Many Faces of Elliebug...

She may only be 3-months-old, but Ellie is by far our chattiest of the two kids. She talks and smiles to anyone she sees. Ellie is very nosy about the world around her. Her expressions are also priceless. Connor had, and still has, many expressions too, but Ellie is already a ham, unlike her calm and obedient big brother. We are in trouble, I think...

At 3-months old, Eliana weighs 13 lbs. She has been sick this past week, so sleep has been pretty non existant. Feeding has also been tough. Hopefully, she's on the mend and will be back to normal soon! She's still happy though!

What?!? Time flies!

Really, Mom?

Now, that was funny!

Almost there!

Ellie is only 3-months old and trying so hard to sit up already. 

Any time she is sitting on any sort of incline, she uses those abs of steel to pull herself up. 

 Then...plop! Down she goes. 

I think she's getting anxious to sit up so she can play with her brother. I would also imagine she is getting bored of her playmat. I mean, there are only so many times a blinking sun and jingling red bird can amuse a person...

Man of the House

When Tom is away, Connor takes care of me. He doesn't even know it...

Mickey and Minnie

Happy Fall Y'all!

 Connor decided he wanted to be Mickey Mouse for Halloween this year, so that he was! And, what would Mickey be without Minnie by his side?

Connor also named our ever so creative Jack-o-lantern, Ralph. He needed to go say hi to Ralph everyday before we left for school. 

 Ellie's first Halloween: 

She sure gives the real Minnie a run for her money!

Friendship...

“There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.” 
― Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

I spend a lot of time blogging about our kids because, well, they are pretty much the only people I hang out with these days! But, there are a few other people I would like to talk about: my Carolina friends. 

You know you have really great people around you when, at the end of the day, you look at yourself in the mirror and think, "You are doing ok. You are turning into a less cynical human being. You are more compassionate, a better listener, and a friend to turn to in hard times." 

As a child and teen, I grew up with lots of confidence, ability, drive, and heart, but somewhere along the way, I lost some of that. In it's place came cynicism, questions, and loneliness. A lot of this was due to moving away, trying for years for babies, and losing some friends along the way. I am lucky enough to have a husband to stand by me and lift me up, but sometimes you need strong friends too. I have found it down here. God and family in the heavens have been watching over me. They have led me down a path where I ran into many people who have changed me and my life forever. 

So, Boston friends, I hope that you can get down here to visit sometime so you can be graced by the presence of some pretty awesome, supportive, and uplifting people; people I call friends. 

XOXO to all who have made me stronger, happier, and overall pretty cool again...;)

P.S. I also would like to give a shout out to my true friends up North. You know who you are. You are just as important to me, and want you to know I am being taken care of down here too. 

Emotions

So, Tom and I have both agreed that we are happy with two children and that Eliana has made our family complete. However, I can't stop feeling so sad about it. I look into Connor's eyes, and at his growing face, and am just in awe of him. I want to freeze time so badly now. There is going to be a time very soon when he wants me to drop him off a block away, give him a kiss before getting in the car to leave, or when he'll just whiz past me with a smile just for his friends (that happens a lot already!).

Life is hectic lately, yet I am trying very hard to live in the moment; Connor's moment. Yes, I love Ellie. Yes, I drink her in too, but there is just something about my baby boy, my little man. Looking in his eyes, I can see his light; I can feel it. Lil C's face is changing. He no longer has "baby fat." He is maturing, as only a 3-year-old can. The words he speaks are funny, kind, compassionate, and simple. Hmm...reminds me of someone else I love very much. His room in my heart grows bigger and bigger everyday.

On the days Connor is not at school, I try my hardest to really make his days all about him, and Ellie is just our little tagalong. His big blue eyes capture me into moments that count, like doing a puzzle together, talking about our day at lunchtime, or just playing cars and dinosaurs. His hugs are strong, his kisses are sweet, and his words are meaningful ("I love you, Mommy." "I like when Ellie talks to me." "Good job, Ellie bug!" and "I like when Ellie laughs."). 

The firstborn always has a special place in your heart. I've heard it from people before...now, I know. 

I love you bud! You are smart. You are kind. You are important.  

Ellie turns 2 Months!

Ellie's 2 month stats:
Weight: 12 lbs. 5 oz.
Height: 23 inches

Our little girl is not so little anymore! She is very aware of her surroundings, stays awake for longer periods of time, and love to hold her head up and even try to sit up already!

Her face lights up when she sees her Daddy. It's really kinda special. The second he starts talking to her, Ellie starts cooing and smiling. Much like this:

and this:

Her sleeping is going well. She takes two longer naps a day with a little catnap in the early evening. She then usually gets up once a night to eat. We were very, very spoiled with Connor who started sleeping 7-6am at 8 weeks, so we are just waiting for her to catch up! 

Life is a bit more challenging lately, but Eliana lights up our world. Love you pretty girl!