Yes, Another Video

I finally put in new batteries into my camera, so I'm making up for lost time, which is just a month of no pictures of Michael, but I feel so guilty (yes, I am one of those overzealous parents who has to take pictures of every waking moment of my child - I'm sure he'll be very disappointed to discover only a couple pictures of him at three months old). He's a really social little guy and within the past couple of weeks has taken off with the whole babbling thing. He mimics the sounds we make, so I think he's uncommonly smart and gifted (in the same way that every parent feels about their own spectacular child), but either way, he's pretty cute and occasionally, he'll cuddle with me (this is real progress, as it never happens) - so I think we're starting to bond (I was just waiting for him to come around) :) Enjoy!

I cut Elise's hair, and though I caught her off guard with this pic, it's actually pretty cute :) (it's layered, that way no one can tell that it's so uneven...)

Michael Laughing

I thought this was hysterical - he's so cute!!

Family Pictures

So, a few months ago, a neighbor of ours took some pictures of our family. The ones that turned out well and didn't include crying (freezing) children, are down below. If I can figure out how to develop them (they're on a dvd, which for some reason doesn't work at Wal-Mart), I'll send them out with Michael's announcement (which announcements were done in February and will be sent out in June...if midterms aren't too time-consuming - ah the joys of school) and our incredibly late Christmas card. Enjoy! - there's a lot :)

You've got to love the desert...

I was terrified that Michael was dying - I overreact to everything, it's a problem, I know - but, he had this weird rash that looked like a curling iron burn (trust me, it's not - I am way too overprotective to put him anywhere near anything remotely hot). But, anyway, it would flare up and get really dark red - it was the weirdest thing. So, after a month of this (it would get really pale and so I was never sure if it was serious until recently), Rand suggested calling the doctor. Rand never suggests going to the doctor, so my mind started jumping to vaccination reactions, childhood cancer - death was imminent and I was really concerned. Turns out, it's just dry skin - numular eczema to be exact. Since Rexburg is so dry (could've fooled me), babies up here tend to get this a lot, and occasionally they look like weird curling iron burns. I felt really foolish for going to the doctor b/c of dry skin (I even got a perscription for lotion), but at least I'm not terrified that he's going to die anymore. Ah, the joys of being a parent...

Michael is now 15lbs 9oz (Elise reached the 20lb benchmark finally at 26mos!) and smiles at every single girl in sight. He's such a flirt :)

Quick News

Ok, so I love piano music, and even though it's kind of funny to watch these guys get so into their music, I think that this song is amazing, so they get a little bit of free advertising :)

Well, Michael is officially mobile now. He started to roll over on Mother's Day and since then, we'll find him in the weirdest positions. He's really funny right now, his eyes will get squinty and his hands will move together like magnets in attempting to try and get a hold of an orange highlighter I'll hold in front of him (so easily entertained). It's hysterical to see how concentrated he looks. Ah, such a cute kid...

Elise is really funny! Yes, she's in the terrible two stage - throwing tantrums anytime she gets dressed, changed (though she was potty trained for a day, we aren't sure when it will be forever, but I'm looking forward to it...), or bedtime is near, but she's learning tons as far as communication is concerned (which is probably why the tantrums are so bad).

Elise - "Daddy's funny"
Me - "You're right, daddy is funny"
Elise - "Daddy has a nose"
Me - "Yes, he does have a nose"
Elise - "Daddy's nose is funny"

Elise - "I poot"

Elise - "Mice, mommy" - "mice" a combination of mine and nice

While playing with her dollhouse, her absolute favorite toy in the world, she puts Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, a girl and Zoe from Sesame Street at a table. She then says, "Waffles, syrup," watches them for a little bit, and then says, "all done." It's so cute! She has these little characters copy what she experiences in her life - which means they drive to the store a lot :)

Tribute to my Mom

I have no long distance calling ability, so here it goes...
"All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." - Abraham Lincoln

Mom, you are the best! It's so nice to be able to have a day where I can reflect on just how wonderful a mother I have! Becoming a mother, myself, has taught me just how difficult and important this job really is. Thank you. I have no idea how you did (and continue to do) it. I am greatful for your wisdom, for your example of strength and service, for your sense of humor which is so needed (and missed). I have so many memories of going to the store to purchase toys/clothes for children in your classes over the years. You look out for everyone and you have the stamina and courage to take on the world, with no fear (I think of some doctors around the time I was six, and a certain organization which will remain nameless). Thank you for undergoing seventeen and a half hours of labor, ten months of pregnancy (you're amazing), and for the constant sacrifices you and Dad make. It can't have been as easy, as I am coming to find out. You're an excellent mother - thanks for all you do - I love you!

It's My Birthday!

I'm 23 today :)

We look so tan, haha :)

The Longest Post Ever... (or Michael's first roadtrip)

And so begins the longest post ever... (Our Spring Break/Easter Vacation)

We started off to Carson with high hopes (which quickly were dashed in the first five minutes)

And though we were slightly intimidated by the fact that it would take us twelve-thirteen hours to get there, everyone was excited! yes, that is a pink blanket - we were running low on clean ones :)Who knew we would drive through Beverly Hills (NV, that is - a next-door neighbor to Pumpernickel Valley - thrilling, I know)
I have no idea where this is - it just has rocks, so Rand made me take a picture of it... :)We asked Michael how he felt about stopping at Elko's Burger King for a burger and fries. This was his response:He did pretty well, overall - He slept most of the way and only non-stop cried for two hours of the trip. Not bad, when you consider it dragged on forever and ever...
Elise, well, she did alright...

She only slept for a half an hour. We became very inventive in keeping her entertained. Who knew singing "EIEIO" for forty-five minutes (or chanting "Granny, Papa" over and over) at a time could be so much fun?
The trip was actually a lot of fun - Elise was so excited to see her grandparents (she adores Papa) and had a blast! Michael has never had so much attention paid to him (that is, in Rexburg), and smiled and cooed whenever anyone looked at him. The best part about it, though, was meeting our new neice.

Caylee Evelyn Greenburg

(Just in case you couldn't tell, Michael is the one on the right - the gigantic one)

On Monday night, we went to Sonoma Park to go fly some kites - Elise, for some reason has some strange fears. Swings, jelly stuck to her fingers, and now kites - I'm not sure where they come from, but she had a lot of fun playing with Papa on the playground...far away from flying Elmo.
Michael sat in his carseat... We think he might have enjoyed it?And we went to the Carson Children's Museum - Elise really enjoyed the supermarket/Asian diner. A little boy whipped her up some yarn (noodles) and poured her some tea. I have no proof, though, as all of the pictures turned out blurry - I credit it to my excellent photography skills :)

Rand, chillin' like a villain
Elise enjoying Mickey in an impromptu puppet showElise playing puzzles with Grandma
This one's for you, Uncle John

After Rand quit his job, Elise has hit the work force and is taking on the bills (namely our new outrageously expensive, bottom of the line washer and dryer).

don't worry, Rand still kept his day job :)

We all had a ton of fun and it was a great stress relief - only the stress came back once we arrived in Rexburg (we moved the next day and our Internet was giving us some major problems). We like our new place (even though it's slightly smaller - there's the lack of a third bedroom), specifically because there's an amazing amount of closet space and a ton of windows (finally! I live in a place with actual light)! School has started up again and we won't get out until the end of July. It's pretty time-consuming, but since there's a park in our backyard, Elise and Michael don't seem to mind. Well, it's been fun - thanks for making it through this entirely long post :)

All About Rand

(It's a three in one post, so be sure to check them all out - there's cute pictures of Elise & Michael)

This blog is supposed to be about our family, but it never includes anything about us (the adults). It's just Elise and Michael. So, here's a little post all about Rand.

Rand is doing really well. He's writing some incredible stuff - he won a poetry book today in class because his poem won second place (based on a class board). The teacher really liked his poem, The Orange, and read it aloud in class; his was chosen out of a ton of other poems, which were also very good. One person said that he is a "fantastic writer" and that his poem was "amazing." So, in an effort to post all about Rand, here's his poem:

The Orange

by Rand Greenburg

Cold, dark, humming, I lay undisturbed
A door, seeping light, a warm palm

Creeping smoothly, it crawls, crawls and sinks

Single, penetrating, thick skin, digging, tearing,

Removing, disregarded, ripped flesh and falling
Naked, trembling, exposed, stand I

Caressed, hold in two, tight, pressure

Divided, dissected, categorized,
Devoured, masticated, sweet, bitter, sour

Spewing juices, trickle, run

Ever flowing down an empty throat.

The Bumbo!

Michael has finally entered a new phase of his life - He can sit in the Bumbo, now! He is such a chubby little guy that sitting up is no problem for him :)

He looks so angry... Anyway, I thought it was pretty cute :)

I can't help it - he's too cute! :)

I May Be Biased...

but I think they are absolutely adorable :) Happy Easter!

The Amazing Michael (he can outdo any kid in spitting up...)

No, that is not my hand pushing down his head, but his helpful (little) big sister :)

Just a little update:

Michael (as of last week) is 13lbs 7oz and Elise is 19lbs 8oz - this is crazy! He's going to outweigh her at six months old... Technically, children who are twenty pounds should still be sitting backwards in a carseat (we talked to her pediatrician and he says we should have Elise face frontwards, so don't worry), but she's two year's old! The doctor thinks she's perfectly healthy and we do too, but these genes... She'll definitely appreciate it when she's older :)