Art anyone?

As my children grow they are becoming harder to engage for long periods of time. It used to be that I could get out their toys and watch them play for hours. Now, they are climbing on the couch (and other furniture), digging through drawers and fighting over toys. So, I knew it was time to start some crafty type activities. I googled what would be appropriate for 16 months and finger painting was the big winner!! Lucky for me there were a ton of recipes for making your own (edible) finger paint! Their favorite part was getting to dig their little hands into the paint.

Ella

Bradley

He likes it!

All the primary colors.

What are you looking at??

Our princess is walking!!!!

We reached another milestone this morning!! We have two TODDLERS! Bradley has been walking since 14 months (I tried to get video, but failed) and Ella have been very content crawling (she's fast, so I understand why she didn't see the need to stand up).
For the last 2 weeks she been making me "walk" with her everywhere, you know, I hold her hands and she walks. Even at the zoo, it took forever to see all the animals because we were walking at her pace! My back has been killing me due to the hunching. So, two days ago my mom and I tried to get Ella to walk back and forth between us (in an effort to save my aching back) and she would take 1 or 2 steps and fall into the other person. Not really walking, but getting there.
This morning I wanted to show Matt her new "trick", so we sat about 2 feet apart and let her attempt to walk back and forth. To my surprise she really started to get the hang of it, so I moved back. She started really walking, so I moved back more and more until she was walking across the entire room! We are so proud, we've been waiting for this moment for quite some time!
Now when people ask if she's walking I don't have to deal with the concerned looks about her development (a 16 month old not walking, gasp) and can just proudly say, "yes"!

Catch up!

 Our poor blog has been horribly neglected. I will take the blame for this, but I had good reason. Since the babies were born (and perhaps longer) I just haven't been feeling well. Tired, unable to sleep and breathless. For months I kept telling myself this was normal and I was just a "new mom". It got to the point where I didn't have the energy to do anything, I would tend to the babies basic needs and then watch them play while laying on the couch, or let them play on our bed as I rested. The last straw was when I couldn't walk up the stairs without my heart pounding out of my chest, it felt like I was having a heart attack (keep in mind I live in a tri-level house, lots of stairs, lots of pounding). Matt urged me to go to the doctor and I reluctantly agreed. I thought the doctor was going to think I was a whiny first-time mom. Turns out, I'm not.
I had been feeling so crappy because I was severely anemic (didn't have enough iron in my blood, meaning not enough red blood cells, meaning not enough oxygen to my brain). I had been anemic when I was pregnant and took an iron supplement, but this was much worse and required a blood transfusion. So, off to the hospital I went and was released a few hours later. I thought I would feel better instantly, but it took a few days. I am happy to report I feel SO MUCH BETTER!! I can't believe how bad I felt and didn't even realize it. This was about 3 weeks ago and I can't believe how much energy I have. I feel like a kid again, just in time for summer!
My medical drama was not the only thing going on in our lives, so here's a quick overview of how the Eckerts have been doing:

• Home improvements, painted the kitchen and living room, removed our hot tub and replaced it with a deck, new windows and french doors and Matt learned how to texture- so lots of new textured corners.
• Visit from my sister, aka "Aunt Julie", always nice to spend time with my sissy-face!
  
• Trip to Oklahoma to visit my BFF, Christina. We thought driving through the night would be easiest on the Brellas, but we were horribly wrong. I was able to meet Christina's new guy and spend some much needed time with one of my favorite people in the whole world.
• Visit from the Jolys. My friend, Kari and her new husband came all the way from Yukon, Canada to play with us. We went to the zoo, Garden of the Gods and Costco (apparently there aren't many places to shop in their remote area, so Costco is a big deal). We had a great time and I'm still a little shocked that the "husbands" are so much alike, freaky.
• Texas kidnapped my friend. Matt's cousin, Kate and I have this wonderful relationship and I loved having her here to answer all of my silly mom questions (she has three kids) and be my mommy mentor. I miss her terribly, but hopefully we'll go visit her in Texas soon!
• Bradley began walking!! Ella is still needing a familiar hand to help steady her, she'll be walking in no time.
• We celebrated one more year of wedded bliss (and I got a Coach purse, I never thought I would own one. My husband is AWESOME).

  

  Christina!

Kari, did I mention she's expecting?? My kids are great practice!



 
Imagine an old hot tub where the covered grill is now.