16 month portraits

Had these taken about a month ago, and I was very pleased when they came in! Vicki Popwell is the photographer, and has been taking Reid's picture since he was born. It amazes me how much he's changed in only 16 months!!!

An Ellis Easter

First, let me start of by apologizing that the blog hasn't been updated in a while. Things have been a little hectic around here. I've been having to go to the doctor just about once a week for the past month or so, and I've had to go to L&D for monitoring twice...that will definitely throw any "routine" for a loop! Fortunately little G is doing well, ("perfect" as the doctor says) my body just doesn't seem to handle pregnancies too well, and it gets pretty stressful for our family. I'm finally 28 weeks, and my goal is to make it 9 more, (I'll be 37...that's when I went into labor the second time with Reid) but I will carry her as long as God intends. If I make it to 40, to God be the glory!

Anyway, Easter weekend was a lot of fun. Despite the fact that Reid and I seem to be sick, we were able to tough it out and have a spirit-filled weekend. First, Reid woke up to see what was left in his Easter basket. Cory and I don't really stress the Easter Bunny...not that we are opposed to him. Easter is very important to our family because it represents the life and death of our savior. We just don't want to stress the unimportant parts...Reid deserves to know that this day means so much more than egg hunts and candy! Nonetheless, he did enjoy all the goodies that he found. His favorite by far was the set of plastic golf clubs. His daddy taught him how to hit the ball, and he has yet to put these down!

After digging through everything in his goodie basket, we got dressed and went to my Dad's church, Mobley Creek, for services. What a joy! Daddy has been pastor at MC for almost 3 years, but he served as interim for a year before finally becoming their preacher. I am so proud of him following the call into ministry after 30 plus years as an accountant (not exactly sure what that number would be now, Dad...). We always enjoy visiting and fellowshipping with his congregation. They love my parents, and I am so thankful that they have decided to serve there.

Last, but definitely not least, we made our way to the Jones Family Picnic and Egg Hunt. If you have never been, or never heard...all I can say is WOW. Cory's mother's family is HUGE! Every year, they set up chairs, tables, tents and food in a cow pasture and we eat Hamburgers, Sausage and Hotdogs, and any and every dessert you can imagine! Once everyone is finished eating, they go and hide the eggs in the lower part of the field...and the hunt begins! This was officially Reid's first egg hunt. Cory's mother took pictures for me, and I don't have them yet, but I'll post them as soon as she can email them to me!

Needless to say, we had a very busy and productive Easter Holiday. What a joy it is to serve a RISEN SAVIOR!

Two Prayer Requests...

I want to ask my blogging friends for their prayers. My mother works at LBWCC in Andalusia, with Babs Mikel. Babs' daughter Brittany Daniel had a little boy about a week before I had Reid, and now she is due with another little boy about a week behind Georgia. Brittany was in Washington, DC on business and had to go to the hospital with some pregnancy complications. Her water broke at 24 weeks, and she will be in the hospital until she delivers. Right now, the greatest risk to baby Gaines (her son's name) is infection. Brittany has had IV antibiotics, so now it is a waiting game. This morning, when the nurses were monitoring Gaines' heartbeat (usually only monitor about 30 minutes) they decided to keep monitoring it because his heart rate was elevated...or a possible sign of infection. Please pray for Brittany, Beau (her husband), Reed and baby Gaines. I cannot imagine being so far from home, away from my son, and nervous about my pregnancy all at the same time. Pray that God will protect this precious child and His will be done. Oh yeah--they have a blog http://beauandbrittanydaniel.blogspot.com

Next, most of you may have heard of my sweet friend Shelley Nall's mother passing away earlier this week. Mrs. Kathy battled pancreatic cancer for 3 1/2 years...which is amazing because they originally only gave her 6 months. Shelley, her two sisters and her father have a difficult time of grieving ahead, and my heart literally aches for them. Please pray!

Where has time gone?

My sweet baby boy turned 16 months old last week. It is so hard to believe. I find myself just sitting and watching him sometimes, because it is so hard to believe the little 7 pound baby I held is now walking, talking (his own language), and obviously very opinionated. As a mother, I find myself being amazed by the tiniest things he is learning. He is a very good helper...sometimes too good. When I am in the bathroom getting dressed, he feels the need to bring me every roll of toilet paper we have, and neatly stack them next to my feet. He also tries to open the refrigerator so he can fill his own sippy cup, and he thinks he can fold the laundry better than Mommy.

As much as I wish I could stop time, I have to admit that I love watching him grow up. He's such a precious soul, and he'll never know how much I love him.

We're still preparing for little Miss Georgia Catherine's arrival. She is definitely movin' and shakin' these days. Her presence is very well known. Cory set my embroidery machine up again this past weekend, and I have already gotten started making burp cloths. I can finally use pink...and not have to give it away! I never thought I would be so excited about a little girl. I'm smiling just typing this. = )

Our Big Boy...

Reid has had SEVERAL haircuts since he turned a year old, but I finally took the plunge and let him get a "real" haircut. His daddy took him to a barber shop here in Opp on Saturday (I was not invited, because Cory was afraid I would back out) and had his hair thinned and cut short. Cory says he finally looks like a little boy (he always looked like a little boy). The woman who cut it said he had SO MUCH hair. I guess that's a good problem to have. Here are some pictures of Reid eating lunch right when he came home from getting his hair "did."

I knew better than to use chocolate...

We're learning...

...to use a spoon!!! YIKES! Well, it's finally that time. Cory and I have to put away our OCD and accept the mess. Every night before bath (immediately from high chair to tub) we get him down to his diaper, and give Reid his very own spoon. Right now we're using vanilla pudding with cut up bananas in it (I'm not brave enough for the chocolate yet) and surprisingly, he's doing really well. After about ten minutes of playing in the pudding and rubbing it in his hair and on his high chair tray, he realizes that he likes the taste of it, and starts dipping his spoon in and taking some bites. It's amazing that he really knows what to do! Granted, his dexterity is what you would expect from a 15-month-old, but he's doing really well! Here's our little man in action, and yes, very little made it to his mouth = ).