Some Recent Highlights

Needless to say, things have been pretty busy around here and there has not been a whole lot of blogging going on (or computer time in general).  So, here is the quick "baby is napping and 3 year old is currently entertained" update.

Karis is now 11 weeks old and as sweet as can be.  She is growing and really becoming more interactive.  She is super smiley and loves to see Mommy, big brother Eli, and Daddy's faces smiling at her.  She is also getting into her activity mat and likes to bat around the toys. 

You can be praying with us for Karis' eye.  She has a hemangioma on her right eye.  You can see a bright red bump on her eye in these pictures that gets bigger as they become more recent.  The hemangioma itself is harmless, and normal they will grow for about 8 or 9 months, plateau off, and then begin to shrink and go away all together.  With the location on her eye, however, it poses a bit more of a threat.  It the hemangioma obstructs her vision it could potentially cause her to have problems with her vision and that right eye.  We are seeing a specialist and are currently waiting for her next appointment in July.  At that time they will determine if we will just continue to wait or potentially take a medication to help stop the growth.  Please pray for healing of Karis' eye and that we will have wisdom moving forward.  We trust that the God who created her has all of this in His control and will continue to form her perfectly as He has so far!

Eli continues to be an excellent big brother.  We have been having fun swimming as the weather gets warmer, as you will see in the pictures.  His obsession with fireman has waned a little as he has expanded his interests to other things as well.  Right now helicopters, police cars, and all transportation vehicles are also a great interest.  We had our first family movie night recently and Eli got to watch the movie "Cars".  He loved it, and now I frequently find myself playing "Mater" as Eli pretends to be "Lightning McQueen."  Eli is also into puzzles, books, and of course "shows."  He is so sweet and smart and it is hard to believe my first little baby is no longer a baby at all.  He will begin preschool in the fall, which is both exciting and a little crazy to think about at the same time.

Anyway, without further ado, here are some recent pictures.  As you can imagine, I have a ton from the past few months, so I'll try to not post them all but just some of the highlights.  Hope you enjoy them!

Ethan took Eli to his first "Rangers Game" aka, Roughriders :) 

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks

Eli was sooo excited to take Karis for her first trip to the fire station when she was only a few weeks old

Me and my little firefighter

Sibling love

Hellloooo Hollywood

Yes, I am that mom in the store.  Eli likes to refer to this basket at Target at the firetruck and of course it is his absolute favorite.

The fire chief driving the fire truck.  He will frequently make a siren noise while we're driving through the store. :)

Soon after Eli and Daddy went to their first baseball game, Mommy and Karis were invited too. 



Fun watching the "Rangers"



The whole family at the baseball game

Karis' first game...although she doesn't have much of a view

Hmmm, don't know why this is stretching funny, will try to fix

Eli and Jovie baking cookies...mmm, that flour looks delicious :)

Baking buddies

Lucky me, I had lots of helping hands!

Big bro, little sis

All fancied up for church!

Me and my sweet little beauty

Fun at the park

Me and my sweet one

Karis showing off her bloomin bloomers

Tummy time

Eli, Karis, and Buccee the beaver compliments of Nana :)

Visit from Nana = lots of fun!!

Ethan and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary on June 4th.  Remembering the good times!



I still do :)

Cheers!  Here's to many more!

Little cutie

Stabucks in PJs :)

First road trip down to SA was a success.  Thank you Wubba Nub...we wub you!

Nana snuggles are the best

Ethan took off a little vacation time and we took a family trip to the zoo!  It was an absolutely gorgeous day and all had a great time.

Karis was not too impressed :)

Mommy and Karis chillin poolside

Sleeping beauty

Two sleeping beauties!

Love, love, love my double stroller!  It's ability to lull two tired kiddos to sleep in just an added bonus.
*Sidenote, I love that Eli has his hand on Karis' knee in this pic, so sweet :)

New blow up pool!

Swimming in the front yard is so fun!

Some sweet smiles from my sweet gal

Eli got a special package from Nana and Papa

"You're seriously going to make me wait until after lunch o open this?"

"What is it???"

"Cookie Butter!!!"

"Delicious!  More please!"

We are always prepared around here

More smiles from my princess

Love this girl

"I'll keep you safe ma'am"

Karis Anne

Puzzle time with Eli!  He did this puzzle mostly by himself

Riding on the cars in the puzzle

Eli dressed up as "Zookeeper Mac" at Paradise Pond 

Starbucks time with Nana

Snack time at Starbucks

Cheese

Eli has been waiting for the pool to open since it closed at the end of last summer.  Ahh, it was well worth the wait!  Nana was in town on Memorial Day weekend while Ethan was out of town on a guys adventure trip to Yosemite.  With the extra help we were able to go to the pool on opening day and it was great! 

Karis' first trip to the pool was not quite as exciting :)

This.is.awesome!

Mommy and Karis



Karis duty a little dryer than Eli duty

Good times.  Nana gets the good grandma award because that water was cold!...

...Eli doesn't seem to notice though. :)

Waking up is just hard to do

Big stretches.  Love this face.

Started this post last week and just now finishing.  Already have more cute pics to post, so hope to follow up with another post soon.  We shall see...