3 1/2 Months and Because She's So Stinkin Cute

I realized I have a gazillion pictures of Kael and Eden as babies just to try to remember their facial expressions as babies. I haven't taken that many of Elara. This is the first time I went crazy to town with her. The big kids were napping, so we had a fun Mommy pesters Elara photo session. She laughed and giggled, and smiled a ton, just not in front of the camera. :)

 Seriously, she is that cute!

 "Seriously, Mom that flash is annoying me now..."

 "Say whaaaaat?!"

 I'm really getting annoyed at that flash mom....

 But, I guess I can laugh this once.

I would tickle her neck and she would giggle so much, but by the time I got the camera she stopped. This is the one big smile I got out of many she gave me.

 Her I'm happy and content smile.

 Elara always has her hands in her mouth. She doesn't favor any fingers over any she just sticks them all in there and goes to town. She refuses a pacifier still. It is weird not using a pacifier, but she is so much better at self soothing than Kael and Eden were. I totally love it. She is such a good baby. I wanted a picture with her fingers in her mouth to remember how much she has them in there.

 No really I was done about 50 pictures ago Mom....

But her cry is too stinkin cute so I wanted to remember that too...

 Hey there look at me. I'm a cutie!

 Whatcha lookin at?

Seriously!!!

LOVE THIS GIRL!

Toes

Baby toes... Seriously, who doesn't love them?! Makes me want to nibble them.

Snow Snow Snow Our 3rd Winter in SLC, UT

We were finally home for a big snow storm and it was a BIG snow storm. I got the kids all bundled up and ready to go outside and Elara spit up EVERYWHERE. It soaked all 3 layers of clothes she had on. So, I unbundled her, changed her, and put her to bed. Thank goodness I didn't have to bring her out. She took a nap in the house instead of out in the cold snow.

 All three kids bundled and ready to go out. It took me 45 minutes to get all 3 kids and myself ready. It would have been less if I didn't have to change Elara and keep her inside, but that is life, plan for the unexpected and plan for your plans to change.

 Eden was super happy and excited when we first started out. I pulled both kids around on the big sled. There was just so much snow it kept piling up on them and they laughed and laughed. When we got to the hill to sled the snow was just too deep and too soft and the sled wouldn't go down the hill. It needed a couple days to solidify first, which now a week later it would probably work great. Hmmm idea for an activity tomorrow while Derek sleeps....

 Kael is my snow lover. He played the longest. Eden lasted until we got to the snow hill and then she was done. Kael wanted to keep playing so I sent Eden in the apartment and I played with Kael. We went down slides and dug in the snow and then all of a sudden he was just dieing ready to go inside. He was super happy and then hysterical crying of how cold he was. It was comical. His cheeks were purple though so it was time. It was still snowing while we were out there. I always forget how much fun it is to play with the kids in the snow. I never forget how much work it is though.

Hiking to the hill there were parts that were so deep that Kael sunk to his hips! He was such a trooper and plowed through it though. He is amazing!

And Eden is ready to go inside. 

We LOVE Salt Lake City and our four seasons.

Angry Birds

I think Kael is trying to get her started young because Eden doesn't play Angry Birds with him very much... ;)

Elara

Today January 12, 2013 a Saturday, little Miss Elara decided she wanted to start consistently rolling over from her stomach to her back. She is only 3 1/2 months old. Slow down kid, seriously! In other news, Eden thinks she is dieing from an ear infection and Derek has a 30 hour shift that starts at 6 am. Ugh. (1/17/2013) Turns out Eden was having a hard time with a double ear infection, urine infection, on top of congestion, cough, cold.... Oops. Sorry kiddo. I did take her to the doctor and she got on an antibiotic... We survived and now she is feeling better, but yet again, Derek is on his 30 hour shift...

Kids

Kael has a certain phrase he is loving saying lately. Tonight I was cutting up an apple for the kids and a seed fell out. I gave it to Kael and asked him if we planted this seed do you know what would grow? He responded, "A tree". That's my smart little boy. Then, I said, Yes, but what kind of tree? To which he said, "a red one", hmmmmm. No an apple tree kid. So, I tell him no silly, an apple tree and looks up at me and said "THE PHRASE: Whaaaaaaat?! That's soooo CRAZY!". Yup, that's my kid. He says that all the time. Then, tonight Eden was eating dinner and yelled, I gotta go poop! So, she ran to the bathroom and then yelled, Mom I pooped. Which means come wipe my bum please... I get in there and I see Eden sitting on the toilet with her pants down and a HUGE log standing upward right next to the toilet. Me gasp. "Eden, what happened?" Eden: "My poop just fell out Mom!" Why yes, yes it did. I cleaned it up and she then proceeded to poop some more. Thankfully on the toilet. Speaking of toilets. Last night the girl insisted on NOT wearing a diaper to bed. I gave in and finally let her try. Low and behold she stayed dry all night long and then peed on the toilet in the morning. I think the only reason she pees her diapers at night is because she can't get it off. Needless to say, it made me one proud Mama today. Little Miss Elara caught Kael's bug. I'm pretty sure it's probably RSV. She has the saddest cough and is super congested, but looks up at me with the biggest cutest smile and still tries to be happy. I couldn't have asked for a better baby. It makes my heart break seeing her so sick. She really is happy through it all though. Derek is on his pediatrics rotation. He is starting Q4 which means on call all day then night long every 4th night averaging a 30 hour shift. Tonight is his first call night. I braved the store with 3 sick kids because we haven't been since they got sick. Needed the essentials and I promised the kids Orange Juice. Well we go shopping and are having a great time, get through the check out and of course when I look in my wallet the food stamps card is missing. UGH. Derek must have it in his wallet from shopping for me twice in one day about a week ago the last time we braved shopping. I almost cried right there. I thought/hoped it might be at home, so I drove home and searched to no avail. With Derek on call I can't call him to find out if he does indeed have the card. So, I drive back to the store and just buy eggs and the orange juice and leave the rest of it at the store... Tears were shed. By this time Elara started coughing and crying and the kids were upset, so we went to the bank to make a deposit and of course got suckers and life was better. For the kids. I didn't get a sucker. Or my spinach I wanted to saute tonight. Oh well. That's it tonight.

Ice Skating

We started the new year off right by going ice skating with Grammy and Grampster. I think I loved it more than the kids this year. Kael kept saying Mom, I need to practice ice skating. He got better and better, and Eden went around the rink twice and then was done. Elara slept in the corner like a good baby. We sure had a great time. I think it needs to be another yearly tradition!

 Eden was playing on the bleachers and had a hard time getting back down.

New Years Eve

Don't mind the red eyes. I haven't found a free photo editor that I like yet, so I'm having to be ok with red eyes, so you need to be ok with it too. Grammy and Grampster brought silly string and hats for New Years Eve. That was the extent of our partying. We really don't stay up late anymore... Kael and Eden had a blast. I think this is going to have to be a tradition. 

Christmas 2012

Wow. The photos came out worse than I thought they would... Let's just say I didn't check the camera the night before to make sure the batteries were charged and everything was functioning working properly. It lasted a whole 5 minutes maybe and none of the videos worked. It was more fun playing with the kids than taking photos anyway. This Christmas was a little frustrating for us parents. I'm sooo not going to use internet deals to save a little money next year. We bought stuff a month in advance and it didn't ship in time. In fact we are still waiting on 2 items to get here. Ticked off. YES! Santa brought Kael 2 remote control fish. He specifically asked for the shark. Santa gave him both though because his other Santa present didn't show up. Santa is STILL working on getting it here. He asked for a remote control helicopter also, but those elves need to get busy. He got over not getting the helicopter pretty quick because he had so many other awesome things. He also asked for transformers from Mom and Dad. The ones we bought ended up being junk! So we returned them and he got new rescue bots that he LOVES. He totally thought it was worth the wait too. He is such a good kid and is growing up so fast! Eden asked for a kitchen (and another doll) from Santa Claus and boy howdy did he deliver! Mom and Dad got her a new doll and Santa brought back all her baby dolls she had thrown away from having potty accidents. She stayed dry almost a whole week before Christmas. Santa coming was a great incentive. She has had one accident since Christmas and that was during nap time. She made the whole trip to grandma and grandpa heaton's without ANY accidents. She has been working hard and we are so proud of her. She also got her first barbie doll from mom and dad. Elara got a cute little butterfly toy from Santa and Mom and Dad thought she was too little for presents and that was plenty for her. The kids got new PJ's on Christmas Eve and loved putting them on. Derek spoiled me rotten with gift cards, new boots, new regular shoes, new family photos on my walls, favorite foods, and a whistle key finder! I'm excited for that one to finally get here. Once again ordered it in Nov and still not here.

I am terrible at gifts and let Derek pick whatever he wanted. With some discounts we got he was able to get the new kindle fire HD. With the last Wheel of Time Book coming out that should be fun. :) Christmas gets better and better each year. We sat down this year and thought out how we want to teach the kids about the Savior and His birth and how we want to implement it for future years. We talked a lot about it before bed the nights leading up to Christmas, but they aren't quite grasping it yet. Kael still tells me about how Jesus was born, died and went to Heaven to get medicine for Fishy the Fish... Working on it people. Anyway, love these kiddos so much! I also got my dream of a white Christmas!!! I was so excited to wake up to fresh snow. The kids usually beg for me to take them outside to play in the snow. However, with all of their new toys to play with on Christmas day they had no interest at all going outside to play. They were happy and content to play with their toys all day inside! It was hilarious. Derek has taken them sledding since and the snow hasn't left the ground yet. Seriously, I think Christmas is the best time of the year!

Because I Don't Want to Forget.

I always forget to scan our Christmas Cards.

This year I opted out of a Christmas letter. Too much work it seemed, and we barely got our family photos done in time. We kept waiting for Derek's schedule to work out and then the weather. Boy I am soooo happy with how they turned out. I have always wanted photos in the snow. It was perfect timing and we thought we'd just have to improvise not knowing  how the weather was going to be. I love seeing my little family grow and I'm glad we have photos to remember these amazing times. 

2012 to Rembember

January:

Derek started studying hard core for step 1. Eden was put in her big girl bed. 

February:

Derek turned 28. Found out we were having baby #3.

March:

Went to Disneyland for spring break. Eden turned 2.

April:

Celebrated 6 years of being married.

May:

Derek finished his 2nd year of medical school and was basically gone 24/7 studying for step 1. Found out we were having a girl.

June:

Sharice turned 27. Derek took and passed step 1. "He did great actually". Kids spent 2 weeks at Grandma and Grandpa Heaton's while Mom and Dad went to Europe and visited Derek's mission in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

July:

Derek began rotations for 3rd year of medical school in cardiology and internal medicine. Got a commuter car for Derek.

August:

Kael turned 4. Derek started his surgery rotation. Found out that I had placenta previa and would need a c-section.

September:

Kael started preschool. We were told the baby would need to come early, so Elara Jane Bradley was born on Sep. 25th.

October:

Derek started his psychiatry rotation. Celebrated Halloween.

November:

Derek did his OB/Gyn rotation. Visited Grandma and Grandpa Heaton.

December:

Derek has a 3 week break. Derek blessed Elara on Dec. 2nd. Celebrated Christmas and visit with friends and family.

This has been one crazy, busy, exciting year. I can only hope 2013 gives us as much joy as 2012.

One last thing I don't want to forget. A couple weeks ago we put presents from Grandparents under the tree. During nap time I was feeding the baby and Eden decided to come out and open all the presents under the tree. So, we decided to not put any presents under the tree until Christmas Eve as is our tradition. Well Christmas Eve night we put all the presents under the tree and put the kids to bed. While Derek was wrapping last minute presents and I was feeding the baby, once again Eden snuck out of bed and began opening presents! The little stinker obviously didn't learn her lesson. She then spent a half hour in time out because she refused to say sorry for opening other people's presents. She is so stubborn! She finally caved in and laughed as she said sorry. It was so frustrating, but it was a night to remember.

Elara LOVES her Dad!

Ward Christmas Party

Imagine opening the curtains and finding Eden Mooooooing at you. Yup. That's how it started. She wanted nothing to do with being a shephard. It was a COW all the way. If you look at her mouth you can tell she was mooing. And she did it through the whole entire play. Kind of embarrassing? Yes. BUT, mostly I laughed.

 Kael was the cutest wise man! He was "the red" wise man. He was so tired, and emotional by the end of the party. He just wanted to do the play over and over and over. He didn't want it to end. It was just too much fun dressing up as a wise man. He wanted to throw it into his dress up stuff.

If you can't tell, we had a lot of fun!

I'm so glad when Daddy is HOME!

Dad has taken us to the zoo, to the dinosaurs at City Creek, to see Santa Clause and we LOVE having Dad HOME!

 Eden is obsessed with clementines right now. She eats them like they are candy. 

Kael's Primary Program Part

Our primary program got pushed way back this year until the second week in December. Our primary got down to about 9 kids and 5 of them were sunbeams. So after combining the primary's they still had to create the program. Kael did an amazing job memorizing his part. He got nickles for every time he said his part. He did AMAZING during sacrament meeting. He stood up and sang when he was suppose to. (Well stood up, he only knew 2 of the songs), he held still for the most part, and did an amazing job saying his part. I'm so proud of who he is. He tried to be sooo good and he did. Not bad for my little 4 year old!

In case you can't understand his part:
"I don't know everything about the priesthood, but I do know I love my Dad, and I want the priesthood like he has!"

The Bishop asked him to say his part 3 times after the program, and a bunch of people told me how good he did. I'm so proud of how hard Kael works!

He now also has the first article of faith memorized.

Sure love this kid!

We LOVE December

There are so many fun things to do in the winter if you just put your mind to it. I feel like we have really been enjoying this season and I just love spending time with my favorite kiddos.

 Kael's Gingerbread Men.

 Eden's Gingerbread Men.

 Sleeping Elara. Usually her hands are behind  her head. Of course she moved them seconds before the picture. She has outgrown her newborn clothes. I weighed her on our scale at home and she was 13 lbs! She is growing up way too quickly.

 Miss Eden is growing up before my eyes. She is quite the 2 year old. We straightened her hair with a flat iron and she became a little girl not just a toddler. She is always wanting my make up and to do her nails. So for fun I gave her pink lips, blush and a dash of mascara and Bam, I'm never doing that again. She is too cute for her own good!

 Kael is loving school and is doing so great! We are so proud of him. He accomplishes so much each day and is becoming quite the little gentleman!