Dan's 34th Birthday

We just celebrated Dan's 34 birthday. Normally I have a really hard time surprising him because he always either intercepts his gift coming in the mail, or sees a note I have made about picking something up for it etc. So I was totally on top of it this year. I had his gifts mailed to the Walton's that live nearby so there would be no chance Dan would see the package.

For months Dan has been talking about going to see "The Hobbit". He also knows that I HATE "The Lord of the Rings". Well it came out in theaters the weekend of his birthday. I told him that if he wanted to see it he would have to ask his buddy Ryan Walton to go with him. Secretly, I set up for the Walton's to babysit, bought tickets before they were sold out, then had Ryan tell Dan all the tickets were sold out when he asked him to go.

So for days before Dan's birthday, he's been complaining about how its his birthday and all he wants to do it go see "The Hobbit" and he's not going to get too. So the morning of the big day, I hand him his birthday card which has the tickets in it. He was so excited and shocked he didn't know what to do. I was so proud of myself for pulling off the surprise!

Well, I endured the 3 hour long movie, and it was as horrible as I thought it was going to be, but Dan loved it so that is all that matters. For after the movie we went back to Ryan and Jen's and had shepherd's pie (Dan's favorite) for dinner. Then I made German Chocolate Cake, also Dan's favorite, opened gifts and stayed up way too late playing games. All in all I think Dan had a wonderful 34th birthday!!!

 The Walton boys helped me put the candles on so some might be backwards:)

Eddie's First Snow Day

Today was the first time Eddie has been able to go out and play in the snow. And there was plenty for him to play in too. He had fun helping dad shovel, and even tried to help push the snow blower. But the little stinker didn't want to keep his gloves on so it was a short play session. But he enjoyed every minute!

Dan's sister sent me this cartoon the other day and it is so true...

Some people dream of flying...

but I dream of running. I know it sounds crazy, but it is true. I have dreams where I can run for a long time and not feel tired. And I can run fast, not super human or anything. It is so freeing and exhilarating. I wake up just wanting to run. But then I do, and I feel like I'm going to die after 30 seconds.

So I decided I want to run a marathon this year. Crazy I know, but I'm not getting any younger. So for the past 6 weeks I have been training 4+ days a week in hopes of running the Provo City marathon first part of May.

It has been a slow process, and I am so far away from where I need to be that most days I think this is pointless and I'll never be able to do it. But at the same time I can already feel myself getting stronger. I can run longer and faster than when I started. So far I have been able to stick to the training schedule I got online. I figure as long as I can do that, I will be good.

I really enjoy the time I spend running. I put my ipod on, turn it so loud that 3 treadmills away can hear it, and I just run. Hopefully as the weather gets warmer I can spend more time running outside, but right now the only way I can get away is to take the kids to the daycare at gold's gym and run inside. Dan works during all the daylight hours and I don't feel comfortable running in the dark. I plan it so that Tommy just sleeps in his car seat. And luckily Eddie has finally gotten used to it and loves going there to play with all the new toys. 

It has been a great way to get back in shape after the baby. As of last week I am officially half a pound less than my pre-pregnancy weight. And between the running and the dairy free diet I feel amazing. I rarely ever need a nap or feel tired. I feel less stressed with the kids, and I feel like I can balance my crazy schedule of housewife, mother, and Realtor a little better.

So here is to my lofty goal of running 26.2 miles. I have no goals of running it fast, or placing or anything like that. I just want to finish it within the 6 hour time limit. Even if I crawl across the finish line...

Tommy is 3 Months Old

Where does the time go!!! I swear I was just pregnant, and now I have this sweet, beautiful baby boy. Tommy is getting bigger with everyday that goes by. He is smiling more and laughing on occasion. He is a very serious kid so catching a smile makes me feel special.

Tommy has had very bad acid reflux. We tried medication, but it just didn't seem to help. So after some research and people suggesting it, I went off of dairy and caffeine to see if it would make a difference. And when I say off dairy, I mean no yogurt, cheese, milk, bread with dairy in it, things with butter on them etc. Talk about limiting my food options. But for better or for worse, it actually worked. Tommy used to fuss and cry during feedings, then for 20-30 minutes after he would moan and groan because his tummy hurt with a lot of spitting up and gas. Now he eats just fine, rarely has gas, and spits up way less than he used to. So I guess I'm off dairy until I quit breast feeding. I'm at 8 weeks and counting. I was able to find some formula that was dairy free in case I needed to supplement, but of course now he won't take a bottle. But nursing has been much easier the second time around so I think I can survive for a few more months at least.

I have wondered a lot lately if cutting these things out of my diet with Eddie would have helped. He had such bad acid reflux and was so colicky, but I didn't know at the time that it could be my diet affecting him.

Tommy sleeps really well most of the time. His normal is waking twice during the night to eat, but on occasion he seems to eat all night long. With only having 2 bedrooms we still have him in with us so he doesn't wake Eddie.

He is such a good, happy baby. He just loves to be held and cuddled. On occasion when I want to nap or really need a good nights sleep I have found that if I hold him he will sleep forever.

With Eddie I was always so excited for the next phase...rolling over, crawling, walking etc. This time around I have mixed feelings. I am excited for him to get bigger so he can play with his big brother, but at the same time I just want him to stay my baby. I'm ok with him staying in one spot, and not having any teeth yet. Hopefully I can enjoy each stage a little more this time.

Eddie is 18 Months Old

My big boy is 18 months old today. My how the time flies. He is learning so much every day. His vocabulary is now a little bigger. It consists of mom, dad, no, more, yummy yummy, go, and keys.

Eddie is obsessed with car keys, specifically key fobs. Several times now while out in public I have gone out to the parking lot to find all of the doors on the van open and the car horn going off. And taking the keys away is a guaranteed melt down that can go on forever.

He is in the "do it myself" stage. This includes going down the stairs facing forward with only one hand on the wall, and feeding himself. I basically have to bathe him after every meal. He also likes to put food on his head. No idea why, but that is his latest thing.

He has started figuring out how to get dressed and undressed. He is always putting on Dan's shoes, or taking his pants off, or trying to put a sock on.

Eddie is for sure momma's little helper. He knows how to turn the tv off, and open the door and turn the light on so we can leave. He will even bring me his coat and shoes when I say it's time to go. Although he may not speak much, he understand a lot. He will put dishes in the sink, throw things away and put dirty clothes in the hamper.

Over the last month he has also been obsessed with the knobs on the stove. This is fine when in the off position, but when I try to cook it is a battle of him either turning them up or off. And even though every time he gets a time out, and occasionally a spanking...he still does it. Apparently it is worth any punishment that I have come up with to date. He also loves to bring his train into the kitchen so he can stand on the back and reach the countertops and drawers. He pulls all the silverware out, and has pulled several cereal bowls full of milk off of the counter since I never remember to push them back far enough.

He still loves to dance and will bust a move every time a good song or commercial comes on. He now loves to play with cars and trucks, especially big ones, and will push them all over the house. And he loves to play with his baby brother. Sometimes he can get a little rough so he must be watched closely, but it is so cute to watch Tommy smile at him.

I swear Eddie is 18 months going on 3 years. Physically he is ahead of the curve, but speech wise he is taking his time. His new phase is to scream over everything. I hope he learns to use his words quickly because the screaming gets my nerves very fast.

Along with Eddie learning to fold his arms during prayer, we have started reading My First Book of Mormon every night before he goes to bed. Most nights we can keep his attention long enough to get through one of the very short stories. 

We are so excited for Christmas this year with Eddie. He is big enough now that it will be fun for him to open presents. I tried to be good and not spoil him, but I keep finding things here and there that I just HAVE to get. At least he's not old enough to know he's being spoiled!

But we love our Eddie-Monster so much. He is such a joy and a light to our family. I hope the next 6 months go a little slower as I am not ready for him to be 2 yet. I enjoy every cuddle I get because I know they are going away all too soon. Love you Eddie!!!!

Tommy's Baby Blessing

   We blessed Thomas Alan Cardall today. It was a crazy weekend getting everything ready, but it all turned out wonderful. We blessed him in the Meadowlard Ward in Sandy, Utah at 1pm. This is currently our home ward. Dan did an absolutely wonderful job with the following blessing...

"Our Father in Heaven, by the authority of the Melkezadik Priesthood we take this infant in our arms to give him a name and a blessing. Thomas Alan Cardall, at this time we bless you to be well and grow strong. We bless you with a healthy mind and body. We bless you that as you mature and grow that you will rely on your Heavenly Father to guide your life. We bless you to continue to be a wonderful joy to your family, that you will listen to your family and Heavenly Father that you may do right, live a good life, serve a mission and marry in the temple. These things we bless you with in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. "

Those who stood in the circle:
            Dan Cardall, Alan Cardall, Joe Cardall, Mike Cardall, Cade Harris, Chad Condie, Dave Summers, Mike Mergenthaler, Cole Mergenthaler and Ryan Walton.

Those in attendance:
Alan & Nancy Cardall, Joe & Tiffany Cardall & Family, Mike & Kelli Cardall and Family, Cade & Shelly Harris & Family, Jenny Speth & Family, Chad & Ashley Condie & Family, Dave & Julie Summers, Jordan & Hannah Farrer, Mike & Shannon Mergenthaler, Cole & Shannon Mergenthaler, Whitney Gardner, Cory, Stephanie & Mackennon Tueller, and Ryan & Jeni Walton & Family.

After the blessing everyone met over at Jessop's Gym, which is a place close to our house used for parties and events. We had a potato bar and chatted with everyone before people had to start taking off to go home.

My parents and brother Cole and his wife had come down to spend the weekend with us which was so much fun. So unfortunately they had to take off almost as soon as sacrament was over to begin the long drive back to Montana. 

          

Merry Christmas!