First Week in Alaska

We've been in Alaska a little over a week and Eli is settling right in!  He amazes me with what he remembers from coming a year ago!  He will ask about a toy that he played with last summer or to do an activity that he did last time he was here!

We've had great weather and have been able to go on a walk almost everyday and go meet Bryan down at the dock when he comes in from fishing in the afternoon.

 

Pregnancy Update

To the blogging world it may seem I have ignored Baby Girl and sharing posts about her.  Maybe on here she hasn't had as much attention as when I was pregnant with Eli, but she's getting lots of love in the real world!

My mom has sent such sweet thoughtful packages full of teeny baby girl clothes, socks, and hats.  And she always includes a little something for Eli to make him feel special too.  Thanks mom!

Eli is loving the 'idea' of a baby sister.  He talks about her everyday and loves to pat my belly.  He asks if he can rest his head on "her" when we read stories. At the grocery store Eli wants her to sit by him in the car shopping carts, play trains with him, and go on walks together.  He will pick out special sticks or rocks and say they are for her.  It absolutely melts my heart. Yes, I know it'll be a shock when she does come and he realizes she's not a toddler. But I am praying that this love will continue and he will love his little sister when she arrives. 

I am 7 months pregnant and can't believe how quickly time is flying!  We kept the pregnancy very quiet early on since I had just miscarried.  It almost felt too special and sacred to just announce to anyone.  Once I hit the 5 month point everyone knew, and there was definitely no hiding it!! I showed from very early on.  I had major morning sickness for the first 18 weeks.  Not a lot of throwing up, but horrible nausea and no appetite.  Finally got over that hurdle around 18 weeks and since then I feel like I can eat non stop!  I can't even tell you how many boxes of cereal I've gone through ;)

For the most part I'm feeling great now! I am a little nervous at how quickly time is flying by, and I'm trying to enjoy this stage before it slips away.  Tonight for the first time this pregnancy, I felt her hiccup! I love the constant wiggles and kicks to let me know she is happy and well.  Its so reassuring to me (and so worth being woken up to in the middle of the night)

Here are a few pictures as I've progressed:

 

  

Made It To Alaska!

Off we go to Alaska for another year! It's always a good summer and we look forward to it every year. 

Eli is an amazing traveler and really does great on the plane. My super quick plane tips for traveling with a toddler:

+ Playdough is such an awesome toy to keep them entertained. I never have a problem taking it through security and it keeps Eli busy for almost an hour!

+ lunchables. The meat cheese and crackers ones and pizza are Eli's favorite. They are only 1.50$ at walmart and are a perfect airplane snack that travels well and gives them a little protein instead of just candy.

+ dollar store window gel stickers. So cheap and so great if you have a window seat. They are reusable too. 

+ powdered milk. If your kiddos are like Eli, they go through milk like nobody's business. I measured out single servings of powdered milk into little bags to make when he wants and I don't have to worry about the milk spoiling. 

Anyway, onto Alaska! 

After two flights we finally got on the float plane at 5:00 pm. Eli was exhausted. He usually loves the float plane but was SO tired. 

Here we are! We made it!! Now let's play! 

Eli's 3rd Birthday!

Each year we usually celebrate Eli's birthday before going to Alaska so he can play with friends and see family down here, then we do something simple in Alaska on his actual birthday.  

Here is his 1st Birthday Party

He turned 1 in Alaska here

Here is his 2nd Birthday Party

He turned 2 in Alaska here

And here comes his 3rd Birthday party!

 I was super terrible at taking pictures this time, but we had a great simple birthday BBQ.  Bryan grilled hot dogs that we had with potato salad, chips, watemelon, and cupcakes. The kids played and the adults chatted in the backyard.  I got busy and forgot to take pictures of the families, but we feel so blessed to have such great family and friends that were able to make it.

5 Fact Friday

1. This boy is full fledged ready for summer! Everyday he is outside in the backyard either in the sprinklers, playing with the hose, watering flowers, or apparently too busy squirting things to realize he lost his pants. No time to pull those up ;) 

2. Not many things are better than when Eli comes up to us and asks us to read him a story. Love it! 

3. Whoever invented pipe cleaners is a genius. An hour of entertainment one morning this week. He asked me to take a picture with his crazy hair!