Griffin Bear

I haven't done an update on Griffin in a while.  He just seems so big to me lately.  He's clearly leaving the toddler days behind and seems like a little boy to me now.  He talks ALLLL day long and says the funniest things.  I know I need to be writing them down, but always forget.  Here are a few special things about Griffin at 2 years, 8 months:

- Loves going to school on Tuesday and Thursdays with Mrs. Brandi and Mrs. Terri

- Missed a post on this but he's been potty trained for a couple of months now.  Still wears diapers to bed but we'll work on that in a few months

- favorite things to do are play baseball in the backyard, go to the playground that's right by our house, and play with his friends.  So funny, every morning he asks "Where we going?" and if I tell him we're just staying home he always says "Let's go Mommy, Let's go", I don't think he's going to be much of a home body.

- Still a really sweet big brother.  He's been trying to teach Ella to crawl, brings her toys when she's fussy, and loves to play "Ella Monster" in our bed.

- Has been testing the waters lately when we tell him no and can still throw a toddler fit every once in a while

- A few weeks ago at school he got in trouble for hitting when someone took his toy.  I explained to him to use his words when someone does something he doesn't like, to say "No no no" instead of hitting.  Well, it kind of backfired because now when we ask him to do something he doesn't want to do he tells us "No no no".  

- Very sensitive to feelings recently. He always says, "Mommy are you happy?" :)

We love you so much Griffin and can't wait to see how you grow and change in the years to come.  You are such a special part of our family!

Pure Joy

Sometimes the days are long, the noses are snotty, and the tears flow like waterfalls, but then I catch them in a moment like this and I'm filled with pure joy!  I love being a mommy, it's the hardest and most rewarding job in the world!

WHOOP!

 Gigi and Papa J had us all over for the Tech vs A&M game a couple weekends ago!  We had a big group of family over there and had a BLAST!  The best part was the Aggie victory!  Griffin had so much fun playing with all the "big" boys in the bounce house and even stayed up until 11!!!  Ella was her usual early bird self and barely made it through kick off but I'm sure she had sweet dreams while the party continued.  What a fun night!

Ella and her Gigi

 Sweet girl in her Aggie gear with Gigi kisses on both cheeks

 Jack had so much fun and wanted to be right there with the big boys too.  Why do all kids love plugs?

 Griff has Gigi kisses too

 Trying to get a pic of all the grandkids with Gigi and Papa J, not too bad!

 All the girls, poor Lauren was a little outnumbered but she was such a good sport :)

 Griff, Bryce, Gavin, and Mason acting crazy in the bounce house

 Such a big smile, must be the Aggie victory!!!

 Late night girls pic

 And a crazy one, can't believe Aunt Holly can still do a full split!  WOW!!!

And a cute one of Ella, she wore her red and black jammies for Aunt Lala!

Happy 8 months Ella!

 We are in major teething mode and the infant brush has proven to be a great teether!

 Loves to make this face...feeling those new teethies!

 Ella and her BFF Jeter

First pancakes

Ella turned 8 months old on Sunday so I'm a little late on this post but our internet has been down.  Ella continues to be such a sweet, easy, happy baby.  She loves attention and being around lots of other kids. She went to baby story time at the library for the first time while brother was at school and had a blast!  She has had some "mommy" moments this month which is a first but warms up to new people quickly.  Here are some things she's been up to:
- sleeps from about 7pm-7am and takes two 1.5-2hr naps
- LOVES Jeter and when I have him outside she will grunt and wine till I let him in
- eats three meals a day and takes four bottles, we started some finger foods this month including puffs, avocado, banana, and pancakes...she loved it all
- BIGGEST news is that she finally cut her first tooth!  Griffin cut his on his 6 month bday and she cut hers on her 8 month bday...makes it easy to remember!  She already has another tooth today on the bottom right next to the first.
- talks and squeals all day long, Griff wasn't near as vocal but I swear he talks ALLLLLL day long, I'm going to be in trouble with Miss Ella!  Ha
- Loves music and isn't fazed by loud noises
- such a snuggler
- has showed little interest in crawling.  She will do a great push up and kind of a plank sometimes, but isn't moving at all.  She is getting frustrated sometimes when she can't get to something she wants so maybe this will motivate her :)

Donuts with Dad

Today was Donuts with Dad at Griffin's school. Jason and Griff were so excited about their special time! J sent me a few pics from the morning.










my iPhone

8 months

Ella Boo turned 8 months old yesterday! She has changed so much and I have new pictures and updates coming as soon as I can get the Internet fixed :). Love you sweet girl!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Perfect Sunday

Sunday was just one of those perfect days!  We woke up and played with the kids until it was time to go to church.  The sermon was so good and it was communion Sunday which I love.  Griffin and Ella both got compliments in "little church" which was a bonus!  We came home and the kids took naps while we got ready for Gigi's birthday dinner at our house.  We had everyone over and grilled hamburgers.  The weather was beautiful and the kids played in the bounce house and Griff drove Jack around in the little Jeep.  Ella got her first bounce house experience and she loved it!  We all went to bed exhausted from a great day.  I just love perfect days like that!

Precious Ella ready for church.  A little old lady at my mom's church made this little smocked dress and I was so excited Ella finally got to wear it!

 I know the bow is a little ridiculous but I can't resist!

 Best buddies!

 Ella and Griff in the bounce house

 Look whose got all the balls!

 The birthday girl Gigi

 Jack, Griff, and Uncle B

 These cousins are going to be best buddies!

 Miss Ella ate her dinner outside

 Added bonus is that we left the bounce house up so while I'm typing this post Griff is playing in his PJ's!  Love it!

Scariest Day

Yesterday was one of the worst days of my life.  It started off a normal day and Ella, Griffin and I were getting ready to meet our friends at Monkey Joe's for some bouncy time.  Ella was sitting on a bar stool playing with something on the counter and I was right behind her holding her.  Griff was putting on his crocs and the back strap was stuck under his foot.  He kept bugging me to help him and we were in a hurry so I turned around for two seconds to fix his shoe when I heard a loud thud!  I turned around and saw my precious baby girl had fallen off the bar stool onto the tile floor on her head.  She immediately started screaming and I picked her up.  I could instantly feel a lump on the back of her head.  I went into panic mode and decided to call 911.  My sister in law has a really good friend who lost her 11 month old to a head injury almost instantly so that kept running through my head.  While on the phone with them Ella became quiet and her eyes started rolling back in her head.  This is when I lost it and started screaming for them to hurry!!!  It seemed like it took FOREVER for them to get to my house but it was probably 10 minutes.  I called Jason and he rushed home in record time.  They put Ella in the saddest little baby back and head brace and and took us by ambulance to the hospital. Once we got there they said her vitals all looked good but they wanted to do a CAT scan to be sure there wasn't a fracture or brain swelling.  Ella was so brave and we were just holding her little hands and singing to her the whole time.  We both lost it seeing her so little and scared and not being able to pick her up.  Finally the doctor came and told us the results were completely normal and that she had a hematoma but it was above the skull and would just be sore.

We are SO thankful our precious angel is ok and it was a huge reminder to me about how you can never be too safe.  It sounds so stupid, even as I type it, that I left her on a stool but it only takes a second to let your guard down.  I feel so incredibly guilty and it still brings tears to my eyes to think about it.  Jason was so sweet and supportive and Griff was a trooper.  He kept telling the paramedics, "I just need to go to Monkey Joes!" haha.  Through the whole ordeal I just kept praying for Jesus to hold Ella in His arms and protect my baby.  There's no doubt in mind that's exactly what He did and we are so greatful!

As you can see everyone is fine and enjoying lots of snuggles!