Business as Usual

7th Inning Stretch

2012-08-29T21:14:00.001-07:00

We're at the Angels vs. Red Sox game. Angels are up 10-3!
Three thoughts:
1- Why don't the players wear tight pants anymore? It's a shame really.
2- John is paranoid/terrified of stadium stairs, especially higher levels. Anytime a foul ball makes its way up here he says out loud, "careful, careful." It's quite funny.
3- I would love to play the organ at the baseball game.
Go Halos!

I Am Weak

2012-08-22T09:17:00.001-07:00

I love nacho cheese.

I know, I know it's not exactly healthy but I can't help but love it.

They say you should not go shopping while hungry.

That statement cannot be more true than when at Costco where they only sell polygamist size quantities.

You see where this is going don't you?

Yes, I succumbed in a moment of weakness and bought a treat for myself.

A number 10 can treat.

What was I thinking?

Like I said I love nacho cheese but no one, I repeat no one needs this much nacho cheese.

At first I tried to justify the purchase and calories by adding it to broccoli...

But now I just want it gone and responsible part of me (that was not present and the time of purchase) doesn't want to just throw it away. So watch your mail boxes for an invite to a nacho party.

So much for all that exercise, right?

Summer Phone Photos

2012-08-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

Uncle Collin's Graduation!

On our way home from our first of five hundred family reunions. Dad worked in San Fransisco while we played in the bay area.

Many Disneyland trips!

Cars Land is so awesome!!

Beach Days twice a week!

Fun with Family in Utah!

4th of July with the Grandma & Grandpa & the Materns!

Beach camping and pulling a Brittany Spears.

John's band had a gig with a kiddie mosh pit

Museum trips and picnics in the flower garden

Exhausted from all the fun!

I Know Why People Don"t Exercise

2012-08-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

...because it's too expensive.
Seriously. It takes a pretty penny to get in shape. I've rarely used it as an excuse because my plethora of other excuses have always sufficed but not this time. I thought I was going about this in a fiscally responsible way.

Ocean swimming is free.

Borrowing the Insanity DVDs from a friend is a free.

Doing Yoga & Pilates with Chelise is free.

Running is free.

However...

The swimsuit to swim in said ocean-$$

Luckily I'm borrowing a wet suit from a friend until I can find my own-$$$

My trusty pajama bottoms who have supported me in days of exercise past, don't stand up, or rather stay up with all the jumping and moving of Insanity or running. I went to the sporting good store and Target to check out exercise bottoms. Oh. My. Gosh. Those comfy stay put bottoms that have the hide-a-key pockets and breathable fabrics are ridiculously expensive. $40-$60 on sale! oy. Target, while cheaper, still gave me a bit of sticker shock but ultimately delivered. Hallelujah for clearance racks!

It's hard to exercise/run in everyday wear shoes, hence...

New Shoes-$$ (on sale but still $$ nonetheless)

On a side note, it's amazing what a difference good fitting shoes can make

My daughter is much less demanding than me (in this area and this area only!)

She is a minimalist and only requires a diaper to do push-ups and glute exercises.

Here's to Fitness!

She Enjoys Being A Girl

2012-08-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Pig tails! Is there anything cuter?

Brynn can hang with the boys. She wrestles, climbs, and roars. She wants to do everything her brother does. However she equally loves clothes, dresses, and jewelry, she often twirls once she puts them on while admiring herself in the mirror.

It only took 539 days (I counted) to get her nails painted! (A goal I've had since she was born). It had to happen on her terms and today it finally did!

Girls are fun.

I'll Keep Getting Stronger

2012-08-03T09:38:00.000-07:00

Exercise and I used to be friends, really good friends. When I got married I was able to maintain my relationship with my friend exercise. Even when I was pregnant with Cohen exercise and I hung out a few times a week, swimming, yoga, and gym visits. Then I got put on bed rest and had a baby and a job and a time intensive church calling and a husband who was often gone. Unfortunately I let my relationship with exercise fall by the way side, we had become acquaintances. Sadly while pregnant with Brynn and especially after she was born we had even more of a falling out. I had lost exercises contact info and I think exercise de-friended me.

In the past few months I've tried to extend an olive branch one yoga and Jillian Michaels video at a time, unfortunately my children get really clingy when I exercise causing there to be more misses than hits.

A friend of mine, Jasmine is really good friends with exercise and has invited me to hang out with the two of them for beach swims at ~~the butt crack of dawn~~ 6 a.m. In a moment of craziness I agreed.

The night before our get together was very humbling and humiliating, trying to squeeze into the suit I just bought. After minutes of pulling, jumping from one leg to the other, laying on the bed while pulling, the suit was on, barely. Then because I couldn't breath I had to start the process all over again to get it off. Wrong size. sigh. After laughing and crying and receiving a comforting pep talk from John I resolved that while this was going to be very hard I could to do it. I can't expect different results while doing the same thing.

I went this morning and I kid you not, it was awful. I could hardly breath. My once beautiful fast freestyle stroke was hardly recognizable in fact impossible. I felt vulnerable and guilty for holding up Jasmine. After accepting my new reality, swallowing what little pride I had left I had to switch to backstroke just so I could breathe (on the bright side that allowed me to look and the beautiful blue sky specked with puffy clouds). I don't think my heart rate slowed down til after I was home and in the shower. Despite being awful it was fulfilling and promising.

It will be rocky re-establishing my relationship with exercise, but I am confident we can work through it. Thank you Jasmine for the invite, this is the good kind of peer pressure.

Here is my new theme song. We've already listened to it 5 time this morning.

The Tube

2012-07-30T08:52:00.004-07:00

Growing up I thought families who didn't have or watch TV were weird. I felt sorry for the kids who's parents gave them "healthy" snacks, and then, I became THAT parent and I'm OK with it.

But I am weak.

For the first time in 6.5 years we have a few TV channels thanks to the digital antenna from my sister, just in time to reignite my Olympic flame with Michael.

Here's to getting nothing done for the next 14 days and temporarily being the "cool mom", well at least not the weird mom.

Back to Life, Back to Reality

2012-06-04T21:30:00.000-07:00

...or at least that's the hope.

Life is hopefully about to slow down in time to speed up for summer events and vacations. In our spare time we've enjoyed...

Family date night

at the tasty Tropical Shave Ice Truck

(goodness, they are handsome)

Giovanni's Pizza with Grandpa Jex and the Cooke family. I hope they are always content playing the demo screen on the arcades.

Park days! Everyday Cohen says, "Mom, maybe we should go to the park today"

He would live there if I let him.

Channeling his inner Jackson Pollock

National Donut Day

2012-06-03T23:20:00.004-07:00

Free donuts? I'm in.

We took a quick field trip to Krispy Kreme on Friday to see how the donuts are made

and try one or two

They couldn't be bothered for a photo. There were donuts and chocolate milk to attend to.

Good Morning 30!

2012-04-25T08:53:00.000-07:00

Birthday pancake breakfast with homemade strawberry syrup and whip cream

My poor little neglected blog. (My desktop is back from surgery and I have a camera again) There is hope for this thing after all.

So, it's my birthday, not just any birthday, my 30th birthday! I'm a big believer in birthdays being special days and that one should have an extraordinary day with fun and surprises! So far, today has lived up to my slightly ridiculous expectations, thanks to a wonderful husband and son and the day is only going to get better!

I've been thinking about this milestone, 30, and consequently leaving my 20's. I have loved my 20's! It has been an eventful 10 years:

I graduated from college.
I met, dated, & married John.
I've had a lot of professional success and satisfaction.
I've birthed two amazing children.
Been challenged and blessed beyond belief
Have become myself. I talk about this often, but I love looking back and the LeeElle from 2002 and the 2012 LeeElle and seeing the growth, maturity, and improvement. I can only imagine how fulfilling this can be with each decade.

I doubt any other decade will be as life changing as my 20's and while there is a twinge of sadness to be leaving behind such a wonderful time period in my life, I'm positive it's only going to get better.

Because I'm trying to do this with my kids I thought I would do a variation for me

Right now my life is busy (has it ever not been? Answer-no) with family, work, church, life! John has been gone a lot but this new job has been better on his/our schedule. Cohen and Brynn keep me on my toes and most days there's nothing I'd rather do than be with them, though it should be noted that I enjoy the reprieve that work brings. I'm interpreting at USC and find it to be extremely stimulating and challenging (Kierkegaard anyone?). I'm primary president and constantly finding myself involved in many many things. Still not good at doing everything, I've let go of having the clean organized house every second of the day. I've been trying to simplify my life this year and while many would say that I am far from my goal, I know I am pairing down, have said no (something that is hard for me) and limited myself in many areas. I have great friends. I'm blessed to be in such a good place.

What is your favorite fruit? Raspberries
What is your favorite tv show? Modern Family & 30 Rock
What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Anything I don't have to make
What is your favorite outfit? I really love my black boots and by brown braided sandals, so anything I can wear with those, or anything that makes me feel pretty.
What is your favorite game? board game- Balderdash or any interactive group game
What is your favorite snack? fruit, nacho cheese, something sweet
What is your favorite song? really loving Alouette by The Delta Rhythm Boys
What is your favorite book? I just finished the Hunger Game series, that was good. I've been a little out of the reading loop. A somewhat recent read-The Help
What is your favorite cereal? Pumpkin Spice or Vanilla Almond Granola
What is your favorite drink? Lucerne Chocolate milk & Dr. Pepper
What is your favorite holiday? Christmas, Halloween, & 4th of July
What do you like to take to bed with you at night? my blankie
What do you want to be when you grow up? Happy & relaxed

How Awesome Are Feet Pajamas?

2011-11-06T23:40:00.001-08:00

This awesome!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T10:15:00.000-07:00

We hope you have a Jolly Holiday!

Duck & Cover

2011-10-26T10:58:00.000-07:00

This past Thursday was 'the great shake out' earthquake drill for many and it got me thinking about the time I was on Splash Mountain about to go over the drop when an earthquake hit. We had to evacute through the secret passage ways under the ride, which was pretty cool, but I was bummed we missed out on the best part of the attraction. Which then made me think, where is the worst place to be during an earthquake? At a fair surrounded by rides made from big rigs? In a large group of people, like at Disneyland? In a sports arena? After much thought I've decided Costco would be the worst place to be. The metal shelves reaching to the ceiling of a warehouse piled with pallets of canned goods, laundry detergent, and kitchen wares. No thank you.

Where's the worst place to be during an earthquake in your mind?

(For the record John says a porta potty or a factory where they make glass jars)

Good Mom Day

2011-10-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the idea, Pinterest

Last week Cohen and I crafted. I plan out these activities and I think to myself, "oh this will take up a good chunk of time " (20- 30 minutes) and then 5-10 minutes later, he's over it. Efficient or Two years old?
He had a blast learning to use scissors and discovery how fun it can be peeling dried modge podge glue off your fingers.

They Bring Me Joy

2011-10-09T04:55:00.000-07:00

Unless you are me, my husband, or possibly our parents you'll probably be bored with this post. And, because I have extreme mom brain I need to record this to remember it. Fingers crossed I'll remember where I wrote it.

Brynn:

Two teeth (5.5 months?)
Scooting (7 months)
Crawling & pulling herself up (7.5 months)
She will eat anything (baby food) we give her, peas & green beans included! However she is longing for table food. She gazes & lunges anytime food is in close proximity.
She loves to play with toys. I really value independent play.
She loves her family.

She loves to be with Cohen and can handle his big brother playing. She thinks he is hilarious. I'm always worried he's being too rough but she is all giggles and smiles with him.
Dad has the touch at getting her to sleep. She & Cohen both look forward to Dad coming home and playing together.
She has a mom radar on her. She knows my location at all times, it's crazy. She could be sleeping and I will walk in her room and she will stir. This doesn't happen when others walk in, just me-she must smell me. She can hear my voice from far distances and spot me in a crowd. It makes me feel special.

Cohen:

Talking up a storm, and I'm not the only one who understands him. We have full conversations with one another.
He is really starting to develop his imagination, serving us chicken, strawberries, and chocolate milk in bed, using bubble wrap as a boat or cape or princess jasmine outfit, or flying around the house as buzz lightyear while blasting "to infinity and beyond"!
This kid cracks us up. He has so much personality and can be a parrot at times. Tonight we were at the park and John was pushing him on the swings. Cohen was saying, "Mom, I'm swinging high" to which I replied, "prove it!". Later I was talking to Brynn while changing her diaper and I mentioned that she had a little rash. Cohen then exclaimed, "prove it!".
He loves saying prayers and insists on saying them for everything. We are now having to work on letting others say them sometimes.
He loves to sing. Some of our recent favorites have been anything from Mary Poppins, Bare Necessities, ABC's, the yodeling song from The Sound of Music, Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appleseed songs, Popcorn Popping, Do As I'm Doing, I Am a Child of God, Happy Birthday, Snowman, and a few other pop culture tunes.
We're potting training and he is doing really well staying dry, no luck in the other area despite many different strategies. ugh.

4th of July Weekend

2011-09-25T22:53:00.000-07:00

Just noticed this never got published-oops!

John was home on Saturday (a rare treat), so we lived it up! We had a family trip to the movies to see Cars 2 (it was OK, it didn't hold Cohen's attention), naps for everyone (yet another rare treat), then we ended the night with an Angel freeway series victory in Anaheim.
We had big plans for the 4th, after all, John was not going into work (one reason I love holidays). We planned to paint the hall, BBQ, hit up the beach or pool, sing patriotic songs, and watch fireworks. Unfortunately, John woke up sick and Brynn was under the weather as well so Cohen and I made festive treats & swam on our own in between nursing the other half of our family back to health. Luckily all Tulli' were feeling well enough to attend our cities firework spectacular!

Go Angels!

Our Red, White, & Blue strawberries.

Cohen keep eating the blue sprinkled tips.

One tired fire cracker

Happy Independence Day!

Something's Gotta Give

2011-06-27T09:27:00.001-07:00

Life -1
Blog-0
I'm hopeful that my new blog app/mobile blogging will help even the score.
Now, some photos for the family

A Picture is Worth...

2011-03-18T10:22:00.000-07:00

I couldn't settle on a title, so take your pick & enjoy the pic(ture)

Get your drink on
TGIF
It's Five o'clock somewhere
It's the freakin weekend
Beer me a cream soda (a la Andy from The Office)

(on our way to Disneyland two Fridays ago)

Two Kid Stupor

2011-03-14T17:21:00.000-07:00

I've been the mother of two for four weeks, I believe that now qualifies me as an expert;)

I knew that I would get a wake up call when baby number two came. Having Cohen didn't kick my butt as bad as everyone said it would. I expected to be woken up at night and have exhausting days but the saving grace is that when he slept, I could sleep (though really that is sacred-this-is-the-only-opportunity-to-get-stuff-done-time).

Yes the night feeding(s) are taxing but the real killer to having two kids in my opinion is not the babies needs but rather my two year old. He still wants his mommy time, to be entertained, to go outside and play etc. What that means is very few opportunities for one sleep deprived mom to rest because of course as soon as one goes down for a nap the other one wakes up. Am I right or am I right?

When Cohen was born one of John's co-workers said, "Don't worry, your wife will like you again in six months." We didn't know what she meant, she said she was crazy after her kids were born. I luckily never experienced the postpartum hormonal craziness, in fact I've never been really hormonal (except maybe in high school). However this time, whoa nelly, it's been crazy, correction, I've been crazy. I'm super sensitive, I cry and get frustrated sometimes for no reason. My brain recognizes this but can't stop it. It's really annoying, just ask John. Poor man has had to bear the brunt of it.

There are days where I feel like I've got it together, I get dressed in something other than elastic wasted PJ bottoms and an old girls camp t-shirt, I do my hair & make-up, the kidlets and I venture out of the house and do errands, cross items off my to do list, and play. I make dinner, my house is clean, laundry is done, basically I feel like a good mom. I feel like me.

Then there are days like Wednesday and Thursday and probably tomorrow when I change out of one old t-shirt into another one because it's covered in baby vomit. Disney & Pixar are entertaining my child while I nurse for what feels like all day, the dishes have yet to be put away, my house is a mess, my teeth don't get brushed til 6:55 pm when I leave for youth group (I don't think I even brushed my hair), and we're eating chicken nuggets and clementines for dinner. Basically I feel like a bad mom

My type A personalty loves to be in control and right now I'm not and that's hard. It's hard having my house not being as clean as I'm used to it being. It's hard to breastfeed while your two year old is hanging on your back wanting to wrestle. It's hard to remain patient while trying to function on very little sleep. It's hard not being able to meet every one's needs. It's hard to make dinner. It's hard to get said two year old to bed at a decent time when your newborn is starving. It's hard to shower.

And yet,

It is all worth it.

I love being with Cohen & Brynn. I love it when Cohen comes up randomly throughout the day and gives me kisses. I love seeing Brynn smile. I love that I can calm them down when they are sad. I love hearing Cohen sing songs. I love being his interpreter for his always expanding sometimes hard to understand vocabulary. I love knowing Brynn's mannerisms. I love my cuddling time. And though this adjustment has been hard, ultimately,

I wouldn't have it any other way.

(well, that's a lie, I still want more sleep)

Brynn You're Three Weeks Old, What Are You Going to Do?

2011-03-06T09:09:00.000-08:00

I'm going to Disneyland!

(cheesy, I know, John gave a epic eye roll when he heard it)

(note to self: embellished shirts are not a good idea when wearing a baby against your chest in a sling)

Already the "Second Child"

2011-02-24T00:27:00.000-08:00

It's not that we love them any less but our time isn't as flexible as it was with the first child. That is my excuse for fewer pictures and blog posts, well that and the fact that our Internet was down all last week.

We are still absolutely smitten by little Brynn or Brynnamin as John calls her. I was apprehensive about having a little girl, but let me tell you, I have fallen head over heals for this gal. She really is such a wonderful baby. She's very chill and has a go with the flow personality. She rarely cries, only when she is in need of being burped, getting her diaper changed, &/or cold (i.e. diaper changes or baths). She is getting cuter by the day as the swelling goes down. Her hair is lighter and right now her eyes are the typical baby blue, though they seem brighter than Cohen's, who knows, maybe she'll get her Dad's blue eyes. My mom says she already has perfectly shaped eyebrows. She is still as skinny as ever! I can't find socks to fit her. She has no trouble filling the length but they fall right off her leg because there is no calf meat to hold them up. She really loves to be held and is not a big fan of her bassinet at night, but she'll learn.

Now for some pictures

Cohen is obsessed with her. When he wakes up the first person he asks for is Brynn. If he goes to play with family or friends and I call him he asks for Brynn. He wants to kiss her, hold her, swing her, you name it. He is very concerned for her and wants her to be included in everything, tonight he wanted Brynn to say the dinner prayer. He is still soft with her, she just needs her space sometimes.

A Sunday nap with Dad

Tanning...Dr's orders (she was slightly jaundiced)

When I came back to check on her I saw she had made herself some sun shades.

wait for it... my child is so advanced

My little Napoleon

Smiling.

This is the real deal, not gas.

I Gave Birth to a Human this Weekend, What Did You Do?

2011-02-12T20:30:00.000-08:00

Baby Girl Tullis

Friday, February 11, 2011 6:43 am

6 lbs. 14 oz. 20 inches

She is so tiny, I was expecting another Cohen sized baby. So far she is a good eater & very cuddly-she loves to be held, which works out beautifully because we like to hold her. She has the longest feet and toes, they seriously look like fingers, and plump kissable lips (like her dad and brother).

And now for the great naming debacle of 2011

Ever since we found out we would be having a baby girl John and I have been scouring baby name websites and reading the credits of movies in hopes of finding that one perfect name. We could name boys all day long but a girl name has been a real challenge. John has a few names that he loves, all of which I vetoed, and I had my list of names that I loved, all of which he vetoed. Together we came up with a list of like to strongly like names, however, we still could not agree on one. When she arrived we had it narrowed down to two: Eden & Brynn. I wanted Eden and John wanted Brynn. After much discussion and polling of family and friends, Brynn had clearly won the popular vote but I wasn't ready to give up my name.

In the end we went with...

John's only regret is all the missed opportunities he would have had to randomly break into Iron Butterfly's, "in a gadda davida".

My consolation is the ability I now have to play the "but you got to name the baby" card.

We are a happy family!

Cohen loves babies. When he came to visit last night he kept calling her Jaxson (my 3 month old nephew who Cohen adores). Hopefully he will continue to be soft and loving when he realizes she's staying.

On our way home from the hospital

So glad she's here!

A Long Lost Post

2011-02-05T14:00:00.000-08:00

This has been sitting in my draft folder for a long while. It's old but it has pictures:)

Back in August I cashed in my birthday present by going to see him...

Harry Connick Jr.

Isn't he dreamy?

He gave a fantastic concert at the Hollywood Bowl, like really fantastic. I couldn't stop smiling. Or singing. Thank you John!

Other August activities included a trip to Napa for the Jex family reunion. We made it a point to purchase Belly flops and teach Cohen about the goodness that is Jelly Belly's. They had baby wipe, pencil shaving, and grass flavored beans (no they were not a part of the Harry Potter collection) they were spot on for taste but gross.

Friday of the family reunion is spent boating at Lake Berryessa. Cohen had a love/hate relationship with the boat.

John rocking the wakebaord

Saturday and Sunday are spent at my cousin's amazing house. (well actually it's my dad's cousins daughter's house) It's surrounded by vineyards and has all the makings of a good time. Here's just the back yard...

The crazy 3 level tree house and playground

Lots of grass, perfect for volleyball games and sleeping (At night there's not a visible blade due to all our tarps and sleeping bags).

The awesome pool & slide

(there is also a fire pit, trampoline, kitchen, bathroom, and BBQ area off to the side)

Cohen and my dad are in the pool on the right.

Oh Napa, we miss you!

I Can Explain

2011-02-03T09:16:00.000-08:00

Hello (queue echoing hello's)

This is a new record, nearly three months of silence, well blog silence, but I can explain. It's been more than your typical we've been busy yada yada yada and I'm planning on summarizing somewhat of our comings and goings these past 90 days, just not today.

Right now we are T minus two weeks for baby GIRL's (I forgot to mention that too) arrival. We have been spoiled beyond belief by friends and loved ones through two showers. My daughter will be quite the fashionista in her cute digs.
My camera was stolen on Halloween, my PC is down, and I can't upload pictures from my mom's camera to the Mac, so if any pictures make it up soon it will be from my phone, which I haven't learned how to use completely yet. (figured it out!)
Cohen is growing up and talking a ton. I love this age! He's so much fun (with the exceptions of the occasional tantrum). He is extremely independent and social and has taken to a rather cheesy smile. (see picture). He loves to sing and play the piano with me. When we put him to bed at night we sing a few primary songs, it's so sweet to hear him chime in.
We recently switched bedrooms with Cohen for practicality reasons. Our furniture works better in the new room. And we can/are going to paint! The cans, brushes, and drop clothes are in the garage waiting to be used, unfortunalty John has been working crazy long hours 6 days a week. I've come to terms with the fact that bedrooms will not be painted til after baby girls arrives. But once the yummy grey color goes up on the walls I will take pictures of that and our happy new bedding, oh I'm so excited!
More to come later!

2010-11-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

This year was it was John's turn to choose costumes, unfortunately his ideas were too complicated to execute in the amount of time we had so I threw these costumes together last minute. We Went as orphan Annie, her dog Sandy, and a young pre-hair loss daddy Warbucks (because we could not find a bald cap anywhere)!

Cohen is obsessed with dogs right now so this worked out perfectly, he even kept his hood on the whole night.

Please note that is my real hair, it took me 30 minutes to wash, 8 rounds of shampoo, 3 rounds conditioner, & 1/4 of a bottle of no more tangles to wash & smooth it all out. Thank you Kerilynn for the up do.

Cohen scored in the candy department, majorly. I asked if we should give some of it away to which John quickly replied NO! I should have known better, after all my husband did going trick-or-treating well into his H.S. years (unacceptable/eye roll).