Happy Birthday USMC

Every November, Marines far and wide don their dress blues in celebration of their birthday.  They are told "Happy Birthday" by both Marines, Civilians, and those of other branches of the service.  It is a big event in history, one that is celebrated every year.  

Just how does a Marine celebrate?  By throwing a Marine Corps Ball.  

The Marine Corps ball is a tradition that's been going on for years now.  Balls are held all across the world, even here in Japan.  It's the event Marines wait for all year.

Now having spent over 4 years with the Marine Corps, we've been to a few balls.  Last year, we had a great time because our best friends joined us.  This year though, they had moved.  

Dima's ball was very early this year.  Just having had a baby, I decided to not attend.  There are few people I would trust with Eli at this point, not to mention I don't feel like dressing up right now.  Skipping out seemed to be the best plan this year.  Dima still attended though, and he took along his camera so I could share these photos with friends and family.  Dima was in the ceremony this year, so I was excited to see these photos.  Looks like it was a good night.  And don't worry Dima, I'll join you next year!  

Dima and Eli ready to go

Zach didn't want to join the photos

Future Marine?

My favorite three boys!

I love this one of Zach!

Happy Birthday Marines!  

Semper Fi!

Zach and the purple crayon & playtime

The past week Zach and I are trying to keep busy.  He's quite obsessed with coloring, so coloring takes up a good portion of his time when I'm busy with baby brother.  Unfortunately, when I'm busy with brother, it's not easy to keep a close eye on Zach.  Today he proved how much of a problem that is.

Zach decided my walls looked better purple!

It was bound to happen.  Zach has colored my wall purple.  Of all colors you had to pick my least favorite?  Luckily, there is a little tool that is heaven sent for moms with toddlers- Magic Erasers!  I sternly explained to Zach that he does not color on the walls.  I took the crayon away and had him clean up after himself.  The problem?  He loves to clean so this was a treat for him.  As he gets older, I'm sure this will be a bad punishment for him.  

I've been busy bringing Zach to the park this week too.  Eli LOVES babywearing, just as Zach did.  This gives me the chance to do things like this with Zach more often.  We try to get out of the house every day to go play at the playground near our house.  Zach has so much fun, and often times gets to play with other kids his age.  We're busy keeping busy over here!  Even a little is something these days!

Peek a boo!

going down the slide!

Proof that he has hair!  And no, that's not a bruise, it's dirt!

Hey mom!

He was mad at me because I wouldn't let him take the picture!

Elijah 365- Part 6

Can you believe it's already been six weeks since Eli was born?  Wow how time flies!  Ok.  I lied.  These days the days seem VERY slow for me.  Why?  Because all of my time is spent sitting down feeding or rocking Eli to sleep.  My Iphone has become my best friend, that is if I can even keep my eyes open to look at the screen.  I'm exhausted!  

The good news: Thanks to all that eating, Eli is getting big.  And by big, I mean he's getting fat.  A healthy baby boy fat.  He's developing "bracelets" as I call them- the little rings around his wrists from the fat on his arms.  Soon enough he'll have rolls on his thighs.  I've already had to start lifting the fat rolls in his neck to clean under his chins! 

The bad news: He has lost his hair.  Babies, especially those with light hair, lose their hair at this point.  It grows back... eventually.  Unfortunately we are still waiting for Zach's hair to grow back and he's over a year and a half.  No telling how long we will be waiting for Eli's hair to grow in.  The odds aren't in his favor.  

And now... the photos from this week's adventures:  

Day 43- Oct 22  Sleepy boy while mommy and daddy worked out!

Day 44- Oct 23  It's exhausting being a froggy

Day 45- Oct 24  Showing off his Little Brother shirt!

Day 46- Oct 25  Daddy had duty yesterday so he needed a nap.  Both boys needed snuggle time

Day 47- Oct 26  Saying bye to Daddy before he goes to the Marine Corps Ball

Day 48- Oct 27  At a party with mommy for halloween/fall.  Eli is woodstock!

Day 49- Oct 28  Eli- you have pooh on your head!

sunday morning pancakes

When I think of sunday mornings, I think of a lazy morning spent in pajamas.  I think of big family breakfasts and lounging around like a bum.  When I was a kid, my brother and I would get up early and make pancakes for my parents sometimes- just because.  I love pancakes.  Always have.  Always will.
So this morning I woke up and thought to myself that we all needed a lazy Sunday morning.  We stayed in our pj's for hours and had our big sunday morning breakfast together.
I had a package of gluten free organic pancake mix and I just knew this was the morning for it.  I also knew that Zach was now old enough to help mommy make the pancakes.  There is nothing better then cooking or baking with your kids- especially toddlers!  Zach had a great time helping mommy with the mixer and had even more fun organizing the coffee on the counter for mommy and daddy!
Our pancake recipe made a ton of pancakes- enough that we were able to freeze more then half and reheat for the week at breakfast!  Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day- it is the largest meal we eat every day so having breakfast together is a great thing!

He's putting the coffee cup into the measuring cup.  I thought we were making pancakes!

helping with the mixer!

mmmm

We ate together at Zach's new big boy table!  

Gobbling them up!

Let's play some football!

Our neighbor, Joey is a ball of energy.  He's constantly on the run and is quite honestly hard to keep up with.  So when his parents asked him what sport he'd like to play a few months ago- it was no surprise that he decided on football.  For weeks after being issued his gear, he was running around outside with his helmet and shoulder pads on.  He was so excited and proud to be a football player and was excited for his season to start.  

This morning, we decided we would go to one of his football games.  Zach would love watching and seeing other people outside of our house, and we could all get some fresh air.  It was a beautiful day- perfect for a day of football!  (ok, maybe not perfect- it's still very hot out so it's not exactly that fall weather you envision with football!)  We packed up the stroller with all of Eli's stuff (amazing how much stuff is required for an hour outing with an infant) and headed up to the field for the bulldog's first game!

We had a great time watching, and seriously- how cute is it to watch a bunch of 6-7 year olds with football gear on?  Half of them were crying the entire time, but it was still a show to see.  Joey did great and his team won!  

Zach seemed to fit right in- he sat right down in a lawn chair and stole Wendy's water bottle and went to town.  He ended up drinking the entire thing while sitting and chatting with her.  He occasionally yelled "GO GO GO!" and even motioned "touchdown" once.  He liked watching everyone clap and cheer for the teams, and joined in.  The problem was he was cheering for the other team.  Guess he's showing good sportsmanship!  That's my boy!  

We had an awesome time and it makes me excited for the days when my boys play sports.  Whatever sports they decide on that is!  

GO BULLDOGS!

Getting ready for the game

He loves making silly faces!

Joey at half time!

What a face

My littlest little football fan!

This little girl was really into her cheering!

Looks like a wink there!

Does it get any cuter?

Elijah 365- part 5

It's hard to believe that tomorrow my boy will be 6 weeks old.  Time goes very slowly these days, but I'm still surprised to see the date on the calendar.  I'm very excited to have hit my 6 week mark because it means I can workout again.  Six weeks makes no difference to an infant though.  We will continue on as we are.  

We've had a long week.  Eli is barely sleeping these days.  Two nights in a row this week he was up every 30 min-1 hour.  It seems that the second I put him back in his crib, he wakes up again.  He loves to be held, so that brief second wakes him.  I'm exhausted.  Dima's exhausted (even though he only gets up 1-2 times at night to change a diaper or two).  We are ready to fast forward a few months!  The first 3-4 months are hard in my opinion because you really can't get them into a routine until they are at least 3 months old.  In the meantime, I'm glad to be a stay at home mom.  I couldn't imagine doing this while working full time.  This is a job in itself.  Though I don't get paid, I'm exhausted and my bosses exhaust me every day.  At least my co-worker is hot!  

And without further ado... here are Elijah's weekly photos!  

Day 35- Oct 14   Looking ready for a fight!

Day 36- Oct 15  Tubby time with Mommy! 

Day 37- Oct 16.  My little bear cub! 

Day 38- Oct 17.  Hanging with Big brother in the morning

Day 39- Oct 18.  Sleepy boy!

Day 40- Oct 19.  Getting kisses from big brother!

Day 41- Oct 20.  Hanging with daddy!

Day 42- Oct 21.  This has got to be the most comfortable sleeping position ever!