Eli's First Outing- Yaya Sofia's

 Yaya Sofia loves this little guy!!! It's been really emotional for all of us... But we are loving every minute of our precious little boy. I know this is going to sound crazy, but he smiles all the time and I know it's not gas. I know his brother and best friend is close by watching over him and it makes him happy.

Anyways, he slept in the car and enjoyed being held by Yaya. It was a good time. And, very surprisingly, this was the very FIRST time Yaya Sofia didn't attempt to put a gold chain with a saint on it around one of my children.



Elijah's First Bath

The stump/chord fell off so we headed for some warm water fun.

I don't know why I love this picture so much. Perhaps it's because it's the face he gives me when I'm smothering him with kisses and weird noises.

Michael Bolton's Moment of Glory

We deemed Maria fit/semi-healthy enough to hold the baby. She was in 7th heaven. Finally!!

One thing that always amazes me about Maria is she never forgets instructions. She always washes her hands without having to be told and is just really thorough and exact. She's impressive to say the least.

Christina turns 7 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the one of the most beautiful girls in the entire world from eternity to eternity.

It is nothing less than a privilege to be this sweetheart's mother. Christina is amazing, and that's putting it lightly.

This year we had a simple birthday with family and ended the night with the new Barbie in Princess Charm School. (Fantastically girly!!) She was spoiled with lots of gifts from us, Yaya and Papa and Aunty Ram & Family. And we're spoiled by her because she's just so wonderful.

The past 7 years have been the best 7 years of my life because of her and my children.

I could go on and on about Christina and all her wonderful strengths. But to keep it short:

she's brilliant

a hard worker

good listener

creative

loving

kind

thoughtful

peacemaker

very spiritual

clever

funny

always has a smile

great big sister

excellent example and helper with school friends

good conversationalist

positive

happy

and just all around perfect

Love you sweet baby girl!!!

Happy 7th!!!!!!!!!!

Quality Time With Daddy

Maria has never really had a lot of one on one time with Joe and I'm just thrilled they get to do so much together for the next month. Yes. My husband took off a month because he is the most wonderful man on earth. He's been more than helpful and has even fed us multiple times!!

You never know what to expect with Daddy. He surprised Maria and told them they were going to a boring adult museum and she was a little less than thrilled. She didn't understand his joke and was really hesitant in the museum at first. However, once they hit the painting wall it was all fun from there. She was all over the glass!!

The new museum here in Reno seems to be a hit. There weren't a lot of people there, but Joe said the activities were really fun. This cloud climber was really high but Maria braved it!!

Thanks Daddy for being so fun!! Other highlights have been riding the Ferris Wheel together at Scheels and having nice lunches together at different restaurants.

Sweetest Things on Earth

I don't believe there are too many dumb questions out there, but there is one that has been asked over and over: Do the girls love having their little brother?

Ummmmmmmm.............

He adores them too!! He will calm right down if Christina holds him (Maria still has sniffles, poor thing) and they are so helpful. I am so blessed.

Christina lost another tooth. I LOVE this quirky smile!! She also finished Mr.Popper's Penguins and we were quite surprised by the ending, Mr.Popper took off and left his family for 2 years to go be with the penguins.

Ummmmmmmm................

Our little buddy is doing great. Mr. Elijah started sleeping for 2-3 hours at night and has already been off the shield about 4 times. He's a happy and content lil' fellow but does get semi-feisty when he's hungry... again, his father's child.

First Days Home

They made a shirt with stickers that says, "Gard Maria, Age 24"

That's their I'm all that look....

Did I ever mention I love being friends with a baker. Everyone has been spoiling us with gifts and clothes and treats!! We are so blessed. Thanks everyone!!

Just as a side note- Maria has been sooooooooo patient. She isn't feeling too hot and has a runny nose, but she has been very understanding she can't touch the baby. I can't wait for her to be better!!

Birthing Elijah

If I had to choose a song to describe the birth of Elijah, it'd be Sade's Smooth Operator.

This birth was smooth sailing all the way. Everything about Elijah just seems to be smooth and too good to be true. But I'll take it!!

We decided to be induced because we love Dr. Mellum, so Sept. 15 we went in at 5:30AM. They started the pic at 6:30 and Dr.Mellum broke my water around 8AM. I got my epidural at 9AM and thoroughly enjoyed it! It was so peaceful and fun. In fact I was quite the giggle box and was laughing even while I was pushing. But seriously, this woman was screaming and at the last minute wanted an epidural but it was too late... and that to me is funny. I know.... I'm mean.

Then, voila! About 3 sets of pushes and he was out at 11:55 AM.

We had wonderful nurses!! I think that made all the difference in the world. Plus the hospital, at first wasn't too busy. Later on in our stay there was a terrible tragedy at the Air Races in Fallon and the whole hospital became super busy with all the trauma cases. It was really sad.

I really do not like hospitals though. I found myself having a couple panic attacks with all the hormone surges and drugs and just stress of making sure he can eat.At one point this nurse was squeezing my nipple super hard and Elijah wasn't taking it and I was just about ready to crawl up in a ball and die. It's so much to think about.

Having Ramya come was a big help. She got Joe some dinner and just has a relaxing and calming effect. Thanks Ram. My parents also came and the girls and I'm just so blessed to have such wonderful and supportive family and friends.

I think I also got a little panicked because Maria had thrown up at my parent's house and so I was worried about her. Once I got a blessing I felt much better. I clearly remember when we were at the hospital with Baby Joe and he got a blessing and I had a strange thought over some of the words (which I can't remember), but the thought was- that was weird, am I going to die? Anyways, my point in bring that up is this time around I had no impressions, just peace. I'm grateful Joe and my dad were able to administer one.

Now why would I post a picture so delightsome? Because it's proof that Joe is the father of my child. Like father, like son.

Our great pediatrician had him get an EKG for his heart. She said there is no way for us to not have the anxiety we do, but that checking his heart could at least give us a little peace of mind. It came out negative and his heart is perfect. While they were doing the ultrasound he started choking on some mucus and I started screaming for the nurse. Jody and I thought we were going to die as she whacked him good and got it all out.

Our sweet baby is here and we are very glad to be out of the hospital. He is doing extremely well nursing, using a nipple latch and growing!!

Elijah Cedron Lykes

Born Thursday, September 15, 2011

11:55 AM

7 lbs 2 oz

20 1/2"

He's a superstar!!!!

Primary Temple Trip

We had such a lovely morning at the temple as a family at the Primary Temple Day. While the girls can't go in yet because of age, it was wonderful to walk around the beautiful grounds and do an "I Spy" activity and scripture matching game. About 10 families came.

The temple is a holy place where I go as often as I can. I'm grateful for the peace that is felt there. Today, I wasn't sure what to expect. On baby Joe's birthday I was pretty sad and antsy. I felt empty and like I had to keep myself busy. I hauled up 2 beds and put them together on that day. It was hard manual labor but I felt like that's what I needed. Today was different. I think because we had "normal" Sacrament meeting talks, it set the day off to a good start. I was thinking we might leave church early, but I was glad we stayed because it ended up being my last "official" day in Primary with the kids... for now. I was released, so now I can just relax with Elijah and enjoy him, no pressures of a calling.

I was thinking maybe of going to the cemetery, but we ended up going to my folks house for a delicious meal my dad cooked. It rained. Hard. Mother Earth was telling me she was sad along with me. But even in sadness, there is growth. Time doesn't make it easier. I still think about him every single day. But staying close to God and doing the things I'm supposed to do like reading scriptures, praying and going to church do make time without him bearable. I hear him still on occasion. It's like a very distinct thought in my mind and he always calls me mom or mommy. That's good, because then I know he's close by. I know he helps us daily. The real blessing is just in what I know to be true. Jesus Christ came to earth and lived a perfect life. He healed, He blessed, He performed miracles, He loved, He died and then, He rose again. He made it possible for us to return to a loving Heavenly Father.

We looked at pictures of Baby Joe and Maria said, "You know what. He's really happy. He's really happy he's with Heavenly Father." Indeed my sweetheart.

Hot Air Balloon Art

I love Costco for many reasons. Their large, sturdy cardboard and brown paper are 2 of those reasons. They are FREE. And they are perfect for large art.

The hot air balloon races were in town and we did NOT wake up at 5 AM to go see them. Instead we headed up at a reasonable hour, 9 AM and saw them while driving slowly down the road. We even saw one land in a KFC Cruelty parking lot. We got to see them close up, in comfort and rested. I'm hoping we can squeeze in a paper mache balloon too, but we'll see.

Pyramid Lake

What is a Saturday in Reno with out partying it up at Wino Beach, Pyramid Lake?

Get the booze, drugs and butt rock... and have some fun.

While our neighbors at the beach made out, swore and peed in the open... We brought the sand toys, triscuts and raisins and enjoyed the beauty of the desert/their Metallica.

And of course the beauty of our children. They are so fun.

Mis Amigos. They don't let friends drive drunk.

Such a relaxing and fun trip. It was 20 minutes from our house, the weather was perfect and lake wasn't cold. Summer is coming to an end.