Goodbye 2011!

We started 2011 as four

And end it as five!

What a beautiful year.  Looking forward to 2012 & many more fun adventures with my forever family.  Wishing you many blessings in the New Year! 

Bree to Eli

"Eli, you're my best boy in the whole world."

Merry Christmas

From our family to yours...MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sickies...again

Eli is sick again with bronchitis.  Poor little bean woke up this morning with a runny nose & mild cough.  By 5:30pm it was so bad he was struggling to breath & eat.  I took him to Urgent Care where they ordered a chest xray because of low oxygen levels.  I struggled not to cry as he got his xray done, he was so miserable.  He was diagnosed with bronchitis- put on a higher dose of albuterol, a steroid, an antibiotic & alternating between tylenol & motrin (to keep fever down).  We head back to the doctor tomorrow to check out his oxygen levels again & reassure the doctor that this course of medications in working.  It is scary to see my little guy so sick!  He's been sleeping for a couple hours without coughing- I hope he gets a good night of sleep & feels 100% better by Saturday!!!

Christmas Program

Breena was in her very first Christmas Program at church this past weekend.  She sang & did (most) of the actions.  She even sat with her class all by herself without Dave or I with her.  I knew it was going to be a struggle to sit through her program without tears (from me, not her) but I was completely unprepared for how overwelming it was going to be to watch my little baby girl up there.  As soon as the kids started walking to their seats I felt the water works coming on.  All I could think was where did the time go?  Wasn't it yesterday that we were sitting in church for Breena's first Christmas?  She is such a beautiful little girl.  She's so funny & playful with a huge imagination.  She is a great big sister & a huge helper for me around the house.  I am so proud of her.  I just wish I could hold onto this little girl forever.  It's difficult to accept that she is growing up.  But rewarding to watch her blossom into a sweet little girl.  She's my only daughter & we share a special bond.  I love this precious girl more than I imagined possible. 

I love these kids so much it makes my heart hurt. 

26

I am officially 26 years old today.  I've entered the "late twenties" club.  Never in my wildest dreams did I see myself married with three kids by 26.  This morning I slept in with Toby in my arms.  I got up to two kids singing "Happy Birthday Mommy" while they handed me homemade cards.  Dave surprised me with a gift certificate for a pedicure.  To described my life at the age of 26 takes just one word: BLESSED.

My Loves

"Mom, I think I'm getting sleepy..."

 2 Minutes Later

Almost Big Enough for the exersaucer!

Someone misses being the baby!

Snow Fun!

3 months old already!

Breena asked Toby to babysit her new baby.



Yep. He's eating snow off of my boot.

Silly Girl.  She is so excited for Christmas!

Domestic

Today I am trying to be domestic and make a nice supper.  Poor Dave (who never complains about it) always gets stuck eating the things I can do easily.  When we were first married I spent more time making a nice roast with potatoes.  Now-a-days he gets spaghetti, tacos and pizza almost weekly because they are quick & easy for me to make.  I got to go shopping alone this morning (thanks to Dave's mom & dad!) and purchase all the things I needed to make my dinner.  Garlic Mustard Pork Roast & Mashed Parmessan Baked Potatos....mmmm.  I prepared my dishes while the kids ate lunch so I could just pop it in the oven later.  Toby screamed the whole time.  Eli was mad at me because I wouldn't let him have more cheese.  Breena (bless her heart) was doing her best to be my helper & console her brothers.  All this chaos led to my kitchen looking like this:

At least I'm trying...right???  Hope it's worth it!  

Well no break for us this weekend.  Eli, Toby & I are nearing the end of our colds (finally!) but now Breena has come down with the stomach flu.  She had been complaining o & off about an owie tummy this morning but cobbled down her eggs for breakfast.  I knew something was up when she didn't eat chocolate chip cookie she was given at her Christmas Program rehearsal today.  As soon as we got in the car she started throwing up.  She is nestled comfortably in my lap watching tv as I write this blog.  I can tell she feels rotten.  Every few minutes she wimpers & cringes from stomach pain.  She next second she seems okay.  Hope tomorrow is better for her!

Christmas Card Picture

One Mama trying to take a picture of three kiddo = This

There's got to be one I can salvage for a Christmas photo!

Boogers On The Couch

Eli came down with an icky cold on Sunday and he has been a whiny mess ever since.  If you know our family you know that Eli is dramatic (for lack of a better word) & emotional.  I know the little tyke doesn't feel good but honestly I don't think he is nearly as miserable as he is acting.  He is male I guess and they tend to exaggerate illness.  Men are babies.  Eli will be no exception to the rule.  He walks around whining & complaining.  He has trouble napping when he's sick & therefore he hasn't taken a good nap the last few days.  That in combination with interrupted night sleep (due to cough) has led to a super cranky Eli.  I started feeling icky Tuesday night & yesterday Toby came down with a cold as well.  I am so glad that tomorrow is Friday & that the week is coming to an end.  Its tough to listen to someone cry the ENTIRE DAY!  I'm ready for Saturday & to have Dave home during the day this weekend- hopfully we all get a chance to get rid of this bug.  At one point today Eli was whining at me for one reason or another. I was nursing Toby on the couch & told Eli to crawl up next to me.  As he started to climb up he let out a huge gross sneeze.  His nose was running.  I started to reach into my pocket to get out a kleenex but Eli had another plan.  He leaned over & smeared it all over our couch.  Boogers on the couch.  That pretty much sums up my day.