top 5 ways we are like dogs

5. we love getting wet especially when it's hot

4. we love attention and being loved which involves fighting for dominant status

3. we love chasing birds and squirrels and have almost been successful in catching them

2. we love treats and do most anything to get them, including peeing in the appropriate places

1. we've had fleas

We're dog enough that we don't need one, unless the fleas come back.
I'd much rather have them biting the dog instead of me and in that case I'm sure any dog will be over joyed to join our family.

Dedicated to my Mom

Yes, my Mom deserves to have a capital M used at the beginning of mom when referring to her. It's amazing how your perspective changes about your own mother when you become one yourself. I'm awed by the fact that my Mom raised 9 children, always made delicious homemade food, and kept a clean house.

On occasion Shari would use the phrase "you're such a little Joyce" to someone in the family. I thought how I did not want to be called that. To resemble something as old fashioned as my Mom was embarrassing to me. I guess it came from partly growing up with everyone thinking my Mom was my grandma. However, now as I think of that comment, it would be quite the compliment.

It was always of fear of mine that my own children wouldn't have the opportunity to meet their Skabelund grandparents. Luckily, so far, that has not been the case. When my Mom came out here last, I was constantly learning from her. She took such good care of us, cleaning, cooking and playing with the kids. She had the ability to teach Eli little things when they were spending time together. For me it is something I have to consciously think about doing while she just does it naturally at every available moment. My Mom loves babies. She couldn't get enough of holding and rocking Emma even if she was fussy. Then she made bread I think a total of 5 times. My Mama makes the best homemade bread. It was a goal of mine to have her teach me while she was here. However, it seemed like I was either super tired or having labor pains on the days she made it.

Since coming home from my mission I feel like my Mom's sense of humor or sarcastic side has blossomed. She's even funny sometimes when she doesn't mean to be. Don't let that humor fool you though, she's still my Mom. Chastising me to be better, make my bed, keep myself better groomed and to be more lady like. But at least now I have the ability to quip back with topics that make her blush and drop the subjects like a kite with no wind.

For some reason Mary Poppins is on my mind. It could be due to the fact that we listen either to the soundtrack everyday or Eli singing the soundtrack. So on that note my Mom is practically perfect. I love you Mom! Thanks for all!

And Mom here's some pictures of my first wheat bread. I finally got around to making some bread last week. I baked it a bit too long, it was overly dark. Though I have to say that it tasted quite like yours. Thanks for all the tips Mom. Though with a nursing baby and a potty training boy, I'm not sure it's something I'll attempt again for awhile. Still can't grasp 9.

Now Playing at Theater Abel

Toy Story 3

Starring...

Emma Jo as Mr. Dr. Evil Pork Chops or pork chops for short. She just happens to be in pink sleepsacks all the time. It's how it all started, a flying baby chasing Eli.

Elijah Paul as Woody. He always wants to wear his cowboy boots where ever we go. They are getting too small for him so he has been asking his daddy to buy him some new ones.

Joseph Ray as Buzz Lightyear. What can I say this man is the great creator of all our crazy games. To put it simply he lights up our year.

Sierra Lyn Skabelund as Jessie. No, I did not choose this part for myself. Eli told both Joe and I who we were. Luckily, the two are somewhat romantically connected (and thankfully we were not cast as ken and barbie) and it can't get better than latin dancing.

Emma Jo Abel

Our newest arrival is 8 weeks and 3 days old and thus has not yet been acknowledged on this blog. No worries Emma, spring is not more important than you. I've just been waiting for some lovely photos taken by our friend (thanks McKenzi, i owe you!) so that you can be properly introduced. Emma was born on February 12th at 2:40 am at Albany Med. She was 7 lbs 7 oz and 21 1/2 inches long.

She was born only 40 minutes after we had arrived at the hospital. She was birthed on an operating table but thankfully no operation was necessary as the anesthesiologist was slowed in coming by a higher power. What a blessing that she came naturally! The nurses all were saying somebody was looking out for us and indeed He was.

Luckily she is a healthy and happy baby. She is indeed happy... she refuses a binky but I rarely feel like she would need one if she did take one. She eats well and milk is plentiful. We love her smiles and coos which have increased in the last two weeks. Emma's large eyes make her seem alert and as if she is taking everything in. She has a smaller head which makes her seem smaller than her counterparts. Her hair seems to have a tint of red.

I love the name Emma Jo. Last year around this time, I was able to coerce Joe into watching pbs online... and at that time masterpiece theater was out with a new Jane Austen version of Emma. During that time he decided that he like the name Emma.

I love the middle name Jo. Obviously, because Joe's name is Joe and I love him more than any in the world. But also because my mama's nickname as a kid was jo, my sister's middle name is jo and I have a lovely niece Joli otherwise known as jo. I like the way the two name sound together and wanted to call her by both names. But alas, of late she goes by ems.

"Emma loves me" as Eli says. He loves her too. He has adjusted fairly well, especially to my lack of patience due to lack of sleep.

Welcome to our crazy family! We love you!

Spring, where are you?

It's March 30th and yet spring is not in sight. There wasn't even a week thaw in either January or February this year. It has been an extremely long winter. I suppose being pregnant for part and having a newborn for the rest hasn't helped much either. The other day I was feeling extremely anxious for the advent of spring. I actually took the time to shave my legs. Yes, I know, you might have to reread that last line. For those close to me know I rarely shave my legs. This never happens in the winter and only occasionally in the summer. Add in the fact that our bathtub is not the most attractive, clean thing around. Alas, I was hoping that this painful course of action would bring about the oncoming of spring but obviously my sacrifice was not sufficient enough. Cold weather is fore casted for the next two weeks...

Christmas

Christmas this year was lovely. I tried to keep it a bit low key and with the help of Joe, I didn't get stressed out. We also tried to keep presents on the few and simple side which was a good thing seeing that Eli was overwhelmed with the amount he did get from all the extended family. Though the best thing about Christmas for Eli was that he got to play with his grandma and grandpa Abel. He's going to be going through attention withdrawals when they leave.
I'm keeping Skabelund traditions alive in this new little family and love doing it. We had homemade pizza (asparagus and chicken is delicious) and rice pudding on Christmas Eve. The next morning we had a birthday sweet roll. We sang happy birthday to baby Jesus (sorry Aaron you got shafted) and Eli got to blow the candles out. It's a nice way to start off the morning remembering what Christmas is really about.

We didn't have a snowy Christmas but by Monday morning Eli was able to use the new shovel gramps and grams Skabelund gave him. It's the first real snow storm we've had here.
The other day I read this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. He wrote, "Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. the only gift is a portion of thyself." I have to say looking back at the last year the times that were most enjoyable was the time I spent with family. Joe's best gift to me throughout the year were his small acts of service especially in the last couple of weeks as I've ballo0ned. I know he just loves picking things off the floor for me, tying up my boot laces and being my back pillow. Hopefully, I've given a portion of myself to those I love most too. I'm so thankful for the lovely family I have. I'm excited for the new little one on the way even with the looming work of helping Eli adjust, the lack of sleep, recovery, and stress in general.

Speaking of being a balloon, I'm bigger than I was with Eli and this picture proves it. Some of my maternity shirts don't even fit over my belly and I still have a month and a bit to go. I'm sure Eli could name quite a few animal names that are descriptive of me.
Speaking of the little chap. He's become quite the talker. It's fun to see what new words he says every week. He's newest thing is counting to ten when we play hide and seek. Though with the language comes a stubborn determination to do his own will.
Hope that all had a Merry Christmas... and will have a good New Year.

November

Eli's birthday was on the 20th of November. All he knows of birthdays is what we have read in books and what he remembers from Joe's birthday. Since I had made Joe a pinata for his birthday, I felt I had to make one for Eli. A ball theme seemed the easiest way to go about it seeing a balloon looks most like a ball. Plus, I couldn't have another ugly pinata (Joe's pinata ended up looking like a pickle instead of boat).

We had a little party the 19th. Eli was waiting to eat the cake all morning long... he didn't even care that he didn't get to blow out the candles (a friend helped him blow them out).

We also played pin the soccer ball on the player. All the kids helped Eli open his presents. He got a couple of books, blocks, broom and dust pan, ball, monkey slippers and a rolling pin. Eli was excited about them all. Thanks!

He just received belated gifts from Sandy, grandma and grandpa Abel at Thanksgiving. I don't know how we missed taking even one picture of Eli with the grandparents or of Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving was delicious and relaxing. Eli loved playing with his trains and grandparents. Joe and I enjoyed the weather while walking around the neighborhood.

Friday we were able to ditch the little one off on grandma and grandpa while we went to the temple. It was lovely. It is probably our last chance of going for a while since the baby will be here in a couple of months. Eli was lucky enough to take the Toby (the metro) to the zoo with grandma and grandpa.

It was fun to see Joe's old house and neighborhood (he lived in Maryland for about 3 years as a small lad). We also went to a colonial farm on the Potomac, saw lots of animals and a view of Mount Vernon. Sunday we headed back. Though Joe and I decided we abhor the traffic around D.C. and are glad we don't travel in it on a daily basis. Eli traveled surprisingly well, lucky for us!