Update on Elle's 'Little Problem"

First I want to say thanks to the 2 readers who have stuck with me after last week's post on Elle's little BM (or lack of) problem.

Elle is not as bad as last week but still having some little rabbit pellets in the diaper, if you know what I mean. I'm trying to push the fluids but I'm very open to any suggestions that have worked well for you. Please leave a comment with any good advice you might have.

So tonight she looked at me with that look of desperation and says, "POO" as she points to her bottom. When I asked her if she had to go poopy, she said "yeah". I took her to the toilette and she had a very successful evacuation! I'm excited because not only did she get to relieve herself but she also went for the first time on the potty! We made a big deal about it and I'm hoping she'll want to do this again and maybe even begin potty training!

So I guess something good can come out of having a constipated baby. At least you get a warning and can get them to the potty.

It's a Pirate Party!

Yesterday was Bry's 8th birthday and we had a few friends over to celebrate in their pirate best. We had a treasure hunt that lead them around them neighborhood until finally, they landed at the treasure. It was filled with foam swords, handkerchiefs filled with candy, coins, patches and a hoop earring for everyone. The kids all had a great time. Bryant said it was his "best birthday ever"! He loved his gifts, especially his new Powell skateboard which he said was a "dream come true".

The sign the kids and I made before the party:


The treasure-less chest after the kids dug into it:


I love these cupcake cakes. So easy!:


The crew:


Elle loved getting to have a cupcake:


AAARRRRG!:


Sweet Pirate A:


The littlest and toughest pirate:


Pirate C trying to look tough but still looks sweet:


W happy to have his cupcake:


Mean Pirate Dad:

Reflecting and Slow Dancing

Caleb and I started our day at 6am this morning. Normally on Saturdays we don't set an alarm but today is different. Today is a day for celebrating. Our firstborn is 8 today and we're going to have a party to celebrate his sweet life. (I'll post more on that later). So Cal and I got up while the house was still dark and our little treasures were still sleeping. I got in the shower and Caleb headed to the kitchen to start his coffee and begin on our to-do list of about 25 things. When I got out of the shower I could hear Norah Jones playing and went to join Caleb in writing clues for Bryant's treasure hunt today. We got distracted and caught up in the quietness in the house. We began to reflect on our son, our marriage and our life.

We slow danced in the kitchen for a few minutes and enjoyed the goodness of God's blessing and how far we've come since Bryant was born. We determined that right at that moment in time, 8 years ago, I was in the hospital getting very close to the time when we first laid our eyes on Bryant. We thought about how young and in many ways clueless we were. Even though I loved Caleb and Bryant as much as I possibly could that day, I love them even more today. There is more trust, more understanding and more history between us now, 8 years later.

Once again I'm blown away at the one thing from God that has marked my life... GRACE. I'm blessed beyond measure and I have no doubt Who it comes from.

Why me?

...okay, enough reflecting. I have so much to do! make pasta salad, pick up a cake, hang decorations and a treasure chest to hide!

Simple Thought for Today:

It doesn't matter where you live. It matters how you live.

Oh Yeah!

Reason #592 why you shouldn't leave a constipated baby without a diaper on:



...even if it's only for 30 seconds while you run into the other room to grab a new diaper.

Now no one is ever going to want to sit on this bench again. Don't worry, I did bleach the whole area about 5 times. Sorry if this was just way too gross for my more restrained friends (you know who you are). But you know it's happened to all of us moms at some point. I think it's happened to me at least once for each of my kids. Most of you just aren't weird enough to take a picture of your baby's poo like I just did.

Fast Forward 30 Years

Have you ever wondered what DJ will be like in about 30 years?
Wonder no more:






This is my friend Kathy who is more fun and laughs in one day than many people are in a whole year. I love this girl. Just Friday she was watching DJ from a distance and admiring her personality. She asked if she could just borrow DJ for an afternoon sometime (Kathy has 3 boys) to just enjoy her company and soak in girlie-fun stuff. I pointed out that the reason Kathy loves her so much is because she's exactly like her... A NUT!
Do the pictures above remind you of anyone in this POST?
...or the pictures at the very bottom of this post?

Kathy is going to kill me when she hears about this. (mischievous chuckle)

Spring Time, It's a Beautiful Thing!

Our kids have been enjoying the outdoors since this gorgeous weather has settled over our neighborhood. It has been wonderful for all of us! When the kids get restless, I send them outdoors. Sometimes I even join them for a jump on the trampoline, some gardening time or to chase them around the house with a water hose. I LOVE springtime!

The girls helping Daddy mow:

The kids "fishing" in the backyard.

We love our neighbor kids. Their oldest is 11 and our youngest is 18 months but all the kids play great together.

My herb garden in it's early stages:


I usually just use my cheap point and shoot camera for quick blogging pictures. If you want to see some nicer pics of the kids check out a post I did at JKP.