The Balieys are now elves!

So my friend Shanna did a funny post with something called Elf Yourself. I made one for our family, so go check it out!

YAY for sleep!

Well... Alexis put herself to sleep last night!!! It was wonderful! She had her 4 month check up yesterday, and I told her doctor that I'm TIRED of her sleeping in our bed. (She sleeps like crap otherwise.) He said that she's hit 'the mark' of being old enough to sleep through the night without needing to eat, and that we can let her cry herself to sleep. The words were beautiful to my ears! With Cameron, we did the 'Ferber' method, which is as follows: You let them cry for 5 minutes, then go in and reassure them. Then you go in at 10 min. Then at 15. Then 30. And so on and so forth. However, Dr. Arnold (Alexis' spokesman) said that he doesn't agree with this method. He says that every time you LEAVE, the child cries harder and is more upset. He suggests letting them cry for up to 1 hour before going in there. I was pretty surprised, but willing to give it a shot. I was sure she would cry for longer than 1 hour, but just like the doctor said, 40 minutes later she was asleep! She fussed for a little bit, but every time put herself back to sleep. She slept in her CRIB, ALL NIGHT! She slept from 7 until 3:45, when she woke up to eat. After I fed her and put her down, she never fussed. Then she woke up for good at 7:15. It's a miracle!!! Hahaha.. Anyways, we are all pretty happy this morning to say the least!

We are getting our family pictures taken today, so check back soon to see them posted! (Maybe a week?) Cameron got his flu shot yesterday, and me and Tyler (against his will) are getting ours today. I DON'T want to get sick!!! Tyler is extremely busy with cabinet jobs and he can't really afford to get sick right now either. Just a reminder: this is our only source of income (except for student loans!) so if anyone wants to pass on Tyler's name for any woodwork, it would be most appreciated!

Oh! My friend Michelle had kind of a fun post that I thought I'd do. Feel free to post it on your blogs and fill it out too! Here's the rules:
A. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
B. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog, for these rules.

1. I love music more than I can describe. I feel such strong emotions while listening to music. (Which is why I had to stop listening to Linkin Park because it made me want to go beat someone up! haha) I know it sounds stupid, but I often cry and/or get the chills while listening to certain songs. (BTW, they're usually not love songs!)

2. I love playing games! Board games, card games, group games... you name it! I don't think I could ever get sick of it. If Tyler wasn't always so busy (and we didn't have kids to interupt) I would play games every night. My new favorite games (courtesy of Nate and Wendi!) are "Killer Bunnies" and "Speed Scrabble". Also, I'm addicted to 'Dance Dance Revolution' and it's even more fun when Nisha's doing it with me!

3. I wish I was a photographer. I used to want to study photography at school until I got interesting in ASL interpreting. I am fascinated with beautiful pictures and wish that I, too, could capture a 1000 words in a single photograph.

4. I truly enjoy working out. I know most people hate it and think it's boring, but I get a rush of excitement when I exercise. Yes, it is still hard for me to sometimes get up and just do it... But once I do, I NEVER regret it! My favorite workouts are Billy Blanks boot camp, and Turbo Jam. I love to push myself to the max and know that I am significantly improving my health by doing so!

5. I am a perfectionist. (Oh wait, everyone already KNEW that!)

6. One of my happiest, most accomplished, most proud moments in my life is when Amy, Krista, and I sang 'I believe in love' at a Humanitarian banquet. I will NEVER forget that feeling!

Now it's everyone else's turn! If you don't have blogger, just post a comment with your 6 things!

Okay, well I'll leave you all with some new pictures. Love you all!

just more pictures

Since I don't get many comments, I will assume no one reads this anyways, so I'll just post pictures! Hahahaha..

BubbleShare: Share photos - Share your baby pictures

Wow! 2 posts in one day...

Just wanted to post probably my FAVORITE clip from the office. Enjoy!

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Just wanted to promote this movie! I just watched it last night for the first tmie. Above is a poignant quote used throughout the movie, and I fell in love with it. I thought the movie was absoulutely incredible. It is now one of my favorite movies and has a really sweet message. If you haven't seen it yet, SEE IT NOW!

A is for Apple

Cameron had his first field trip yesterday! It's not exclusively for the kids in joy school-but for anyone who wants to come. We took the kids to a small apple orchard! They had such a great time. The tour included showing the kids how the apples are packed, the giant refrigerator where they are stored, the forklift used, and of course: the apple trees! Each kid also got to pick an apple. Our apples were washed and we all stood in the shade of the orchard eating the most delicious apples I've ever had!

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Going back a few days: Amy and the kids got to spend the day with us! Cameron and Gwen played very well together. Cameron especially liked Chloe: I thought she would be too young for him to care about. But he would get so excited when she'd join them playing! Can't wait 'till they live here and we can play like this more often!

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Going back even farther (I would have done a post sooner but our internet had problems: AGAIN), are pictures from Cameron's play-date with Abby. It was so funny: when she first got here, I sent them in Cameron's room and told Cameron to get his toys out from under his bed. I went to check on Alexis, and when I came in his room, they were both just standing there, staring at each other! I guess it really does take practice to associate with the opposite sex! I brought them downstairs to play with the toys down there, and she was still acting shy and Cameron wasn't his bubbly self either. Again, I went upstairs to check on Alexis, and as soon as I was upstairs? They were laughing and giggling and talking and playing. I just had to laugh! I thought, 'Oh no. We're starting this already?' I could hear his thoughts... "Jeez mom, would you go upstairs and leave us alone to play? You're embarrassing me!" Hahaha. It was really cute.






Cameron has also mastered using the computer mouse! It's great... There are some really cute games online for toddlers that he loves to play. He spent an hour playing the same game yesterday!




Well that's all for now... I'll leave with a new fav. picture of Alexis. Bye everyone!

Alexis' blessing

Yesterday we had Alexis blessed, and then a brunch at our house afterwards. It was such a great day! Tyler's blessing was beautiful (and it made everyone cry!). She looked precious in her blessing dress. It was so fun to see all our family and hang out afterwards to visit. Not really much to report: just lots and lots of cute pictures! Cameron is having his first playdate with a girl! I used to babysit a little girl, but this is his 'girlfriend' from nursery. Her name is Abby and she is a doll! I'm sure I'll do a post about it later. Anyways, for now here's lots of pictures.






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