Happy Summer

We might not be able to kick off the summer like we were planning to this weekend at Pickwick Lake, but we are ready for the summer for sure!



I hope everyone has a Happy Memorial Day Weekend filled with LOTS of fun!!!

A Post in Which I Complain {And Some Really Cute Pictures}

Yesterday Reagan came for the afternoon/evening and it was SO great to see her! When we were taking this picture...



It made me think of this picture...




Ha! The same spot with the same two girls (one in the same shirt!). The first picture was taken on May 26, 2010 and the second on Oct. 28, 2009. It's crazy to think it's only been 7 months!

In other (more annoying) news, Robert's job continues to be so frustrating and hard on our family. I could write a ton explaining exactly why it's been bad, what exactly is going on, and how it effects us but I think it would probably get boring, be hard to explain anyway, and I fear it would come across wrong and we would be judged. So...I'll just say it's been really hard. I would actually say this is the hardest situation we've faced as a couple because right now it doesn't seem if there is anything we can do to fix it. Robert called me a little bit ago and said that after working a whole week (last week), the whole weekend, a whole week of 10 hour shifts (this week)...he will now also be working 10 hour shifts this Saturday and Sunday as well. We've given up A LOT in the last several months because he's worked on the weekends, but it was usually only one day and for 8 hours. Now it's 2 days for 10 hours. Blah. See, I told you this would get boring...and it's just the tip of the iceburg. Not to mention that they changed him to second shift (2 pm-10pm) and I will be working mornings in the fall so we'll see each other 45 minutes a day...and aren't guaranteed a weekend together. Blah blah. There's more to it, but there's no point in going in to it. I have learned something though - not to judge others even if you think you know what they are going through/enduring because you might not really know how it feels. (Ok....after writing and posting this I felt like I should take it down or clarify or something. I know everyone is probably thinking, "Well at least he has a job"...and you are RIGHT...we are SO thankful for that, but our family is what is most important to us and when you have no time together it is very stressful. I want to keep writing in fear of judgment, but that's silly so I'll stop now.)

So, enough of that for now. The evenings can get really long while Robert's at work so Ellington and I have been venturing out more on our own. Up until now we haven't done a whole lot on our own because Robert use to work nights, sleep in the morning, and be up at 2 pm...so when he woke up we would go run errands, go on adventures, etc. Previously there wasn't really any need in me going out alone with Ellington because we had the whole afternoon and evening together. After Ellington ate supper one evening this week I decided we would go to campus and play outside at the Junction. I took and a blanket and some toys and we enjoyed the changed of scenery!





These cups are Ellington's FAVORITE toy of all time!



Love this one.



Discovering the grass.

Wordless Wednesday

Ellington's Baby Dedication

This past weekend we dedicated Ellington to the Lord. It was a really special time and a reminder to Robert and I about what a big (and wonderful!) job we have. We were so happy that we could have some of our family there to celebrate with us.





After a quick nap after church Ellington played with MiMi for a bit before lunch was ready.



I made lunch for everyone after church. For most women this probably is no big deal and a no brainer, but I don't really cook. No really, I don't. It's bad I know...and it's something I REALLY want to change. However, I decided Sunday I would cook for the whole group! I made a double batch of poppy seed chicken, green bean bundles, crock pot corn, mixed fruit, rolls, and banana pudding. Not only did I not burn or ruin anything...it actually tasted pretty good! :) I was actually very proud of myself. I think the experience helped me not be so afraid of cooking! Hopefully 15 years from now I will read this and laugh at my 25 year old self because I will be an AMAZING cook!





Ellington played a little during lunch.



The grown-up table. :)



What a great and special day we had! We were also so happy that Robert had the morning free. He had to go back to work Sunday afternoon, but he got to be around for the good parts!

Crazy Hair and Diaper Change

Ellington has really crazy hair that is always standing up and I LOVE it! I know people probably wonder why I don't ever brush her hair, but you can't do anything about it! It's the cutest thing and I haven't ever managed to get a really good picture of it until the other day. It's usually kind of hard to tell in the pictures I take, but I got some good pictures of her precious hair!





Lately about half of the pictures I take of Ellington look like the picture below. She's a terrible blinker in pictures, but she's gotten GREAT at smiling for the camera! So precious.



Reagan hasn't ever changed a diaper before and I can't believe it took me almost 8 months to get her to try it out for the first time with Ellington. She did a great job and was lucky to get one that was just wet. :)

Welcome to the the Family Laura!

This past weekend we went to Memphis for Robert's bother Daniel's wedding. We had a great time!!!

On Friday we stayed with Brad, Julie, and Connor. When we first got there we had to wait a few minutes in the car and Ellington had the BEST time! I guess she was just happy to be out of her seat. She just laughed and laughed and laughed. Weird as it is, that was one of my favorite memories of the weekend!



She thought wearing my sunglasses was hysterical!



After Ellington and Connor played it was time for naps! Ellington took a great nap (which you will read did not happen again all weekend!). We then got ready for the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. I knew my parents were coming to keep Ellington for the wedding, but for months I thought we were going to have to take E to the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner and I was sooooo nervous about that because once it's bedtime, she's usually DONE! I couldn't even be excited about the weekend because I was so worried about it. Well, Brad's mom came to the rescue and kept Ellington Friday night for us!!! I was still worried about it because of Ellington's separation anxiety...plus she was in a whole new place, but she did great and we had a fantastic time!



Connor was so handsome Friday night! He also did a great job for being only 3 years old at a long meal with a bunch of adults! :)



Baby free for a night!



Saturday was a LONG, but good day! Ellington started off her day playing with Connor. He loves her SOOOO much. It's pretty much the most adorable thing ever. I wish we lived closer so they could play more often.



After a nap in the car and lunch we headed to the hotel and got to spend time with family!







My parents came on Saturday to help us out with Ellington. We appreciated it SO MUCH!



Except for the nap on Friday afternoon Ellington would not take another nap in the Pack-n-Play. She would just scream and scream...so we either had to drive around or hold her! In the picture below I had gotten her to sleep and successfully transferred her to my mom so that I could get ready for the wedding!



Here is Ellington all dressed up for the wedding! She looked beautiful if I do say so myself!!! My mom MADE this dress...from scratch. Amazing, huh? Yeah, I thought so too!









MiMi and Big Bob with their grandchildren!



I was disappointed when I realized this was the only picture I got of the bride and groom all weekend! Laura was beautiful!!! I decided not to take my camera into the reception because I didn't want to keep up with it so I don't have any pictures from that either.



We had a great time at the reception. When we got back to the hotel (about 12:45 I think) we woke Ellington up coming in. So, I had to feed her and then put her back to bed. Then guess who decided to wake up at 5:50?! :) Luckily I got her back to sleep and she slept in the bed with us for a little bit. That was the first time she has ever slept with us. I am not against co-sleeping...it just isn't for us, but I was glad to get a little more sleep Sunday morning!

Here are Robert and Ellington Sunday morning before the yummy brunch!



Traveling with a baby is always an adventure! Even if you are only going to be gone for two nights you still have to pack your whole house!



On Sunday we went back to Brad and Julie's to spend a little more time with our family. We had such a great time and were so glad to be able to hang out with them!





Congratulations Daniel and Laura! We love ya'll and look forward to seeing you soon!

My First Mother's Day

Sunday was my first Mother's Day and it was such a sweet, special day. I am so proud to be Ellington's mommy. Being a mommy is such a great blessing, but it's also really hard sometimes! It was so wonderful to have a day to celebrate that. Robert was so sweet and made a great day for me.

These are my presents! So exciting!!!



Being on one income calls for some changes. This year Robert and I weren't able to get each other birthday, Christmas, or anniversary presents but I told Robert that I wanted us to make our first Mother's Day and Father's Day special for each other. He definitely went above and beyond, but it made me feel so special and appreciated! And didn't he do a great job wrapping all by himself?!



I seriously love being her mommy.



Ellington was all about helping me unwrap my presents!



Her favorite part was definitely trying to eat the bow.



Yay! I got the baby carrier I had been wanting for a long time, but couldn't talk myself into buying.



I opened the small present before church and saved the big one for after church!





Look at this beautiful picture frame Robert picked out! I LOVE it! I made a list of suggestions for gifts (the baby carrier was on it) but this was a total surprise. He did a great job!



Ellington loved this box! If it wasn't filled with a thousand little choking hazards we could have left her there all day and she would have been fine!



Here's Ellington in the new carrier! It's soooo super comfy! I have back problems and it didn't bother me at all. Robert and I discussed if we should wait and take my picture when I wasn't wearing loungey clothes, but I decided this was real life so we should go ahead and take the pictures. :)



I used the carrier in Wal-Mart Sunday afternoon and Ellington loved it. She didn't even make a peep. Although I have noticed anytime I wear Ellington (I also have a ring sling and a pouch) that people stare so much. I don't get that.



Robert let me choose where we ate for supper and I chose Mi Hacienda. Man, I love Mexican! I really wanted to go out somewhere after church in our church clothes (that just seemed more Mother's Dayish) but I knew Ellington would do much better if we waited and went out for supper. She did great for us and she even grabbed my cup and started chewing on my straw. It looked like she was drinking right from my cup, but she doesn't know how to suck yet. It was so funny because she hadn't ever done that before.



This is my first little Mother's Day flower (thanks to the sweet people at Mi Hacienda!) sitting above my kitchen sink. I love having it there. I look forward to having little flowers that Ellington picks sitting there (even if they are just weeds that she thinks are flowers).



I had such a special day with Robert and Ellington. Ellington, you are my precious girl and you will always be the one that made me a mommy first. Thanks for teaching me and being patient with me when I don't get things exactly right. I love you more than I could ever imagine! I can't wait to see what you'll be like on my 2nd Mother's Day!