future IT nerd?

Brandon's coworkers gave Oliver this onesie when he was born and he is just now growing into it. We all got a big smile out of it. That Oliver boy, always smiling these days (except when he's trying to go to sleep.) 

oliver meets bridger

We were so excited to hear that Andrea and Bridger would be coming to town last week for a family wedding. We know it was a busy weekend for them, but lucky for us we got a few hours with them. After all, we're already planning on these 2 being best friends and college roommates, so we've got to start the friendship young. Isn't it cool that they were born just 6 days apart? And you got to love their funny expressions in some of these. Cute funny boys.  

Sunday Snippets

Evelyn

1. She amazes us with how she manages to create a mess out of everything. We still love her.
2. She loves dressing up. The superman cape and my childhood apron are her favorites. 
3. She resists naps and has learned to crawl out of our crib when she's angry. 
4. I got brave and tried potty training her one day this week but realized I wasn't ready for the stress. Then today she went into the bathroom on her own and went. I guess that means we need to go for it! Wish us luck. 

Oliver

1. He has a blow out every week at church without fail.

2. Speaking of church, Janel Spencer from our ward made this cute blanket for him. She lost her husband a year ago, but still manages to serve our ward so much. It happens to be Oliver's favorite blanket lately. He sleeps the best in it--we're talking looong stretches at night.
3. He loves facing out and prefers to be on his tummy instead of laying down.

Blake

1. He has woken up with growing pains a few times in the last month. One night as Brandon was consoling him, he said, "I don't want to grow anymore." We couldn't agree more. He is in a cute, sweet stage right now. Also, he's quite the comedian and makes us laugh a lot. 

2. He went home teaching with Brandon today since his companion couldn't go. Blake asked to say a prayer before they went and said he was grateful to get to go with Dad.
3. The other day Evelyn hurt her foot playing and Blake immediately stopped playing and said a prayer to bless Evelyn's foot to feel better so they could play more.
4. He would wear PJs 24-7 if I let him. He would not change out of them for church today, so Brandon had the brilliant idea to let him wear them under his church clothes. A great compromise if you ask me.

Oliver's blessing

Today was a big day for our family. Oliver Ellis was blessed and Blake went to primary for the first time. After church, we had family and neighbors over for a dinner to celebrate this special little boy in our family. We are grateful for all the support we have!

I was overcome today thinking about how great God's plan is for us as individuals. Never did I think that 2015 would bring us a new baby, but as Brandon mentioned in Oliver's blessing, he has healed hearts, mine being the biggest one. He has a special role to play as a peacemaker and I have already seen that in the few months he has been with us. A lesson I have to keep learning is to trust in God's plan, for he always makes more out of our lives than we can. How grateful I am for the gospel, the plan of happiness that families are forever, and for the priesthood. Today was just one of those sweet days that make my mama heart happy.

  

 

 

oliver at 2 months

-He rolled over from his tummy to his back on his 2 month birthday and has done it more since. He's a strong little guy.
-He is so smiley and has started laughing.
-He used to sleep in the swing, but has transitioned to sleeping in his crib. We've had a few 10 hour stretches but that's not the norm.
-He is wearing 3 month clothes.
-He eats and eats and eats before bed. It takes him a few hours to get settled for the night and wants to constantly eat until he is asleep.
-His acid reflex has improved and he seems much more content after he eats.
-His hair has rubbed off the back of his head. And he's getting bald on top. :(
-He doesn't love baths, but I love smelling a clean baby!
-He weighs 11 lbs. 3 oz. at his 2 month check-up.

peace on earth

It's Christmas night. The children are nestled in their beds and Brandon and I are enjoying the quiet of the night. I wish I had eloquent words to say, but lately, the words for these blog posts just haven't been coming as easily as they normally do. Perhaps that's a sign that those thoughts need to be etched in my heart instead of typed out. 

I'll just say this. I'm grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I know He lives. I know He was was born for you. And for me. I know that because of Him, we can have peace and true happiness. 

After Evelyn was born (in 2013), I struggled with lots of anxiety and some baby blues that lasted longer than I ever wanted. I was still dealing with it last Christmas and because of it, it wasn't my most favorite of Christmas seasons. 

My hope for 2015 was to find that inner peace that I had always enjoyed. Sometimes it takes not having something to realize it and this was definitely the case for me. 

Because the transition to 2 children was really hard for me, I thought it would be a while before we had another baby. So you can imagine how surprised I was to find out that I was pregnant with #3. 

Well, Heavenly Father is wise and all-knowing. And He knew that having sweet Oliver join our family would be what I needed to have that peace again. I'm grateful for a loving God who gave me this perfect gift. It's been the best gift that I didn't even know I needed this year. 

I can honestly say that my heart has been full of peace (besides when all 3 are screaming at once!) and happiness since Oliver has been born. I've felt more capable, more confident, and more peaceful with myself than I have in a long time. But through this trial, it's been my Savior that has helped me get through. I'm so grateful that  the Prince of Peace was born in Bethlehem that first Christmas. Joy to the world!! 

st. nicholas day

{December 6} St. Nicholas Day was so much fun this year! Blake and Evelyn were so excited to set out their shoes the night before. And I wish I would have captured Blake's excitement when he saw the surprises that were left. Since it was Fast Sunday, we didn't have crepes like we normally do, but the kids were excited to eat their chocolates for breakfast along with muffins. 

St. Nicholas brought the children new Christmas jammies. They were pretty thrilled about them. In fact, I think Blake stayed in his for 36 hours straight. 

Blake's turning into quite the comedian. Oliver's hat is just a tad too small for him. :) 

I said "Cheese!" and this is what I got. Haha.

I'm feeling so so blessed this Christmas! I still can't believe all 3 of these cute kids are ours forever.

santa baby

Oliver is 6 weeks! He has been smiling a lot and is more content when he's awake. The bewitching hour still hits around 8:30 pm when it takes him a few hours to calm down and fall asleep, but once he's asleep, we get a good 6 hours out of him. Hallelujah! I'm sure loving having a newborn at Christmas time again. Cuddling him on the couch while the Christmas tree light twinkle is my favorite. We sure love our Santa Baby.

not the best day for sunday best

Today was Oliver's 3rd time going to church. I should have snapped a photo of him beforehand because he looked so handsome in a plaid shirt, red sweater vest and khaki pants. So of course, he had to have the BIGGEST blowout during Relief Society. Being the super prepared person I am, I had no extra clothes or blankets for him to wear. And I couldn't let the poor kid stay in poop! So, I undressed him and wrapped him up in the only thing I could think of--my cardigan! And that's how he stayed the rest of church. Don't be surprised if you see the cardigan-blanket-look popping up all over baby fashion magazines soon. 

a picnic by the christmas tree!

brotherly love

It's safe to say that Blake loves his brother. He always wants to help out and be around him. He kept begging to be in Oliver's one month photos. Well, he didn't have to twist my arm! These sweet moments make the craziness all worth it! And trust me, there are a lot of crazy moments.