Hey Yall!!! Haven't done this in a while, so just listen up!

Today's the first day of school! Yea!!! Bella, Rowan, and Cortana all go to the same school and started off pretty well. We dropped Ro off first since his class room is closest to car pool. He was excited and a little nervous. Tana was next, and she didn't cry at all! She wouldn't talk to her teachers though. While I was getting Tana settled Nick took Bella to her class. She's in a portable and she was excited. She has a friend from kindergarten and first grade in her class again. After getting everyone in class with all their stuff and making sure their lunches were taken care of. Zxenna, Nick, and I headed home. Nick has another out of town meeting coming up which made his morning schedule great for helping me. Thanks a ton honey! Now lets see how the rest of the day will be. See Nick's Facebook for pictures.

Working Out by Nick

For the last 6 months I have been working in our Cincinnati office. The office building has a fitness center on the bottom floor so I have been going down during lunch as much as possible, typically 3 to 4 times a week. My goal was to loose some weight and become healthier.

Well today was my last workout before moving back to Jacksonville and so I decided to hit it hard. After doing the typical sit-ups, curls, and such I decided to try something harder. I did 1 full and part of a second bench press at 300 lbs.

I then put as much weight as I could on the leg press and did a set of that, 600 lbs. I then did another exercise we call the bear thrust and after maxing out the weight on the machine, I had my workout buddy Scott (165 lbs) climb on top of the weights and I lifted him. We stopped after one because we didn’t want to break the machine.

So my goal to loose weight didn’t work. I have gained another 10 lbs or so. I have lost a little fat as my pants are looser in some areas. My shirts and certain other parts of my pants are now tighter due to the muscle gain.

2 months in to a 6 month sentence

Alright everyone, we've been here for 2 months now. We're settled. We love our ward. It's a good one. We love our apartment. AND we love the snow. Life is about adaptation for us right now so here are a couple of pictures of us adapting.

Where we are now!

A lot has changed since Bella’s first day of school (see previous blog entry). For starters Bella is no longer in school, but let me back up and tell the entire story.

On October 2nd my boss called me into her office. Turns out that there was a need for an engineer in Cincinnati Ohio at my level, starting in a few months, December or later. I was identified as someone who might be able to fill this position (by the way incase you, the reader, haven’t figured it out, this is Nick telling the story). So I told my boss that I would be ok with the transfer if they really needed me. She said I should consult with my wife about it before I made a decision. By the way, I knew my wife would be ok with it, and sure enough, she was.

Then on October 6th (aka Rowan’s Birthday) my boss called me into her office again. She said, pack your bags you are going to Cincy (that is what the locals call it) tomorrow! I fainted, then got up and said, ok. So the next day I was in Cincy. It was just an interview type trip to see the Cincy crew and have them evaluate me.

So I return home a few days later and that is the end of that. I didn’t hear anything back for a few weeks so I figured they found someone else. Which was totally ok with me, I didn’t want to go through the hassle of moving my family to Ohio. Then all of a sudden they called and said they wanted me up there by Nov 1st, about two weeks away. Again I fainted. They eventually changed the start date to Dec 1st which was good.

So we spent a very busy month getting ready to move. The home repairs, cleaning, and packing were interrupted by a week long visit to Cincy to find a place to live and other various problems, mostly sickness. We did get to have a great Thanksgiving feast on Sunday before we left. My sister hosted and the entire family was there (except for my brother, who will get worked into this story somehow…).

On November 21st the U-Haul was packed up, then more on the 22nd, and then more on the 23rd. We the drove to Atlanta and stayed the night at my brothers (told you I would work him in). We then drove some more on the 24th, finally arriving in Cincy. We actually live in one of the many townships that surround Cincy. We live in Mason, which is north-east of Cincy.

So here we are; snow living people in the great north. Bella had to be pulled out of school, family and friends left behind, home had to prepped, callings released, phone shut off, and the other multitude of things that happen during a move.

We are all settled in and learning how to cope the north. The second week up here, it snowed! On the following Saturday I cleaned the cars and had the Windex freeze on the windshield. We haven’t made many friends yet, but we have met some wonderfully nice people at church. One family invited us for thanksgiving; which was super awesome because (per the above) we had just moved in and had no groceries or other Thanksgiving plans.

Right now the story is that I will be there temporarily for six months. Originally they said it would be a year to 18 months. It may be extended after six months, but right now I should be back home in Jacksonville in June. We will see!

That’s all I have to say about that.

Bels first week of school!

It went off without a hitch. She was excited to go everyday. We were never late. Whoo hoo! That'll probably never happen again. She had fun!!! And I cleaned! I actually kept up with the house pretty good. Ask Nic if you don't believe me! Speaking of , he was great this week too. Ecspecially since he got the kids all day on saturday so I could go to the temple. I have one awesome husband. (If you see the rotten husband anywhere don't tell him I said that.):)hehe

And this week looks like it'll be great too! booya monday!

First Day of School!

Well it finally happened, our baby started school. It is hard to believe she is old enough to go but she is. Bella is in Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) at a local Baptist School. She is in a class with about 20 kids, two of which are in her Primary class at church.

So the first day of school comes and goes with no problems. Our shy Bella went right into class with no crying or fussing. Normally she cries and fusses when she goes into her Primary class on Sunday's. So it started good.

Later that evening I asked Bella how school was and she went through all the activities she did: playing, coloring, reading, etc. Later that night (I was still excited)so I asked her more about school, trying to get some more details.

So there we were, just the two of us and she is telling me of her day, and she turns to me and puts on those huge puppy eyes. She said she was on the playground and she wanted one of the other children to see-saw with her, but she wouldn't. Her bottom lip quivered and she turned up the puppy eyes and just melted my heart. I then had the fun of trying to explain to her about playing and not taking it personally, making friends, etc.

Quite a first day! Second was more of the same, I will know tonight about the third. Hopefully Peg will be posting some pics soon!

Cool Truck

So a while back I went to a tool store to get some tools for one of the many home improvement projects going on. I took Bella and Rowan with me, so Peg could sleep in. We get to the store (which is a little mom and pop type tool place with great deals) and get out of the car. Bella hopes out one side, and closes the door; I help Rowan out the other side and let him shut the door. We then start walking up to the store. I check at the door to make sure I am being followed by all my little ones, and notice that Rowan is missing.

I walk back to the car and find him on the other side of the car staring at the parking lot. I asked him what was up; he pointed and said "Cool truck!". I didn't even know his vocabulary was that good. I look and there is a big home-modified raised truck with a few spots of bondo. I guess this is what a 2 year old thinks is cool in a truck. He does love cars and the “cool truck” kept his attention.

Now days when we drive by construction he loves to look at the big construction trucks and comment. And he loves to point out “cool trucks” when we are driving.

Babysitting

Just wanted to blog about this small snipet of conversation with Bel. Yesterday I had to have some dental work done and since my mom hasn't seen my kids in awhile I thought it would be great that she watch them.

So Bel and Ro are in the back yard playing in the dirt and I tell them to come in.

"Come on, we have to go get ready to go get nana." I tell them.
Of course Ro says no. (He says no to everything, terrible twos, go figure.)
But Bel asks me "Which nana?" I tell her my nana. This is what she replied.

"NO I DON'T WANT TO! SHE'S NOT MY FAVORITE!"


SO FUNNY!!!! I told my mother and she laughed. Thanks for not taking it to heart ma!

Mom's Loot

Mom's Loot: "Mom's Loot"

just some pics of the kids

Just an Update

Hello out there friends and relatives. Sorry it has been so long but I got busy with the kids. Tana is now 6m old and is getting to be a big girl. She can pull herslef up now and walks along the furniture as well. Rowan has started talking to strangers...ie nursery leaders and such. He is also potty training and has got the basics down. We're still workning on how to get our pants down and telling mommy we have to go. Bella is doing great she's so tall. She's a great big sister and likes to help with Tana. But she's still so timid with people. She at least talks to some family. NICK HAS PASSED HIS PE EXAM!!!!!!! Otherwise I'm fine. I have plenty of projects to keep me busy and the house and the kids. So thats the Eckhardt family in a nut shell.

Thanksgiving Protection

We were at my sister’s church last Friday because her ward was having a Chili cook-off with a talent show. After the great food and entertaining entertainment we were in the hallways socializing while our children were playing.

Now you must remember that our 3.8 year old girl is very petite, shy, and non-violent. Our 2 year old boy is very boyish and always ready to do anything and tackle anybody. They were happily playing with their older cousins and some other young kids just running around and such.

To set up the story there was one kid in particular who was a rather large 3 almost 4 year old boy, who we later learned was the nursery bully. (And he will from henceforth be referred to as the bully for identification purposes).

I had my back to the kids, and then all of a sudden I hear my kid crying. Yes one is a boy and one is a girl, but their cries sound identical. I turned around and saw my 2 year old son standing over the bully. The bully was sitting on the floor, back against the wall. My son had the bully by the neck/shoulders and was slamming his head into the block wall. The whole time I hear crying.

So I am thinking that the two are rough housing and my boy does not like it, is upset, and crying.

So I walk up to the boys, grab my son, pull him off the bully, and look at his face. To my surprise he was not crying but had a very different look on his face; a look I didn’t quite understand. Suddenly I felt confusion as not only was my son not crying, but neither was the bully. I then looked to my right and saw that it was my little girl on the floor crying.

I scooped up my second child and asked what happened. My little girl said “daddy that boy (the bully) pushed me down and jumped on me”. At the answer my mood went from concerned/confusion to down right funny/proudness.

My son saw his sister was getting hurt and jumped into protect her.

I still laugh when I think about my son, half the size of the bully, standing over him pounding his head into the wall. This was the first time I didn’t get onto my son for being aggressive, but let him know how grateful I was that he protected his sister.

I am grateful for children who love their siblings and refer to them as “my best friend”.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Holloween Commedy

So Bella grabbed some Lemon Heads and began chomping down.

Bella Says, "Daddy these candy are making me sleepy"

Daddy says, "What?" (thinking someone has drugged his little girls candy) then looks at here and sees that she is squinting her eyes and fighting back tears.

Bella says, "Yes daddy the candy is making me tired"

Daddy says, "Oh you mean the candy is sour and making you squint, and you associate your eyes closing uncontrollably with tiredness".

We all laughed.

BTW Pics

We had pics taken of Tana if you want to see them you can email me. There on a special website that you need apassword for. Or you could just wait and we'll eventually post them. Mainly mom this is for you if you want to buy one that we're not buying.

Jee Willicers!

First, I would never kill my kids! Second, I received an email from my mother in law and it was so funny. It basically said that boys will be boys. Someone also mentioned that I should blog a list of why I love them.

Bella

1.The phrase "I want to do it." Sometimes still comes out of my mouth. Sorry mommy;)

2.Have you ever seen this child sleep. It reminds me of a pic my mom used to have on her desk. We look the same when asleep.

3.Her boundless energy isn't so boundless when she wakes up early and gets no nap. She's asleep before 9. Yea!

4.She's potty trained.

5.She has that unique childs perpective. When I say clean your room, she just puts everything on her bed. I mean EVERYTHING!

Rowan

1.He's still got that baby fat line on his thighs.

2.The sound of his voice.(When not crying or screaming.)

3.I love the fact that I can do anything with girly stuff and he wants in on the action. ie makeup and tutus and nursing lol

4.His smile. Just like his dads, melts in your heart not in your hand.

5.How he can crash anywhere, just like my father in law.

Tana

1.Who am I kidding, she's a baby the only you don't want to hear is them cry endlessly.

Nick

1.How he lets me talk and talk and talk sometimes even with a headache.

2.The way he looks holding one of our children. Especially Tana!

3.My very own pool guy. (He thinks its weird that I'm scared of water I can't see through.)

4.His beard.

5.The way he loves his job. His hugs...and passionate kisses...the way he says he loves himself too...and since I'm done with Tana I'll finish here.

Ever wanted to give your kids away?

Well I'm officially crazy now! I have found myself saying things that my mother told me way too often to count. Not only do I sound like my mother but I also have to admit that she was right. Those buggers hate me and want my distruction. They don't listen to me, they are always bugging each other and or hurting each other, and all I want to do is sleep. News update is that Bella gave herself a broken toe. Now she cries everytime she bumps it which is often enough. The nail isn't all that attatched. Maybe I should ask the doctor to remove it? Rowan now talks back and get into everything in world record speeds. I can't keep either of them occupied for the amount of time that I need to deal with Tana and am very unhappy with the way I raised Bella. She's teaching Rowan all the nasty habits that I taught her. I'd mention a nanny to Nick but he would just laugh. So I sit with Bel in my lap waiting for Tana to fall back asleep, but Rowan keeps messing with her through the crib bars.... so I'm done. Nothings new with us.

Storm Alert!!!

Had you worried, didn't I?
We are just fine. Nothing happened except getting flooded into the subdivision.
Next baby announcements are going out. I know that the family wants pics of the kids so if you would prefer pictures only let us know I only made so many birth announcements and I'm not making more;)
Also you might want to send me your address.
Other than that nothing else is going on here. Thank Heavens!