Ella's Photo Shoot with Alicia

 

My good friend Alicia is a great photographer!! As well as super generous!! She spent 3 hours working her magic and blessing us with these gorgeous photos!! Thanks Alicia!! Can't wait to hang them up!! There are a lot, but I thought they were so beautiful, I had to post them all!!

Misc. Things to Remember....

 

I know I have good kiddos.

But I just can't get over how wonderful and loving they are.

They are constantly wanting to hold their sister. Sing to her. Read to her. Cuddle and kiss!!

And she loves it too!!! She is our little smiler!!

 

And Eli.... what a sweetheart!!! For a 2 year old boy, he blows stereotypes out of the water.

This morning she was crying so he rushed over to rub her head and read her a book. Then he decided that Nina needed to read the book to her because quote, "I can only show you pictures." And without fail, every time he comes over while she is eating he'll lean close and say, "I love you little Ella." He also sometimes calls her Coppella... we often say it to her Ella Ella Bella Coppella!!

 

Talked about spoiled!! This week we had diapers from The Southams and a huge box of food from Keyonna + dinner!! She does this co-op of organic food and I'm really thinking of joining in too... the quality was great!!

 

Jody is a saint. And he's funny to boot. He's been taking the kids bike riding, for walks, playing at the mall... he's done dishes every single day. Trash... seriously... he is the master of trash. I don't know how he keeps up. He's cooked!!! I've enjoyed a delicious warm breakfast 2 times now!!! He's done barf duty at night and all the burial/cleaning with Percy. I'm so blessed to call him my husband. I asked him this morning if I could hire him full time. :) He's the love of my life and I'm so grateful for all he does.

 

The other day we took Ella out for her first outing. We wouldn't have gone out but it was free book day at Grassroots book. At 10 days old, she was the youngest customer at Grassroots Books. They took a few pictures of her!! And we hauled off with 6 books. Score.

 

North and South. BBC. Love you. The only good thing on Netflix. Although I did enjoy Mansfield Park too. BBC version of course.

 

We are so blessed.

Ella's First Bath

 

Ella's cord fell off after 8 days. She didn't hate her bath, but she didn't love it!!

RIP Percy

 

We saw it coming, but no one wanted to believe it. Percy had developed white spots. He had taken to lying by his little plant.

 

I must say, Percy was a good fish. When you came to look at him, he'd always swim right up to you and look back. They girls were really sad. There were a lot of tears this morning.

However, I'm grateful they can experience things like this.

 

When asked to speak a few words at his burial Eli kept on saying "We should... we really should..."

as in we should really get another fish.

We said a prayer and laid our little friend's body to rest.

I even shed a couple tears.

 

 

Death is not the end. We know we shall meet our little Percy again.

And we know our Percy is happy in heaven with Joe.

Maria turns 7!!

 

Our little baby is 7!!! Maria had a lovely birthday weekend!! She made a list and her wonderful Daddy, Yaya and Papa made sure everything got checked off!!!

 

She wanted to go to Swensen's, Scheels, See Frozen, Eat at Port of Subs, Play at the Park, Go to Grassroots Books, and have red velvet cake!! She also enjoyed a free cupcake at Barne's and Noble.

 

Needless to say, they left early in the morning and didn't come back until late!! It was a day filled with lots of fun and love!

 

Maria is one of a kind. That is the only way to put it. She is the total package. She is smart, lovely, kind, considerate, wise, giving, thoughtful.

She is a leader. She is faithful. She is honest!!

She is just an absolute joy.

Some fun things about Maria at this age is she is very organized. She never has to be asked to do homework. She loves to read.

She likes to play tetherball. One night she started crying and when asked why she was crying she told us that she'd been hit in the head again while playing tetherball. She was really worried I would tell her she couldn't play anymore. I told her that accidents happen and not to worry. I said, besides I can't force you not to play. She responded, "I know you'd never force me to, but if you told me not to then I wouldn't." Oh how I pray that beautiful sweet attitude will last!!! :)

Maria aced her MAP testing this go around. Her teacher started her on a 5th grade level book... Artemis Fowl. Now if we can just up the math work. She has her multiplication facts up to 5.

Maria is clever. She picks up on things quickly.

Maria is creative.

Maria loves to wear her purple popsicle pajamas every night and sleep with her snow blankie still.

 

Happy Happy Birthday beautiful Maria!!!!

1 Week!!

 

Well, the time is flying!! I'm so glad Jody is home because I've been able to spend lots of one on one time with my sweet baby. I feel very rested.

Ella is doing great. She is a great little eater, has been doing good diaper # wise.

I'm still worried about her weight gain. I don't think I'll ever get past the fear of hearing a doctor tell me my child isn't "thriving".

 

Everyone is so good with her. So gentle, kind, loving... always wanting to hold her!!

 

I'm loving watching the baby eyes during sleep and seeing her smile.

 

Ella wonders what she has gotten herself into!!!

 

I've gotten one small bout of mastitis. We saw the doctor and she was down to 7 lbs 9 oz. They also said the hospital didn't measure right and she is 21 1/2" long.

We took newborn photos with Alicia. She did a great job and I can't wait to see the pictures and do a baby announcement.

Home!!

 

Together at last!!! Yes. There was running and screaming. Lots of excitement!!

 

Man. Talk about helpful!!! Already the girls have proven they are up to the task of being the best big sisters EVER!!!

 

Poor Maria. Always sick when we have a newborn!! We took precaution the first day and then she was able to hold Ella the 2nd without the blanket.

 

Eli loves his little sister too! At first he said she was scary. Then he started copying her noises EXACTLY. It is hilarious!!! Needless to say the noise level can get pretty loud!!!

He was a little more interested in the money he made off Yaya. She fully taught him to cough in his elbow.... EVERY TIME!!! I guess bribery does work.

 

Of course the grand folk are smitten. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family!!

Papa has really been a lifesaver with swimming!! He's been picking up the girls from school and taking Christina to and from practice. He has saved my soul and sanity.

 

Our first night home we had a fabulous meal from Ramya. It was so thoughtful. It's Maria's favorite soup and utterly delicious. She also brought pie. It was just so nice to relax and have a hot meal.

Thanks Ram.

 

After dinner the kids whisked Ella away like it was the most natural thing on earth. Into the playroom to play and discover together!!

 

Maria so happy to finally have her without blockage. She's been really good about not kissing her. Every time she holds her she talks about how she can't wait to kiss her.

 

Ella beat out Maria for biggest baby weight wise!!

 

Our sweet neighbor came over to tell us she was going on vacation. She is the most wonderful neighbor!! She was very worried I might need her during the day and was pleasantly surprised to find the baby already here!! She brought over the most beautiful socks!! So excited for Ella to wear them at church and during photo shoots.

 

Thanks Luanne!

 

So far all is going so well. It is so relaxing and comfortable at home! We moved Eli into the blue room and Joe and him are bunk mates for a little while... just until Ella is sleeping more soundly.

 

Nursing is going really well. Working on our latch still.

Healing is going really well.

The house is clean and comfy thanks to Joe.

We're being fed by great friends!! Alicia and Sister Dalton also brought by AMAZING dinners!!

(Very tender chicken, potatoes, yummy salad.... spaghetti... great desserts!!)

I'm running on adrenaline... hence, blogging is done!!

 

It just really has been so peaceful and wonderful. Ella is a sweet miracle and I can't imagine life can get more blissful. We've been doing lots of skin to skin and my milk is in. Hooray!!

Ella's First Trip - Yaya Sofia's

 

Since our stay was so short at the hospital, we decided to head to Yaya Sofia's before home. Ella felt very comfortable in her great grandmother's arms. She even SMILED!!!! She was so happy.

 

There is something so sacred to new life. Seeing an older life cradle a newborn makes you realize that God's plan is divine and wise.

Yaya Sofia's first words were to give a prayer. I'm so grateful for her spiritual example.

 

Beautiful hands!! Hard to believe Yaya is over 80!! Look at that flawless skin!!

 

Our cousins came over and were very surprised to find our sweet Ella!! They were so kind about not holding her because the girls hadn't held her yet. Yaya's favorite icons actually include Saint Clara.