Day 40 - 40 Days of Blogging

Well - I made it...40 blog posts! Might not have been EACH and EVERY day, but I got 'er done! And I'm really excited because it was a GREAT challenge for me! And a great reminder why I take the time to do this blog-thing! It's such a great way to keep track of our memories. I've had so many people tell me that they have gone back to some of our older blog posts and read about our journey...and I have too! It's so fun to have this journal to see where we were 4 or 5 years ago, compared to where we are today! And there is no doubt that it's only by God's doing!

Sitting in church today, I was actually brought to tears thinking about how amazing this day is. Resurrection day...Jesus is ALIVE and he's ALIVE in my life! I'm so blessed to know Jesus and to know what Jesus did for me and for my husband and my children...and for YOU! Thinking about what Jesus did on the cross for ME, I can get pretty emotional and pretty pumped up at the same time. He loves ME that much. God loves ME that much. Thank you - thank you, Jesus!

Happy Easter from our family to yours! :)

Day 39 - 40 Days of Blogging

Well in case you didn't know...we are on a boat, in the ocean and he pushed me overboard to go for a swim...we've just encountered some sharks...but dont worry...he's throwing me a "donut"!!

We then moved on to reading Ellie nursery rhymes before her nap...Zay named on story "Duck, Duck, Ellie"!

Silly faces! :)

Day 38 - 40 Days of Blogging

The chances of this boy adding trouble on top of his trouble is about 100% today. Wake up sister from nap...check. Torment dog...check. Play with scissors...check. Get stuck in his bed...check. Although, I will take full blame for the last one...twin bed is waaay overdue.

I think it's obvious that he needed a nap! Later in the day after throwing him in the bath to maybe provide a little productive entertainment, he fell asleep with 2 grapes in each cheek! (Don't worry, I took them out!) :)

Day 37 - 40 Days of Blogging

Since I wasn't exactly blogging when Zay had his first School Conference, I thought I would put a quick 'report card' up here! Glad to report that he's doing well, his teachers seem to think he's pretty close to the perfect little boy and I couldn't be happier with our first year in school! :) 

I love reading his teacher's notes...he loves to make his teachers laugh and loves routine. And snack time hasn't been a problem...yay!! Speaking of snack time, it's worth noting that everyday the class has graham crackers for a snack...in the beginning of the year I made Zay's version of graham crackers so that he could eat the "same thing"...but Zay informed me early on that he would prefer to eat his pretzels. He definitely has not problem not fitting in! And on another note...he can count to 100 now, so I'm pretty sure he could have done more than 10 a few weeks ago, but you know...he's gets his own ideas of when he's going to show his skills! ;)

 One of Zay's favorite things at preschool...Art time! One of Zay's teachers brought me in one day and wanted Zay to show me his art project that day. As we go down the row looking for Zay's "sheep", we look at all the other students sheep, and they have 5 or 6 little puff-balls on them. Then we come to this one...Zay REALLY liked this project! ;)

And another art project...he tells me "Mommy, I had to pick a PINK egg because there wasn't any RED eggs!" (This week's favorite color is red!)

Day 36 - 40 Days of Blogging

This little lady...she's getting teeth! Lot's of them. She got her first two teeth around 10 months (I think)...then she waited 6+ months to get another two teeth! Now...it's been months again! Today I saw that she's getting 3 more teeth and probably more this time! Silly little girl and so different than Zay. He had ALL his teeth (except 2 year molars) at 12 months! 

Talkin about teeth!

I kept asking her..."how many teeth do you have in there?" Finally she grabs my hand and puts it in her mouth to feel! ;)

Day 35 - 40 Days of Blogging

On the 13th, Ellie turned 19 months and I turn 31! Eeek...we are getting sooo old! ;) 

Little known fact about our family...The girls are born on the 13th of the month (Ellie: Sept 13th & Mommy: April 13th) and the boys are born on the 16th of the month (Zay: Dec 16th & Daddy: March 16th).

Day 34 - 40 Days of Blogging

I spy with my little eye....two little kiddos running off energy! We LOVE this warmer weather!!! :)

Day 33 - 40 Days of Blogging

Had another newborn session today! I've had A LOT of newborn sessions this Spring...and the good news about that, I'll be seeing most of them throughout their first year...YAY! :)

Day 32 - 40 Days of Blogging

Got a little new 'do' today!! :) 

Day 31 - 40 Days of Blogging

Look! We got a new dog! Okay, okay...just an upgraded version of Bails! ;) 

Day 30 - 40 Days of Blogging

So happy to remember that 9 years ago this guy asked me to marry him. Man...what a great memory. And yep, I'm still so in love with him. Mushy, I know...but I thank God daily that I get to spend my days with him...even when he's grumpy or I'm tired or the kids don't listen - it's an amazing little life we've created together and I just love it. Just like I love him. 

On another note...the kids and I spent some time outside today! For me, it was still a little chilly, but the kids LOVED it! 

Haha...I totally RAN some sprints in our back yard while the kids were playing in the sandbox. Remember how I was cold...thought it would help me warm up! And it did! I felt like I was back in track, running 'accelerations' on the football field! And the neighbors? Yeah, they think I'm nuts.

Only my kid would be wearing a stocking hat (because I'm always worried about ear infections with Zay) but then also kick his shoes off! 

She is somewhere in between being a 'rough-n-tough' little girl and being a 'girly-girl'...she has moments of both!

Day 29 - 40 Days of Blogging

After a loooong weekend, Monday didn't turn out too much better. The last few days have been full of craziness! We had a VERY clogged drain in our kitchen sink (shout-out to my hubby for getting it fixed...took awhile, but we got it!), and with about 15 minutes to spare we got the drain un-clogged right before Shane's family showed up to our house to celebrate Spring birthdays! We had a great visit with Shane's family, but then last night things started going downhill for Zay. Ellie was sick late last week, so I'm figuring that Zay caught what she had...but it is just so unfair how much worse his sicknesses are. We were up most of the night last night, and all day today he hasn't had much relief. I feel bad for my little buddy. :( Hoping we can bounce back a bit tomorrow and things can get back to normal!

My sick little guy. :(

Ellie wearing her brother's hand-me-downs last weekend...she sure made that John Deere sweatshirt look cute! :)

Day 28 - 40 Days of Blogging

Another photography session post...my job is fun because I'm always meeting new people and new moms and somehow or another there is a link between us all. So fun...I really do love this. :)

Might as well start with my favorite picture from the session! :)

I always love a sweet Daddy-Daughter pic! :)

Day 27 - 40 Days of Blogging

Sometimes a little girl just needs her Daddy. (I was a bit of a Daddy's girl growing up...so I know this.) :)

Day 26 - 40 Days of Blogging

Zay took it upon himself to dig out every single hat we own. Nice of him. He was certainly proud when he found a hat that had a 'hat clip light' attached to it...it was the "coolest hat he'd ever seen!!! Then of course his sister insisted on wearing a hat too...so why not a backwards stocking hat of your brother's. Never dull around here, never dull. 

Day 25 - 40 Days of Blogging

I don't have a lot to share tonight! Today was, well, busy. Chiropractor Appointment, Expensive Vet Appointment for Bailey, visit from my brother, husband working late and a lot of things around the house. And tonight I'm trying to get some work done quickly, as I have a feeling that my little girl might be up throughout the night with a bit of a cold/sickness...she's already whined a bit since I've had a chance to sit down! :(

So, bear with me...because I'm calling this a post today. BUT - I will include a couple pictures to make it more legit! ;)

Probably TMI, but this little girl was in the bath first thing this morning. She woke up with some dried "spit up/throw up" plastering her hair down. Gross, I know...but she didn't even cry in the middle of the night, so I'm not sure what to think! Oh how kids just change the order of your days sometimes!

Zay's masterpiece today. He is getting so good at drawing and writing! Take a look at that "A" - perfection! ;)

Day 24 - 40 Days of Blogging

Today I was asked to speak to a University of Iowa Public Health class on the importance of newborn screenings and promote awareness for PKU. After the class I was able to tour the State Hygienic Lab and I learned soooo much...maybe even more than I wanted to know concerning the realities of public health! Very thankful for the experience to meet those working to keep Iowans healthy...Our State Hygienic Labs really are top notch...and its a blessing to live in Iowa!! :)

Thanks to the TA for snapping this pic!

The State Hygienic Lab...lots of important things happen here!!! 

Day 23 - 40 Days of Blogging

A few weeks back, Zay had his Preschool pictures taken. I was so interested to see if he would listen to the photographer and smile (nicely) for her. I mean...he's used to getting his picture taken, obviously...but his listening skills when I attempt to take his picture aren't always the best. But looky-looky! He did great! As a matter of fact, doesn't he look like the perfect little posed child...haha! :)

Preschool Class Picture!