So far behind!

Hello Blog World! That's right...I've let myself get over a month behind in blogging. Ugh! When this happens, it is hard for me to get restarted again because I feel SO far behind!!! So...instead of just sitting here feeling overwhelmed about it, I'm going to do an abbreviated version of all that's happened over the last month and just post some cute pics of the girls and then try to stay more on top of things the rest of the summer. How does that sound? :)

So, to kick things off on a happy note. Above is a cute little picture of Ellie. It's become increasingly difficult to get Ellie dressed up cute and get her hair done, as she's become more and more opinionated about her wardrobe and the way her hair is done...or should I say...NOT done. Most days she just wants to wear leggings that she has outgrown and too small of a shirt and she says "leave my hair DOWN, Mom... and don't comb it!" So, the above picture HAD to happen since I got her dressed in an outfit that fit, that matched AND got her hair done! Kodak moment for sure. :) Doesn't she clean up nicely?Now for the not so happy note... our poor Alexa has had THREE ear infections during the 11th month of her short little life. Poor thing! She has been on several rounds of antibiotics and just couldn't seem to kick it. Well, when we went in a couple of weeks early for her 1 year appointment (we had to go early since we were going to be leaving for the summer a week before her big day!) our Pediatrician said that it was looking much better and we're hoping that it stays that way!!! Since her appointment was early, Alexa couldn't get her one-year shots cause I guess they won't count towards kindergarten required shots if they are taken even a day before she officially turns one. I was initially excited about this and thought since it wasn't a shots day, I could pull off taking both girls to this appt. with my by myself. Well, one thing that I forgot was that they send you to the lab to draw blood for that first birthday. I forget what they are testing for. I think they said led levels? Does that sound right? Anyway, it was a pretty traumatic experience for all of us as Ellie was VERY concerned about them "hurting Alexa!" and this Momma was so sad cause I had to hold her in my lap and wrap my leg around her legs and then with my arms I had to hold her one little arm down while a nurse tried to hold her other one still. Well, wouldn't you just know that they blew a vein in the first arm, so had to go to the second. All the while Alexa is screaming bloody murder, Ellie is distraught over what is happening and I'm just trying to keep them both calm. Thankfully, after the ordeal was over, Alexa took a nice long nap and I went to Sonic and got Ellie a slushy and she soon forgot about it all. :) I love that kids are so resilient!

Okay, whew! Got that out of the way! Back to the HAPPY things again. :) Above is a picture of the girls in their cute Easter dresses from Nana and Papa J. We had a wonderful Easter Sunday and while we were sad to not get to spend it with family, we were able to have some of the football players from K-State over for dinner on Friday night and then again for Easter Sunday lunch. Ellie had an Easter egg hunt, which was hilariously fun. Got that one on video! :) We had gotten to spend the weekend before Easter in Iowa with my family and so El got to do a lot of fun Easter things there as well! It's so neat to see her finally beginning to put some of the puzzle pieces together of what Easter is really all about - Jesus...

Alexa finally grew into a cute little outfit that Joel's cousin's wife Mandy made for her! She made matching outfits for the girls and they are SO CUTE! Thank you Mandy! It's actually one of the bows that she will actually keep in! :)

While we were in Iowa, Alexa turned 11 months old!!! She is growing and changing like crazy!!! Since I am posting this SO late, I think I'm just going to post all of the things that she's doing these days with her one year old birthday post! So stay tuned!

I seriously thought these were the cutest monthly pictures with our little "Alexa in a Box"... It's my Grandma Surber's storage footstool, but it made a great toy for kids!!! Kept my girls entertained for at least an hour... :) Above you will see one of Alexa's favorite skills. Waving! If you could hear her, she's probably also saying "Hi-i!" We joke that Alexa makes the HI two syllables. :) It's adorable!

And then these two pics are of Ellie at 33 months!!! She continues to grow up to be our BIG GIRL for sure. The craziest things come out of her mouth all the time! Everyday, I am just amazed at what she says and understands. She is definitely our almost 3 year old going on 16. That little mind (and tongue!) just go a million miles a minute! :)

Anyway, it was a fabulous month.... VERY busy, but a good busy. We're excited to now be safely settled in our room in Alabama! It's been great so far. I promise to post updates about the happenings in Gulf Shores. Love you all! Thanks for bearing with my long absence! I will "try" to do better the rest of the summer!!!