"Nature walks and Treasures"....

 

Elijah Brooks has inherited my love for the outdoors, and especially nature walks.  I miss living in the country so much! I miss the wide open spaces and the endless beauty of nature. We are outside any chance we get - rain or shine - enjoying the beauty of God's creation.  So many great conversations are had when we are outside.  I don't claim to know much about trees, plants, or birds, but I can at least appreciate the beauty all around me - even if I don't know anything about it!  We try to go on nature walks regularly so that we can talk and collect "treasures", as Elijah Brooks calls them. His "treasures" usually consist of rocks, leaves, and sticks, with an occasional newly discovered "treasure" - such as a piece of chalk, a golfball, or a plastic bottle. You just never know what you will find when you are outside walking! He usually rides his tractor with his trailer attached to it so that he can carry his "treasures" home. We pack water bottles and a snack each time we go on our nature walk because collecting treasures is hard work.  Ellison has recently joined us on our nature walks since her entrance into the world, and I hope that she loves and appreciates the outdoors as much as the rest of my family does. All of nature shouts God's name, and displays His handiwork.

This is how we roll!

She is far more of a cuddler and snuggler than Elijah Brooks ever was. Her favorite position to be in at all times is either up over my shoulder, or with her head buried in my chest. She will nestle her little head right up under my chin and stay there for hours. There is nothing sweeter. As long as she is "on me", then all is right in her little world!

"Precious Boy"...

After a particularly LONG and exhausting day today, I was greeted in the living room with a surprise and these words from the sweetest 3 year old boy on the planet, "This is for you Mommy, because we love you, and we know you've had a hard day".  Ah, precious boy - those words make it all better.  And I love you too, more than you will ever know. 

My favorite: Mint Chocolate Chip Italian Ice

"Some thoughts for my scrapbook called a, "Blog".....

I love age 3. I am loving every second of being able to talk to, share with, reason with, explain to, and answer questions from a very inquisitive, insightful, and intuitive 3 year old little boy. Elijah Brooks gets his ability to talk and carry on a conversation honest - we have some talkers in our family! To say that Elijah Brooks talks all day long would be an understatement! When he went to Charleston last weekend for the wedding, I realized just how much I missed his constant talking and asking questions! I won't lie and say that some days I wouldn't enjoy some "quiet", but I realized last weekend how much he and I are in constant communication with each other, at all times, about all things. His mind and his world are just exploding now and I feel so blessed to be the one who gets to teach him about his world. I wish I had more answers than I do for him, but most of the time he is quite satisfied with my answers - though they be far from perfect. I am finding that I am probably learning as much as he is most of the time as I usually have to fumble my way through some of his questions!

Recently we have been talking alot about having a grateful and obedient heart even when it's difficult and we don't want to. There is always something to be grateful for - always.  Last night out of the blue he said, "I am so glad that I have a Mommy and a Daddy"...., "I am so glad that I have a house"..., "I am so glad that I have food". Today as he and I were out walking taking our "nature walk" around the neighborhood he said, "I am so glad that I have a family Mommy, and I'm so glad that you are walking next to me".  I am also noticing leaps and bounds of improvement in the obedience area. He is really beginning to understand the biblical concept of obeying authority even when he doesn't want to or feel like it. His responses to me have improved greatly in the last few months. Yes, we have ups and downs, but it is so encouraging for me to begin to see that he is desiring obedience - not just to avoid the consequences of disobedience, but desiring it because God commands it. It is even pleasing to him when he obeys now - he is eager to obey (of course not all of the time), but huge strides of improvement.  So, while our home just got alittle more chaotic in some senses, it just calmed down at the same time and is a pleasant place to live. I thought the discipline issues were were having would escalate when Ellison was born, but just the opposite is happening. Elijah Brooks is actually more obedient and compliant now that she is here. It really is amazing how much freedom there is within firm boundaries - exactly what Scripture promises. Elijah Brooks is learning that he does have alot of freedom to live and move....., within a boundary. He is also learning that there are consequences when he crosses that boundary and that freedom can be taken away. The Bible truly does have something to say about every area of parenting - thank you JESUS for your WORD to us that guides us in every area of life.

Elijah Brooks is also teaching me a great deal about patience. I thought I would be the one teaching him, but it turns out he is the one teaching me most of the time. I confess, a crying baby frazzles me. I am working on it, but it just makes my blood pressure rise and my nerves frazzled. Ellison has a louder cry than EB did, and she absolutely hates her carseat!  That's abit challenging. I guess I should be thankful that she doesn't hate her bed! Could be worse - could always be worse. Well, EB and I have been talking alot about patience recently. All of life is a teachable moment. I have been telling him that it's easy to be patient with people when they are doing what YOU want them to do, or giving YOU what you want. But, it's much harder to love, be patient, and bear one another's burdens when they are not doing what you want them to do. Yesterday while we were driving, Ellison started in on her fit of rage (or her fear of the car, or reflux - jury still out on why she is screaming so in the carseat).  I could feel my entire body tensing up wanting to rescue her, but knowing that I couldn't on the interstate. All of a sudden from the backseat, a midst the screaming, I hear, "Dear Jesus, please help Ellison to feel better and let her know that You are with her. And all God's people said, Amen".  What a beautiful expression of patience my 3 year old showed to his little sister. He could have handled that situation a hundred different ways including screaming back at her because he couldn't hear his music. But rather he chose to "bear with her", and pray for her.  He taught me so much in that moment. It wasn't easy for him to have self-control or patience with his sister - in fact, it was hard. But, that's what we as Christians are called to do - to love when it's not easy, to be patient when we don't want to, and to bear with one another and give alittle grace.

What a privilege it is to teach my children, and to be taught by them.

Thank you Jesus for YOU, and thank you that you love me when I am unlovable, patient with me when I am stubborn and rebellious, and that You give unlimited grace to this sinner.

"Just some pics...."

This weekend, Elijah Brooks had the privilege of being the "ring bearer" at his very first wedding.  Jay's cousin got married in Charleston, SC and EB was asked to be a part of the ceremony. Ellison and I were not able to travel that far so we did not get to attend - which I was disappointed about.  But, it was too far of a drive for her to make - and with her eating every 2 hours during the day, it would have made the drive even that much longer. And with her being only 5 weeks old, we just didn't think it was a good idea for her to be around that many people in a public place.  With colds, flu, and RSV going around rampant here, we were afraid to get her out traveling.  So......, she and I stayed home while Jay and EB had a "boys weekend" together. I was so sad not to be able to be with them at the wedding as I would have loved to have seen Jay's family and also EB walk down the aisle for the 1st time.  But, I was thankful at the same time to have had some special "one on one" time with Ellison.  I don't feel that she and I have really had any time just the 2 of us to bond and for me to really get to know her. We have just been in survival mode for the past 5 weeks and just beginning to come out of the fog. It's so different having to take care of 2 children now, and I don't really feel that either of them are getting alot of special "mommy time" right now. I am trying hard to make special time for both of them, but it is tough some days.  It seems that on any given day, one of them is needing me more than the other one. So, while it was hard to be away from Jay and EB, I think it was actually really good for all of us. EB was able to have uninterrupted time with Jay and didn't have to share him with anyone - no little sister to have to share him with! And I was able to focus all of my attention on Ellison and begin to really try to get to know her. It was a sweet weekend for everyone, but I sure was glad to have them home tonight!

Below are some pictures from the wedding (and how does my 3 year old look 12 in these pictures)??  Yes, I cry every time I look at them! He's growing up WAY too fast.  There are also some new pictures of our big girl - 5 weeks old this week - and looking older than that to me. She too is already growing way too fast!  Is time a friend or a foe? Most days, I confess I can't wait for bedtime. However, I look at these pictures and realize that my babies are growing up right before my eyes.

I am trying to savor every moment and take it all in as best I can.  "The days are long, but the years are short".

Thank you GOD for my precious children.

Loves sleeping this way

She is wearing one of my dresses when I was a little girl. It swallows her up right now though!

Okay, very rarely do you see this face from Elijah Brooks so I thought I better post it! This was my attempt at some sweet sibling pictures. I am not sure what happened exactly, but before we even began, both kids were crying - you can't see Ellison's face, but she was doing the same thing!  Photo shoot was canned!

I am pretty sure she was not too happy in this picture!

I could eat her up :)

I know, I know. Tummy sleeping is frowned upon these days. Well, my little girl sleeps 1,000 x's better on her tummy so we let her. I didn't have the courage to try it with Elijah Brooks 3 years ago, but I often wonder if EB would have slept better if we had let him.  Both of my kids had/have acid reflux and are in pain and spit up alot.  I am finding the Ellison is so much more comfortable on her tummy than her back.  Okay, enough justifying why I am not heeding my pediatrician's directions about tummy vrs. back sleeping.  The point of this picture was to show that she sleeps just like her momma does - with that right leg pulled up underneath her!  Just thought it was interesting that she sleeps the same way I do.

The "ring bearer" and cousin Parker

They both look so grown up here!

Melt a momma's heart. When I tried the suit on him, I cried (of course). He said, "Mommy why are you crying? I look just like Daddy now". 

"Waiting in the wings"

I cry EVERY.TIME I look at this picture. What a sweet boy, who was 100% cooperative, 100% obedient, 100% sweet, and 100% adorable. I prayed so hard for him to be brave and have courage walking down the aisle. He called me later on the phone and said, "I did it mommy, and I wasn't even nervous"!  LOVE HIM.

Getting comfy on the dance floor - notice the black dress shoes have come off. Poor thing stubbed his toe pretty badly a few days before the wedding and cracked half of his toenail. I was so worried about him having to wear uncomfortable shoes. Guess he did okay, but definitely kicked them off after the wedding.

This is his new "break dance" move.  He spins around in circles over and over and over again.  Jay said he literally spun on the floor for well over 2 hours without stopping. I am not really sure how the pants held up without getting holes in them.

5 weeks old!  She is so strong!

Getting dressed after her bath

Neither of them look especially happy, although they both were at the time of the picture!

Beautiful Ellison, in her gown, ready for bed

"1 Month Old"!

It seems impossible that Ellison could be 1 month old already.  My pregnancy this time went so much quicker, and now her growth is happening so much quicker too. I guess it's because I don't have time anymore to just sit and stare at her every move like I did with Elijah Brooks!  We are slowly but surely getting into a routine, or at least attempting one. People told me it was going to be so much harder with a 2nd child, but honestly, I didn't realize it would be this hard - just the constant juggling act of 2 little lives to take care of every second.  But, blessings upon blessings continue to come upon our family and that helps keep the difficult moments in perspective.

Her personality really hasn't changed that much in the past few weeks, except she has definitely "woken up" from the "newborn fog" and girlfriend has some lungs on her!!  Her cries are very distinct and I am beginning to be able to distinguish them from one another now. Her "feed me" cry is unmistakable, loud, and very rhythmic (and pretty pitiful if I don't feed her immediately)!  Her "tired" cry is more of a wimper that comes and goes.  She was beginning to show some of the same signs of reflux that Elijah Brooks did, but we caught it in time and got her some help quickly.  3 years ago, we didn't know what we were dealing with so we let it get out of control with Elijah Brooks. We said next time we had a child starting to show the same signs, we would get help immediately and not wait like last time. Amazing what you learn the first time around!  She seems much more content during and after feedings now, and I am so grateful.  In fact, she weighs 11 pounds now!!  She, just like her brother, is in the 95th-99% percentile for both height and weight!  She is remarkably healthy and we are so thankful.  She loves her brother and he loves her too, and is always wanting to be around her. Sometimes he will cover his ears when she cries, but only if it's interrupting his cartoon!  Her favorite position to be in is up on our shoulders looking around with her big blue eyes. She is incredibly strong and is beginning to hold her head steady. She loves to be on her tummy too, unlike Elijah Brooks who did not like to be on his tummy!  She has not developed a love for a pacifier either, unlike her brother who was attached to it at all times. I am already seeing differences in them little by little.  She is beginning to get the hang of daytime naps, though each day is still somewhat unpredictable, it's at least beginning to make more sense to both of us. She is ready for a nap around 9:00 or 9:30 each morning, around 2:00 or 2:30 each afternoon, and then again around 5:30 or 6pm....., all of these give or take time to put to sleep, feed, change diaper etc......    She has been doing approximately 3 hour stretches at night, sometimes less, sometimes up to 4 hours.  Again, "ballpark" time frames just so that I can remember!

All in all, we are doing quite well adjusting. I am learning to let go of the unimportant and just take care of those things which are priority. I am not trying to be a hero and do it all - just doing what I can in a given day and letting the rest go. I am also not trying to be a hero and act as if I have it all together or that this is a piece of cake. It's hard, but God's grace is more than sufficient for my every need and I am learning to lean on Him hourly.

We are a blessed family indeed.  Enough talking, and on to pictures! 

This is my mom's dress from when she was an infant!