tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11578943801421565702026-06-20T23:56:15.928-07:00It's crazy. It's life. It's ours.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.comBlogger415125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-28864993487725614922015-08-30T22:39:00.000-07:002015-08-31T08:23:24.504-07:00

This blog post was originally started in January of 2014.  After many months of non-completion (20 to be exact) I figured it was time to finally finish recording Eleanor's birth story.   Jan 2014: She's our little miracle.  Not only did her daddy predict her birth but she was predestined to be our little princess.  Not a princess in a Disney movie kinda way but a Daughter

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-21662140913429551462015-08-30T20:11:00.003-07:002015-08-30T20:11:59.290-07:00

Another unpublished post from Dec 2013: Merry Christmas from the Gillespie Family!  

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-78492568363412116152015-08-30T20:03:00.000-07:002015-08-30T20:04:48.732-07:00

An unpublished blog post from Dec 2013: I took Baby Eleanor to the doctor today and the doc confirmed what I already knew...my sweet baby is growing super FAST! Makes a mama feel good that she is doing her part to help her baby thrive but it makes me so so sad as well.  I don't want her to grow up...I want her to stay little forever. Sniff.... Since I can't stop it from happening I

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-33436821908278361262015-08-19T11:11:00.000-07:002015-08-19T11:11:01.715-07:00

No matter how any times I experience it, those first few weeks of fetal flutterings never cease to amaze me.  What a miracle child bearing is. Welcome to the family wee little one.... June 22, 2015 and a wee little announcement video too...

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-890957750520691762014-08-11T23:12:00.001-07:002014-08-11T23:12:49.368-07:00

I finally got Eleanor into the doctor for a well child appointment today (she hasn't been seen since 4 months) and decided it was about time I updated the blog too.  Things are definitely busy with 5 kiddos and it being summer and all.  Sigh.... I get asked all the time if Eleanor has any nicknames.  The answer is:  YES!  A lot of them!  To name a few:  Ellie,

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-531349422198200152014-08-11T21:47:00.004-07:002014-08-11T21:48:00.728-07:00

Lots of things goin' on over here at the Gillespie house with PLENTY of reasons for celebration. Our little Mini Rob (aka Isaac) celebrated his 7th birthday this week.  SEVEN!  I can't believe it.  For some reason this kiddo will always be five to me.  He's growing up TOO fast. Isaac is still the same amazingly adorable boy he has always been and it's still a really good

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-25286521633622925982014-06-23T21:23:00.001-07:002014-06-23T21:23:42.763-07:00

Eleanor is just so dang cute with her little Cabbage Patch wig on.  Even when she's hacking.  Poor thing. Makes me smile every time.    and of course.....she can't get away from those brother's of hers.   Oh man we love her!  

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-62669200731047563352014-06-20T17:31:00.000-07:002014-06-20T17:31:03.719-07:00

I love gardening! LOVE IT! I still have A LOT to learn about it but I'm willing to try. My heart feels joyful when I watch things grow. :) Remember the "RV parking" the boys and I spent HOURS raking rocks out of?  Yeah?  Well....take a look at it now! All sorts of yummy goodies! This is one of our two "three sisters" crop

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-28527978989516068862014-06-18T17:37:00.001-07:002014-06-18T17:37:44.545-07:00

Our trip to Utah this year was definitely not all that we had hoped for.  With puking boys, a puking baby girl, a puking mama, a daddy who was taking care of everyone and a terribly timed thunder/lightning storm, most of our plans were significantly washed out.  Literally.  Sigh.... However, the main event planned for our trip was the first ever HARDING FAMILY CIRCUS RUN. 

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-50593871762285389162014-06-18T17:29:00.001-07:002014-06-18T17:46:12.183-07:00

Today is the day I've been waiting for for the last 4 months.  Omak Orchard Bloom 1/2 Marathon Race Day. I trained....I tried....I finished.  That's the jist of it. For more details, read on. I was so hyped up.  Rob warned me not to start out too quickly.  I warned myself not to start out too quickly.  But I didn't listen.  I had trained at 9.5-10 minute miles...

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-57862847666864873712013-12-24T08:36:00.002-08:002013-12-24T08:36:51.561-08:00

Time for more pictures.... Peaceful! Play time.  She kept trying to lick him.  he he he... Little Lady Bug and Mr. Kiki Snooze time with daddy Love! Be sure to watch the very end of the video.  Eleanor says her first word.  he he he....  

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-79536600937480849962013-12-11T10:11:00.004-08:002013-12-11T10:12:14.431-08:00

I love it when the kids draw pictures. I love it even more that we have a scanner and can preserve all their many drawing on the computer and the internet. Saves a lot of space. Here's a few from the last few months. Isaac's depiction of Virginia Granger Elementary School Along with a hand writing sample Family Portrait by Cael--October 2013 Sign For Eleanor's Homecoming-

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-23951159654314176652013-12-09T10:06:00.002-08:002013-12-09T10:06:31.572-08:00

Their Santa letters get funnier every year!  He he he...even the ones Rob helped with are a bit...grammatically challenged.  Love it. Gotta get them in the mail today...oh...and I should probably start shopping, too.  

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-70010913442731661162013-12-03T18:08:00.001-08:002013-12-03T18:08:28.138-08:00

This is a pretty typical scene at our house.  Cael absolutely ADORES Eleanor and will ask to hold her about every 5 seconds.  Sometimes it's a little overwhelming...but most of the time it is quite helpful. Yesterday I was on the phone with VISA and my bank, working through some fraudulent charges that had posted to our account.  To say I was stressed is an extreme

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-7413240353588118042013-11-26T11:57:00.002-08:002013-11-26T11:58:31.042-08:00

I took a short video of little Ellie Bell this morning.  For remembrance sake and for our families who are far away and wishing they could snuggle and hold this little lady.   Yeah...she's cute.  I know.  

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-3204859064289680032013-11-22T17:32:00.000-08:002013-11-22T17:32:49.028-08:00

First look at mommy First look at Daddy First snuggle First Bath First Hair Bow First outfit First car ride (poor rashy/swollen baby) First night home (so so rashy) First days with Isaac First days with Gabe and Cael First sponge bath (I detest sponge baths) First dress-up First tongue picture First show of brotherly love Just cuz it's

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-69690286586182592832013-11-18T15:56:00.000-08:002013-11-18T15:56:05.310-08:00

Within hours of Eleanor's birth, we couldn't help but notice her uncanny resemblance to one of Hollywood's greatest stars....two weeks later, it still holds true. photo of Eleanor taken 11/17/2013  However, a friends mother (who happens to be an artist with a keen eye) discovered a far more flattering likeness.... I wholeheartedly approve.... Either way, she's a beauty and we love

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-36331508704840363412013-11-18T15:36:00.000-08:002013-11-18T15:37:59.361-08:00

It's time I started using my blog again instead of bombarding FB with a bazzilion pictures.  I've got a LOT of catching up to do.  It wont be in order but now is as good a time as any to start.  Yesterday (Nov. 17th) we took little lady Eleanor to church to give her a name and a blessing.  It was a beautiful, stress less day, even with a houseful of guests, and she received

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-23198933814226352842013-08-03T12:41:00.001-07:002013-08-03T12:41:44.564-07:00

Yesterday the older boys were downstairs playing video games, shocking...I know...and Kian and I were left upstairs to our own devices.  I was on the computer, again, shocking....I know....and Kian was busy playing with toys.  I started listening in on his play "conversation" and couldn't stop chuckling.  I missed some REALLY good stuff but pulled out the camera anyway so I could

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-4519460517808177922013-06-13T22:58:00.000-07:002013-06-13T22:58:21.549-07:00

Today Rob and I were able to take our two oldest children to the hospital with us for the long awaited 20 week ultrasound (although I'm only 19 weeks).  We kept it a secret from (most) everyone because it had become such a huge deal (of course!) that we wanted to be able to digest the news (especially if baby happened to be another boy) and be able to tell people on OUR terms instead of

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-77125036514022239292013-06-10T18:08:00.000-07:002013-06-10T22:01:22.256-07:00

I suppose I could have settled for just "18 weeks" in the title but why would I do that?  I'm going to count every second of every day I've bypassed with this pregnancy.  It's a great accomplishment, yes? Anyhow....thought I'd post a few more pics.  For posterity (and curiosity's) sake.  No worries, the dirty mirrors are also part of it.  These types of things MUST be

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-80270580684957403242013-06-10T17:00:00.000-07:002013-06-10T22:00:34.969-07:00

If there is one thing the kids school likes to do more than anything at the end of the year, it's party hardy.  I think the whole last two weeks were just a free-for-all.  Oh....except those hours and hours Gabe spent after school re-doing class work I thought he could have done better on had he put forth more effort the first time.  OUCH!  At least he got it done and his

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-83226756031327224142013-06-10T16:54:00.000-07:002013-06-10T17:49:01.713-07:00

Grandparents Day!  A long standing tradition at our local elementary school.  I guess that makes sense since half of the school is being raised by their grandparents (not so far from the truth, sadly).  Not my kids, though.  In fact, their grandparents are nowhere near.  Last year I skipped out on the monumental talent show/assembly that is the highlight of the

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-74604915442847360892013-05-31T21:25:00.001-07:002013-06-10T16:41:25.967-07:00

You know when it gets to the end of the school year and your kids start bringing home loads and loads of useless papers?  Yeah?  You do? Then you know how tempting it is throw the whole thing out.  Or my usual...."Is there anything in there I need to see?"  Gabe always answers with a bored, "No" and, just the opposite, Cael seems to think it ALL is worth saving.  Forever

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1157894380142156570.post-64465245971936876192013-05-17T12:14:00.000-07:002013-06-10T22:01:48.303-07:00

15 weeks...15 pounds.  Never before have I gained this much weight this early on in pregnancy.  Of course, I've never had a pregnancy where I was forced to eat every 1.5-2 hours, without fail, in order to keep from experiencing severe nausea for the entire first trimester.  I really started hating food and the fact that I had to eat it there for a while.  Good news, however

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734177506438734993noreply@blogger.com15