houpley

One of the first things we did after deciding to move back to Arkansas was to get rid of Elvis.  WHAT!?!? Gotcha!  About a week before the house was to be listed, we sent Elvis to stay with my parents. We thought it would be less stressful on him than if he stayed running up and down the stairs whenever there was a showing and then getting worried (read: bark non-stop) when the movers show up and start taking all of our things, etc. So he has been living it up in Arkansas, enjoying my parent's one-story, their dog Izzy and of course getting slightly spoiled.  That being said, I had no idea how spoiled WE were with Elvis around. Of course we miss his furry face, companionship, opinionated grumblings and sassy personality. I also miss how scary his bark is when someone comes to the door (of course, once said stranger actually laid eyes on Elvis all fear would vanish but first impressions are important). But what we miss most about Elvis is how helpful he was - alwa...

And suddenly Eli is a toddler. He is running around asking to go outside, getting ridiculously excited about eating bananas, throwing balls and sitting in my lap for a good read. He repeats everything you say, like a tiny parrot. At 25 pounds and with a mouth full of giant molars, he is officially a toddler. He is an excellent mimic. He almost immediately recreates any sound he hears, including the yodeling ring tone my dad plays for him. His tiny "hee-hoo" at the end of the yodel is heart-breakingly precious. From cartwheels to head stands to big jumps, he tries to repeat everything Jackson does. He loves any musical note that floats by and when you hand him his lovey he squeals with joy while giving it a good squeeze. He is getting good at drinking from a cup. He loves to color. He tries so very hard to put on his shirts and like his big brother, he is incredibly ticklish. He finds joy in everything. In fact, tonight when I put a dab of salad dressing next to his peas he ...

I have been so neglectful. I have neglected this blog. I have neglected to keep up with Eli's developments and Jackson's achievements. I have neglected to mention our life changing events. Where to begin? How about where we left off? Around Christmas? Sounds good. I work in a department of only three people. In December, my coworker decided to leave for another job. This caused me a ridiculous amount of stress at work - cue the shingles. So I was pleased when my director hired a replacement and the training began in January.  While things were still fast-paced and high-stress at work, the replacement was a hard worker and was catching on quickly.  One afternoon my director stood in my office doorway and mentioned that a contact wanted to suggest me for a job in Little Rock and would I be interested in such a position. Of course I would! Eric and I have always known that our long term plan included one day returning to Arkansas to be near our families but we had never f...

It's over. Christmas has come and gone. The holidays brought all the seasonal requirements: lovely gifts, power outages, snow drifts, warm fires, tasty treats, road trips and family fun. Our holiday road started with a trip to Fort Smith for the first round of Christmas. Growing up an only child I am always in a state of awe to see a family of five do up the event. With everyone married, a few kids here and there and Grandparents, aunts, etc. popping up, this season opener has become quite an event. It was amazing to have everyone together and we were lucky to have Emily and Justin in from New York. Our next stop was to my parent's house. Everyone took turns holding Eli during an emotional Christmas Eve service. 2012 left us with big losses. Seeing little girls in glittery-gold angel wings acting out the Christmas story was at once lovely and crushing. And seeing my dad hold Eli and Jackson at communion for a blessing at once made me proud and heartbroken. Jackson enjoys c...

On Monday my right side hurt. My rib cage, specifically, ached.  No big deal.  I lug that 24 pound baby around pretty much every minute we are together. Not only is there lugging going on but I am also emptying the dishwasher, cooking, laundry, making beds, vacuuming, etc. during previously mentioned lugging. On Tuesday, I felt fine.  Great.   Must have slept wrong. On Wednesday, my side ached again and now a tiny spot of what appeared to be poison ivy showed up on the right side of my stomach. It itched. Then by the end of the day, a tiny spot on my back showed up.  Itchy.  Both spots would be places I might have scratched after touching poison ivy which we have been known to have in our giant backyard. Odd, but believable.  I have never been one to experience terrible reactions from poison ivy but my mother glances toward the leafy vine and instantly collapses into a heap of red and itchy - so I figured maybe now is my lo...

During the season when everyone is reminded of their favorite things, I've been thinking of the things my favorite things are up to.  Did that read right? Jackson and Eli are my favorite everythings. They make me laugh. They amaze me every day.  Eli blows enthusiastic, noisy kisses that melt your heart. He will tell you what an elephant says and what a cow has to say, too. Surprisingly, what they have to say is very similar to each other. He now says thank you, hello, night-night, bye-bye, sock and he calls for Jackson (his favorite thing!). But the most adorable thing he does is something I've never seen another baby do. When holding Eli on my hip, I'm able to walk around the house and get quite a bit done - make dinner, vacuum, put away laundry, etc. Eli enjoys being carted around and observing my tasks. However, every now and then he will suddenly twist himself around and pop his tiny face into my view as if to say "Why hello there! Don't forget there is an ...

Shoooo-wee Mama! That trash can smells so bad. I mean that trash can smells like ... well, I don't want to say what it smells like.   It's ok. You can say it.   Well, that trash can smells like ... well ...  I'll just say that trash can smells like something that came out of your bottom.   Long pause.   I mean not  your  bottom! But  someone's  bottom for sure....   ______________________________________________________________________