"Brother, Sister Love...."

No one can make Ellison laugh as much as her big brother; and no one can make Elijah Brooks laugh as much as his little sister; and nothing makes a momma's heart happier than the sound of that laughter. God knew I needed these 2 precious blessings in my life, and I am beyond thankful for them, proud of them, and honored to be their mommy.

A few nights ago, we let the kids take a bath together for the first time. I don't even know why I thought I could take pictures with a little girl on the move  - she was even trying to walk through the water - absolutely fearless and determined is this daughter of mine!  But, I did manage to take a few pictures, until I realized how dangerous it was.  And then, camera down - safety first!

They really were so happy to be together - very sweet.

This might be a framer in the bathroom.  I was just telling Jay that this picture has a story behind it.  Elijah Brooks had been battling a head cold/cough for about a week or so, but was definitely turning a corner this night. I had been telling him all week to try not to get in Ellison's face, wash his hands, cover his mouth etc.....    Before I realized it, he was giving her "Eskimo kisses" in the bathtub.  The next day, she got sick with the same fever/crud he had.  Oh well, it made for a precious picture :)

He was "giving her love" - her face cracks me up

Always making some silly face - hard to get a "real" smile from him these days

However, I got one this time - my precious big boy

Aaaaand - another silly face

"8 Months"....

Ellison, you are 8 months old this month. You are technically supposed to still be an "infant", but you are growing so quickly! I am trying my best to hang on to infancy as long as you will let me. Your personality has emerged this month like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, and you, so much like your Aunt Elliot (who was nicknamed, "Butterfly Baby" as a little girl), are indeed a free spirit! You are full of life, zest, curiosity, laughter, smiles and speed! You are an enthusiastic little girl with a radiant smile and eyes that stop traffic. Everywhere I take you, I get stopped multiple times with people commenting on your "red hair, huge blue eyes, and happiness".  Your curiosity exceeds anything that I have ever seen - you want to know everything about everything!  You are fearless and you are FAST,  and I am learning that I have to be one step ahead of you in most things.  If there is something to be put in your mouth, you will do it. I have already fished out a lump of coal from the fireplace, begonia leaves and flowers, grass, tape, door stoppers, and pillow stuffing from your sweet little mouth - and have panicked every, single time!!!  You have a certain look on your face when you have something in your mouth, so I am beginning to recognize "the look" now.  You are quite different from your big brother in this area. He really wasn't interested in putting things in his mouth. You are cruising all over the room now holding onto furniture. It won't be long before you turn loose and take off. You have 6 teeth now and are working on your 7th one - they are coming so fast. Since so many of your teeth have come in, you have started eating much more table food - and so far, I have found nothing that you will not eat! You LOVE to eat and you can't shovel it in your mouth fast enough. You are still nursing too, which continues to go well. You do not like to be cradled like a baby when you are falling asleep, but much prefer to be up on my shoulder where you can bury your head in my neck. When it is naptime or bedtime, all I have to do it put your "lovie" on my shoulder, give you your paci and your put your head right down on my shoulder. That's your cue to know that it is rest time. When you laugh, you throw your entire head and neck backwards, wrinkle up your nose, and show your teeth - it is so precious. We always try to make you laugh just so we can see it! You miss your big brother when he is at school, and are elated when we pick him up. You are both so happy to see each other and that makes me so happy too. You want to be everywhere he is, and anytime you hear his voice, you immediately start looking for him and waiting in expectation for him to come into the room. You are still not a fan of getting dressed or getting your diaper changed.  I have about decided that you just don't want to be restrained. We remembered that you resisted your swaddle blanket as well as a tiny baby, so I am really not surprised. It is your "free spirit" I guess! You love the piano, and are already showing so much interest in it. You will sit on my lap all day and play - you love to play the keyboard upstairs in the playroom too. You love to clap your hands and shake egg shakers. You can say "Mama" and "Da". You understand commands like, "sit on your bottom", "no touch", "more please", "up", "clap your hands", "pat your hands", and "give love". You will give Elijah Brooks love every single time I say, "give brother love" by leaning your head into him and snuggling with him - it is precious. He loves it, and you love it. You love, love, love when Daddy comes home from work! It melts his heart every day. You love the cats - maybe alittle too much sometimes :)  You enjoy being outside and going for walks in the neighborhood - you love a change of scenery. You are skipping clothes sizes just like your brother did - you are currently wearing 12-18 month clothes - yep, big, tall girl!!  Oh, and you have completely outgrown your reflux now and have been off your medicine for nearly 2 months!  That is good news to end on!

In the mouth!

Contemplating putting flower in mouth :) 

We love you so much sweet girl, and thank God that you are such a healthy and happy child. 

"Just a little sunshine...."

I know the last few posts have been pretty heavy, but it is simply where we are in life - and will be for a very long time. I make no apologies. I need to write, and have just only now begun to slowly open up my heart to attempt to write again. I am also beginning to try to sing again - I never dreamed it would be this hard to begin to do the 2 things that I love so much again. But little by little (and I do mean little), God is beginning to allow me to write and sing - neither is easy or really even comforting right now - but maybe in time it will be - maybe. Right now, there is not much that is comforting, other than God, who is the creator of comfort, the Comforter Himself. I suppose that's all I need to bring me comfort, but oh how many other things we look to for comfort in this life. There is nothing here for us, everything here is so temporal - even our quest for earthly comfort.  There is nothing here on earth to satisfy our deepest longings and to bring the comfort in all areas of life that we are all seeking...., except God and His Son, Christ Jesus.  Looking around will never bring comfort - only looking up will.

Okay, that was heavy too, but clearly I need to write for my own journey of healing.

No more heaviness in this post!

Enjoy some pictures of my little "sunshine's".  Oh, how they do make me smile.

Elijah Brooks bought these sunflower seeds and planted them about 3 months ago.  Voila!

Very proud of his work

I have my hands full with this little darling!!!!  Where did my infant go?  She is growing TOO quickly.

She LOVES this tunnel. She knew just what to do the 1st time I brought it out. No fear - just went straight into it.

Yep, I get to look into these eyes every day!

Couldn't resist - she had just turned around to crawl back out

I can't believe this BIG BOY used to crawl through just like Ellison

They both thought it was hysterical that the other one was in the tunnel - squeals of laughter could be heard across the neighborhood I am sure.

"More Milestones - Soccer"....

Elijah Brooks started soccer alittle over a week ago. This is his first experience with an organized sport. He is technically supposed to be 4 years old/older to play, but he is being allowed to play this season since he is so close to 4 and physically able to do it. He is the youngest one on his team - but equally as big as the 5 and 6 year olds. It was one of those, "if you don't say anything, neither will we" - and here I am posting this on a public blog!  OOPS.  Anyway, he has had 2 practices and 1 game so far and is really enjoying it.  He seems to be getting more excited each practice - tonight I couldn't get him to eat his dinner because he just wanted to put on his shin guards and cleats. His games are every Saturday morning for the next 7 weeks (8 games total).  Guess I am officially a "soccer mom" now.  My nephew plays Friday nights, Elijah Brooks Saturday morning, and my niece plays on Sunday afternoons - it's going to be a busy fall!

His coach has obviously played soccer alot, but said he has never coached preschool. Wish you could have seen these kids when he said, "okay kids, get into a circle"!  They all just stood around like they had no clue what to do - because they didn't!  This "circle" formation had alittle help from some parents. 

Game Day - September 8, 2012  - 1st game

Alittle excited possibly?

Father and son

Waving to mom from the sidelines - hope he will always wave to me from the field - very doubtful though :)

Alittle "pep talk" by the coach after the other team scored a goal and EB turned around and said, "I'm just really disappointed"!

"Rally at the Capitol"....

A "sippy cup", and a candle in memory of his Aunt. Such a child, yet having to deal with such heavy, grown up things right now.

Still trying to smile....., all of us. I would give anything in this world to have her next to me, rather than her name across my shirt.

This picture turned out blurry, but our Capitol was lit in teal lights the night of September 4th, 2012, in support of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Our governor declared that Sept. 4 will officially be the day the state of Alabama recognizes Ovarian Cancer.  This was the 1st rally like this, but will be an annual event from this point forward. Strides are definitely being made towards awareness for this disease - we have to start somewhere. This was a great start.  Several doctors spoke, several survivors spoke, and there was a time of remembrance for those women whose battle is over. It was a very emotional night for all of us.