The Elgans

6

2012-01-20T14:32:00.000-08:00

6 MONTHS?!?!?!

Yep.

It's here.

Nixon is six months and wild.

This boy loves to eat....

anything and everything....

He is now crawling!!!

Anywhere and everywhere...

He loves to play with toys....

And he never sits still...

I had the hardest time getting any pictures of this wild creature because he is so stinkin wiggly!!!

See?!

That tiny man wont hold still but he's darling so I let it slide ;)

In other news...

Roman had his first dance recital!!!!

He is in a hip hop break dancing class with his cousin Jameson.

He has so much fun!

It was hard for me to let him go and be free- I was worried about him because although he is tall, he had just turned 5 when he started the class and they don't usually take them till they are 6. So I was worried that he wouldn't be able to keep up - never having danced before.

But I think he did pretty dang good!

*He is on the right in the green shirt*

Mother of the year here didn't get any pictures of him in his costume. I was too busy trying to record him and wrangle his siblings.

But my super on top of it sister got some darling pics that I shamelessy stole from her blog...

That little stud on the left is my nephew Jameson and Rome is on the right

I am so glad he has been having such a good time - I'm so proud of him!!!!

5 months

2012-01-03T13:52:00.000-08:00

Happy 5 months Nix!!

Technically 5.5 but who's counting? ;)

My angel you are a blast!

You are still one of the happiest babies I have ever known and we have loved every single stinkin minute of you.

Besides rolling all over the place, you now get into crawling position - rock back and forth - and scoot backwards...

*haha his face kills me in this*

You love to play with toys and you roll over to your belly and quick as we lay you on your back and start playing and inch worming all over

You have started to squeal and yell when you are excited.

When your uncle Joe was a baby he would do this darling squeal by sucking in really hard and you sound exactly like that - I love it!

I couldn't imagine a more perfect addition to our family.

You are perfect in every way.

I love you Nixon!!!

xoxo

Christmas Morning...

2012-01-01T16:24:00.000-08:00

We partied hard Christmas Eve with my family and stayed up much too late.

Thank Santa Clause we had stayed up crazy late the night before to wrap all the presents so all we had to do was set them out...

Little Mr stayed up to help out...

On Christmas morning we had church at 9am so we woke up, opened up a present or two, then got ready and went to church...

Little ones enjoying their new toothbrush sets haha! What a super fun present to open first ;)

After church we came home and the kids went hog wild opening presents...

Roman has been begging and pleading for a nintendo ds. a lot of his cousins have them and he would play with them any chance he got.

Apparently Santa thought he was pretty darn good this year and got him one of his own...

Realizing it was the ds he had been hoping and dreaming for he whispered

"Ds..."

Nick and I had been waiting for this moment - he had the video camera going and I was snapping away with my camera.

"That's it?!"

I said to Nick

And then he screamed "YES!!!!!"

And threw his hand into the air Rocky style.

It was a pretty sweet moment.

And this here is the ball that Lola was TERRIFIED of for days.

No idea why, but she would shake and get pretty upset if you showed it to her. I must admit I teased her more than I should with it but in my defense it was beyond hilarious.

This little darling took a sweet nap during the carnage created by his siblings and awoke to most of his presents already opened by his overly helpful sister.

He loved everything regardless :)

This is seriously one of my favorite Lola pictures of all time.

Santa brought Roman & Lola super hero capes and masks. Mostly because I got Roman a cape without the mask a long time ago and he has never let me live it down since.

Yep he was lovin that ds and hardly let it out of his site. He still plays it like crazy.

Super girl and I tryin on the lipstick Nick got me for Christmas.

After all was said and done Nick and I were ready for a nap after staying up late for days and days getting ready for the big day.

But since the kids weren't down with that we sat and watched them go crazy on their presents.

And then we had our traditional "sand toast" Christmas breakfast/lunch.

DELICIOUS!

On Christmas day we went visiting family (Nicks momma came home from the hospital on Christmas Eve! So we had to go see her! Love my mother in law - she is awesome!)

Nick had Monday off as well so we didn't clean up so we could sit in the chaos with no where to go and just hang out. That is seriously one of my favorite parts about Christmas - lazying around with toys and food and candy and wrapping paper everywhere.

Heaven.

Hope you all had a beautiful Christmas!!!!!

What a hairy situation

2011-12-31T15:13:00.000-08:00

I gotta start this post off with saying how crazy grateful I am for all that I have.

I have three amazing, healthy, beautiful children and a best friend who I am proud to call my husband.

Our life is good and blessed beyond words.

With all that being said, I just need to blog something out.

My darling little lady love is losing her hair.

A couple of months ago Nick said "Madi, I think Lola is thinning on top"

"what?! no she's not it's always been a little thinner up top don't be mean it's still growing."

Not long after I realized that it really was thinning on top.

A lot.

I could gently comb my fingers through her hair and pull out clumps.

After talking to my sisters I decided I better call the Dr. just to double check that everything was okay.

He asked if she pulled at it at all - no

What does the scalp look like - normal

Is there hair growing in it's place - yes

She's totally fine he said.

Apparently it's common and that it will grow back.

Whew.

At least she is fine and that it's nothing serious.

But it is heartbreaking.

She was blessed with the most gorgeous curls that are almost all gone.

It's like her hair is reverting back to when she was 1 1/2 and she had fuzz with a couple of curls.

We trimmed her hair to make it less noticeable - it looked great for a couple of weeks but we might need to do it again.

I'm so glad she is too little to notice.

I'm so sad that we have to start over with her hair at 2 1/2 years old.

I am beyond grateful that it will grow back and that my love is healthy and strong.

Now that I have blogged it out I just need to quit crying about it, stop feeling sorry for her when I look at her hair and enjoy this gorgeous girl who is so amazing and beautiful and mine.

xoxo

Ho ho ho

2011-12-23T16:03:00.000-08:00

As of late we have been....

Playing obsessively with Play Dough...

Making Reindeer food...

Making quite the mess while making said reindeer food...

Learning awesome new tricks...

This kid is a rolly polly king. He obviously won't stay put in his swing anymore and I just set up his crib today because he tries to roll out of his bassinet and I end up pulling him into bed with me which is no bueno.

Coloring....

Finding our tongues...

I am so grateful for all that I have! :)

Babies are delicious...

2011-12-10T10:45:00.000-08:00

I am loving this baby...

There is something magical about him...

He completes us.

Make-over

2011-12-09T11:40:00.000-08:00

So Lola and I did Makeovers on each other the other night and I must say, I think that lady has a future in makeup artistry.

Just look at the wonders she created on my face....

Why yes that is lipstick on my eye lids and dark shadow and bits of eyeliner under my eyes.... she's a genius! ;)

Someone is learning to work it...

Now she wont leave my makeup alone.

Yesterday she walked around all day with a pallet of eye shadow and a brush doing and redoing her eyes all day.

Needless to say she looked like a sickly child who got punched in the eyes.

I heart having a girl!

lights...camera....

2011-12-02T18:27:00.000-08:00

The lighting in our house the other morning was too beautiful to not snap a few quick pictures.

I started out thinkin I'd just do the baby, since he is the nicest one around these parts & he loves the camera.....

Oh good grief I could eat him alive!

Then siblings wanted to join in the fun...

Oh those eyes! And that hair, and that nose oh I could go on!

It was first thing in the morning so excuse the crazy hair and messy faces... :)

Those eyes! Those gorgeous icy blues. he's heavenly.

Thank you sunshine for making our morning!

Let the celebrations begin!

2011-11-28T16:00:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I was ready to boycott Christmas.

The sounds, the smells, and the decorations were trampling on my already weary winter blue heart.

Then something in me snapped.

It's not about me anymore.

It's about my children.

It's my job to help them know that this really is a beautiful time of year.

To create memories and traditions that they will look back on fondly for the rest of their lives.

I told Nick: "I've decided that I am going to celebrate the crap out of the holidays!"

And we so have been.

I am loving all the things I was dreading just a few months ago.

The nightly fires in the fireplace, candles, the day getting dark early, ect ect.

We really are celebrating - and it's not even December! :)

Here's what we have been up to so far....

Making Christmas Stars....

Coloring Christmas trees....

Getting the tree up....

Putting up all the Holiday decorations....

Writing letters to Santa....

That was the silliest thing we have done. My kids are still a tad young to get the idea of letters to santa.

From Lola shouting "I want a elephant!" To Roman saying "I want new star shoes!" - we had some good laughs :)

Putting up Christmas lights in our bedrooms.

That was one of my favorite things to do at Christmas time when I was little. My parents would give us each a string of lights to put in our room. I will always remember falling asleep to the soft beautiful colors. - sorry that was straight cheese but it's true!

Attempting homemade sugar cookies - with dinosaur shapes of course!

Failing at said cookies - more than half ended up in the trash.

For those who know me, you know I struggle in the kitchen. But I give it my all darn it!

Sometimes it just doesn't work out - but we had fun anyway :)

I have had a serious change of heart in regards to the holidays and I am loving every minute!!!

I hope you are too!!!!

Hey you.....

2011-11-28T11:05:00.000-08:00

Nix hanging out with just one of his many darling cousins....

Irelee & Nixon

Thanksgiving 2011

Nix - 4 months!

2011-11-24T09:40:00.000-08:00

Happy 4 Months Nixon Marty!

Time has seriously flown by with this kid.

He is four months old.

I have no idea how that happened.

One minute he's at his two month check up needing to come back for a weight check and the next he's chunky and chubby as can be.

He as brought me incredible amounts of happiness.

With him, I feel complete.

He is such a sweet boy who is always so happy, smiley & giggly & hardly ever really naughty.

I am honored to be this gorgeous boys mother.

Nixon my love,

You have discovered your feet.

You kick your legs like a mad man, especially when you are excited.

I love every single part of you.

You have lost so much of your beautiful hair.

We are now left with this darling little curl that I pray never goes away.

You are everything I ever dreamed of and more.

I could look at you for hours, give you a thousand kisses, and smell your soft beautiful hair and skin for the rest of my life and be happy.

Thank you for being mine.

Thanksgiving - Elgan side

2011-11-21T15:55:00.000-08:00

Nicks side of the family did their big Thanksgiving dinner a little early this year...

It was so yummy!!!

Drivin out.....

Nix & his darling cousin Kaleb...

Lady worked the crowd....

Rome ran wild with cousins...

Nix with his uncle Carl - we have yet to see if he'll be afraid of him like Roman was ;)

Lola with one of her favorite people- Grandpa Elgan.

As you can see, she doesn't like him at all ;)

Nix and his Aunt Jolene.

Can I just say, I'm so greatful for my husbands family?

They are so laid back and chill and not up in your business and they love on my kids like crazy.

I love them!

And that Aunt Jolene of theirs?

AMAZING.

She is so kind & always taking care of others. She looks out for & loves on my kids like they are her own. She is simply one beautiful person.

With one Thanksgiving down, we have one more to go....

with my family...

wish me luck!

;)

Cereal

2011-11-15T11:43:00.000-08:00

Nixon had his first taste of rice cereal today.....

That little man loved it!!

He wouldn't stop smiling and kicking his legs like crazy.

He was pretty happy about how it went down.

And Roman was pretty excited that his baby brother was doing something new & exciting.

That kid cannot wait for Nix to grow up!

What's so funny?

2011-11-14T14:57:00.000-08:00

I just gotta say...

I have never met a more giggly baby than this little chunk....

It's heavenly!

My other two were hard to please but not this one.

He giggles and laughs at everything and anything and sometimes at nothing.

Sometimes he can't decide if he wants to laugh or cry so he does both.

I pray this happy happy silly boy stays so carefree.

At least for a while.

Leaves & Bee's

2011-11-04T10:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we played in the leaves.....

It was amazing weather for a November day.

I have avoided hanging out in our front yard because of all the darn wasps & bee's we have had this year so needless to say it felt awesome to be out without worrying about it.

I'm going to miss playing outside.

Oh okay so wanna hear some fun reasons I hate wasps/bee's?

Okay here goes....

When I was in Jr High I got stung by a wasp 4 times on my hip and thigh because the stupid thing had crawled up my pants. So walking to class I kept getting stung and I didn't know what it was till I went to the bathroom to check it out - stupid wasp!

I got stung in between my boobs while sunbathing that same year.

When Lola was born a gigantic bee landed on her carseat and crawled behind her but I got her out before she got stung but not before I lost it and screamed like a maniac embarrassing myself pretty good at the park.

While casually driving with Rome and Lola one year I looked down and there was a wasp sitting on my steering wheel looking right at me while I was driving. I pulled over, jumped out, got the kids out and tried throwing stuff at it to get it to leave. A guy eventually came and helped escort the intruder away.

After a trip to walmart I got the kids loaded, jumped into the front seat, go to put the key in the ignition and there is a bee on my hand ugh!

While at the drive through a huge bee flew into my car through my open window at my face, but thank goodness he casually floated to the back so I just opened up the back door and he flew away.

That same day I went to my sisters house and while chit chatting with her mother in law something caught my eye - it was a wasp on Nixon, he flew off onto a chair where he was then caught then released into the wild.

We have had multiple wasps sneak into our front entry way of our house and make it so we have to use the side door instead of the front until Nick (or my sister Rileigh) comes to kill them for me.

So you see, I may not get stung everytime but it's the anticipation that KILLS me!

They make my skin crawl and I get all hot and sweaty and panicky when they try and all up in my business.

Wow...

That was quite the tangent about something completely unrelated to what this post started out to be....

I apologize.

Halloweeeeeeeeen!

2011-11-02T17:24:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love Halloween!

I really do.

I'm so sad that it is over.

I'm not ready for Christmas.

Seeing Christmas decorations, hearing Christmas music and smelling Christmas smells is making me sick.

It's not time yet!

For halloween Rome was Luigi and his cousin J-man (Jameson) was Mario - I dare say they were a darling little couple.....

When I asked Lola what she wanted to be for Halloween she said "baby dragon!"

Nick was the Mayor of Creeper Town...

Family halloween pic - super precious...

Little Nix was a baby monster....

Thank goodness I got to see his real face a couple of times that night ;)

Hope Everyone had a very

Happy Halloween!!!

Really....

2011-10-27T14:37:00.000-07:00

I heart these wild things....

It's Autumn time!

2011-10-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

In this moment I am actually enjoying fall.

A couple of weeks ago there was storm after storm and it was so cold and dark and dreary and I thought "I'm not gonna make it"

But then the sun came out again and it warmed up and I got happy!

The colors outside right now are really amazing and gorgeous.

I think I can handle the cold as long as the sun stays :)

Roman got to go to the pumpkin patch with his preschool.

He was pretty pumped.

It took him a few but he found the perfect pumpkin.

"It's too bright!!"

After pickin out their pumpkins they had doughnuts and apple juice.

He kept patting his pumpkin. I think he was really proud :)

While we were out searching for him pumpkins one of his teachers said to me "He is such a good kid. Just so so good. But you know that right?"

I smiled and said "Yeah,I think he does pretty good. How is he doing by the way? Everything going well?"

She said "Of course, he is doing amazing which doesn't surprise me at all."

Awesome.

I'm so glad he's doing well and I am so stinkin proud of that kid :)

We have been tryin to get out and enjoy the last of this nice weather.

Nerds.

Oh my.

little lady love.

What's that you say?

One more of that cute little baby?

Alright, alright, here ya go....

Like father like son....

2011-10-20T10:27:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time commin.....

This kid is finally old enough for wrestling!!!

His dad used to wrestle and I'll admit it warms my forever hormonal heart strings to see them go off to wrestling together (Nick stays and helps coach)

Ah I love my boys!

3 months....

2011-10-19T10:02:00.000-07:00

Happy 3 Months Nixon!

Time really flies once you have had your baby.

Pregnancy is the worst waiting game then as soon as they get here time just wont stop like you want it to.

I have to believe that in heaven I'll get to relive these beautiful moments with my kids and remember all my feelings what it was like.

These experiences are just to precious and amazing to fade with time.

You'd never know that this little angel just peed all over his mother, the couch, & the floor :)

Nixon my love you are so much fun!

You have entered a new phase since we switched to the bottle. You seem even more content and happy these days. You love to play with toys, wiggle like crazy, giggle, watch your siblings and smile smile smile :)

You are the perfect addition to our family and I can't ever stop saying how grateful I am for you.

That being said, let's pray I don't screw it up.

A reluctant choice.

2011-10-13T15:19:00.000-07:00

Isn't it silly that we women get so opinionated and sometimes rather harsh with the ol' Breast vs. Bottle debate?

We need to love and support and not gossip about weather or not another mother is breast feeding.

yep, it's happened to me - silly right? didn't think it was a subject that people would chat about ah sorry I digress! ;)

I have breast fed all of my babies.

But Nixon and I will have had the shortest time together.

Sometimes the stars just don't align and you gotta be okay with that.

I'm struggling.

But trying to look on the bright side.

Roman LOVES getting to help feed his brother.

At the end of the day I know my story, the pain, and the sorrow I have felt and I know that I am doing what is best for us at this point - and I'm going to continue to try to be okay with it.

Nix

2011-10-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

My little Mr is almost 3 months old.

We are all still uber infatuated with this little one.

It feels like he has stepped out of being a "newborn" and is now entering into general babyhood :)

He smiles like crazy and has the most amazing dimples.

He tries so hard to be happy even when he's not.

He'll do this darling panicked laugh which quickly turns into a cry when he's upset.

We have gotten him to laugh a few times - needless to say, it's to die for.

He has light brown eye lashes that curl up so perfectly that I'm jealous :)

I'm so in love love love with this sweet boy!

I'm such a downer :)

2011-10-07T23:03:00.000-07:00

The past few days have been a little rough.

Between Lola and Nixon I haven't been sleeping much.

I'm sad to say that my patience has worn thin. Very thin.

I just haven't had the energy for my own kids.

How is that possible?

That's so mean.

The cold weather has gotten me down. Too down.

Every fiber of my being wants to huddle up, watch movies, and stay in my pj's all day and only get up to grab something to eat.

But babies need to be fed, diapers need to be changed and kids need to be entertained.

Needless to say - I don't get to hibernate :)

Today I was excited for them to go to bed so I could watch tv in peace and quiet and relax.

They have been sleeping for an hour and half now.

And I'm lonely.

I miss them.

What would I do without those beautiful creatures that drive me insane but keep me sane at the same time?

So thank you Roman, Lola & Nixon - for being mine and for being patient with me when I'm having hard days. You are beautiful. You are mine. I love you.

Romans Parties

2011-10-04T12:21:00.000-07:00

I don't feel like a gushed enough about Rome on my last post on his birthday so here is a quick gush fest before I talk about his Birthday party.

This boy is the air I breath. He has my heart and soul and I live for him, his sister and his little brother.

Roman my love, who honestly knows if you will ever read this, but I love you like no other, you are my life and I'm incredibly honored to be your mother. You were definitely worth the wait, the sickness, and the pain. I love you!

Okay gush fest out of the way so here we go!

On Rome's actual Birthday we took him to where I have been dreading to take him for the past year that he's been asking to go....

Chuck E Cheese.

Those commercials send shivers up my spine.

But he has been begging to go for so long, I finally gave in.

Honestly? It wasn't all that bad :)

The look on his face was worth it.

He. was. pumped.

Aw so excited. :)

Baby did what baby does best...

slept.

This look on her face has been making a lot of appearances lately.

Miss thing got to experience the corner at Chuck E Cheese not even 10 minutes in.

She's not very happy with her dad.

*Rome chatting with his aunt Rileigh who called to wish him a happy birthday*

Word on the street is that the pizza there was sick.

But I liked it.

My little Lu and I hung out together while the boys went off to play the harder games....

Games like Spongebob bowling...

We honestly had a really good time and the kids only fell apart a few times. Not something I'm eager to hit up often but it was worth a go ;)

Later that week we had a quick impromtu party with some of our siblings at the park.

Not only did we forget the candles for his cake, we forgot it's been getting darker earlier so by 7:30 there was no light.

Why thank you Nixon... ;)

The best invention since the disposable diaper....

Socks that look like shoes

Lola and aunt Rileigh gettin down on some food

The classic frosting face Lola seems to get at Romans parties....

Which she later licked off and had a killer goatee mustache combo

This kid had so much fun, got so spoiled, played like mad and I think it's safe to say...

he had a very Happy Birthday

Five

2011-09-26T21:19:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow my first born will be 5 years old.

I la-la-la-love this kid!

This kid makes me so incredibly happy.

I am so lucky to be his momma.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROMAN GROVER!!!!!

My angel

2011-09-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

Any time I dream about my mom there is a constant in every dream -

I'm sobbing.

It didn't matter what was happening in the dream- I would be crying so hard and a lot of times I would wake up crying.

It has been a while since I have dreamed of her.

But last night was the first time that I wasn't sobbing in the dream.

She came into the room and everyone was so excited to see her except me.

I was scared of her.

The next thing I know I am laying on a bed and my mom is sitting on the bed with me.

I grabbed her hands and I couldn't believe that she was sitting right in front of me.

She squeezed my hands tight, looked into my eyes and said with a sort of stern conviction,

"You, are doing an amazing job."

All I could say was "My dear God."

I couldn't believe that this was happening!

I am clinging onto her hands for dear life when the dream changes and all I know is that she got scary and I was scared of her again.

Isn't that strange?

I have never been afraid of her.

But in this dream she was so beautiful and haunting, I can still feel her.

I hope next time I dream of her I wont cry, I wont be scared and that we can have a good time instead of a sob fest ;)

I heart babies

2011-09-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

Oh. My. Heavens.

This baby pulls at my heartstrings like you wouldn't believe.

Seriously.

You may think I'm crazy....

2011-09-18T13:31:00.000-07:00

I have a serious love/hate relationship with fall.

My husband thinks I'm dramatic.

But I really can't help myself.

Every year this overwhelming sadness comes with the coolness in the air.

I can feel it shift.

And then I cry inside.

I feel like with the end of summer I'm mourning the loss of a lifestyle.

The summer foods, pools, sprinklers, bbq's, vacations, yummy smelling sunscreen, flip flops, the constant sound of lawnmowers, ect ect.

Every year I honestly give fall a fair chance.

I love the cooler weather, I love changing up my wardrobe with the addition of hoodies and long sleeved shirts. I love all the fall decorations, Halloween and the gorgeous colors.

But every year fall lets me down.

The weather turns bitter, and with that comes the death of trees and grass and foliage, and the wet.

What can I do when all I feel is the impending doom of winter that comes hand in hand with this wonderful season?

Move.

But I can't.

I can't leave my family, my home, my street, my town.

I love them all too much.

So what WILL I do?

I will cry.

I will cry to my husband and with my sisters about how sad it is.

I will look for the good but still feel the bad.

I will focus on the fun and joy the holidays will bring.

And just like last year and the year before that, my spring and summer will come, and I will have made it through another year.

Someone......

2011-09-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

Someone in the house just can't seem to leave the baby's stuff alone....

Can you guess who?.....

Blessing

2011-09-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

Today my baby was blessed.

Oh. My. Goodness.

I love this boy.

His gorgeous cousins Irelee and Ellie were also blessed :)

This little boy has my heart in his pocket.

I can't get enough of him.

He has been the perfect addition to our family and I am incredibly grateful for him and his sweet soul.

Nixon Marty Elgan, I love you!!!!

......

2011-08-31T12:22:00.000-07:00

You know the opening scene from the movie 'Terms of Endearment' where the mother goes to the babies room to check if she's breathing and wakes her up to make sure, making the baby cry and then she sighs "that's better" and leaves the room?

That's totally me.

Except if I made the baby cry I wouldn't just leave the room.

I had a sickening scare yesterday.

I don't want to go into details because I'll start bawling again :)

Let me just say this...

I'm so grateful for each moment of each day that I get with my children. It's such a precious gift, and it's one I want to keep.

Pre to the School

2011-08-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

My little man is off to his second year of Preschool. He misses the cut off date for Kindergarten by only a month. It's cool with me though, I'm not that eager to have him grow up :)

Miss thang wanted very much to be a part of the photo shoot - but her brother wasn't down with it.

I had to go out of my way to let my husband know that he posed like this himself - there was no force used ;)

Girlfriend just couldn't let it go :)

party central...

2011-08-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

This morning we had an impromptu jump/dance/get your crazy on - party

Gettin loco...

Innocent bystander who had no idea he was about to get an accidental kick to the head...

Ah yes the party eventually ended like it usually does, with fighting, screaming & crying

The aftermath:

kids:1 Bed: 0

Rome

2011-08-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

Conversation in the car yesterday...

Me: "Rome, I can't even begin to tell you how incredibly grateful for you I am - "

Roman: "No! Tell me! Tell me!"

first time using chopsticks....

i think he's off to a great start :)

I just love this kid.

He has been incredible with his baby brother.

And he sure does try his best with that sister of his ;)

He is always ready and willing to hold the baby for me, give him his binky or just simply talk to him.

He is always saying things like -

"mom! come here! Nixon is being so cute!!"

I am so grateful for him.

He has such a big heart and a tender soul.

I'm so lucky to be his mom.

I love you Rome!

photo booth magic....

2011-08-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

These pictures make me smile....

Someone was having a good time :)

Let's be friends

2011-08-21T20:42:00.000-07:00

One of the qualities I want to teach my kids is to be a good friend.

I have been thinking about it a lot lately and I realized, how am I supposed to teach them to be a good friend when I'm not that great of friend myself?

I need to work on my friendship skills.

I need to make more of an effort to reach out to my friends instead of assuming they will come to me.

I need to act on the random thoughts of "oh I should give her a call"

I need to be the friend that I want my children to be.

Sunday lovin

2011-08-07T15:59:00.000-07:00

We are takin it easy round these parts before Lola's party tonight....

I just had to get a picture of her after church, she looked so beautiful I couldn't help myself and forced her into a quick photo shoot.

Lola enjoying some of her birthday presents..... and as you can see by her face she has already enjoyed some of her birthday cupcakes too....

Sleepy boys.....

I thought, aw this is such a cute picture, but it looks a little dangerous..... two minutes later I look over and yep, Nix slid to the left and Nick caught him.......

Lesson learned?

Don't let the man who stayed up till almost 3:00 in the morning fishing with friends (you heard me right) hold the baby while sleeping :)

I swear this is all this kid wants to do. Ever.

"When will dad be home? I want to play games with him."

"Can I play games with my dad?"

Seriously, I can't wait for school to start to give him something else to do.

I gotta give Nick credit though, he is excellent about sitting down with Rome and working with him on his alphabet and number and writing..... Momma on the other hand? Not so good.

Happy Sunday Everyone!

My little Lu is 2!

2011-08-04T16:38:00.000-07:00

Can I just say how crazy out of controll in love with my Lola?

I can't ever get enough of her.

Time has flown by and now miss sassy pants is two years old.

How do I have an (almost) 5 year old, a two year old and a baby?!

I'm only 19!

Okay okay I'm 25 *yikes!*

But I still feel 19.

Opps sorry enough about me.....

Lola is my only girl.

It's just her and I against the boys.

And I LOVE it!

I love buying her barbies, dress up clothes, painting her nails, playing with her hair, shopping for her clothes and all that fun stuff that goes along with a girl.

She has been so much fun.

She has an amazing personality and I am already crazy proud of who she is.

She melts my heart, makes me cry when I watch her dance and makes me want to pinch and kiss and eat her chubby cheeks all at the same time.

We are getting our party on in a couple of days so today on her actual birthday I took her to get her nails painted....

Carefully choosing her color.....

Being a good girl....

She doesn't look like she was having much fun in this picture but she was :)

The finished product (don't you love how they are messed up already :)

Finished cute chubby little nugget toes.

Honestly?

Having a girl is better than I ever imagined.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this wild little woman who keeps us laughing, on our toes and smiling everyday.

I love you Lola Monroe Elgan,

Happy Birthday my love!!!!!!

Birth...isn't it lovely?

2011-07-31T14:20:00.000-07:00

So you want the Birth Story?

Alright, let's go :)

*warning: may get pretty "wordy"...... you have been warned.*

I want to try and crack this out quick without making it boring and complicated.

I may or may not succeed :)

Tuesday morning I had planned to call the Dr's office and tell them I wanted to get started. I assumed (which you know what happens when you assume....) they would say ok! we'll call the hospital and talk to your doctor and call you right back. Afterwich they would say alrighty head over to the hospital at such and such time. That's what happened last time.

Not this time.

They called me back and the sweet nurse and I had this little conversation...

nurse: "Hi Madison! You have an appointment with the doctor today don't you?"

Me: "yes"

*thinking, oh crap because I had assumed I'd get to skip it since I was calling to get started*

nurse: "okay well he said he'd like to see you then and you can chat about it more"

Oh. no.

I had called in as soon as they opened at nine, she did't call me back till nine thirty and my appointment was at nine fifty.

Forty minutes away.

So I brush my teeth, do the essentials and run out the door and rush to the docotors.

All the while, since 7 that morning I had been having painful contractions not knowing that I was in early labor :)

I get there and I'm dilated to a 3 so he tells me to head over to the hospital in an hour.

That didn't give me enough time to go home (40 minutes each way) and get ready.

Thank heavens my sister lived nearby the hospital and she let me come shower, eat and get ready.

I was planning on being a little bit more organized than I was.

I go to the hospital alone (because my dear husband had to get the kids ready and over to grandmas before coming down) and they let me naturally labor for a couple of hours before throwing me on some pit to get it goin on.

I get my epidural not long after (ladies you know how that goes, that stuff is awful hard on ya) and told the anesthesiologist about my problems I had before with my epidural not workin and all that. So he worked on me for a while making sure I was nice and numbed up and let me tell ya, that was the best epidural I have ever had.

I was in heaven.

So here I am laboring happily numbed up....

Don't I look glorious?

Now this may sound and be superficial but I wanted my hair and makeup to be done before I went in.

I know I know priorities right?

I was able to shower but I don't have a lick of makeup on and my hair looked....hideous.

Ah well.

When I got my epidural I was at a four. They check me 2 1/2 hrs later and I'm at a ten.

Whoot!

Game on people.

I pushed 2 times, they told me to relax so I look to Nick and start chatting with him - look downtown and noticed my belly sinking.

I wasn't even pushing when he came out!

They told me to relax so I assumed (I do lot's of that apparently :P) we were all takin a quick break.

Nope.

And out came this little darling.....

That's as fresh as it gets people.

Out he came and all I could do was talk about how shocked I was that it just happened that way. I didn't know it was even happening.

It was all too easy.

I felt like I cheated in a way.

No pain after my epidural?

That had never happened to me.

And this was my fourth one (epidural, not child)

So here we are almost 2 weeks afterwards and I am lovin every second of having this baby here.

I'm so grateful everything went well and that he is here and happy and healthy.

I'm so blessed.

And grateful.

And in love.

siblings and whatnot

2011-07-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

When I had Nixon, Nick was able to take off a week from work to stay with me and help get into the swing of things.

He was awesome enough to get up with the kids and let me and the baby sleep, and I was able to sit my big buns on the couch and hold, snuggle, nurse, and love on the new baby to my hearts content while he distracted and entertained the other kids.

So naturally when he had to go back to work today I was sick about it.

I knew eventually it would happen but how was I supposed to manage three? Alone?

Turns out, it hasn't been bad at all....

*knock on wood*

Roman has been sweet enough to watch over the baby while I got the house cleaned and ready for the day.

The only thing that has been yikes so far is the 2 older ones fighting.

You know the whole...

"it's my seat!"

"it's my song!"

"It's my movie!!"

Man I hadn't noticed how bad they have gotten.

Would it kill em to share?! :)

Despite their fighting one thing is for sure,

they both are sweet on their little brother....

Rome begs to hold Nixon throughout the day and sits with him like so a great deal of the time.

She was so excited to hold him. :) Poor girl had a hard couple of days when we first got home. She would cry over everything and yell and was pretty much mad at the world. But after being on her schedule again she has been a lot happier - thank goodness! She's a wild one. trust me. Just look at the hair.

Oh heaven help me :D

Seriously?

I'm so crazy in love with this kid.

I can't seem to put him down or stop kissing and mauling him.

How could I?

This little thing is as fresh from heaven as it gets.

So intoxicating.

I love my kids like nothin else.

How did I get so lucky?

Seriously.

So I had a baby.....

2011-07-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

Introducing....

Nixon Marty Elgan

7lbs 8oz

20 inches

The Plan

2011-07-17T19:52:00.000-07:00

So here is the plan....

I'm calling the Dr. tomorrow morning to see if they can get me started.

If they can't get me in by noon I'll try for Tuesday morning.

I don't want to have a night labor.

I always seem to get started in the evening and yuck.

We have been getting ready all day today.

Bags are almost all the way packed.

Kids are bathed and have new backpacks to take their stuff to stay with their aunt.

(oh, new backpacks you ask? why yes, my children for some reason have been desperate for new backpacks. Every time we see some at the store it's a meltdown. So I thought it would be fun for them and distract them a little.)

The car seat is in the car.

The house is *almost* all the way clean and ready.

And

I. Am. Terrified.

I know that my life is going to dramatically change.

And I know that it will hurt.

But I keep doin with my sweet sisters tell me too, and not think about the pain but think about the day after.

So that's what I'm doing, and lemme tell ya

It's workin

I'm ready baby :)

2011-07-03T15:44:00.000-07:00

When I was pregnant with Roman, towards the end I was so scared. Not for the pain but scared for my life to change.

I couldn't help but dread the whole "you'll never sleep again and you'll be changing loads and loads of diapers for years to come."

I was content for him to stay right where he was.

So I waited, he was born 5 days past his due date and we had to get me started because my body wasn't progressing at all.

I had no idea what I was doing.

I assumed the nurses and Dr. would help me through everything but no no, that's not always the case.

Bringing him home was scary.

I honestly didn't know what to do with him.

I remember that first day home so clearly.

We brought him inside and he was sleeping in his carseat.

We put him down, sat on the couches and we both said "what now?"

I loved him so but a huge part of me was so incredibly lost.

That first night I put him in his basinet and thought, "okay little man, go to sleep"

No idea what to do.

He taught me how to be a mother.

I'm forever grateful that it was him that taught me.

It gives us a bond that we still have and he has a special place in my heart because we had to figure it out together.

And then this little lady came along.

And I was sooo ready for her to come out.

I knew what I was doing and wanted to get the show on the road!

I wanted my little newborn here to snuggle and love on because I knew what joy they bring and I was balls to the wall excited.

Her first days were heaven for me.

We brought here home and I didn't want to put her down.

I would want to be nice and share her with Nick and give her to him and shortly after he got some lovin in he would set her down.

I'd always say "if you don't want to hold her I do! I was trying to be nice and share"

She was like a little sleeping pill.

Whenever I was holding her I couldn't help but dose off and it was the same with Nick.

I felt confident.

Happy.

And crazy in love with my little family.

I am so excited to get my little boy here.

Not just so I can be done with the misery that is pregnancy :)

But to be able to bask in that amazing heavenly feeling of being a mom once again.

woa, yeah, kickstart my heart...

2011-06-30T19:10:00.000-07:00

I went to the Dr at 36 weeks.

I was honestly surprised when he told me I was dilated to a 2 and 50% effaced.

But I remembered that I was the exact same way with Lola and that it didn't necessarily mean anything.

I had to go back 5 days later because of scheduling conflicts instead of the regular 7 days.

I was so excited when he told me that I had progressed to a 2 1/2 and that I was 75% effaced.

I wasn't expecting that only 5 days later.

So now I keep thinking, "it really could be any day..."

Oh no.

I can't do this to myself.

In all reality I have at least 3 more weeks still.

But since that appointment, I unintentionally gave myself the go ahead to think that every contraction could be the beginning.

I hate this stage.

So slow down momma, and stick with

"3 more weeks....3 more weeks.....3 more weeks..."

I'm bakin like a toasted cheeser....

2011-06-27T15:14:00.000-07:00

I LOVE summertime.

I love swimming, watermellon, walks, the park, being outside ect ect. :)

This year has not been my friend.

Summertime took it's sweet time getting here and now that it's here I feel like it's passing me by because I'm so big fat pregnant.

I hate not being able to do what I want to do because my body physically wont let me.

Thank heavens this little chunk of heaven will be here soon...

I can't wait to see him & momma wants to play!

36

2011-06-24T11:54:00.000-07:00

36 weeks....

Feeling: Anxious. Tired. Excited. Scared.

Baby: almost 6lbs. Still haven't been able to see him in his ultrasound pics, he loves to snuggle with the placenta so that it's always in his face.

Movement: He's still goin wild. I feel like my belly has been so stretched out that my skin is paper thin so I can feel him really really well.

Craving: Dr. Pepper. I'm not sure why but I always crave that with my pregnancies. With Rome I remember being huge pregnant before giving in and having one. I felt so guilty. But with Lola I drank it constantly and it helped with the morning sickness. Love that stuff mmmm.

Sleeping: Horribly. I feel like I constantly have to go potty and I wake up every time I gotta roll this big ol' body on over :)

Missing: being able to bend over, being able to pick up my kids, being pregnant with my sister. Both she and my sister in law had their babies this past week within 2 days of each other and now I'm the lone wolf :)

I honestly am looking forward to this little baby getting here but I'm terrified to go through the whole birthing process again. When I went in for Rome I was naive and didn't know what I was in for. It's much more scary knowing the whole process and what goes on. yikes!

But getting him here will be totally worth it.

I'm so excited to meet him!

I feel like I miss him.

Like he is a part of me that is missing and when he gets here I'll feel complete.

Oh and p.s. went to the dr yesterday and I'm dilated to a 2 and 50% effaced.

Let's pray that means I'll progress quickly.

This heat is killing me slowly.

Bummer Summer

2011-06-16T13:01:00.000-07:00

This "summer" weather has broken my heart and yet make me so happy at the same time....

Sad that it's mid June and I still don't dare take the kids to the outdoor pool for fear they will freeze in the wind.....

Sad that you wait all year for warm weather and then this is what you get.....

But so happy that it's not crazy hot and miserable and that I'm not sweating like a you know what on nickle night....

Lola and I had aunt Rileigh come do glitter toes the other night....

It's helped get into the feeling of summer....

Getting out and playing in the sprinklers for the first time helped too

42

2011-06-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

Only 42 more nights of having to get up AT LEAST 3,000 times to go potty.

YES!

Girl drama....

2011-06-08T12:59:00.000-07:00

You gotta love the dramatics of a little girl.

I'm shocked at how quickly these little creatures become so.....dramatic.

My darling babe is not even two and she blows my mind everyday.

The attitude she has, the glares, the pouting, the screaming, and how I love love love every second of it.

Today I put Lola down for a nap and she started to cry because of a mosquito bite on her foot.

I put some medicine on it, soothed her, walked out of the room when she starts screaming and crying

"owie! itchy!!! owie owie ow!!!!"

Honestly?

You'd think her foot was being hacked off with a dull blade the way she was carrying on.

I go back in to do more medicine and to calm her down when she asks for her daddy.

I told her we could call him and then I left the room to get my phone.

And on she goes again, screaming and writhing in agony about her foot.

When I come back to the room, she is now pointing to the other foot, which clearly had no mosquito bite.

She talked to her dad for a few minutes and started falling asleep while they were talking.

After, she finally fell asleep....

Seriously.

I thought it was so cute that she wanted her dad and that's all she needed at the end of it all.

And the selfish part of me got my feelings a little hurt.

We girls are so dramatic.

June

2011-06-07T21:43:00.000-07:00

I honestly have nothing really to say.

Just some cute pics of some of the things we have been up to....

Roman enjoying the stickers from his gift bag from his cousin Londons 'Tangled' party

- it was so fun!

We got the chance to watch this darling little chunk of heaven the other day.

Although the reason we were watching her was sad (her older sister had to have surgery on her arm after a trampoline accident) it was so fun to play with her.

Seriously, how can you not LOVE this chunky ball of love?

I realized that when we watched Clover my little 'baby' is going to have a harder time with a new babe then I thought. She is overly helpful and has a lot to learn :)

The great errand debate....

2011-06-03T11:17:00.000-07:00

Okay so this little happening happened at least a year or so ago if not more.

But I was thinking about it and I don't want to forget so here I am.....writing about it now.

Roman and I were in the car....

I told him we couldn't go play with someone (can't remember who) because we had to run some errands.

Roman: "who is Erin?"

Me: "no no, ERRAND. It's were you go do stuff you gotta get done, like drop off mail or pay a bill."

Roman: "I wanna go to Erins house!"

Me: "Rome, it's not a person, they don't have a house, it's something you do"

Roman: "But I wanna go to Erins!!!!"

This argument went on for a while mixed with tears of frustration on his part ;)

and it still brings up an argument to this day.

90% of the time I have to remind him that it's not a person, it's something you do.

Thanks a lot Errand.

Graduation....

2011-05-31T12:08:00.000-07:00

Roman is officially done with his first year of preschool!

He has had so much fun, has had the most amazing teachers, brought home the cutest projects, and learned to write his name :)

Roman and Miss Wendy

Roman and Miss Lynda

To celebrate the end of the year his class had a picnic lunch at the park.

Families were welcomed to join and usually Nick skips out on things like this because of work. But Roman asked me to ask him to come so Nick took his lunch break late to join :)

Rome and Lola had a blast playing and he was so attentive....

But soon enough that little woman was doing everything on her own and didn't need his help even though he kept sweetly offering.

I have loved having Roman in preschool.

When I went to sign him up I thought "what am I doing?! I'm too young to be doing this I don't know what I'm doing!"

But it has been a fun adventure and I have LOVED seeing him learn and grow and be in a different learning environment then just home.

I'm so grateful that he had amazing teachers who encouraged him to learn and try new things.

And I think I'm looking forward to next year more than he is....

31

2011-05-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

31 weeks.....

I have surpassed wanting to show anymore of my body in a picture then necessary to see my belly....

Feeling...... Hormonal. I'll punch you in your throat if you upset me but not before I cry like a baby

Baby...... round abouts 16 inches long and around 3 lbs.

Movement....... honestly? He's been hurting me a lot lately. I feel like the guy on space balls right before the alien pops out of his belly and starts dancing on the table.

Cravings...... mostly sprite with lime. That and Dr. Pepper seem to be a constant in all my pregnancies.

Missing....... regular clothes. By 5:00 I'm in my pj bottoms and I wear skirts as often as I can because they are crazy comfortable.

Loving...... thinking about my little man. I'm so excited for him to be here!!!

Pantsy & cavaties

2011-05-18T15:24:00.000-07:00

So Lola has a new nickname.

Roman gave it to her and I have caught him calling her it quite often these days.

It started with him calling her Underpants or Underpantsy - and they would both laugh like you wouldn't believe.

Now he has shortened it to just Pantsy.

I think it's oddly cute.

Yesterday we took the kids to the dentist.

All because I thought a part of one of Romans fillings had fallen out.

I was praying it wasn't another cavity but I knew either way he'd need another filling.

So we go and Roman has the time of his life.

You couldn't tell just by looking at him but then he'd keep saying things like...

"I love it here so much! I'm having so much fun!!!"

Then Mr. Dentist comes in pokes around and the following convo ensues.......

"So.....he has eight cavities."

"Eight?!"

"Are we brushing?"

"yes! everyday!"

"maybe not long enough?"

"I have him brush then I brush for him right after"

"hmm well yeah those are eight definite cavities - not even maybe's"

And then I hung my head in shame.

I felt so guilty.

We should have been brushing 6 times a day....

I have horrible teeth and so does his dad is it genetics? Did I screw my poor innocent kids over with my cavity prone teeth?.....

No more sugar. Ever.

And then I headed off to the store for more toothpaste, more floss and some floride rinse.

Stupid dentist.

Ants on a log

2011-05-16T12:59:00.000-07:00

Roman is a picky eater.

A non consistent picky eater.

Some days spaghetti will be the death of him....

others, he can't get enough of it.

Today when I picked him up from preschool his teacher and I had a convo that went a little like this....

Teacher: "Um, Roman threw up a little bit today on his shirt."

Me: "oh no!"

Teacher: "well, we made him try peanut butter because we had ants on a log and I don't know if he just really didn't like it or..."

Me: "oh yeah, he really doesn't like peanut butter"

Teacher: "well, we made him try it because we have them at least try something once and I don't know if he's sick or we just pushed him past his limit because he seemed really nervous to try it."

So we walk out to the car together and I say,

"you must really not like peanut butter huh? I gotta call your dad"

"To tell him about me?"

"yeah, because it's kind of funny."

"No, it's hilarious"

I LOVE my kid

hello lady

2011-05-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

Fresh from her nap and ready to play but it sweet enough to snuggle with me first

Guilt

2011-05-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

So this is hopefully our last baby.

I say hopefully because I hope we don't accidentally have any more ;)

Physically, mentally and financially it's best for our family.

Nick wanted to stop after Lola but I felt incomplete.

I HAD to have just one more.

Now, I feel like once he is here our family will be complete.

BUT...

there is a tiny part of me that feels guilty.

Guilty for Lola not having a sister.

I would die if I didn't have my sisters and I feel like I'm taking that away from her.

Even though it's not a guarantee I'd have another girl anyway.

So Lola, my beautiful little lady bird

I'm sorry...

it's just gonna be you and me baby.

:)

May

2011-05-04T16:35:00.000-07:00

Isn't the weather awesome right now?

I pray it just keeps getting warmer and warmer

Me: "well don't you look cute walking with your hands in your pockets."

Rome: "I know. I look like my dad."

Gotta admit....

2011-05-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

I'm tired of being embarrassed.

You know when you have someone come over unexpectedly and they get a glimps of your messy house?

Yeah, happened to me twice this past week.

First my darling sister in law came to peek at our new cabinets right after Lola had just destroyed the living room and I was so embarrassed!

So I vowed to get my house in better order so I'm not embarrassed when I have an unexpected visitor.

So that living room has stayed clean since.

But then today happened....

My family was in town for Clovers baby blessing and my sister and her hubby came to hang out at our house afterwards.

Wasn't expecting them to come over, but I was 100% cool with it because I had a nice clean living room they could hang out in.

BUT I forgot about the bathrooms!

And my dear brother in law got to see both disasters.

One is close to our kitchen and has suffered with all the remodeling, it was basically abandoned....

and the other has suffered 4 people going in and out of it 100 times a day and it wasn't looking so hot.

I was so embarrassed!

And I'm tired of it.

I want that house that is always clean.

And I'm gonna get it.

I may have to hire someone....

Or put my children in cages.....

But at this point,

That doesn't sound so wrong.

6

2011-04-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

6 years ago today I married my best friend and lover ;)

What can I say about Nick Elgan?

He is.......

the love of my life

The ying to my yang....or whatever ;)

The most amazing dad I could have ever asked for our kids...

Honestly?

I don't know who I would be if I didn't have him....

He is amazingly patient with my crazy onory attitude and puts up with more than most men would...

We have almost none of the same interests or hobbies but get along awesome regardless...

He is a part of me and I'm still crazy out of control in love with him.

Happy 6th Anniversary Nick!!

I like you.

A lot.

dinner these days....

2011-04-25T19:35:00.000-07:00

Remember how I have no kitchen?

How could you forget - I cry about it every other post :P

Well....no kitchen ='s no stove, which ='s mainly microwavable food.

Needless to say, our meals are quite boring.

Mostly we eat out or do steam fresh microwave meals for dinner.

But there is one thing that I'm willing to make it work for....

Homemade hamburgers

*drool*

I set up everything we need, the buns, the pickles, tomatoes etc. on the landing of our stairs since we have no table.

I'm even so determined that I usually end up doing the "mans job" of cooking the meat out on the grill.

And lemme tell ya....

It's worth it.

Every time.

Aw!

2011-04-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

It happened!

It finally happened!

After weeks and weeks of not being able to hold my little Clover Ella~Jean I was able to get some lovin!

She lived up to the hype.

From her straight from heaven smell to her chubby kissable cheeks.

I just love this pretty girl!!!!

Lola roonie

2011-04-19T16:00:00.000-07:00

"mamma!"

"what?"

"mamma!"

"what Lola?"

"I want treat now!"

My little lady is a talking.

For so long she would only say a word here and there and now all of a sudden she has exploded!

My hair was wet from the shower the other day and as she played with it she said

"it wet!"

I'm loving it.

Makes me laugh.

I love her wild pain in the butt crazy hair - I love how she sings - I love how much she loves to dance

She was dancing to the music on a commercial the other day when my sister Rileigh said "look at that, she's not dancing for anyone but herself"

And it's true - she breaks out into dance all day. Dancin to the beat of her own drum :)

I love that she'll be my only girl.

I'm going to spoil her rotten

Cousin lovin

2011-04-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

These 2 nuggets are 7 months apart.

They get to go to preschool together.

And they live next door to each other.

Needless to say, I think they are pretty good pals :)

Rome loves his cousins so much and would play with them all day every day if he could. He is always talking about them all and he has been really missing our Evan and Asher who just moved away.

I'm grateful they are all close in age and that they all get a long so well.

they get it from their dad...

2011-04-13T09:23:00.000-07:00

I like to call this picture.....

"Defiance"

Yesterday we went out to play and it was so nice I actually busted out my camera.

But no one was interested in the impromptu photo shoot.

little stinkers.

which of these things does not belong.....

2011-04-12T15:24:00.000-07:00

My fridge is in my living room.

For the past five + weeks we have been stuck in the living room and our upstairs (which is just bedrooms, laundry room and bathroom)

I'm done!

We are getting so close but this momma is gonna lose her mind.

You don't realize how much you use a kitchen till it's gone.

Our food is mostly microwaveable or fridge food, and anything else is lining my mantle and top of fridge.

We have been living on plastic cups, plates and silverware.

Our microwave is on the floor.

The floor people!

It's been an amazing adventure......

*cough*

But I'll be so happy when it's done

Pile of Elgans

2011-04-11T19:41:00.000-07:00

You know how it's really fun and exciting to go away for the weekend without your kids?

Well for me, it's even better coming home.

out & about

2011-04-04T21:48:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have ever done a major (and sometimes minor) project,

a BILLION trips to home depot are required.

Today the kids were PUMPED to go.....

*I promise he is in a booster seat - we just took of the back for some reason or another and haven't put it back on yet*

*someone always takes their shoes off in the car*

We are nearing the end!

The guy who is doing our sheet rock will be done tomorrow (yay to no more coming at 8:30 in the morning and banging around).

Then we paint.

Then we tile.

Then we put in our cabinets which have been ready and waiting for us for longer than I care to admit :)

I'm so excited to be done!!!

Let's cross of fingers everything goes smoothly and quickly so my poor children don't have to endure the depot anymore.

2 to the 4

2011-03-30T21:52:00.000-07:00

24 weeks baby!

FEELING: awesome pregnancy wise. not at all uncomfortable yet whew!

EATING: everything. feels so good to not have to think about what I'm about to eat.

WEIGHT GAINt: I honestly don't know how much I have gained. 5 lbs maybe? I just try not to cry when I look at the scale. Numbers flash up that I don't like so I don't remember the specifics :)

BABE: good movement. never kicks for his dad only for his brother and sister. is just over a pound now.

NAME: Mr. no name. nothing tickles my fancy this time around. I have a hard time getting excited about a name and that's what I look for - something that will just really get me pumped.

Today was the first day I really felt pregnant.

Up until now I have just felt chubby.

You know, where you pooch out but there is still chub on top because it hasn't stretched out enough to be all round and cute.

I hate that.

I'm way grateful that I'm feeling great (minus the horrible case of the hives and other illness ;) I'm loving this stage so much!

Waa

2011-03-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

*Warning*

This is going to be a whiny poor me post so.....enjoy :)

I was so excited that I wasn't sick when my niece Clover was born about 5 weeks ago.

Sickness had been going around like crazy and my kids had just got over being sick.

So I was able to be there for my sister :)

And not even a week later I get sick.

With a gross cold.

When it finally started to let up it morphed into a terrible hacking cough that kept me up at night coughing up my lungs.

About a week or so goes by and then I start to get all stuffed up and congested again at night.

That mixed with the stupid cough = no sleep.

And then the doozy.....

My cough was starting to let up and get better and I was managing the congestion when last Friday I ....

BROKE OUT IN HIVES!

What?!

I'm not even allergic to anything.

So now for the past 5 days I have been battling horrible itchy hives that won't go away and I can't figure out why.

I literally want to crawl out of my own skin.

Soooo the moral of the story is that for the past 4 weeks or so I have been sick with something or another and haven't even gotten to hold my adorable new niece :(

Seriously.

Boo

2011-03-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

My sister Rileigh is a hairdresser and has been on maternity leave for about 6 weeks now.

Which means, my hair was in dire need of some TLC.

So last night she and I and our other sister gathered at her shop for a late night hair date.

As we were sitting at the shampoo bowls talking and gettin our hair on, a homeless man walks in the front door and walks straight towards us.

Usually this wouldn't be super scary but it was 10:00 at night and no one else was in the building. And we had forgotten to lock the door.

He asked if we had any money and offered to sell us some stone carvings he had made.

I have never been so terrified.

The way he just walked in, went straight for us and blocked us at the shampoo bowls so we couldn't get around him was scary.

We told him we didn't have anything on us so he just kept talking and talking.

I was so relieved when my sister said "oh, well my husband is on his way he should have some cash on him and he'll be about 2 minutes."

I didn't have my phone by me and the whole time he was in there I was thinking of how to get to my phone.

So I said, "want me to give him a call to double check that he'll have cash?"

And that gave me an out to get up and walk around him and call her husband and ask him to come.

The entire time we played it off like he was 2 minutes away.

He was never "on his way" - it just gave us an opportunity to get to a phone to get someone there to help us.

The guy ended up leaving after a couple of minutes of getting his money and headed off to the local bar.

Now honestly, he might have been the sweetest most trustworthy kind man that you could ever meet.

But we had never met.

When he came in I got hot and sweaty and panicked and thought for a few minutes that our lives could end then and there for all we knew.

Now I just need to get me some mace....

I forgot about you....

2011-03-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

Remember last Halloween?

Apparently I didn't.

While sorting through all my old pics I realized I didn't post about Halloween.

Oh well, I'll just leave you with this pic of the kids and their darling Great Grandma Elgan

: )

*Lola was going to be a ladybug but the weather was so awful we had to revert to the backup of Romans old chicken costume*

Friendly Magee

2011-03-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

I love blogs.

I have a bunch that I follow.

Every time Roman see's me checking one out and there is a picture of their kids he automatically either...

1. thinks it's a picture of him

2. Asks if that's his friend.

Anyone elses kid think that everyone is their friend?

I love it.

I think it's so sweet.

And then I have to tell him no, we don't even really know them.

And then I feel like a creep.

hats, pancakes & tractors

2011-03-06T20:48:00.000-08:00

Someone found an old baby hat.....

Rome & I after stuffing ourselves at Nicks work breakfast....

Someone looks a little tired and that someone is old enough to drive.....

Roman doing his best "normal smile" for me while playing on the tractors at the company breakfast.....

My gorgeous chunk of nugget baby playing on the tractors......

.....

2011-03-02T21:17:00.000-08:00

My little loves....

Someone got into mommy's makeup......

Oh yeah......it happened.
Naked Time-Out.

Justice doesn't care if your naked....

Tantrums and kitchens

2011-03-01T09:50:00.000-08:00

My darling little baby girl.........

(see? so precious while sleeping...)

Now throws the biggest tantrums.

I'm talking screaming bloody murder - body flopping- try to bite the dog - rolling on the floor kind of tantrums.

And I don't know why.

And I'm pretty sure neither does she.

Something will just set her off and she's unreachable.

They other day as she was rolling around wailing I decided to put her in her crib because shoot - I don't know what to do when she gets crazy.

After a few minutes in there she is crying for her binky.

Her tantrum had become about the binky.

When for 80% of her 20 minute long tantrum she had the binky in her hand.

She's straight crazy.

We have been remodeling our kitchen and though I am so grateful to be able to do it, I miss having a kitchen so bad!

Ours is totally gutted.

I mean we pulled the plaster off the walls and ceiling gutted.

And that is what we have been up to round here.

Tantrums.

kitchen remodeling.

And being there for the birth of my darling niece Clover Ella~Jean

how much is that baby in the window.....

2011-02-02T14:17:00.000-08:00

Somebody has really been loving the new windows we got in our house...

And she's not the only one....

I wear my sunglasses at night

2011-02-01T22:35:00.000-08:00

So.... my husband and I have a silly little thing with sunglasses.

It all started the day he proposed. He picked me up from work and brought me some chocolates and sunglasses. I was a little caught off guard with the sunglasses but I thought it was sweet and he picked out an awesome pair.

And that's how its been ever since.

He is my sunglasses picker outer.

Valentines day, Christmas, Birthdays - I usually get me some new sunglasses.

And I love it.

And yet another....

2011-01-27T11:08:00.000-08:00

BABY BOY!!!

See?!

Sorry the quality is horrible but aww you can see his little privates.

Nick and Rome were pretty pumped :)

Took momma a minute or two to get as excited but now I'm on board.

Dream On

2011-01-26T10:22:00.001-08:00

A few years ago my sisters went to an Aerosmith concert in Vegas.

They wanted me to come but I thought, I like Aerosmith but not enough to drive down to Vegas.

Recently I have a new found love for Aerosmith - I can't get enough!

And now I'm kicking myself in the butt for not going.

What's been goin on round here....

2011-01-20T21:53:00.000-08:00

I feel like such a bad blogger.

Forgive me.

Around here we have been.....

Dying for it to be warm again. Roman wants to move somewhere where it is warm all the time but just isn't grasping the fact that our whole extended family wouldn't come with.

Procrastinating putting the Christmas decorations away. I finally took the Christmas tree down today and Roman was none too happy about it.

Trying to go without the binky at night or naps and failing miserably and giving up every day.

Watching too much tv. Roman told me multiple times today if I got mad at him "don't get mad, get glad!" It's funny, but not a good sign.

Re-Vamping the house. Sort of. We got new carpet on the stairs and our new windows just arrived today and are waiting to be installed. We are moving on to the kitchen but everything is such a process! I just want it to be done. now.

Enjoying preschool. Sad to say some weeks it's the most I get outside when i take him.

Learning new words. Lola now says Hot Dog. She doesn't talk a whole lot but that little thing is smart. She knows exactly what I'm saying and how to work me and especially her dad.

Dancing. Lola loves to dance. If a commercial comes on with music, she dances. If you hum a song she'll dance. So we'll crank up the music and dance for about 5 minutes. I'm so pathetic but it's about all I can handle :P

And that about sums it up.

Super amazing and fun things going on at the Elgan house.

Even though I hate being cooped up, I love being able to snuggle and love on my kids all day long. I can never get enough.

I'm such a corn dog.