Just a test

My sister is having issues with her blog...so i am just testing to see if I have the same issues, or if it is just her blog :) But as a bonus you can enjoy this super cute picture of one of my Valentines (assuming it works for me!)

FOUND!

I wanted to update here that Katie was found this evening. Praise God!

She has been checked into a local hospital, but is safe and sound.

More on my missing friend

I just wanted to post a picture of Katie for my local readers. If you see her, please call Coralville police and let them know when and where. 319-354-1100

Missing

My best friend from elementary school through high school is missing. She was last seen late last week. She has been going through some difficult times, but she has a one year old little boy, so it's hard to see her taking off from him for so long. Her name is Katie Honts-Bertling. I'm just asking that if you feel moved to do so, lift her and her family up in your prayers.

Cheap fun

Yesterday I took Brandon's parents to the airport and brought Noah along with to see airplanes. He had a blast! We got to see one come up to the window to unload passengers, and we watched one take off. I think Noah was in heaven! He did manage to get by me while I was busy taking a picture for them...and he ran through security which was embarrassing, but hilarious to see all the security personnel running at him like he was some sort of security threat (totally understandable and appreciated that they would take everything seriously, but still funny for me who knows Noah is no threat). Anyway, we spent about an hour there, looking at airplanes, pretending to be an airplane, and looking at their plane exhibit (just a bunch of model airplanes and facts about aviation). Once they boarded we left and drove around to the back of the airport and parked where we could see the runway and watched their plane take off. The best part of our little field trip...it only cost $2 for parking!

Birthday Boy

Here are some of the pictures from Eli's birthday

A must read for picky eaters!

My grandparents brought me the cookbook Deceptively Delicious this weekend. I have already read through it and tried a couple of the recipes and I'm excited to try a few more this week! But...even though I doubt I will ever try all the recipes, the book has already helped me understand what types of pureed veggies hide well in different types of dishes. So for example...tonight I am making meatloaf, and will be adding a spinach puree to it. We made pizza with spinach puree in the sauce and you couldn't even tell it was there! Awesome! Finally I have found a way to get those 3 servings of veggies in Noah (and Brandon!). I am also going to make a giant batch of pancakes this week with cinnamon and pumpkin puree to freeze and serve the boys for breakfast :)

I would suggest this book to anyone with a picky eater!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!!!

My Birthday Boy!

At this very moment, one year ago, we were in the hospital getting hooked up to monitors. I can't believe Eli is 1! And this post is dedicated to my sweet snuggly baby boy.

Eli is a very sweet natured little boy. He is a MOMMA'S BOY and I love it (most of the time). He loves following his big brother around and watching (and learning all his tricks I'm sure). He has also finally been sleeping well for me, and has been for about a month now. YAY!

Words...Eli has a few words he uses meaningfully. Dada, snack (nak), nigh-night, no-no (which he says while doing things he knows he shouldn't) and I occasionally hear mama, but he would much rather scream at the top of his lungs when he wants my attention than to say mama :) He also says milk, but it sounds just like how he says snack so I am really not sure if he is trying to say milk, or just saying snack and wants me to guess.

Favorites...Eli's favorite food is yogurt, but really he loves anything! He eats, and eats and EATS. I'm quite amazed at how skinny he is, and Brandon jokingly calls him tapeworm since he never seems to get full. In fact, his first word of the morning is usually screaming "snack" at us :) His favorite toy, is anything his brother is trying to play with...while saying "no no", and his favorite place to be is snuggled up in someone's lap. He is a lover! I think he could go all day sitting in my lap if I let him.

Least favorites...Eli hates to be buckled in his car seat! You would think he was being murdered when we have to buckle him down. He also isn't a fan of being out in the cold, yet he also hates to wear hats and I'm sure people give me disapproving looks when we run into the grocery store with his bald head uncovered...but honeslty it's faster to run in and get him in the heat than it is to try to keep putting it back on. But I try...and one day maybe he will leave it on. And he absolutely hates having to wait for food! :)

Skills...he is walking well, and has been for about a month, or a little over. He took his first official steps around 9 months, but didn't get brave until right before turning 11 months old. I expect by this spring he will be running well enough to keep up with Noah outside in the backyard! Eli is also giving hi fives, and will wave, but he mostly just laughs like we are doing something very silly when we wave. He is also quite the climber...and can pretty much climb anything he really sets his mind to getting on.

So that's Eli in a nutshell :) I love his sweet personality.

Fingers crossed

Noah has woke up dry the past several mornings (about a week) and before that he was only having wet diapers overnight about a third of the time. So tonight I sent him to bed in his big boy underwear! Hoping I don't wake up to wet sheets :(

Sponsor Me at March for Babies!

That's right! This year we are walking for March of Dimes! Our walk will take place May 1st and my personal goal is to raise $300!