Updated Cubby

Thank God for Grandmas that are handy when Mommies are not. When Grandma visited us, she rigged up Ellison's cubby curtains so that they are the right length now, and they look so cute. The next step is to buy some real furniture for her room now, and we'll be soon converting her from her toddler bed to a big bed.

More Elli-isms

"I want to wear a dress with not a shirt, and not a jacket, and not tights, and not leggings, and not shoes."... A really long way of saying she wants to basically wear her summer dresses. Heard all winter long.

"Oh, I wish, I wish, I wish for more feathers!" After completing a really cool story about a guardian angel that Uncle Josh, Aunt Andrea, and her cousins got her last year (we never got all the way through it before); at the very end a feather was stuck in the last page by the author. It was so cool to be surprised with it, and a very sweet conversation ensued about angels. She kept a death grip on that feather, and asked if there would be more feathers on her pillow from her guardian angel. She had to sleep with it on her pillow that night, and as I was tucking her in I told her it was okay if it got lost in her covers in the night and that we would find it in the morning. She chose to hold it tight in her little fist as she fell asleep.

She's all about the Disney princesses. After finally getting to see some of the movies (some of them repeatedly by request): Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Snow White, etc., she suddenly didn't want to watch them anymore. She said they are too scary, and frankly, I couldn't agree more. She still loves the princesses though, and anything with their pictures.

"Thanks, Mom. I'm sorry I am acting that way."... After taking a moment to think about her actions when she had been spunking that she didn't get the shoes she really wanted at the store (never mind that she got 2 other pairs), and I began lecturing her about getting too spoiled and being thankful for all that I did buy her. She actually says this phrase fairly frequently after getting reprimanded now.

Very excitedly, talking a mile a minute, complete with hand and facial expressions: "I saw Wubbzy and Walden, and they come to the door and Wubbzy had big red eyes, and he was running... I saw that behind my eyes!"... Her first recognition of having a dream after taking a nap.

Our favorite pasttime when in the car or just talking is to play "I spy with my little eye..." or what we call "The Silly Game". The Silly Game either starts off, "Have you ever seen... [insert something like, "an alligator riding a bike on a roof while licking a popsicle?], or we describe what our silly meals consisted of, for example: "For breakfast I ate a chair, and I drank some mud, then for lunch I had some leaves and lightbulbs, and for dessert I ate some stickers topped with glue". We go back and forth for the longest time coming up with silly things, and she loves it.

Ellison covers up my eyes and asks me not to look whenever there is a romantic part in one of her princess movies. She gets totally embarrassed. I also have to "go out and shut the door" when she has to do #2 on the potty. If we're in public I have to at least "turn around" since I won't leave her alone in some of the potty stalls.

She loves pretending she's getting married. She will have me rig up some blankets to wrap around her that will form a train, then she'll walk slowly while humming the Wedding March (which I'm not sure where she learned). If her train gets all messed up and isn't spread out she has a fit.

Whenever we go to Garden Ridge, she collects all the little fake flowers that fall off the stems and lay next to all of the baskets of flowers. She creates a bouquet with them either for "married" or to give some to Mommy.

She will pick a little dandelion or other flowering weed, and say, "Here, Mommy. I picked this for you." My heart is always so melted - I have a very hard time parting with it after it's wilted. How do you throw away a "flower" your little one picked for you?! What if she saw? Ugh. Tissue, please...

Ell's favorite toys are definitely her Polly Pockets. She's amassing quite a little collection of the Disney princess Pollies and the regular Pollies. She also loves her Barbies.

Thanks to a suggestion from her little friend, Ella (and after amazingly seeing a 2 year old rattle off the sound every letter makes), Ellison now knows the sounds of all the letters, too. No, I was not pushing my child to learn them at the age of 3, but Ella was in love with the Leap Frog "Letter Factory" DVD, so I thought it might be fun, and bought it. Ellison was obsessed with it for weeks, and still LOVES watching it, and learned the sounds in no time. She's starting to actually sound out simple words now, like "stop", "up", "bat", etc. when we come upon them when reading stories or seeing them on signs.

Our Resident IT Person

Anytime I need (or want, rather) to get on the computer, Little Bit is right there pleading her case about how she should get to use it first. Am I really arguing about computer usage with my 3 year old? Before you know it I'll be setting the timer to make it fair, for the love of Mike. She loves visiting www.Nickjr.com to play all sorts of games. I'm amazed at how much she knows how to do, and how well she navigates the site. After once finding about 10 pages of her computer artwork printed out, she at least now knows she has to ask permission to print out things, then is able to proceed independently. Taking right after her Papi.

[February 28, 2010]

The Fun of "New" Stuff

We recently rearranged a couple of the bedrooms upstairs. Daddy put in a lot of hard work coverting the office closet into a computer nook, then the former office was turned into the spare bedroom. The former spare bedroom will hopefully be a future nursery, but in the meantime we will use it as a playroom to house the majority of Ellison's toys. Having a new bedroom, which she refers to as "Grandma & Grandpapa's room", was fun for Ellison for a little while. She frequently made a playground out of the bed.

On this particular day, I also started going through her closet to switch out seasonal clothing (does anyone else hate doing this?!), so she was THRILLED that I was finally getting out some summer clothes that were hand-me-downs from her cousins. Finally, she no longer had to wait to wear her summer dresses "with not sleeves". She immediately started changing clothes several times, trying on all of the "new" garb. Mmm, mmm, mmm... Ellison's going to need to start babysitting at the ripe old age of 8 to start saving up for her clothing and shoes...

Posing in her "new" bathing suit

[February 26, 2010]

Goodbye

Tuesday was a tough day... Saying goodbye to the parents is never fun, but it's super not-fun when you are coming off a hormone high. Thankfully, Elli had preschool that morning, so she was able to not witness the breakdown Mommy had as she got some alone time to finally process everything. I was thankful she had that distraction for her sake, as well - she was all smiles saying goodbye to G & G since we had an agenda that morning. Just look at her totally mushing up Grandma...

Silly girll giving very squishy nose rubbies to Gram while giggling.
[February 23, 2010]

"D Day" and Sewing

Again, we are so thankful my parents were here during our family ordeal. I was able to have my D&C done while Gram & Gramp could hang with Mookie. It totally took the pressure off - I was able to sleep the morning and early afternoon away after returning home, while Ellison got to assist Grandma with lots of projects. (Parents are the greatest! Remember this, Ellison, during those times as a teenager that you will swear you hate us.) Grandma finished off Ellison's sheers for her cubby in her bedroom, then went to fixing the curtains in her room for us. Ellison even got to help Grandma use the sewing machine, which she thought was way cool. She has since made me pretend to sew things while we play... "No, Mom, you have to say 'zzzzzhhhhhh' (or whatever sound sewing machines make) and watch your fingers! (as she supervises me with a very steady eye)."

[February 22, 2010]

Art Projects

E is always happy to have paint around, and was even more happy to have Gram to do it with. They made some St. Patty's and Easter artwork to add to Ell's art wall. Ellison just loves onen-on-one attention. I suppose what kid doesn't, right?

Fun Times

We packed a lot of activities into the time G & G were visiting. Not only did G & G paint one of the bedrooms upstairs (we've been in the process of rearranging a couple of bedrooms), there were haircuts had, miles walked and hours spent shopping, LOTS of spoiling dished out, a great deal of bellies getting filled, and quality time enjoyed.

Gram giving Ell a trim. Still trying to even out her hair! I can't believe her bangs are ALMOST there - after almost 3 1/2 years. She did NOT get her Mama's hair. Ellison at first was concerned about getting a trim, telling Gram, "No, my hair's getting long, don't cut it." After being reassured it wasn't to make it shorter, and after the enticement of hearing that Gram would make her hair fluffy (she loves when Gram blow-dries her hair), we were good to go. Just love her little face in this pic...

Ellison had a fab day at Target! Gram spoiled the HECK out of her letting her pick out all kinds of toys - Barbie clothes, Littlest Pet Shop, little Snow White and a Princess Tiana set (the Polly Pocket kind), etc. Let me just say what a hit these have all been!!! Seriously, Ellison is obsessed with her complete Disney princess collection of tiny dolls and all of their clothes and shoes. She plays with her "Polly" dolls at least 4 times a day, for long periods of time. She even has cracked, bleeding nails from all of the difficult dressing changes. (Those little suckers are NOT easy!). The little plastic wonders have made me a very happy, peaceful mom while trying to fix dinner. Ellison usually chooses at least 2 princesses to accompany her on various outings, and can't understand why mean mommy will not assist her in finagling a difficult clothing change while driving. It's because Mommy's busy texting. Just kidding! Anyway, she is so into her "dollies" in general right now - meaning the Pollies and her Barbies. What a hit, Gram!

Evidence of some new loot.

LOVE this pic! Getting ready to head out to Natty Greene's for dinner.

We were looking high and low for a restaurant that had Fish & Chips, since it was Friday during the Lenten season. Jonathan proudly informed us that he called Natty Greene's and they had "fried cod fish" - apparently a rare commodity in Greensboro restaurants. So off the Griswolds go to downtown GSO. OK, I've always known my sweet hubby is a maniac driver, but SERIOUSLY he was a maniac driving around trying to find a parking spot. I think I still have my cheek marks all over the passenger window, the windshield, and the driver window from my body slamming up against every angle of that mini-van. Poor Grandma, who arrived in Greensboro fresh off a really bad bout with vertigo was about ready to park the car back home and walk. We all felt bad for Jonathan - it was a bad parking situation, but sheesh. Anyway, after a nightmare of a parking situation downtown, and a carsick gang (God love ya, Jonny), we sit down, all of us famished, only to hear that the fish they have is "fried CATfish". Little difference. I have no idea why I'm blogging about this randomness, I think it's just a little inside memory that we all will snicker about for a while. Had to be there. OK, moving along...

We stopped in at "The Green Bean" on our way to the car after dinner, where we had THE BEST chai ever!!! Even Jonathan, who doesn't care for it, thought it was great. Thank heavens I don't live next to the place. It would constitute at least half of my daily caloric intake. OK, got a little sidetracked with watering tastebuds. Ellison thought it was such a fun coffee shop to be in. She carried around her little purse (with Pollies) and had to sit in nearly every piece of furniture.
[February 18 & 19, 2010]

Bed Snuggles

Ellison milked Grandma almost every night for lots of stories and anything else to prolong bedtime. Snuggling right up...

G & G Are Here!

Normally, we take photos like the paparazzi, but call me burned out - not of capturing my baby girl, just didn't feel like clicking away. We were so excited to have Grandma & Grandpapa come to visit for a mid-winter break! When they arrived, and during their stay, I really didn't take many photos - I just wanted to be in the moment, and let's face it, we had a lot going on. God's timing for their visit was incredible. They planned the visit before we knew we were pregnant, and who would've thought we'd have to deal with miscarrying while they were here. Crazy timing. We found out the pregnancy would not continue just a few hours before they arrived. We are so thankful for that.

Ellison anxiously waited at the front door watching through the glass until they arrived. She was SO excited! When they came in, there were mega hugs, and Ellison grinned from ear to ear. Of course Grandma quickly said the magic words, "We brought lots of surprises for you!". Not only did they bring a ton of things for her, but so did Great Aunt Betty and Great Aunt Sheila. So fun!

After getting settled, and after all gifts were inspected, we all headed out to "Refs" to eat. Had a great meal and much-missed company.

[February 17, 2010]

Ellison's First Date

Daddy escorted his little princesa to their first Father Daughter Sweetheart Dance. :-) He has been looking forward to it for the past year. Last year she was still going to bed too early to last, but he vowed he'd take her this year. Every year, for the past ten, our church has hosted this popular event. Over 800 tickets sell out in the first 40 minutes!!! It's a huge event held downtown, with full waiting lists even, for fathers and their daughters, anywhere from 6 weeks old to 40 years old. That is so sweet! Jonathan was SOOOO pumped for it this year! He's such a cute daddy. Ellison is one lucky girl, but then he's one lucky guy, too.

She was very excited getting ready - of course excited to wear her red dress again, too. She and Daddy stayed separated until the big reveal.

Daddy getting ready

Handsome daddy waiting at the bottom of the stairs (mini-corsage in hand) for his princess to come down.

OK, I got the pics out of order, but when everyone was in place, Ellison descended the stairs slowly to our oooh's and ahhh's. She was grinning ear to ear.

Placing the tiny corsage on Ellison. It was the cutest little corsage ever, and she was actually loving it! I thought she wouldn't wear it, but she did, and was very careful about warning us not to squish it when we were putting her coat on.

Goodbye hugs for Mama.

Two of Ellison's favorite girls: Hanna & Mary Grace Copeland, aka "The Twins" as E always calls them, even when addressing them ("Hey, Twins, guess what..."). They attended the dance with their daddy. According to Jonathan, they fussed over Ellison all evening, which she just sucks right up. They are so sweet with her!

Ellison cutting a rug. The little video he took of her dancing is so freakin' cute! She wanted to do everything the big girls were - taking off shoes, dancing around, running around, etc.

The twins and some friends hanging with Ell.

Word on the street is that Ellison did dance with Daddy (they both love to dance). But there were SO many people crowding on the dancefloor that eventually Ellison told Jonathan she wanted to "go over there" - she was getting a little claustrophobic. She ate a TON of sweets, had to take off her shoes along with the 450 other girls there, and she kept running off into the sea of people, while Daddy frantically tried to keep up with her. They got to hang with some of our friends, including the Tooleys, they got their photos taken (like the prom pics, hee hee. I have to scan and post those), and then the night ended just as some snow was starting to fall.

[February 12, 2010]

Valentine's Party

Mookie's Valentine's Day Party at preschool.

[February 11, 2010]

Super Bowl Sunday

We headed on over to the Schwanke household to enjoy Superbowl Festivities with our good friends and some good grub. The trek marked the very start of my morning sickness (though not in the morning), which continued on for the next few weeks, so it will be etched in my mind for a long time to come.

We had a great time (OK, I was feeling pretty green, but E & J had a great time). Morgan and Bill were apparently the resident kid-entertainers. :-)

Ellison wanted to try out Ella James' rollerskates. She wanted to do it "all by herself" after scooching about 3 feet with me holding her hand. She talked about wanting rollerskates for the next 2 days.

[February 7, 2010]

Big News

Well, I debated about posting this, but the reality is, it was a part of our lives for 2 months. And Ellison looks so darn cute, I don't want to exclude these photos of her. :-)

[February 7, 2010]

We had planned on waiting to make the announcement, but also said we weren't going to lie about it if people asked - and several people were asking, since it's fairly common knowledge we've been wanting to expand our family over this past year. Well, more and more people were finding out, and it was often being discussed in front of Ellison's ears, and soon more friends than family knew about it, so we decided to just let it out there. We also didn't want Ellison to be hearing about it without us talking to her about it, and we figured we'd be able to tell her in simple style if the pregnancy didn't continue. Little did we know that'd come to fruition.

When we told Ellison that she was going to be a big sister, she got the hugest grin on her face. She, completely on her own, would randomly pray to God for a big sister or brother to play with, and other times pray that God would give us a baby. So she was excited to think there was a baby in my tummy, and she said immediately that she would like a baby sister. Then she whispered in my ear and asked me if she could help change the baby's diapers. It was so precious. She soon started announcing to people, "I have some big news!".

We emailed the first pic above to our family and distant friends, which was fun. Then, that evening Ellison wore the shirt to the Superbowl Party we had at the Schwankes, where our good friends got in on the news.

Though we had friends offer to watch Ellison while we had our ultrasounds, it didn't work out to do that, so we took her with us. We told her we were going to see if the baby was growing, and possibly see the baby's heartbeat. For the first ultrasound, Ellison kept asking, "Is that the baby's heartbeat?". We weren't getting fabulous news during the first one, so that was hard. Afterwards, we simply explained that the baby might not be growing. For the second ultrasound, she asked, "Is that the baby's eye?" So sweet... At that point, we knew the pregnancy wasn't progressing, so we told her the baby didn't grow, and maybe someday God would give us a baby that would grow. She took that and completely accepted it. The other day, in the van she just announced out of the blue, "I'm going to talk to God. God, please, please, please give us a baby that will grow. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Ironically, can you believe the first time I had a miscarriage (before Ellison), I started miscarrying exactly 4 years before TO THE DAY that we found out for sure this pregnancy wasn't going to happen?! That's crazy. I guess my uterus doesn't like February. I don't either now.

Through this all, God has shown me what AMAZING friends and family we have through this all. We have been so loved on, so prayed for, and we are so very grateful.

It is our prayer that Ellison gets to have a sibling, but we trust God and His good plan. We know where we'd like to go, but thank God He has the steering wheel. Come what may, we know God will bring about good from every single trial we have, even if we cannot see that good from the spot we're in.