"Recovered"....

We are on the mend in our home. We have no fever in this house after 12 very long days - 6 days for Ellison and 6 days for Elijah Brooks.  We are coming out of hiding - just time for the cold weather to hit again.  Okay, so our timing of sickness isn't exactly good - they were sick during the warmest days of January!  Oh well, I don't care - just so thankful to have this virus behind us.

And on a random note, tonight EB said to me, "mommy, I have named my camel".  I said, "oh really, what is camel's new name"?  He sweetly said, "Camille".  I asked if Camille was a girl camel....., apparently "Camille" is still a boy! 

Also the other day we were in the garage getting ready to go for a walk/bike ride. I heard EB say, "O my gosh" when he was trying to put on his helmet.  Well, I really can't judge because he gets this straight from me - I do say it alot - work in progress.  Anyway, I corrected him and said that I really didn't want to hear him say that phrase. A few minutes later, he was trying to put his helmet on again and I heard, "O my dosh".  I looked around the corner and he said, "don't worry mommy, I was saying it in French"!  Couldn't help but laugh out loud at that one. 

"The Plague".....

PLAGUE: "A contagious disease characterized by fever and delirium".

After what has been in our house for the past 10 days, I think the use of this word might be appropriate!     Very rarely does Elijah Brooks get sick from Ellison - it's usually the other way around. However, our sweet little girl brought home a lovely virus from the pediatrician's office last week while at her 1 year WELL CHECK!!  That's right, she got sick from going to her "well check". I would like to now make the case for doctors doing house call's like the "good old days".  Initially I thought she was experiencing side effects from her whopping round of vaccinations, but after 48 hours, I realized that she was indeed sick - quite sick. Fever for 5 days, wicked cough, pools of congestion, not able to sleep etc.....  I had my suspicions of what I thought it was. On day 5 of her illness, Elijah Brooks started coughing, and within hours, he was also running fever. His symptoms were identical to hers, except his fever was "sky high" - 104.6 on Thursday night (he was so sick that he wasn't making any sense, talking crazy, shaking violently, and had no recollection of the night the next morning). SCARY. In my heart I knew what they had, but an evening visit to the pediatrician confirmed my suspicions....., RSV. Both of my kids had the dreadful respiratory virus known as RSV, and it had been contracted in the doctor's office. Makes me not want to step foot in a doctor's office again with them!

We have been quarantined for 10 days so far, and have not left the house - except for putting them in the car each afternoon and driving through the country looking at horses, cows, and tractors through the windows!  Ellison's fever broke on day 5, but she continues to cough and has alot of congestion - to be expected for awhile, even after the "contagious stage".  Elijah Brooks is on day 5 of his round and he still has a fever - praying it will break tomorrow.  The doctor said RSV is more rampant than the flu right now, and it has really done a number on our kids. Elijah Brooks had this virus at age 2, but I think this is a worse case (which I am surprised because it is not supposed to affect the older ones quite as bad as the babies, but this one has knocked him down flat).

No treatment per say for this virus - just treat symptoms as they arise. It is a very serious virus and very frightening - so thankful that we may be turning a corner.

To say that this momma and daddy are tired might be abit of an understatement.  As we lay awake in the bed each night, we wondered why they couldn't ever synchronize their coughs so we could at least get alittle sleep!  He would cough, she would cough, he would cough, she would cough....., ALL NIGHT for ummmm, 10 nights and counting!  I might need to detox my body from caffeine.

I will say, they have been troopers through it all. Ellison cried alot the first few days, and then was back to her happy little self even through the coughing/congestion.  Elijah Brooks is the sweetest little sick boy you would ever meet - which makes it even harder to see him sick. Last night at 4:15am, I had gone upstairs to give him some Tylenol/rub his chest with vick's vapo rub, give him some water, and some cough medicine. On my way out of his room, he said, "thank you so much mommy". He also told me several times during the week that I was the, "best mommy he had ever had".  He never complained - NOT ONCE. When we would ask him if he was okay, he would say, "sure mommy, I'm okay". Bless him, I knew he felt awful. Oh, I could learn alot from him.

And as a sidenote, as I was rocking him tonight before bed, I kissed his foot. He said, "that kiss just went from my foot straight to my heart"! 

He does love her. She was feeling pretty bad here, but enjoyed having her brother love. 

She learned to climb on her horse during quarantine days - and the chair, and the table, and the ottoman....,  oh my!  Yeah, she's only 12 months. I am in trouble. 

This sweet boy's eyes are the first to clue us in that he is sick or coming down with something. They always look so weak.  Still such a cute picture, weak eyes and all. 

Still felt like alittle Star Wars action 

Okay, so what's a mom to do with 2 sick kids in the house for over a week?  I tried my hand at making, "soap dough".  I think it might be my new favorite - even liked it better than playdough. Had a better consistency I thought. I initially set out to make it darker green, but it turned out this color, which was actually perfect for Yoda. Elijah Brooks was thrilled with the color. I honestly just thought he would play with it like playdough, but when I mentioned that it looked like Yoda, he ran to get his Star Wars figures and his own creativity took over. 

Star Wars friends on the "green planet" 

Alittle fresh air in the stroller did us all good

They crack each other up!  And this picture makes me laugh. EB is HUGE in this stroller. He never rides in it, but he was too puny to walk or ride his bike so this was our only option for some fresh air!  And for some reason, he found the bear that was on his hospital door when he was born and he wanted to carry it???  

Well, some dear friends of ours came into town this weekend from our former church in South Carolina. We were so excited to get to spend some time with them (hadn't seen them in 2 years), and the plan was that they could come over for dinner Friday night. Well....., that didn't happen. I was so sad as I had planned a nice menu and we were really looking forward to their company.  I decided I would still make the dessert anyway - I hardly ever make dessert unless we are having company. Thought it would be a nice little treat for EB and might cheer him up. 

This was the face I got when I said, "well, you didn't eat your dinner tonight but......, SURE, you can have dessert anyway"!  He was not expecting that answer.  When you're sick, it's okay to break rules right?  

My friends that I was supposed to have playdates with this week, aren't you glad now that I cancelled on you??!!!!   You know who you are :)   We'll reschedule soon!

Here's to a healthier week!! 

"BIG Accomplishment"!

When my boy puts his mind to something, nothing can stop him. He is incredibly persistent when he wants something - (sometimes annoyingly persistent!)- but at other times, that persistence pays off. He is not motivated about learning everything, but when it came to learning to ride his bike, you have never seen a more motivated little boy. I am beyond thrilled that he has learned to do this and is so confident. I can't remember a time growing up when I didn't ride my bike, and Jay certainly rode his all over creation when he was a kid. I still love riding my bike. In fact, now that EB can ride without any assistance, Jay and I took our bikes down from the garage wall, cleaned them up, put an infant bike seat on the back for Ellison, and the 4 of us have been really enjoying our family bike rides. I LOVE IT. I could ride for days - and I guess, my sweet son has my same love for it. It is also so nice to be able to push Ellison in the stroller and actually get some exercise, rather than having to stop and start so much having to help EB. He is completely self-sufficient now on his bike, and I have given him a good bit of liberty to ride ahead of me - he has shown me that he can follow my directions and obey, so he has earned the privilege to have some freedom.  It is so fun to see him way off ahead in the distance on the sidewalk, legs spinning so fast, "revving" his little handlebars, trying to race other walkers or cars! He is all boy, wanting to ride "off road" alot - through mud puddles, over bumps, doing circles in the rocks for an hour, and back through the mud puddles.  He is having a blast - and I am definitely getting my exercise trying to keep up with him.  This has been one of my favorite "milestones" that he has crossed.

"For the books...."

During our rocking time before bed, Elijah Brooks and I have the best conversations. Wish that rocking chair could talk! Tonight he says, "Mom, when you grow up, what are you going to do"?  I said, "well, sweetheart, I am grown up and I am doing what I am going to do".  He says it again, "no Mommy, what are you going to do when you are grown up"?  To which I replied, "honey, I am a mommy and this is what I do now that I am a grown up".  He says, "No mommy, I mean what are you going to do when you REALLY do something, like a cowboy"?!!   I knew exactly what he was talking about, but I just had to laugh. I guess maybe one day when he has children of his own, he will know just what mommies do - and that we REALLY are doing something all the time - it is our job.  But, I decided to tell him that I would be a doctor when I grew up - he was more than satisfied with my answer :)

"1st Birthday pictures"....

Birthday morning!  And, she was busy figuring out how to turn on the water in my bathtub - which she quickly figured out! 

Brother's gift to her :) 

Oh, the anticipation! 

Okay, so I had to put this picture. Jay and I had just said earlier in the day, as we were looking through pictures of her 1st year, that Chris is hardly in any of them for some reason. We made a special effort to take pictures of Ellison and Uncle Chris - and this was the best we could do! I felt sorry for him. Although, I will say that Wyatt did this very thing for 2 years every time Jay would hold him - so then I didn't feel so bad anymore!  

Birthday girl and Bebe 

Her "smash" cake was the same thing, but smaller (although, it was huge in my opinion for a baby)! 

She stared at it for the longest time before deciding to go for it - 

Some after cake fun - and noise!  My word these boys can squeal! 

And of course, E-daddy had to get out and run and chase in the yard with them

Love this boy - so much. 

Yes, we let Bradford drive her on the tractor!  Hey, it was her birthday, and it was in the lowest gear.  No judging allowed! 

I could stare at this picture for hours. Thank you Jesus for letting us see this smile from our sweet Wyatt on this special day. 

For each grandchild, my Dad has written an original song for each of them. The text and the music fits each child to perfection, and he presents each of them with this gift on their 1st birthday.  I was in awe, completely stunned by the beauty of the music and the truth of the lyrics. He captured my sweet Ellison's personality so perfectly, and this will be a treasure in our home forever - just as Elijah Brooks' is.  The frame is also my grandmother's frame that held my parents wedding photo in it for years - and it was graciously to Ellison to hold her special song forever. 

"HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY ELLISON"!

Today, January 5, my sweet baby girl turned 1 years old. It truly seems like yesterday that she was ushered safely into our arms at 12:56pm on a balmy January afternoon - all 8lbs 13oz of her.  She immediately made eye contact with me and her Daddy, and then the next face she saw was her Aunt Elliot. How in the world has she already been here with us 1 entire year?  My prayer for Ellison when she was first conceived was that she would be full of joy, and that she would bring our family joy beyond comprehension in the middle of a heart-wrenching year. I prayed this prayer over and over and over again throughout my pregnancy. God has been faithful to answer that prayer, and He has given her a heart that is overflowing with joy.

I knew today would be an emotional day for me, as it is for most mother's when their babies turn 1. There is just something unexplainable about this milestone - and any mother reading this understands. But today came with many other emotions, in addition to my baby turning 1.

Here is the story of Ellison: (one day sweet girl, you will want to know this).

As I sat in her rocking chair early this morning, I reflected over the past 21 months - starting with me sitting at my kitchen table with a social worker next to me telling me where to sign my name on our final paperwork to be certified foster care parents. All the while I was signing my name, I had this feeling that I might be pregnant. After she left, I immediately jumped in my car to go buy a pregnancy test - came home, took it, and then went outside to join Jay and Elijah Brooks who were swinging in the backyard. I didn't have to say a word, Jay knew by looking at me. Ellison was with me. We were overjoyed - elated - that Elijah Brooks would be a big brother and we would have another little joy in our lives. The first person I called was my sister - of course. She had just lost her baby girl just 6 months before (her baby girl was due the month we conceived), but in Elliot's most loving and selfless way, she screamed in the phone and started jumping up and down with as much excitement as if it had been her. She was thrilled for us, and started her usual "Aunt spoiling" the next day!  Fast forward 3 months, I sat at my dear grandmother's funeral with a baby kicking around inside of me, reminding me of new life both here on earth and also my grandmother's new life in Heaven.  Ellison was with me.  1 month later, I called my sister again to tell her that God had given us our baby's name and that she would be named after her and my mom, "Ellison Anne".  Elliot cried and was so honored. Her name was so perfect and God-ordained. Ellison was with me. Just a mere 1 month later, I found myself in my guest room on the phone yet again - but this time with my brother in law who said these words, "we have cancer". I know he said "we" because he would be with her every step of the journey. I held myself together until after the phone call - Ellison was with me.  Just 3 weeks later, as I was entering into my 3rd trimester, I received another phone call in which I heard these words, "it spread to her liver and lungs in just 3 weeks".  I collapsed on my bedroom floor in a heap, sobbing uncontrollably with Jay laying across me trying to console me - and keep me from hurting Ellison with the stress. Ellison was with me.  Fast forward a little over 2 months on January 5, 2012, our precious baby girl arrived rather quickly at 12:56pm on a Thursday. She was perfect in every way. Elliot had said to me just a few months prior, "I just hope I get to meet her". Thinking that she would not meet her was absurd to me and never entered my mind. I will thank God the rest of my life that Elliot was in that hospital on January 5 to meet her newest little niece, her namesake. The pictures taken by my dearest childhood friend, Anna, document the entire day and are a treasure beyond words - they are priceless. Elliot did get to meet her, love her, and be loved by her. Ellison was with me.  Ellison traveled to Birmingham having just turned 7 weeks old to attend the Ovarian Cancer Cycle-Thon with us - Elijah Brooks broke his leg in 2 places that same day and was in a hip cast unable to walk for 6 weeks. She hung out in the ER at Children's Hospital all afternoon/evening while big brother had to get his leg reset and casted. She did not cry one time the entire time we were there - she was covered by angels I just know it. Elliot came to the ER to be with us after she gave her speech at the cycle-thon, and I will always remember her huge hug in the hallway of the hospital telling me it was all going to be okay. I had a newborn, a 3 year old with a badly broken leg, and a sister with cancer. When we were discharged from the hospital, I looked behind my shoulder and Elliot said, "you can do this - if I can go through what I am going through, you can get through this - WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS". She said it with such confidence and assurance - and with that, we loaded up the car and started the journey home. Ellison was with me. Ellison was passed around alot during those 6 weeks as I was trying my best to care for both children who needed me in very different ways. Once the broken leg was healed, we started making more frequent trips up and down the interstate to visit my sister. During those next 2 months, Elliot was in and out of the hospital multiple times. Ellison was such a trooper and she stayed with me at all times in the hospital, and during the last 2 weeks of Elliot's battle, Ellison lived with me on the Oncology floor at UAB 12 hours a day, and then in Elliot's basement during the nights. Those were the most difficult 2 weeks of my life - Ellison was with me.  Then came May 28. When the family walked out of the hospital room for the last time, having just witnessed Elliot's transport to her new Heavenly home, there was sweet Ellison - her smile beaming - so pure and so genuine - and so completely unaware of the pain that was surrounding her. She reached out for me, and I took her in my arms and just held her close to me, never wanting to let go. Ellison was with me. And then came May 31st - the 2nd most difficult and painful day of my life, Ellison was with me. And now, she has been with me every single day for the past 7 months as I learn how to live my life without my sister.

So yes, emotions are running high today as I process her precious little life. She has been a constant source of joy in the midst of pain. I know that has been a common theme which has run through my posts since her birth - but it's simply the truth.  God has been faithful to answer the prayer which we prayed for her before we knew her - that she would be full of joy - His joy. Little did I know 21 months ago when I first prayed that prayer, how much I would need a joy-filled little girl in my life for such a time as this.  And Elijah Brooks - that sweet boy - is just as joyful and I thank God for his joy-filled heart daily.

And just for the baby book, Ellison at age 1:
-Walks everywhere, and is starting to run on her tip toes!
-Eats everything
-Takes 2 naps a day
-Babbles constantly - some words we understand like "Momma, Dada, E-da, Guh (Gus the cat), Ca (Callie the cat), Santa, cracker (or some form of it). But, she is constantly "talking" - just don't always understand the actual words yet.
-Understands far more commands and instructions than I ever dreamed she could at this age
-Loves her bed, her 2 blankies and her paci for sleeping
-Actually enjoys car rides now ; she just chills out every time we are in the car and looks out the window or laughs at her brother
-Wears 18-24 month clothes and a size 5 1/2 shoe!  Big girl :)
-Waves "hi" at random people
-Follows her brother everywhere and laughs at him constantly
-Has 8 teeth
-is BUSY, and "on the go" all day long
-has a mindset to climb - and is persistent about it!
-does not like to be rocked (unlike big brother who will be rocked until he is 18 I am convinced)
-adores "Praise Baby", but not into "Baby Einstein" like brother was
-is fiercely independent, curious, and determined (and spunky)!
-has a grin that will light up a room and blue eyes that sparkle like stars
-is very loving and loves to "give love" to whoever will take it
-is happiest when she is outside
-does not like to wear hats or bows - ever
-can climb stairs faster than any baby I have seen
-loves books
-loves animals
-LOVES her bath and splashing
-loves her cup of milk
-does not like to be told "no" or not get her way!  :)
-is just starting to show some signs of separation anxiety when left in the church nursery
-loves her family so much

AND WE LOVE YOU ELLISON ANNE - AND WE ARE SO THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE WITH US!!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY TO OUR BEAUTIFUL AND HAPPY GIRL!

"My little Jedi's"....

This is what it looks like in our home - ALOT!  Ellison is learning quickly and following closely in her brother's footsteps. Baby dolls???  Not so much.  Lightsabers??? Definitely.  She even walks around swinging them, and recently has figured out how to fly a spaceship through the air.  Her brother is her hero, and wherever he is, she can be found close-by. 

Apparently, this is the Star Wars "look"

"The Force"