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More pictures of Faith and Samantha to come!

Closer, closer, accomplished!

He has been working towards it for weeks now. He would get so close, but not quite completely make it. But yesterday he finally figured it out...

He rolled over!!!!!!! From his back to his belly.

For the last 2 weeks he would roll all the way over, be on his stomach, but not quite be able to get his shoulder over. I didn't consider it rolling over until he could get his shoulder out from under him. Yesterday was the day though!

It was really exciting, until when, at 2 am, he rolled over and couldn't roll back over to his back, got mad, mama had to get up to roll him back over, and then he kept doing it.

My baby is growing up!

Must see video

I just got this in an email from my husband. It was beautifully done, made me cry, and instantly wanted to share it with everyone. It is 9 minutes long, but please take the time to see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXut0HxncvY

Babywearing

I have meant to write a post about baby wearing, I just never did. I just absolutely love my Maya Wrap. It goes just about everywhere with me, especially if it is me alone with all 3 kiddos. I got it when Faith was a baby, hardly ever used it because I didnt' spend the time to figure it out, didn't really need it with Samantha she was such a content baby, but with Elijah it has been a life saver. And he loves it too! The last picture I have is from the beginning of May. I am now able to carry him on my hip using this wrap. He doesn't like the kangaroo carry and so I don't use that one. Guess I should take another picture soon.

Ballgame on 4/25


From 5/11


Side View


See, nice and comfy!



From 5/15

Pulled

Have you ever felt like you were meant to be somewhere, even if that somewhere is somewhere you have never been? Do I have you confused yet? 2 years ago we went up to South Dakota for our very first ever vacation. Chris and I were sitting around talking about going somewhere and he just blurted out, how about South Dakota. Neither one of us knew what was up there, he said it just came to him. When we looked into it more we saw that was where Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, the Badlands, and Deadwood all were.

Honestly, we were looking for places to move to. We knew we wanted to go north and we knew we had to get away from where we were. So to South Dakota we went, looking for a place we might call home. Our trip was coming to an end and we were trying to figure out which church to go to. Since we were trying to find one as more than just visitors, we wanted to make sure that the church was sound. I was finally able to call around to some on Saturday when we stayed at a hotel in Rapid City. I called several, never getting in contact with any one. I was really hoping to talk with someone so our last Sunday there would be productive. I ended up calling one in a different city, not too far away but in the opposite direction as what we would be traveling to go home. On their answering machine was the number to one of the elders. So...I called him up. Unfortunate though, my phone kept cutting in and out but I was able to talk with him long enough to get his e-mail, so I could e-mail him my questions. It turned out they were a sound, conservative church. It took me a little while to convince Chris, since he didn't want to go int he opposite direction. I didn't give up and finally convinced him to go to this one instead of taking a blind shot at going to one in the town we were in. I didn't know why, but I just felt pulled to that church.

The church was great and the elder I spoke to over the phone invited us to lunch at his house. Now normally Chris would have politely declined and would have said he wanted to get on the road and get home. He always just wants to get the drive over with. But this time he actually accepted, much to my surprise. It turned out that lunch with this elder not only helped Chris realize that preaching school was an option, but that that church would also help support him during his school. Definitely WAY more than we were ever expecting. And I have no doubt God's hand was involved in that.

Well, I'm getting that feeling again. Chris has been in contact with an elder at a church for the last couple of years. It is in a state we have never been to, at a church we have never been to. Through conversations though we know they are a sound church. I knew it had been awhile since Chris sent him an e-mail so I decided to send him an update on our new addition as well as letting him know how school was going for Chris. I couldn't tell you what made me decide to email him since I, myself, have never spoken to him. It just felt like something I needed to do. Ever since though I just have this strong pull to go there. I know they have been looking for a preacher for a long time. Chris has sent him one of his recent sermons, just because he asked to hear it. He then let Chris know that if he is in the area this summer (which we won't be) that they would love to have him guest preach. I just can't shake this feeling though. I think Chris is going to contact him again at the beginning of next year, when he starts looking for jobs, to see if he can officially apply (if they are even still looking). Whether they have found a preacher or if they just don't want Chris, I think we are still going to go there next summer. For some reason I just know we need to meet that congregation. It will be on my mind for the next year too, which really stinks. I just don't know why I'm getting this feeling again, but it is just like it was up in South Dakota.

Have you guys ever had this happen? I feel like I'm going crazy. OK, maybe I am crazy.

Whirlwind

That pretty much describes the last week and a half of my life. Things have been nuts. Last week was the end of Chris's official school year. That means that I had a ton of notes to type up for him by Thursday. Of course Elijah wasn't cooperating and every time I sat down to type he would wake up. As you can imagine, it is a bit difficult to type while holding a baby. From Monday to Wednesday I was up past midnight. Of course I was also getting blasted by work. The guy I work for, who I usually barely get 2 hours a week of work all of a sudden kept sending more and more work. THEN my sister sent me work to proofread. It wouldn't have been so bad if Chris hadn't taken the laptop with him to Michigan over the weekend. I had no choice but to get it all done by Friday at noon.

While Chris was in Michigan meeting with a congregation, I went down to my dad's to visit. It's always easier on the girls to be away from home when daddy is gone. Gets their minds on other things. Chris and I both got back on Monday, we relaxed Tuesday, and then went camping on Wednesday.

We love to camp, but it's getting harder and harder. Not because of the children, but because of the completely rude, inconsiderate people who now go camping. There were only 2 people camping, us and 1 other tent. It's actually why we like to go camping midweek. The other tent showed up on Wednesday evening and just started blasting their car radio. Chris had just started walking over there to ask them to turn it down but a county cop drove by at that time and told them to turn it down. It didn't last long though. They kept it up (well, quieter than before but still loud) until 4 in the morning. I know it's crazy, but we actually like the SERENITY of camping. Time before last, some people across from us sat up all night playing their quitar and singing (well, shouting actually). 99% of the time it was Your Love by Outfield. From about 2 in the afternoon until, well, the wee hours of the morning. Over and over and over. I overhead them talking the next morning about that night, meaning they were staying, so we packed up and went home. They have all had camping attendants but apparently they don't care enough to do something about it.

So that about sums up the last few weeks. I have to upload the pics from my camera and will post pictures soon!

3 months!

Yup, my baby turned 3 months yesterday. He is still quite the chunker butt! I'm guessing he weights about 15 pounds now, and he is really long. Sleep is still touch and go. Breastfeeding...not going so well...sigh. Last night I came down with mastitis for the 3rd time in 2 months. So for the last 2 months I have either been in continuous pain from the yeast or I have been incredibly sick with mastitis. I wanted to breastfeed for his whole first year but I don't know how to continue. I have tried everything under the sun for the thrush, but nothing seems to be working. When I breastfeed at night, the pain will keep me up for another hour. I am so tired of hurting and being sick but I am so heartbroken to even think about weaning him already. I just don't understand what is going on. I had absolutely no problems with Faith or Samantha, so why am I having so many problems now? I just feel so selfish if I give up. I know breastfeeding is best for him but I'm going to give up because I don't feel well. Because I'm tired of hurting. Me. Me. Me.

In other news, I went to a $5 fill a bag sale at Children's Orchard yesterday. I scored $125 worth of clothes for 10 bucks. Most of it is for Faith. By the time I got to the 3T bin, most things were gone, same thing for the 3-6 month bin and 12 month bin (for winter stuff). As you can imagine, things went fast! I would have filled a few more bags if they had more stuff out. Not that I'm complaining!

Dentist...yeah, not so much

So, yesterday was technically Faith's second dentist appointment. It, however, went much like the first. She cowered behind my legs, wouldn't even come close to the chair, let alone open her mouth. They told me to just bring her back in 6 months. If I notice any problems in her mouth to let them know and they will refer me to a dentist who can sedate her. Wow, now doesn't THAT sound like fun! I don't see it going any better in 6 months though. It's just the way she is. She really doesn't like meeting new people and is so extremely reserved to new people. I can't really say anything because I was (am) the same way. I have gotten better as I got older, but I was the exact same way when I was her age. I guess we will try again. I really have no idea how old she is actually going to be when she finally gets her teeth clean.

Baby weight versus Jillian

Ah yes, 30 Day Shred, or as I am now going to refer to it...30 Day Dead. Because, if I make it to 30 days still alive it is going to be a miracle. Today was Day 1. Day 1. I think Jillian trying to reach out through the TV and kill me. She has the worlds most evil grin. Is it really even a grin? She is evil. I can now feel for her groups on Biggest Loser...ok, I've only watched it once...but still. And I only had her for 20 minutes. The absolute longest 20 minutes of my life. If this video doesn't make me lose weight, then I am going to deem it a lost cause and just give up trying. It has been 30 minutes since I finished and I am still dragging my feet along when I walk, not quiet able to pick them up. And I am only on Level 1. There are 3 Levels. I think it will take the rest of my life to get to Level 2. BUT...I have my fingers crossed that I will get results. I didn't cheat, and only took a couple of breaks that were only seconds long. I do have a few disclaimers for those who are thinking about trying this crazy video:

1) If you have just had a baby and don't quite have control of your bladder, wear a pad! Jumping jacks, jump ropes, etc NOT GOOD ON THE BLADDER. I peed my pants. Seriously. OK...so probably more info than you want.

2) Make sure the baby is nice and asleep. I just set Eli in his bouncy seat while I worked out. I figured 20 minutes...no problem, he can just sit and watch. Well, by the time I was done, he was fussing, and it was hard to trust myself to be able to not only pick him up, but to walk with him.

Seeing how my muscles are still literally shaking this long after the video, I have a feeling I am soooooo going to be hurting tomorrow.