New features (in the kids and the website)!

So we added some video (or long photos as Flickr calls it) to the photo page of our blog. The first two videos are of Eli starting to walk! You'll have to have Flash installed in order to view them, and there are a few bugs that I still need to work out, but it does work.

You'd think we'd have learned our lesson with Ami walking so early, but no, we've been encouraging Eli to walk as well. He seems pretty tickled with himself when he takes a few steps, but mostly he just falls on his bum. It makes Becky sad because it means her little baby boy is growing up.

Becky also commented that with Ami, the videos were a big production, music, credits, etc. Wtih Eli, he's lucky that we have them posted! Poor kid. If there is a next one, he'll be luck to have any photographic proof of his existence.

Annual Trek to Balloon Fiesta

5:30 AM Ready to head out the door.

After making it through traffic without Scott ripping someone's head off.

Trying to keep the babe warm.

The balloon we picked out for Grama, if she where to have a balloon, mother hen. Just kidding Terry, it's more about the decor in your old kitchen.

Ami waited ALL week to go see the balloons. She wasn't disappointed.

My Baby Boy is Growing Up

It really has hit me lately that my little Eli is growing up in fast forward time. The other day we put him in the wagon with Ami and I thought Ami would have to hold him. Nope, not really. He held on just like he knew what he was doing.

Then he has started teething recently. When my kids teeth it means that soon they will be walking. It makes me a little teary eyed.

Today I took the kids to the park and wasn't quite sure how it was going to go. I hadn't taken them since Eli has become mobile. I let him down and he was as content as could be with the sand. He ended up climbing up to the top of one of the play sets, like that was what he was born to do.

I guess I'm a little more emotional about this go around since it seems to be happening so fast.

STUBBORN

Sunday mornings around our house has become Brutal, yes with a capital B. Ami puts up the biggest fit about wearing a skirt or dress to church. We give her choices but to no avail she still doesn't want to wear the cute dress with the flowers or ruffles, she wants to wear PANTS!!

This Sunday Scott got Ami ready for church and she was looking soooo ADORABLE!

He even did her hair with a cute bow and and lots of barrettes.

Five minutes later she had something else in mind.

So, from now on she is going to be SHOVED into a dress at the last minute to reduce the time her parents want to SCREAM! No time to be angry you gotta put on your church face honey! In 1, 2, 3...

Labor Day Weekend

We went to Caballo Lake with the Struves and had a BLAST! The kids had soooo MUCH FUN!

"You got mud in your face, you're a big disgrace. Somebody is kicking your can all over the place." Sorry this picture brought that song into my head. Eli LOVED playing in the mud as you can tell. There was no point in trying to keep him out of it.

Ami couldn't get enough of the jet ski. She would start crying whenever we would take her off to give somebody else a turn.

It was great to experience the lake through our kids eyes. Everything so new and awesome to them. It gave me a wonderful perspective on life. What could be better than hanging out at the lake with your family and friends...

Maybe a nap!

Photos? We don't need no stinkin' photos.

As you all are probably aware, we are having problems with photos on the blog. I'm working with Flickr to get the problem resolved, but have no idea how long it will take as I've never had a problem with them before and can't gauge their response time, so far it's pretty slow. Thanks for your patience.

UPDATE: Flickr seems to have sorted out the issue. Everything should be working again.

The Great Zucchini

Charlie Brown had the Great Pumpkin, we have the Great Zucchini.

It almost weighed 16lbs and was pretty close to being as long as Eli. The Griffins like everything big even their zucchini.

The gardener, himself.

Everybody got a picture with the Great Zucchini, except me. I guess next time.

Fun in the Spinklers

Scott's favorite way of cooling off on a hot day after working in the yard is to run through the sprinklers. This particular day the whole family joined in and had lots of fun.

It was COLD and a little shocking to the system. Eli LOVED it!

Ami loves running through the sprinklers. She says, "Try again."

Any resemblance?

Sibling Rivalry

It's amazing once you have two children and one is away, you realize how much easier it is with one child. I wondered why I thought it was sooo hard when I just had Ami.

Well, now that she has been back home the chaos has grown. Eli became a lot more mobile while she was gone. He is getting into her stuff and that creates issues for her. She is learning what it is really like to be the big sister. Entertaining and stressful all at the same time.

While Eli has become a lot more mobile, he's still not crawling. He can scoot with the best them though. He's already pulling himself up!! I can't believe it! Time is passing by so quickly with him. Does time pass faster with each kid?

I'm excited for Ami. Starting in September we are going to be involved in a playgroup with three other little girls from church the same age. We will rotate around everybody's house each week. The bonus is I get three mornings a month to spend time with just Eli. I can't wait!

Party Over Here

Since Ami has been gone we have been on the move. Tuesday we went to the lake with the youth and went tubing, played volleyball, and Scott's favorite, king of the mountain. My parents live down by the lake so my mom watched Eli for us. It was sooooo NICE to be able to play and not have to worry about my kids drowning. However, I did have a panic moment and looked around for Ami.
Thursday we got a baby sitter for Eli and went out on a date for the first time since he was born. We tried to go to the movies but I screwed that up. Instead we went bowling and Scott beat me into pulp. The last game he scored a 171. And he wondered why I didn't look like I was having a good time! Doesn't he know he's suppose to let his wife win. He has too much of a competitive streak to do that. Then, we went out for ice cream and didn't hold back on getting some calorie packed treats.
Friday we went to Santa Fe and went shopping at the outlet mall and spent way too much money, but had fun doing it! We ate at our MOST favorite mexican restaurant in the whole wide world, Los Portillos. The ribs and shrimp were PHENOMENAL! They are looking at putting a restaurant in Albuquerque. YAY!!
Saturday Michelle and her gang came down. Scott and I watched the kids while they went to the temple. Her kids are so cute. Reese makes me want to have another little girl, but Scott is banking on another boy in the future. After Michelle and Steve got back I got to watch Michelle try to climb over a fence in a skirt. It was HILARIOUS!! I watched her try to catch her balance to only stumble and fall over the other side of the fence onto the ground. I'm laughing just thinking about it. (Sorry Michelle, I'm laughing at your expense.) Later we went to Texas Roadhouse for lunch and had some very yummy food.
All though we have had a great time while Ami is gone, we are now missing her. We can't wait to see her tomorrow.

Griffin Family Reunion

We made the 10 hour trek to the Griffin Reunion this year. We had a lot of fun catching up with family that we hadn't seen in quite some time. There wasn't any newlyweds this time around, instead most of the cousins were chasing there little ones around. We had some awesome food and had front row seats at the firework show in town. Ami OOWED and AWED at the fireworks. She let us know what colors they were.
The craziest thing of all is in the little town of Escalante on the Saturday around Pioneer Day they shoot off canons or fireworks at six in the morning!! I didn't know this until my sleep was disrupted. I thought it was somebody stomping down the stairs, but it went on for quite some time. Later that morning Scott laughed at me and told me what it was. Supposedly they also have a band that goes around town playing, but fortunately I did have the hearing pleasure of that. I felt like I was in "Sweet Home Alabama" when the crazy guy is in the back yard lighting off a canon.
We shipped Ami off to Grama, so now is time for a little R&R and one on one time with Eli, the cutest boy ever.

Ami Cracks me UP!

I had a Simon Dewey picture of Christ up on the computer and Ami says, "That's Jesus Christ Amen."

From One Corner of the State to Another

I should be taking this opportunity to take a nap, but nope I'm messing around on this dang computer.
We had a very busy week last week. We spent some time up in Farmington with Scott's family. Grama broke out with the bubbles. Ami didn't quite get how to use the wand, but still had tons of fun anyway. Bubbles make her happy. It was really good to see most of the family. Hopefully we can see the rest towards the end of the summer.
We returned for one day and Scott headed off to Scout Camp and I went to my parents in T or C. I'm not sure what Scott did besides get a little too much sun, but...We hung out with Grandma and Grandpa Berry. Ami played on Grandpa's tractor but for some reason didn't want to go for a ride. We went swimming and Ami's diaper swelled so big that my mom and I were laughing so hard at her waddling around with a huge bubble but. We tried to get a picture but she was too fast.
We had fun, but it is nice for things to be back to normal.
We were able to score a swing set on craiglist, so now we need to put in a sand box. Ami loves her swing set. Scott put it up one evening and the next morning Ami was looking out her window to make sure it was still there. She was so EXCITED. Now the problem is she always wants someone to push her. After potty training is complete on to swing training!

Photos Posted

Stories still need to be told. Eli woke up so they won't be happening today.

Fun Times

We've been busy this week. We caught an Isotopes game on Monday. Ate some wonderful 50 cent hot dogs. The game was later than the last one, so we left early. Ami wasn't too happy about that. She wanted to stay and "watch GAME"!!
Throughout the week we have really hit potty training hard. Before I would have Ami in out of diapers, depending on how frustrated I had gotten about the messes. Things have gotten better since I made up my mind that we are going to do this. A little pep talk from Michelle helped too. We average a mess a day. Tomorrow is church so we'll see how things go there.
We took the kids swimming on Friday night. Ami was a little stand offish at first, but eventually decided she wanted to join in the fun. Eli did great!! He loves water.
Today we took it slow, but still had fun. We had a picnic in our yard. (Have I told you guys enough how much I love my yard!!) I love eating outside. It's somehow relaxing. Later we watched a movie. Nobody told me that Marley & Me has a sad ending!!
I feel an overwhelming feeling of love for my family. They help me to become who I am suppose to become.

Blessed by Children

This past week I was watching Clifford with Ami while feeding Eli. I actually learned something or had a thought come to mind. Emilie Elizabeth and her friend swapped dogs for topsie turvey day races, leaving Clifford with a yelling little girl trying to tell him how to do things. He didn't respond so well to her commands, the other dog was responding great to Emilie Elizabeth because she was quite the opposite. She was loving and spoke softly and kindly to the dog. I realize this is a cartoon, but the point is if you want somebody to do something you need to do it in a kind way. I really thought I need to apply this to my kids. I can't expect them to respond positively if they have a crazy yelling lunatic demanding them to do something. Something for me to work.



Another thing came to mind during Sacrament meeting this morning. We were singing Near God to Thee. Eli was smiling at me as a I sang and I realized as I love these little ones that God has entrusted me with that I will become nearer to Him. By putting them first, I become more like our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.



What a great blessing children are!! It is amazing what we can learn from them, even when they can't talk.

Eli's Four Month Check Up

Before I forget I need to post all the info. Eli is weighing 15lbs 7.5oz and is 26 inches long. The doctor said, "Now that's a boy, there's no doubt about it." I'm not quite sure what he meant, but Eli is definitely different than Ami in the boy/girl way. It was sort of like the midwife telling me I have a nice pelvis when I was in labor with Eli. What?

'Topes Game

Memorial Day we went to an Isotopes game a little apprehensive of us being able to actually be able to sit in our seats during the game. Ami is a busy body, so we were thinking we would have to move the berm. Nope. The Isotopes lost but there wasn't any lack of entertainment. Ami cheered, danced, and looked for Orbit the entire game. She continues to talk about the game and gets really excited when she sees an Orbit cup. Eli took two naps at the game and stuck out his tongue the rest of the time. It was nice to get out to a game. We will be definitely going again seeing as how much Ami LOVED IT!!

Yep a Post

Every time I go to update I get interrupted, so we'll see how it goes.



We are soooo HAPPY to have a yard with grass in it. Scott goes out every morning and evening to look at the yard. It doesn't matter if he is running late. He goes and checks on the lawn and the garden. I find it a bit funny, but it has become his baby. I haven't done very much out there. So, I am very thankful for all that he has done for us to have a yard. Sorry we go on and on about it, but we are very EXCITED!!



We're also excited summer is here. That means isotopes games, camping, scout camp, family reunion, being outside, etc.



Ami loves going outside. I have to be careful or otherwise I'll look out and she'll be stripped down to just a t-shirt. We have touched on potty training a little since one Sunday she decided to take her diaper off twice in nursery. She doesn't get it. However she likes to sit on the toilet. She is starting to tell stories with hand gestures and everything. You can only understand about every fourth word, but it's fun to hear her ramble most of the time. Other times not so much.



Eli is growing, growing, growing. The other day Ami was in his face playing with him and he decided to grab on to her hair for dear life. She was in tears. I thought it was suppose to the other way around. I'm not sure what his deal is lately. At one point he was down to waking up only once in the night and this past week he wakes up 2-3 times. It's not helping my beauty sleep.



We're plugging along without too much excitement. That's probably good.



Pictures are posted periodically, so even if I don't post an entry there might be new pictures.

Top 8

Since I don't really have anything else to post.



Top 8's



Favorite Restaurants

-Pelicans Seafood and Steak

-Melting Pot

-Tucanos

-Japanese Kitchen

-Paupdeux

-PF Chang's

-Popeye's

-Blake's Lotaburger



If I'm going out to eat, I have figured out it better be for something that I'm not able to make or would need special tools for the most part.



TV Shows

-Grey's Anatomy

-Mentalist

-NCIS

-Biggest Loser, because it makes me feel better about myself.

-Curious George

-Clifford the Big Red Dog

-The Ellen Show

-The Big Bang Theory



My Quirks

-Shower curtain always closed

-Toilet seat down

-Put dishes in the dish washer

-Always put lotion and moisturizer on after a shower

-Must clean ears after a shower

-Microwave should be pretty clean

-Must always do at least 5-10mph over the speed limit on long trips

-Must get out of the house on average once a day



Random Things I Did Yesterday

-Took a shower

-Went grocery shopping

-Pulled Ami around in the wagon

-Started attempting to potty train Ami

-Ate dinner outside (YAY!!)

-Tickled Eli and made him laugh

-Read some articles on LDS.org

-Facebooked



Things on My Wish List

-Cruise within the next year

-Trip to Italy

-Better camera

-Better sewing machine

-Student loans to be paid off in little over a year (YAY!!)

-Quiet time to do what ever I want

-Entire day/night to myself

-More time with Scott and I working in the kitchen together



Things I Look Forward to Everyday

-Scott coming home from work

-Smiles from my kids

-The birds chirping

-Ami's hugs and kisses

-Good food

-Rest

-Kids napping

-Lotion



People I Tag

-Stephanie

-Joy

-Katie

-Lisa

-Michelle

-Lindsey

-Anybody else that wants to do it.



So, while posting this Ami decided to strip down to her shirt outside and play in the dog's water. How can a little person make such a mess with that much water?

Pacifier Thumb Sucker

I can't believe how fast time is passing by. Eli is 3 1/2 months already. He is growing up right before my very eyes. If you check out the newest pictures of him, you'll see what I mean. He's a mini Scott. Today he rolled over from his back to his tummy. He's becoming more and more aware of his surroundings and has started laughing quite a bit. I love to watch him and Ami interact with one another.



He loves to suck on his thumb or pacifier. But sometimes he gets frustrated with both. He'll have his pacifier in his mouth and rips it out of his mouth with his thumb. Eventually he'll get the thumb in his mouth with the pacifier hanging off it. If he is just sucking his thumb he'll start dozing off and his hand will fall and he will startle himself. It's hilarious to watch him.



This post is probably more for me than anything else. To one day remember my little guy.

Our Yard

This post is ridiculously long, but it is mostly pictures. We finished all the major work on our lawn and garden and I wanted to catalog the work that we have done.


As you may know we have been working on getting a lawn and garden put in our backyard. We've lived in this house for almost 5 years, but now that we have a munchkin who loves being outside, we decided it was time to put in a lawn. We also both love fresh vegetables so we decided to do a garden as well.



Well the work has been done, the sprinklers are spraying. Now we just need to weed and wait. I thought I would post some pictures to show the transformation.



First what our backyard looked like when we moved in.

We've sprayed weed killer in the backyard each spring and summer, so we finally got the weeds under control. Last fall we decided to pull the trigger with hopes of completion this spring. We rototilled the ground as a first step. For me it was like making the commitment to do the job.

Spring arrived and that meant compost. Lots and lots of compost. Luckily I had Ami to supervise, otherwise who knows what I would have ended up doing.

With the ground work done, we had to put in a sprinkler system. I initially told Becky that would do the lawn and garden, but only with a sprinkler system. Luckily Steve and my Dad were able to come and lend a hand. We couldn't have done it without them.

Once the sprinklers were in and the trenches covered, all that was left was to spread some seed and plant some veggies.

And on Friday, we began to see results in the lawn.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading! Once the grass really comes in and we have some vegetables, we'd like to have a get-together for anyone who can make it. It will probably be this summer sometime, so stay tuned.

Anyone want to be our nannie?

While Scott's dad was here he helped out some with the kids in morning before they headed out to work on the yard. One morning Scott was on the computer, I was doing something with Ami, and Eli was feeling neglected. So, Grampa picked him up and he instantly quite crying. This gave me the idea for the following conversation that I had with Scott.



Me--We need to have a second wife.



Scott--Why?



Me--A third person in this relationship would be helpful with the kids. Yesterday it really helped out when your dad was holding Eli.



Scott--You realize that would mean twice the kids, right?



Me--NO! They wouldn't be allowed to have any kids. But some how we need to always out number the kids.



Scott--You're a little late for that.



Me--I GOT IT!! We need a NANNIE!

Water Water.

Things have slowed down since this weekend. It was pretty much a zoo. Michelle and I were in my small house with five kids for two days. They did really well being cooped up, but I definitely WILL NOT be having FIVE kids!! Ami really likes playing with Chase and Tristen. She ALWAYS gets excited when she sees a picture of them or we talk about them. To her though both Tristen and Chase are Chase.



The men got a lot of work done Friday and Saturday. I'm not even sure I can list it all, but I'm going to try. They rotatilled one last time, trenched where the pipe would go for the sprinklers (I could hear Scott GRUNTING in the house with all the windows closed trying to get the trencher to move.), hooked up the sprinklers and timer, laid down the grass seed and peet moss. I'm sure I have left out some steps.



I'm grateful for Steve and Dean. This would have taken Scott and I a few weekends to complete.



Now we are WATERING, WATERING, WATERING!



Several pictures have been posted. Check them out.

WOOHOO! There will soon be grass.

We are back from our trip to Idaho to watch Lisa and Matt graduate along with blessing both Eli and Thomas. It was almost like Eli grew up over night. Before the trip he would cry continuosly when he was in his car seat. He barely cried at all during the entire trip. As long as he was fed and changed and you occasionally made faces at him he just hung out or slept. I was SOOOOO happy about that. I was afraid Scott would leave him on the side of the road and we would pick him up on the way back.



We left Ami with Grama and Grandpa for a few days. It has been soooo quite around here. Yesterday I started cleaning the grout on the floor with baking soda and a tooth brush. Scott thinks I have too much time on my hands. No, it is easier to do without a 2 year old trying to help. I'm hoping tomorrow I can get some scrapbooking done.



This weekend Steve and Dean are going to help Scott out with the sprinkler system in the back yard while Michelle and I keep the kids under control. I can HARDLY wait when we have GRASS!! I would do a cart wheel, but I would probably land on my head.



Check out the pictures from our trip.

Where Have We Been?

 We have been stressing!  The first sale of our home fell through the end of February.  We had to put our house back on the market after already moving into the house we intended on buying.  But it sold just as quickly the second time on the market and we closed on both houses the end of March.  Whew!

We are now to getting to the point that we feel like our new house is starting to feel like home.  We are lacking decorations, but it has the spirit of our home.  

On top of the house ordeal.  Scott applied to grad school and a program at work to pay for his schooling.  We were anxiously waiting the results of this among the house drama.  Everything has turned out AWESOME!  Scott has been accepted to Carnegie Mellon Silcon Valley and work is going to PAY FOR IT!.  It is unbelievable.  

So, we pretty much stressed about nothing!  It all worked out how we wanted.  We have been very blessed .

New photos are up, enjoy.

Where Have We Been?

We have been stressing! The first sale of our home fell through the end of February. We had to put our house back on the market after already moving into the house we intended on buying. But it sold just as quickly the second time on the market and we closed on both houses the end of March. Whew!

We are now to getting to the point that we feel like our new house is starting to feel like home. We are lacking decorations, but it has the spirit of our home.

On top of the house ordeal. Scott applied to grad school and a program at work to pay for his schooling. We were anxiously waiting the results of this among the house drama. Everything has turned out AWESOME! Scott has been accepted to Carnegie Mellon Silcon Valley and work is going to PAY FOR IT!. It is unbelievable.

So, we pretty much stressed about nothing! It all worked out how we wanted. We have been very blessed .

New photos are up, enjoy.

Wordle, our FHE activity

Becky saw on a friends blog an application called Wordle. It allows you to create pictures using words. You give it some text and it will take the most common words and randomly arrange them into a picture. We fed it all of our blog posts from about 2.5 years of blogging, removed some common words and got the following:

Becky wanted to cheat and insert only the words that she wanted. She wasn't happy that the word "bathroom" appeared enough on our blog to make the most popular word cut. We also felt bad the Eli barely made the cut. So we made another one that is just with words that we entered:

This was our Family Home Evening activity since Ami is playing at Grandpa and Grandma's house for the week. Check it out, it was fun to do!

Rolling Rolling ROLLING!!

Today is a very slow day. I've completed most of my to do list for the week. Now I'm just waiting in anticipation of a very long road trip next week to Idaho with two small kids. Ami will do fine but....Eli is another story. I'm going to buy some ear plugs hoping that will help us have more patience with him. We're going up to see Lisa and Matt graduate and also bless Thomas and Eli. It will be a cousin blessing good time. However, I'm not looking toward being cold...BRRRRR. Can you tell I'm mixed about this whole trip? It will be good. It is always fun to be around Scott's whole family.



The exciting news here is that Eli is rolling over from his tummy to his back. I couldn't believe it when I walked in knowing that I put the little guy on his tummy to find him on his back. He's ONLY 2 1/2 months old!! I haven't caught him in action yet. Ami rolled over at four months the other way, so I wasn't expecting this to happen yet. Let's hope he doesn't keep up with the early trend of things or my days in church will be out in the hall chasing him at 8 or 9 months.



We once had friends tell us that you better learn all you need to about the Gospel before you have children, because it's all down hill from there.

Eli Smiling

I've been wanting to post this for sometime, but didn't know how. Scott just gave me tutorial, so hopefully I'll be able to do it next time.

Progress in More Ways then One!

Scott has continued to work on the yard. It has really helped to have a deadline that his dad will come down and help us put in the sprinkler system to keep him motivated. Last night his cousins came over and helped pick up some railroad ties at Lowe's and unload them in the dark. I'm glad they were here to help because I'm not so sure I would have been much help if I tried. Scott and Ami spent this morning in the backyard placing the railroad ties for the border. Ami had a great time being outside and Scott really enjoyed her company. Both of them needed a shower after wards.



Eli seems to be getting better at sleeping for longer stretches both day and night. He has found his hand so that helps soothe him back to sleep, instead of wanting to be held during the day to sleep. Thank goodness. We go next Friday for his two month appointment. Some days it seems like he has been with us forever and other times it's like he just got here yesterday. We are starting to think that we'll keep him!



Of course more pictures have been posted of our doings.

Adventures in Compost

We've been talking about putting in a lawn and garden in the backyard for some time now. Last summer during the rainy season, I roto-tilled the area we intend to us. Yesterday we had 10 yards of steaming compost dumped on our driveway (on purpose). We got it all dumped out in the area we want to use. Now we just need to spread it and roto-til in it. My Dad will be coming down in a few weeks to help us get a sprinkler system installed. After that, we can start planting grass and vegetables. Nothing better than fresh tomatoes! We posted a few pictures of our fun.

A Quickie

Today Ami tried to cook the cat. Flash likes to sleep on top of the toaster oven in the window. Lately, Ami drags a kitchen chair around the house just like a blanky, so that way when she can't reach something she uses the chair. Well, today she turned the right knob to turn the toaster oven on. Thank goodness she came out of the kitchen, and said "Fire, Mom."

My Little Helper Bee

Today has been a good day. I've been able to get Eli to take a couple naps, so that means I'm able to get other stuff done and actually feel like I've had a productive day. I recruited Ami as my cleaning helper. She helped me wipe the kitchen chairs down and do some other dusting. We went outside with a bucket of water to clean some things and you know what that leads to. A wet child. So, she was a little upset she had to take her Lobo jersey off. She loves that thing. Sorry, Ryan she'll never be a Cougars fan at this rate!!



A couple more pictures posted.

Housekeeping on the Fam

For some reason it is a lot harder to blog when you have two. Eli probably is going to think that I don't love him as much since we don't have as many pictures or entries about him. I'll just blame it on Ami keeping me busy.



We went to the doctor in the middle of the month of the month for Ami's two year appointment and Eli's one month appointment. Ami weighed 28lbs and was 35 1/2 inches long. Eli weighed 10lbs 8oz and was 22 1/2 inches long. Even though he was almost a pound heavier than Ami when he was born he only weighed 4 more ounces than she did at a month.



Ami is thankfully all better and back to her busy self. Unfortunately she's still whining, but I guess that comes with a two year old. You ask or tell her to do anything and she starts crying like you asked her to shoot her mom. I'm hoping this phase passes soon, but I have a feeling this is the way it will be until she understands more. She just understands enough to not be able to reason with her. Not unless of course you have fruit snacks and that makes everything better. She went and hung out with my parents for a couple of days this past week. It was nice to run errands with only one child and be able to keep the house picked up for more than 30 seconds. She's definitely teaching me to deal with change. And she is dealing with change herself. She moved to a big bed this weekend and so far seems to be doing fine.



Eli is like his Dad in the sleeping department it seems like for the time being. He doesn't do too bad at night, but during the day unless you are holding him his naps tend to last about 15-30 minutes. He really doesn't like his car seat. Most babies fall asleep almost instantly when they get in the car. Nope, not him. The trip to Idaho in April will be a real treat if he doesn't grow out this. However, he started smiling a week and half ago and cooing a little and that makes it all worth it. He won't do it for Scott though.



Scott is fretting about his Wood Badge project for Scouts. Luckily he has a great brother that is willing to help him out at the last minute.



I'm still adjusting. I look around the house at the end of the day and wonder what I did all day. Then, I realize I tried getting Eli to sleep about 10 times and tried to keep Ami out of trouble. This too shall pass, right?



A few new pictures were posted.

Not Such a Great Week

I'm definitely learning the challenges of having two. Ami has been sick all week, I believe with hand, foot, and mouth disease. She was just miserable. She wanted to be comforted constantly. That's not an easy feat with having to nurse a newborn. The other night I felt like a ping pong ball. Ami wanted someone to sleep with her on the couch and Eli woke up for his feedings, so I would go from the couch to my bed until Ami noticed that I was gone. Fortunately Ami seems to be getting better. She isn't crying and whining as much today. Thank goodness. Now hopefully I can find time in the next couple days to prepare my talk for church.

Happy 2nd Birthday Ami!!

Yesterday Miss Ami turned two. I am sooooo happy that I don't have to relive her birth each birthday. Sorry, that was a side note. The mom's club that I'm involved in had a Valentine's party at Bounce U. So, we took Ami there for her birthday. We had never been to any place like it, so I wasn't sure what to expect. They had gigantic slides, bouncy basketball, baseball, boxing, shooting. It was a lot of fun. Ami ran from one thing to another. She wore Scott and I out. We ended up going to bed at 9:30.



It has been a lot of fun to have Ami in our lives over the past two years. She is so busy all of the time. She loves to sing. We're never sure what she is singing, but she sure is happy about it. The poor cat has to hide in order to be left alone. Eli is lucky that she only occasionally wants to hold him. However, a few minutes ago she did try to share a chip with him. She really has blessed our lives and has taught us things we wouldn't have learned otherwise. We love you Ami Jean!!



Oh, I added several pictures too.

We Survived the First Week

Well, we survived the first week without help. Both kids are still alive and I haven't been put in an insane asylum. This isn't without doing some yelling. Ami loves her crayons and carries them around everywhere. She ended up coloring on the carpet and tile. I'm still working on the carpet. She also has increased her climbing abilities. She climbs on top of the trash can and onto the microwave to see the dog in the back yard. So, we still have somethings to get under control. It actually seems almost easier to me when we are on the go. Ami is occupied and Eli usually is asleep in his car seat. Unfortunately, it looks like the weather is suppose to get bad next week, so that will limit our outings. Hopefully soon we'll be able to get Eli to go to bed at a reasonable time, so we can have some peace and quite at night. I'm not going to hold my breathe.

Griffin Update

Sorry for the lack of posting. I haven't really felt liking updating our blog for whatever reason. Maybe it was the feelings of being overwhelmed some. Tomorrow "real life" starts. Scott goes back to work after being off all this time since Eli was born.



I had a little warm up this weekend. Scott went camping with the Scouts. Soon after others figured out he was going to be out of town my calendar filled up. Friday night we had a Scout Widows' Dinner. A few of us got together for dinner with all of our kids. It was nice not to sit at home with two little ones staring at the TV, anticipating Eli's nightly cry fest. Then, my visiting teacher and friend surprised me with a baby shower on Saturday. It seems like everybody is just stepping in and helping. It so nice to belong to such a great ward. Others have offered to feed us or told us to call if we need anything.



I know a lot of people have more than one child and everyone survives, but I never realized how a two year old can make so many messes when your not behind them cleaning up. I've told myself that it isn't important that my house be spotless. My priorities are taking care of my children and feeding us. Anything else I can get done to start out with is a bonus. We'll see if I can continue to tell myself this.



Oh, Eli's cry fest. We think Eli may have colic. There were three nights this past week where he cried for about three hours and there was nothing we could do to comfort him. It is soooo frustrating. Fortunately, the past two nights we haven't had to experience this. I look at the clock at eight and stare at him waiting for him to start crying. My fingers are crossed that it was a spoof of some sort.



Ami continues to amaze us at her adjusting to having a brother. This next week will be interesting to see how she does, since I won't be a able to meet her needs immediately.



Overall, I think we are doing well. There are moments when we want to go hide, but they are fleeting.

Allergic to clean diapers

Eli is allergic to clean diapers. It never fails. We will pick him up and change him, and within 5 minutes he begins grunting and making funny noises. It has happened so many times, we now expect it. Need to remember to buy stock in a diaper company.



Ami is loving being a big sister. In fact, we can't get her to leave Eli alone. This afternoon especially, I can't count how many times I said, "Ami leave him alone! He's sleeping." When she gets a chance to hold him, she gets angry when we try and take him from her to feed or change him.



Eli also has a voracious appetite. Unless he is dead asleep, he thinks he should be eating. I just smile and say, "Like father, like son." Becky for some reason isn't as pleased.

Elijah has arrived!

Elijah Scott Griffin is here! We went into the hospital about 9:00 am this morning. Eli cooperated a little bit more than his sister did, and he was born at 9:25 pm this evening. He is a beautiful baby boy with a head of black hair. We put some pictures up. He weighs 8 lbs 13 oz and is 20 inches long. He passed all his tests with flying colors and we hope to take him home tomorrow or Saturday.

Tenant in my Womb

There still is a tenant living in my womb. I know we are over a week from the due date, but I don't really remember being so uncomfortable with Ami. I don't know if it was the distraction of work or how I was carrying, but I have been ready for over a month for Elijah to vacate the premise. We went to the doctor yesterday and I am more effaced but no progress on being dilated anymore. I guess he'll get his eviction notice soon enough. Until then Scott gets to listen to me whine!!

It's Christmas Time

We had a wonderful Christmas up in Provo. I've put some pictures up from our trip. I also wanted to upload this video of Ami dancing to one of the presents she got from Kate and Kris.

Oh, and by the way, we went to the doctor today. She said that Becky is dilated to 1 cm. It isn't alot, but it's more dilated that she was 8 hours after her water broke with Ami. So hopefully Elijah will be making his appearance soon.