3 years and counting

Well we had a wonderful birthday party for Eli on Saturday. We friends and family come and celebrate. My friend Ashley and I made him a Thomas the Train cake. It turned out pretty cool and of course it tasted awesome. He got some pretty cool gifts that will help him learn and then some movies to watch on his trip to Florida with Fan's parents next month.

After the party Nana and Poppie took him to see the new movie Rango while daddy rested and I went to shoot a wedding. Not to bad for my first wedding as a photographer.
Monday was officially Eli's 3rd birthday. But it was probably not the best birthday as we spent most of our morning in the doctors office. Not for his three year check up, but because he had a fever all night and had been coughing increasingly since Saturday. Last year we went to the ER due to the same thing and they said he acute bronchitis, but this time around we went to his doctor and he said Eli has more of the symptoms for asthma. So, my baby boy has asthma. We got 4 different prescriptions from the doctor and spent a little longer there and did a breathing treatment. We spent more of our morning at the pharmacy to get the prescriptions filled. I stayed home with him to get him through his first day of the at home breathing treatment. He has to do it every 3 hours. He is doing better every day.

Lovies
Fan, Sara and Elijah

Just 6 More Days!!

Only 6 more days and my baby boy will be 3 years old. Where has my time flown? Out the window I tell ya. I can't believe it. One thing I know for sure is that he is alot more active now. He is completely potty trained, with a few slip up here and there, but no biggie. AND my wallet thanks me.....no more diapers or pull-ups. This is his 2nd semester to be in school and he is loving every minute of it. He really enjoys the kids in his class and his teachers. He still only goes 2 days a week, but we may up that come time for school to start in the Fall. He talks non-stop, but I wouldn't have it any other way because he has the best imagination....crazy, funny, exciting.

So, this year I have decided to celebrate Eli's birthday everyday in the week leading up to the actual day. Day 1 we made homemade chocolate chip cookies. They came out so delicious and fluffy. I didn't take a picture of the finished product, but I did happen to catch a few snap shots of Eli helping me.

 

He likes to do what I always love to do with my mom and that's eat the dough off the beaters. MMMMM.

There is one thing that he loves that I don't and thats tomatoes. Although I have eaten more in the past 2 months than I have in my entire life (I mean aside from ketchup, and pasta sauces). Any how, the other day him and I went to the grocery store and since he love cherry tomatoes I bought him this little container full of them. Normally he eats 1/4 to half of it and puts the rest away.....well not that day. He sat/laid down on the floor and just snacked on them like popcorn or chips.

Ok, so my kick for making homemade food. A friend sent me a recipe for homemade cinnamon rolls that she got from her Grandma. I made them a few Saturday's ago and they turned out wonderful! Not too sweet, but not bland either. I do need to find a different recipe for the icing, but until then I'll still make them this way.

As for the rest of my time....I am working at the same place. Continually searching for 'homemade' or 'from scratch' recipes. I still want to gather enough to make my own cookbook to have and keep in my kitchen as well as all the rest of my cookbooks and pieces of paper recipes on them. For my photography, I have 2 weddings scheduled and possibly one more. Woo-hoo!! and in between them I want to take photos of whomever and where ever I can. I found an old timey photo album at an antique shop in town the other day. I'm going to find some good paper (or maybe re-use the same paper) to create my own portfolio for people to look at when they want to see my pictures. I'm hoping to have my photography built up enough this to try and make it a 'real' business next year. I am still continuing on with my Scentsy business too. I love Scentsy and even if I dont get further from where I'm at now, I'm ok with that. I would eventually love to sign a few people under me and get people under them and so on, but I know that will take time.

Also, I am on a DIY kick. I picked up an metal frame chair at the antique shop too. I have already taken out the cushions, as one is broken. I'm going to sand off as much old paint as I can and re-paint it. Then I'm going to make all new cushions for it. I'm planning on doing several other projects that Eli will be able to help me with.

Fan has been busy this past month. He quit working at Dolese and started working for a wireline company. He is on call 24/7, so when they need him to go out on a job, he has to go. What he does is he is a service operator. Him and another guy load a 'gun' in a pipe and the engineer will send the pipe down a hole and then plug it and shoot the gun. Then another company will come do their part in order to release oil from the ground. So all in all, good job, lots of hours, but away from home alot too. We are managing and I know in time it will get easier and we will get use to the craziness of it.

That's life as it is now.
Lovies
Fan, Sara and Elijah

It's October already

So Fall has begun to set in but that is not slowing us down. Since August we have had some ups and downs. Eli started going to school two days a week at our church. He is loving it. He is learning how to be patient, color, play with other kids. They get to sing and dance as part of morning worship. He is catching on to his ABC's and loves to say part of it anyhow. He can count more and more and just the other day he learned how to count to 5 in Spanish. I guess I need to start brushing up on my Spanish I learned.....**cough, cough** back in elementary. haha. Eli also started potty training the week before school and has been doing really great! We are working on staying dry overnight now. He has had a few accidents but he is learning.

On Labor Day, Fan and I got into a motorcycle accident. We were not badly injured, a few bruises here and there and I had half of a Bodark thorn stuck in my thigh. I was one "tough cookie" as the guys put when they talked to Fan after the wreck, because I didnt cry or shed a tear. We ended up totaling the bike, however. After that Fan said he was done with bikes for a while and wanted a boat. So we got a nice older model Monterey Montura boat and have been on it every weekend since. Eli LOVES it! He says its his boat.

In September, I found I was pregnant again, but because of last year Fan and I decided to keep it a secret. It's really hard not to tell anyone, but we wanted to be sure before I announced it to everyone. In late September I miscarried this pregnancy. I know God has a plan for us and for our next child and the timing may not be just right yet. All three of us are doing well and are very thankful for Eli and his energy.

Eli and I have visited out local Pumpkin Patch at a near by church. I take him there every year and take pictures of course. Except this year Eli and I picked out 2 really good pumkins and went and got carving stencils. I carved one for Eli and Fan carved the other one. They turned out pretty good and Eli had fun pulling out its guts. haha. Just like my dad use to do, I took the seeds and boiled them down in salt water and then baked them. mmmmmm. Cooked pumpkin seeds makes for a yummy snack.

Fan has been ever so busy at work during the week. Makes for good paychecks but less time with Eli and I, so we spend as much time together on the weekends and we have as much fun as we can. I decided to start up in photography, I take awesome photos of just about anything I think is beautiful, then edit it and voila! Our Oklahoma State Fair has a photography contest each year and only about 50 people are allowed to enter, so that is what I did. Although I didnt win I still had fun. As of right now I have decided to call my photography: Castles N The Sky Photography. I think I may also try my hand at making baby quilts, but for now I am trying to get my house back in order and kept clean so that we can sell it and get a bigger house. One with more room to grow. Eventually, I want to plant a garden and have fresh fruits and veggies and herbs so then I dont have to go to the grocery store as often....that way we wont have a lot of processed foods.

Another thought I had is to collect homemade from scratch recipes and make my own little cook book. Eli loves to help out more in the kitchen and I think it is awesome if I can only get him to continue liking it. haha. Life is moving along and so many wonderful memories.

Loves and Kisses
Fan, Sara and Elijah

Time.....Flies!!!!

So, I had a thought the other day...."Maybe I should update Eli's blog and let everyone know whats been happening." Well, then this morning I discovered my cousin, who is fixing to have a little girl in a few months, now has a blog. I read through all of it. So I logged into this account so that I could post a comment on her lastest blog. After I was done with that I came in to see when I last updated....and oh my cow! It's been since MARCH!!! Geez I feel so bad.....so much has happened and well, now I have ALOT of catching up to do. So here goes and I will "try" to make this as short as possibble, but not forget the important parts.

Since March, Eli has a bigger vocabulary than I could ever think a 2 year old could have. He never ceases to amaze me with the things he just out of no where says. For instance, one day just last week he was playing games on my iPhone and I was going to try to help him with something (it was a new game to him) and all of a sudden he puts up his hand and says "no mommy, I got this" and I was just in shock. Oh and yes, he knows how to work my phone really well.....I think because its a touch screen it really helps.

He starting to learn his numbers...he can count to 12 with little help....and hes slowly learning his ABC's. Colors on the other hand he still having a problem with. But believe me, he knows all his vehicles! He also know his animals. I have noticed that if he is interested in it, then he learns fast, but if not then theres no chance he's going to want to learn soon. haha.

I think he may grow up with some awesome cooking skills. Since he was a baby I held him while I cooked, then when he was able to sit on his own I would sit him on the counter beside me and let him watch. Now he will sit there and help me, whether it is pouring or if I cut up some fresh veggies to freeze, he'll put them in the bags. He also helps Ingrid, my mother in law, from time to time or atleast is always in the kitchen. haha.

Over the summer he has finally learned how to steer his power cars (Ford and tractor)....so now he drives all over the yard and at Robby and Ingrid's he drives all over the property. He is still a little too short for his peddle bikes but none the less he pushes with his feet. He loves to play with his tool set he got from Nana for his birthday.....and not to mention any other toy he finds. He is starting to read more books, but read as in a since as to tell you what the pictures are such and make up his own story.

He is liking the water more and more. We went to the lake with some friends who have a 3 year old and Eli would jump in and Fan would put him back on the boat and Eli would jump in again. The boat had a deck type area. Eli also, if he gets to, likes to stand under the shower and let the water run over his head...too cute.

This 4th of July, we went to see the fireworks and he just loved them. Had to say something about each one of them...like pretty, or oooo or aaahhhh. It was definately fun. It has definately been a fun summer so far. Now the heat has really gotten here though we dont get to play out side for very long.

I think thats about all I can think of for Eli. So here is how the other two of us are doing.

Fan - is still at Dolese. Since this horrible past winter and then most all of spring and half the summer it rained....work has finally picked up because of the heat. Unofrtunately, in June we found out both his Grandpa (in Holland) and his Grandma (in Suriname) were in the hospital. His Grandpa was having problems with his kidneys and other things. And his Grandma was diagnosed with Leukemia, which was already in her blood. Well, early July his Grandpa passed away and unfortunately Fan nor his dad could make it to Holland for the funeral :( His Grandma, however, was released from the hospital as she was feeling better. Then, the first of August she went back into the hospital and a few days later she passed away, Wednesday. Fan took it REALLY hard as his Grandma was the one who watched him and helped raise him. So from Wednesday (Aug. 4th) to this past Sunday really flew by as we did the necessary proceedures to get Fan a passport right away and then plane tickets. Sunday he was on a plane bound for Suriname, to make it to the funeral on Tuesday. Other than that he is doing well.

Sara (me) - I am still working for the machinery shop that I started with in September 09. I, also, am still selling Scentsy and it is growing for me in the sense of having more customers. Earlier this summer I had Fan build me a box so that I could make a box garden. Well it has turned out nicely. I put 2 "patio" tomatoes and 3 strawberry plants in it with marigolds in between all of them. While Fan is in Suriname, Eli and I are surviving. I have planned out this week to try to really deep clean the house and garage and has a garage sale by Saturday. haha.

All is well with our family. I am going to try to make a mental note to update this more often so that it doesnt get to being too long. Until next time....
Hugs & Kisses, Fan, Sara and Eli

It's March Already!

There has been so much going on this past year I feel like I have not been keeping up (on track) of Elijah's updates. Well it is March again. Elijah will be 2 in about 5 days!!! Oh my how time has flown this year. I suppose I should summarize this past year for you all just in case you don't really feel like reading back through all the rest of it. :)

Elijah has become a walking, talking, running, screaming machine. After many doctors appointments trying to get him to talk to his doctor and not be scared, I was finally successful at the last appointment he had. The doctor was really impressed by how much he can talk and say and how much he knows. Doctor Holter said not many toddlers his age can say or do that much. Even though we had a battle with Elijah's weight throughout the year, he is finally back up into the 25%! Now on most days he could probably eat an entire refridgerator full of fruits, crackers, juice, chicken, rice and fries. At any given moment you can ask him what he wants to eat and most often he will say "fries chicken" as that is his favorite meal. Within the past two weeks, with the help of both grandma's, I have been successful in getting off the bottle of milk in the mornings and evenings and off his pacifier. Now he seems to sleep longer at nap time and in the mornings. This year I have decided to do the potty training bit and with it being summer soon, maybe that will help alot. :) He loves to sing into the mic on our karoke machine, dance if there is some nice music on that he likes and even sing along with Fan and I. His favorite shows on TV are Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Spongebob Squarepants, and sometimes Imagination Movers. His favorite movies are Wall-E and Disney's Cars. He just recently started into the pretend stage where he is actually playing by himself more. He is a ball of energy all day. He wakes up, lazies around for a bit and then off he goes, stops to eat (or as we say re-fuel) and then he's off again. When its time for a nap there is a bit of fuss but then he can sleep for about 2-3 hours maybe more. Loves to give kisses and hugs, will share his food but not his toys. We are working on that part.

As for Fan and I, well Fan got promoted to Batchman/Leadman at Dolese Brothers in Shawnee. He is boss to the drivers. Although this horrible weather this year has put a damper on us and his work, we keep hoping it will pick up soon. Me, well, I got another job. I am working back in Oklahoma City again, but I have more to do and it is more interesting. I am the office manager at a machining company. In October, I found out I was pregnant again, but about a week later I went to the ER and had miscarried. We are going to wait another year or two. We are doing good as for anything else. Before we do have another baby I would love to move into a bigger house as it seems Elijah's toy have only grown this year and we are running out of room.

Many Blessings.
Fan, Sara and Elijah

Oh how 20 months have flown by......

I know, I know, I know. I'm running 2 weeks behind on my updates. I have had a lot going on.

Continuing on with my new job, I still like it. I am office manager/secretary for a downhole drilling machinery company. On a sad note, October, I found out I was pregnant. Everything was going good, told everyone, preparing and praying for a girl, made the 1st doctor's appointment and then a week later I had to go to the ER and found out I was going through a miscarriage. Elijah has kept us going so much and we are so thankful we have him that he helped us get through the grieving. On another note I am currently working on losing the last bit of weight I gained with Elijah, but as it gets colder outside I am having to stay motivated to be able to run on the treadmill after I get Elijah to sleep at night, but I will get there and I will not give into temptation of sweets, fats, and all the yummy stuff.

**drum roll please** Fan has been promoted!!!! He is now Leadman/Batchman at the Shawnee Dolese Brothers Plant!!! He started there just under a year ago (late November), he started as a laborer. Basically cleaned the plant, did maintainence, ran the loader, filled the bins, etc. Then, he moved up to driver in August sometime, still having to do the other work. Now, he Leadman/Batchman!! His next position to move up to will be Supervisor. Elijah and I are so proud of him!

Elijah - well what can I say about him, he is growing so much in such a little time. He doesn't copy everything you say, but he will copy some of it. Him and I were watching cartoons this past weekend and a commercial came on for cookie mix. I didn't say anything when all of a sudden he copied the voice on the TV....she said "cookie mix" and then so did Elijah! It was too funny. Now winter coming in, I'm not sure how I'm going to keep him entertained and not cranky all the time, because he wants to go outside everyday! Today is one of the few cold days we have had so far that didn't warm up in the afternoon. BBBRRRR. I really do hope it snows a good amount this year so that I can bundle him up and get him out to play in it. Last year was ice pellets that were to hard to do anything with. Over the summer we adopted a kitty for him and now recently we adopted a little puppy. The cat's name is Tee-Tee and the dog's name is Lulu, both of which Elijah can say very well. Lulu is a min pin/pomeranian mix, cute as a button, loves all of us plus the cat. We all love to whatch those two play all over the floor. Mommy is potty training Lulu, so when I bring her back in I have Elijah go give her a treat and say "good girl."

He is such a little sponge, he says and doesnt so much! He almost has a full set of teeth, he has 4 molars, 4 bottom teeth, and 4 top teeth and I think we are currently work on his top 2 canine teeth. Fan and I took him to a science museum this past weekend where he could play with all sorts of fun stuff. We truely had a great time as a family.

Thanksgiving is next week already, hopefully Elijah will eat a bit more this year than last. Then the week after that I have to take him back in to have his weight checked to make sure he is gaining weight in a good/healthy amount since he is so little.  I will let you all know more next month.

Until then, love you and take care.
Fanuel, Sara & Elijah

Routines

So Elijah is almost 19 months old and I have been doing his bed time routine for just about everyday of his life. Our bedtime routine is tell him its time to take a bath, stop off at his room and have him grab his towel that hangs off his bed, then we go to the bath room, pull back the curtain, take off his pants, diaper, then shirt. Lately I have been having him sit on his little potty for potty training, then we go over and get in the bath and we finish out the routine from there.

Wwwweeeelllllll, the other night he was playing and having fun with Fan and I and it was about 7:30 p.m.(ish) and I said "Eli wanna go take a bath?" Of course he shook his head no, so I wasn't going to say anymore until his actual bath time which is about 8:15. A few minutes after I asked him the first time he left the living room saying "bath, bath" and he walked to the bath room. Then he came back (I was sitting on the floor watching TV with Fan and Eli came over grabbed my thumb and started to pull me so I got up with him still holding on to my thumb and we stopped in front of his room (I sat down to see what he would do) and his towel was hanging up like normal so he opened up his towel drawer pulled out 2 wash cloths and threw them on the ground and then grabbed a towel. He then walked by me to the bath room, put his towel down and came and grabbed my thumb again. We got into the bath room and he started to pull back the curtain until I took over and while I was doing that he was pulling down his pants and then did his diaper then sat on the potty. After he went pee-pee I gave him a sticker for doing it and then he asked to get in the bath "bath up." I was shocked that he did practically his whole routine by himself.

He is doing, saying, etc so much more than I ever thought at 19 month old could do. Let's just say he has never cease to amaze me yet.