Eli,

You turned 6 mos old on June 13th! I cannot believe you are half a year old already!! This time has just flown by.

You are really starting to develop a beautiful personality. You are still a calm, sweet baby. You love, love, love to be talked to. Your face just lights up whenever anyone is talking, especially your big brother. You two have an amazing relationship and my prayer is for this to continue to develop and that you will become the best of friends.

You are starting to sit up, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. Not really a bad thing, just another reminder that you are not going to be my baby forever. You love your jumper and will spend a long time in there, happily jumping around. You're eating really well and are really good about eating your veggies and fruits; hopefully this continues!!

You are still a great sleeper, you have been waking up more frequently at night, but I'm hoping this is just b/c you are teething, and you will go back to sleeping through the night soon. I love our moments together, so I'm not too bothered by your wakings at night, just a little sleepy :)

I am starting back to work July 9th. I am very nervous for you. I pray that the transition goes well for you and you really like our nanny. She is going to be great and I know she will take care of you. Most of all I know God will always watch over and take care of you, so I will just continue to put my trust in Him to keep you and Oliver safe, always. You are going to have a fun time with her. I will only be working 3 days/wk; which is great! Two of those days, however, will be 12 hour shifts, which won't be much fun, but at least I get the other 4 days off/wk to spend with you and your brother!!

I love you so much, Eli. I am so happy you are here. These past 6 months have been amazing. Seeing you grow and seeing your bright smile just puts an entire new meaning to life. You are such a sweet sweet baby and I lOVE to hear your giggle! You love to giggle when Oliver makes you laugh, and you love to be tickled just under your chin. THis will get you giggling anytime I do it.

You are so great! I'm hoping you are having sweet dreams right now.
Love you!!
Mommy :)
6/29/11

Oliver,

We started swimming lessons last night. Oh man. You are not a fan. You screamed the entire time. This place is rather intense, they take you out and let go of you and basically force you to learn to get to the side of the pool. It is definitely not easy to watch, but you have to learn how to swim in order to be safe in the water and near the water. Hopefully next week will be much better!!

We have made two trips since my last update. We went to Guthrie with Uncle Eric to visit Papa and Juju back in May. You had a great time! You did so great traveling in the car and were such a trooper during the trip. You helped me a lot with Eli, since daddy couldn't come with us, you were my "little man" for the trip. You really enjoyed getting to play with the old toys that Papa and Juju kept from when I was your age. It was a great experience getting to watch you play with those toys, knowing they hadn't been played with in nearly 20 years. You loved playing with Uncle Scott's dog, Happy. He was very friendly and you and him ran all over the yard playing frisbee.

I was in charge of crafts for our VBS two weeks ago, so you got to come and have your own VBS in the "2's and 3's" classroom. You loved it! You are really starting to voice your memories, including Bible stories. You can recall the story of Jonah and Ninevah, Zaccheus and the story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem, dying on the cross, then raising from the dead. In fact, you came up to me the other day and said, "Mommy, did you hear about Jerusalem? Me: "What about Jerusalem?" O:" Jesus went there, riding on a donkey and the people waved palm branches at him. Then he died on the cross and three days later he rose again. And, the people shouted, 'Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna on the highest. Mommy, do you know what Hosanna means? It means God save us." Needless to say, I was floored! Your memory is absolutely amazing! I'm so proud of how well you remember stories. You remember things from your swimmming lessons over a year ago as well as things from our trip to Mexico last Spring. You love to read and you love to learn! I cannot wait to see what your life has in store for you.

You are such an amazing kid. I think God for you every day, if not more. He has blessed me so much by allowing me to be your mom. You are very, very strong-willed and independent, which poses various frustrations, but you are so loving and so sensitive. You have been such a great help to me with Eli. You are very respectful of him and you love him. You want to play with him all the time. You are quiet when he needs to go to sleep and you are patient when I need to feed him or take care of him one-on-one. I pray that you don't feel neglected during this time, but so far you have really stepped up and been an amazing helper for me.

We just recently got back from being in Winfield for for 5 days. You, of course, love being there and being spoiled by all of your grandparents. Grammie, yet again, had another bag of clothes she had purchased for you - all adorable. And, some new books. You had fun playing with your aunts and uncles and hanging out with your grandparents. We took you with Grammie and Uncle Cody to Tanganyka Wildlife park. It was awesome! The animals are not in cages, but in natural habitats, with moats and some fencing to keep them properly corraled. You had a great time! We got to bet kangaroos, feed a rhino, pet the bunnies and tortoises (your favorite part), feed the lemurs, and see brand new baby white tiger kittens! We had a fun time and you are still talking about it. For Eli's 6 mos bday you helped me bake him a chocolate sheet cake. You love to help me bake and I love to let you help me bake.

This summer has been busy, but fun! We've been swimming, to Deanna Rose many times, played at various parks and had multiple BBQ's. I am starting a new job in one week and I will miss our 7days/wk to hang out, but have found an amazing sitter for you! You and Eli will be taken care of while I'm at work the 3 days/wk. I'm looking forward to this time for both you and Eli. I know you will help take care of him and be a great helper.

Love you!!
Mommy :)
6/29/11

Sweet, sweet Eli

Oh man - you are the sweetest little baby boy!!

You are going to turn 5 months old on Friday, :0!!! You are such a great sleeper, still!

You have been such a happy little guy - laughing so much! You love when mommy tickles you, or lifts you up really high and kisses your tummy. You still love to hear Oliver talking, anytime of day. If you are trying to all asleep and you hear Oliver talking you'll look up at me and just smile a huge smile. This of course, makes me smile :)

Lately, if you are sitting on my lap and I am reading a story, you have learned to turn your head to look around behind you and you will turn your head and look up at me and smile. This is my new favorite thing! I love being able to just bend down and kiss your little nose, and see your beautiful bright eyes looking right back at me.

You have started eating cereal and have been doing a great job! I thought I would start, a little earlier than planned, b/c you had been waking up at night, and now you are back to sleeping for the majority of the night, with an occassional waking around 1am.

You are starting to roll over from your back to your tummy and you love to stand in your exersaucer and look at all the fun toys. You still HATE tummy time... I try to just make you stay on your tummy, but you don't really appreciate that much ;)

You are such a sweet little guy and I hope you always know how much mommy (and daddy) love you!

Kisses and Hugs,
Mommy :)

To my little Oliver,

I'm not going to lie, this past year has been a very challenging year as a parent. I remember thinking when you were a baby that there was no way you would go through the "terrible twos." You were such a happy baby, all the time! Despite the fact that you never slept, except in 30 minute increments... day and night; but you really were a happy guy.

Now, that you are 2 1/2 years (31 mos to be exact) - you are still a happy guy, just a typical two year old. There are moments when I feel like I don't know how to make you happy or how to not make you upset, and then there are moments where you run up to me and squeeze my leg or put your arms around my neck that just melt my heart. You are such an incredible little guy!! Again, I am amazed at how intelligent you are, at such an early age. My prayer for you is that God will continue to allow your intelligence to grow more and more each day, and that you will grown deeper and deeper in love with our amazing Lord.

I was singing "The B-I-B-L-E' in the car yesterday and you completely finished the song for me. It took me by surprise since I don't think we've sang this song in a long time, but then you told me that you sing it in Sunday school. You love Sunday school! On EAster when I dropped you off for you class you looked at Mr. Slater and said, "Did you know Jesus died on the cross?" And then ran in. :) Every Sunday when I pick you up you tell me that you learned about "Jesus" and "how He is the King of all Kings." :)

It's been warmer, hot actually, so we've been able to play outside a lot, which you love!!!

You still LOVE reading stories and lately your favorites are: "Hop on Pop," "Oliver Finds His Way," "Thomas: A Crack in the Track," "Thomas: Trains, Cranes and Troublesome Trucks," "Cat Skidoo," and many others.

Some new favorite sayings, "I think it's..." "Is the sun up?" - after walking it at 5am too many mornings of the week.. only to be told no; later walking in saying, "the sun is up!" "You silly rascal," "probably.."

Thank you for making my life this much more interesting. Everyday brings a new adventure and I'm having so much fun withyou! Oh, one other think that you have been doing a lot of lately is pretend play! I love to just stand outside your door and listen to you playing with you trains, you even get different voices for each one!! You are very creative!

Love you lots little man,
Mommy :)

A few pics

My "jolly" little Eli

Oh man!!

You are so happy!! Your smile is so contagious!! You are such a happy little guy! I LOVE walking in after you have woken up and watching you smile so much that your whole face shines. You are rolling over, but you really do not like to hold your head up while you're on your tummy. I really need to be better about putting you on your tummy; but I just love holding you!! I know, I know, I'm doing you a dis-service; but I think you'll be just fine :)

You are eating cereal already and doing a great job of it! You still H-A-T-E our car-seat.. but somedays you'll ride along okay in it.

We had your baby dedication this past Sunday at church and Grammie and Juju came up to share the day with you. Papa wanted so badly to come, but he's not been feeling well so Poppie went down to spend the weekend with him. We had a little reception for you after and had a lot of our friends come and shower you with their love. Jamie, Craig and Emersyn; Justin, Jessica, Anna and Kenneth, Nicole, Paul and Brian, The Boans, and of course Grammie and Juju. You loved it!

You are starting to stand up in your exersaucer and love it!!! I can't believe how big you are getting; you're going to be 5 months old in just a week or so. You've gotten so big and are back to sleeping pretty well at night. You're starting to get some teeth and that is really bothering you, so it's been waking you up at night :(

You are my sweet little Eli bug and I am so happy you are here!
I love you so so so much!!
love, Mommy :)

Sick little Oliver

Today you woke up totally fine, then by about 10:30 you just wanted to go to sleep (which is completely abnormal for you). I felt your head and you were "burning" up! I took your temperature and you had a 102.3 degree fever. This is the first time for you to get a high fever like this. I am assuming you have a sinus infection or possibly strep throat again. I'm not sure where you got it from, but just praying it goes away, fast! By this evening your medicine started to kick in and you were your normal self, running around and shouting.

There are so many things that I mean to write down, then I get called away by your sweet little voice to come and play, or little Eli's voice to be rocked or fed; that I'm not getting everything written down like I wish. I do want you to know, that whenever you read these, you know that I love you so much. You are definitely a hand full, always keeping me on my toes and out-smarting me, but I adore you. I pray that our relationship is always a close one and you always feel safe to come to me no matter what. I am also praying that this little sickness is working it's way out of you while you're sleeping!!

We went to the library and you did such a great job of sharing the trains! And, if it were up to me, we would have brought every book home to read. You love LOVE to sit and read, and would do it all day if I let you. You also love to be outside, as much as possible, and now that's it's warmer you are getting your wish. Your allergies have seemed to be doing much better, until today; but maybe you're going to grow out of them, wouldn't that be great??

Grammie and Juju came up this weekend for Eli's baby dedication and you loved having them here. Grammie, Poppie, Uncle Cody, Aunt Crystal and Uncle Eric were here last week for Easter and oh man, did you ever get spoiled? Grammie and Poppie took you to see HOP, your first time to go to a movie theater (yes, I still think you were too young, but apparently grandparents can get away with many things..) You seemed to enjoy it. You definitely enjoyed the skittles and juice you were allowed to eat (since you don't get those things at home...).

You are such a great talker. AND!! We went to the park yesterday and you were climbing all over it and going down the slides, and talking to the other boys there!! You had been going through a phase where you were scared of the "ledges" so you wouldn't climb up anymore. But, I climbed up and you followed behind me; and when you did, you were so proud of yourself!! (as was Mommy!!) It was such a great moment to see you proud of an accomplishment you had made.

You are already learning your letters! I think if I would work on them more with you you would know more. But as of right now you can recognize "A, B, C, D, and O" and sometimes "E." You know that "A says Ah, B says Buh (like Buddy), C says (Kah like Cole) and D says duh." And that "O for Oliver." My new favorite quotes by you are, "Are you kidding me?" "Are you serious?" "Mommy, what do you think?" The other day you came in Eli's room while I was in there, came up, kissed my leg and walked to the door, then waved and said, "bye, I'm going to work." You were shutting the door and said, "I'll miss you while I'm at work." You came back in said, "(sigh) I'm finally home from work, I missed you." Then you did it over again, and over again. I loved it!!!

Anytime Eli wakes up from his nap you are the first to shout, "Eli's awake!" You are so great! You haven't really been throwing too many fits lately, which is so nice! I think you're starting to catch on that it doesn't really work with us :)

Today, being sick you have been a rock star. I keep asking you if you don't feel well and you just look at me and say, "I feel okay mommy." :( I don't like you being sick; but am so glad you are doing better; and all the snuggle time we got today!

Love you little man :)
-Mommy

April 2011 update

To my awesome little boys.

This month has been so fun with you guys! Eli, you turned 4 mos. old on the 13th; and Oliver, you are now 31 months old, where has the time gone??

You two are starting to develop such a sweet friendship. Oliver, you cannot keep your hands off of Eli, always wanting to hug, kiss, or talk to the little guy; and Eli you just light up anytime you hear sweet Oliver's voice.

My prayer is that you two will continue to develop this amazing friendship as well as the desire to protect each other.

I am the luckiest and most blessed lady by God granting me the gift of being your mommy. The greatest gift I could have are both sleeping soundly in their beds.
I love you!!
-Mommy

4 months old! (for Eli)

Eli,

You turned 4 mos old 4/13. I cannot believe this!!

You have turned into a VERY happy baby!! You smile so much now; it's magical, really! You giggle and squeal almost anytime mommy, daddy or Oliver talk to you. You love, love, love to be talked to. You are cooing so much right now. Yesterday you were "talking" all day! I love this!

You are just so sweet in the mornings. You will lie in your bed making the sweetest sounds, waiting for mommy or daddy to come get you. The moment we walk in your room you start smiling your huge bright smile that just makes my day.

You are becoming so strong! You still hate to lay on your tummy; but you have rolled over a few times, so mommy doesn't force it on you as much now. I know, bad mommy, but really... I just love to cuddle with you! You are holding rattles and your Sophie giraffe. Your eyes light up and get so big when I put a toy in front of you, especially your Sophie. You love it when Oliver talks to you and all morning at breakfast you were just laughing at him.

You love to look in the mirror at yourself and flash the greatest smiling during this time! You are sitting up really well; and you kick like crazy when we let you lie on your back. You love to lay on your changing table, naked for as long as we will let you. You will lie there cooing, giggling, smiling and kicking like crazy!! I love this!

You still love to sleep on your little lovey that Jamie made you, and in fact you have a hard time sleeping if you are not right on top of it. You've been sleeping from 8pm to 5am for the past month, except for the past 4-5 days. I believe that you are starting to teeth as you are very drooly and are fussy. You are never a fussy baby; and you've been waking up at night again. I'm hoping this goes away, as I LOVED having you sleep all night. I also love the cuddle time with you in these early hour mornings. You really are great about going right back to sleep after mommy feeds you, so I can't complain.

You now weight 16.4lbs and are 26" long! You are doing great and I am so happy you are here. You are such a sweet sweet baby. I really think you are going to be like your daddy; very calm (yay!), sweet and sincere.

I could write all night about how amazing you are. God has blessed us immensely by placing you in our lives.

Sleep tight my sweet baby Eli.
I love you.

Memories (for Oliver)

You being 2 1/2 years old brings so many new things to the table each and every day. You are such an intelligent little kiddo, which, again, at this age brings a whole new bag of worms to face each day. Some days you out smart me 100% of the time, other days we tie 50/50. It's so hard for me to look at you and remember that you are only 2 1/2 yrs.

I have been filling photo albums with your first year photos the past couple of days and looking at all of these photos has brought back so many wonderful memories! Seeing your ornery grin when you were only 2 mos old, and remembering the thought that you were going to be a very ornery little boy and my hands were going to be full with you (so far so good). Looking at the pictures of you developing your hand-eye coordination, it's so fun to look back and see these photos of you when you were unable to sit on your own, then stand on your own, then walk on your own; and seeing your excited facial expressions when you accomplished these things.

These pictures made me both miss holding you in my arms, when you fit in my arms lengthwise, and look forward to a life full of great memories. You have been such an amazing kid. It's crazy to call you a kid; and I feel like you just grew up over night. Now, you put yourself to sleep, you potty on the potty, you drink out of "big boy cups," you play outside by yourself (not for long and of course mommy watching you every second through the window), you sing your "ABC's," you count to "eleven," you recite all of your books (a rather amazing feat as you have over 200 books), and you are the best big brother. You give Eli kisses, put his blanket on him if it falls, hand him his toys, sing to him, and lately, make him laugh. You help mommy bake with cracking the eggs, and you are better than me at this as you never get shells in the egg, you help me pick out presents/cards for others, and you can write the letter "O" -"like Oliver."

I just wanted you to know that although life is so super busy right now and you are growing up so fast; you are always my sweet baby Oliver. Thank you for these amazing memories and making me realize that life is so much sweeter with having you here.

Sleep tight my love, (hopefully all night).
I love you.

The new us.

I just realized that I slightly forgot about this blog - sorry to those who have tried to follow up on us.

So many new things to update. First off, Eli Matthew was born December 13, 2010 - 4 weeks early. We were both so excited to find out who this little baby was. We were both fairly convinced we were having a boy, but that moment right when Eli came, waiting to find out if we were having a boy or a girl, was one of the most magical moments. Eli has been a fabulous baby since that exact moment. Oliver has been the best big brother!! He loves kissing Eli, hugging him, and now he loves to make him smile.

Oliver is 2 1/2 years old today!! We spent the morning making some delicious chocolate cupcakes. Oliver loves to crack the eggs, and does a great job - actually a better job than mommy!

I'm trying to re-vamp this blog, so it will be under "construction" for the next couple of weeks, but I would like to be better at this. I have realized that I don't have any sort of journal going for Oliver anymore. Once he turned a year old, I no longer keep a record of his milestones, and hilarious personality.

Here are a few pictures to enjoy.

Will be back soon!


Eli Matthew Winblad - 12/13/2010 - 11:15PM - 6lb 3 oz - 20"



















This is all I have time for now. I will post Oliver's 2 1/2 year photos and his up-to-dates and Eli's 2 month and 3 month photos.

Good Night :)