First in Flight

Ellen's first flight went well because... she slept! She started to whine when we walked on the plane but once we sat down and got settled, she fell asleep within about 5 minutes. I think it helped that we sat next to a really nice lady, Dawn, and she and I talked the whole flight - I mean, the entire time! It was great. Dawn, wherever you are, I am so thankful for you. The flight back was a little different. Ellen turned into a crying, squirmy worm who could not be quiet or still. And when did she start saying "candy"? The M&M's I had did help a little, but the colored drool was quite a mess. We read books and put stickers in a notebook. I was even singing to her - nothing seemed to work. We did sit next to a nice girl, but we did not really talk (Dawn??? Where were you when I needed you?). Ellen kept swinging her arm over and touching the girl's arm and her magazine. She was also pushing against the seat in front of us, a lot. I can't even put into words what all happened, but it was as if all my worst fears came true! Thankfully she did not poop - that may have put me over the edge. I am so glad Phillip will be with me when we fly to Florida in June. My nerves can't take two bad flight experiences so close together.

Despite the hecticness of travel, Ellen and I had a good trip. We had lots of time together and it was great seeing my family. My mom taught Ellen's Sunday School class and then we stayed downstairs for Kids For Christ (we broke the 2 year old rule, but I was with her and helped out with the other toddlers). Ellen and Ashling didn't always get along, but I think it is their ages. Once Ellen is a little older they will be great playmates.

We are really looking forward to our vacation - only a few weeks away. Mom, Dad, Andrea (and growing baby boy), Caleb, Ashling and me, Phillip and Ellen... should be fantastic! Fun fact: Andrea was pregnant with Ashling last time we all went to Florida. It will be Ellen's first time at the beach and the 3 of us will be at Magic Kingdom for my 30th birthday. We will also be together for Father's Day and Andrea's birthday. June is a great month for so many reasons. A lot of special people were born in June :)

NC Weekend

About to go into the airport - Ellen's first flight

Calling a few friends

Home less than 5 minutes and already reading with Granddaddy

Spent the night at Andrea's - Ellen playing in bed

At Byron and Sarah's wedding - the girls look thrilled

Eating Cheerios during the ceremony

We love Jennie!

Ellen not very happy that I made her share her Cheerios with Ashling - but Ashling was excited!

At the reception - well, just outside the reception.  We stayed in the foyer a lot of the time.

Andrea and Tyler Keen - cutest couple at the wedding

In the foyer again during Daniel's shower

Watching Ash and Millie

She looked super cute with French braids - thanks mom

Happy 3rd Birthday Ashling!

Trying to sneak back to Grandmother and Granddaddy's house

Dad and Ellen

Eating lunch at the airport before heading back to TN

Ellen and I had a fab time in Winston-Salem, NC and Phillip, George and Lucy had a fab time in Somerset, KY. It was good for both of us to get away, and although it would have been great to all be together, we each did something we wanted to do and have had a lot of fun sharing stories from our weekends. It sure was nice seeing Phillip pull up at the airport to get us. We missed him so much.  

God is Good

God is good. I know this, but sometimes a few simple reminders are necessary to help me keep focused. (Other times it takes many big reminders!) When you think you have nothing, take a look around and take time to reflect on your situation and hopefully you will see so many blessings that you can't even begin to count them.

Ready to fly the coop

Ellen and I are heading to NC at the end of the week. I am very excited to see my family again...2 months in a row! We will be attending a rehearsal dinner, a wedding, a wedding shower (for a different couple) and Ashling's 3rd birthday party. Some of our extended family will be out of town, but we will get to spend time with most of my side of the family. Poor Phillip will be in Kentucky with his hooligan friends :) I know deep down he will miss us, but he will be so happy to see Mark and Cody that he may not give us a second thought!

I am apprehensive about flying with Ellen by myself. I don't want to be the mom with the screaming child that all the passengers, and flight staff, plot to kill. Things are rarely as bad as I think they will be... so I will try to be as prepared as I can and hope we are seated next to a nice person with patience and maybe some earplugs.

Ellen Update

Some of the things she is doing now are not brand new developments, but it has been a little while since I posted about her actions and interests.

Ellen is very independent now - gets mad when you try to help her. But, she is a great helper and likes to help us. Last week she helped me roll the garbage can from the end of the driveway to the garage - she was so happy! We give her lots of opportunities to help!

Ellen is a busy little bee! She likes to sweep - her version is pushing the broom around, but she loves it and will do it for a long time (and cries when you take the broom away). She loves to be outside and run around with the dogs. When they bark at the neighboring dogs through the fence she yells, "Guys, guys!" and claps her hands (yes, just like I do). She gets a thrill from it. She still likes to pick up rocks and proudly show them to us. She likes to color and put stickers in her activity coloring books (likes the Strawberry Shortcake stickers that you gave her SJ). Goodnight Gorilla is her favorite book, and has been for a while now. She still loves to read. We keep books in our room, her room and the living room. "Read, read, read" can be heard at any given time in our house. And when trying to stall at bedtime, you can hear "play, play, play" repeated over and over as she tries to wiggle out of our arms.

She has started hoarding her toys more. This weekend she gathered a few books and some play food and then sat on the pile. I posted pictures of her stashing some puzzle pieces and other items under our bed.

She says 2 and 3 word simple statements now. Before she may have just said "Mommy", but she now says "I want Mommy". We hear "no" a lot too. But it is not said defiantly all the time... sometimes it is just a simply stated "no" when we ask her something.

She is doing well in church. The past month or two we have kept her in the auditorium with us until time for the lesson (then she goes to the nursery). She gets upset when communion is passed and Phillip and I "eat" and she doesn't get anything. On Sunday nights she goes in the nursery for the whole service. She enjoys Bible class. There are only 3 children currently in her class.

Personally, I am enjoying this stage a lot more than the infant stage. I am not as stressed anymore. But, knowing what I know now, I wish I could go back and start over. I would be more relaxed and soak in all of the joys of mothering a newborn. I don't think I had severe postpartum depression (besides some very vivid thoughts in the hospital about dropping Ellen), but my mind was always racing and I was so exhausted all the time. It was rough on me and Phillip!

Our sweet girl is growing up right before our eyes. What a blessing to be a part of it!

She's my one and only

Nothing sweeter than hearing this little one say "Mommy".

I had a great Mother's Day... waffles and Mother's Day cards in bed, a well behaved daughter in church (until taken to the nursery just before the sermon), lunch at a family favorite - Blue Coast Burrito, movie (Ghosts of Girlfriends Past - just okay, but enjoyed getting out none the less), trip to Kroger, Ellen's dinner, church again, Ellen to bed, our dinner and Amazing Race season finale. An all around good day. A lot of the day has been spent stressing over these ants, but I am trying to block that out. The good far outweighs the bad!