Quick Visit from Uncle Yar

Some of you that know my family know that my brother and I call each other "Yar". This has been a name that we have used since we were really young. Well, I have taught Ellie that my brother is Uncle Yar. Jonathan has a fabulous job that sometimes warrants a visit through Knoxville, whether he is driving through or flying some big whig here. He was able to drive through Knoxville a few weeks ago and came by the house to have some dinner and see Ellie. She really likes Uncle Yar and wanted him to hold her the entire time he was here. I love that she is getting to know both sides of our family and really likes our siblings. Thanks for coming by, Uncle Yar!

11 Months Old!

Ellie turning 11 months old has really hit me hard - only one more month until she is not an infant anymore...and I have a party to plan! This past month has been filled with some highs and some lows, but Ellie has been a trooper. We've dealt with the first ear infection, the first allergic reaction to the antibiotic (amoxicillian - bubble gum medicine) with a full body rash and hives, lots of Benedryl, more medicine and she is just now feeling better. She's had to stay out of her Parents Day Out program for the last 2 weeks (NOT COOL) but she is clear to go now. We've had to adjust to Daddy going back to work and lots of "Mommy & Ellie" time. Some new things that have happened this month:

1. She got her 5th tooth on her lower teeth and she is about to cut one on her upper gum.

2. She is no longer in the baby tub - we have graduated to the big girl tub but are trying to keep her from standing so much!

3. Her hair is so much thicker! I love it.

4. She walks on her walker and crawls very fast, but isn't quite in to the walking world.

5. She still loves cats (all animals in general but definitely likes cats the best) - thank you Lord!

6. She is wearing some 12 month clothes but is in the transition phase from 9 month to 12 month.

7. Her last weight check as of last week was 20 lbs 12 oz so we are GOLDEN on turning her car seat around next month!

8. She is much more responsive to things we say and likes to play "copy cat" when we do little things (i.e. shake our heads no and she will do the same)

9. She has entered into the I want mommy and daddy with me all the time phase recently and cries for a while if we leave her with someone.

10. She does great going to the grocery store and sitting in the cart!

11. She is eating a few of the things we eat but still getting a balanced diet of her fruits, veggies and meat.

We can't believe how much time has passed since those insanely tired, frustrating first few weeks of being a parent. We are really looking forward to introducing Thanksgiving and Christmas this year and hope that she really enjoys all the festivities and family time she will get!

Ellie's 1st Halloween

Halloween took on a different meaning this year when I had a little girl to dress up and show off! By no means do I support ghosts and goblins, but I think it's a fun holiday for kids. They get to play dress-up and get free candy! This year, Jesse's parents hosted a Cragwall Halloween Party so they could see the kids dressed up and all of us could get together. We had a great dinner together and played a fun game with the kids. Ellie had a blast being around everyone, especially Parker, Taylor and the family dog, Jake. Grandmommy gave out lots of treats, including a new rubber ducky and a Halloween book for Ellie. Thanks, Grandmommy!

On the actual day of Halloween, we dressed up Ellie in her kitty costume again for all the trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood. She LOVED seeing all the kids at the door, so much that she reached for me each time she heard the doorbell. Everyone thought she was adorable in her outfit and all she could do was smile and grunt at all the kids. Jamie came over and donated her candy to all the kids that came out and we still ran out! I love the fact that we live in a neighborhood full of kids that participate in things like this - when you have a child of your own, it takes on a whole new meaning!

Jesse's New Job

So, one of the many challenges we had from getting out of the Army was for Jesse to find a job while he's in school. After many frustrating attempts at various prospects, Jesse found an opportunity with One Vision International! Jesse called John Miller (founder, Exec Director) and asked if there were any opportunities to work with him back in June, primarily with the work his organization is doing in Haiti. Low and behold John had been wanting to create a position that would eventually take over the work in Haiti since it has become so much work in the last few years. Since John had wanted to add this position, he was elated to have the chance to hire Jesse and jumped right on it. After a long process of going through the board and creating the position, Jesse was hired and started last week. He just returned from a 4 day trip to Haiti to network and see what progress has been made and what needs are there. This is a job that will go hand in hand with his research in graduate school, so the opportunity is a win-win. I am so proud of my husband for seeking out this opportunity and finding a job PERFECT for him! If you want to check out this organization and the work they are doing, go to www.onevisionintl.org. We have supported this non-profit for a long time - John was in our small group at church before we even went into the Army. Check it out and if you are interested in getting involved, let us know!

10 Months Old!

Well, another month has passed and Ellie has changed and grown even more! Our little girl is so stinkin' cute and makes us laugh all the time. Some of ther new accomplishments are:

1. She is down to 3 bottles a day and more on a normal eating time schedule with us. It's nice to eat meals together at the table now.

2. She was 19lbs 8 oz last week at the doctors office. Getting closed to that 20lb mark!

3. She has ANOTHER tooth! One of her bottom teeth next to the 2 middle ones have cut through. Everyone keeps telling us how crazy it is that she has so many teeth already!

4. She can walk with her walker a few steps on her own (scroll down to see past blog entry for video of this).

5. She converses with me back and forth with her sounds. I'm trying to teach her some sounds and words and she will "answer" me with one she knows.

6. She is pulling herself up and standing holding on to EVERYTHING!

7. She's been going through a phase of "I want Mommy" the last few weeks but it hasn't been too bad.

8. She is eating finger foods like cheese cubes, toast pieces, cheerios, and avacado. She also loves to drink ice cold water from a cup like a normal adult.

9. She is much more fun to take to the store now that she can sit up well in her seat cover!

10. She can crawl much better up on her knees and hands, especially when she is on carpet.

Ellie is a beautiful baby girl and we fall in love with her more and more each day. In my mother's words, "She is such a good baby!" I love watching her around our family and recognizing people. Hope you have enjoyed the update!

Why I LOVE Fall

Here is the view from my driveway, at the front of our subdivision. This is why I LOVE Fall!

Date Day

Thanks to our generous friends, The Mason's, we were able to plan a date day baby free. It was great timing for us. Jesse's mom watched Ellie all day (THANK YOU) to give us the time to devote to each other. We went on a hike to House Mountain (off Rutledge Pike) and had an amazing time. The view was awesome and the weather was perfect! Here is a little video from our view at the top of the ridge:

We went to lunch at Horn of Plenty (a little country store up the road from our house) and had the usual amazing catfish and southern sides. We showered and got ready for our evening. Then, we went to visit Becca and Steve to meet their new little boy, Thad (Ellie isn't allowed to go so it was perfect timing). We rented a movie and watched part of it before going to the Melting Pot for dinner. We had this French themed 4 course dinner with a cheese fondue, salad, lots of different meats and then an AWESOME white chocolate creme brulee fondue. It was an amazing treat to go there and to have a day to devote to each other. We had great discussion, lots of laughts, and we even did our usual strategizing of the future! I love my husband more and more and I am so happy to have had such great quality time with him. Thanks to the Sr Cragwall's for babysitting and the Mason's for the date $$!