My New Planter...

The other day this new planter arrived in the mail. My mother made this out of a maple syrup sap bucket. I love how it coordinates so well with the purple wreath on our front door.

Thanks mom!

Yesterday and Today...

Yesterday... Bryant toured the Presidential Yacht. He came home with some great pictures and lots of fun facts and information. For example, the US government sold it for $270,000 at auction as directed by President Carter in 1977. The current owner purchased it 10 years ago for $10.8 million! Anyone can "rent" it out for 4 hours at the going price of $10,000.

(Please do not expect us to entertain you with a trip down the Potomac the next time you're in town... well, unless you're paying!)

Today... we cleaned house (a little), folded laundry and baked a cake (from scratch). The best part according to the kids is getting to lick the beaters, spatula and yes they did ask to lick the bowl too!

I however, cooked it in a bundt pan... and I don't have any luck with bundt pans. Half of the cake stayed in the pan! But it still tasted great! Seriously, looks don't matter when you top it with powdered sugar and strawberries!

While it was cooking, the kids practiced some sewing skills or lacing...

And Eli... well he just slept all day.

One Month Old...

Our Weekend...

On Friday Eli turned 3 weeks!

We headed to Theodore Roosevelt Island on Friday morning. This is near downtown DC in the Potomac River. I can not tell you how many times I have drove past the island on the way to doctor appointments in Bethesda... too many to count. And I've always thought... "we should go there sometime". So, Friday Bryant decided we would venture that way.

Bryant packed us a picnic that we enjoyed while there, the Girl Scout cookies were our favorite part of lunch!

Then the kids enjoyed running around...

And playing with a frisbee...

that Gracie thought made a pretty cook hula hoop.

And then on Saturday we woke up and went for a hike.

Sunday. Well, that was Father's Day and we just relaxed!

If you don't hear from me for awhile, have a great week! It sure is tuff getting on here lately to update.... but it will get better.

2 Week Check-up....

The Holter Monitor...

Elijah had his 2 week check-up today. He has gained a whole pound since his last appointment, 12 days ago. He weights in at 8 pounds and 14 ounces.... the exact weight that Nathan and Gracie were both born at. After his appointment with the pediatrician we drove over to Walter Reed Hospital to meet with the Pediatric Cardiologist that took care of Eli while he was in womb and had developed the atrial flutter. Eli entered the Pediatric clinic very content and napping, but after and EKG and a blood pressure cuff that he was not fond of, he left in a much different mood. The good news is that there are no signs that his heart has fallen back into flutter. His cardiologist will continue to monitor Eli with a Holter monitor periodically. We were sent home with one today. He only has to wear it for 24 hours, thankfully. We will return at 3 months and at 6 months to have another Holter monitor placed on him and hopefully after that, we will be done with cardiology visits. But, we cannot imagine a 6 month old wearing this monitor... that may be a challenge!

2 weeks later...

Well, let's see... in the past two weeks:

• The kids got to spend time with both of their grandmothers and one of their great grandmothers.
• After picking up Bryant's mom at the airport last weekend, we had a car accident and now have a rental (Chrysler Town and Country... don't like this van)... good news, no one was hurt and our van is repairable. Our kids were devastated when they got out of the van and saw the damage, Gracie asked me yesterday why did Silver Lady's face get broken?... Her eyes are gone mommy!
• Eli is doing great! Sleeping at night can be a challenge, but that is to be expected! Each day it seems that he is awake longer and he loves looking around... he does not love his pacifier however... which is okay with me, except during those crying nights, then I wish he loved it.
• Gracie's favorite song.... Big Green Tractor by Jason Aldean, she's even starting to develop a twang when she sings! But, make no mistake she still has the entire Taylor Swift CD memorized.
• And Nathan, he is such a great helper. When Eli is starting to get fussy in his swing... we look in and there's Nathan leaning over him, holding the pacifier in Eli's mouth and swaying back and forth with the swing.
• Bryant is now back to work and it is just me and my 3 kiddos at home. So far today, everyone is dressed, fed and no one is crying... yet. Oops, I think I spoke too soon.

We're Home!

Eli was released from the hospital on Monday. So far it appears that his heart is maintaining a sinus rhythm. We were back at the hospital today for a follow up appointment and he weights 7 pounds 14 ounces. We were sent home with a Holter monitor for his heart, this will monitor his heart for the next 24 hours and will give the doctors a better indication of whether his heart is maintaining a sinus rhythm or going into flutter. Please pray that it stays in sinus rhythm!

He is so precious to us! It is amazing how you can just love someone so much instantly! Thank you Lord for this little miracle!