Pushing limits

I wanted nothing more than to write about how this weekend was all sunshine and roses but being truthful, it wasn't. Eli has been pushing us to see how much he can do and get away with. It seems like we spend a lot of time redirecting him from undesired behaviors and as a result, he gets upset and sometimes throws a fit with us. Then, again being honest, when he gets very fussy, Mommy gets very cranky and Daddy has to put up with both of us (sorry Daddy, you really are the world's best hubby and Daddy!). It is so frustrating sometimes and what worked yesterday sure doesn't work today. Meal times have been adventurous to say the least - sometimes he's hungry and interested, other times he throws his plate and wants nothing to do with it. Then when we remove him from the table, that upsets him too. Any of this sound familiar anyone?!

But even with all the roller coaster action of the weekend, we did manage to have some fun times. Saturday we went hiking at Umstead - took Eli on the Oak Rock Trail. Our goal was just to get him outside and let him walk around / explore. He walked almost the entire .6 mile trail on his own. He loved touching trees, picking up rocks and running down the hills. He's getting very good "trail feet" and does well with his balance. Then all afternoon, we played outside at home and worked on picking up sticks and pinecones to help Daddy clean the yard. Our goal was to spend as much time outside as possible.

Leading the way down the trail
Reading about the trees in front of him

White square trail marker - we've been working on colors and shapes a lot

Crossing the rock bridge with Daddy

Saturday night, I volunteered at the Umstead 100 trail run. Many years ago, I did the 50 mile version but in 2002 started volunteering. Let me tell you, I enjoy the volunteering part MUCH more than the running part. It's great to be a part of helping people achieve their goals. This was my 8th time volunteering and it's like a mini family reunion. Reunion with the Ptomain Tavern staff and a reunion with the runners who look forward to seeing you every year. (I used to pace a guy from Germany - he no longer runs it.) I worked the 6p-midnight shift and had a great time. Hopefully next year, I can take Eli to help a bit during the day. Here are a few pictures:

Runners coming up the hill from the aid station on Turkey Creek trail

Our aid station sign - I think we're also known as Aid Station #2

Sunday: Tim tried so hard to let me sleep this morning but Eli wanted to see Mommy. He was in a semi-fussy mood and unless he was watching 'Bob' he didn't seem to happy. We try to limit his tv watching so when Bob was over, he got upset with us - again. After errands and a nice long nap for cranky Eli and cranky Mommy, we went to the park and lake with Carol & Ryan to play on the equipment and then feed the ducks. Eli & Ryan had a great time laughing at the ducks and feeding them snacks. It's so great having them close to us and able to do things like this on short notice. We had nothing planned but it was so nice that we all wanted to be out of the house. Fortunately Eli & Ryan love to play together and Carol & I help each other keep the Mommy sanity in check! (Thanks friend!!)

Now (8:30p) Eli is sleeping and it's time to go hang out with Tim before heading to bed and starting a new week. Fortunately this is a short, and hopefully good, one. Hope you all had a great weekend and were at least able to get outside and enjoy the warmth and sunshine. We sure tried to!

Before & After - exterior shots

Finally got some pictures together of our addition / renovation. These are only the exterior shots - got to wait a little while longer for all the interior updates. We're very very pleased with how it turned out. Our neighbors have complimented on how good we did and that it looks like it has always been part of our - just what we tried to do!

Before front(ish) view

After front view

Before side view

After side view

Before rear view

After rear view

REI = FUN

Our family loves REI. We love walking around, checking out new gear and dreaming of adventures to have. We also love being REI members and dividend time each year. This year, we decided to spend some of our dividend upgrading camping gear to get ready for some family camping adventures. We've got our first test camping trip planned for Mother's Day weekend - just one night to see how Eli does. Eli had so much fun roaming around the store - chillin' in the kids camping chair (got to get him one of those!) and checking out a display tent. So here's what we ended up acquiring tonight:

Double sleeping bag for Mommy + Daddy

Keen sandles for Eli to match Mommy & Daddy's - he wore them around and out of the store!

School picture time

Finally got Eli's Spring School pictures. And, as usual, we love them. How do they get the kids to behave so well for pictures? Just makes you want to buy them all. Grandmas, let me know your favorite and what you'd like so we can send to you. =)

Such a handsome big boy
Pure toddler!

Grandma & Grandpa N + their new "bus"

This weekend Grandma & Grandpa N stopped by to see us on their way home from Florida. They've been "snowbirding" it down in sunnier temps for the past three months. We've missed them while they've been gone and it was great to have them here - even for a brief visit.

They arrived Saturday and we just kind of hung out and let Eli show off all the new tricks he has learned since they saw him last. Eli also got to explore Grandma & Grandpa's new "bus". While in Florida, they traded RVs and Eli kept calling this one a "bus". Doesn't retirement life sound great?! Yet it seems so far away! We had a nice dinner and once Eli went to bed, I think we all dozed off on the couch with full tummies. Sunday morning, Grandma N, Eli & I went to Target to look for some rain boots for Eli. Grandma bought Eli some cute cow boots - he picked them out himself (ok between the cow and dragon - and we know how much he loves his farm animals!). Eli was fussy this weekend and took very early naps both days. Unfortunately during his Sunday nap, Grandma & Grandpa had to head back home so they could drive in daylight and we missed telling them goodbye. Even though it was a short visit, we did enjoy them being here and look forward to seeing them again soon.

3 generations watching 'Bob the Builder'
Grandma & Grandpa N's new "bus"

Eli out for a test drive

Playing in puddles in his new boots - thanks Grandma!!

More puddle time

Eli & Daddy went for a bike ride on Sunday. All helmeted up and ready to go.

Two Things for Thursday

Two pieces of good news for Thursday:

1 - The results of my glucose test came back good so I don't have to suffer through the 3 hour version this time around. Woo hoo!

2 - The Pack Rat is officially gone from our lawn. Super Woo hoo!! Now we can take some pictures and share the before / after shots of our construction project.

And we're looking forward to a good weekend. Soggy but hopefully we'll still find a way to have fun. :-)

and the belly shot.......

Here's the 24 wk, 3 day belly - getting rounder and rounder