Perservere

A little off schedule as Ellsyn took no morning nap - her and I have just spent the last 2 hours hanging out while brother naps. As I watch her try to figure out how to get out of certain predicaments such as the vacuum cleaner hose (we have central-vac so its a long one), the cord to her monitor in her room, over a large pillow, and putting some books back on the shelf - I am in awe of how every time she falls she just gets back up and tries it again. In true toddler fashion it isn't always graceful but she is determined to figure it out and succeed.

Isn't that what life is - just trying to stay on our feet. I just found it interesting that God had to show me through a toddler that that is what He calls me to do. Persevere. Life is going to get tough and nothing is easy but if I cling to Him - He will always help me find my way and always pick me up. 

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 
2 Timothy 4:6-7

Fun in the garage

 Some times we get a little stir crazy inside our walls and last week we decided to head out to the garage to do a little finger painting and play with some of our outside toys.

Shadd was finger painting pictures for Easter!

He's a tough one to catch smiling, but I got him!

Ells spent a good majority of our time outside walking from the inside of garage to the van and back - guess she was trying to master walking over this little lip, just a few falls!

Shadd didn't get any paint on his clothes either! 

Look out - Here she comes.

Too Many Giggles

So last week..I was busy getting ready for the weekend and got caught not paying attention when I definitely should have been. Needless to say - when your children are giggling at and with one another - probably a safe bet that they are doing something that they shouldn't be or making a MESS!

This time it was the later....

She dumped her entire plate of mac n cheese on her head

It was everywhere

But Ellsyn sure knows how to make Shadd laugh! I should have videotaped b/c these two trouble makers were laughing so hard it was hard not to laugh along with them. It was a challenge to get that cheese out of her hair though!

The Big One - Ells is officially 1!

So last year at this time I was blessed to give birth to a little girl. Ellsyn Grace arrived in this world on April 17th 2010 at 5:25am. Yesterday, I woke up right around that time and just took a moment to quickly recap our baby girl's life so far.

Her she is just hours after she was born - at least bathed, I believe!

So we celebrated this little one's birthday yesterday with our families and some of our closest friends. We had a blast but Ells was pretty tuckered out by the time we got to the cake part so we were a little disappointed in her performance since she usually dominates whatever crosses her plate.

a pre-party shot with mommy

Her party attire - the big One!

Shadd helping Ells open his gift to her! She loves it!

Grandma Darcy made her a gorgeous birthday cake, plus a small one of her own and her famous decorated frosted sugar cookies - they were little elephants with cute dots.

Just getting started...

So is this for me?

Opening some awesome presents with Daddy!

She has mastered walking and cruises all over the place! Just a little showing off.

Just waving goodbye to her visitors.

Ells just learned to smile when we say "cheese" - it a little over the top!

It is so hard to believe she is one already. All you mom's know it just seems like yesterday they were born. Well it feels that way to me but I enjoy this little one more and more each day. Some quick facts about this little lady and the things she loves to do.

-tips the scale at almost 24lbs (only 87% now a little down from her 99 nickname at the beginning of her life)

-almost 30"

-walking pretty much exclusively now in the last couple weeks. 

-loves to look out the window

-loves to chase brother around the kitchen

-loves to pull books off the shelves

-loves to play in the cupboards, especially with the bowls

-loves to be outside

-loves just about anything brother says or does or has - yes, the fighting has begun

-loves to rock (her way though)

-loves to dance (especially to bible stories by go fish)

-loves toys that make music or noise

-loves to read - Goodnight Moon, Where's Spot, and any Touch and Feel books

-loves Daddy - its a mad dash to the door when he walks in

-She can be dramatic, laying her head down on the floor or throwing herself back if she doesn't get her way

-loves to bounce and jump in her crib

-loves to explore 

-loves stairs

She is one precious girl and we couldn't imagine our life without her. I praise the Lord each day for her life and continue to pray that He lead me to teach and shepherd her heart to know and love Him! Ells we love you! Happy Birthday sweetheart!

traditions - the meshing of old and new

So each year we have some traditions of D and I's childhood that we get to roll out to our little ones. This is the year of easter nests. You are probably thinking, what? Well it is a little Livingston tradition that instead of good ole easter baskets you get to dig through an easter nest. We always and still do a pretty massive easter egg hunt (yes, even the adults such as I get to look for my purple eggs in my parents backyard). One of these days I think I will just get to sit and watch my children. Anyways back to the nests - last year D was out of town and I was really pregnant so we decided to forgo the nest, but not this year. D has already been cutting paper. Just thought I would share a little bit of our tradition as I snicker at the thought of the meshing that takes place as you combine all the things you grew up with plus the new to make holidays memorable and fun for your little ones.

A perfect way to recycle the sunday paper and utilize the time as you are watching the masters, right? Oh I am sure I will have some more photos to post as my little ones follow their easter egg hunt to finally uncover the treasure in their nests.

I love Easter - definitely not for the bunny or eggs but for the real reason we celebrate this holiday. In honor and rememberence of Jesus' death on the cross. His ultimate sacrifice in paying the penalty for my sins and yours and the fact that on the 3rd day he conquered death and rose again.

In fact - I just love this song by Go Fish - Its actually a Christmas song but it has such a great message for Easter too.

By the way if you don't know about Go Fish - they write the best kids music out there - in fact we own every cd and our entire family (even D and I) enjoy rocking out with them!

New addition to our backyard

Added a little something new to our backyard this weekend. It took a little longer than projected, typical. Only 4 trips to Menards later but at last we have ourselves a park in our backyard according to Shadd. It all came together in the end thanks to the hardwork and dedication of the hubs, papa and uncle rossy, plus frama and aunt emmy. Shaddy and Ells enjoyed being outside and part of the construction process, but sunscreen next time would be advised. I guess I'm not on my a-game yet! 

Frama even let Shadd come and play in his jammies after bath! I guess that's what Frama's are for. P.S. Frama is Shadd's name for my mom and it just stuck!

The finished product - minus Ells swing! We got it the next day! 

Crusin' the town

So after some serious begging we all went for a ride around our neighborhood. The first trip out usually takes forever since dad has to get all the tires aired up and the bikes ready to go! Still it was a blast!

the whole crew - saddled up and ready to go!

 She is just so big!

Everyone had fun compared to last fall when Ellsyn started crying about half way down our street. I guess who can blame her she was only 6 months old or so! Ellsyn enjoys riding by herself in the trailer - it fits two but definitely not two siblings at least right now. Plus Shadd loves riding up high with daddy!

Shadd is daddy's helper for just about everything from making breakfast to watching golf. They are best buds. He is also a protective big brother already. His famous words are "not to hard sissy" when she is touching him and "you didn't get hurt" when she starts crying about something. He will be definitely looking out for her and she needs it!

Ells is my girl who will throw caution to the wind. She has no fear. I will be busy this summer. I can see it already in just a few short days of spring/summer weather. She is putting dirt in her mouth, climbing up the slide, crawling on cement, headed face first down the stairs.  Let alone offically walking I would say! She still crawls some but walking is her preferred mode of motoring around these days. I just love it! She looks like Frankenstein or Big Foot, slow and methodical unless she forgets she's walking - then she looks pretty normal! They just grow up way too fast!

Radio

New nickname at our house for Shadd. He has millions but he has recently been dubbed "Radio". If you have seen the movie staring Cuba Gooding Jr. you will know why. Check out the cart! 

Who would have thought this grocery cart he got for Christmas would be used as a tool to hoard items from his sister. Pretty much anything she wants goes into the cart for safe keeping. You would be amazed at the things you can find in there. 

I guess ripping the cart out of sissy's hands is better than the hip thrust she normally gets in order to get her to move over or go away. Of course there is always the block the wanted item with your body move. Where do they learn this stuff? I guess Derrick and I need to learn to share with one another! 

Sibling Fun

So not every day to Shadd and Ells play nicely together, but they are starting to enjoy one another or at least Shadd is putting up with Ells trying to ruin his fun. We got out the ball pit which is usually against my sanity since balls tend to end up everywhere. They were too - even the toilet had a few in it!

So Shadd and I were downstairs late the other night, doing my exercises - they are getting just a bit more intense. 3 months post surgery and I can run and jump again. Don't get too excited no long jogs for me yet. I was running the other day and knew I was probably limping so I was tempted to ask a guy as he jogged quickly by me, but refrained. Major side note as I caption the photo above. So Shadd didn't even realize that his pants were falling off. Probably because he is way too skinny since neither d or I were ever that skinny as children. He just went about playing with no regard to his sagging pjs.

Yes. Ellsyn is trying to steal my soda. Seriously it is about the only that keeps my afternoon going some days. Yeah for Wild Cherry Pepsi - I know I should really kick the habit but I keep justifying it by exercise. Whatever works.