A Wonderful Birthday!!

Today I turned 27!! It was a great day all around. Ella and I met Matt for lunch today, it's always nice to see him in the middle of the day. Him and Ella gave me a BEAUTIFUL watch for my birthday, I was so surprised! Tonight he took us to dinner and I thoroughly enjoyed our family time. Plus, I didn't have to cook ALL DAY!! Here are some pictures from the night...

Ella enjoying some delicious b'day cheesecake!
Still going...(the cream was her favorite!!)

It was a great day to turn 27!!! I forgot to mention that when Matt gave me the watch, he said it was from both him and Ella. I told him thank you and how much I loved it, of course, then turned to her to do the same. After expressing my gratitude to her, she innocently replied, "But I didn't pay for it!" She's SO honest!!

Ella's Prayer

Every night at bed time we say our prayers. Ella says the "exact" same one every night and now does it completely on her own-it brings tears to my eyes every time she does it. She grabs my hand, closes her eyes and it goes like this:

"Thank you Lord for this day,
and for all my blessins.
And for mommy and daddy and my new baby brodda.
And for Ella.
And for Papa and MeMe and Josh.
And for Boppa and Honey and John and Zach.
And Sassy and Bruista.
And for Soso.
And for all my new baby. Amen."

Now, three things:
1. The order of the people changes, but everyone is ALWAYS included.
2. Baby brother gets a "shout-out" at the beginning and the end.
3. Sometimes at the very end she's thankful for something we did or something she got that day. i.e.-we've often given thanks for Chuck E Cheese and Bolt, to name a few!

Easter 2009

My parents and brothers were here for Easter. We really enjoyed the visit and like always, can't wait for the next time. Honey and Boppa brought Ella a plush Bolt and she LOVED it. She hasn't put him down since she received it and only three short days later he is a nice shade of taupe as opposed to his original snow white color. Her face when she opened it was priceless.

Saturday night Daddy, Ella and Uncle Zach dyed eggs. Ella really enjoyed this activity!

Of course, we cracked a few (oops!) and she was told they were fine to eat. She didn't really like the idea and instead fed them to Boppa. She neglected to let him breathe or even chew in between bites for that matter. He said he felt like he was in a boiled-egg eating contest, we were all tickled. He was sweet to just let her do it!

Yes, Bolt went with us to church...like I said, he's gone EVERYWHERE we've been!

Our family of 3 (and a half!) Baby boy has really made himself at home ALL OVER. With Ella, you couldn't tell I was pregnant anywhere but in the belly, not so much with "junior".

Ella and Uncle John

Ella with Uncle Zach

Ella and her Honey

All of us

Yes, she was seriously gonna climb this rock wall. Who needs hiking boots when you can dawn ballet slippers and an Easter dress?

Easter basket fun!

The umbrella and duck were most definitely her favorites!

My Easter angel...she's the gift that keeps on giving!

Easter is BY FAR my favorite holiday. The only thing better than the birth is the resurrection!!

"Was it a morning like this, When my Lord looked out On Jerusalem? He is risen, alleluia, alleluia." Sandy Patty

The converstion was this...

I don't know what sparked this thought in her but it came as random as it was. Ella says, "Mamma, I don't like Coopah."

Me: You don't like Cooper? Who is Cooper?

Ella: From church.

Me: Oh, is Cooper in your sunday school class?

Ella: Yes mam, she's in my class.

Me: Well, what did Cooper do that made you not like her?

Ella: She took my silky, and I don't like her.

Me: Ella, that's not nice. You do like Cooper. We like ALL people cause Jesus likes all people.

Ella: (Long pause) Well (pause again) he don't like Coopah.

As bad as I felt, I had to laugh. How do you argue with that!?

Oh! The fun. Oh! The joy...

The Lord is giving us a healthy baby BOY!!!!!!


We are extremely excited about this blessing we are about to have. Matt was so precious at the ultrasound this morning...he was grinning from ear to ear! As for Ella, she was really more impressed with the jelly the were putting on my belly than anything else. Matt's mom was able to be here with us as well, she cried the entire time. I'm glad she was here to experience the first pictures of her son's son. How special! Seeing him on the ultrasound was amazing as always. He is so completely opposite of Ella. She was chubby with puffy cheeks from the get go and his cheeks aren't quite so pronounced...yet! She was balled up and cuddly, he was stretched out and taking full advantage of the room he's been given. I always felt her move in generally the same area, he's all over the place. She moved all night and slept all day, he sleeps all night and moves all day-which for one will be a nice change. I felt great when I was pregnant with Ella, I spent 18 weeks with my head over the toilet with him. I'm a basket-case and cry uncontrollably this go round, I was slightly hormonal and emotional with Ella, but I felt halfway sane. I knew from the beginning this sweetness was a boy, but you never REALLY know until you know. I can hardly wait to see what he looks like and in what ways they'll resemble each other.


I don't know what I felt exactly looking at my son-besides exploding with love and gratitude I was teary and overwhelmed for sure. This is a first for us and I'm looking forward to taking on this new adventure with Matt and Ella. It's slightly scary for me, having a boy. Something about having to raise a man makes it hard to breathe. It's the most overwhelming feeling in the world right now to know I have to raise this baby boy into becoming a Godly man, the spiritual leader of his household and provider for his family. I've already asked the Lord SEVERAL times since just this morning, "Are you sure that I'm equipped with the knowledge to do this?" And, then he reminds me that He's here for me. And, then he reminds me that He gave me Matt, who's a wonderful father with a strong and faith-filled heart. Then, I can breathe a little easier! It's a big change going from pink to blue (or camo), but I feel reasonably sure that Ella will keep me in line. She's going to be a great big sister and no matter what hesitations I have about parenting so far, Ella's turned out really great up to this point, so, we must be doing something right. Besides, it was no accident that the Lord gave us this child. Either of them! And, if nothing else, it gives me strength just knowing that He has the faith in me to bless us again with another wonderful gift!!