WOW. Things have been crazy.

I have been thinking for a long time that I need to be a better blogger... for a number of reasons.  1) great way to update family and friends 2) it's like a running journal and one day I think it will be invaluable to look back at my life in this format and 3) who doesn't love looking at pictures of my cute kids?!  Right.  So today I finally logged in to see the last post and it almost made me cry.  Looking at Ethan so little, remembering the mini-celebration we had over his first "roll-over" and thinking how far we have come since then!  So I could write pages filling in the blanks but I have always been a fan of the clean slate!  So here's what's new....

Ella: This girl amazes me more and more everyday.  She is getting smarter, prettier and funnier by the day.  She has the most competitive spirit which at times I feel so blessed for - it makes her challenge herself and really push to be the best at... well... everything!  But at the same time as you can imagine, it is a struggle because she has her Daddy's love for debating on... well.... everything!  We just recently enrolled Ella in dance using all of the money she got for her birthday from our amazing Canadian family.  She LOVES it.  And I love it because it ensures she behaves in order to keep the priviledge of going.  THANK YOU CANADIANS!

Ethan:  Oh Ethan.  It seems sometimes this poor kid can't catch a break.  He is the sweetest little guy in the world but has lately been having a rough time.  He was just diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea which explains why the poor kid doesn't sleep well, wakes up tired and cranky, is constantly getting sick, and most importantly why nobody wants to sit next to him and watch TV (loud breather is putting it lightly).  We feel very fortunate though in that we have been paired with a great doctor who will be doing his adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, bronchioscopy and laryngoscopy.  If you think that's a mouthful then you should see Ethan's tonsils (clever I know!!).  So as nervous as we are for Tuesday and seeing him go into a surgery (although very minor) and dealing with a toddler in pain - we are excited for a healthy happy well-rested toddler.  Although scared out of our minds about what more energy might mean for his fearless spirit!  This kid jumps head first off just about anything! 

Roslyn:  If you know me, then you know Roslyn was a SUPRISE.  And I used to roll my eyes when people would tell me - it's not a suprise, it's a miracle.  Not a fan of the cheezy phrases.  But I couldn't agree more these days.  I look back at the craziness of our lives the past 12 months and I don't know how we would have stayed centered on what's important in life if it wasn't for her sweet little presence.  She gives me calm when I am stressed, confidence when I feel insecure and energy to keep going when I feel like life is draining me.  I love that little gal and she luckily expresses her love back to me by being a good eater and sleeper and for happily playing in her bouncy chair... a lot. 

Michelle:  Not mama Michelle but Canadian cousin Michelle.  If you have been around us recently you know Michelle has made her way to our home in Arizona to care for our crazy bunch of three while Cam and I are at work.  It has been great having her around - not only to the kids love her to pieces but I enjoy having someone to craft with, shop with and drink wine with!  We will definitely miss her come January!

So that's the update for now.  More to come after the surgery with lots of pictures and updates!!

AAAh... slow down TIME!!! Ethan rolled over tonight in his crib! I just can't believe it's already time for that milestone. I just feel like I hardly have time to cherish one milestone before another one arrives. He is getting so big and just more adorable by the day.




And I think he is starting to look a lot like Ella - who looks a lot like Albert Einstein here...


Her hair is seriously impossible. Really impossible. I comb it and pin it and put product in it and either way this is how it ends up. But it is especially crazy in the AM.

Much love...XOXO!

Overdue Pics of the Bubs at 3 months!!!

Tear.... Sniffle... he's getting so big so fast!!! Talking and Kicking up a storm!!! I am just a blessed mamma.

WE LOVE YOU THIS MUCH!!

How much do I love you?? This much!!!

And check her out on her new bike... still working the learning curve. The guy who sits on one side of me (doesn't my cubicle job sound glamorous?) sold me his little girls old radio flyer. I figured what the heck - we need a bike and pretty sure Ella doesn't care how new it is!! And sure enough - she really loves it. I think this is hilarious when she freaks about the girl on the bigger bike. BTW - I am not buying Ella one of those ever? What ever happened to good ol' exercise. But I do think I deserve one...



And of course, our little man is making big strides too. Put him in Ella's old Bumbo chair today and he did great. He has absolutely amazing head control for his age (such a proud mama, haha). And I think his first picture is his "seriously, purple mom?" face. But he took it like a champ.



Love ya'all. Whoever is reading this blog anyway :)

Easter was a success!!

Ok - so we are officially 5 days post Easter as I am writing this blog and I have to say I am a bit surprised that Ella is STILL waking up asking for the Easter bunny every morning - and wanting to find her "eggies." Holidays are definitely so much more fun with kids. We started off the day with Tangled which happily made it's way to our mailbox via Netflix the day before!! Perfect timing - it also allowed our early riser to kill some time before Daddy made it out of bed for the main event... the Easter baskets...

You like how she had to put on her Rapunzel night gown immediately after the movie? And then we had a DELICIOUS breakfast (chocolate chip pancakes for Ella)!! The cousins came over in the afternoon for some fun in the sun - Cam dug out the ol' mini pool from Rancho and it was quite the hit!!

Then after lots of appetizers for the adults we finally started the Easter egg hunt!!





And Miss Bailey won the PRIZE EGG!!!


It was definitely so much fun to watch Ella running around with such enthusiasm for these plastic eggs! She had a bit of a practice run at school the previous Friday so she had no problem keeping up with the big kids.

And of course, Ethan just chilled most the day...


So the last thing I am going to say is that I am so incredibly grateful for my amazing family. I couldn't have asked for anything more in life than what I already have. Ella, Ethan and Cameron are the loves of my lives... until more come right?! HAHA, not anytime soon folks :)

XOXO, Michelle

New Camera!

She loves pictures...

For those of you who don't already know - my super awesome husband bought me a new camera when Ethan was born. It was a very generous gift and after much deliberation I returned it for a little lower level camera WITH an accidental damage protection plan!!! More fitting for this mama. So - my new one came in the mail yesterday and I finally got it charged up and took a few pics of the kids... the few moments my hands were actually free... which isn't many. Of course, in typical Michelle fashion I lost the lens cap in the pool and my sweet daughter kindly retrieved it from the freezing water for me (don't judge my mom skills - I swear she wanted to!) And little E is doing well - still working on our eating and sleeping issues - hopefully one day this tired lady will get some sound sleep. More from this new camera soon... Easter is coming up...

Hugs and kisses XOXO.

The bubs

He is getting BIG!! What do you think? Big change??