The Mini-Me's :)

It's never been a secret that Alli truly is my "mini me" but now that Eli is here, both G and I have a "mini me" ~ mine is such a stinker and G's is very laid back . . . just like each of us!

Alli wants to do everything like Mommy, including the not so fun stuff . . . yesterday, I was suffering from one of the "joys" of breastfeeding ~ I had a very painful clogged duct.  Alli knew Mommy had a boo boo and decided she had one too.  A great friend (who happens to be a lactation consultant!) made a suggestion for how to help using the bathtub so I did this before the kids went to bed.  Well, as soon as I got out of the tub, Alli got in and proceeded to try the same thing on her.  Although a little odd, it was incredibly cute!  G just shook his head ;-)

Yes, this is my little "mini me" enjoying breakfast in the high chair ~ only place she wants to eat these days!

G's little "mini me" has started to sit up by himself!!!  He had a blast sitting and playing his piano yesterday and did a great job at catching himself when he started tipping ~ such a big boy now :)

Sick day

Last night (or very early this morning!) was a rough one in the Fisher household, well at least for me and the two little ones ~ G managed to sleep through it all ;-)

Eli woke up at 2:30 very stuffy and uncomfortable.  I finally got him calmed down and back to sleep a little before 3.  Just as I was settling back into bed, I hear Alli crying for me.  She had to go to the bathroom so we did that and I tucked her back in, only to be beckoned to her room about 15 minutes later because she too was stuffy and uncomfortable.  Poor girl had a fever of 101, so after some snuggling and rocking she was back to sleep by 4.  Eli was up at 6:15 to eat, Alli at 6:40 wanting water.  Both went back to sleep until around 7:30.  Made for a rather tired Mommy today ;-)

Given Alli's fever, she had to miss preschool, which did not go over too well when I broke the news to her.  Fortunately, today was absolutely beautiful here so we were able to go out and enjoy the sunshine.  How to entertain Alli on a day off from school?  Why, you dress up as Tinkerbell and walk around the neighborhood carrying your baby!

Or you eat crackers with dip while sitting on the counter . . .

I must have done something to make the day a little brighter because this is what I got this evening . . .

G got home early this afternoon so we were able to go for another walk around the neighborhood and Alli thought it was hilarious when Daddy sat in the wagon and she got to pull him (with a little help from Mommy!).  Eli is still extremely stuffy but handling it like a trooper and is eating solids again ~ woo hoo!  Today was a great day for eating and he even enjoyed his peas for dinner.  This is big since he hasn't been too fond of the green veggies.

Eli learned a couple new tricks today.  First, he learned how to play peek-a-boo with him in charge.  When I get him dressed in the morning, we play "where's Eli" when we put on his shirt.  Well, today I was changing his diaper and he took his shirt (not on yet) and put it over his face.  I said "where's Eli" and he pulled the shirt down and giggled.  Then did it at least another 10 times, giggling each time.  He did it again this evening with one of his blankets . . .

How cute is the guy??? 

He also managed to sit up by himself without tipping for a couple of seconds ;-)

I am hoping both kiddos feel better very soon and that we can avoid a trip to the doctor.  Although it may not be possible as Alli's cough seems to be getting worse and her fever is not going away.  Thankfully though, she says she feels great, just sleepy.

Ash Wednesday

Tonight we took the kiddos to Church for Ash Wednesday and the kickoff of the Lenten services.  We enjoyed a soup supper with the congregation and then Alli and Eli went downstairs to play with Miss Kaitlyn, Miss Hailey and Mr. Trevor.  We planned to pick them up after the service.  Imagine our surprise when we looked up during the sharing of the ashes to see Eli getting ashes as he was in Trevor's arms ~ too cute!  Just moments later, we see Alli walking up to the alter with Miss Kaitlyn to get ashes.  Alli rubbed off her ashes before we could get a picture but here's cute little E with his ashes . . .

Poor guy was so tired by the time we got home but was willing to pose for pictures with his Daddy ;-)

Happy 7 Months Eli Zachary (a.k.a. Mr. E.Z.)

Our handsome little devil is 7 months old today!  Where does the time go???  It seems like just yesterday he was born.  Crazy how normal changes so quickly.

The bummer is that he has one heck of a rotten cold right now :(  In true Eli fashion though, he's handling pretty well.  Needs some extra snuggles but we're all too happy to provide those!  He's being such a trooper and even has been playing dress up with his big sister . . .

He thought the pink tutu was quite tasty.

As you can see, he wasn't too sure about this and I have a feeling that when he's a bit older, he will not be too thrilled that these photos have been published ;-)

Miss Alli was having a blast and I was thrilled that she wanted to play with him!

Happy Valentine's Day!

What a fun Valentine's this year!  Alli had so much fun making little heart Valentine cards with her favorite suckers for all of her friends at school and in the neighborhood, and for all of her family.  We learned that many people go all out but this was fun for Alli and she loved picking out the color of the hearts and suckers and decorating each one with stickers.  Some people even got ones where she wrote her name on the back!!!

We took some shots of our two cuties on the Friday before as that was Alli's celebration at preschool. The two cutest Valentines around :)

Eli even enjoyed gnawing on a covered heart-shaped treat from a neighbor!

The Three Ballerinas

Today was Alli's weekly ballet / tap class and she did great!!!  She was so excited to wear her new dance outfit that she got for her birthday.  Her neighborhood buddies were also wearing their pretty tutus so we decided we had to get some photos of the three ballerinas . . .

Here they are after class.

Patiently waiting for their turns.

Practicing taking little ballerina steps.

Most of the time, Alli needs me to stay in the room with her but thankfully, I can just stand against the wall.  Well, other than circle time where they hold hands ~ she does not like to touch :)  During that part, Eli and I get to dance too!

Eli is such a trooper!  Today, he decided to eat his toes :)  Yes, that is his toe in his mouth!!!

The poor little guy has been constipated the past couple days (yes, we've tried prunes, pear juice, etc.)  It's really heartbreaking to hear him scream in pain.  Luckily, he gets some relief when he's in the sling folded up like a pretzel.  Looks so uncomfortable but it seems to help. 

Okay, enough about that, back to the ballerina . . . Seriously, how cute is she?!?!?!

Doing her Arabesque

She can even lift her leg!  Okay, so her arm drops but I'm still impressed!

Running like a ballerina on her toes.

Chassé

Sauté jumps in first position. 
This was really tough for her but she's starting to really get it now!

I'm so proud of my little ballerina ;-)

Alli's 3rd Birthday Parties . . .

Yesterday was a very busy day for Miss Alli . . . In the morning, all of our neighborhood buddies came over for her 3rd Birthday Party.  I went overboard last year on decorations so this year I decided to tone it down a little.  She's not really into characters (likes them but doesn't have a fave) so we decided to do a candy theme ~ figured we couldn't go wrong that way.  What kid doesn't love candy??? ;-)  We turned our dining room into Alli's Sweet Shop, complete with lots of candy.  As a party favor, we decorated a glass bottle for each child and let them fill it with whatever candy they wanted.  I was amazed at how well the kids shared and passed the candy around the table!  Alli seemed to have a good time but was a bit shy during the birthday song and wanted me to blow out her candles.  Once it came time to open presents, however, the shyness was GONE!  She was perfectly happy to be the center of attention so long as there were gifts to open and even chatted and played with the others during this time.  Figures, give her stuff and she'll be chatty ;-)  There were so many photos that I picked a few to add to the slideshow below . . .



After her friends left, Alli had a ball playing with her new toys.  When my friend Cori arrived with her boys, Cohen (1 week older than Alli) and Kaden (2 months), Alli and Cohen headed straight for the swingset and had a blast swinging, sliding and climbing.  Both were being little monkeys :)  The family arrived shortly after that and although she was happy to see everyone, Alli was less than pleased that she had to come back inside.  I think the lack of a nap or downtime had caught up with her because she was in a bit of a mood!  Enjoyed opening presents but didn't want to say thank you.  Luckily, by the end, she used baby Ashlie (doll) to thank each person for the gift ~ not ideal but it was something!  After the family left, Alli crashed and didn't wake up until 8:15 this morning.  Guess all the celebrating wore her out ;-) 



Today, she enjoyed a lazy day at home playing with her new toys and having a great time.  Thank you to everyone for your kind birthday wishes!!!  Our three year old is loving life right now :)

A day for parties . . .

It has been a very long but fun day with multiple birthday parties for our little 3 year old :)  We promise to give a full update tomorrow but for now, enjoy these pictures of our princess wearing some of her presents and having a ball!

It's good to be 3 :)

Although she had a few moments of being a pill, I think Alli would have to say that her 3rd birthday was a HUGE success and loads of fun!!!

The day began by going to Moppets where she actually played with some of the other little ones and seemed to have a great time ~ whew!

This afternoon, she played and decided she wanted to watch Cinderella.  Then it was off to a walk around the neighborhood, where she ran into some friends ~ always a highlight ;-) 

After the walk, it was time to make dinner.  Alli was in charge so we had sausage and cheese scrambled eggs and pancakes ~ yum! 

She ate like a champ and even thanked me for making "such yummy eggs."  Made for a very happy Mommy. 

After dinner it was time for her present (yes, just one ~ we think she has way too much stuff as it is!).  Alli was so excited to open her "Mickey story!"  (i.e. a scrapbook of our trip to Disneyland)  We had to "read" it twice before we went to DQ for ice cream, another huge hit. 

While eating her cone, she exclaimed "this is really fun!"  We could not have been happier.

Yes, we put candles in the cone!

And she blew out all three candles :)

All that was left of her cone ;-)

Daddy reading her Happy Birthday to You, which he does every year on her birthday :)

Tomorrow is her 3 year check up and then Saturday is the birthday party.  So far, I think the third birthday is going very well!!!