Remember that time...

Four and a half years. While I haven't posted about you my little man, it's been because I have been playing with you. I've been reading you. I've been watching you grow into this well... little man. The last time I wrote about you I loved you without really knowing you. Now? Now I write about all the things I love about you. I love how we fight and bicker. I love how you like to punch and I really don't mind until you get into trouble. I like to rough house with you and I love your squeaky little voice. I love your giggle when you just can't keep it in anymore and how neurotic you can be. We have such a special relationship and it means the world to me. So, while I've been silent here, it's been because I've been living a life with you.

My sweet little lady, my Ellie bellie,

KINDERGARTEN???? Excuse me? When did this happen? How? You were just my sweet little love nugget who was always frowning. Now you are this precious little lady who passes swim class, and who took gymnastics, who can write her name, and has her DeDe's phone number on the fridge so you can call her to discuss when you didn't pass swim class the first time. There have been so many moments, that seem so small but are so big. I love watching you grow, and watching you be the very unique person you are.

So much has happened over the past 4.5 years and I can't begin to recount them all. What I can do though is recount those going forward. Like tonight. Tonight was a big one.

Elijah, bud, you were crying... again..  so mom had to take you outside to the car and asked me to grab Isabella and bring her to the car after meeting. So as I'm walking out with Isabella, DeDe follow us out. We get to the car and I trying to say goodbye to you little muchkins, and DeDe and your mom are whispering behind me. I didn't even know this, but Isabella, you did and asked what they were talking about. Well your mom shuts the car door on you, and looks at me and says... do you remember 5 years ago... ( my heart races.. yes I do remember 5 years ago standing in this same spot) when you followed me to the car and I gave you some news? My reaction? SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! I knew exactly what this meant. It meant just like with me and my two sisters, that there would be 3 of you. THREE! I was in disbelief. See me and your mom have started working in the same office over the past years. We are real close. I had no idea! Not even an inkling! THREE LOVE NUGGETS! After I got myself together and realized I needed to immediately update my blog, brush up on my photography skills, and so much more, I ran inside and grabbed your auntie Lana. She needed to know now. We needed to be excited all 4 of us. So Lana comes outside and your mom tells her that she got her something... another neice or nephew! Lana, my sweet Lana starts crying she is so happy. So I start crying, and your mom starts tearing up. The love we have for you our newest little one is already exbounding. We get to experience all the little moments one more time. One more adorable tiny person to love and watch grow.

I can't wait to meet you my sweetness, I can't wait to know if your a little lady like your big sister, or another little man like your big brother. I can't wait to know your name.

One last note, Elijah man... from one middle child to the next, I got your back bro.

The day my sister met her little man...

My handsome little man. You're finally here. While it has taken me quite awhile to tell this story here on the blog, it has been told many a time in person. But let's tell it here. I want to share a day with you that I will never forget. 

It all started December 6th, 2012. Your mom and dad went to the hospital. She was having some cramping and thought maybe it was time to meet you. Once she got there she was sent home because she wasn't quite ready. Let me just say that no one told me you all went there that night. It was after they had sent your mommy home that I found out. I was not a happy camper.

December 7th 2012. That morning at 8:48 your mom had her first contraction. From there things started moving very fast. Your mommy and I were already texting when she starting having these contractions, so yes I was the first to know. Well besides your Daddy. This is something I am so happy about. Something I will forever be grateful for. The last time your mommy texted me was at 9:50. That was her last contraction before there was no more time to write them down. Things started moving fast, I told my boss, this is happening today and before I knew it they were headed to the hospital and I didn't know if I was going to make it this time or not. You're mother had offered my the privilege to be in the room, to be one of the very first to meet you.  Myself, auntie Lana, DeDe, and Grandma. This is why is was so important to get there in time. As soon as I talked to your mommy, I could tell by the sound of her voice and the way she asked me  'are you going to be able to make it?' that I needed to get there, like 20 minutes ago. I still had a 45 minute drive to Nashville! So I ran into my bosses office and said I have to go now! He said yes go! I ran out of there and took off to Nashville, knowing I didn't have much time. You were on your way. 

By the time you're mom got to the hospital and walked into the room, her water broke. By this time I was in Nashville and only about 5 minutes away. DeDe, Papa, and Lana were just pulling in when they heard the news and called me. I panicked. I wasn't going to make it. Then just as I panicked I missed my exit. Let me tell you I'm not good with driving in Nashville. So I am now lost trying to make my way back towards the hospital, Mom and Lana are in the room, and Dad is in the waiting room. Grandma and Grandpa are on their way, just minutes behind me. I finally figure out where I am and how to get to the hospital, and Lana calls. She says "Laurel... she is pushing.' I could tell, no one thinks i'll make it. Its happening now. My GPS said 5 minutes. I wasn't sure if you were going to make it another 5 minutes. I cried, and then I hit the gas. I pulled into the parking lot at 12:09. I ran, as fast as I could. Found dad. He took me to the doors where mom was waiting. We ran down the hall. I could hear your mommy from down the hall. You were on your way. As I made my way through the door, you were on your way. Just then we got the call that Grandma was there and someone had to go get her to let her through the doors. I ran. Opened the door. Ran back. I ran through that door and met you for the first time.The time was now 12:11.  You were beautiful. 

After a few minutes we started cycling through all the guests that had arrived just minutes after you had. I made it back to the waiting room to show them all pictures of you. You are handsome. Then and now. I had bought a brand new camera so I could make sure I captured all the wonders of your birth... but in the haste I had left it in the car still in the box. So I took my time, while I waited to see you again, to go get it and set it up. I made it to the car, and I just cried. I was so happy to have made it there in time, to have finally met you, and I was so proud of my sister. Your mother is so amazing. I will forever be impressed. Now that I've seen her in action for the past two months handling you and your sister I'm still in awe. You are one blessed little guy.


Now that is the story of how you arrived, now let me give you a run down of whats been going on since then.  You are now two months old. You can hold your head up. You are so strong. You have these amazing little side burns and even little biceps. You are pretty quite. I think that is because your sister isn't. You guys will be a good team. You already give her the 'shut up' look. Time sure does fly. You finally made it to your first meeting last Sunday. Everyone has been sick so you've been staying inside. 

I can't wait til I see you again. :)



My dearest Isabella,

Oh My. You are something else. I love your little personality. You are crazy and wild and so independent, but you have these moments that melt my heart. The moments where you just grab my face and kiss me without me asking, or hug me repeatedly. Those moments are priceless. I will tell you, you say everyone just about everyone's name but mine. We have got to work on that. :) You recently went from nodding you head whenever you wanted something and we guessed correctly to everything being NO. Isabella want some milk? NO. *drinks milk like you are dying of thirst* The latest funniest thing you did was during the meeting on Sunday, you were just playing with papa's book and the speaker asked a rhetorical question, something like - Just because someone tells you something means its true right? Your response? A very loud NO. Which everyone heard and the entire congregation just died laughing. Even the speaker stopped and had to get himself together to continue because it was so funny. 

So every Wednesday night I get to spend time with you and your brother. I pick you up after work and keep you til bedtime. Its great. I love that time with you. I'm still working on my house right now. I originally planned that second bedroom for you, but now that you have a little brother, well you will just have to share that with him. But i'm already planning all the toys to put in there. You will love coming over. I'll make sure to take you outside often. :) 

I love you little girl. You will always have a special place in our heart. 

Love, 

Auntie Lollie

 

Oh Boy Oh Boy

Elijah Ryan, let me tell you a story...

Once upon a time there was a little boy who stole his auntie's heart before she ever met him. His name was Elijah Ryan. Its funny how you can steal my heart and I haven't even met you yet. It won't be long though, 1 week and 1 day. That is all the time we have to wait until we get to meet you. A little over a year ago we were right here in the same place. Awaiting the arrival of your big sister. We were all nervous and every time the phone rang our hearts jumped, same thing is happening now. If I have a missed call from your mommy or from DeDe I nearly freak out. That is how eager I am!

So I've been a slacker. I know horrible horrible me. We've been busy with your big sister and moving your mommy and daddy into their new home, which is now big enough for all of you! Let me tell you about how we found out you were a little boy. We threw a small party at your great Aunt Sherri's house. You're mommy and daddy came in and mommy had to run and hide so no one would ask questions because papa was late. So they finally got there and they pulled a onesie out of the bag and it said little brother! Then we all watched the video and got to see you.

 I also threw a pretty great party for you and your mommy. It was a tea party. I know I know, it was not boyish at all. But this party was more for your mommy. You got tons of presents though. Cute... er... I mean handsome stuff! You're going to be seriously stylin' in your new clothes. 

You haven't been as active as I had hoped. You don't move as much. I did get to feel you when you had the hiccups. Seriously weird and amazing at the same time. You're a little man. A real, little man. I realized with your sister just how fast you will grow up. I'm going to cherish every moment. I'm not going to rush you to do anything. I can't wait to see you and your tiny little fingers and toes and hold you while you will still let me. 

You're sister doesn't know whats going on right now. But she'll learn. She is very good at sharing so you've got that going for you kiddo. She is going to be a great big sister. We've been teaching her how to be soft. (That is hard to teach) You should be just fine though. She already loves all the others babies she is around. Hey, you have a cousin that is on her way soon! Kayla and Jeremy are having a little girl. Also a friend of your mommy's adopted a beautiful little girl. You're going to have some best friends when you get older. Friends you get to grow up with. Me and your mom had a pretty rad group of friends too when we were growing up. I mean seriously you can watch our youtube channel when you get older and see for yourself. But what was special is that we were able to grow up with ours and they became our brothers. (Mostly we just had boys). You're going to have a lot of sisters, but trust me they will take care of you.

My dearest boy, I can't wait until next Friday, but until then, (given you stay right where you are) I will talk to you after I get to see your face.

Sweet Crazy Isabella,

I say crazy in the most loving way. But you sure are a character. You make the craziest faces! The crack me up! You're getting so big and you can talk, although you refuse to say my name. Hello, by the way what is up with that?! You and I have had long talks about this but still, its just mom. Everything is Mom. You see my cell phone. MOM. You see food. MOM. You see a toy. MOM. haha not that I'm rushing you, because right now i'm enjoying every little moment. I can't believe it has been over one year since we all sat in that waiting room, and since I cried when I saw that first picture of you. You have a personality so your own.

So let me tell you what you've been up to. You moved into a new house. Its just right down the road but you don't live with DeDe and PaPa anymore. You get to have your own bedroom now! You sleep in your own bed all through the night, and you will even sit in your own chair during the meetings... well for a bit anyways. You eat big girl food, and have moved into a big girl car seat. You spend the night with your family and have even been to a girls night slumber party. You ate your first cupcake. You didn't really like the cake but you loved the icing. Maybe you're more of a pie and ice cream gal like myself. You had to have a shower afterwards though because you were a bit messy. You hate wearing shoes, and love string cheese. Seriously some days its all you will eat. You loved my grilled cheese. Like you went bonkers and tried to eat my entire sandwich. You went on your first hay ride and loved it. You only sneezed once. You're uncle David does one every year. 

I don't know if you understand what is going on or understand that your little brother is going to be here soon, but I do know that you are going to be a great big sister. I don't know how to deal with little brothers though, that is uncharted territory for me. Looks like you'll have to talk to your daddy about that one. 

Love you baby girl!

Enjoy catching up on the pictures.

Love,
Auntie Lollie (you will say it one day!) 

What will you be.....

My anticipation is growing... the day is getting near.... One week from today we get to know you a little bit better.

Our whole family is waiting, (not so patiently) to find out about our newest member. The rest of the family is just so sure that you're a little boy. I still think you might be a girl. That could be just because I want your big sister to have a little sister, because, and you can ask your mommmy, little sisters are pretty awesome. (Don't tell auntie Nanners I said that!) Your Mommy even told me that when I find myself a husband that i've already got a flower girl and ring bearer. It took me a minute to realize what she said, she is that sure!

If you are a little girl, 

You will be able to enjoy a great gift. The gift of sisters. You will so not like them at times! They will annoy you, they will embarrass you, but they will always be there for you. I got to talk to your mommy the other day and we talked like we were teens again, thats the kind of thing that never goes away with sisters. 

If you are a little boy,

You will be the most spoiled boy ever. You better believe you will be golfing before you can walk and have a better throwing arm than the rest of the family. Finally a little boy! You will also have the responsibility to watch your sister as your two grow up. She'll protect you, and you'll protect you. I don't have any fleshly brothers but I have more honorary brothers than a girl needs. They protect me. 

Either way little peanut, we will love you more than you'll probably ever know. So lets count down the days! 7 days til I can start shopping for you and really planning for you!

My dearest Isabella,

Me oh my and pumpkin pie how you grow so fast! 

So yea I totally taught you how to say aye yi yi. Best trick ever. Next is ay dios mios! Who cares if you can say my name or not. haha! You're so close to standing up on your own. I think you're afraid to let go. Which is so nice to see actually because you've been so independent so far.

I hope you understand what is going on with the new baby going on. Your mommy and daddy are trying to get ready for it. You're going to love the new little one.

Siblings are built in best friends. 

I will talk to you in a few days. July 31st. That's the big day! Love you lots.

Love,

Aunite Lollie

sweet sweet babies...

Hello my lovelies!

My my how we've grown! Sweet little Ellie belly you are almost 8 months old. Its hard to think that you have been in my life almost as long as you were in your mommy's tummy. 

You're so big. So strong. So active.

YOU NEVER SIT STILL. ever.

We've made it through you're very first convention. :) It was 3 long days and I'm not sure that Mom or Dad got much out of it at all, but at least we were all there.

OH my OH my. I forgot to mention you've got 2 teeth now! The second one is coming in right now but the first is already in.

I love how much you move and try to talk. All the time you try to talk. You can say mom, dada, gaga, baba. haha I know those are real words, well the last two, but they still count. 

You got to go swimming for the first time. You loved it. We all played and you got to float! However you did get a little cold and we could only stay in the pool for a few mins because some kid decided to throw up and we all had to rush out of the pool. GROSS. Trust me the next time we won't rush you. And you might even get your own float. :)

Sweet little Peanut,

I am so excited to meet you. To feel you move. To be your proud Auntie Lollie. To know who you are and to see your face. We stay pretty busy these days with your older sister but we all still love you so much. I try hard  not to shop for you yet since we don't know if you are Abby or Eli yet. But we will know so soon!

July 31st! Thats the day I will know more about you. I'll know who you are. Your mommy is starting to show more and more and it gets more exciting every day. You have such a wonderful family to meet. 

Boy or Girl? Eli or Abby? Blue or Pink? Those are the questions!

You had you're first 3 day convention. Granted you were a piece of cake through it. Such an easy baby. haha.

I love you and can't wait to meet you.

I'm one proud Auntie. 

Til next time.