Happy Father's Day Daddy!

Dear Daddy,

Mommy says tom. is your day...so I thought I'd write you a little note and tell you how much I love you. Mommy keeps taking me shopping to find you a present but so far we haven't found the right thing. You are the best daddy in the whole world. I love to wake up everyday as soon as I hear that you are up! You bring me my milk every morning so I can drink it while I watch Handy Mandy! I love that show...he is a hard worker like you! You always warm my milk just like I like it. You always give me lots of kisses before you leave for work. Mommy says you go there to make us money so that we can go to Tar-get and Chick-fli-A! I ask mommy about you all day when you are gone. I miss you. I love to watch for you at the front door and it makes me so excited I can hardly stand it when I see your truck! I love to ride with you in your truck! You give me lots of rides on my car and you let me play with fun things like dominos (mommy thinks they make a big mess but you think they are fun too!!) I love when you take me outside and let me play in the yard! We have so much fun together. I hope you have a fun day tom. Can we go to the pool? Please! Love, ella

Mommy Ques. and Answer

I saw this on a mommy blog...if you are a mommy feel free to copy and answer! It helped me to think back and think ahead to what my next few months will include!

1. favorite diapers? pampers swaddlers when little and then huggies because costco sells them as they grow...I really like pampers the best...so soft and smell so good!
2. favorite wipes? Costco brand (soft, cheaper and no fragrance for a sensitive tush!)
3. wipe warmer, no wipe warmer? no wipe warmer - never tried one
4. sleep in gowns or footsies? footsies-preferably zip-up sleepers (you never know how hard it is to snap 10 snaps until it is 4:00 in the morning and you are delirious!
5. schedule, don't schedule? schedule, feeds are about every 3 hours
6. current favorite toys? musical toys, mobile
7. three things you couldn't live with out the first few months? swaddle blankets, pacifiers, my hubby!
8. something you can't have too many of? bibs and burp cloths esp. if your baby has reflux! I was not prepared for this!
9. three things you couldn't live with out once the baby is moving? ella's push toy (gave her stability when she was first learning), outlet safety plugs, our baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs!
10. favorite new baby invention? swaddle blanket with Velcro...she loved to be swaddled and this made it so easy!
11. favorite nursing pads? not sure of name...but they were thin and absorbent (maybe by johnson and johnson!)
12. favorite bottle? No preference (ella wasn't too fond of a bottle but I tried to get ones that were BPA free)
13. favorite car toys? any toy dangling from her car seat...now she likes her CD's, and any toy she can grab from the house...we usually have a flower and rock from the front yard too!
14. favorite teether? Never really used them...I think she thought they were too cold.
15. changing table, no changing table? no changing table (always used my bed or the floor!)
16. breast milk or formula? breastmilk exclusively for the first 9 months and then I began slowing weaning one feed to 1 8 oz. cup of formula a month until 12 months. Finally weaned the week before her B-day! (Not so much looking forward to this again...but I will do my best!)
17. make baby food, buy baby food? buy
18. first food after cereal? I think we started with carrots or squash..pretty sure it was a veggie and then after we tried them each for three or four days we went to fruits and them the mixed foods.
19. did you use your baby carrier? A front carrier a few times...it was heavy and she never seemed too comfy... I did manage to clean house a few times and cook with her in it!
20. how old when slept in own crib (not bassinet)? Naps around 5-6 months.. at night in her room...after her first b-day! This was hard for me!
21. do you use a sleep positioner? Yes I always did until she could move out of it!
22. back sleeper or tummy sleeper? back sleeper...I was anal about this....I have real fears about SIDS and will do anything recommended to prevent it! Around 6 months she began flipping to her stomach and side and I would flip her back! (I know the risk goes down once they can move too.!) I then had to give my fears to God and trust Him. I still pray over her sleep every night and althoughout the night when I wake up. I am still learning how to not worry about this aspect of motherhood!)
23. favorite part about being a mom? Ella saying mommy, her wanting me anytime she gets hurt or scared, her kisses and hugs, hearing her pray, hearing her say I'm sorry, watching her learn,she is the most fun little girl and I love her to death!
4. hardest part about being a mom? when your child is sick, deciding when to go to the doc. and when to wait it out, loving something so much that you know if you ever lost it you would never be the same....being fearful of loss!
25. favorite mommy accessories? my cute little red-head (never thought I wanted red-headed children...in fact I used to think I needed to marry someone with really dark hair and skin to try to avoid this)...Now I cannot think of anything I'd rather have than just what GOD made for me! ...and my stroller (it is great to have a place for a drink, bags, keys and etc. when shopping!)

20 Months

Ella is now 20 months old. I keep thinking...in four more she'll be two and have a new sister already! I am trying to cherish these last months of it just being the 3 of us as I know our lives will take on a new busy! She is such a joy to me. I often find that when I put her down for her nap, I am so ready to see her again when she wakes up! Don't get me wrong I love nap time...but also am so glad to love on her when she wakes up! She is growing so big! I was looking at her in her crib last night while she was sleeping. She was all stretched out and looked so long! She is really starting to talk in more phrases rather than single words so this has been fun! She is always calling things...for example..."Mommy, where are you? or Bunny, where are you?" She always surprises kevin and I am her memory! She doesn't forget much! We are working on learning to sing our ABC's and she is getting pretty good at filling in the missing letters when we sing it! We count a lot too...when walking up the stairs and putting on her clothes (we count fingers and toes to make sure we still have ten!) and she is learning them too! The teacher in me is really excited about this! She is really getting the I'm sorry thing too which is so sweet to hear her apologize! Ok...enough of my 20 month update!

I also feel bad for complaining about gaining weight and pregnancy issues in my last post. It is a little sacrifice to pay for such a great return!

24 Weeks and Thoughts

Well I have made it to 24 weeks in this pregnancy. It really seems like the weeks are flying by! So far I am feeling pretty good and still at the "enjoyable stage" of pregnancy! I have gained the most ever so far in this pregnancy...and for some reason I keep doing like 3 pounds a week instead of one...and let me tell you that can add up fast! I am just thankful I had lost a good bit before I got pregnant this time! I hate gaining so fast because this will be my third time to have to lose 30 plus pounds of preg. weight in the past 3 1/2 years. I know it does come off but I also know how that frumpy stage feels and it is not so fun! I know this sounds like complaining...and I guess it is a bit...but it is also a reality of having a baby! The body does a lot of changing and growing all over!




This was at 22 weeks. I've always loved this shirt! It is my sister Joy's and collectively I think we've worn it through 4 or 5 pregnancies. It may need to be retired soon but it always makes you feel small in all the right parts!


I was telling my mom just today that it is different being pregnant with a little one already. I am so excited about having another child but my days seem pretty busy chasing after the one I have! Thankfully, eliza gives me lots of little kicks each day to remind me that she is there and growing too! There are definitely different feelings too with expecting another child. I felt this a little with ella (just feeling like I was giving my heart away some from Samuel...if that makes any sense!) This time I am thinking lots about how ella will adjust to sharing mommy and daddy, what she will do while I sit and nurse for forever each day, how I will manage them both, will we ever make it to church on time with 2?? and on and on! I know it can be done! I know these are all "normal" feelings! I also know many moms who do this with many more kids!





I am ready to start preparing "my nest" for this baby! I tried to remind Kevin tonight that this is really a normal part of pregnancy! I am naturally an organizer and so I know I probably take this up a few notches as well. I made us a huge "to-do"list today! We both like list and work better if we have one. It includes everything from things to clean out to things to buy before the baby comes.





I have also completely changed my idea for eliza's nursery. I think I want to do something very different this time instead of keeping it similar to ella's nursery! I'll post pics when it starts coming tog. ...but it will be a while yet!

A little bathroom make-over!

When we found out that we were having another girl, I decided it was time to re-do our spare bathroom. We had an old off-white shower curtain, some monkey picture frames (not quite sure what I was thinking when I purchased those but maybe they were "in" at the time), and it really need some color! I found a cute shower curtain at Target, a matching hand towel and rug, and a cheap basket at Ross. I bought 2 canvas' at Wal-mart and painted them in coordinating colors. I think I didn't spend more than $45 on everything...and I spread it out over 2 weeks so my hubby wouldn't realize I was spending a lot at Target! SHHH! :) I think it looks much better and is def. ready for two little girls to share!

Happy 6th Anniversary Kev!

The Last 6 Years!

Hilton Head Island

Pumpkin Carving

Vacation!


Tuscon, Arizona

Disney Cruise!

San Diego, CA

Bahamas Work Cruise!

Our Little Boy!

I thought I loved you before Jan. 31, 2006 but I love you so much more after!
I would not have made it without you by my side!

You were an awesome daddy to your little boy!

Finally!

God is so good!

I will never forget looking at you with tears streaming

down your face! You were so thankful for your little girl!


One happy family!

I love you!

Tomorrow Kevin and I will celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary. I guess at times it seems like these 6 years have passed rather quickly and then at times it seems like we've spent a lifetime together already. In fact it is hard to remember him not being a part of my life. I have been thinking a lot these past few days about what I wanted to write...esp. since I know he reads my blog now! :) I have said before that he is a much better gift giver and Fri. he surprised me with a watch I have wanted for a while now. I have been watch less for well over a year so I am so thankful to have a new one...and it's really cute too!

As I thought about Kevin, our marriage and our life together I kept thinking about how God has granted the desire of my heart for a husband through Kevin. Long before I ever met Kevin, I started a Journal for my future husband (yes I was a hopeless romantic back in the day!) My first journal entry was on September 26th, 2000. It became mostly a prayer journal and a place to jot my hopes and dreams for the future...esp. on those days when there was no prince charming anywhere in sight or even a mere possibility! I gave this journal to Kev at our rehearsal dinner along with my true love waits ring! (I thought he'd run home and read the entire thing...reminiscing over what a wonderful wife he was getting. Boy did I have a lot to learn about my husband. As the weeks turned into months I stopped asking if he'd read it all! I began to realize that this journal was more for me. It was my thoughts and times with the Lord!) On Feb. 24, 01 realizing that I had no clue what I was even looking for in a husband and somewhat frustrated over pointless dating I made a list of 25 very specific things I wanted in a husband. I went back and looked at my list in the journal, the other day, and once again it amazes me at how specifically God knew the desires of my heart and how uniquely Kev matches my list. I see this even more as the years go by and we grow together and in the Lord. If you know Kev I think you will understand what I am talking about! Here is my exact list:

1. Believes that Jesus is the only way to eternal life and has trusted in His Death alone for his salvation.

2. Is actively and daily seeking a deeper more consistent walk with the Lord.

3. Seeks to know and understand the Word and scripture.

4. Encourages, teaches and challenges me to know more of the Bible.
5. Is a servant...at home, in the car, out shopping, with his family, in sports, in lines, opens doors for others...not just me.

6. Takes initiative in situations, knows what needs to be done and does it before being asked...is a leader.

7. Is seeking to serve the Lord in some area of ministry.

8. Being with him makes me want to know, serve, and love Jesus more.

9. Is giving with his money, sacrificial, tithes, helps those in need.

10 Is humble...can be behind the scenes. Befriends those who are lonely, weird, hurting and outcast.

11. Is kind-hearted.

12. Is joyful and thankful-looks for the good in situations.

13. Likes to laugh and makes me laugh.

14. Doesn't talk excessively..realizes that silence is golden at times.

15. Is not a big complainer.

16. Interested not in the things of this world- expensive cares, possessions, etc/

17. Is laid back-can relax, can adjust to change. Is comfortable with my family.

18. Is encouraging...reassuring of his love for me, approval and fondness of my physical appearance which may not always be so fond!

19. Is larger and taller than me.

20. Takes care of his body, enjoys being active...helps to keep me active.

21. Is a hard worker and will work to support a family.

22. Wants to have children...hopefully several if the Lord blesses.

23. Loves people...talking to them, helping them, invest his life in others.

24. Is silly, loves life and wants to make the best of everyday...and spontaneous to some degree!

25. Will be trustworthy and faithful to me alone...forsaking all others.

So this was the list I wrote exactly 11 months before I ever knew Kevin existed and to be honest if I had to tell you 25 things about my husband I couldn't come up with a more accurate list! They are all so true about him.

I am thankful for where these 6 years have taken us. Through valleys and mountain tops...lots of ups and downs. There is one thing for sure...I am so glad God picked Kevin for me. There is truly no one else I'd rather share this life with. I can't wait to see what this life holds for us!

This and That!

This will probably be a very random post! I seem to have a mixture of picture and topics to include. Last Saturday I talked kev into going to garage sales! This is something we actually enjoy doing as we both like finding good deals. I had seen a garage sale advertised on Craigslist earlier in the week that sounded like my kinda sale. We headed out early Sat. morning. I don't think ella had a clue as to what her mommy and daddy were doing with her up and out that early. She was a trooper. I found some really great deals that I thought I'd share with you. I am not someone who wants to bring home more junk but when you find things like this it makes it so worth it. If we'd only pulled up 3 min. earlier I could have gotten a ton more but a lady beat me to it. I was very thankful for our finds for both ella and eliza. Ella has already gotten some wear out of several of them this week!

Lots of cute smocked dresses, bubbles, and sundresses!


Cute Danskos for $3.00! It will be a while before they
fit but that is fine...they are worth saving!



New dresses for Eliza! :) Every 2nd child needs
a few new things right!


My mom and dad grilled out on Memorial Day and we joined them along with some of my other family members. My cousin and her husband and new little girl were also in town and joined us. We got some cute pictures of the little ones together.
Ella looking so big with the babies!

Papa and Titus!

Ella getting some "big sister" practice! She let him sit for about
one minute and was done. Titus is such a good baby and such a
cutie. We may not let them go back home!

And finally...ella and mommy's favorite indulgence right now...
Oreo pudding! Yummy!