Happy First Birthday, Ellie...

My sweet and spunky Ellie--today marks one year since you came into our family. I’ve been flooded with a mix of emotions all day long. In some ways, I feel a little sad at the thought of how quickly you’ve come to this point. It only seems like a moment ago that I held you for the first time, and now you are running around chasing Mason, and looking more like a big girl every day. However, you are not big at all…such a tiny little thing and a far cry from the nearly 8 ½ pound, plump baby I saw for the first time one year ago. After 12 months, you have barely doubled your birth weight as you’ve now reached 17 pounds. My precious girl, I love spending my days with you. You constantly entertain us with your lively personality. You continually wear a smile on your beautiful face, showing off those 4 ½ teeth to anyone who will look in your direction. I love to watch you explore, as everything in your life is a new discovery. You are so full of activity, forever on the move, curious about anything you can get your hands on, dancing whenever you hear music, never sitting still for more than a moment. But you love to be held. Oh how you love to cuddle! You’d be content to ride around on my hip all day long…especially if I was on the move too! You love to be loud! Nothing makes you more excited than to drop pots and pans on the floor, over and over again, just to hear the crash. You love to squeal loudly too, and often, just for the sheer enjoyment of hearing your own voice. You’ve been saying Mama, Da Da, Buh Buh (for Mason), and Bye Bye for awhile now. But recently you’ve also begun saying “aye doe” (for ‘hello’ when you pretend to talk on the phone), and “aw duh” (for ‘all done’ when you’re finished eating). You also sign “all done” and “more”, usually during mealtimes. My sweet daughter, I am so proud that you are mine, and I’m excited to see the amazing little girl that you are growing up to be. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for your precious life. Happy birthday, Ellie! We love you more than words can say. We are so thankful and blessed to have you here in our family, as we celebrate you on your special day and remember the day we first met you one year ago. My happy happy day…the day that you were born!

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Ellie Vs. The Photographer...

Ellie had her 12 month pictures taken yesterday. She did great at first, until the photographer mistook her for someone who looked like she wanted to pose with props. Ellie has never been one to sit cooperatively while trying to get her to hold random objects or turn her hand a certain way. She's more of a "snap the shot fast so we can get on with it" kind of girl. He tried repeatedly to situate her sitting next to an artificial rock while holding a fake flower. He apparently didn't get the hint when she threw the flower the first 4 times and tried to run away. This was the result of his feeble attempts:

Yes, That's The Book For Me...

Today Mason and Bryson (one of the boys I babysit) were out in the playroom, and I had left the door open so I could hear them. Shortly thereafter I overheard Bryson saying, "In the beginning God created heaven and earth!" This is not something I typically hear them saying, so I peeked my head out to see what they were doing. Mason looked up at me and said, "Look, Momma, we're having Bible study!"

Life As A Superhero...

Two little superheroes showed up at my house today.

(Mason and Bryson--a.k.a Spiderman & Dash)

Life as a superhero can be tough. Sometimes superheroes have to fight for the good of mankind:


Sometimes in a dual, superheroes can have terrible injuries that weaken them and cause them to need bandages and crutches...or are they starring in a Broadway show? I can't really tell:


Occasionally, during their time off from crime-fighting, superheroes like to put on concerts for mere mortals like us. (Don't quit your day job, superheroes):


But at the end of a long day, even superheroes need a little rest:

Learning To Tie...

I've always bought velcro shoes for Mason. Maybe I'm just lazy...maybe I just don't like the thought of shoelaces that constantly come undone. But I decided it was time for Mason to learn to tie. And I thought that Matthew would be the perfect teacher--so I purposely waited until he got home to get out the new pair of laced shoes. :) Let me tell you, it was a sight to behold! For any of you who know Matthew well, or Mason for that matter--it was like watching stubborn and stubborner. (Now I do know that stubborner is not really a word, but bear with me.) Every time Matthew started to explain a step in the process, Mason would jump in and interrupt, saying that he already knew what to do next, and proceeded to tie himself in knots--literally!

This went on for some time, but fortunately after a slightly frustrating lesson, and a little whining and pouting (by Mason...not Matthew), Mason did finally relent. And he is now the newest "lacer" in our family.

My Monkeys...

Matthew took this picture of Ellie last night while we were playing. After looking at it, something about it looked very familiar. Then I remembered that I had taken a similar picture with Mason when he was about the same age. He was actually just over a year...she is just under a year.

Friday Night Fun...

This evening I was trying to find something fun to do with the kids. I started to take them to Matthew's football game, but since it's chilly and wet outside, we decided to stay in. I thought about taking them to Chick-fil-A to play on the indoor playground, but Mason wanted to stay home. So I finally gave up and just asked Mason what he wanted to do. Without hesitation he said he wanted to have a picnic on the living room floor. So we picked up some food from McDonald's, and then we rented a Diego movie to watch while we ate. As soon as we got home Mason quickly laid out his blanket on the floor, set out all the food for us, and started the movie. But the best part was when Mason prayed, "Thank you God for this wonderful food from McDonalds." (Wonderful might not be the word I'd use to describe Micky D's, but nontheless, it was cute). Here is a picture of the kids enjoying our living room picnic...and Diego!