tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36960103726236018572024-02-19T17:41:09.494-06:00The ElliottsThe Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-14854683284474989852012-05-31T20:21:00.001-05:002012-05-31T20:21:18.234-05:00So much it hurts!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That is how much I love this little girl!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt346Ppi1DCD6i2iSrMp-v90j9rvqzFHmoOnUaHBAFgy1qTEQcGokWw4LpiLvhkrpb86q55Pwb3G7bcX7JDRWnsMeXLAT2MjdztrAXFTcqZBQCYp8_7t4q9WcLj9cJoZTKpuMNwt6Cg8Q/s1600/DSC_0320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt346Ppi1DCD6i2iSrMp-v90j9rvqzFHmoOnUaHBAFgy1qTEQcGokWw4LpiLvhkrpb86q55Pwb3G7bcX7JDRWnsMeXLAT2MjdztrAXFTcqZBQCYp8_7t4q9WcLj9cJoZTKpuMNwt6Cg8Q/s640/DSC_0320.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making dumplings with MeMe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-2927099128063042912012-05-24T10:07:00.002-05:002012-05-24T10:07:57.964-05:00Smiles (Weeks 8-12)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgZLL89i6_R1hOrjdhRNDCdctfxEKTI1g_yaznk4b1OklXlQ1H79wMgv60bvX0UYwNMQ2p7DdcGP9PhRJMJ0do7yyxdNb8r8FIfsH6025JLOgEDL5YTXbt0-Z3jkmiPIUPmYCTceRHmeV/s1600/DSC_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgZLL89i6_R1hOrjdhRNDCdctfxEKTI1g_yaznk4b1OklXlQ1H79wMgv60bvX0UYwNMQ2p7DdcGP9PhRJMJ0do7yyxdNb8r8FIfsH6025JLOgEDL5YTXbt0-Z3jkmiPIUPmYCTceRHmeV/s400/DSC_0350.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Well, two months have gone by and our little one does not seem quite so tiny any more. While I do hate how quickly the new born stage passes, I love all the fun that comes with growing. Asher's 2nd month was full of smiles...smiles that quite literally steal my heart. When he gets really excited he opens his mouth in a grin, pulls his hand up, and squints one eye closed. Precious I tell you! He is so aware of everyone in the room and loves attention. His favorite activity is for us to talk or play with him while he lays flat on his back. By the end of the month he was starting to really engage with Avery and starting to giggle just a little.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoNn2KErMiL2UrR-fdZMva-6AAwcU9N1JDEhgjbJYu86mnjMYyMUUqTkVwt12ZUtlbnhT1IA6j2AqkfeWJzqgZnz7qZDiqwMhEdPcBOCcsyVwGuBOYnYs4kvpVbbkBUIqnZZoW40ZomL3/s1600/DSC_0362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoNn2KErMiL2UrR-fdZMva-6AAwcU9N1JDEhgjbJYu86mnjMYyMUUqTkVwt12ZUtlbnhT1IA6j2AqkfeWJzqgZnz7qZDiqwMhEdPcBOCcsyVwGuBOYnYs4kvpVbbkBUIqnZZoW40ZomL3/s400/DSC_0362.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
At his 2 month appointment, he weighed 12.5 lb. (50%) and was 23 inches long (30%). He wears 3-6 month clothes and continues to wear size 1 diapers. He is doing great with a schedule and started sleeping through the night (10:00-6:30) on the same day as his 2 month checkup. By the end of month 2 he was sleeping from 9:00-7:00. Throughout the day he nurses every 3.5 to 4 hours and stays awake a little more than an hour before going back down for a nap. If we have to go out to run errands, his sleep is not restful. He has a hard time going to sleep in his car seat and doesn't have a problem letting us know it. Avery and I have started singing to him in the car (Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves the Little Children, and You are My Sunshine) and that helps a lot. Once he finally falls asleep all is good!<br />
<br />
Nursing is going great again. At around 9 weeks, I took a short weekend hiatus from nursing and exclusively pumped. I definitely needed some TLC. So far, my milk supply is pretty insane and for this I am so thankful. I have about 350 oz. in the freezer and am out of room. I think a deep freezer may be in our future! I pump in the morning first thing, but nurse each time he eats throughout the day, then I usually pump right before bed. With Avery, since I was working, we were able to cycle through the frozen milk and put away new each day. Now that I am staying at home and actually feeding Asher, we are not using the milk I put up nearly as quickly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-c5bZAJr1OVaI8-WDqyCYmPFUk1-HNOj5Ji_RXn7M2D3ELUG3P0yYogMBkS46uZC8YGmuzPB4aOqfVKuOLnehHPtLROjyZJNP5kRXL6JXcRsyNPlKBfwvX-aqbwqQF5PznJ-MahD1GO0b/s1600/DSC_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-c5bZAJr1OVaI8-WDqyCYmPFUk1-HNOj5Ji_RXn7M2D3ELUG3P0yYogMBkS46uZC8YGmuzPB4aOqfVKuOLnehHPtLROjyZJNP5kRXL6JXcRsyNPlKBfwvX-aqbwqQF5PznJ-MahD1GO0b/s400/DSC_0338.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Asher is now sleeping only in his crib. I started putting him in it for naps around 7 weeks, but we moved him permanently at 9 weeks. We were putting the co-sleeper up a couple of weeks ago and Levi said happily "Well, we did it again!" Yes, we did! Once again, we made it through the really exhausting newborn stage and feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to experience it. We are still swaddling him for almost all naps. If we do not do it just right, he breaks out pretty easily, but still sleeps pretty soundly even with his arms and feet out.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBht29mFRswONYujVA7FMaJZO_lztPFdHEORdFIQpWRcCLmZ3jkAJfKslgEJOf-va-WVHCcO2FCCs0JsSsy3V_9kJCOb5rTOdn2QUVfjnlcROLbklEgbo6Jc0iCgg4zs_oQLA6qiTVA0P/s1600/DSC_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBht29mFRswONYujVA7FMaJZO_lztPFdHEORdFIQpWRcCLmZ3jkAJfKslgEJOf-va-WVHCcO2FCCs0JsSsy3V_9kJCOb5rTOdn2QUVfjnlcROLbklEgbo6Jc0iCgg4zs_oQLA6qiTVA0P/s400/DSC_0339.JPG" width="400" /></a>At 11 weeks, my maternity leave ended and I am very excited to say that I resigned from my position at Auburn. Levi and I, with a huge amount of grace and guidance from God, have worked incredibly hard to prepare financially, for me to stay at home. My heart is filled with joy, as I know this is the best decision for our family. Getting to put Avery down for her nap, laughing and talking with her about whatever is on her mind, hearing her say "Mommy will you lay with me?" is wonderful. I know she will not always want me to lay with her, so I better take advantage of her requests now! I hope to write a lot more about staying at home and the blessing it is. Once I have a few months in, I also want to write about my experience as a working mother and how it compares to being at home.<br />
<br />
Time is fleeting and I am trying to get in as much cuddle time with my precious little boy as possible. What I want to remember most about this stage is just how happy he is! We love life right now. It is busy and exhausting, but it is also precious and undeserved. I am working on loving it all, even the hard moments of parenting. I can sense God working so much in my heart, gently molding and shaping me into a better wife and mother each day.The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-6081990352356273082012-04-14T11:44:00.000-05:002012-04-14T11:44:58.878-05:00In Love...(Weeks 1-7)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJpu4bxQfUw98vwc8YhlENevKgG2TalvSJuapf00_dqjXDWiBHKkp0Htt6Q-9u2JUQxYRJl0boQxKsq1kjKoc_2TKAa-n5zMXZiEuiaADLe9vtGCtkXK-S2XcP2oCoLkMWS90FGfzlPZ4/s1600/DSC_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJpu4bxQfUw98vwc8YhlENevKgG2TalvSJuapf00_dqjXDWiBHKkp0Htt6Q-9u2JUQxYRJl0boQxKsq1kjKoc_2TKAa-n5zMXZiEuiaADLe9vtGCtkXK-S2XcP2oCoLkMWS90FGfzlPZ4/s640/DSC_0338.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHLWAtn0eDq_z9GI4SKs1Ho7QtTSjhZ5V9H7Xc5LOYTq_anb3zp8cKh1Z2ZWQXA1TrRDZOsyMM01tJA3_P62sEZuVnTDTI8miqEGMLXfUQ-ghR8cHPxaZ0pUGaqEcB8r7uLEgwdOjaWC-/s1600/1099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHLWAtn0eDq_z9GI4SKs1Ho7QtTSjhZ5V9H7Xc5LOYTq_anb3zp8cKh1Z2ZWQXA1TrRDZOsyMM01tJA3_P62sEZuVnTDTI8miqEGMLXfUQ-ghR8cHPxaZ0pUGaqEcB8r7uLEgwdOjaWC-/s400/1099.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>With this little guy! Almost 8 weeks have passed since Asher joined our family and now, it is really hard to imagine what our life was like without him. Granted, it was a little easier to get out of the door to go somewhere, but overall the transition has been really smooth! Praise the Lord! Can I just say he is so pretty...I know you shouldn't say that about your little boy, but really he is. That is the most common response we hear from other people...they say, wow, he is just too pretty and then say, well handsome is a better word to use!<br />
<br />
I love the newborn stage...the sweet smiles, yawns, and sounds, the tiny hands, feet, and clothes, the sweet cuddling. There really is nothing more precious (Although Avery telling me she loves me completely unprompted comes close)! I am certainly aware of how quickly it will pass and I am trying to soak it in. Something inherently newborn is swaddling and for the first few days, Asher was not fond of it. This totally freaked us out, due to how much Avery liked it, so we tried it again sometime around 1 week old and he loved it. I really like the swaddle me blankets...so quick and easy for during the day and for family who haven't mastered swaddling with a regular blanket. There is just something so wonderful about a swaddled baby...all snug as a bug :)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraLFwMiFyLPmrBNnnz9FYNFmpm8gX6pEVpv_hqbpG32G4AWI8ifXNL50KZYQleEJZGuV20tvKoS5bm6hyphenhyphenf1io0Kp9cHegYBxchcdiSJZhlaCA5uAVscV2KQTQctfSD2A20fqNDwtZmeX0/s1600/DSC_0376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraLFwMiFyLPmrBNnnz9FYNFmpm8gX6pEVpv_hqbpG32G4AWI8ifXNL50KZYQleEJZGuV20tvKoS5bm6hyphenhyphenf1io0Kp9cHegYBxchcdiSJZhlaCA5uAVscV2KQTQctfSD2A20fqNDwtZmeX0/s400/DSC_0376.jpg" width="265" /></a>So far, Asher has taken really well to a schedule. At the beginning he ate every 2.5 hours during the day and we have moved to every 3.5 hours now. He is only awake for a total of about an hour before he is ready to go back down for a nap. And boy, does he nap like a champ...I can count on at least a 2 hour nap each time I lay him down. He would probably sleep longer, but I never let him go over 4 hours, so that he will sleep at night. Speaking of sleep at night, we had maybe 2 or three rough nights during his second week. For the most part now, I feed him at 10, he is down by 10: 30 and sleeps till 3 or 3:30. I feed him and he doesn't wake again until 7. He also sleeps on his stomach and loves it. Don't get me wrong... we are looking forward to sleeping through the night, but for now, feel good about the rest we are getting and are thankful for God's blessing in this area. I say "we" because Levi wakes up with me every night and gets Asher ready for me to nurse (unswaddles, changes his diaper) and then puts him back down after he is finished. This gives me time to use the restroom and afterwards, change nursing pads and get some water. He is up every morning at 5:30 an leaves the house by 6:15...What an amazing man to sacrifice for me in this way! My love language is acts of service and I couldn't ask for a more servant minded husband! Asher has a wonderful example to follow.<br />
<br />
To plug Babywise once again, let me just say... the method is so natural and if you just watch your baby and how they react to being tired, rather than rushing over to comfort them immediately, you can learn a lot about their needs and help them self soothe. Sleep, Feed, Wake, just makes so much sense. For Asher, it was learning that he doesn't want to be awake very long in between eating and going back down. He is as happy as can be when he first wakes up and then while eating, but about 15 minutes after he is finished, he is ready for a nap again. If you do not put him down pretty quick, he gets really fussy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmEcmHUEE2TOHq-RBbke8NTmEs17_Dt8XHVO3Ayzh6iTlpQFk06xWMd-PjB8qN_omyaGibJbx8AGHj78cHAHCLcWVR-W5Fz0kSfIM3RR2_SgZkUv1VnI9JQBQmL2FIIdrOzqAYKPBOOHK/s1600/DSC_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmEcmHUEE2TOHq-RBbke8NTmEs17_Dt8XHVO3Ayzh6iTlpQFk06xWMd-PjB8qN_omyaGibJbx8AGHj78cHAHCLcWVR-W5Fz0kSfIM3RR2_SgZkUv1VnI9JQBQmL2FIIdrOzqAYKPBOOHK/s320/DSC_0334.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With a sister as girly as Avery, he has lots of baby dolls in his future!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I have told several people that I think I am more smitten with Asher than I was with Avery. In the early days with her, I was just so busy trying to figure everything out that there wasn't much time for relaxing. This time, things have been much more laid back and I have had time to just be in awe of how perfect and precious my little boy is. I must say that he is smitten with me too...smiling when I sing to him and trying really hard to find me when he hears my voice.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiXfQ917-hFpud03vWwJd4Tn-ZmbHif2Gk01w-JQRKH4EmqdUhEyZXCg9p99pCuyeLjrEfEVUGYiTc3tKNsKuv4qno3cFW7nSq7XXH_ONYX54LAcT0IMnjZqAqyrHSdUIqChc0MyU7Vts/s1600/DSC_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiXfQ917-hFpud03vWwJd4Tn-ZmbHif2Gk01w-JQRKH4EmqdUhEyZXCg9p99pCuyeLjrEfEVUGYiTc3tKNsKuv4qno3cFW7nSq7XXH_ONYX54LAcT0IMnjZqAqyrHSdUIqChc0MyU7Vts/s320/DSC_0329.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avery must really love him to share her prized Elmo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nursing has gone pretty smoothly...he nurses really well and I have plenty of milk, which is an awesome blessing. I just love how his little hand holds my finger while he is nursing. It melts my heart! With that said, nursing is not a cake walk. It takes time, dedication, and sacrifice. While I have had some pain, I have worked to get through it and hope to be able to continue to nurse through most of his first year.<br />
<br />
As far as growth goes, Asher was 7:6 at birth and left the hospital at 7. At one week he was 7:3, at two weeks he was back at 7:6, and at his 1 month checkup (5 weeks old) he was 9:12 (50th for weight). His length was wrong at the hospital...they charted 21.5 inches, but at his 1 week visit he was only 20 inches. He wasn't even back up to the hospital length at 5 weeks, measuring 21.25 (25th percentile). I am looking forward to his next check up!<br />
<br />
Asher, it has been so much fun getting to know you the past two months! You are such a blessing to our family. Asherboy, little man, Ash man, we all love you bunches!The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-3731384389631014722012-04-12T10:31:00.004-05:002012-04-12T10:44:47.629-05:00Asher's Birth Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjg9XT_zq8BF_yy0YNf_1AR8r5RFqfMXUT858Q3yQby0dd4uuBcJH7ijSvtCnFJ2M_XIKCwYOablZmN5XzRBxQhOJHiJuGzy6BB2s3T1pYdEl8eVkiB1hPGVlnTB9Xq0KNJ3RAm1pocBjO/s1600/DSC_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjg9XT_zq8BF_yy0YNf_1AR8r5RFqfMXUT858Q3yQby0dd4uuBcJH7ijSvtCnFJ2M_XIKCwYOablZmN5XzRBxQhOJHiJuGzy6BB2s3T1pYdEl8eVkiB1hPGVlnTB9Xq0KNJ3RAm1pocBjO/s640/DSC_0313.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On February llth at 1:08 pm, we welcomed precious Asher Thomas Elliott to our family! He weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. and was charted by the hospital as being 21.5 inches long (it turns out he was really about 20 inches, as confirmed by his ped). There really are no words that can adequately describe how you feel when you see your baby for the first time. Joy, exuberance, relief, and gratitude are just a few of the ones that come to mind. It is a sweet and special moment, that is forever a part of your being. But, because I know the details of his arrival will slowly become foggy, I want to document them for our memories.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sntq4JJdE9g2TV3evemJB_RwjEulKQPHkCPrXqVQVK59PnHZhab5AJt2_WUaoeeXjX-SvJlP6s2y5jn3ftah5KYUuTsGaGKFek7FuBupqACbppQE3ZoEWv3QGJxyhy8XtGthJwBKJ5hG/s1600/DSC_0269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sntq4JJdE9g2TV3evemJB_RwjEulKQPHkCPrXqVQVK59PnHZhab5AJt2_WUaoeeXjX-SvJlP6s2y5jn3ftah5KYUuTsGaGKFek7FuBupqACbppQE3ZoEWv3QGJxyhy8XtGthJwBKJ5hG/s320/DSC_0269.JPG" width="320" /></a>Rewind to my 39 week appointment on 2/8/12, where it turned out that I had not progressed any since 37 weeks. I was still at 2.5 cm dilated and around 80% effaced. Due to this, Dr. Golden, Levi, and I discussed a potential induction for that Saturday the 11th. Throughout this entire pregnancy, I sincerely wanted to go into labor on my own and attempt a natural birth. With Avery, my body reacted very poorly to the pitocin and the epidural making for a truly horrible induction experience. I was really sick for the last 8 hours of the delivery and felt completely out of control of any aspect of bringing my child into the world. I attribute a lot of bad experience to being uneducated on the true process of labor. Throughout this pregnancy though I became very enlightened on many of the birthing techniques, labor preparedness exercises, and all that is natural labor. In particular, I focused on the Bradley Method for child birth (<i>Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way</i>). Thus when the topic of induction came up, I was definitely reluctant.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yT5uoxrrW2cnjvxJbeHmbR1IMCCxWREczLAhRukYye6i52D2Xfs5wyPxOsDA7gkZUrAdoUIg2qABqibzc-E9YxsVrMRpmaqEQUbpQEw86aZk3mY7VwH-wlaaeipLAQpW1QMtZel8Av10/s1600/DSC_0263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yT5uoxrrW2cnjvxJbeHmbR1IMCCxWREczLAhRukYye6i52D2Xfs5wyPxOsDA7gkZUrAdoUIg2qABqibzc-E9YxsVrMRpmaqEQUbpQEw86aZk3mY7VwH-wlaaeipLAQpW1QMtZel8Av10/s400/DSC_0263.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>At one of my earlier visits, Dr. Golden and I discussed the issues I had during my first delivery and my preferences for this delivery...fast forward to this appointment and he spent a lot of time reassuring me that if we did induce, this time, it should be very different than the first. Apparently, based on Asher's station (-1) and having a favorable cervix, he anticipated beginning the induction about 8:00 a.m and that we would be holding our baby by 2:00 pm. Admittedly, it sounded perfect to both of us, but I could not shake the guilt over scheduling and induction after working so diligently toward a natural birth. Dr. Golden lightened the moment though by telling me that "Guilt is so overrated!" I definitely needed to hear that :) He told us to sleep on the decision and let his nurse know what we wanted to do at some point the next day.<br />
<br />
The next morning, I was pretty much an emotional wreck over the decision. I called my best friend Katherine and basically went over every good and bad aspect of the decision. She was great and allowed me to shed all of the tears I needed to. She is so diligent to pray for her friends needs, and I know also covered me and our family in her prayers. After we talked, I called Levi about 10:00. I let him know my doubts and he said, lets pray separately over the next couple of hours and at 2:00 talk again to make a final decision.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUk6HJOAa-S_RIPHQ3lhyphenhyphenp7tE63u0UxR5MMB1lGNMUg0adNzvV9gUPW9W-FCXQEw-2WxaZ5bMyArjIFe3pR7XjTHiiJME-uo-v-6jvs5sqJ49MFvJWs8MME0qZf3SVBkj0F1-LoKu2jC1M/s1600/DSC_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUk6HJOAa-S_RIPHQ3lhyphenhyphenp7tE63u0UxR5MMB1lGNMUg0adNzvV9gUPW9W-FCXQEw-2WxaZ5bMyArjIFe3pR7XjTHiiJME-uo-v-6jvs5sqJ49MFvJWs8MME0qZf3SVBkj0F1-LoKu2jC1M/s400/DSC_0274.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>As I prayed, I truly began to feel a sense of peace about being induced. The timing was spot on for maximizing Levi's time off from work and I was in a lot of pain every night when I got home from work. Thinking about going in for another week seemed daunting. Yes, I could have just started my leave, but to sit at home when I could have either been at work or had the baby, seemed pointless. Also, boys in our immediate family (Levi, Alex, and Samuel), all have a history of hanging out well past their due dates and storing up food for the winter (i.e. getting large). Dr. Golden had estimated Asher to be around 7 lbs, which seemed pretty perfect to me. Based on how hard it was for Avery to move through the birth canal at 6 lbs. 10 oz. we knew that a baby over 8lbs would be hard for me to deliver. So, at 2:00 we talked, and God had aligned our hearts in agreement for an induction.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipO4nlTvkVQiFRurcVahh1fN3NstQoAM3WI7rk8aT5U0s-h3wGwVNltWkMgXDF-noV7BWGkTzY_Wne3BF__SKAXx1Fdi_zc8gdnvgIhLUh_zSI8lofkBrg0dUSLu4pt8XChvZq3c3LuGl6/s1600/DSC_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipO4nlTvkVQiFRurcVahh1fN3NstQoAM3WI7rk8aT5U0s-h3wGwVNltWkMgXDF-noV7BWGkTzY_Wne3BF__SKAXx1Fdi_zc8gdnvgIhLUh_zSI8lofkBrg0dUSLu4pt8XChvZq3c3LuGl6/s400/DSC_0275.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Looking back, many of the emotions I experienced over making the decision came not so much from deciding if we should induce, but more from the realization that our family was about to change forever. It was the first time I had allowed myself the freedom to grieve over the loss of our family of three. Would I be able to devote enough time and attention to both children, would Avery handle the transition ok, would we have a healthy delivery? I used that Thursday morning as time to reflect on the memories we had made with Avery over the last 2.5 years, as well as face all my fears and doubts about bringing a new little one into the picture. By bed time, I had released them all to the One who holds the world together. Through the delivery and these first few weeks, He has been faithful to provide for our every need.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxD_VG_GV5sC_jxi12IHaKmgbgQmIqpom5SYBJXx3xwKK3ONwA4KIVxrdpTc-ogpu4yqKeCePXmZUnKTTfEj_ZwNJ7zmcT5pgHE1AxFb8uU6-8ryYDa-QBFHsr9hptG0LsIqsh94GRE8W/s1600/DSC_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxD_VG_GV5sC_jxi12IHaKmgbgQmIqpom5SYBJXx3xwKK3ONwA4KIVxrdpTc-ogpu4yqKeCePXmZUnKTTfEj_ZwNJ7zmcT5pgHE1AxFb8uU6-8ryYDa-QBFHsr9hptG0LsIqsh94GRE8W/s400/DSC_0271.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Friday night, Avery stayed with my mom, while Levi and I prepared for the next day by going to bed early. We arrived at the hospital at 7:30. By 8:00, my nurse Madonna had me all set up and started the pitocin. I got my epidural at 9:30. It was a much different experience to get it when I wasn't in a lot of pain. I endured 8 hours of labor before getting it with Avery, which I think was part of why my delivery went so terribly the first time. This time, I knew I wanted it very early, so that I could remain as relaxed as possible and let the pitocin do the work. At 10:00 Dr. Golden broke my water and checked me. I was 3.5 cm dilated and 90% effaced. Levi and spent the next couple of hours talking and resting. I surfed the internet, he did crosswords. About 11:45 Dr. Golden checked me again and I was at 7 cm and pretty much thinned out. He said that by the time everyone ate lunch (except me of course), I would be complete and ready to push. Over the next hour, I could definitely feel pressure and the contractions getting stronger. I also started to feel nauseous, which is a good sign that things are moving along. At 12:45, he checked me again and sure enough, it was time to push!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkcOjNxCPH-t1xE4q2j-p3qjCPOobI7nCyqfuTFhMPv5Uv6ZUCMvQNWqB2SD0PfoTiriIV6TgpgdDz6j_osjyU6p4Dcs0BgGg-8lO8n_9wSp0XDyblNA-8aaCfWwtKkIF13boYLnz8PiV/s1600/DSC_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkcOjNxCPH-t1xE4q2j-p3qjCPOobI7nCyqfuTFhMPv5Uv6ZUCMvQNWqB2SD0PfoTiriIV6TgpgdDz6j_osjyU6p4Dcs0BgGg-8lO8n_9wSp0XDyblNA-8aaCfWwtKkIF13boYLnz8PiV/s400/DSC_0276.JPG" width="400" /></a>I pushed with Levi and Madonna for about 15 minutes...I was even brave enough to use the mirror this time! Dr. G came back in at 1:00, by 1:08 Asher was here. Dr. Golden used the manual suction cup for about 20 seconds right at the end and before I knew it, he was saying stop pushing his head is out! Asher's cord was wrapped around his neck (so was Avery's) but shortly after he emerged, he began to softly cry. Then they laid him on my chest and I took in every little nook and cranny of our precious little blessing. So tiny, so new, so perfect! Levi cut the cord and they weighed and measured him. One part of my natural birth plan that I did stick to was asking that they not put the gooey stuff on his eyes. There is not a purpose to use this on most babies and for a short period of time, it makes their vision more blurry than it already is. After they cleaned him up, they laid him back on my chest. I cried as I nursed him for the first time. What an amazing gift from God. The moments He was allowing us to live were completely underserved, but here we were experiencing the birth of a second child. Oh how awesome is our God!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzFF8HFp9cp9l69Zv0juuwb0afgOrJh2B7idxAaTVZaATztFL083Wc_8ECAMbU9caWxVQC3iXreuCcln3eTN3fdkvZ4-G3d5-GHExOwYEBOquvSy60ji7Epjn0AYamkKWLlpBXRA5Dm9x/s1600/DSC_0291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzFF8HFp9cp9l69Zv0juuwb0afgOrJh2B7idxAaTVZaATztFL083Wc_8ECAMbU9caWxVQC3iXreuCcln3eTN3fdkvZ4-G3d5-GHExOwYEBOquvSy60ji7Epjn0AYamkKWLlpBXRA5Dm9x/s400/DSC_0291.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_wmiYrmqtKF4PvliM0nWwqIEhfcNKlCqf2YysQI3PQQO43aQmh8sqCrGRG9zziHPECu0L3C-eOZ22GSuwyMfC-8-cFg8ONjhApGCB3DWu2xGVjg2s6UyUSN4w8tvYdjUxl7uP1nf7G1K/s1600/DSC_0301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_wmiYrmqtKF4PvliM0nWwqIEhfcNKlCqf2YysQI3PQQO43aQmh8sqCrGRG9zziHPECu0L3C-eOZ22GSuwyMfC-8-cFg8ONjhApGCB3DWu2xGVjg2s6UyUSN4w8tvYdjUxl7uP1nf7G1K/s400/DSC_0301.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Levi is such an amazing birth coach. Through both births he has been right there for every hard, gross, sweet, and amazing moment. He is always so cool and collected and his words of affirmation give me so much confidence. I cannot imagine experiencing it with any one else. Once at home, he told me that seeing me hold his babies for the first time is when all the emotion hits him. Then I remembered that both our eyes filled with tears when they gave Asher to me the second time. I am so thankful for the love we share!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWxfUIL8sLwfm0PhzJF29iEIQLhQheSPSN78hsmmWU93i48vpH8w4j4JZxcyi8aNFdQQFRvnLEcs6cmVKYuFjSYbOVY_v3fs3inzTZzZTmM67X8Hr8OFf2L2605g8KzCDd6vCfiiXYsvL/s1600/DSC_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWxfUIL8sLwfm0PhzJF29iEIQLhQheSPSN78hsmmWU93i48vpH8w4j4JZxcyi8aNFdQQFRvnLEcs6cmVKYuFjSYbOVY_v3fs3inzTZzZTmM67X8Hr8OFf2L2605g8KzCDd6vCfiiXYsvL/s400/DSC_0289.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Because Avery's delivery was so long and unpredictable, we told our family that we would call when I started pushing. Levi's parents left Haleyville about 10:00 that morning thinking it would be at least late afternoon before he was here. Levi called my mom around lunch to let her know I was at 7 and he was born before she could get to the hospital. Asher had been here about 15 minutes when she arrived. To plug how wonderful my mom is, I got really sick at the hospital shortly after he was born (no reason to give details) and she was there to take care of me...so patient and attentive. Lets just say I do not know what I would have done without her :)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyxEhukuVvUTPgEJSNphlcmYH7X267LcLKAKtlwz96yL1VM7h1IX1CkzNubbpnO3LU5iQXnmprWPdBQaXKqAiqvZeq7XyI-OneRsPBL-tNVEv_6Lcs62v-lkiMSxKOkUuWs61n1PF9kgm/s1600/DSC_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyxEhukuVvUTPgEJSNphlcmYH7X267LcLKAKtlwz96yL1VM7h1IX1CkzNubbpnO3LU5iQXnmprWPdBQaXKqAiqvZeq7XyI-OneRsPBL-tNVEv_6Lcs62v-lkiMSxKOkUuWs61n1PF9kgm/s400/DSC_0284.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
By 3:00 the whole crew was there and Asher was meeting his big sister for the first time! It was priceless and Avery was interested in examining every little part of his cute face, his hands, and then even his toes! Eventually, the new wore off and she grew restless. Grandmommy and Grandaddy brought her back to our house where she was spoiled with lots of play time and candy (she loves Grandaddy's smarties).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHSYmgdrrNO3AyCnY-D9s-QheY0aeCfiFrZ-fEAYfkrEcyTsnLDO2ugR2mmTV-hoF3c3jD1Cf-8XmL_Mp9pKDZ80VQCnwsldMmbY469BM1mY7mr2bLQslooUvYqYNTl_5K2c86ul6CFI2/s1600/DSC_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHSYmgdrrNO3AyCnY-D9s-QheY0aeCfiFrZ-fEAYfkrEcyTsnLDO2ugR2mmTV-hoF3c3jD1Cf-8XmL_Mp9pKDZ80VQCnwsldMmbY469BM1mY7mr2bLQslooUvYqYNTl_5K2c86ul6CFI2/s400/DSC_0295.JPG" width="320" /></a>The next couple of days for us were filled with lots of cuddling and getting to know Asher. I had the sweetest nurses who took great care of me and get ready for a shocker, but I actually like hospital food! We got breakfast out most days, but even Levi ate lunch and dinner in the cafeteria both days. Several sweet friends came to visit little Asher and before we knew it, Monday came and we were heading home! This entire experience (except the 2 hours after he was born that I was so sick), was much better. Dr. G says that all OBs wish they could specialize in the birth of 2nd babies...typically much easier and quicker deliveries. I am thankful that this was the case for me!<br />
<br />
Asher you are simply too good to be true! Our days are so much sweeter with you in them. It is amazing how my heart grew to hold even more love than could already. My little boy, my son...I look forward to watching God's plan for your life unfold and am unbelievably grateful to be a part of your story.The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-11760640298979388542012-02-06T22:17:00.000-06:002012-02-06T22:17:50.713-06:00As The End Draws Near...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYx9Jt0-ubCN6j3Z5FxFvif5nd1h6WysG2K-fvMPyVDNrgBqDMmS63ewPkPCNDWdvBMoNYJoNdszngvfJOXcHMTsoClPf5RetRb7Eswxu9c4P5w48ghHAVol6QY43sV4Luar17IEesmhv/s1600/DSC_0271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYx9Jt0-ubCN6j3Z5FxFvif5nd1h6WysG2K-fvMPyVDNrgBqDMmS63ewPkPCNDWdvBMoNYJoNdszngvfJOXcHMTsoClPf5RetRb7Eswxu9c4P5w48ghHAVol6QY43sV4Luar17IEesmhv/s640/DSC_0271.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(37 weeks)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>Wow, I will be 39 weeks Thursday! The weeks and months of this pregnancy have gone by so much more quickly than they did with Avery. Now, as I enter the final weeks, I am torn between experiencing our life as a family of three to the fullest, while yet deeply yearning to finally embrace this new little miracle inside of me. Very soon, life is going to be different for sure. I cannot wait to see how much joy and happiness he is going to add to our family.<br />
<br />
A few nights ago, Levi and I were discussing just how well he feels like he knows Avery. Just like singing the words to our favorite song, we have a deep understanding for what she likes and dislikes, how to calm and comfort her, and what frustrates her. All of which to a parent is extremely comforting. We are, however, about to meet another person for the very first time and while this is insanely exciting and suspenseful, it is also a little bit scary. I remember holding Avery for the first time and loving her like crazy, solely because she was mine/ours. But, at the very same time, I was incredibly aware of how little I actually knew about her. Levi and I both agree that having a baby is a lot like dating and then marrying your spouse. As you learn more about the other person, your love grows deeper and stronger and you see just how God divinely made you for the other. God made us specifically to be Asher's parents and we cannot wait to begin learning all there is to know about him.<br />
<br />
The over all theme of this pregnancy has been exhaustion. A week before I actually took a pregnancy test, I could barely stay awake for rides in the car. It was definitely the first sign that I pregnant. At first, I thought it had to do with it being a boy, but after talking with several friends who are pregnant with girls as their second, I think it has more to do with having another little one to chase around while also working full time. While pregnant with Avery, I napped and exercised a lot. The weather and seasons have been the exact opposite though. The extreme heat of this past summer was during the very worst parts of the nausea and exhaustion. Then, when I finally had the energy to walk, the time changed. It being dark outside once home from work, provides no motivation for activity beyond eating, a little play time with Avery, and falling in the bed. Levi has been wonderful about allowing me to nap. During weeks 8-12, he would walk through the door and I would immediately fall asleep. I am talking about deep, drool all over my face, awesome sleep. I couldn't keep my body from it if I had tried. You see, sleep is an extremely deep need for me. I do not function without it. Thankfully, I have been able to sleep soundly through every night with both pregnancies. I am made for sleep! It is because of that, that I praise God for Levi, and the chiropractor during pregnancy and Babywise for afterwards.<br />
<br />
This pregnancy, as with my last, has been pretty textbook. Since about 28 weeks, I have measured about a week behind. My progression has been a little quicker than with Avery. At my 36 week appointment (the first check) I was 1.5 cm dilated and 75% effaced and then at 37 weeks, 2 cm and 80%. At 38 weeks there really wasn't much change. I will be interested to see on Wednesday if I am moving along. He kicks and moves around a lot. Levi and I have had lots of laughs at night when we are trying to go to sleep. He goes into hypermode about 10:30, but as I mentioned above, it really doesn't affect my ability to sleep. I am to the point that I can tell it is a foot or knee jetting out of my stomach. Honestly, this is the part I missed most after having Avery. I am fully aware of how special it is to feel a baby move inside of you and it something I never take for granted.<br />
<br />
In general, I am a pretty intense and emotional person. However, my emotions have definitely been heightned by this pregnancy. When they need to come, tears flow freely. When I am happy or frustrated, it is to the extreme. I think everyone in my life will be glad when my emotions return back to those of normal Emily. Thanks to post-partum hormones, I am sure it will be several months before all hormones are settled though!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-0LRDr8YQxZx2CknvG3XvZ2TY1RHSN9P92IE6EEL4cKsDKe7huiA_GNP1PHx9NCKGJYzd9YWxnxn5fo0UWtITC6VkTwxLiPqVe9ZECSlpYyH-N5NBk4PTOOAXD2i_1ZQtJeQGFS9hwrI/s1600/DSC_0274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-0LRDr8YQxZx2CknvG3XvZ2TY1RHSN9P92IE6EEL4cKsDKe7huiA_GNP1PHx9NCKGJYzd9YWxnxn5fo0UWtITC6VkTwxLiPqVe9ZECSlpYyH-N5NBk4PTOOAXD2i_1ZQtJeQGFS9hwrI/s640/DSC_0274.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(35 Weeks, we didn't take pictures in front of the tree until 1/8!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Since Christmas, I have had lots of lower back and ligament issues. Sometimes it hurts so bad that I can barely walk or sit (depending on where the pain is concentrated). Because I hate to be out of commission, this has been particularly hard for me. On certain nights after work, I have had to come home and do nothing. This would be ok if there was not so much that I could be doing. It really makes me crazy. God has definitely used this to teach me a lot about patience and accepting/asking for help. Unfortunately, at times, I have let this affect my overall attitude and had to really concentrate on being postitive and thankful in all circumstances. I guess, just suffice it to say that I have learned a lot about myself throughout this pregnancy (some good, some bad).<br />
<br />
We are in an exciting and blessed season of life! I am looking forward to experiencing another birth with Levi by my side and am working to trust God with all of the details. I cannot wait to see Avery love on her little brother for the first time and then dream about how close they will become in the future. He is being born into a pretty fun and crazy family and we know he is going to fit right in!The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-46782921529274639332012-01-19T20:22:00.001-06:002012-01-19T20:40:16.874-06:00And Just Like That...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXPL7Pinq5173GFDe01MsmUweAJrE5DsVEuGbBpaG-OaatrDP3fTyUzYbC2j5MDkT_jrLYmcU5LmkaGeRQQl7mEHQtZOYToR9v-A1sq-aJsshvMKqDIBHASZUfYvFUBT2b4yskGdmwQAs/s1600/DSC_0223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXPL7Pinq5173GFDe01MsmUweAJrE5DsVEuGbBpaG-OaatrDP3fTyUzYbC2j5MDkT_jrLYmcU5LmkaGeRQQl7mEHQtZOYToR9v-A1sq-aJsshvMKqDIBHASZUfYvFUBT2b4yskGdmwQAs/s640/DSC_0223.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><br />
She was potty trained! The title of this post is more in relation to how fast each milestone has come and gone, rather than how quickly she was actually potty trained. I remember putting her bottles up, then her pacis, and now we have a drawer stocked with big girl panties. Watching a little one grow really shows you how quickly time passes. While each moment of raising a child is not pleasant, they are all fleeting and I am thankful to get to experience this journey! So, for the memories...here is her potty training story! <br />
<br />
Avery was the very last toddler in her class at school to turn 2. For her this means that she gets to watch all of the other older kids for cues on development. For us, the age difference has brought both good and bad behavior earlier than normal. We are definitely happy about the push it gave her for potty training. Back in May (20 months old), her teachers picked up on when she wanted to go #2 in the potty. She would do this a couple times per week and really liked the praise and silly bands she received as a result. This behavior never happened at home though. We decided we wanted to let her get very used to the idea of using the potty without putting pressure on her to be trained. This led us to buy a ring that fits in our normal toilet and to sit her on it while wearing a diaper. We would talk about how Mommy, Daddy, and other family all wear big boy and big girl underwear and put their tee tee and poo poo in the potty. We decided very shortly after she was born not to buy a separate potty and feel that it was a great decision for us. Our thoughts are that there will never be a separate potty at restaurants, other people's houses, or at sporting events, so why create a dependence on one?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54cZqwdXEqd9cuYOdYoXfGZeY1AC5aCER92pQl6bK5sMYgBjXDkDwQm8p_Bpwndpc5vH_80kBOiORl833utMULMWAsmMgH26dzmBzYtryAVFdIsYhJHLabp-K2df7qbZepZkUYagP1cjb/s1600/DSC_0216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54cZqwdXEqd9cuYOdYoXfGZeY1AC5aCER92pQl6bK5sMYgBjXDkDwQm8p_Bpwndpc5vH_80kBOiORl833utMULMWAsmMgH26dzmBzYtryAVFdIsYhJHLabp-K2df7qbZepZkUYagP1cjb/s400/DSC_0216.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EcYV-Z-ludXXue5CY7Q5aOkQL-xsUIq0_r8qAlddgz70dGnMJEfjD5RGEOhjgnljk3MIWtCywdXXT2F9s651IALZGz2w4ukUJjwf27bWM76aRebeK7fvdZ0gzJwyYbQC5zAIIYSU2PM1/s1600/DSC_0220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EcYV-Z-ludXXue5CY7Q5aOkQL-xsUIq0_r8qAlddgz70dGnMJEfjD5RGEOhjgnljk3MIWtCywdXXT2F9s651IALZGz2w4ukUJjwf27bWM76aRebeK7fvdZ0gzJwyYbQC5zAIIYSU2PM1/s400/DSC_0220.jpg" width="285" /></a>We decided that potty training D-Day would come the first weekend in November (26 months old). Between home games and trips out of town and to conquer it with plenty of time left before baby boy arrives, it was the only weekend that would work. We made a commitment not to travel for at least 4 weekends after the initial training weekend. D-Day for us meant no more diapers (except for naps and night time). So, I ordered gerber cotton training pants that are just a little thicker than normal panties, from amazon. My mom actually used the same ones to train us and we too have been very impressed. Avery likes they way the feel a lot more than just regular panties. They are much softer and she notices the difference. We also had a couple of other packs of regular minnie mouse and hello kitty for back up. Avery's Aunt B bought her a potty stool which really got her pumped. We bought marshmallows and M&Ms for rewards, but didn't buy any other special gifts or treats for training. Lastly, we made a decision to not use pull ups at all. For our household, it is either a diaper or real underwear, no in-betweens. If the training didn't go as expected, we were going back to diapers...<br />
<br />
<br />
Both Thursday and Friday were spent talking about how diapers were going to go bye-bye and that she was about to only wear big girl panties. We even let her wear the panties over her diaper on those nights. Saturday morning we woke up and immediately put on her panties in preparation for the day. We told her that when she needed to go tee-tee to say it really loud and take off running toward the potty. At the recommendation of a friend, we downloaded the potty training boot camp e-book. Just to document, we also ordered a travel potty for the car (it is basically just a hole that you can put a bag down in if you are at the park or leave open if you have to pull over on the side of of the road) and then a protector for her car seat is there were to be an accident in the car.<br />
<br />
She told us a couple of times that she needed to go, but nothing happened. Then she had 2 tee tee accidents in her panties and one with nothing on. After this accident (I think seeing it in the floor really grossed her out) and lots of talk about keeping her panties dry and how awesome it is to put her tee tee in the potty, she started to succeed. Those were the only tee tee accidents we had at home during the three days of training. So, even though it is recommended to stay at home for the three days, we decided to venture out to church on Sunday. I packed her extra clothes and panties and off we went. When dropping her off in the twos nursery class, I found that she was the only one in there who was starting to train. Because none of the volunteers had any experience with taking little ones to the potty and watching for cues, I had serious doubts that she would make it through church without an accident. Sure enough, she tee teed and had to be changed. Once at home that day, she did great with tee tee the rest of the night and the entire next day<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfl3kGWa0NkjvY27hzQOU_oBTd0p_mfCYDdSnkaObGg0tZDffvH3uboBCErJEKr3d-yc_-i-Pcl-nVQB752G_DDUAYN7Dv3HwkN8WNDlx37dRP6tqhVPCxxLrfqkif3pLPO_R-O1HceAX/s1600/DSC_0261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfl3kGWa0NkjvY27hzQOU_oBTd0p_mfCYDdSnkaObGg0tZDffvH3uboBCErJEKr3d-yc_-i-Pcl-nVQB752G_DDUAYN7Dv3HwkN8WNDlx37dRP6tqhVPCxxLrfqkif3pLPO_R-O1HceAX/s400/DSC_0261.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>Now on to poo poo! Saturday, she had one accident that night. She went to the bathroom and used it next to the toilet without us knowing. When we found it, she helped us clean it up and we talked about how gross it is when we don't put our poo poo in the potty. Her next accident came on Sunday night in her pants and it was a big one. Again, we made a huge deal out of how stinky and nasty it was in her panties. She helped me dump it in the potty and then since she needed a bath anyways, I stripped her down and put her in the tub so she could help me wash her panties out. Watching the poopy wash off her panties and into the tub really threw her for a loop. She kept trying to back away from the faucet and was worried about it getting on her legs. It was just the event we needed for driving the point home (thanks potty training boot camp). On Monday, SUCCESS, no tee tee or poo poo accidents and when she had her first poopy in the potty, we went for an ice cream cone at Micky Ds! She stayed in her pajama top, but wanted to wear the ballet tutu over her panties! Her eyes are closed in both pictures, but you can see how happy she was herself!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3dQkHSlcMr0v0XRvm7fmj4qTSHr9lDZ8a8XmKIj7IYr2k7kKQz9x22tGsv18VqGlcFpTMlXCnGGEq6Jnb5VyKpbroV31d5JJbuT7yPJA6bxWGbRHobp1WOMDbMRkwtDmvj9o1nDQrQdA/s1600/DSC_0267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3dQkHSlcMr0v0XRvm7fmj4qTSHr9lDZ8a8XmKIj7IYr2k7kKQz9x22tGsv18VqGlcFpTMlXCnGGEq6Jnb5VyKpbroV31d5JJbuT7yPJA6bxWGbRHobp1WOMDbMRkwtDmvj9o1nDQrQdA/s400/DSC_0267.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br />
Once back at school on Tuesday, she had one accident and since then no more. The next Sunday at church, she stayed with us during the service and Sunday School and went to the bathroom twice while there. We took her back to the nursery for the third Sunday and she did great with telling them when she needed to go. We were truly amazed at how much she wanted to use the potty. She loved and still loves the verbal praise she gets for going. I am glad we stuck to small rewards (a piece of candy, getting to watch elmo, ice cream cone, silly bands, and verbal praise) as incentive to stay dry. We wanted her to really grasp that this being a big girl means using the potty and to not associate it so much with rewards. We played on the fact that she likes doing what everyone else in our family does.<br />
<br />
Our first long car trip was December 15th and she let us know throughout the trip when she needed to go. Between the two of us, I think we stopped about 6 times on the 4 hour drive to Haleyville. Levi was about to lose his mind! Who knows when we will move out of diapers at nap and at night...I am sure it will come developmentally at some point. Our main goal was to have her trained before little guy gets here and that is accomplished. I am interested to see if she will regress once he is here. We will deal with that when it comes!<br />
<br />
Levi and I were at home together Saturday and Sunday and wow, did we need each other's support throughout the process. At different times we gave each other encouragement for how big this step really was and to ease up on ourselves and the expectations we had. We made sure to make the house seem as loving as possible and asked God to shower us with grace and strength to help Avery achieve this milestone. We also prayed for Avery. That she would be willing to yield to our encouragement and believe that she could do it. After doing this, we decided that if after three days there was no progress, we would pick it back up at Christmas. We really did try to take the pressure out of the process. In the end, Avery's journey was pretty short and a success. I will be interested to see what it like to train a little boy. We know everything could be different and hope to compare their development as little as possible.<br />
<br />
The funniest moment so far came during December. When getting ready to leave for school, she told me her tummy was hurting. I asked if she wanted to go to the potty and she said "no, I want to wait till I get to school." Basically, she was holding our for a silly band reward :) Such a little mess she is!The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-19760920124116350222011-11-09T18:32:00.002-06:002011-11-09T20:45:31.680-06:00Trick or Treating!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5IpveScqwTY8HfzDKuZUG1ztznipeMaMvufgze5wuL2jjzGycK_h5MjCk_cL85eUzQJwAZNufJ_0-6hrBlDzy2o-4_uM7rPT8-cQie5DgaGARA24ctxDh98kmLhsS-j5j87Axki-XPNb/s1600/DSC_0232+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
<img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5IpveScqwTY8HfzDKuZUG1ztznipeMaMvufgze5wuL2jjzGycK_h5MjCk_cL85eUzQJwAZNufJ_0-6hrBlDzy2o-4_uM7rPT8-cQie5DgaGARA24ctxDh98kmLhsS-j5j87Axki-XPNb/s640/DSC_0232+-+Version+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif62cpNomTcxxh6lJLClcgphyphenhyphenPgiRBSkbwFT9e39XufxREHogfw8yA6ITdeP681rWRoafQWDP9XwRI03F_a0lPrnKTqvRppFSO3D5MzNtiZ7d42ExkdzdQoGfuC9rPTLL8xwzq32H_f4xM/s1600/DSC_0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif62cpNomTcxxh6lJLClcgphyphenhyphenPgiRBSkbwFT9e39XufxREHogfw8yA6ITdeP681rWRoafQWDP9XwRI03F_a0lPrnKTqvRppFSO3D5MzNtiZ7d42ExkdzdQoGfuC9rPTLL8xwzq32H_f4xM/s400/DSC_0226.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We had so much fun watching Avery Trick or Treat for the very first time! We decdied several months ago on a Kitty Cat costume, which turned out really cute. After talking to several people about where we schould go, we settled on South Gay Street (past Amsterdams). It was a great spot for novice treaters. Not crowded, very little traffic, and porch lights on at lots of houses. She and Thad walked up to each house together like such big kids and only became scared at one house, that had skeleton decorations. It was so funny, Thad (17 months) saw the skeleton and immediatly made a 180 to his dad...Avery saw it and walked over to it for a look, but she wouldn't give it a hi-five!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFNM2OMIzeQgd7xU2KpdNhClproQcaZ0WD013xHZ_6Ssww8iQp3l3un7agps4gqlE4JDcjqUw_NkMaplfy1eELijBJ1YEG73YbGJduk7hIwSSVEkDF33GX4te9wC7v4PVkSMfPfqdX4kv/s1600/DSC_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFNM2OMIzeQgd7xU2KpdNhClproQcaZ0WD013xHZ_6Ssww8iQp3l3un7agps4gqlE4JDcjqUw_NkMaplfy1eELijBJ1YEG73YbGJduk7hIwSSVEkDF33GX4te9wC7v4PVkSMfPfqdX4kv/s400/DSC_0228.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>After we got home, Avery was very anxious to dump her bucket of candy and explore her loot. You will not see a more happy child than one surrounded by all kinds of sugary goodness. She has come home every afternoon this week asking to look at all of it and select a piece to devour. We will not talk about how much of it mom and dad have slipped into our lunch boxes!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFA6itDCTbEOr82-XLG6HZlnfAAQ2JcxO9P5zt_WXRVeldEbjDkyBvKm93JuQgEmvXWGQX9pW0QzvhC7BHadq79C4819_7vH2VrAI-GY40JXHyDPyLdxwvHZqDN8sOGuUqBF3ZPtLqbyM7/s1600/DSC_0248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFA6itDCTbEOr82-XLG6HZlnfAAQ2JcxO9P5zt_WXRVeldEbjDkyBvKm93JuQgEmvXWGQX9pW0QzvhC7BHadq79C4819_7vH2VrAI-GY40JXHyDPyLdxwvHZqDN8sOGuUqBF3ZPtLqbyM7/s400/DSC_0248.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4Fss71BBA28LRaIffs6hQClJNRsL-sdPT-UrD2hZUP-VqOjyuij-FilNZts_YLbFpNg77Gt28TQgulIaf0ssjwBAjf2F3S5CLydI5eU145gtr9Bzkuxtw_lnvcNjD687tgYPZhtjDzFJ/s1600/DSC_0255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4Fss71BBA28LRaIffs6hQClJNRsL-sdPT-UrD2hZUP-VqOjyuij-FilNZts_YLbFpNg77Gt28TQgulIaf0ssjwBAjf2F3S5CLydI5eU145gtr9Bzkuxtw_lnvcNjD687tgYPZhtjDzFJ/s400/DSC_0255.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>I have to add that it was a little surreal watching Avery trick or treating. It truely feels like yesterday, that my mom was running around trying to get me, Alex, and Beth Anne ready. On Monday I realized that wow, I am living life, and am watching my husband walking with my precious girl to each house for candy. I know this is cheesy, but it really was a moment in which I felt completely overwhelmed with gratitude. The here and now...I am trying really hard to live in it and not think or worry about tomorrow. I knowwithout a doubt it will come soon enough :)The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-46324587171561239872011-10-26T20:15:00.000-05:002011-10-26T20:15:50.378-05:00Our Pumpkin (23 weeks)!Is growing and I am loving every minute of it! I have started feeling (and seeing) him move a lot. At my 23 week appointment they finally decided on a heart rate of 150. I say finally because they would only put the doppler on my belly for a short time before he would either kick it away or move, which made for a range of heart rates from the 130s to 160. I could not help but laugh at how active and stubborn he was being!<br />
<br />
This pregnancy has been a lot like Avery's. Weight gain has been slow, but he definitely popped out faster. I felt nauseous longer with Avery but have been a lot more exhausted this time around. It could have something to do with chasing a 2 year old! I cannot believe that his anticipated arrival is only 4 months away. At my next visit (27 weeks), I have the glucose test and then start going every 2 weeks. I have a feeling the holidays are going to make it pass by really quickly. We have so much to do before February. Lots to be thankful for this holiday season!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4o7vVtNeRhHvwEAvdEZVVo2_HbaLImjYH_ERh_GhQZmVuHVriDebS-9dXb3_Vmg-XJhsrOc-QoE1FrZFbcxTt3uwwkclB0XhCDC8ZiZhhtb87urK2UDKm1rQjHpG7sIVvzfnRWSzp1p0/s1600/DSC_0199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4o7vVtNeRhHvwEAvdEZVVo2_HbaLImjYH_ERh_GhQZmVuHVriDebS-9dXb3_Vmg-XJhsrOc-QoE1FrZFbcxTt3uwwkclB0XhCDC8ZiZhhtb87urK2UDKm1rQjHpG7sIVvzfnRWSzp1p0/s640/DSC_0199.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-53942991485305502662011-10-12T21:06:00.000-05:002011-10-12T21:06:16.184-05:00A Little Boy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5JbONam6t3k4RfWMzzEI9pFRaSDSgcfjdW6tVNkxmeBARbX4IV9Afxd1aJoHoWW0NK0DsFxWjowcuLQSvywVca7_QbrhhOfwe9_gcQAX_SdExkJLOiwdPkydZdUaLZbRS_Rdz-53DCiM/s1600/PICS_26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5JbONam6t3k4RfWMzzEI9pFRaSDSgcfjdW6tVNkxmeBARbX4IV9Afxd1aJoHoWW0NK0DsFxWjowcuLQSvywVca7_QbrhhOfwe9_gcQAX_SdExkJLOiwdPkydZdUaLZbRS_Rdz-53DCiM/s640/PICS_26.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>On September 7, 2011, Levi and I learned that we would be welcoming a baby boy to our family! Our ultrasound was at 9:00 that morning and we were both giddy with excitement over getting to see our baby for the first time. Well...actually I got to see the baby for a few minutes at 14 weeks to confirm that we were not having twins...but it wasn't nearly long enough! Obviously the main purpose of this ultrasound was to determine the health of the baby and glory to God, our baby was completely healthy. It is totally humbling to hear that each little intricate body part is just as it should be.<br />
<br />
Unlike with Avery, she told us the gender at the beginning of the ultrasound. As we nodded our head in response to "So..do you want to know the gender?" She responded with a resounding "It's a Boy." Levi and I smiled at each other and as we later realized, both allowed our minds to race with thoughts of having a son. She even had to repeat a few of the things she was showing us on the ultrasound because we had both lost our focus from the news!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoN558Cj0fjyS56oX_KlV_ZPqJh2Fh70nXSRK6EOfAM8ySXqtHC2M3vv69kApP1693-LTruscMDEsW0Y_h_xtcOrMPLzIsuDKPVUCCoIK8RPJJ1HOM6fzhi6cnChRh68PPtU3jG4Uqoek1/s1600/PICS_33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoN558Cj0fjyS56oX_KlV_ZPqJh2Fh70nXSRK6EOfAM8ySXqtHC2M3vv69kApP1693-LTruscMDEsW0Y_h_xtcOrMPLzIsuDKPVUCCoIK8RPJJ1HOM6fzhi6cnChRh68PPtU3jG4Uqoek1/s640/PICS_33.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Since the ultrasound I have spent a lot of time letting our new development set in. I am overwhelmed at the blessing of raising a boy and girl (and hopefully at least 1 more of one or the other). Before finding out with Avery, I was convinced that we would have all boys...and of course after having Avery I became convinced it would be all girls (and because I only wanted to be a mom, I would have been happy with either scenario). But, oh what God actually had in store for us; the incredible opportunity and responsibility of raising both!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZTBsNZty52YFCD6aDd1knkJKba8kd0vIyqMXwiF9xXkWW929Hhyphenhyphen_sPk68Fyb_WM0S17dCzy0Ol4yP3Pzm8ItQ4YYUQ5sRZBpaTBAHWjH4b5NoxEzbx2BwUyXbcSpHZXE_ZgrPwR409kY/s1600/PICS_38.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZTBsNZty52YFCD6aDd1knkJKba8kd0vIyqMXwiF9xXkWW929Hhyphenhyphen_sPk68Fyb_WM0S17dCzy0Ol4yP3Pzm8ItQ4YYUQ5sRZBpaTBAHWjH4b5NoxEzbx2BwUyXbcSpHZXE_ZgrPwR409kY/s640/PICS_38.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I am now 21.5 weeks and finally beginning to feel this little man move around. My placenta is at the front of by stomach, which has prevented me from feeling him move as early as most people do with their second. Time is flying by and unlike with Avery when I was wishing the pregnancy away, I am really trying to savor this special time in our lives as a family of three. I know that this pregnancy will be over before we know it!<br />
<br />
Lord, I am overwhelmed at your goodness and faithfulness to our family! We ask that you will give us your wisdom and grace as we add your gift of a son to our family. Thank you for his and my health! Thank you for his amazing daddy and precious sister. We need You constantly on this journey and strive to have less of ourselves and more of You each day! Amen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JICJRgEqeID09Ho2RbJzt9kPitr0Aq77igz6KcEj7FWQx9cmsYZi-XGyQdrF9Ji10wLHUchutqD26lxjUbU63T_HpcwGrXsbiNO8Z8-YKBAfuubYPD9gxtZKTGWXQfdzVze0wojVDH2v/s1600/PICS_11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JICJRgEqeID09Ho2RbJzt9kPitr0Aq77igz6KcEj7FWQx9cmsYZi-XGyQdrF9Ji10wLHUchutqD26lxjUbU63T_HpcwGrXsbiNO8Z8-YKBAfuubYPD9gxtZKTGWXQfdzVze0wojVDH2v/s640/PICS_11.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-48841298389673311202011-09-05T13:09:00.000-05:002011-09-05T13:09:38.753-05:00Avery's First Game Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVZIo4Z40gSGwTbYAVoHZe85cIjuLDDCBaKdQ2fwQoFtkLXYbH0jSZpFY69-NAU88zkMNas8P3rDjHawV_FWQuYtKrTGJPHRxtTfFqYUJzWS1jqRn_Ne15bJHLy3e4eU2cBzSJc-Y9PH-/s1600/DSC_0640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVZIo4Z40gSGwTbYAVoHZe85cIjuLDDCBaKdQ2fwQoFtkLXYbH0jSZpFY69-NAU88zkMNas8P3rDjHawV_FWQuYtKrTGJPHRxtTfFqYUJzWS1jqRn_Ne15bJHLy3e4eU2cBzSJc-Y9PH-/s640/DSC_0640.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>One of Avery's birthday gifts was a trip to Jordan-Hare to see the Tigers play. She was super excited and as soon as she woke up Saturday, started chanting "Auburn Tigers and Auburn Football." She would just randomly burst into the fight song and Glory Glory. During the stroller ride to the stadium the cheers continued and everyone we passed smiled to see her enthusiasm.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1vcqqEFV6pVIIBFICYDCUbQ6tqHCUkHrD5cP-Bgg_KdSL9bn_cbX19ytwceBeVEXjgbug1z_4EFlBGeYIFMhadIYPcdg2gfA3uSNWfUI93SaZKpJLLw6hPZhfXyQC99-HvTfpHPbtMCy/s1600/DSC_0633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1vcqqEFV6pVIIBFICYDCUbQ6tqHCUkHrD5cP-Bgg_KdSL9bn_cbX19ytwceBeVEXjgbug1z_4EFlBGeYIFMhadIYPcdg2gfA3uSNWfUI93SaZKpJLLw6hPZhfXyQC99-HvTfpHPbtMCy/s400/DSC_0633.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UhltdsrYOkhIZwkTEzGnqpEDdKwA-luKGzXYkVvydp-JPb_TcFoe2Tyd__ZVUmGcMZQijXS6j4GWwCs_zDVpE0IHrIxTWux5YVVwzqEZF0TG9FNPwQ6KPP5-2xbv4OlhR1DwdjKuDWxM/s1600/DSC_0638_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UhltdsrYOkhIZwkTEzGnqpEDdKwA-luKGzXYkVvydp-JPb_TcFoe2Tyd__ZVUmGcMZQijXS6j4GWwCs_zDVpE0IHrIxTWux5YVVwzqEZF0TG9FNPwQ6KPP5-2xbv4OlhR1DwdjKuDWxM/s400/DSC_0638_2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Once inside and at our seat, she got a little overwhelmed with how loud everything was, but a few minutes in to the band crossing the field and she was acclimated. She loved looking for Aubie and listening to the band play. There were tons of kids around us, which she enjoyed watching. With how hot it was and it cutting into her nap time, we worried that she would get a little whiny, but our worries were for naught. We have a true little Auburn fan on our hands and we can't wait to experience many more Auburn victories with her in the future! We left a little into the third quarter and rode the Tiger Transit back to where our car was parked. I cannot imagine what she will look like sitting on the TT as a Freshman (Not that we are making the college choice for her or anything!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tMZs5Vwzmy91mHxK6kIuxteSM1s7TJGK4tLV_mpJnenEFKmFJ1jk2jlmZ-CJBulX9jXeeEYr9ilL-347M5Ou-h4HvQL3u3LrTbWAOdhzUsgv1ewqfK6Ie_yEIJWkZuM1kX8oaRzAaR2D/s1600/DSC_0642_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tMZs5Vwzmy91mHxK6kIuxteSM1s7TJGK4tLV_mpJnenEFKmFJ1jk2jlmZ-CJBulX9jXeeEYr9ilL-347M5Ou-h4HvQL3u3LrTbWAOdhzUsgv1ewqfK6Ie_yEIJWkZuM1kX8oaRzAaR2D/s400/DSC_0642_2.jpg" width="265" /></a> </div>The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-63841178080367109332011-09-01T13:27:00.002-05:002011-09-01T13:29:32.427-05:00Two!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8Ajz2MSNttnPVGcc8zkcOLlAAWZsJv0pF6B2gN_YqlvYUTsb3ugh5dB0dzNtsd4JTaV-HbO6u9Tt5TAZCkBmnhDf2SR-_NRNFipdfsFhJ1LXoZp4m9Zqj2KUTL8tffrpF6zWDW8pIFKr/s1600/DSC_0568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8Ajz2MSNttnPVGcc8zkcOLlAAWZsJv0pF6B2gN_YqlvYUTsb3ugh5dB0dzNtsd4JTaV-HbO6u9Tt5TAZCkBmnhDf2SR-_NRNFipdfsFhJ1LXoZp4m9Zqj2KUTL8tffrpF6zWDW8pIFKr/s640/DSC_0568.jpg" width="456px" /></a></div>Two years ago today, we were introduced to sweet Avery! Watching her grow has been (besides marrying her Daddy) the biggest blessing that God has given me. The past few weeks have been a time of reflection over how much she has changed since turning one and on more than one occasion I have teared up over the little lady she has become. So, I want to capture the following for our memories...<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Avery loves to sing....her favorites right now are Elmo's Song, Jesus Loves Me, Bah Bah Black Sheep, Twinkle Twinkle, BIBLE, Row Your Boat, Wheels on the Bus, Hokey Pokey, Happy and You Know It, Happy Birthday, ABCs, and Jesus Loves His Little Avery (a song mommy made up). </li>
<li>She can talk and sing very plainly, but she really doesn't do it that much in public. She is still pretty shy, so basically we are the only ones who get to experience all she has to say. </li>
<li>She has been able to sing the entire alphabet and count to 15 for about 2 full months now.</li>
<li>She talks about Auburn alot and if she sees the AU on anything (including tiger transits) she yell Auburn Football! Any football on TV is Auburn and she can sing most of the fight song and Glory, Glory. She will get to attend her first game this weekend!</li>
<li>Her favorite question is "What's that?"</li>
<li>She is really caring and if you look like you do not feel well, she will ask..."Does your tummy hurt?" If she hears a baby cry, she will ask "Baby crying...does it want her mommy?"</li>
<li>She is tiny and I must say, this pregnant lady loves it! Her drs. appointment is not until next week, but she weighs around 24 lbs and wears 18 month clothes still. We are slowly but surely moving to 24 month stuff. Her smocked summer dresses are still 12 month...</li>
<li>She just moved to a 4.5 shoe and almost everyone we see comments on her tiny feet. </li>
<li>For about 3 straight weeks (most of August), she was a Daddy's girl and didn't want to have anything to do with me. I contribute this to the pregnancy and being sick and exhausted all the time when I got home from work (I plan to blog more about this in a separate pregnancy update).The last week and half have been much better and she is back to doting on both of us pretty much equally. </li>
<li>Minus those three weeks, she is an extremely affectionate little girl who loves to give lots of hugs and kisses to pretty much anyone who will let her. Extended family just eats this up when we are visiting. </li>
<li>We have a game called "Avery pillow" where right before here bed time, she lays on our bed and opens her arms for Levi and I to lay our heads. She then wraps them around our neck as tight as she can and we act like we are asleep. Sometimes she does it with just one of us and it is extra sweet, because she will rub your back with the other hand. You would have to be there to understand how sweet it really is.</li>
<li>She has a great imagination! It is so much fun to watch her pretend with here dolls and animals. She has a plastic tea set and loves to play tea party with anyone she can get to sit and play. Since we told her about the baby, she will ask every now and again if she can hold it. I say yes and she takes her little hand and reaches at my belly as if to grab it. She then talks to it and even through it up in the air and caught it one time. We will make sure this action doesn't translate to when the baby actually arrives!</li>
<li>She is a breakfast and lunch girl and doesn't eat a lot at night. We still just do milk and water. As far as sweets go, she loves ice cream. </li>
<li>She does night night with Daddy. He is wonderful at putting her to sleep. They have a very specific routine that takes about 5 minutes. She is usually in bed by 8:30 and sleeps till about 7:00 am. She still naps from about 12:00 til 2:45 everyday. We are so thankful for her sleep habits and are really nervous about the one on the way!</li>
<li>Like every child I know, she loves Micky Mouse and Elmo.</li>
<li>She loves to play chase...doesn't matter if she is being chased or doing the chasing.</li>
<li>We started using timeouts around 19 months and we utilize them at least a few times per week. Her main issue is clingliness, neediness, and whining. Some of it may have to do with the pregnacy, but I think it mostly just her development. We talk a lot about using our big girl voice so that she is reminded of what whining sounds like. Although few, there have been nights where all we can think about is getting her to bed. Oh, the exhausion of parenting. A spanking or two has occured, but now we only have to threaten and her behavior changes pretty quickly.</li>
</ul>The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-28625649614769371252011-08-06T19:29:00.000-05:002011-08-06T19:29:55.452-05:00Making Memories-Beach 2011<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXnANOuFq2zsK-TaoVCAO187qfUzoF4-JRRniHPo_E1P-BI4tuggaRfbr6-u_YSSDgAGqiNoSRJQSpFfba3JrPu4guTSQz_GepyKRSDkQjwgx-pjLrQMzaJiJNufdwqv9eq4tFFWemusD/s1600/DSC_0589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXnANOuFq2zsK-TaoVCAO187qfUzoF4-JRRniHPo_E1P-BI4tuggaRfbr6-u_YSSDgAGqiNoSRJQSpFfba3JrPu4guTSQz_GepyKRSDkQjwgx-pjLrQMzaJiJNufdwqv9eq4tFFWemusD/s640/DSC_0589.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Over Memorial Day weekend (Friday-Wednesday), Levi, Avery, and I headed down to Sand Destin for some much needed relaxation. Work has been quite stressful for us both lately, so we were ready for more than a weekend of not hearing the alarm clock sound at 5:15. While there, we split our time between the beach, lounging by the pool, taking naps, eating really great food, and of course shopping. My uncle's town house is just across the street from the outlets, so I buy a whole season of clothes for us all each time we go...you cannot beat the prices, especially on Memorial Day weekend. We are very thankful that Don is so generous and allows us to stay there when we visit.<br />
<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PkK9bZeEr-JOjq35ckxr3mzOI90BYigkBt46Effjod-jTaMnP_LApKx28iqQKTqClKR8nwRnWT6cfkhmcYjGhluNU4xYcNtBY_vNG83z-58k3bnoPJbtfXKllgp7agZGAD-rE_hfrwx5/s1600/DSC_0599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PkK9bZeEr-JOjq35ckxr3mzOI90BYigkBt46Effjod-jTaMnP_LApKx28iqQKTqClKR8nwRnWT6cfkhmcYjGhluNU4xYcNtBY_vNG83z-58k3bnoPJbtfXKllgp7agZGAD-rE_hfrwx5/s640/DSC_0599.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Her first trip was back in September, right after she turned 1. She loved the waves and water then, but wasn't too sure of the sand. She has never really liked anything to stick on her hands, and sand as we all know, sticks to everything. This year she was a little more fond of the sand...once she figured out that it could be used to make shapes and to play in, all was good.</div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMCluEevKX1OsNZFKxXKTDSONhsXXu8GBbXz5NC29jWUR6-x5qjZF972fWGDOW7fbW5Hd5PQXuviU_B9KOHeBZdXWZlTZ9HceZDb-jVyC60CR2lnew_SwGCqzH1ZhvyHwKOt7cB7Yu2w4/s1600/DSC_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMCluEevKX1OsNZFKxXKTDSONhsXXu8GBbXz5NC29jWUR6-x5qjZF972fWGDOW7fbW5Hd5PQXuviU_B9KOHeBZdXWZlTZ9HceZDb-jVyC60CR2lnew_SwGCqzH1ZhvyHwKOt7cB7Yu2w4/s640/DSC_0576.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwKKdSsbECZPG5L7ZI8KvIo1ZOTWn_9fFb8IS_7KGAWD2supJ0awTYQsoWvILHkueYfPdGEV1f25m7qgQv2CnU3zMi-w819HCNL-2hbLFAsF6nxJrNP370bXuesG90-NJ0mj6eRtP3LQa/s1600/DSC_0595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwKKdSsbECZPG5L7ZI8KvIo1ZOTWn_9fFb8IS_7KGAWD2supJ0awTYQsoWvILHkueYfPdGEV1f25m7qgQv2CnU3zMi-w819HCNL-2hbLFAsF6nxJrNP370bXuesG90-NJ0mj6eRtP3LQa/s640/DSC_0595.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Ya'll she LOVED the waves. Though some may consider it bad parenting, we took her out with us (where the water was a little over waist high) and let her experience the roll of the waves as they came in. She laughed uncontrollably each time Levi or I would jump one...even the salt water splashing in her face seemed to make her giggle. I am so thankful for her laid back personality.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFEZbpSEmWojyRGAMx8L7uFmBk-oX-bDhVFJrLDq8p3Gm5fX4mRFORYitfgIVcvs3YPmrHQiQshSUzMqHDmLyEHTvtHR6dEVxw1zGGg3emDzpnwuNeW5gPVzwXsWN1-fgcAvCw0AliCpi/s1600/DSC_0574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFEZbpSEmWojyRGAMx8L7uFmBk-oX-bDhVFJrLDq8p3Gm5fX4mRFORYitfgIVcvs3YPmrHQiQshSUzMqHDmLyEHTvtHR6dEVxw1zGGg3emDzpnwuNeW5gPVzwXsWN1-fgcAvCw0AliCpi/s640/DSC_0574.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
I have always hoped that Avery would love the water as much as I do. Since I grew up with a pool, swimming was a big part of my childhood. So far, she loves the pool too. Even jumping off the side to Levi or I wasn't too scary for her! She wanted so badly to jump out of our arms and swim on her own...I can't wait to watch her as she grows into a little fish!<br />
<br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3L0oC7m00NdNnNu5smR_Ug9rECN-Ah6KP6JerqPLDt6v7DN-7Ou1xXW6n3vWGqEGqP4oaPES0Ns1T9Lt4qXQh1lPTTR_6t2_idRsPmWiKImXqBOaQVF7yxfgYWbndwnhohArp2tH1FS4/s1600/DSC_0581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3L0oC7m00NdNnNu5smR_Ug9rECN-Ah6KP6JerqPLDt6v7DN-7Ou1xXW6n3vWGqEGqP4oaPES0Ns1T9Lt4qXQh1lPTTR_6t2_idRsPmWiKImXqBOaQVF7yxfgYWbndwnhohArp2tH1FS4/s640/DSC_0581.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
A trip to the beach with Levi isn't complete without searching for sand crabs with only a flashlight and the glow of the moon. Avery loves bugs, amphibians, and well really anything that crawls. Since she isn't intimidated by creepy crawlers, we have had to really explain to let Mommy and Daddy know before touching anything that moves. This was an awesome experience for her. She was mesmerized with each little crab that was thrown into her bucket. She even touched them! After catching 6, we decided to call it a night and let them go back to see their mommies :) That is about the only way we can get her to let anything we catch go.</div><div><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKUpf4LOdA8DqTcKp4-QZktFoGQ3B_iyUYU-i5JK7I0NGtd7nN85vfi6Zog5gFMKvBUY-EUBPZ4hemkN5JWmjXUTrX7EDBXsoa_SAxgJCbBhJbRXXySiGULBsLBMZ6O3BuKpu8-l6aziy/s1600/DSC_0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKUpf4LOdA8DqTcKp4-QZktFoGQ3B_iyUYU-i5JK7I0NGtd7nN85vfi6Zog5gFMKvBUY-EUBPZ4hemkN5JWmjXUTrX7EDBXsoa_SAxgJCbBhJbRXXySiGULBsLBMZ6O3BuKpu8-l6aziy/s640/DSC_0607.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My mom and her friend Dale were down for the weekend portion of our stay and kindly watched Avery so that Levi and I could enjoy dinner out by ourselves. We have eaten at a lot of different places in the Destin/Ft. Walton/Sand Destin area and were looking for something new. I looked up reviews and found a place called 790 on The Gulf on Old Scenic 98. If you are down there, we highly recommend it. They have a happy hour menu from 4-7, with amazing prices. The outside seating is right on the beach (not above). Beautiful views and not a lot of people know about it yet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK77dpDM8Eb2iDYLzFaZei_1KkEOKgm7obd8r4B4NCTdyFmRpwcYraXMeBcN-JCaHVvvmcidiF3SA4WoT8TwXJ9cVx42k6SFQPjJO77B0en2Z3vPdBUzROjyiM6eaF2UpwFD6ShXj0bkYv/s1600/DSC_0579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK77dpDM8Eb2iDYLzFaZei_1KkEOKgm7obd8r4B4NCTdyFmRpwcYraXMeBcN-JCaHVvvmcidiF3SA4WoT8TwXJ9cVx42k6SFQPjJO77B0en2Z3vPdBUzROjyiM6eaF2UpwFD6ShXj0bkYv/s640/DSC_0579.JPG" width="424" /></a></div></div><div><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before we knew it, we were packing our bags and heading back to Auburn. I am truly convinced that beach time is faster than time at home during a work week! I amthankful for the memories we made on our trip...life is just so full right now!</div></div>The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-7703578042560236632011-08-02T08:36:00.007-05:002011-08-02T17:35:08.634-05:00I Know She Will Make A Great One!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yjFjc0eWscYgEhyhDdNxT0T4RVzjre-o9A_BD3dV2iKf6UJbfT512C8OIRv-y6qMRsFLWTm_N-u0M2vurIn34qg9A5TUDIh_eQZyoKchQhKk6Y72zQgPrvKzMlUMJxrFnPcVVVFPtZPA/s1600/DSC_0584.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yjFjc0eWscYgEhyhDdNxT0T4RVzjre-o9A_BD3dV2iKf6UJbfT512C8OIRv-y6qMRsFLWTm_N-u0M2vurIn34qg9A5TUDIh_eQZyoKchQhKk6Y72zQgPrvKzMlUMJxrFnPcVVVFPtZPA/s400/DSC_0584.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636390551197919378" /></a><div>Big Sister that is! Avery will be the proud big sister to Baby Elliott #2, who is due to make his or her debut around February 18th, 2012. I am 11.5 weeks and still feeling pretty icky...I am not complaining though, as we are humbled that God has given another sweet baby to our family. Today was my 2nd doctors appointment and I got to hear the heartbeat for the very first time, it was 179. I am measuring 2 weeks ahead and definitely have a small bump. We will hopefully find out if the baby is a boy or girl when we have our ultrasound in 4 weeks, on September 7th! I am anxious to see if my due date stays the same, since I am measuring a little ahead.</div><br /><div>If you asked Levi or I when Avery was born how long it would be before we started trying again, we would have given you a definite, they need to be at least three years apart. God changed our hearts and they will end up being 2 and a 1/2 years apart which is absolutely perfect for our family's needs! I know that there will be hard moments, but I am praying that Avery will just be crazy about her sibling! She already talks to the baby and pretends to hold it, but 99% of her day I would say the thought of occupying her space with someone else doesn't cross her mind.</div><br /><div>We are excited to finally share our big news with everyone and ask for your prayers as we prepare for this change! I would be lying if I didn't say that I am nervous and a little scared of the transition. However, I trust that God is going to equip us to be the best parents possible to our little ones.</div>The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-79829419472412328892011-05-23T14:50:00.007-05:002011-05-23T21:44:48.787-05:00Where the Wild Things Are<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugNHb25GKpYmk5OQVultoI-kc0l-oB3Vkaxu6jaXVMvS0kYDVNH0xAtyR9Q-xEmyvmgdG9jik_4y_xGVCvLIH2asGulUmSNd6EmIwSt18jSyl1PwC5Xbqb1ROJ10KJvLrBpHSbyMo3UFC/s1600/DSC_0600.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13.3333px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmVi0QAnEfc79npDJgM9vZnGys4XYjJqh7NlnEiw7WgZHL5MOrMOBDV4u96G0PSZ3VxNZKZ_lNNSoNK7e6-YEvAmFxVGp5yw7yU_wKpIzUhYqLWV9o6PM9-Xv-NKKzflP-mriOg9zLGBn/s1600/DSC_0587.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmVi0QAnEfc79npDJgM9vZnGys4XYjJqh7NlnEiw7WgZHL5MOrMOBDV4u96G0PSZ3VxNZKZ_lNNSoNK7e6-YEvAmFxVGp5yw7yU_wKpIzUhYqLWV9o6PM9-Xv-NKKzflP-mriOg9zLGBn/s400/DSC_0587.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610012824859677026" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Avery loves animals and has been able to tell us the sounds each one makes for a long time. In my mommy planning, you know the kind where you say "when he/she is this old, we will take them to ____", fill in the blank with the destination, I thought she would be a little older than 20 months before she would enjoy a trip to the zoo. But several weeks ago, Levi and I realized that now would be the perfect time! As we visited each exhibit, she sweetly told each animal hi and bye. Hi giraffe, bye bye giraffe. Just precious :)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"> </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">The blessing of getting to watch Avery take in the wonders of God's creation is sometimes a little overwhelming. Levi and I try very hard to not to take these sweet moments for granted and are really beginning to understand how short this season of our lives will be. With all the stress that results from our jobs and lives in general, it is refreshing to get away as a family to make memories.</span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:13.3333px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmIGaPwJNG8INsv1nHWTcuTAObiM9GV2NA82fogCG2jTvepcN6L5Wdv9q4cbSZAWvhwaX370KSkHujwh4ymi8JSE8KEqepMD3ZDc86_60sVxeM9VzHBUylTlRZxREu9R8pbveIrtSAihB/s400/DSC_0592.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610014238635215490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13.3333px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZuWYE-0m_XdYAQLsHicy8BUg60gV9PajE5zr2gKJX5EjOM_UKV5KV37ajMX0QNUndDkKbeuvvQOd5e-XpMbmR3yVPJTgGCxGZsNL3BtK4AV0pHvzhJQS0HInymufPTXkOguxeeXm3bJp/s1600/DSC_0576.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZuWYE-0m_XdYAQLsHicy8BUg60gV9PajE5zr2gKJX5EjOM_UKV5KV37ajMX0QNUndDkKbeuvvQOd5e-XpMbmR3yVPJTgGCxGZsNL3BtK4AV0pHvzhJQS0HInymufPTXkOguxeeXm3bJp/s400/DSC_0576.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610012849979461650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkNkx-oOlhJDZMu50xeUXgffWK3z-Hqq8-VFPXm0mIQCOBuJ-BNDSWPAUDfW3vs1x0VY3KG5l8a2p9zxGqLFJBXBA1AqNor3JzPkd4XhI3xOhUwfSsyiT43LBwY2JNPLpaR3GH82_aqm7/s1600/DSC_0568.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkNkx-oOlhJDZMu50xeUXgffWK3z-Hqq8-VFPXm0mIQCOBuJ-BNDSWPAUDfW3vs1x0VY3KG5l8a2p9zxGqLFJBXBA1AqNor3JzPkd4XhI3xOhUwfSsyiT43LBwY2JNPLpaR3GH82_aqm7/s1600/DSC_0568.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkNkx-oOlhJDZMu50xeUXgffWK3z-Hqq8-VFPXm0mIQCOBuJ-BNDSWPAUDfW3vs1x0VY3KG5l8a2p9zxGqLFJBXBA1AqNor3JzPkd4XhI3xOhUwfSsyiT43LBwY2JNPLpaR3GH82_aqm7/s1600/DSC_0568.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This was my first trip to the Birmingham zoo since I was probably 3 or so and Levi was pretty young on his last visit as well, so we really weren't sure what to expect. I will say though after visiting Bush Gardens in Tampa when Avery was 4 months old, we were a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, Avery enjoyed it, but after Tampa, the expectations are high.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:13.3333px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHgUVETb5idi390r3NP_jXW8ec5cSAQRf0Jfb1koFRH5xJWtPE2tHbK-fRgPTR0RF4qrs3ST3s_p8d_ih9eZK2Y4wJ1OYEr_PNTzqm2UOQf06aj1IaRiyQE_kA1ciZQpfG2csp8a12m0R/s400/DSC_0603.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610014257310162066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:13.3333px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:13.3333px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:11.1111px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivomg7RQSSYkWYeUbPbPwvcDNR2Ln0t98iCS3RgldJUZ8xc-hyi9E3vkk5Irq9GlrrlYeeFGCFvrM3Q-egkKSq7txTB9mZ-hYlZCJ1dS3X8kiSAkUBWN7CdnKHglHnnyEXdWwPYf6FOnrz/s400/DSC_0594.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610014248968193986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxOKXduRgb3RFN8kwzZ1LK0uhLTcRJOToFHlsLQe26GQBya3w0TcYLjRcQwqOxaKIOJVl6TsbJ02rDUcOqW3e1wRmFxSp8cbant-LZcw0NpwTxipGYxB2jPfnXQo5WaWJiVu8alWoTNyx/s400/DSC_0580.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610014230305546322" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:13.3333px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2PrhYjvkpKloC1wmEj0-FJnBWrsWvQJHzjO6LKC8cfuZGnyYKnV7aoiBjvMApmcvWzWxGZ991GcQRNR4xVArsfgX0KebGoaYHEKysUdZpqfmxx6AS8729MARd5UYdnUFPVzrX2aAOoV9/s400/DSC_0582.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610012858759623874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We met Levi's parents, his Aunt Johanna, as well as little Taylor (Levi's 2nd cousin) there. It was a little chilly, but we all felt that we would rather wear sweaters than battle the smothering heat and humidity. Avery's favorite animals were the monkey's, the tiger, and the lizards/snakes. She wasn't that thrilled with the train and hated the carousel. I think the loud music and circler motion was too much! The next "go round" will hopefully be better!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size:11.6667px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:11.6667px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkNkx-oOlhJDZMu50xeUXgffWK3z-Hqq8-VFPXm0mIQCOBuJ-BNDSWPAUDfW3vs1x0VY3KG5l8a2p9zxGqLFJBXBA1AqNor3JzPkd4XhI3xOhUwfSsyiT43LBwY2JNPLpaR3GH82_aqm7/s1600/DSC_0568.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkNkx-oOlhJDZMu50xeUXgffWK3z-Hqq8-VFPXm0mIQCOBuJ-BNDSWPAUDfW3vs1x0VY3KG5l8a2p9zxGqLFJBXBA1AqNor3JzPkd4XhI3xOhUwfSsyiT43LBwY2JNPLpaR3GH82_aqm7/s400/DSC_0568.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610012831783830402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR1ZCx7hKN1CWElxBXDIl2RyPa4CUgZrZjs1-8o4SR46iyXNcbBoUt5v0as_HuAOKIhSOeqA5s4Ve00-h9gKwLSsHlj_3lnf8rhOtXvMBXudAmJ6Sl-8Mbc3EKQ6ZfsXzaDiD_67XCLIG/s400/DSC_0597.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610014265048326738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></div></div></div>The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-75506406845238706312011-04-25T22:01:00.009-05:002011-04-26T08:29:27.495-05:00Easter Sunday 2011<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnG8EVaj3d7Ol2k03tkeUBp4J1_a3OU-d6KJrySOrcKU4-T6i7MOOT6LzWkKjsJqKIRaPnnZCH0Mk9xq_SZlxxezTWM8G6fRfg9uDKr1LWmkizbLqJQDj-mJ0P2RkQgCrpfilR61RatoAZ/s1600/DSC_0543.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599726092300824146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnG8EVaj3d7Ol2k03tkeUBp4J1_a3OU-d6KJrySOrcKU4-T6i7MOOT6LzWkKjsJqKIRaPnnZCH0Mk9xq_SZlxxezTWM8G6fRfg9uDKr1LWmkizbLqJQDj-mJ0P2RkQgCrpfilR61RatoAZ/s400/DSC_0543.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)"><br /><br /><div align="center"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and belives in me will never die. Do you believe this?"</span></span></i></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">John 11:25&26</span></span></i></div><br /><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We had a very blessed Easter and after church, spent the day enjoying family and resting. As a Christian saved by grace...I cannot imagine what life would be like without the reconciliation that Jesus provided to us by his death on the cross. Apart from Him I am a slave to the wickedness of this world. Praise God, that it didn't end with His death, but that three days later, He arose from the grave! The ending was written, death and satan were conquered....Today, we can rest in the truth of His victory and anxiously await the day He will return to call his children home!</span></span></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="center"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVohpYvLSCY9UNIQU7zTwN6vXL6g4bGlIcGtRTBsloJAY17POLoMBV7XgJJOJoImTkv1v4Y9JERRchnwZ0LwrojvA9XyV3L0XKcU45NeifVRxlekeog7zZXacej1RISfo174QAa9bdbjhp/s1600/DSC_0537.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599726086971482466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVohpYvLSCY9UNIQU7zTwN6vXL6g4bGlIcGtRTBsloJAY17POLoMBV7XgJJOJoImTkv1v4Y9JERRchnwZ0LwrojvA9XyV3L0XKcU45NeifVRxlekeog7zZXacej1RISfo174QAa9bdbjhp/s400/DSC_0537.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underlinefont-size:15;" ><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599726853011552978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsOD1IQsKuMClAXdAGY5eOXz4gvTWiKcz4hQDAhyphenhyphen9VlKvP1_4-D6QxqQEMsvt9MPKM7WKkJwEyIs68RwHDwaupa1yCjZ-yB1H3_xoQkRVOW161DMK54DYAWRptC-CTBjPBmORWwTmSuAo/s400/DSC_0536.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underlinefont-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599726102913078610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwXG0J61WG0Uz_0i99USlzOfHPAdYugJ39o4_qG_xtecd8WFQsHoF0vDYAMV4-k04LBmAdoJZjFXbw0TiFLW56EyqaNF3DMS61fkuPJiqIfePpjxdncThnr2RXtpclv78jL5P-yO6-MbA/s400/DSC_0559.jpg" border="0" /></span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underlinefont-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599726107741571522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPZ45y2jTjm4YtcaX0QxiJiTxE7KE71kz88Hh0waxqQIma1sEwPhVXLBcWM5n1Q0kILLE2LkZTx2gbRJkw52XnwkLAO1cfxPuniJp939lEixOKx4MNvWTUjUeGryn_fixcB9ix1E8M860/s400/DSC_0565.jpg" border="0" /></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underlinefont-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599726838956059026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbHWRIC-NYDDA84u0pjXgfVT3W1I7iwcAF9Ijp20i5SvRNnGwNjpqQkvLuVD6TCuCXnj2llL7Lmlt65HWcQv4mR_0nF6Ej54GZ0JRJH5ln1GDYduf6riU3kudwpk0sUMTK-9aSiQYgwtX/s400/DSC_0561.JPG" border="0" /></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>The look of exhaustion!</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underlinefont-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599726843781835586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 286px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-Y15lDkdyzGV7Dxu0Bq8QaGksIlST-AzgKEMQ4jR3Z3VuzGS7uAyIy-1gRK77pqsI1RpMAIyLoO40nAxuPtp2GDW4WvY3Oo-LibkSBy04NBNL9DjY5JmMVtfAtet0_TFnlb9-TvR7YmC/s400/DSC_0562.jpg" border="0" /></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Her First Bunny Cake...She has a Mimi who loves all things Easter</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underlinefont-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;font-size:15;" ><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599726846113754530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 286px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKOGAx63BB1zfkdTwtXPJmHvpSeffgIf4lYt8cM38HJEqkXJQ8unStiTVIysbDePQKqWYU92wpWqaHLRrudaf3y9Y85JNpjvQ18S5eW378S9q-Icr9-5vGAoFMYkjaK9avHrJO63ohyGw/s400/DSC_0570.JPG" border="0" /></span></span></span></span></span></span>The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-20174567411967965242011-04-25T21:34:00.005-05:002011-04-26T08:39:29.040-05:00Easter Basket!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iMyBgzS8JznXF42nakfugqvxySGO0rr_YkSCq-tCDM269J-z4JRyXOQAeJz0T33JTJYbjTOsrkX32sCCR0NlvAn8i1BWDtGrCYeZJ2TRzfgBzc6KYKndhi5ewbunzZn0HO3hODSBAAR6/s1600/DSC_0607.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599719290780804930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iMyBgzS8JznXF42nakfugqvxySGO0rr_YkSCq-tCDM269J-z4JRyXOQAeJz0T33JTJYbjTOsrkX32sCCR0NlvAn8i1BWDtGrCYeZJ2TRzfgBzc6KYKndhi5ewbunzZn0HO3hODSBAAR6/s400/DSC_0607.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>After the Egg Hunt, we headed home to give Avery her Easter Basket. When discussing what our Easter traditions would be, we decided to do baskets on Saturday...a decision that will hopefully make Sunday mornings before church a little less stressful. Easter for our children will involve dyeing and hunting eggs and a basket, but they will know that the basket comes from us. We don't want to play up the Easter Bunny, but they will know that bunnies are just like eggs and yellow chicks, they make the holiday fun, but are not the reason that we celebrate.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underlinefont-size:15;" ><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599719294943209522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Pkshi_erUvBgpv5o5Y6ZLAZU36fVovrfuN5NjWu5l5ghRdjX8MmLmrT03RWBLgQECoANofgkSJqWYSCPziL0uNUxCqSWUMCCn0wk8vPrwJqhIJGHzZT_MwhHEdK1yd6qjYCdaeB01w-4/s400/DSC_0609.jpg" border="0" /></span> <span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We had a lot of fun watching Avery pull each gift from her basket! This year, it included several books, the one I am most excited about is the 'Jesus Story Book Bible.' Each story points to Jesus and the gift of salvation He gave when He died for our sins and rose again. Avery has already enjoyed several stories read to her by Levi. In addition to the books, it had an Elmo DVD, PJs, hairbows, a bug capturing kit, gardening tools, and an apron.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underlinefont-size:15;" ><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599719297511179650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRnsZZQb-VsXdyHrIS8mExBxH7fpHm_qf16G_0CTNoKPCWrjmZPDX3KWIYfeVBV4xsWxLLJR2c5nNR81Pa4-BEmSbIXU0Di00zuBXtcIfZKG0SIVwpLaaag_dEzE8mD1kA9kvU5dtjJd6/s400/DSC_0611.jpg" border="0" /></span> <span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Her big gift was from Mimi...a water play table :) She loves it! I am continually amazed at how smart she is and that she knows exactly what to do with any new toy she is given. This is such a fun age with new developments almost daily.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underlinefont-size:15;" ><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599719312434572338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZhOREg8-V7Tvr1MiNFtMzL8ptiNK-2W_ChznLdPrqVjCvssUje7gbsYoWn4pRhbz2IVyXgshuS2DdV09p4fti2aznN6R4UIc_M3xnb8knjd-cguNTmrdPcIogvjrapHMw70YWA1OrATp/s400/DSC_0613.jpg" border="0" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599719300711557042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwkwk3hqwiLAlND9O23bzI8oWs6iwG8rKZVe2JVDUnzwrbOfHEi1g4fRuF5yIzNSbR8EKy9qUsKwq7ifynLwedpMZOWLVSlKqweruOuMr3QUxWtvPJ5e7xQdTyy3ruwNPJPXL6tHESrIc/s400/DSC_0612.JPG" border="0" /></span>The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-25163000275602410952011-04-23T19:49:00.006-05:002011-04-25T21:32:08.275-05:00Easter Egg Hunt 2011<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsj7YMmBpXlHCOZ92cS1djs70E2XOQ1DpyF2qycfLLb3vj0XRTSElfMsLbQsBK0a-hgAPN6DwSd6iR55vpVyAu9f7TMhyphenhyphen-l0cziZGE_uCHVhPhFS_ESm-ekwbq-9Fb5eblj4LOXBH4J6e/s1600/DSC_0582.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.9722px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTpTeURaQU6UMEf91Kgtb53HWZPBokoiInDKMXfIAg7xIwiujzLf5CBeFA8TF0Vlk7LoBkItYOYPfXdufut1U907c0yG_pDj-e1FmgRbh2iE_597UVFXf_bmmELSXi184vrBF3EFRUXwa/s1600/DSC_0594.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTpTeURaQU6UMEf91Kgtb53HWZPBokoiInDKMXfIAg7xIwiujzLf5CBeFA8TF0Vlk7LoBkItYOYPfXdufut1U907c0yG_pDj-e1FmgRbh2iE_597UVFXf_bmmELSXi184vrBF3EFRUXwa/s400/DSC_0594.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599709476341629330" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8e1fJEp5EXeysbCbQQTs_OXS4eW0mdU7MUbDsQwF3O_l0R9UmRQ21dSDTozTer018UM_5UM9fBVjjH4krtPvkbEclpIX8uRjPOumbU-vLToHmUh7-W-p_A-mUO_wsaB4GJHzfMI_xPfEK/s1600/DSC_0581.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9r5EJSfNpHUpqG0HcI7uqEdFySiTECYWH7YUtH5OS5pEk973u7PtnB-VSJ9AsjUIlboAPkkDSbZyzkeUq5BQDmvCCfAhzuqfb7qU8OJri0-uC9wbmGatpRYRPkLHSGtpf2HXDWwgVV9i/s1600/DSC_0601.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9r5EJSfNpHUpqG0HcI7uqEdFySiTECYWH7YUtH5OS5pEk973u7PtnB-VSJ9AsjUIlboAPkkDSbZyzkeUq5BQDmvCCfAhzuqfb7qU8OJri0-uC9wbmGatpRYRPkLHSGtpf2HXDWwgVV9i/s400/DSC_0601.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599708525694946274" /></a>I have looked forward to taking Avery to her first Easter Egg hunt for several weeks now (See post below on practicing). The annual hunt in my town continues to be one of my favorite childhood memories. It was a big deal to try to get a prize egg...<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In all the years we went as a family, I</span></span> think I only got one. They didn't separate the age groups, so all of the big kids ran ahead and took them all. So, I was excited to see that Opelika was going to separate the eggs by age and thought that it would make the hunt more enjoyable for Avery<div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>After the stampede, Avery was actually able to participate in the hunt</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.9722px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYh1Fo2OMPHds6TNGXPOY0ClkgMlOLknXjWFjMrzlgePwz8FOyghiUBpBIuK2gAEt64GEdaN5bQbsNJDY-1hVwECPkuI7WYSix6TtM6nltnfveVswjO600nj4xkMjvUFG7G9Bts1CeA7-/s400/DSC_0588.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599708528823473266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Well, I hate to say it, but I was really disappointed in the set up of the hunt. They had the 3 and under section in a very small area and that was probably the majority of the children represented. I was with Avery during the hunt and really didn't have any intentions of helping her pick up the eggs, but oh my goodness, if had I not picked up the eggs for her, she wouldn't have got even one! Other people were scooping up every one in sight for their child and some kids had two or three people hunting with them. No kidding, 30 seconds after the announcer said go, everything was gone. I am not sure this will be an annual event for us. We will probably stick to hunting in our yard :)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Playing Mark, Set, Go with Mimi</span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.9722px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTRTeXUMRb2fhe3xlHlH_J3q0OtnVRZ2dkmQBQwRSa6VLw9vz6Wlfck3Sqx_eJWu3g-PO_Xin9d5gqleoOo0Bn8mx56In8hw6yjlv_3EU8kkYDr9ZVxULRz3DcWj648OVimlBU4dfW57V/s400/DSC_0599.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599708533858050082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.9722px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Riding the train...possibly the most fun she has ever had!</span></i></span></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.9722px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvNn17TrqENR14WpBdJ-Gyx0w54nQyn92eNRFKHwbq5sgq1pKgvllqE3oZccaWeS2Ct0r4QI_hr86Ny1Mp3ZOiZlYY177XqSbO30sDj6YJ41neCvQOiEFYVGV5MXe78PXHUJ9F9I5cVaV/s400/DSC_0579.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599709472433858258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size:15.9722px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:11.0918px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.9722px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8e1fJEp5EXeysbCbQQTs_OXS4eW0mdU7MUbDsQwF3O_l0R9UmRQ21dSDTozTer018UM_5UM9fBVjjH4krtPvkbEclpIX8uRjPOumbU-vLToHmUh7-W-p_A-mUO_wsaB4GJHzfMI_xPfEK/s400/DSC_0581.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599709466715019298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px; " /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsj7YMmBpXlHCOZ92cS1djs70E2XOQ1DpyF2qycfLLb3vj0XRTSElfMsLbQsBK0a-hgAPN6DwSd6iR55vpVyAu9f7TMhyphenhyphen-l0cziZGE_uCHVhPhFS_ESm-ekwbq-9Fb5eblj4LOXBH4J6e/s400/DSC_0582.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599713050837893554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: medium; ">All in all, we had fun and definitely made memories. Avery loved the train and side walk chalk. It is really nice to have some of our family here to share such special times.</span></div></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.9722px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:11.0918px;"></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PF2uxqayuVrjxv2TmR2T5tDowKO5NEzFe_AhGOExmyNpWHd-0AL4_tntn6eSuuico0gykr_Q17SEb4ImOvpjg3r6B9ApYyuB3uVoQvusPWu95bIEU9H4bIVR9k7EeRC4TntpIIf1tyRK/s400/DSC_0578.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599708546396282322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 246px; " /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaSVENmXhg4LJUCR_TjUJItGZSr_Hl1w8SIgtd6fmzkrJ1Ad_hkS2GYUNqt2heqGXETG7YIqS65MR2dURUYVn8THS1tX-N9A9HVyJmTF_XDz0OHZH0IVFAppPfgiIvCqArU8UrGVPnbKH/s400/DSC_0571.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599708545257023170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px; " /></span></div>The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-56552466510549623712011-04-23T19:15:00.005-05:002011-04-23T19:49:25.629-05:00Story Time with Ma Mize<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUI2laYnRIBYN92QPefwi_LRRMjx5J9wSl3nYyHLUz0BibzZbxKtKQ83VW2bFWvhbUmS9chFMecPjjn5_o_NtzYw4EhODJrxNDLeQ1ot21Lzm0onxAESiCUMRa1uHbX_MPi7lrt6m4KGws/s1600/DSC_0544.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:15.9722px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoMkae59XivQoO4Kxi7MRjgwz2L2pPdYyamY-WkLj-DFh1NX6dKqOIhA8ORp07Q7mi5yWP74tj8397PiFFfb8SZK9rWlLs4TSXzmde2NVnQ-4c70gAcnhooh8DK4dWuaFt5MWYisAX5yc/s1600/DSC_0546.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoMkae59XivQoO4Kxi7MRjgwz2L2pPdYyamY-WkLj-DFh1NX6dKqOIhA8ORp07Q7mi5yWP74tj8397PiFFfb8SZK9rWlLs4TSXzmde2NVnQ-4c70gAcnhooh8DK4dWuaFt5MWYisAX5yc/s400/DSC_0546.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598943744808711826" /></a></span></div>Avery is one lucky little girl, she has the privilege of getting to know all four of her great grandmothers! When visiting our hometown, she enjoys riding the mule (the motorized kind) with Granny Smith, seeing MaMaw Brown smile when Avery sweetly says her name, and chasing the cat at Grandmother Christine's house.<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.9722px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUI2laYnRIBYN92QPefwi_LRRMjx5J9wSl3nYyHLUz0BibzZbxKtKQ83VW2bFWvhbUmS9chFMecPjjn5_o_NtzYw4EhODJrxNDLeQ1ot21Lzm0onxAESiCUMRa1uHbX_MPi7lrt6m4KGws/s400/DSC_0544.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598944535979835506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwIR80xhyphenhyphenyYTMKDmt_sJ_jCk-D0XnhaA-huijUP-xDEkyENWhCgzJnFjxmsYb-s9a-A5kGJdnQlTlNYV-nVnhwTDKOBk42bgqCRFA9xQt7H4Bb6-wcOvqsCpIQJ_segOdJIf1HJ8wcZQL/s400/DSC_0543.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598943756254094450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:15.9722px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The last time we visited, her Ma Mize came over to Levi's parents house for supper. Afterwards, she and Avery read </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Come on Baby Duck!, </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">which just happens to be Avery's favorite.</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">She can tell you what is happening on each page and points out objects in it with great enthusiasm. I am thankful we were able to get these precious shots of the two of them together :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrC3F0FzLG8gGJavOq4Zp2EBA7HdzhJVyPejR4xfNotBI6-0Wvhe_b6VFi63EEqkm1Rr8OBkBp1RWOuuLSUirIzjAuGH7cjd2auCCsJVi6qodf7G2FPlciEkgGhmLfRlGNT9Fv_rANbXMp/s400/DSC_0541.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598943746289775074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px; " /></span></div>The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-69252970911896202652011-04-23T15:41:00.008-05:002011-04-23T19:14:54.218-05:00Eater Egg Hunting Practice<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Early in April we made a weekend trip to visit our families in North Alabama. Before leaving Auburn, we made sure to pack Avery's Easter egg basket and a sleeve of plastic eggs. Our hope was that we would be able to get in a little practice before the real hunt on Easter weekend.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.6px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3y9_KQt13Cf85hPMBvjfVrHQ9HSv3srs67_58LFklU6unomKkLSUPwlbKjdd8t8_qTNH7cuDIsX5Wc7QN4pOWZKQBMMgtEozrPcAO2q7etPaRzSCxbMws3wiKF8aO18_JWbj5MjdtU8r/s400/DSC_0547.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598887761513324946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sunday morning, we got up early for Levi to hide the eggs. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Afterwards, and in our</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> pajamas, Avery, Granmommy, and I headed outside to begin the hunt. To our surprise, Avery didn't need any instruction on what to do. She laughed and giggled as she happened upon each egg and then placed it carefully in her basket. She loved bending and looking under obstacles to see if one had been placed there.</span></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglicz3QWnGtSONC5r_951lgEy1Tikva6tmyydDGJEHgOMxTXSK785G8mcjSUIVsygkp9vkSZGqvG-1FtE6cOXC_eIDFPpMfsVvXW_iekywhnVXe3zW9PP3j_XhW2_0TJoRj8V2XW6atgln/s400/DSC_0549.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598886276000996274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>Avery has such a sweet spirit and loves to try new activities. She really is an easy child and Levi and I feel blessed to call her ours!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.6px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rpQLGAXVmP-NdsQsLQPJe2z-fKyfYmE6vMRBFN9j1ohEEeEPwADmcTZ7u_6t1wy6mfy3OnWi8r_u7adeAXyWatxLm9mCpx9uEBv7LU46f_OHcIo-Vup0eQ-7GxRu3ZjcGslP3w9SbpXe/s400/DSC_0554.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598888528896290354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.6px;"><br /></span></div>The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-33934561014975086382011-04-12T20:43:00.007-05:002011-04-13T08:22:03.482-05:00Blogging Life Revived...So, we have been using the computer I got for Christmas in 2003...After 7.5 years, you can imagine that the relationship has become a little tumultuous. It is with a heavy heart that I must say goodbye to my"Dude, I got a Dell" era computer and say hello to this beautiful new piece of machinery. Thanks to it, my blogging life will be revived soon! Our wireless router is going to be installed Saturday...so excited I can hardly wait :) <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595056888488710530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgtFm02uONm2Kzd11Ukp6JHlA_zOBnUh3ruYja9msEFr36xJ_EnLzg5no4Niibv-J5LxVBR0V76Lhx9RfhADaQGG5xzFh6brOqwt7McKgFmhzhHzvgOazQbFSsStc0kbeAHz6jQAQFrh0/s400/MacBook.jpg" border="0" />The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-47336376077528425442011-02-14T12:16:00.000-06:002011-02-14T12:16:10.885-06:00Would You Go With Me<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6AST8fosZHQ?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425" height="344" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Happy Valentine's Day Levi....I would go anywhere with you! I am thankful for the life and little family we have made together. I can't imagine taking this jouney with anyone else ;)<br /><br />Your love forever and always,<br /><br />EmilyThe Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-82609580867270622011-01-22T13:07:00.007-06:002011-01-29T12:17:41.684-06:00Avery 12-15 Months<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0bKflFQWKGahc3oYRKXbpmeplXLkpc3thh3TSTjCmpYXND3xRjeZbmvPQV2VzJzKzXdxplczVwcG7VGcoOD_8xcl2flyI-yPZQOrnqheYmKNlo98qjsoxc1CIWP4z48Upoc6gPOba-kB/s1600/Avery+Leaves+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0bKflFQWKGahc3oYRKXbpmeplXLkpc3thh3TSTjCmpYXND3xRjeZbmvPQV2VzJzKzXdxplczVwcG7VGcoOD_8xcl2flyI-yPZQOrnqheYmKNlo98qjsoxc1CIWP4z48Upoc6gPOba-kB/s400/Avery+Leaves+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567670067203226386" border="0" /></a>The fall of 2010 was accompanied by Avery's first months as a toddler. We had a blast watching her grow and change from a baby into the sweet little girl she is. I am so happy to finally be writing down the memories from this period for her baby book.<br /><ul><li>Stats from 12 months: 19 lbs (45th percentile), 26 inches long (25th percentile). </li><li>Stats from 15 months: 22 lbs (50th percentile), 28 inches long (10th percentile).<br /></li><li>With her short stature she is proving to be like her momma and meme. Since almost all pants in her waist size are too long, her Grandmommy helped us out by hemming them. She was in 9-12 month size clothes from 12-15 months. Her shoe size was 3.<br /></li><li>Also due to her tininess, we decided to keep her car seat turned around through 16 months. She has been used to long car trips since she was born and travels really well, so it hasn't been bad at all.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPga6Q3mTUOLok2nGCrP4gegMp1IBGCqBofJeY93TtR8dnZmTovD65lu4Ls8Ir-g7mIEjy3hoFH3Q7IOwTOQgIE1DFcHea8NBUY9Tijok3FVen0n98FhmmWCl3Er-B6dcjmJKmLYTvX5M/s1600/Avery+%2526+Daddy+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPga6Q3mTUOLok2nGCrP4gegMp1IBGCqBofJeY93TtR8dnZmTovD65lu4Ls8Ir-g7mIEjy3hoFH3Q7IOwTOQgIE1DFcHea8NBUY9Tijok3FVen0n98FhmmWCl3Er-B6dcjmJKmLYTvX5M/s400/Avery+%2526+Daddy+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567670508362153634" border="0" /></a></li><li>Beginning in her 12th month she could identify all of her basic body parts (head, mouth, nose, eyes, ears, toes) and that list continues to grow and now includes arms, hands, tongue, belly, belly button, knees, teeth, hair, etc. She has her own unique way for showing you what each part is. For example to show you her teeth she taps them together in her mouth, to show you her hands she signs for milk.<br /></li><li>At 12 months she really picked up on waving bye and saying hi. She started saying bye bye right after turning 15 months old.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6-O-Nm7FQVlnHqQmkarOTkKtbBufzQtecHdC2udYjzIkalUaCmKSaD_ZiPHmpCOEvJ424-UCNDAlieXi6z7ijwL21O2_6q8aLd1PzH6d0dkx38sHUIus2CP9C5tSOuRNJk8RIa8nvkxR/s1600/Avery+Leaves+3.jpg"><br /></a></li><li>She LOVES to read. This love has continued to grow each month. By 15 months she was able to recognize a story and go pull that specific book off of her shelf. She will bring the book to you, point to the floor and say "sit" in the sweetest little. Then she backs into your lap for you to begin reading.<br /></li><li>When she sees an object on the page that she recognizes (ex. fish), she explodes with joy and yells the name of whatever she is seeing.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAi53tI0QJ4-AIDcAEEsQ18t6BtcTjNVr-WrYRL3DC3-yIBeCKHDwOmF4rxE7Sg9Qcej5NpyJYGmkHXWM-NgAVUueHJhGLLxA9IE3LixhvLzHhRJNdQsQ-9xhjG3zD20G0aNl6CHa9SPE/s1600/Avery+Leaves+4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAi53tI0QJ4-AIDcAEEsQ18t6BtcTjNVr-WrYRL3DC3-yIBeCKHDwOmF4rxE7Sg9Qcej5NpyJYGmkHXWM-NgAVUueHJhGLLxA9IE3LixhvLzHhRJNdQsQ-9xhjG3zD20G0aNl6CHa9SPE/s400/Avery+Leaves+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567671449083165490" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tWgvq2ueDJgiYa7emLVAxBpbnpfvjRVHSzApbzSvPXjwM8HoJ8Z8Kaq60n5hlkoStIY2_ftXBJZsIlf0jwJg64jfiyI2phtg9kajyRLM07qYtlktoRx5GxIpAqxJtQXEG23B0vB7K_Pj/s1600/Avery+Running+3.jpg"><br /></a></li><li>Speaking of short commands like "sit," she can also tell us "more," "no," "yes," and "all done." By the end of 15 months her word arsenal included versions of: owl, squirrel, hot (accompanied by holding her hand out like she is warming it at a fire), ball, bath, bubbles, fish, moon, up, Aubie, Auburn, car, key, cup, book, baby, Huck (our dog), & duck (pretty funny hearing her quack the night of the national championship).<br /></li><li>There are really no words to describe this little girl's love for all things Auburn! She recognizes, says his name, and points to Aubie. She get down dancing to the fight song, and glory glory, she can tell you that an AU stands for Auburn and loves to shake her pom pom. She holds her hands up for touch downs and by the end of 15 months she cheered when football games were on, despite who was playing.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tWgvq2ueDJgiYa7emLVAxBpbnpfvjRVHSzApbzSvPXjwM8HoJ8Z8Kaq60n5hlkoStIY2_ftXBJZsIlf0jwJg64jfiyI2phtg9kajyRLM07qYtlktoRx5GxIpAqxJtQXEG23B0vB7K_Pj/s1600/Avery+Running+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tWgvq2ueDJgiYa7emLVAxBpbnpfvjRVHSzApbzSvPXjwM8HoJ8Z8Kaq60n5hlkoStIY2_ftXBJZsIlf0jwJg64jfiyI2phtg9kajyRLM07qYtlktoRx5GxIpAqxJtQXEG23B0vB7K_Pj/s400/Avery+Running+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567670505378418098" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsEKCg0nd6qz8RkgsG8x10vMkvCbXFLefHjCUtmt_GJbK5Dy7-9zBsO7pRbvcf2YhI9uUK8wS33VYY_3Tz3iYGRfjs65IpTCucy0XqgoNuOzzN6gMsaloIIwQq34pZ1BLBS5Six4nLMqY/s1600/Avery+Running+2.jpg"><br /></a></li><li>Her hide and seek abilities have increased from peek-a-boo to full fledged walking in a dark room at our house, finding a spot, and hiding there as quite as a mouse. This is a little unnerving, since she could possibly do this to us a store, but at home it is hilarious.<br /></li><li>She is quite the little mommy and loves to take care of her dolls by feeding and rocking them, as well as wrapping them in blankets. She also likes to share her paci...just not for too long! She loves for me to say her baby doll wants her mommy!<br /></li><li>She has a love for girls between the ages of 4-7. She will just randomly run up to them at stores and either hug them or hold their hand. Sometimes she even reaches her arms up for them to hold her. </li><li>Her sleeping habits have stayed the same, she usually goes to bed by 8:00 and then I wake her up at 6:40 each weekday. On the weekends she sleeps till 7:30 or 8:00. We are soooo blessed with a good sleeper.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmIT4Dm81Yn6Il-i2a5Yi76t6mF9gi_7fx-5Pumbm3ZS0cgLTi-9erZQkSd5_WdBOrStNOWkOdHao2ZzRoIibYdA05n8OpWdd1fOjL0-cEJe8byciO2C1Hs7NhkVQTIP4BhipykbUB_uH/s1600/Avery+Leaves+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmIT4Dm81Yn6Il-i2a5Yi76t6mF9gi_7fx-5Pumbm3ZS0cgLTi-9erZQkSd5_WdBOrStNOWkOdHao2ZzRoIibYdA05n8OpWdd1fOjL0-cEJe8byciO2C1Hs7NhkVQTIP4BhipykbUB_uH/s400/Avery+Leaves+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567671813473541394" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAi53tI0QJ4-AIDcAEEsQ18t6BtcTjNVr-WrYRL3DC3-yIBeCKHDwOmF4rxE7Sg9Qcej5NpyJYGmkHXWM-NgAVUueHJhGLLxA9IE3LixhvLzHhRJNdQsQ-9xhjG3zD20G0aNl6CHa9SPE/s1600/Avery+Leaves+4.jpg"><br /></a></li><li>She is addicted to her paci. It is going to be very hard to break this habit but we plan to at 18 months. It makes her feel so good and I would rather have to break her from a paci than sucking her thumb.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsEKCg0nd6qz8RkgsG8x10vMkvCbXFLefHjCUtmt_GJbK5Dy7-9zBsO7pRbvcf2YhI9uUK8wS33VYY_3Tz3iYGRfjs65IpTCucy0XqgoNuOzzN6gMsaloIIwQq34pZ1BLBS5Six4nLMqY/s1600/Avery+Running+2.jpg"><br /></a></li><li>She enjoys giving kisses and high fives. She can't just give out one, anyone who is in the room gets them.<br /></li><li>She can drink out of cup without a lid, but we don't let her take the cup by herself. She really likes using a regular cup with a straw. We cut the straw to her size, which works well.</li><li>She likes taking a bath and splashing whoever is giving it to her. She washes her baby just like we wash her. She helps us put her lotion on and enjoys looking at all of her clothes when we are picking them out for the next day.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsEKCg0nd6qz8RkgsG8x10vMkvCbXFLefHjCUtmt_GJbK5Dy7-9zBsO7pRbvcf2YhI9uUK8wS33VYY_3Tz3iYGRfjs65IpTCucy0XqgoNuOzzN6gMsaloIIwQq34pZ1BLBS5Six4nLMqY/s1600/Avery+Running+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsEKCg0nd6qz8RkgsG8x10vMkvCbXFLefHjCUtmt_GJbK5Dy7-9zBsO7pRbvcf2YhI9uUK8wS33VYY_3Tz3iYGRfjs65IpTCucy0XqgoNuOzzN6gMsaloIIwQq34pZ1BLBS5Six4nLMqY/s400/Avery+Running+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567670078611003858" border="0" /></a></li><li>She likes when I sing to her and at night when I rock her, signs and verbally tells me more when I am getting close to the end of a song.<br /></li><li>Now that she is so active and such a fireball, it is definitely harder to go out shopping for anything other than groceries. If I need to be able to look at anything, I know that I have to leave her with someone. Who can blame her for wanting to explore?</li><li>She knows how to throw a fit and has zero patience. For each hard moment though there are at least 5 amazing ones.<br /></li><li>She eats pretty much anything and LOVES milk. We only do milk and water, no juice. Why start the habit if you don't have to? Her favorite foods are cheese, green beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, grapes, cheese, apples, chicken any way, any kind of noodles, rice, cheese, chocolate, and anything Levi or I might be eating that she wants to try. Did I mention she likes CHEESE? Oh and something I find funny is her daycare has collards on the menu every so often and "all" is always circled in the how much she ate column :)<br /></li></ul>The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-75334658504415932812011-01-17T13:55:00.005-06:002011-01-17T15:41:33.271-06:00Snow Much Fun!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNi7_pwvXyAuMbOSpVQ7V1Tzf6jLfXJQW9qwjjIUYH1Ja-2BveUq3TS9QKpLMwDDPItsRhCINCUBCXc87c9fOxe7-PsOlVIenyuTrl45OsYhVONfIeQY5wPelDa61ABtOy59OpjwOdLQPl/s1600/Snow+4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNi7_pwvXyAuMbOSpVQ7V1Tzf6jLfXJQW9qwjjIUYH1Ja-2BveUq3TS9QKpLMwDDPItsRhCINCUBCXc87c9fOxe7-PsOlVIenyuTrl45OsYhVONfIeQY5wPelDa61ABtOy59OpjwOdLQPl/s400/Snow+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563248497860200706" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn70zc5lwlSn-D-bfEavS1GvDqaYIF32DS4JyuFd5ChLsFlomJiJ_S-c2mV0aHDRPrfdqfff8TiE4b7gZ0AfrKX3QSSwDifO0b5AEDzQmIUhId4CIyGdEttKrpYvnbuQ3EJeSuHcVPKIdg/s1600/Snow+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn70zc5lwlSn-D-bfEavS1GvDqaYIF32DS4JyuFd5ChLsFlomJiJ_S-c2mV0aHDRPrfdqfff8TiE4b7gZ0AfrKX3QSSwDifO0b5AEDzQmIUhId4CIyGdEttKrpYvnbuQ3EJeSuHcVPKIdg/s400/Snow+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563248493519476146" border="0" /></a><br />The day after Christmas, we headed to North Alabama to for Christmas with my mom and dad's sides of the family, as well as Levi's parents, Samuel, and Alyssa. Even though everyone had called to tell us about the snow Christmas Day, we honestly were not convinced that it was that big of a deal till we got there. They got 5-6 inches and it stayed for 3 days. Fast forward to present day and we actually just returned from up there and from experiencing the remnants of the great winter blizzard of 2011! There was 7 in. or so still on the ground that fell over a week ago. Schools were closed all week due to the ice. I don't think there has ever been that much snow to fall within 2 or so weeks of each other in Haleyville.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgmYGCqSmT8uikxTl3zlnb7FmU-CRfDbUnt-Yv6kzdh5WMYIl-qr3HygtP9PUMX5-9gRADFz0nVIYb6YIsTfnpEJxK9a_wMzGNqaWxq-W8JxwCBGVwL7BhiCtqoIz_OLvfGdl0uNPdxGV/s1600/Snow+20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgmYGCqSmT8uikxTl3zlnb7FmU-CRfDbUnt-Yv6kzdh5WMYIl-qr3HygtP9PUMX5-9gRADFz0nVIYb6YIsTfnpEJxK9a_wMzGNqaWxq-W8JxwCBGVwL7BhiCtqoIz_OLvfGdl0uNPdxGV/s400/Snow+20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563271605211261666" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYDNEzKwp7p56YRZDNUFW76cZ5FtNdm9kwUhi5a9VxnUcR4oIVv47Q5U3tVvANKnBuf3z6h9wAqEuUsdb4DfICvpoyYIzSr2zF2upDmidgZ0m6dvGTElL43RlJ1-jZLIMXJ3dPYhKV5W8/s1600/Snow+13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYDNEzKwp7p56YRZDNUFW76cZ5FtNdm9kwUhi5a9VxnUcR4oIVv47Q5U3tVvANKnBuf3z6h9wAqEuUsdb4DfICvpoyYIzSr2zF2upDmidgZ0m6dvGTElL43RlJ1-jZLIMXJ3dPYhKV5W8/s400/Snow+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563248525862250066" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UrMrBIqdGGuBvgqi1oyYV7fZsOt-IfrjVgQkHkGR_lOM0NNUEFiRU7skGrtIc6wynpJ9CVx-8Awt_F51lZERze8FiRE2LsoAi_abj8iQFvp5WVRqjpZYeS2alKTfBkXebr0qe1BmNQyu/s1600/Snow+15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UrMrBIqdGGuBvgqi1oyYV7fZsOt-IfrjVgQkHkGR_lOM0NNUEFiRU7skGrtIc6wynpJ9CVx-8Awt_F51lZERze8FiRE2LsoAi_abj8iQFvp5WVRqjpZYeS2alKTfBkXebr0qe1BmNQyu/s400/Snow+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563272693248437186" border="0" /></a>The pictures are from the Christmas snow. I don't know if you can tell, but Avery LOVED it and only cried when the sled stopped and we had to drag it back to the top. I even got a picture of her signing "more" sledding. She also cried when we had to go in for a nap :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_78tDKhDZg6m_miuh0lfIv5LKuRBDAmffguSh_DJnr1PxmCrjZC5NePtT7NbNJmZXYjC8_r36H8oYkhXEt6c-he7KVV4qTmiIzq-3wCg5qvpU1o0pDOpxqWewWVkuK6fyuZjHI1n0Ub3/s1600/Snow+18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_78tDKhDZg6m_miuh0lfIv5LKuRBDAmffguSh_DJnr1PxmCrjZC5NePtT7NbNJmZXYjC8_r36H8oYkhXEt6c-he7KVV4qTmiIzq-3wCg5qvpU1o0pDOpxqWewWVkuK6fyuZjHI1n0Ub3/s400/Snow+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563271599154515122" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHhaMf8jTnX8NhAGMQuQ77qsxgK10GVzksMJ0loly_XlRCsMecMkQtHEC623DPIwl6WpuZCCaeklx0QmvAZFYlNjCpYhHCoJaWor5aoDH197MFpjkYd89hYaXWmfVQVl1Jij-hENJrqWD/s1600/Snow+19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHhaMf8jTnX8NhAGMQuQ77qsxgK10GVzksMJ0loly_XlRCsMecMkQtHEC623DPIwl6WpuZCCaeklx0QmvAZFYlNjCpYhHCoJaWor5aoDH197MFpjkYd89hYaXWmfVQVl1Jij-hENJrqWD/s400/Snow+19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563271610803629058" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPw16IGGtk2A4LQw12xNjwTy6JkrcmM18TGGpeLYBi6rdZ3Tp7By6cRhTjb0phoMz-bD8gcmG4bRbbugFKa9JvYOJafaSnB9ngeLlNqkh8VhsU61WKh-XzLQUeK0GuQyTmDfKYxKuNSC2/s1600/Snow+6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPw16IGGtk2A4LQw12xNjwTy6JkrcmM18TGGpeLYBi6rdZ3Tp7By6cRhTjb0phoMz-bD8gcmG4bRbbugFKa9JvYOJafaSnB9ngeLlNqkh8VhsU61WKh-XzLQUeK0GuQyTmDfKYxKuNSC2/s400/Snow+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563248510851149058" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVk1iwvqPE4D_SbrV9HphqF1fKlJpdzMFpBZf-V-AiIVcu5ZVk6OgOV2HPFf7omfnTC8p8VKSZfWYjua7XHEnot_rX4dbEVqK8PtHCN99y7TW6K9sVVOOzwRkA5n4s8TbkfKVMpzkIgzt/s1600/Sam+%2526+Alyssa+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVk1iwvqPE4D_SbrV9HphqF1fKlJpdzMFpBZf-V-AiIVcu5ZVk6OgOV2HPFf7omfnTC8p8VKSZfWYjua7XHEnot_rX4dbEVqK8PtHCN99y7TW6K9sVVOOzwRkA5n4s8TbkfKVMpzkIgzt/s400/Sam+%2526+Alyssa+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563248524553217218" border="0" /></a>The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-22023932167036348552011-01-03T20:52:00.006-06:002011-01-03T21:45:32.240-06:00Christmas Morning 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwE_m524V-2mCggnwlXIBcuORHiMX1qJCBbRLC-PzEKRKc-X3ZzV20tKKwu982Uzm3xFyOcJGxUxvknMEh0aKIa4CXKF8HubImLUZgAy9Daj-Kp1i5hJoAiknxnvXaqPTPmOFmE-oV5bN/s1600/Christmas+Morning+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwE_m524V-2mCggnwlXIBcuORHiMX1qJCBbRLC-PzEKRKc-X3ZzV20tKKwu982Uzm3xFyOcJGxUxvknMEh0aKIa4CXKF8HubImLUZgAy9Daj-Kp1i5hJoAiknxnvXaqPTPmOFmE-oV5bN/s400/Christmas+Morning+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558168474397290034" border="0" /></a>Levi and I made the decision several years ago that when we had children, they would wake up from their own bed on Christmas morning and that we would spend the day relaxing, not traveling. We were both always at home on Christmas as children, the difference however, was that both sides of our grandparents lived a very short distance from our own homes. Thus, seeing them throughout the day wasn't terribly difficult. Although we missed being a part of Christmas breakfast with the Smiths and lunch with the Elliotts, we really enjoyed being together and seeing Avery wake up to presents under our tree!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_XD2_Kb1vYqZgN2Xj_d3DIdtwXDYWQmqm0rx9BCM-W7ozlUSL6zsz4xyF0FTOJZKebB47l38XY1HH8a_g0c4rxU6WwErXM1z0_tKZ71Yn0PfYuuHPFh1nzC7kbsd1OdKA0sFKQa85Rxg/s1600/Christmas+Morning+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_XD2_Kb1vYqZgN2Xj_d3DIdtwXDYWQmqm0rx9BCM-W7ozlUSL6zsz4xyF0FTOJZKebB47l38XY1HH8a_g0c4rxU6WwErXM1z0_tKZ71Yn0PfYuuHPFh1nzC7kbsd1OdKA0sFKQa85Rxg/s400/Christmas+Morning+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558168484710430946" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDx28oKMVWR3ssrVzaVgIDmICuaY0aFhf7Vtsm7RgIb0qJivJGXzDVq1JEX_sZnQWrRW3F8zEgGOczQ29zrUUMgbx4Q51Fgn9cDM3LZB43Fc0rSStKl_kxvOb0xpnHIrNHgvjHbtTPhhLw/s1600/Christmas+Morning+12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDx28oKMVWR3ssrVzaVgIDmICuaY0aFhf7Vtsm7RgIb0qJivJGXzDVq1JEX_sZnQWrRW3F8zEgGOczQ29zrUUMgbx4Q51Fgn9cDM3LZB43Fc0rSStKl_kxvOb0xpnHIrNHgvjHbtTPhhLw/s400/Christmas+Morning+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558170582139671394" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSuB_p41UqLR-qlzuLBwQ_YLZg2AD-ftHZRBgemGsHH1R19EPZcS_IIucfmPecrt8oq3n42VaGvItxldbZN7FXh1UneysHDpBu4mwUk9DvgCSff5VZCQN7XSm00Dl29geZ5AvJkIFNsSu/s1600/Christmas+Morning+6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSuB_p41UqLR-qlzuLBwQ_YLZg2AD-ftHZRBgemGsHH1R19EPZcS_IIucfmPecrt8oq3n42VaGvItxldbZN7FXh1UneysHDpBu4mwUk9DvgCSff5VZCQN7XSm00Dl29geZ5AvJkIFNsSu/s400/Christmas+Morning+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558171453501702834" border="0" /></a>We were blessed to have both my Mom and Sister with us to celebrate. When we took pictures in front of the tree Avery really hammed it up for the camera. It is so much fun to hear her say cheese and smile. You might notice a little bow in her hair. She finally has enough that I can slip in the smallest of small bows. If she sees herself in the mirror with one in her hair, she just smiles and coos at how pretty she looks. Such a little girl :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMPhS6bhwvQ3ZCJKQ8cfwnFuCrQ9lErc2PLGNKu59171mVVKR4B23IDnxxp4DtC2mwoKlYAR3g7wE2SW8I3LD3CVbqjrY5dLcrrIythmmO2iBfnB9_yoXmytFER1ZPf8IaOApvsBBeS48/s1600/Family+Shot+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMPhS6bhwvQ3ZCJKQ8cfwnFuCrQ9lErc2PLGNKu59171mVVKR4B23IDnxxp4DtC2mwoKlYAR3g7wE2SW8I3LD3CVbqjrY5dLcrrIythmmO2iBfnB9_yoXmytFER1ZPf8IaOApvsBBeS48/s400/Family+Shot+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558169260962110050" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMiYkmP9NOfgXhJwORhJ3FAwLUXnwOZuuWopFYJENF41c8D7IvWiSXILy8mCQ62nuxkp66_9WynTWf7hUEeCu8_eS1p42hFgNsHdaHvtmE8HyMaAbCLp84f_i9vTTCNP2Zfb7ZLr-xyEV/s1600/Ladies+Shot.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMiYkmP9NOfgXhJwORhJ3FAwLUXnwOZuuWopFYJENF41c8D7IvWiSXILy8mCQ62nuxkp66_9WynTWf7hUEeCu8_eS1p42hFgNsHdaHvtmE8HyMaAbCLp84f_i9vTTCNP2Zfb7ZLr-xyEV/s400/Ladies+Shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558169266810032850" border="0" /></a>Avery's big gift from Santa this year was a toy shelf. We bought it unfinished and plan to stain it very soon (I'll post pictures then). I think that Mommy was most excited about this gift since a lot of her toys had been stored in an empty Huggies box for several months :) She loved seeing all of her toys lined up neatly and really couldn't decide what to play with first. It was like all of them were new!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1V4qtwJScJlqzXG8ooXPs1u5m4LIoJNDn31Hfak6sU5YlY-2vYRIwHplpzslbUs94Y6dXDNNrcLr1B4I42CgWvUejie1qhW_1NZ-XxoI8Z2cNi66z6bpnxrOMkvgbhuBiLoUBC9-QvFn9/s1600/Christmas+Morning+18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1V4qtwJScJlqzXG8ooXPs1u5m4LIoJNDn31Hfak6sU5YlY-2vYRIwHplpzslbUs94Y6dXDNNrcLr1B4I42CgWvUejie1qhW_1NZ-XxoI8Z2cNi66z6bpnxrOMkvgbhuBiLoUBC9-QvFn9/s400/Christmas+Morning+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558169272274153202" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmvS61NRnoJ-piSwKEEJXQvYoWDf_dVXYku-rVCaiXfnDnJhzVfDDsbnr3_VdrCLpKV0fq6huXyivzq0znF9By7ulkE7l46oAJQaSM28jPGhyphenhyphenStnsYD9ejeHtFtLIBFMbck40RfmilO_3/s1600/Christmas+Morning+16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmvS61NRnoJ-piSwKEEJXQvYoWDf_dVXYku-rVCaiXfnDnJhzVfDDsbnr3_VdrCLpKV0fq6huXyivzq0znF9By7ulkE7l46oAJQaSM28jPGhyphenhyphenStnsYD9ejeHtFtLIBFMbck40RfmilO_3/s400/Christmas+Morning+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558169270222835842" border="0" /></a>She also got the Weebles Little Tree House, crayons to use in the bath tub, two new sippy cups, clothes, and her favorite, an ornament with a tiger on it. Even though the tiger has a little bow in her hair, Avery immediately for the very first time said "Aubie," which in turn melted everyone's heart. Note the pictures of her hugging the ornament.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSw3q7R03sUYQW40mp0gFYn6lwkDYOJpahwLzFzxAScB6B2yWf0Jd-4eeo_qcIiqq8QT9kbkYyEeDWVgu0ItTczWi_f6UyaY3FF_duTgcTF3jelSp9s_7dB3AdQ238fg8reVr3KEbYKIt/s1600/Christmas+Morning+8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSw3q7R03sUYQW40mp0gFYn6lwkDYOJpahwLzFzxAScB6B2yWf0Jd-4eeo_qcIiqq8QT9kbkYyEeDWVgu0ItTczWi_f6UyaY3FF_duTgcTF3jelSp9s_7dB3AdQ238fg8reVr3KEbYKIt/s400/Christmas+Morning+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558170580914704002" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-SDXEyL0nJo1PkiomgQ-hIK6UlneHN8yZy6ol2kBdHEI3vuBlCaBg1BUOkCwNqaKp11BlPVXJUWY-ouAXzmE6v0M7KXv5P4IGpL5QI_X22Pn-ZdOt32cpG2Lrq-vkeKPtbp8Yc0KxIpl/s1600/Christmas+Morning+10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-SDXEyL0nJo1PkiomgQ-hIK6UlneHN8yZy6ol2kBdHEI3vuBlCaBg1BUOkCwNqaKp11BlPVXJUWY-ouAXzmE6v0M7KXv5P4IGpL5QI_X22Pn-ZdOt32cpG2Lrq-vkeKPtbp8Yc0KxIpl/s400/Christmas+Morning+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558168490693162946" border="0" /></a>After presents, we made breakfast and talked to family in North Alabama about all the snow they were getting and how we were missing out. Little did we know that about 5 inches of it was going to stick and we were going to get to play in it while visiting with Levi's parents!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wuGr7b3gtAGVAx1EAxbm2oe70XZXJ078MAKpXgjRo9stljIRAk8N_3ehbYnsq6QeK9SCw_kLN3IdO4YF3-JNcGiZhHogf4PKORsZUCk9ANwVI_REm0AhkzjU5B9EGZKECUAjHBmEy_qp/s1600/Christmas+Morning+5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wuGr7b3gtAGVAx1EAxbm2oe70XZXJ078MAKpXgjRo9stljIRAk8N_3ehbYnsq6QeK9SCw_kLN3IdO4YF3-JNcGiZhHogf4PKORsZUCk9ANwVI_REm0AhkzjU5B9EGZKECUAjHBmEy_qp/s400/Christmas+Morning+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558171447087232898" border="0" /></a>Loving Avery from the very second we knew she growing inside me and watching her grow and learn each day has deepened our sense of awe and complete humbleness at the thought that God loved us so much that He willingly sent His only Son to die for us and our sins. Amazing the love He has for all His children. Thank you God for the gift of life You gave to us with Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection!The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696010372623601857.post-52120211354456998642011-01-02T21:00:00.007-06:002011-01-02T21:43:48.803-06:00Mize Family Christmas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcatKH337ZA2CYaLZzj7A_Hg6pi-sFacB-U_tyOK-kgrT6pS0BXi01ILp8erJBFUs67bwHwUBbL2LWJSdCJWxD62h6vP54FBw6yQRXVft24VkbBRCCNNntPzgYgvFsHplXeMgJ-hWzfqTL/s1600/Mize+Christmas+5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcatKH337ZA2CYaLZzj7A_Hg6pi-sFacB-U_tyOK-kgrT6pS0BXi01ILp8erJBFUs67bwHwUBbL2LWJSdCJWxD62h6vP54FBw6yQRXVft24VkbBRCCNNntPzgYgvFsHplXeMgJ-hWzfqTL/s400/Mize+Christmas+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557795890021708658" border="0" /></a>Saturday, December 18th, we headed to Birmingham to celebrate Christmas with Levi's mom's side of the family. It was a bittersweet time of fellowship, since we were missing his Daddy Mize. Sadly, he passed away earlier in the month from complications of heart disease. He will be missed tremendously!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcd2kmES4zrcADqPLZId8SSLp1cqaLbKZKSgNR40-3cjDeAXSmvmQOB7ujlCjA17VBWa8vmjFKZVL3SldxYnGqj_yePR-Y3wezL9xZ9dB0-kPNww-8zc2ZEQovnbOHzSSDEmNjdgDxhJL/s1600/Mize+Christmas+4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcd2kmES4zrcADqPLZId8SSLp1cqaLbKZKSgNR40-3cjDeAXSmvmQOB7ujlCjA17VBWa8vmjFKZVL3SldxYnGqj_yePR-Y3wezL9xZ9dB0-kPNww-8zc2ZEQovnbOHzSSDEmNjdgDxhJL/s400/Mize+Christmas+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557795890818615522" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf-wJVwJzV2TxZlB0ED6yYxspEPyFmcQ3Xa8YB_zWfqP4x8mLjaBZxqU6Jf7FmvXCnbvpBwdwQsPEctHk7kFk-eOQVzu1PjBdtv95fyqGbFTFA-hzcrEZdAJhlg__iHnmzkyHxUy7E0DA/s1600/Mize+Christmas+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf-wJVwJzV2TxZlB0ED6yYxspEPyFmcQ3Xa8YB_zWfqP4x8mLjaBZxqU6Jf7FmvXCnbvpBwdwQsPEctHk7kFk-eOQVzu1PjBdtv95fyqGbFTFA-hzcrEZdAJhlg__iHnmzkyHxUy7E0DA/s400/Mize+Christmas+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557795879863606978" border="0" /></a>The day mostly consisted of lots of eating, talking, opening presents, and relaxation. Levi's Aunt Johanna makes the best hash brown casserole and of course there was ham, dressing, mac & cheese, and too many desserts to name. After lunch, we played Dirty Santa which never disappoints. I truly play dirty...my first one with his family I took $25.00 from his Ma Mize...Hey don't judge me, I was a poor college freshman! This year Levi and I came back with an Auburn Snuggie and a really awesome pot for my flowers this summer.<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Christmas 2009</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Avery, Taylor, and Graham</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Vl_xEG7xY8qL-FxA4o0QVWqXOMxR8cXNGtH7Q94wIZjnp0U7GZ5NjVPGcjqWBAGuq85ICJwbTwPP41F5tc8LDvswF7UQAZBWnypjaBEJsrGOnSOyzqw0H7EdDOaxqnKEU9_zxfioBQ7q/s1600/DSC_0667.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Vl_xEG7xY8qL-FxA4o0QVWqXOMxR8cXNGtH7Q94wIZjnp0U7GZ5NjVPGcjqWBAGuq85ICJwbTwPP41F5tc8LDvswF7UQAZBWnypjaBEJsrGOnSOyzqw0H7EdDOaxqnKEU9_zxfioBQ7q/s400/DSC_0667.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557796448660558306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Christmas 2010</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Taylor and Graham</span></span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQlzQr3_UwvcXWIxhMApAK0YWmvzwCPZgdPxGiaumfAa7eUBjvbj_Wv9_zZTBrF-ThYCHqVYHWPieFIHg6-y0tiWLsRHXH_4AdmJ5LwtUGElif2i5ZXCBmp-eTYBtlJYOL_ksTdwhb0b5/s1600/Mize+Christmas+7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQlzQr3_UwvcXWIxhMApAK0YWmvzwCPZgdPxGiaumfAa7eUBjvbj_Wv9_zZTBrF-ThYCHqVYHWPieFIHg6-y0tiWLsRHXH_4AdmJ5LwtUGElif2i5ZXCBmp-eTYBtlJYOL_ksTdwhb0b5/s400/Mize+Christmas+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557796442908522674" border="0" /></a>It was a lot of fun getting to see how much all of the babies had grown this year. Ava Grace and Avery had a ball with each other. Avery was her little doll and she only referred to her as sweetie...it was too cute!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQaNgMoTKvbpkdn9BMXnE5qLIEqJRFDv9aE2iRHoLwCVJuzobNF7qWJ9PDSTJdxS5n8Tjmb487Vl4EZtx4RECcCq95cG1Nnq8-Nsj7w7JT-ktAX5XPGq6NX7mzzLmbN4Iy4yHxEW6CxS2/s1600/Mize+Christmas+6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQaNgMoTKvbpkdn9BMXnE5qLIEqJRFDv9aE2iRHoLwCVJuzobNF7qWJ9PDSTJdxS5n8Tjmb487Vl4EZtx4RECcCq95cG1Nnq8-Nsj7w7JT-ktAX5XPGq6NX7mzzLmbN4Iy4yHxEW6CxS2/s400/Mize+Christmas+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557795895051802338" border="0" /></a>Avery is really into reading right now, you finish one book and she has another one already in mind. Uncle Keith just loved reading to two of his favorite girls. Taylor and Avery have him wrapped around their tiny fingers!<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTg8KjC4DWx6yadANV9MwaUR_UYYRYG3ICIfje1dngS-rnD0MrbaA-QUSk5iHPiDf7qv4jV7nNwju6klaLCGFcZMFvTqhclLNJmYqmhpyJO5rW5DcZO1YQnjFXbDaPLam2ZZcH8P430d3/s1600/Mize+Christmas+8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTg8KjC4DWx6yadANV9MwaUR_UYYRYG3ICIfje1dngS-rnD0MrbaA-QUSk5iHPiDf7qv4jV7nNwju6klaLCGFcZMFvTqhclLNJmYqmhpyJO5rW5DcZO1YQnjFXbDaPLam2ZZcH8P430d3/s400/Mize+Christmas+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557796440704386402" border="0" /></a>For the first time ever, Levi's Aunt Pam was there to take part in the fun. She lives in MA, but due to the funeral she was able to join us.<span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Levi's Mom, Ma Mize, and Aunt Pam</span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPTUbjEeaoSup0ysuQGBlLEn7EVfK_o4aoMQd6vi00-IKhyphenhyphenVn35H1u3Q0XQ-8WZ5LGnNyedVnossPnL5C89fzhPeEuNem9-__8QDHq879pEsa2W3TGi5NMIbY3MMHXDUrUpGoq9KuExnP/s1600/Mize+Christmas+10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPTUbjEeaoSup0ysuQGBlLEn7EVfK_o4aoMQd6vi00-IKhyphenhyphenVn35H1u3Q0XQ-8WZ5LGnNyedVnossPnL5C89fzhPeEuNem9-__8QDHq879pEsa2W3TGi5NMIbY3MMHXDUrUpGoq9KuExnP/s400/Mize+Christmas+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557796447121141234" border="0" /></a>Several years ago, she started the tradition of sending all of her nieces and nephews Christmas Ornaments each year for the tree. Levi and I have so much fun taking out the ornaments he received and hanging them on our tree each year. Since all of those nieces and nephews have grown up and many have kids of their own, she has extended the tradition to them. Avery got her first one this year...a Noah's Ark. She loved it and at least once per day after we put it on our tree, had to take it down to examine the animals!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwysQsJH2bd4YQqD5St6Mo6jO_y_Mxlptfs7TT169RgEuh5XwYCk6ufwuToZu9SV78hSf_tPYiHZNJYrC9WGH5bFzkT-_Se92s7o_SFtuMYkuUeVo6cVkYAZKve01gglqB1rVPUAiV1AzX/s1600/Mize+Christmas+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwysQsJH2bd4YQqD5St6Mo6jO_y_Mxlptfs7TT169RgEuh5XwYCk6ufwuToZu9SV78hSf_tPYiHZNJYrC9WGH5bFzkT-_Se92s7o_SFtuMYkuUeVo6cVkYAZKve01gglqB1rVPUAiV1AzX/s400/Mize+Christmas+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557795887801463730" border="0" /></a>After a long day, we said our goodbyes and headed back to Auburn for the night. Maybe we will get to visit with everyone again this July :)The Elliottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885938294994396076noreply@blogger.com0