January Happenings

Top Ten of January:


10) Going to Rocky Point with Jesse and Eli for our six year anniversary! We had so much fun spending some almost one on one time together, even if I came back with some nasty GI problems :(


9) Maddie: "Was I ever in your belly, mommy....you know when I was little like baby Eli?"
Mommy: "Yes you were honey."
Maddie: "How did I get in there? Did I get in through your mouth?"
Mommy: (thinking) oh crap...I thought I had at least a few more years until I would have to answer a question like this.


8) Helping throw one of my bestest, favoritest friends her bridal shower a few weeks back! (I haven't put pics of this up until now because I look hideous and she looks like such a beautiful, blushing bride to be) It was also wonderful to attend her endowment session a few days before the wedding and also be there to see her be sealed to Aaron. It has definitely been a special January to see her moving forward in her life and taking the large LEAP into married life!

7) Surviving through more kid sicky bugs...RSV, ear infection, bronchitis, stomach flu. I seriously dread our Arizona "winter" every year because my kids are always sick.


6) Going to the SUNS game with Jesse and Eli. One of our first outings with the new babe. It always feels so nice to finally be able to get out after the house confinement we go through with a newborn at home.


5) Maddie: "Mommy, Nona doesn't like her doggies."
Mommy: "Why not?"
Maddie: "Because they were fighting. Nona yelled and had to get Papa to stop the doggies from fighting. Then Nona put Maggie (dog) in time out in the bathroom. Maggie and Roxy (dog) were so naughty."


4) Having Great Grandma West (my mom's mother) come to Arizona for a whole month. I love having the kids get to know their only Great Grandparent!


3) Maddie getting her use out of all of her dress up clothes by wearing them EVERY single day. Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, etc..


2) Robby throwing a 10 minute temper tantrum because he didn't want to leave the beloved train table at the doctor's office. We have been to the doctor several times this month and he gets upset EVERY time we must leave. He is turning into such a two year old :) I am hoping he will LOVE his new train table for his birthday and consequently not care so much about the one at the doctor's.


1) Going to lunch WITHOUT KIDS (except for little E, who by the way slept the entire time and barely made a peep during the outing) a few weeks back with some very old friends from Gilbert 6th ward and high school: Jules, Leah, Dionne, and Ralae. It is always such a blast to catch up on their busy lives, as well as sit and laugh about the "old times." Thanks for a fun lunch date girls and WE WILL definitely have to do it again.

Miss M Loving Baby Eli

6 Years Later

Happy Anniversary Jesse! I cannot believe we have already seen six years together. I feel so lucky to have such a sweet companion to spend eternity with. You truly are my other half. You take care of me when I am sick, make me laugh, help me around the house, keep me from being "too OCD", always up for not just adding more kids to our growing family but also willing to pitch in and help out more as well :). You are there when I need a shoulder to cry on, my true best friend, help me raise our three beautiful children, so dedicated to your church calling, a good example of always helping others, a loving and compassionate big brother to your siblings, a good example of trusting in the Lord, a hard worker, the list could go on and on. Thanks for being you and for loving me in a way I hardly deserve.

Love, Love, Love,

Me :)

First "Professional" Pictures

My friend in the neighborhood, was kind enough to set up shop in her front room and take some pictures of my little guy. He was definitely not in the mood to have his picture taken in the nude and I was afraid we might not have any good pictures. Lisa is amazing, however, and still managed to capture some precious pictures of our little Eli! Thanks Lisa....and I WILL be taking you up on your offer to do more pictures!!!

Eli at Two Weeks

7lbs even

21.5 in long

sweet as can be

mommy's cuddle bug

"our baby" (per Miss M)

"little burrito"

sure love you...can't imagine life without you

Chocolate Gingerbread Houses

A few days after Christmas, Grandma Sheffield (my mom) brought over these yummy Christmas Gingerbread houses to decorate. Maddie knew exactly what they were, as she had helped her Grandma with a few houses several weeks before. She was so excited to assist in putting it together and decorating it.

I would have to say her favorite part about these chocolate houses, came when I announced that the kids could eat part of the yummy house. Maddie was amazed that we weren't giving it away to the neighbors (we had already made lots of goody plates earlier in the month and I would constantly remind her that they were for the neighbors). I set the timer for 10 minutes and let them go to town. It is easy to see how much they enjoyed their time with the chocolate house! Even now whenever anyone asks Maddie what she likes to eat she will proudly say that she likes ice cream and chocolate houses :)

A Toronto Family Christmas

CHRISTMAS EVE:
Maddie has become OBSESSED with Care Bears as of late. This is her infamous "Good Luck" Bear that tends to follow her everywhere. During the day she carries on conversations with the bear, makes beds and food for him, you name it.

Do you think this is why Adam is by far their favorite Uncle?

(don't worry Ben, Tyler, and Brett....the kids still love you too!)

Christmas this year was much different than in years past. It was the first time in our six year marriage that we pretty much just stayed at home for the Holidays. With both of our families living in the East Valley, we normally find ourselves dashing from one house to the other for the Holidays and come home exhausted with even more exhausted kids.

With Eli being born three days before Christmas, we had both families over to our house instead and I have to admit it was so nice to be home to relax. On Christmas Eve, the Toronto family brought us a yummy dinner and the kids played with their Aunts and Uncles. Then we did our yearly tradition of opening up new pajamas and slippers. Maddie loved her Tinkerbell slippers and still wants to wear her pink and brown heart pajamas every night to bed and Robby loves his Cars jammies and Spiderman slippers. Then it was off to bed with all of us dreaming about Christmas morning and Santa coming to visit our house. Maddie told everyone that Santa was going to come through our front door to bring us presents and candy (we don't have a chimney) :)

Robby sure loves his "Papa" Toronto! Grandpa is always letting Robby climb all over him.Attack of Uncle Adam by both kids....another example of why they love him so much!

Aunt Abby holding our precious little Eli

CHRISTMAS MORNING: Maddie came in our room a little after 7am on Christmas Day and announced that it was time to see if Santa was at our house. When she found out we weren't going downstairs until Robby was awake, she promptly went in and woke him up. Unfortunately he wasn't too happy about getting up (he is a SLEEPER and will sleep in until 8:30-9am most mornings). Eventually we all made our pilgrimage downstairs to the presents. Maddie actually thought that Santa would be there waiting for us, so she was momentarily confused to not see the Jolly Man himself.

We had a great time opening up Santa gifts and eating breakfast before Jesse took off for his parents house. His brother, Brett, called from his mission in the morning so he went over to talk to him. While he was gone, my parents, brother and Uncle Jeff came over to keep me company with the three kids. Maddie and Robby LOVED all the attention they received from them.

Uncle Jeff (my dad's brother) with Baby Eli. He comes every year and stays for Christmas with my parents. I have so many great memories of him at Christmas. He used to help us put together our new toys and was always willing to jump in and play with us!

When Jesse got back from talking to Brett, he decided to practice some wrestling maneuvers with my brother Ben. It was pretty funny to see them rolling around on the ground together. Robby and Maddie got a kick out of it as well, except Robby started to get scared after a few minutes of watching this. He looked like he was going to cry and kept saying "daddy?" Finally they stopped and Robby went over to his daddy and gave him a big hug. He was so concerned that his daddy might be hurt.

After my parents left, Jesse's family headed over to our house so that our kids could open up presents from them. Robby fell in love with his new train set and Maddie loved getting more Care Bears. It was fun to see his family again and spend more time with Adam (he lives in Boston). We had the kids open up a few presents from us as well, before it was nap time. While they were sleeping Jesse and I opened presents from each other.

Christmas evening my family all headed over to our house for dinner. It was so fun to have my parents, Ben, and Lori and Tyler over with my sweet niece, Kaylin. We had some yummy food and then proceeded to open up presents with my family. It was a little chaotic with all the gifts being opened, but so much fun. Robby was totally present-ed (not sure if that is a word or not) out by this point and wouldn't open up a single gift. He was still completely obsessed with his train set from Aunt Esther earlier that day. I was so blessed to have my Mom over to help me a lot during the first week that Eli was born. She is an amazing woman, and oh so patient with my kids. She sat and played with them, so they wouldn't feel ousted by their baby brother.

Random Pre-Xmas Pictures

Maddie loves to help with Eli. This is a picture of the first time she held him "all by herself".....well at least for a few seconds anyways :)
Maddie doing her cheesy camera smile at daddy's work Christmas party.

Maddie in her traditional Sunday Christmas outfit. Unfortunately there isn't a picture of Robby because he was taking a nap during picture time and by the time I remembered again he had completely destroyed his outfit. Oh well, there's always next year right?!