Exactly a Year Ago Today...

There are few miracles I can say are true. And today...well, a year ago today my miracle baby came to be.

I am not talking about the MUD on blogs stating that they knew exactly the tingling that happened on their honeymoon night.

After several months/years of trying, we went to the Nashville Fertility Clinic and I know with out a doubt that this is how my little Appleseed Elliott Annabelle came to be. What a wonderful year it has been.

From this is....

To this...

All in one year.

How I love my miracle. 

Happy Monday!

Sweet Nothings: 3 months

To Elliott: My Three Month Baby "Bug"

Ellie, you were not interested in smiling for your 3 month "Onnie the Doll" session. However, you are interested in your hands...like in your mouth all the time. So I didn't fight it, I thought it represented you more at this moment. You started Grandma Day Care and are doing great. Here are a few 3 month memories: 

When riding in the car and sleepy, you want to hold my hand until you fall asleep. Though I am painfully contorting my hand, its super sweet.

Your dad loves LOVES to make you laugh. Like tears in his eyes loves it.

You are getting on a better schedule. You eat every three hours during the day. I swear its like a buzzer goes off in your tummy. You could be sound asleep and BAM...your eye shoot open and you are looking around thrashing your head. I am imaging you saying; "Three hours is up, where is the food? WHERE. IS. THE. FOOD?".

You are smiling at Bentley...yet I still get the feeling you still have no clue what that furry thing is. We are learning to pet him and teaching you that Bennie has crazy furry hair.

You hated your swing..now you love it. Thank goodness. It has been a lifesaver and I have both my arms back.

Lyell: She looks different today?
Me: She looks older!
Lyell: I don't even think I would recognize her on the streets.

I still don't like cutting your nails. I have bought three different kind of nail clippers with no avail.

This past week you have scratched your nose three times.

You love your loveies. You HAVE to sleep with at least one.

You have learned how to rub your eyes when you are tired. Its so cute. Such a little thing, but amazing how I get to watch you learn it all.

Sometimes you go cross-eyed when you stair at your hands.

We have let you watch some TV now. You were bent over backwards trying to look if we turned it on anyway.

 

On the Day I was Born

I had a coupon sent to me by shutterfly for a free book. I decided to make a little book for Ellie. It is a total rip off from Pinterest...but I think I did a pretty good job on it. I cant wait til she can read it to herself and know how much she was loved on the day she was born.

I think I can...

Ellie received her first piece of mail today. She was super stoked. We signed her up for the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. I really had no choice with a sister that has a master's degree in reading..this girl better love books. Get your free books too: HERE. 

Happy Thursday!!!

Roots & Wings

There are two lasting bequests we can give our children: 

One is roots, the other is wings.

I had heard the quote several years ago and I hope I can remember this over and over again in the next 18 years. I want so badly to remember the bigger picture on a daily basis. I want Elliott to know that no matter what happens in life that her parents will back her no questions asked...and at the same time to push her limits, to make her reach out and grab life and all that it has to offer. 

Something I find comfort  in is the complete opposite reacton Lyell and I have sometimes. I have shown a pictures example HERE. There have been times already where she is extremely fussy when Lyell is holding her; and once handed over to me, she snuggles up and goes right to sleep. I happily find so much comfort in those moments. Those moments when the only thing she wanted was her mommy. And all in the same day...there are moments where Lyell is playing with her where she grins and coos more than she ever does with me. I am secretly jealous and yet happy she loves her daddy that much too. There are differences in our opinions, beliefs, and ways we were raised and I think all of it will make well rounded children. 

One of Elliott's presents she received from her Uncle Greg Gale...The Umbrella.

I LOVE THIS BOOK. I would suggest it for any children's library. There are no word...like really, its just images. Just images of a small dog and his umbrella traveling the world. Whoever reads it, makes up a new story. Gale thought it would be interesting to see how different we would read this to her. He is so right! Since I have always been jealous of Lyell's creativity, I am sure this is one he will win. And that is just fine with me. As long as our children know that it takes all kinds. As long as our children know their roots and can always come home. As long as our children know how to fly and aim high.

 Good parents give their children roots and wings - roots to know where home is and wings to fly off and practice what has been taught them.