What is she going to teach her?

Ella is a mess. It is what it is. They always say your going to get a child that's just like you (for pay backs) and this, I think, is what we got....Chris? However it comes, I'm so glad Ella is in our lives. She makes makes it interesting and stressful but so much fun! This child has NO fear and will try anything once, ......or twice, or three times. The other day, she started off the day by falling off our bed while trying to reach over to our night stand to get her pluggie (that I was trying to hide). I think she got too excited and was literally leaping towards it- do you think we're going to have a hard time getting rid of it? Later on that day she ran right into the corner of our kitchen table giving herself her first black eye! To top off the day she fell down about 5 stairs while coming downstairs (and Chris was right beside her)! The funny thing is, this stuff doesn't seem to phase her.

I just had to catch a picture of her in her usual orneriness, standing on the rocking horse JUMPING up and down! Poor Olivia was just sitting there taking it all in- WHAT IS ELLA GOING TO TEACH HER POOR LITTLE SISTER? What if Olivia is not as daring or outgoing like her? What if she is scared of those things? I just pray Ella is easy on her and doesn't get her in too many predicaments! I can already hear Ella "Come on Olivia, just try it!".





Here's her black eye - this is a few days old so it's faded a bit!

Bowling with the Lamer Fam

I just love getting together with family. There is just an unexplainable comfort when you are surrounded by people you love! Since my grandparents have passed way, I love that the Lamer side has made such a great effort to still get together every month or so. This month we went bowling and it was a blast! This was Ella's first time and Nick's second time and they both enjoyed it so much.
Olivia enjoyed it too!

Daddy and his baby girl

She's geting so big

Nick bowling

Papa Jim showing Ella how to bowl- what a great Papa!

Look at her on her toes - too cute.

Aunt Nae Nae and Uncle Jeff

My aunt Jobi and her daughter Ally

Counsin Reagan and Ella loved each other

Me, Ella, and my mom (nana)

My mom and my brother, Bryce.

My aunt Mimi (Melody) and Olivia

Uncle MIke, Aunt Dee Dee and Olivia

Cousins! Love these girls

Bryce, Jessica, and Josh (the younger cousins)

Elmo

Ella and I had a fabulous time with some great friends this weekend. It is so neat that some of our closest friends have kids her age and I can't wait for lots more memories and events with these two.


Ella and I before the show


My sweet friend (Lucy's mommy) gave these cute Elmo books and Elmo crackers to the kids before the show! Too cute.


Group picture attempt of Grayson, Lucy, and Ella!


Ella loved Elmo!


Sweet little Lucy and her awesome mommy, Amanda!


Cute little Grayson and one of my good friends, Julie!


Here comes ELMO!


Look at these two cuties! Can't wait to show them these pictures when they are 16!


Lucy and Ella walked around holding hands the whole day.

Snack Time

Ella loves snack time and doesn't let me forget when that time of day comes around! She usually loves snacking on crackers and cheese, (lots of) yogurt, fruit, and gold fish. Today, totally my mistake, I poured her a few gold fish on her plate and walked away for literally a second to get her drink. Before I even took 2 steps away I heard a loud "whoosh" and instantly knew what she had done. I didn't even want to turn around. I remember thinking "Laren....why did you leave that BIG container right in front of a curious, independent 19 month old?". I took a breath and put a smile on my face and calmly explained to her that mommy has to help with the fish - that's what Ella calls them. She instantly started singing the "clean up" song, and started playing/ picking up the gold fish. I just had to laugh, what else was there to do? It's little moments like this that makes me realize how boring my life would be without kids!

Slumber Party

Nick wanted to sleep with Ella last Friday so Chris and I thought - why not? We both remember sleeping with our siblings and getting some good 'ol sibling bonding time and thought it was sweet Nick asked to sleep with Ella. We told him that he would have to sleep in her crib, because Ella would not stay in his bed, and Nick agreed. We wanted to know what they would talk about - with Ella only being 19 months - and how it would go, so we spied. Guilty as charged. It was too cute hearing their conversation about Ella's 'Chole' the glow worm and how it was out of batteries. I think Nick just got sick of hearing it and switched it off. Nick kept trying to get Ella to go to sleep, but Ella didn't want to give in. After about an hour they both were out. Here is their first time to sleep together, and I'm sure many more nights to come!

Dribble Dribble...

Elia has love balls since I can remember and is now bound and determined to get it to "dribble". She just started yelling "dribble, dribble" the other day when I was in the kitchen and when I peaked around the corner that is what I found. Her vocabulary is growing by the day and it seems she has a new word almost everyday. It's really neat to see her vocalizing things more and I know before too long she will be saying sentences, so I just had to get a video of her baby talk before it's too late.



Ella dribbling the ball.

Spring Break Fun!

We started off the spring break going to my parents for a couple of days. We had so much fun hanging out and relaxing, and it's always nice to change up the scenery. I always love going to my parents house. They make it so comfortable and always seem to have the best food. I think food is more enjoyable when your not the one cooking it; and not having two kids in your lap while you eat is a plus too! In a sense I guess I love feeling like a kid again and having someone 'take care of me' every once in awhile. Thanks mom and dad, I love you.

Ella loves checking the cattle with papa and nana and loves all the new activities there. Olivia got held most of the time, which I'm sure she loves as well! My sister ended up joining us for a couple days, which really made it fun to be 'home' again. I love spending time with her and doing things together. She is one of my best friends. I always feel so comfortable around her and conversation is so fun and easy. Having a sister like her makes me excited for Ella and Olivia. I hope someday they will be best friends and can call each other to vent, laugh, or get advise from each other. Janae and I made layered wooden crosses together and I made an art board for the kids to hang their art on! It was nice to get to do some crafting- since this is a rarity for me now!

One day we went to a kids museum in Enid, Leonardo's. Ella enjoyed every bit of it.


My mom and sister helping Ella with the blowing balls!

Ella and her new love - STAMPS!

Ella just loved this little shopping cart. She pushed it around the whole museum.

Little Livi enjoyed it too!
My sister and I

Olivia loves her Nana

Nanna and Ella playing doctor

Jumperoo Time

Olivia is now 4 months old and is getting stronger everyday. Her new thing she just started is trying to scoot while she is on her tummy. I hate to say, but I think she's going to be ready to crawl sooner than I hoped. She's still a few months away for sure, but she's already figured out how to scrunch her legs and push! She has also just started to jump in her jumperoo. This video is towards the end of her jumperoo session, so she's a little tired here- but still so cute!




I just love the picture of Nick and her because I think you can tell by his expression what he's thinking...."you're just so cute". Sometimes I just want to squeeze those little cheeks too Nick! It's so funny to me hearing Nick in his high pitched mommy voice saying "You sa pretty girls Olivia....yes you are, yes you are".

Nick's first soccer game

NIck played in his first soccer game this weekend! He did such a great job for never playing this sport before and only having two practices. Chris and I are not soccer players so we didn't have a lot to prep him on before his game. Nick played midfield and goalie ( is that what's is called in soccer?) and most importantly had fun doing it.

After the game Nick told me "I'm better at basketball, but I'll practice and get good at soccer too." It was just one of those moments that made me realize how grow up he is. Even though we brag on him and tell him how good he does, he is starting to have his own opinion on 'how good he is'.

Our eventful Friday

So I get to wake up bright and early to these three beautiful children. Surprisingly it starts with Nick quietly venturing to the living room to watch some good ol cartoons. About 30 minutes later (7:30am) Ella lets out a loud "Mommmeeeee"from her crib and either Chris or I will go get her standing ready to go with her 5 pluggies, blanket and baby in hand. We have breakfast, play, and then Olivia usually joins us around 8:30. I love the mornings. It's so much more pleasant now that it's not a mad rush getting all 5 of us ready to go for the day. Ella usually wants to go with daddy when he leaves for the office, but quickly gets distracted with her babies or coloring, or whatever we may do. Today it was going to the zoo!



Olivia is teething so the zoo was not much fun for her today. She started slobbering like crazy about 2 weeks ago, but now it's hurting her. I HATE teething! Here she is though in the 30 minutes she was happy today. Look at that red hair!


Here is the before picture of the project I'm starting on. I envision this to be painted up cute, with curtains and furniture inside. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

This is the everyday "me". Thank goodness for the 'baby harness'. I don't think I could make it through my day without it.




Olivia found her hands a few weeks ago and is amused by this new discovery. She loves looking at her hands and grabbing everything in sight. I love this! You forger too quickly that they didn't always know how to use them.

I absolutely LOVE LOVE watching these two form their sweet little relationship. Ella is finally at an age where Nick is really enjoying her company. They play so well together and are so sweet to each other. We do not allow any fighting of any sort between these two, and require immediate apologizes if either does something not nice. Now we don't even have to make them say sorry to each other- they just do it on their own. I love how sweet they are to each other and we are super lucky Nick is such a loving older brother. He rarely seems annoyed with Ella and includes her in any type of play- even his army men that takes so long to set up! He's a super sweet brother.

Note: Nick gave up his shoes to Ella (even though she had some of her own) because she has a weird obsession with his shoes. He went barefoot so she could have them - isn't this sweet? Also, YES both of my kids have tattoos in this picture - thanks to their wonderful daddy. And no they don't come off in the bath!



I thought this was an awesome shot of her hair. Chris wondered what it would look like if she didn't have her piggies.