm not old enough to be a mom, am I?)

Then, came the egg hunts.  Two practice runs, then the real deal!  Both boys racked up on some Easter candy this year!  Their Halloween buckets are full to the brim again.  Ugh.  Not good for the dieting Mom.

Corwin loves animals!

And dying eggs.  This was fascinating to Owen!

It was a wonderful, exhausting, festive weekend.  We enjoyed seeing the family and introducing Ella to many more cousins and aunts!  The kids (and I) were exhausted, but had a wonderful time!

Above all, I am thankful for what Easter is all about--Christ resurrected!  Without Him, I would be nothing!  He is the reason for THIS season!

Overdue Update

Well, lately I have been terrible at updating this blog.  I apologize.  (I think I apologized last time too, didn't I?)  Anyway, here is a post that bridges a couple months' time.

Many of you participated in Corwin's 100th Day of School Autograph Book.  I cannot tell you how much we appreciated your participation!  He was so proud of his book!  Here is a glimpse of it:

Ella is growing every day.  I tried my hardest to get her to smile at me in this picture, but as soon as that camera flies up, she stops.  Anyway, here she is, around 2 1/2 months old, in the dress that Grandpa Hosiner picked out for her.  Very cute!

Owen, Ella, and I went to school with Corwin a couple weeks ago to have some SERIOUSLY green eggs, ham, and biscuits.  Well, Corwin was the only one of us four who ate.  I am on a diet, Ella is too, and Owen did not like the looks of those green eggs!  They made Owen a "Cat In the Hat" hat too, but he refused to wear it.  He is a mess!  But, he sure enjoyed listening to all the Dr. Seuss books they read that morning!

Owen loves his little sister.  He constantly tells me that, too.  "I like my little sister.  She's cute.  Can I hug her?"  "Can I give her a kiss?"  Poor girl.  The boy is all over her ALL the time.  But, she doesn't seem to be bothered ... for now.

Owen has sure enjoyed this warm winter.  Last year we'd seen over 20 inches of snow by now.  Thank goodness we've instead seen 50-60 degree days.  It's nice when you have a 3-year-old boy.  We also got him a turtle sandbox, and he is out there every chance he can get!  He even asks to go out when it's raining!

Ella is really changing.  We just graduated into 3-6 month clothing.  She weighs about 13 1/2 lbs.  She is eating around 7 oz. every 3 1/2 hours.  She takes 3-4 naps a day, and sleeps from about 9:30 at night until 7:30 a.m.  I am trying to remember the days when she could fit easily in the palms of my hands, and slept nearly all day.  Those days are gone.  I don't miss the sleepless nights, but I do miss how she'd "melt" into you, so warm and cuddly.  But, it is fun to see her smiling, talking, and reach out for toys (a new skill she is tyring to master).  Three-and-a-half months old.  Wow.  Time flies when you're having fun!

February Update

Well, I have not been very good to keep y'all up-to-date. Please, forgive me. We haven't been very busy, other than the busy days at home with a newborn. Whew! I had forgotten how crazy that is!

We have enjoyed a very mild winter thus far, which is a nice change from last year.  This time last year we were recovering from an 18-inch snow and bitter cold days.  Thankfully, Owen has been able to go outside several times this year, which he LOVES!!!  That boy could live outside playing with his trucks!

Ella is doing well.  She is about 12 lbs. right now and 22 inches long.  She is growing and thriving.  BUT... she has acid reflux.  "Silent reflux," they call it.  She doesn't ever spit up, but she experiences a lot of pain.  Apparently the acid rises to the top of her throat where she then swallows it.  They say it is even more painful than for those who spit up because she gets the burning up and back down.  Feeding time is STRESSFUL.  The girl doesn't want to eat!  (I can't blame her.)  I can usually get her to take a couple ounces--maybe three--at each feeding, but that's after her fighting it after 1/2 - 1 ounce.  I have to walk and bounce, and be patient until she will calm down and take it.  Then, I continue to walk with her until she seems satisfied enough.  She is starving, but doesn't enjoy eating.  Isn't that a shame??? A girl should enjoy eating!  :)

Other than that, she is healthy and fine!  She is happy all other times of the day.  I cannot complain.  I will simply wait patiently while her doctor and I find a solution that brings her some relief.  Right now she is on Zantac, three times a day.  And, today he changed her formula.  I am praying this will do the trick!  Unfortunately, results are not instant.  It takes time.

Here is a video of her smiling and "talking."  Then, Owen finishes it off with a Grand Finale performance of "Elmo's World".  That boys loves his Elmo!  Enjoy!