Beach Bums

Well, we just returned from a nice long relaxing week at the beach and we sure did enjoy ourselves. It was Elliott's very first beach experience and I think he had a wonderful time. It was also the first time being at the beach with Merrin being old enough to REALLY enjoy the water. She had the best time playing in the tide pools, running up and down the beach and finding sea shells however she also had just as much fun playing with the water hose at the house. We took Merrin to the aquarium one day which I thought would be a big hit but I think she was only mildly entertained (live and learn...a toddler doesn't need an expensive trip to the aquarium...just a hose and some sand will do just fine). Elliott was nice and relaxed just about the entire week and I am happy to report he is sleeping like a champ now...going to bed around 8 each night and only waking up once for a quick feed. I also have to add that Mr. Elliott is again, just the sweetest thing ever but I could gush for hours...

Keith and I had a great time reading our books and renting a movie just about every night. I'm embarrassed to say but I am a HUGE “Twilighter” now...I know you are laughing hysterically but I don't care, I am embracing the teenager within me! I told Keith I wanted all the books, the movie, the soundtrack...and a life size poster of Edward Cullen (which, by the way, Keith said he would divorce me if I was being serious...but I have to say that even Keith was a fan of the movie...he is going to kill me for reveling that) Haha! You know...like the life size poster of your favorite NKOTB that you all had growing up...my personal favorite was Donnie :) Anyway...we had a great time and only wish we had another week to indulge in fatty foods and lazy activities.
We weren't the only ones enjoying the beach...Keith's mom, my mom, sister, and nephew Ben all came down at different intervals. We started the week off appropriately by having all the women together at the beach for a quick shopping spree (all I bought was a cover for my Bible and a new blender to make smoothies for Merrin...I'm a big spender, huh?).
Here is a video clip of Ben and Elliott...

April 15th is finally here!!!

Today was definitely a day for celebratory pancakes!!!

April 15th has finally arrived and our family, especially Keith, could not be more thrilled! It has been a long, grueling few months but we made it and feel like a new, refreshed family. Its a crazy feeling and one that only a tax accountant could understand but once tax season is over you almost feel like a new person. You appreciate the time you have with your family all the much more and you feel like you have an ENORMOUS amount of time to do anything and everything since you've just spent the past three months behind a desk with NO TIME to do anything else. I just want to tell Keith that we are proud of him and all the sacrifices he has had to make these past few months for our family...the biggest one being that he has hardly had any time to spend with his brand new son! We love you Keith and you are doing a fantastic job at providing for our family, we are truly blessed to have you in our lives. Now...if we can just train you to change a few diapers ;)

I also want to congratulate my fellow tax friends, Tara, Lauren, Rebecca and Courtney for completing yet another tax season. You all are amazing friends and mothers and I commend you for all that you do. You are better women than I am!! Congratulations and now go enjoy your summer!

Elliott

This post is entirely of our little man!! The poor thing has not had enough face time on this blog and its about time he did. I'm not sure if having a (and I mean this in the most endearing way) "terrible two year old" makes you appreciate a newborn even more or if its just that little Elliott is the best natured baby but either way, he sure is SWEET!! I've also heard that little boys have a soft spot with their mommies and I would have to certainly agree. When I was pregnant I wondered if my heart could love another as much as it does Merrin, what was I thinking?? This little guy is the sweetest thing and there are days where I just want to literally eat him up!!!! I can't believe he will be two months tomorrow. This precious time is passing by too quickly!! Before you know it he'll be pinning a corsage onto his prom date's dress...oh dear!

Elliott has been smiling now for a few weeks and I am LOVING it. He loves looking at his big sister and listening to her sing. He also loves his tummy mat and tries to swat at the little red bird that hangs down. He has extremely strong head support for his age which I remember Merrin having as well. I'm a little worried about his head though...despite our best efforts with tummy time and rotating sides in the crib, etc. our little man is getting a flat head!! I'm trying hard to correct it but this little guy definitely prefers to lay his head to the left each and every time. Its still a little early for talk of a helmet so I'm hoping we can avoid wearing one, especially since I've heard they are expensive! At the ripe old age of 8 weeks, Elliott has already been on several "play dates" thanks to his big sis and as you can tell from the pics below, it looks like he enjoys them. I promise more pics of Mr. Elliott to come as he is my most willing subject unlike his older sis!

HAPPY EASTER

Here are a few pics from our Easter weekend...

Merrin dying Easter eggs

Merrin hunting eggs

The Easter Bunny came!!!

Where's baby Elliott?
Merrin had some fun playing with Elliott before church this morning...poor Elliott!!

Birthday Pics

Merrin had a WONDERFUL birthday weekend! On Friday we made and took special birthday cookies for Merrin to share with her friends at preschool and she was treated extra special by getting to wear a birthday hat given to her by her teachers.

On Saturday Merrin had her Mickey Mouse birthday party and I think she had a GREAT time. Lots of Merrin's family and friends came to help her celebrate and we can't thank everyone enough for making the day so memorable. After the party the celebration continued by skipping nap time and heading to the neighborhood playground on Merrin's new "bicycle" as Merrin likes to call it. Needless to say Merrin was exhausted by bedtime. The weather cooperated beautifully though, we couldn't have asked for a better day to have a party.

On Sunday we wrapped up the birthday weekend with a bang by riding the train downtown with our friend Jill and her son Noah to see DISNEY LIVE! Merrin got to see Mickey, Minnie and the whole gang. She had the BEST time. I was so proud of her as she sat there like a big girl throughout the entire show. You could see her eyes light up each time Mickey took the stage. She wasn't as familiar with Handy Manny or Little Einsteins but she enjoyed seeing Pooh Bear and Tigger. All in all it was a fantastic birthday weekend. Ah...to be two again!

We also celebrated my mom's birthday this past Tuesday and my dad turned the big 60 on Friday along with Merrin. This coming week we will be celebrating cousin Ethan's birthday (turned two in March) as well as Aunt Jill's birthday on Easter Sunday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVERYONE!!

Also, I couldn't leave Mr. Elliott out...here he is enjoying the birthday party on Saturday...just chillin in his favorite chair!! He is seven weeks old today!!

MERRIN TURNS TWO

Exactly two years ago today at 11:19am the most amazing little girl came into this world. It is truly a miracle what God has created! Merrin is ball of fire these days and has more energy than I could dream of. She is such a joy to be around, always smiling and giggling and LOVES to be around people. She is definitely starting to wear her "2-year old" pants with an attitude to match but even her sassy pants are cute at times. She makes us laugh at least several times a day and always wants to be by my side doing exactly what I am doing. She changes her babies' diapers when I change Elliott, she cooks when I cook and she even helps with the laundry. She also likes to burst out in song without being prompted...all of a sudden she will break into her rendition of "Itsy Bitsy Spider" or "Jesus Loves Me" or "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to name a few. She loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and is very excited about her upcoming birthday party which is appropriately themed! We are truly blessed to have Merrin in our lives and I don't know what I would do without her. HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet Merrin!

One year and 365 days ago...

Keith, Mayzi and I were anxiously awaiting an important arrival...

Little did I know I was about to receive one of the greatest gifts of my life...

Lovebirds

A huge CONGRATULATIONS goes out to my long time friend, Rachel, who is now engaged to her wonderful fiance James. We love you guys and can't wait for your big day!