Joseph

Joseph is now a first grader and will be six  years old in just 3 more days! I know this because he reminds me every 10 min. He loved school and can't wait to go back in a week. We are excited because his kindergarten teacher moved up to first grade and Joseph will have her again. We love her lots and lots, because she is firm and loving...Just what a busy, rowdy, tender boy needs.

Joseph and Hyrum got baby chicks and they have been a source of great joy to these boys, Joseph in particular. Even now, that they are grown, he loves them. He checks for eggs every day and tries to pet and hold them (I have even caught him in the coop a few times). I'm sure if I let him he would sleep out there with them.

Right before Eleanora was born we went to the beach and let me tell you this boy LOVES the ocean. He kept telling me, "this day is so fun! He loved running in the water and then running from it before it swept him out to sea. I only had minor panic attacks the whole time, but tried my best to just let him have fun. There was a family that dug a gigantic hole and when they left, Joseph and Hyrum took turns jumping into it, getting sand in every pore on their body. It really was a wonderful day, I love to see my babies so happy.

And in contrast we went up to the Sequoias, while there was still snow on the ground. That was another "Best day of my life" days for Joseph. He had so much fun exploring and making snow angels. He really is just a fun boy to be around (unless we are shopping or going somewhere "boring"... then I have to fight the urge to drop him off at an orphanage).

We have had so much fun this summer, even with the summer including a bout of the stomach bug. We went to the zoo, slash parks, library activities, camping in the backyard, fire pits, trip to the ice cream store, swimming, friends, and even crafts at home.

He has been such a joy to have around this summer and I am seriously dreading school starting. He is excited though. He loves being the big brother and is the biggest help and I am so grateful. Sometimes he will get frustrated, but he still tries to be helpful. He'll say things like, "I didn't ask for a sister like this!" after Eliza has destroyed his legos for the 1000 time that day, or he is quick to tell me if one of his siblings is being "rotten". He makes me laugh and I know I will always be loved by him, even in moments that he tells me that he hates my guts and that he wants a new mom. HAHA. He is a very passionate boy, a quality I am so happy about. He never backs down on things he thinks are right (even if he really is wrong). He will always be my loyal, tender, loving boy even after he turns 6.

Eliza

We are officially half way through the 8th month of the year and I obviously should have been updating more because SOOOO much has happened... AND people are starting to hound me for updates.

 Eliza is officially medication free as of February and doing perfect! It is so nice not to have to worry about that any more. We met with her neurologist one last time before he moves to a different hospital in Dallas. He released her from care, unless she has any other episodes. We are especially grateful for Dr. Katayan, and know that he was nothing short of a miracle in Eliza's first year of life. Had she come a month earlier or even a week later, he would not have been her doctor and we are very aware of how Eliza's care could have been had he not been her doctor. It is hard not to get emotional while thinking of how things could have been, but aren't because of our Heavenly Father's plan. It was so hard to think clearly enough to recognize that He had it all figured out and that I just needed to have a little more faith. Amazing His plan truly is! There are still some unknowns, but we are ok with that. As for now she just had a therapy evaluation, where she was completely evaluated to make note of any delays early in her life. She is right on track for everything other than her actual speech, which is at about a 12 month level. Right now she really just makes a few noises, and so there is cause for concern. Chances are she is just a little behind, because she was pretty much asleep her first year. Haha. So we will set her up with speech therapy and hopefully she can get caught up quickly. Again nothing to really be concerned about, she knows and understands everything and if I need to just teach her sign language so that there is some form of communication, seems like an easy enough solution. She is finally walking as month ago, so that's one less thing to worry about!! She is just about the cutest thing in this entire universe!

Eliza is very tender and a loves to please us. If she gets frustrated with one of the boys or even myself, she will scream and begin to lash out, but quickly turns her tune and will come in for a hug or a pat. I can imagine life is difficult for toddlers, especially ones that simply just don't talk. I think she is just about as graceful a toddler can be. Lately she has found a little independence and attitude that goes with it. She is quick to let her opinions known. 

Eliza is a natural born nurturer, she loves anything fluffy or baby like. She gravitates towards dolls, or stuffed animals...even pillows, to hug and take care of. Today I found her trying to feed Eleanora a bottle in the eye. Haha. She wants to be a momma so bad. I have to watch her close though, because she is also a beast and could smash her baby sister with just her thumb. Haha. 

 

Right before Eleanora came, we took a quick trip to the beach and she LOVED it. She must be a beach babe at heat because she was so happy with the wind and the sand. I am so glad that we got to go, even if it did cause me a back injury that lasted several unbearable weeks. She loves to take pictures of herself, so we got quiet a few of her being her happy, silly self.

Did I mention that she is silly? Well she is! She loves to laugh, and dance, and play. I am so grateful to have a girl like her because she is so fun to have around.

I went thru a box of my keepsakes and I found an outfit that I wore when I was a baby and I was on top of it enough to remember to have Eliza's picture taken in it. I hope I remember to do the same with Eleanora.

Well that's my little red head in a nutshell! She is such a miracle and a joy to our family and I'm so grateful my Heavenly Father entrusted her to us.