Elin is rolling!

Elin decided to do her first trick. I had her doing some tummy time on the floor. I had my camera in hand. I was changing the settings, looked down and Elin was on her back. She has only done it once again, but she can do it.
Where has the time gone?
Proud momma

sleeping through the night

This past Sunday Elin slept through the night. She slept from 7:30 pm to 5:30am. I felt like a new mom. I had heard and was told I needed to read babywise. I just never did with the other two. But after caylin's poor sleeping habits i was bound and determined to learn how to get a baby to sleep during the day. I read the book twice and took notes but at 10 weeks old I was doing my habits i did with Caylin and getting the same results. I knew i had to change what I was doing. I got the book out again, and started to apply the prinicples. 2 weeks later i have her sleeping through the night and laying down awake in her crib for naps and bedtime and putting herself to sleep. What a great feeling it is to teach your newborn how to put herself to sleep. I wish I had done this with the other 2.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

I am so Blessed

I was driving around this morning. The older kids were in preschool. And was just thankful. I truely have a great life. I really don't have to want for much, and really what I do want for, isn't a neccesity for a good life. Though a new kitchen floor would help me feel good about my house :)

I have great kids. I really do. God has really Blessed me with them. I might complain about Ivan's whining or Caylin's attitude and Elin not wanting to be put down, but really they are great kids. They have manners, they do their chores, they are on a sleep schedule, they are loving, kind, they love God and ask many questions about Him, and they are fun. I laugh everyday with them!

I am Blessed to have such a great husband. I wish he didn't have to work away from home as much, but I really appreciate it when he is home. He loves me and the kids so much. He's a hard worker and has built a very good, profitable business, he's a handy man, he's fun and loves God and parents our kids according to His word. There isn't anything that man can't do. I just absolutely and completely love this man.


I just had to get this out. I'm so thankful for my life and feel very blessed. 

Bath time!

I decided to see if Elin would like a bath in the big bathtub. I waited until everyone was up from their nap and decided to give it a try.

Elin was not too sure of it at first, she was a little scared and was easily startled. But then she loved it.

Ivan loved it when I let him hold her for the picture. And Caylin just wanted to be all over her. She loves being the big sister and couldn't believe I had Elin in the bath tub.

I can't believe my little girl is already 3 months old.

Slept through the night!!!

Elin has been pretty good about sleeping at night. She would just wake to eat and go back down to sleep.

Last night she slept from 7:30pm to 6:30am. I felt like a new person. She really is a great baby.

I have been trying really hard with her to do the Babywise techinque with her. Caylin was such a hard baby in the sleeping department. it was more my fault than anything. I would always tend to her and let her sleep on me. It worked fine with Ivan but with Caylin I had Ivan to take care of and he would wake her up early from naps. She never learned to fall asleep by herself. She is still a hard one to go to sleep.

I have been bound and determined to teach Elin how to fall asleep by herself. I think we are there. Today I saw she was tired, it had been about 2 hours since she ate, I swaddled her bottom half put her in the crib, gave her a kiss and walked out of the room. After about 8 minutes of off and on crying she was asleep. She did it, she put herself to sleep!!!!! She did it again tonight. It is so rewarding to know she can do it and I can learn a new way to parent a newborn.

I definitely have my tendency to want to nurse her to sleep and hold her during naps, but I am trying hard not to do that.

playdate

We had a playdate this morning. The Norris boys came over while Amy and Savannah had some errands to run. It amazes me how easy it is to watch 2 little boys in addition to my 3. Quinn and Tyler are great kids and Ivan and Caylin love playing with them. Basically all the boys played trains, caylin played with her princess dolls, and Elin slept most of the time. My entire playroom floor is covered in an impressive train track. And there are other toys all over, it looks messy but to me I see the imagination used, friendships being formed for life and the love boys have for their trains.
What a great morning!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Caylin funny

The other night we were headed home after dinner. The kids asked if we could play knock-knock jokes. Now usually these are horrible and make no sense, but are hilarious to the kids.
Caylin starts with "ivan (then makes a spitting sound)
Ivan responds with copying the exact sounds, then "who?". (Pretty funny already)
Caylin - "whooooo went the rooster!"
Anders and i start laughing histerically. The things they come up with.
It the weeks following, you can hear kids just saying, "whooooo went the rooster." And then laughing.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

daddy gone

Ugh! Daddy has been gone since Monday. He flew out to New Jersey on Monday afternoon and wont be back until Thursday night. Then leaves again Friday until Saturday night. This is a lot of work with 3 kids, a drop dead print date for the MOPS yearbook, a showing for the house and a sick infant. I'll get through it, but, man am i tired.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

really? a year???

I have been bad. It's really been a year since I've been on here.

I will be better and start posting on this. I read all my older posts tonight and I had written some great stories with details I didn't remember. I want to have that from now on for all the kids to be able to read when they are older.

Let the updates begin!!!

Big update to our family.

We have another family member. Elin Nicole was born on August 25, 2010. She is a great baby!

Yes I did a water birth. Yes that means no drugs. No, we did not know she was a she, in fact we were still trying to figure out a boy name on the way to the hospital. Yes I was only in labor for 4 hours. Yes I got to deliver and catch her myself. Yes we were in the same room as we were with Caylin. No I didn't scream like I did with Caylin. Yes I am in LOVE!

Definitlely likes to be home to eat and go to sleep, but I can't believe how Blessed I am to have 3 great kids now.

Ivan and Caylin have adjusted really well to having her around. The biggest thing I have to say to them is, "Out of her face," "Stop kissing her," "No she's not awake yet."

They love to play with her and just want to talk and be with her. And honestly she calms right down when they come around. She coos and laughs as soon as she hears them. Just warms my heart.