That's One Hot Mama!

For all of you who read this blog you probably know all about Ellie and even a little about me. But what you probably don't know is just how awesome of a wife and mother Stacie is. I know that Stacie will never write a post about herself, so I thought for Mother's Day I would take the opportunity to brag about my sweet, sexy, super hot wife.

Stacie loves Ellie so much. And in return Ellie loves Stacie so much. Actually, more than anyone. I know that sounds obvious but it really is true. There isn't a soul that Ellie feels more comfortable with than with Mommy. Last week Ellie woke up and was crying harder than I've ever heard her cry before, I went to try and console her and see if there was anything that she needed. I held her, rocked her, and sang to her. No help. She was still really upset. Then Stacie came in and took her and held her, rocked her, and sang to her, and she calmed right down. Ellie loves a lot of people; grandmas, grandpas, cousins, and even daddy, but there is something special about the bond between Ellie and Stacie.

I wish you all could see all the hard work that Stacie does for Ellie. It's one thing to provide and know what Ellie needs physically, that's pretty easy since Ellie won't really let you forget that she needs to eat or wants to sleep. But providing the stuff that Ellie doesn't know she needs is a different story. One of the things that I've been really impressed with is the way Stacie interacts with Ellie all day. The four things that Stacie and Ellie do the most are: talk together, play together, read together, and sing together. And, no surprise, the four things that Ellie loves most are: talking, playing, reading, and singing. I have a sneaky suspicion that Ellie and Mommy will always have a special little bond.

Stacie not only does a lot for Ellie, she also does a lot for me. I can't tell you how many times I've come home to a ready-to-eat, delicious dinner, or to laundry done and put away, or the dishes done, or all of the above. I know she doesn't do it for her. Two little known facts: One, Stacie, like a normal person, hates doing laundry and dishes. Two, I am actually kind of a clean freak, but not a big cleaning freak, if that makes sense. So Stacie, because she loves me, will surprise me with a clean kitchen. It means extra because I know she hates doing it so much.

Stacie is also extremely supportive. I'm still in school. In fact, I've been in school for a long time... like an eternity... maybe two. Sometimes that means late nights at school, weekend homework, and essentially a not-very-fun husband. Stacie is pretty good at being encouraging but not discouraging. I know it's extremely hard for her to spend all day taking care of Ellie and then have no husband at night during the semester. But she doesn't complain, she just says "Are you doing your very best to get good grades but still finish quickly? Then that's all you can do." I get stressed pretty easily with school. I know we're both ready to move on with the next phase of our lives, but we can't because of school. To me it seems like it my fault we're not moving on, but her attitude and support help me out a lot.

If you're tired of hearing about how awesome Stacie is, too bad. One of the greatest things I love about Stacie (besides her hot bod, of course) is her loyalty. Every once in a while, something will happen at school that's pretty ridiculous. A professor did something stupid making me a lower grade, or a member of a group didn't do their part of the project making it hard for the rest of the group, or whatever. To Stacie, these people become instant enemies. I love that. Though it's never happened, I know if I ever did get in a gang fight, Stacie would have my back.

Stacie is my rock. I love her so much. She is my angel, and my sweetheart. I couldn't be happier spending the rest of eternity with her. I wouldn't trade my life for anything in the whole world. Not money, not fame, not even a lifetime supply of bacon and mint chocolate chip ice cream. She's just the best. I know it, and now you know it too. Happy Mother's Day!

9 Months

Elliot Claire is 9 months old!

I am in shock at how fast my baby is becoming a little girl. Elliot has now been outside my body for as much time as she spent inside me. How crazy is that? I often find myself wishing time would stand still...like when I cuddle her damp little body in a soft towel after a bath or when she strokes my face while I sing to her before bed. While part of me panics at how quickly she is changing, I can't help but be thrilled at what a beautiful, intelligent, sweet daughter Christian and I have.

Here are some new updates of Ellie Bellie in the past month:

• She isn't a fan of grass -- too pokey for that soft baby skin. She'll try to crawl on it but doesn't get too far since that requires touching it with her hands. At this point in time, she prefers indoor lounging.

• She still takes three naps a day. One in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening. Hallelujah. 

• This girl is an animal lover. She yips and squeals at any animal she sees (real or not), especially puppies. 

Ellie and her internet dog doppelganger, "Boo." Don't they look alike? In a cute, round face sort of way :) 

• Ellie loves to cuddle after her bath. Mommy loves it too. Another thing she loves to do in the bath is lick the bottom of the tub when the water is drained. Yuck! We've learned to get her out, THEN drain the tub :)

• Ellie babe has finally graduated to her crib full time. It took a little while for her to get used to it but now she's a champ! I love sneaking in on her and seeing what funny positions she ended up in. 

• This babe is growing so quickly! We put her hair in pigtails for the first time the other day and bam! She was immediately a little girl and no longer a baby. Pigtails are cute, and so is the fuzzy hair aftermath :)

• She loves to point to pictures when reading books. Here she is lounging with Daddy before bedtime :)

• E-Claire is getting into everything these days. She especially loves the DVD shelf.

• Her second tooth finally broke through!

• Did I mention she crawls now? Look at her go!

• Ellie went on her first train ride! We took Front Runner down to Provo for a play date with some friends the other day. She was a little hesitant at first but soon wanted to get down on the floor and explore. She got mad when I wouldn't let her. 

• We went to St. George a couple of weeks ago and Miss E went to the sand dunes for the first time! We had to put sunscreen and a hat on her so she wouldn't burn (she has fair skin like her daddy) but we all had a great time!

• Elliot Claire got to experience her very first Easter. Her Great Grandma Palmer bought her the cutest little dress to wear on Sunday. Ellie also got some matching sunglasses from Grandma Carnley. Also, Ellie LOVED her hard boiled Easter egg. She wouldn't let go of it and kept putting her little lips on it to kiss it. 

• Elliot is loving her big girl lunches. Her favorites include PB toast, yogurt, cottage cheese, crackers, any fruit, and of course, Craisins. She loves to feed herself.

• Ellie Bellie has the cutest, cheesiest smile. She crinkles her nose, flashes her two tiny teeth, and tilts her big head onto her shoulder. It is THE CUTEST. Too bad I don't have a picture of it because it is reserved for when she's shyly flirting with someone (usually men) at church.

• This baby has become such a Momma's girl lately. I'm flattered, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I wish she'd go to other people more easily. We're working on it :)

• This babe loves, loves music. And dancing. This video doesn't do it justice, but Grandma and Grandpa bought her a musical car that she totally rocks out to. 

• Ellie has always been good at copying what she sees and hears. She's a pro at waving, blowing kisses and raspberries, clicking her tongue, "singing" and now...copying mommy when she says "no." (That word has become a lot more common around our house since she learned to crawl).

• I have never met a baby so into hygiene as this one. Elliot is a pro and hardly ever puts up a fight when it's time to clip her nails, brush her teeth, or clean out her ears. She's such a girl :) 

• Mom's favorite part of this stage: Crawling and chasing Ellie around the house! I'll hide behind a corner and she'll crawl after me giggling all the way. Playing is so much more fun now that she's mobile.

• Mom's least favorite part of this stage: Lately, Ellie has decided the best time to poop is in the bathtub. I hope she grows out of this quickly...because I am sick of sanitizing and scrubbing the tub every day!

• Stats:
• Weight: 18.5 pounds (50th percentile)
• Height: 27.5 inches (50th percentile)
• Head: 18.25 inches (95th percentile)

And now for the picture timeline: