Mama and Me Time

At the beginning of every Quiet Time Ella and I have some one-on-one time together. I try to make it all about her before she goes down for her own nap. If there is one adjective we've heard over and over about Ella, it is content. That perfectly describes this little bundle of joy.

When I enter the room, she waits for me to talk to her. Often when I leave she begins to cry, until I come back and pick her up. Casey calls her a "Mama's girl", and that's okay...especially since my vote is that Suzanna's a Daddy's Girl. Funny enough my mini-me clings to Daddy and Casey's mini-him clings to me. I love this little one. There is something special about each of our girls. And as far as Ella goes, it's her peaceful disposition. I love my Ella snuggles.

I think it's time, she's ready for naps.

Drop of 50 degrees in 5 hours

Since the last time I blogged, the temperature went down about 50 degrees, part of our fence blew down and it stated to snow. What temperamental weather!
Like anyone, Ella likes to be in the thick of the play. She really likes our little kitchen area. I just sat there and watched the two play side by side.....wow, Ella's really growing up much faster. With Suzanna it was like all I did was wait for the next milestone, document everything she was doing and so forth. With Ella it's different. I don't mind if she's a little later in crawling, walking, talking....whatever. Now I know how fast they grow...Ella slow down for Mama, okay?

Ready For Some Park Weather

We've really been ready for this weather break. It's been pretty nippy....in the teens, dipping down to the single digits. Yesterday on our way to getting some groceries the wind was so sharp and cold (yes, even I was cold)...I cursed the Midwest. So when we woke up to find 60 degree weather, we yelled "YIPPEEE!" Our friend Heidi invited us to join a group of Mom's at the park. It was Ella's nap time but she didn't' seem tired, so we took the great moment to enjoy the weather.
Suzanna on the swing.

Here is the no-nap girl.....eyes aren't as bright but hanging in there like a champ!"We're a Duo"....two is better than one when you swing! This is her favorite tube slide. She's been coming down on her tummy, very brave of her. I was surprised to find the hat still fit her noggin. Lately I've been worried it'll out grow all of her sun hats before summer even gets here.

Mission Failed

Casey's task this afternoon after work was to wake up Suzanna from her naps. Mission Failed.

How is it that everyone gets a nap this afternoon but Mama?

This little one has been sleeping record times. 13 hours at night, and still holds strong to 3-4 naps a day. Oh, don't mind the greasy look on top. We tried getting the cradle cap out, so in return it looks a wee greasy. It'll come out next wash....I hope.

Have I updated my Blog fans on how efficient Ella is as an eater? She nurses in less than 2 minutes on both sides! Wow...even the doctor was in shock. And she's proven to be getting enough, look at those healthy cheeks.

A little under the weather

We've been battling sniffles for the last few weeks. As soon as we thought we kicked it, it came around again. This last time around the virus hit me pretty hard. Too bad it happened last week (the week Casey got back). I think my body is just exhausted from being the "one" for everyone these last 4 months. I guess now I don't have to be the strong one and now that Casey's back, my immune system just gave in.

Thank goodness I'm the only one with the congestion and cough. It feels as though I have a URI. I went to the doctors and he put me on antibiotics. I've realized these past few days I've felt horrible and must really look it too. Poor Casey....here he comes home to a sickly congested sweetie. So, today I decided to try to make myself feel better (even if I can't breathe out of my nostrils). During Quiet Time I straightened my hair (that's when I noticed I didn't like how the hair stylist layered my hair), but on some eye makeup and some lip gloss.


I'm grateful I have a functioning body that can combat what ever virus I have. I'm grateful we have medicine. I'm also thankful we have clean water to flush out whatever it is I have.

My happy but tired eyes.

Baby Pictures

When we pull out our baby pictures, Suzanna is pretty good about picking out who is who. Recently when I pulled out my baby pictures she insisted that it was herself and when I pulled out Casey's she said it was Ella. We have had an overwhelming amount of people stating Ella takes after Casey and Suzanna takes after me. Well maybe so. Which baby do you think looks alike?

Baby #1Baby #2

Baby #3

Baby #4

Baby #5
(When I asked Suz who this was, she said "Suz and Maddy".)

Toddler #1
Toddler #2Toddler #3

Mobile Roller

She's the mobile roller in the house. She's picking up some speed too.....go Ella, go!

Blanket Toss

This was one of Suzanna's favorite games when she was little, the blanket toss. You could guaruntee a smile in what ever situation with the blanket. She still loves it and it makes us laugh to see how much Ella does as well.

Amongst Animals

Lately Ella has taken a liking to Suzanna's toys. Especially her favorite ones. While Suzanna is busy playing with other things, and leaves out something...it's fair game.
Somehow she fell over and felt as though the stuffed animals were out numbering her. Poor little thing. How have we come to so many stuffed toys?

Tea Party for Two

It's been all about Daddy these past few days, and rightfully so. Casey did go into work Tuesday, that really confused Suzanna. "Where's Daddy?" "Daddy no work!" This entire time I've been telling her (during the deployment) "Daddy's at work". So to her that could be a long 4 months, right? But he soon returned and her little play buddy is no back in her every day life (at least until he goes back in next Monday).

Tea Party for Two!

She got super excited when Casey poured water into the tea pot (for real this time). She was very coordinated and didn't spill. Here's she's looking for Casey's approval to pour some more water into their cups.Ella was the next person to be invited to this Tea Party for Two! She quickly grabbed her cup...it's like she's got suction cups on the ends of her fingers.

We thank you Mimi for the fun tea set! And what a great weekend we had....you were such a great help. Suzanna keeps saying "Mimi be back". During dinner she heard something and said "What's that noise? Mimi back."

Monday

I love seeing how Ella interacts with Casey. When he left she was only 3 months old. She's 7 months now....a whole different person. It hasn't taken too long for these two to enjoy each others company.
Ella's a grabber. It's like she has suction cups on the end of each finger.
Suzanna went to see her first movie today.
Thank you, Mimi! She LOVES Veggie Tales....the movie was a hit (so I heard).

Weekend with Casey

We had some nice one-on-one time with Casey Friday. It's so nice he can enough this Holiday weekend with us rather in Qatar.
This was really funny. The ball kept going around and around. Even after the ball was no longer bonking Ella in the head, she kept laughing. Casey would just tap her nose and it would cause her to giggle nonstop. Very cute!
Mimi drove up to help out. It's been nice. Here they are making cake. This afternoon the only one not napping were Ella and Mimi. Without her here, we wouldn't have had a nice afternoon nap. Wow, second day in a row, feels good. Casey's doing okay with jet-lag. I think he could sleep all day if we were quiet enough.

This has been a great weekend. We've been enjoying time with Casey and naps as a family.

28 hours of flying

After a long and exhausting 28 hours of flying, Casey is back from Iraq. He flew from Baghdad to Bahrain to London to Chicago. There he barely missed his connecting flight (by 5 min!) so they waited an extra 2 hours in Chicago (oh, so close to home). We originally were going to pick him up at 4pm but it wasn't until 7pm that we finally got to see him! We made it in perfect time, as we entered the airport Casey was walking to baggage claim. Suzanna got excited and began to give him a hug but clammed up. I think being in a huge airport with a lot of people around made her timid. Ella could have cared less, she smiled the whole time.

It didn't take long for Suzanna to be her normal Daddy-loving self. They were running around the house and having fun even before I could get Ella out of the car seat.

The girls and their Daddy. Welcome home!!

Great Friday

Okay, I'm not going to get my hopes up...but I got a call from American Air verifying travel. It drove me nuts....who is traveling (Casey's not due back from Iraq till Monday)?
I could feel my heart beating faster and faster as I got an adrenelene rush. I called American Air back asking why I got this message with no deatils. Casey then calls me a few minutes later stating he left Iraq early and was trying to get a flight out of Qatar to London. If I don't hear from him, he said, then plan an afternoon pickup from the airport.

YIPPEEEEE!

Yes...I am very excited for Casey to come home!!!!
Our little family was so incomplete without him. I can't wait for the girls response. I'll keep everyone posted.....just a few more hours....

Ella in Stroller

We had a rushed morning of trying to run errands. The girls were so good. We ran to the post office, library and got some groceries. I asked Casey to give me some dinner ideas of what he'd enjoy for his coming home week. With that in mind, we bought stuff for Bulgogi, Stromboli and French Dip. Yummm.
When we got home I wanted to do some creative fun things with them before Quiet Time. Suz helped me come up with this idea.
I think Suz and I got more of a kick out of it than Ella. But she was a good sport.

Cute Little Sayings

Suzanna said some cute things this week.

"Suz EAT, Mama cook!" (She was hungry, obviously)

"Mama play on computer." (She was doing a dirty...wanted some privacy)

"Pretty ponies, Mama!" (So sweet!)

It's 30 degrees Out There!

I do need to start walking again. I can feel it everywhere that I have been depriving myself of that exercise. So, we bundled up and went outside....despite the 30 degree weather.
I found this little hat (a thrifty find) and put it on Ella. Suz insisted it was a pig hat, I think it look likes a kitty. Which ever it is..Ella looked really cute.
Have I said I LOVE this double stroller? It was a life savor during our airport experiences to Washington and the girls love walks, especially when they can see one another.
Suzanna wanting a picture next to the tree. It was really hard getting those mittens to stay on and for her to understand her thumb goes in the thumb slot. When we got home, her hands were cold....maybe we should find some good fleece mittens for this chilly St. Louis weather.

Great news...Casey is in route!! Only a few more days till we get to have him home. What a blessing!

Suction Like Grip

Suzanna often leans in to hug or give Ella kisses. At those times Ella usually grabs a big chunk of hair. It usually leads to me degripping Ella's suction grip and Suz being disgruntled her pretties are messy. Ella does have this octopus-like suction. When I had her in the front pack last week getting groceries she kept grabbing for the shopping cart. It took both of my hands to desuction her. She's got a good grip. After our walk I wanted to take a picture of them...case in point.

Night Time Routine

Our night time routine starts right after dinner. We start winding down and by 6:30 it's jammie time. I read to the girls until about 6:50 and then Suzanna usually asks to read "myself" she says. The last three nights she's fallen asleep by 7:15. I didn't hear anything, and this is what I saw. She looks so darling, especially with the folded hands.

Reflection

My little sister asked why there weren't any recent pictures of me on the Blog. I do have an answer for you....that is I am 99% of the time behind the lens and think my subjects are much cuter than myself. However, I think I'll take an entry and do some reflecting on my life.

I've been in a real reflective state since I got back from Washington. Part of it was thinking of all the things we've caught up on with family (and good friends) and also I've been having a lot of flashbacks to when I was in the Army. Was it really 10 years ago that I enlisted??

So, my latest flashbacks were of when I was in Korea. I can't believe it's really been 7 years. I feel as though part of me has changed and a part of me is the same person. Sometimes I feel as though so much life has passed since I was a combat medic, that I have to remind myself, "You were a medic, you were in the Army. You traveled the world!" It's almost unreal now, wow, I really did that? I've been meaning to slowly but surely scan all my life's photos..especially the 4 years I was a Combat Medic.

Highlights of Korea (other than my hair)? It was when the all LDS soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division were invited to have a breakfast with Elder Holland. It was awesome! One of the highlights of my life. On the mission we called him the "pitbull" of missionary work. He's great. Humm....how did I not get the memo that when around a General Authority....wear a dress! (Must have missed that one).
We had at FTX preparing us for an NBC attack while transporting patients. Hooah, Combat Medic! Climbing the Great Wall of China. That was pretty exhilarating, I must say. It was fun to travel there for a week while stationed in Korea.

Ambulance Platoon. Much better than Treatment Platoon...much less junk and you get to support the Infantry and Tankers in the Field. And if it's cold and wet....sleep in the ambulance. Ahh....the good old days of birdy baths, not much rest and mosquito bites. And how is it that I miss those days?

KATUSA'S (Korean Augment to the U.S.A.), they were ROK (Republic of Korea) soldiers assigned to us. (Wow, I can remember those acronyms, pretty good!) My battle buddy (Astudillo) on the right...yummy M.R.E.'s in the back of the ambulance too.

I guess a lot of my reflection to the Army days is because my little sister is living those chapters of her life. She's going to Iraq next month (as a lot of you may know). I wish you well, Colleen. I know the Lord's angels will be there to bear you up and protect you.

I must admit the only "me" time I have is after the last nursing of the day (around 2030) and then I get computer time and some t.v. time in there. The last few nights I've been staying up really late, I mean I'm usually in the sheets by 2100, but lately I've had a lot to think of and I've been up till 2300. I due regret it in the morning when my early bird wakes me at 0600, but the "me" time is really important for me.....if that makes any sense.

Well....thanks for walking down memory lane with me. Now that I'm not a passionate journal writer as I once was, this the best I do these days....blog.