Mostly March and Parts of April

This spring has been abnormally warm. I'm not complaining though, we have been able to spend tons of time outside prepping the yard for our garden. Ellie is a great helper when it comes to pulling weeds, as long as you distinguish a plant from a weed. 

Jared built Ellie a sand box in an effort to get her to play independently outside. Have I mentioned how attached she is to me. The only thing that will get her to sit independently is the TV, when we are doing anything else she is trying to climb on my lap. Why do I buy toys again? I bought her a spray bottle and filled it with water and that has managed to keep her busy outside for a while. I know what mom's say "someday you will miss this" well its just hard for this pregnant mommy right now. 

Keeping myself busy and using up extra yarn making a granny square blanket.

Going to be early most nights. I am most comfortable when I'm laying in bed. 

Some of our March crafts. R is for rainbow and F is for flower. 

Jared built an awesome gate and now our backyard is even more private. 

I've been cutting out these 4" squares off and on for a year. I finally got around to sewing them together. This is my first quilt and I am really happy with the result. My mom helped me finish it in California and I have yet to take a photo of the finished product. 

Snuggles every morning. I have to say I love the sound of Ellie's feet on the hard wood floor, her door creaking open and her little bunky bed head peaking in out door. She greets up with a "good morning" and climbs into our bed and insist on watching cartoons on my phone. Im totally okay with it, I love the snuggle time. 

My best friend Lisa came to visit with her boyfriend Garrett. We loved having them in town, spent time exploring Ogden, hiking and dinner in Salt Lake. It was a great visit. 

Our backyard now has a full fence on the East side. We give out neighbors to the East two thumbs way down...solution....a beautiful cedar fence. We are happy campers. 

Ellie's Birthday Party | Octonauts

Ellie is obsessed with the show Octonauts, so it was no question that we would have an Octonauts birthday party. We really lucked out this year and we were able to have her birthday outside. We decorated the outside window with streamers looking like seaweed, balloons for bubbles and cut out fish. We at Blue Koolaid, pirates booty, doritos and BBQ hot dogs. I made her a good old box yellow cake and decorated it with swedish fish and gummy sharks. We had the cousins fish for bags of candy and pin the eye patch on the pirate. It was such a fun day. Ellie ate too many chips and fell asleep 20 minutes after everyone left. 

Ellie is 3

Mostly potty trained, pees but has only pooped a few times

Can swing a baseball bat like a pro. She has great hand eye coordination.

She gets out of bed on her own now, opens her door and comes into our room every morning. She is up when the sun comes up. Thanks heavens for the PBS app, she watches cartoons while I sleep for another 30 minutes.

She is obsessed with the show Octonauts. It teaches her all about marine biology, so I guess their could be worse shows to watch.

Insists on standing on a chair and helping me with most things I do at the kitchen counter.

Likes to draw circles and trace her hands.

Talks about relatives all the time: cousins, grandma's and grandpas

She remembers so much, she recalls past events like, going to Salt Lake, the Zoo, the beach, etc. 

Quotes:

"Oh, it's nice and crunchy"...in reference to crunchy foods

"it's belicious".....meaning delicious.

"Oh that's nice of you" "please" "thank you" "excuse me"....she is very polite

she sings most of "Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam" and "I'm Like a Star Shining Brightly"

She claims anyones farts as her own and says, "No, it's me"

"oh thats awesome Mom" or "this is so cute"...when shopping at most stores

counting "1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10,11" What happened to 4 & 5?

Ellie is a typical toddler. She throws fits over irrational things and definitely likes to push my buttons. She likes to climb on me and doesn't like to play independently often. However, she is getting older and more capable of doing certain things on her own. Somedays, when her mood is right, she will use the bathroom all by herself. Somedays she will wander around the back yard and swing and play in the dirt while I relax in the sun. She is still the greatest little sidekick. I love our time together. Our walks to the park, the conversations we have, having her help me make cookies or bread or popcorn. Snuggling on the couch, her letting me take cat naps in the afternoon, and dance parties almost every night after her bath. She exhausts me most days but it's worth it. I can't believe she is going to have a sibling, I know she is going to be a great big sister. She is already such a loving and friendly little girl (to complete strangers) I know she will love this little baby so much. 

Happy Birthday Ellie Bell. You are so smart, funny, energetic and passionate. Thank you for making parenthood such an enjoyable experience. We have some days that are better than others but you hold a special place in my heart little one. I have loved the time we have had just you and me the last few years. I know it might be hard to get use to a new baby but you are going to have so much fun having a constant friend to play with. You are constantly changing, and I cant wait to see what this next year will bring. Never loose your curiosity, passion, humor, and energy. We love you so very much little one. Happiest of Birthdays to you. 

Baby #2

Ellie is going to be a big sister!!!! We are so excited to be having another little Medley. It is time for Ellie to have a sibling and a playmate, Rosie needs a break ;). 

I am currently 3 months pregnant, and starting to get my energy back. Didn't have much morning sickness, I got really nauseous, but never got sick. Ellie has been a trooper with me, I've been taking lots of naps and probably spend way to much time on the couch. Just barely starting to show, and already gave into my maternity jeans...why fight it, they are more comfortable. I look forward to warm weather when I can wear maxi skirts and flip flops. My doctor  said he may be able to tell the gender at my next appointment on the 11th of March. We look forward to finding out...I cant handle not knowing, I am too much of a planner. We have a name set in stone if we have a boy, but for a girl its more up in the air. Having a girl would be ALOT cheaper since we already have so many clothes but of course we are excited for either. I am looking forward to the weather getting nicer and being more active with this pregnancy. I know I will be more active since this time around I have a toddler to chase, and my last pregnancy I was in school until I was 7 months pregnant sitting in a desk and studying. I'll keep everyone up to date with baby news.  

Also can you believe this little lady is going to be 3 in two weeks! AHHHHHHH!

I guess I'll be devoting a whole post to Ms. Ellie soon.

February

We spent much of the month spending time outside and taking advantage of the beautiful weather. We spent a lot of time outside, hiking, walks, park days, and playing in the backyard. We are back to normal February weather with a high of 48 (BLAH!). Spring will be here soon enough. 

We are excited to have new furniture. A gift from my parents, I think they wanted something more comfortable to sit on when they came to visit. We handed down our old couch to Naomi. It's going to a good home.

Took a Saturday drive to Powder Mountain. At least there is snow somewhere in Utah ;) 

A Saturday stroll around the golf course.

I've been taking lots and lots and lots of naps. 4:00 hits me hard and I need a power nap. Im lucky to snuggle Ellie while she usually watches TV. 

Broke out the BBQ for the first time this year, make Valentine's Day dinner and cookies. 

Ellie modeling her dress from Grandma.

President's Day crafts

Ellie's newest obsession...Baseball. She is so cute!!