Update

Eddie and Tommy had their pediatrician visits today. Eddie is 16 months old and Tommy is 6 weeks old.

Tommy weighs 10 pounds 15 ounces which is in the 80th percentile and is 22.5 inches long which is the 60th percentile. He is healthy as can be. Tommy had 3 shots and barely even let out a cry. It was such a different experience than Eddie's first visit where he screamed for hours after having his shots.

 Eddie weighs 21 pounds 5 ounces which is in the 8th percentile and is 33 inches tall which is the 60th percentile. He is healthy as well, but the pediatrician wants us to beef up his calorie intake when we can since his weight is low. Poor Eddie had 5 shots today. He was very upset but calmed down when they gave him a sucker. Nothing like sugar to help with the pain!

Below are just some fun pictures I have taken over the last...

Dan put some duct tape he was throwing in the trash after taking down our a/c around Eddie to see what he would do and the crazy kid thought it was funny!

And here is Tommy at not even 6 weeks old holding his head up like he's a big kid. He almost rolled over from his stomach to his back at the pediatrician visit. He's trying his hardest to catch up to his big brother.

 I didn't think it could happen, but Eddie's climbing has gotten worse. Here he is standing on the bottom dresser drawer so he can reach onto the top of the dresser. He does the same thing with the kitchen drawers. He also will push his toy car and train over by my desk so that he can climb onto the top of desk.

And this is Eddie's desk that he made all by himself the other night. He turned the laundry basket upside down, then propped Dan's Ipad up on his shoe, and used a box of wipes to sit on. He this proceeded to sit down and play on the Ipad. Of course when I tried to get a picture he got up to try to take my camera so I missed his sitting at it, but what a funny boy. I guess he was trying to be like me when I have to work at my desk during the day.

We bought a MINIVAN...what?!

That's right. I am now the proud owner of a minivan and couldn't be happier. The neon was just not cutting it anymore so we decided to look for another option. After lots of research, I knew a van was the way to go over an SUV. We finally found the great deal we were hoping for and bought a 2008 Chrysler Town and Country.

If you would have asked me a year ago if I would ever be caught dead driving a van I would have told you H to the NO! But then reason and practicality won out and here I am, driving a minivan. As I told Dan "I make this look good".

It is silver with a leather interior (a must with children). Has 2 captain chairs and a DVD player. Even though Eddie never watches TV, he quite likes watching movies in the van.

I think this is going to be a great vehicle as our family continues to grow.

A Mother's Proudest Moment

As a mom, there are a lot of milestones that occur in your child's life. The first smile, the first laugh, the first step. And with all of them we celebrate our child's accomplishment, and our own for either teaching them how, or enduring the learning process.

Most of the time I feel that Eddie is too young to comprehend what is going on around him. At least I like to think that he doesn't understand the word "no" as opposed to thinking he is willfully ignoring me.

But a few weeks ago I learned that he catches on pretty fast. We were sitting in church, getting ready for the sacrament prayer, when Eddie suddenly folded his arms and bowed his head. I thought that maybe it was just a fluke, but he did it again at family prayer before bedtime. He doesn't stay this way through the whole prayer, but will do it off and on amongst walking between Dan and I until we are done. Then he claps instead of saying amen.

Now, every night when it is bedtime, Eddie will walk into his room and fold his arms, looking at Dan and I as if to say "I"m ready for prayer". We then kneel down together as a family, say a prayer, then Eddie gives us kisses, even Tommy, then goes to bed.

 Over the last year I have often felt that church was not worth the struggle. Eddie would fight us during sacrament, then be so tired during the last 2 hours that it was just a pain to try to keep him quiet and happy. There were many Sundays that I decided it was just easier to stay home. But now I know that the effort is worth it. 

So more often that not, when we pray, my eyes are open so that I can watch Eddie fold his arms and close his eyes. I can't help but smile. This has been my proudest moment as a mother. And it gives me hope that as I continue to live my life the way I should that maybe, just maybe, Eddie will catch onto some of the good stuff.

Thomas' Newborn Pictures

We had Tommy's newborn pictures taken when he was just under 2 weeks old. Of course the task fell to my dear friend Andrea who always tackles our family photos with such willingness and skill.

Tommy was awake the entire session. He is one of the most awake and alert newborns I have ever seen. But as soon as we were in the car to leave he slept for the next 6 hours. And Eddie refused to be part of pictures but would occasionally dart into a shot with Dan or I, and Andrea was quick enough to capture the split second. Overall I think the pictures came out great! I think my favorite is the one of just my boys... I couldn't be a prouder momma!

The Whole Cardall Clan

The Cardall family had pictures taken right after Tommy was born. We did all of us, which includes Dan's parents, the six kids, and all of their children. Then we also did individual families and the grandkids. The pictures came out great. Take a look!

The Grandkids...

 Back Row: Wesley Cardall, Thomas Cardall, Kelsey Harris, Macazlyn Harris, Cole Johnson, Jordan Speth, Dalan Speth, Brayden Speth
3rd Row: Skylee Cardall, Tanner Cardall, Caden Harris, Brynlie Harris, Haylee Cardall, Craigun Johnson
2nd Row: Graycee Cardall, Olivia Condie, Hudson Condie, Gavan Speth, Ammon Speth, Hattie Harris
Front Row: Sophie Harris, Edward Cardall, Jax Cardall, Blake Condie

Just our family...

The siblings...

The siblings and spouses...

The Whole Gang...