Jump, Jump, Jump.....

Clarissa's Baptism

On Thursday night we went to Vancouver to see Ben's niece Clarissa get baptized. Eli did really good in the car, and slept all the way home. We enjoyed Lynda's talk on Baptism and had fun playing with cousins.

Life Update

Things are starting to get a little crazy around here. Ben is currently finishing up his third internship with the Tualatin Valley Water District, and is still looking for permanent employment. He has a couple of prospects on the horizon, the only problem is that no one seems to be in a hurry except for us.

Sadly we had to give 30 days notice to our apartment complex, but we have a couple of housing options. Our good friends the Wheelers are trying to sell their currently uninhabited house, and have offered to let us stay there until it sells or they put tenants back in. Our other option is moving back in with Ben's parents. If the latter happens Ben will stay in Hillsboro, rent a room and work, while Eli and I go 2 hours away to The Dalles.

We've started packing and are trying to prepare ourselves for anything. We hope a job will come through sometime soon, in the meantime we'll keep praying.

Anyone want a snack?

Early Morning Fun

Eli turned 8 months on Saturday. I weighed and measured him this morning and he's 31 inches and 24 pounds. We have so many baby toys, but these are two of his favorites, a strap and a box. Sometimes I wonder why we buy any baby toys!

Don't forget to pack Eli

Going on a walk

Challah Bread

Everyone else was making bread (Jamie and Adrianna) so I had to follow suit. There isn't much I love more than a homemade loaf of good bread. Danika had shared a loaf of her Challah Bread with us a few weeks ago and I've been dying for more ever since. When I saw the recipe posted on Adrianna's Blog I just couldn't resist. It did take a good half of the day, but it was well worth it. Thanks to everyone for their inspiration.

Sitting Up

Helping around the house

New Faces

Eli is done with the piggy face. Now he's moved on to this funny face where he clenches is "teeth" and fists, then growls. The top picture is the best example I could get of his new face during breakfast this morning.

Story Time with Daddy

Getting Around

Eli loves his books. Usually we read them, but sometime he just takes them out to give them a good chew. Some of his favorites are: Barnyard Dance, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Mr. Brown Can Moo Can You?, and We're Going On A Bear Hunt.

Hanby Park

We had fun at the park yesterday, I think Eli could sit in the swing all day if we let him. There were trails to walk around and slides to go down, what more can you ask for? Ben had some fun reminiscing, he came to this park as a boy.

A day in my life as a stay at home Mom.

6:39-7:00 am Feed Eli and listen to him talk to himself and hope in vain he goes back to sleep
7:00 Change diaper, brush teeth.......
7:20 Decide this is the day I'll eat healthy, so I start with a bowl of Raisin Bran
7:30 Read every book we own to Eli, and then recite all of the animal noises I know.
8:30 Bounce Eli and put him down for a nap while watching "House" on Tivo
8:45 Eli is still asleep, should I nap? Decide not to nap, it's too frustrating to be woken up again.
9:15 Eli wakes up, bounce again and thank heaven I didn't go back to bed.
9:30 finish watching "House". Get dressed and packed for errands
10:30 Feed Eli, get him dressed, start laundry. Then I pack him, Trader Joe bags, purse, diaper bag and garbage down 3 flights of stairs.
10:45 Ben calls and forgot his lunch, go to post-office (run into Jamie Tonks) and pick up lunch for Ben (and myself) at Wendy's.
11:15 Meet Ben for early lunch and decide I'll eat healthy tomorrow.
11:45 Go grocery shopping at Winco
1:00 Pack Eli, diaper bag, purse and 6 bags of groceries up 3 flights of stairs (it takes 2 trips).
1:30 Groceries are put away, switch out laundry, feed and bounce Eli and put him down for a nap. Watch the Cosby Show
2:30 Eli wakes up and I bounce him, put him down, he wakes up, bounce him, put him down, he wakes up, bounce him, put him down, he wakes up.
Give Up.
3:00 Eli blows out his diaper, maybe this is why he wouldn't sleep.
3:15 Switch out laundry again, fold clothes, clean bathrooms while Eli jumps in the Johnny Jumper.
4:00 Have a snack, feed Eli, fold more laundry while Eli plays with Ben's bike trainer.
4:30 Bounce Eli and put him down for the rest of his afternoon nap.
5:00 Start dinner, Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder, mmmm...
5:30 Eli wakes up, change diaper, fold more laundry
6:00 Wonder where Ben is, feed Eli his dinner
6:30 Decide to eat without Ben, then he comes home
6:45 Serve Ben dinner and clean up
7:00 Go for a walk at Orchard Park
7:40 Bath for me and Eli
8:00 Feed Eli again, and bounce
8:15 and bounce
8:30 and bounce
8:45 and bounce, all the while regretting the Caffeinated Root Beer I had at lunch.
9:00 Eli is finally asleep, log onto computer
9:30 Upload pics and make a slide show
10:00 Oh No! I'm still online writing this too long journal of my day.
10:15 Log off computer and go to bed wondering how long I'll sleep before Eli wakes me up.

Tasty Cookies

Ben made these cookies yesterday and we just can't get enough.

Ranger Drop Cookies

1 1/2 C Butter
1 1/2 C White Sugar
1 1/2 C Packed Brown Sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 C all-purpose flour
3 C rolled oats
2 C raisins
1 C flaked coconut

Cream butter with sugars; beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 8-10 min at 375 degrees.

It's Pajama Time!



It's getting dark earlier and earlier, I can't believe Summer is almost over. Luckily the warm weather seems to hold out pretty late here, so we should still have a few good weekends left to hike.

Eli is finally feeling better and slept pretty good last night for the first time in 2 weeks. I'm starting to feel human again, hopefully it'll just get better from here. It's amazing what just one night of sleep can do.