Oh, The Weather Outside is Frightful

I can't believe it's already been a week since my last barrage of blog posts, but it has, and here I am writing again.  Hope you're not bored with my life just yet. haha


David:  He's started getting baby oatmeal and some puffs when I've reached my limit of nursing.  I don't feel like they've become replacements, but definitely supplements.  When I was talking to a friend a couple weeks ago, she thought I could nurse exclusively as long as I wanted, and I thought I would make it at least another 2 months, but the more he grows, the more he eats, and as I explained all of this to Byron this afternoon while David was on his 2nd helping of baby oatmeal, he joked that if I did this, I'd spend all day in the rocking chair and he would spend all day bringing me food and water. hahaha.  This boy can eat!  He doesn't like riding in the car anymore since he can't see what's going on around him, so as soon as I know he's hit 20 lbs, we'll probably install his other car seat.  In the meantime, I prefer to have him sleeping in the car instead of crying.  He's also getting stronger and is working on being able to sit up on his own.  He can for a few seconds at a time, but certainly not very long, and he likes to throw himself around which scares Byron.

Caleb:  He is just the cutest toddler in the world.  The other day we got in the car and all Caleb wanted to do was hold David's hand.  He is constantly trying to help with his baby brother and it's absolutely adorable.  I hope he always loves him this much. :)  He also likes to try and help with grown up things, like painting, replacing spray nozzles in the kitchen, and unscrewing furniture and is trying to make complete sentences instead of just using a word to two to get his point across.  Most of the time only a word or two is still comprehensible, but it's cute to listen to him try, and he is finally willing to get in the shower or bath on his own, thanks to some plastic bath cups I purchased, and we can kind of bribe him to get dressed...sometimes...His most prized possession right now are the Lightening McQueen shaped slippers I got on clearance at Target this week, and he loves reading with Byron each night before bed.  His favorite books this week are The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Grumpy Lady Bug, and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

Byron:  Monday and Tuesday of this week were bitter cold, so rather than riding his bicycle, he took the car.  Tuesday morning I was feeling really cooped up so Byron came home for lunch and let me have the car that afternoon. 

Arielle:  Since I decided that in order to keep up with Caleb and David during my next pregnancy I need to lose at least 40 lbs, I started calorie counting with MyFitnessPal and exercising regularly.  My Y membership has come in extremely handy the past week and a half and I've gone almost every day to walk on the treadmill or swim with my Mommy.  It feels so great to get some exercise in and I'm grateful that my Mommy and Daddy are willing to come and keep me company.  It's easier to do it when you're not alone. hahaha.  I've also started on a little "home improvement" project, and spent the majority of Monday re-arranging some furniture.  Caleb's current room now has David's crib in it and once everything is said and done (hopefully before Craig, Mindy, and the boys come visit) I'll have everything done, but we'll see.  There are most definitely some things that just can't be done with a curious 2 year old running around the house without some extra help.

In General:  This week has been great.  Monday, in it's subarctic temperatures (-8 degrees and a windchill), Byron picked up Papa Johns Pizza on his way home from work, so we had a yummy, super easy dinner before Family Home Evening.  For refreshments we warmed up with mugs of hot cocoa, and we all turned in early so we could get cozy in our blankets.  Wednesday evening my friend Heather invited us over last minute for dinner and she made amazing chicken enchiladas that I'm going to have to work into my meal plans.  They were so good and the recipe is really easy.  Even Byron liked them since they didn't have sour cream in them, so that's a happy thing.  Friday night Gabrielle came and babysat for us so Byron and I could go out on a date.  He took me to Olive Garden and we had a deliciously yummy dinner.  Their chicken and gnocchi soup is just divine and it's only 250 calories a bowl.  WIN!  My mouth was so happy hahahaha.  Saturday morning Byron came to the Y with me and did my treadmill work out.  It was gratifying to see him break out in a sweat and admit it was harder than he thought it was going to be.  Afterwards Alyssa came over and watched the boys so Byron and I could paint one of the bedrooms. She was a huge help keeping David happy and Caleb way from the room and Byron and I managed to get it all done before we went to bed that night.  I'll be sure to post pictures when we get it all finished. :)  Today David and I stayed home from church with colds. Byron substituted for my primary class and I am so grateful to have such a willingly helpful husband and I was glad Caleb was healthy so David and I could just rest.

That's all the news from around here for the week. Hope you're all staying warm. We love you!

Just love this picture of David

My baby love

Uncle Charlie lovin' on his nephew

I just love some of his facial expressions

Caleb knowing he's about to push some of my buttons

He was put in time out

Playing a game with Uncle Charlie and Uncle Roger

Wrestling, the new pastime with my siblings.
After I beat both of them they decided to wrestle each other

He can get himself dressed and it's pretty darn cute

Our elders surprised us Wednesday evening to say good-bye since Elder Holmstead (The one next to Byron)
was being transferred the next day and wouldn't be coming to dinner.