Success!

Eli is walking! Walking, I tell you! 

He's been walking between me and Matt for a few months now. Then the past 6 weeks he has really taken to his little walker. And since thursday he's walking on his own almost all of the time! This makes him a ton more sweaty, but he's happy, and that truly is all that matters. 

The Burg: Blue Angles, Parade, and Family!

WARNING, This is going to be a long post... lots and LOTS of pictures. 

Rexburg. We went back. I know! Two reasons. 1) Matt had military obligations there, and 2) My family was there for sister Ashley and her new baby!

First, Ashley and Dave become parents! Luke was 4 days past due, and Ashley was going crazy. I suggested getting an exercise ball and bouncing for a few hours. That she did, and 6 hours later Luke was born! 7 lbs baby. We were there in Rexburg already, so it was really sweet to visit them in the hospital. 

Then the Parade! Pioneer Day Parade in St. Anthony, actually. Pioneer Day is a day to celebrate the Mormon Pioneers that came across and settled Utah. Not really celebrated at home in Alabama, but is BIG in Utah and Eastern Idaho. Matt was in the Color Guard and lead the parade with the USA flag. He also called the cadence. Shout out to my roommate Kristina, who took me and others to all the St. Anthony festivities 5 years ago. What up Kristina! 

Anyway, Matt has been in lots of parades before, but this was the first documented with photos. He likes being in parades, and enjoys the responsibility of representing the United States.

Then the Blue Angles Air Show! I had been when I was 14 yrs old, but Matt had never been and was excited. Very. We went with my mom and dad and lil sis Madison. Also we met up with Dana and Phil and their son Caleb. It was HOT and BRIGHT, and I got some sun! Overall, very awesome. 

 There was lots of planes and jets on display. 

This is an A-10. Isaac's favorite jet! He couldn't believe it... 

He still talks about touching the A-10's awesome big wheel, and it's missiles and bombs.

Isaac, Caleb, and Eli checking out the pilot seat of a BlackHawk

Okay, now the Blue Angles. Amazing, amazing, I tell you. 

This was our little set up to watch. 

Dana and lil baby Titus, who amazingly slept through the whole thing.

Okay, check this video out. FUNNY! Only 10 seconds or so... 

And now a picture of my beautiful family! I think I look like a man, but whatever. This is one where everyone is looking at the camera. Can you tell which sister lives in the South? And doesn't my other sister look great, 2 days after having a baby?! And aren't my parents too cute? And my boys? And my husband? And everyone? 

Titus and Luke's due dates were a week apart. But Titus came 4 weeks early and Luke came 4 days late. Making them 6 weeks apart. Silly, beautiful boys... 

Proud grandparents of 4 grandsons. 

I love my family. I wish we lived closer, but we are close in spirit and heart. Alabama and Idaho are just too far away! And Idaho is too big! Takes me 5 hours to visit my sister across state... goodness. 

Husband Matt took the photos of the Blue Angles and the Family shots. He's got skill! (We have a Nikon D80.)

A First!

I'm an Uncle! No wait, I have a nephew! 

We'd like to congratulate my sister Ashley and her husband David on their first child. Luke. Welcome, Mr. Luke, to the family.

Stay tuned for more pictures to come from our Rexburg trip.

Poem of the Month

Every month I choose a poem to share. Sometimes it's deep, other times not. Just something fun to do, to do, to do. 

This poem "Babies Don't Keep" is one of the first poems that I remember encountering. Where from? On a little stitch work hung in my Great Aunt Lanette's home. Oh I think she's had it forever! It took me a long time to work out the words, and even longer to understand its meaning. Only the last stanza was on the stitch work, but I think I'll share the whole thing. 

The poem:

Babies Don't Keep

Author Unknown (but rumored to be Ruth Hamilton)

Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo

The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

..........................

Welcoming a newborn into the family is always a special time. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the house work, but I have to remind myself that children are only children for so long. I have been really trying to enjoy this stage. Also me and Matt are starting to realize jut how quickly this little boys grow up. It's fun and hard all at the same time. I hope their childhood is wonderful and that they will know we tried our best...  

A Glimpse

A 15 second glimpse into our lives: 

Hey Titus, It's Your Due Date!

Today is Titus' due date. Thank heaven he came early! Yesterday we took some pictures of this little guy. He is probably 7 and half pounds... seeing he was 7 lbs 3 oz almost a week ago. So chunky compared to what he was (5 lbs 2 oz). Happy 4 weeks of life to you, Titus!

   

To Our Sons

Dear Titus,

What a precious little one you are! Though you are a newborn, which sleep all the time, it seems that you are calmer and easier going than most. I have given you the nick name "Baby Bear" because, yes you are small and delicate, but have very manly features. Baby Bear seems to be the perfect balance of both delicate and masculine. I love to hold and rock you, and play with your wispy white hair. Thank you so much for being a wonderful nurser! You are now 7 lbs and 3 oz! 2 pounds up from your birth weight. We love you so much. You complete our little family of 5. 

Dear Eli,

You crazy boy! So much emotion for one so small! So happy one moment and devastated the next. You keep us on our toes, that's for sure. We are so happy you finally have teeth, for now you can eat what you please. And now you are learning how to walk. WOW! So much has happened to you in your little life, and you take it all so well. We are pretty sure once you have your next surgery and your blood oxygen saturation level is normal you will be so wild! You love to move, to laugh, to love. We love you. We do. 

 

Dear Isaac,

You are so fun. So creative. So full of life! You were once a very serious child, but no more! We love your imaginary friend "Monster's Inc." and welcome him into out home with open arms. LEGOs are the love of your life... at least for this week. You have a great compassion for your brothers and love to play and wrestles with anyone ready and willing. This week we got you a tennis racket, and though we shouldn't be, we are surprised at the backhand skill you have! You are one dedicated and observant boy. First born son, we love you. Thanks for loving us back.