Easter Frills

Weather here in Central New York certainly isn't what it was like down in Southern California, BUT at least the snow is almost gone :) We didn't do any egg hunts this year and instead just did the church thing and then later on Applebees.

With Church being the only real major function, the kids had to get dressed up in their Sunday best. And of course mommy had to capture it before they outgrew them in the next hour/day.

Now I must log off here and go pilfer the chocolate goodies they were given in their church Easter baskets. Wouldn't want them to get any cavities ;)

2 Months!

It is a bit hard to believe that 2 months have gone by since Nolan has joined our family on the outside. My baby boy still looks like a little old man, with his pot man boy belly. We now get many more smiles these days which of course make deposits in my love account.

This week I've returned to running the youth center. It wasn't quite as painful with this being a short week due to Good Friday. The kids seem to be happy that I've returned, but today was full of reminders of how it would have been nice to stay home with the kiddos. I had forgotten how much extra work is required to get an infant out the door with their supply of food. At the most, I was only needing to make sure Eliza had enough cloth diapers ready to go.

I will leave this post with the tail end of our monthly picture in the chair with the two of them. Eliza certainly loves her baby "smoother".

Sensory Box

After finally deciding to put together a sensory box after spending time with a friend who pulled out her most recent sensory box for Eliza...here is my attempt at it.

I found floral gel beads while at Walmart on clearance and this is when my brain started churning out possibilities. After I let the beads soak up the 4.5 qt worth of water required for 3 packs, I went in search for what I could add to it. Bath toys work well, and I had these little inch by inch cubes with lids. A small bowl and kitchen utensil worked well to add to the exploration. 

Eliza seemed to not care for the cubes early on, until I showed her she could stack them, but they still got the boot in the end and remained outside the tub.

Overall, this box held her attention for awhile. The beads will crumble if squeezed too hard or meet the demise of a careless knee stomping them. I recommend a sheet put down as to help make it easier to see those that jump ship. Also, this reduces any extra crud from the floor going back into the tub. Not to mention, it also makes for easy clean up when done. 

For myself, I found the water beads to be a bit therapeutic as I played along with her. Just to note...young children should be supervised with these beads as to prevent any choking hazards or attempting to bite into and ingest. Eliza did a pretty good job with this in not trying to taste any of them.   

Grandparents

"Children are meant for the young"

This is a mantra that I hear every time the grandparents come to visit and spend time with  the grand kids. And I hear how they always say they say it every time...."second verse, same as the first...a little bit louder and a little bit worse."

Wow, one could say this could be used for every subsequent pregnancy!

Mr. G's parents were driving though on their way to Canada to be guest speakers at a church for Palm Sunday and took a day or so to visit us. I treasure the times were we are blessed to travel to them or vice verse. Grandpa seems to delight in his little girl he calls Goose. Since Mr. G is an only child, Dad missed out on all the fun of giggly little girls.

Grandma enjoyed soaking in and eating up Nolan whenever she could. Eliza is getting better at remembering and associating her grandparents in between visits and is starting to mumble a form of grandma. This of course just makes her day.

 

Eliza continues to try and grasp the idea of what a Big Sister is and who Nolan is in relation to her.

One day I hope we can be just a short drive away for a season so many more days like this have a chance to happen. Not to mention, reap the benefits of free baby sitters so mommy and daddy can have more frequent date nights ;)

A Balance in this World

Being an only child, most people seem to think that I was a spoiled child growing up. No one to share my room or toys with, or share the spotlight when academic/special talents arose.  Despite having some additional privileges that those who did have siblings  life was rather boring and lonely. Only so much stuff can try and fill a void which will never reach the brim.

I am constantly having to reevaluate what I am providing for my family. How much is too much but JUST enough. 

Around this time, I am sure many of you have filed or will be filling your taxes in hopes of the much awaited return. Who doesn't like a recent or sudden windfall of money, right?

Recently, while walking around Walmart, Mr. G and I noticed a rather large 50 inch flat screen TV. It was quite impressive along with the low price point. How tempting it was to whisk it away in our cart!

But....

Do does one really need THAT much of a screen? It would have taken a decent amount of our wall space and dwarf much of everything else in our small shared living and dinning room. Christ has taught us not to build ourselves up with worldly things, but Godly qualities. Material things will fade, brake and become outdated with time, just as our bodies will do.  It is a constant battle, much like a kid in a candy store, to not let our eyes deceive us in what is important, valued or good for us.

Being an adult, with a job and real abilities to fulfill my worldly desires, I must always keep them in check so I may live by an example to my children and what it means to be content. Just because one can indulge oneself or those close to them, should we? 

Big Sister Strikes Again

Eliza is always up to finding ways to terrorize myself or Nolan. I found her forcing this bowl on his head while he was peacefully content in the swing. Then earlier in the day, I had Nolan in the bouncer and I was adjusting the car seat straps while it sat on the table. I turn around and find my 22 mo toddler coming to me with 6 mo infant in her arms, bringing him to me. I just about had a heart attack as I quickly snatched him up and put big sister on a time out. We have wood floors, and I can only imagine what could have happened if she had dropped in to see if he indeed could bounce!

6 Week Check Up

Nolan had his wcc yesterday. Thus far he is 10 lbs. 9 oz and 22.5 long. He is a tall, average weight and smaller than average sized head baby...but I still love him.

We were enjoying some sister free time here while she napped

For the Boys

After making my own Big Sister shirt for Eliza, I had a friend of mine who is also expecting a boy and will be her second child. Since I've been so crafty lately, I wanted to take up the challenge of making a matching set of shirts for this family. The challenge being of what or how could I design a graphic that wasn't too girly to add to the text. Not to mention that the crown had to look masculine and not to be mistaken as a girls pageant crown.

Over all, I am pretty happy with the way these turned out and will save my applique tracing pattern for another time or gift for another family. The mommy to be again was very happy with these and I am touched to have them be her coming home outfits.