OOPS!

Well, it was bound to happen and it did. Ellen found a pen beside her bed and decided to write on her arms and leg. She started crying during her nap and I thought it was a little unusual so I went to check on her. She was covered in pen marks and wanting me to get it off. I almost started laughing, but I held it in. I figured that since she was so upset that was punishment enough! I had her sleep with it on and told her we would clean up after her rest. So, the following pictures are after her nap and she wasn't too pleased that I wanted to take them. I guess she has learned her lesson. "we only write on paper"

Rain Puddles

I know some of these pictures are a little fuzzy, but they show just how much fun Ellen had playing in the rain this past Saturday.

SPRING has SPRUNG

We had three great days in a row last week. Ellen and I spent a lot of time playing outside. Now that Champ is gone, Ellen really enjoys having full run of the back yard! Thank you Lord for beautiful days!

Update

No pictures to post, but I thought I would give another weekly update on Sophia. I went to the doctor's office today and things are going great! I have about 2 1/2 weeks left. 17 days to be exact! 17 days sounds so much shorter to me than 2 1/2 weeks. The doctor said things look good, the baby is head down, so now all we have to do is wait! Ellen came 3 days early, so I'm not feeling like Sophie will arrive too soon. Which I am totally okay with. Tim and I were talking the other day about Ellen being born around World Cup Soccer time and Sophia will be born around the NCAA Men's Basketball finals! Good thing there are TVs at the Birth Center. : )

We have everything ready as far as room stuff goes, I just keep telling myself that she's better off in there AND she's not crying or waking up every 3 hours to eat. I don't know that I'll ever be totally ready for that. I still feel a lot of movement during the day and I'm sleeping pretty well at night. I did ask Tim if I could start wearing his t-shirts because she has dropped some and I feel like my tummy is showing out the bottom. Especially when I go work out!

Ellen is doing well. I think she thinks my belly is big and it's always going to be that way! : ) I sure hope not! Ellen's new saying is, "Are you kidding me?" It's pretty funny to hear her say it, but it almost makes me cringe too. I asked her who says that and she said, "my daddy say that." Tim thought it was pretty funny. I think we have mastered the potty part of potty training. She is wearing big girl underwear and hasn't had an accident in a while! We're getting close with the other part. I'm just happy to not have 2 in diapers at the same time. She is pretty much independent when it comes to the whole process. She can get herself up on the potty and take care of business! What a huge help that is!

Tim will be on Spring Break next week. He plans on getting some loose ends tied up around the house and finish his paper for his master's class. His track team will start having meets at the beginning of April. So, we'll have a few nights a week without him. He also has a big birthday coming up...30!

I think that just about sums up our lives here in Bolivar. Hopefully there will be a post soon of our new Sophie!

Diapers and Dessert

Last week, my friends hosted a diaper and dessert shower. We enjoyed amazing treats and had wonderful fellowship. I wanted to post some pictures of all the goodies!

Thanks ladies!

One Month Left

I can't believe I am writing that! Where has the time gone? Sophia will be here in about a month and I can't wait to meet her. I have all kinds of things running through my mind about her. What is she going to look like? I mean, you know a baby boy is going to look different, but what is another girl going to look like? What is her personality going to be like? If she is as half as funny as Ellen is we will be rolling all the time. Will she be, dare I say, easy like Ellen was? I know God has it all planned out and I am so thankful for that, because no matter what I THINK I would want for Sophia, God's plan is so much better. Thank you Lord for that!

Tim is mightily finishing his Master's in Administration and will graduate in July. His goal is to have everything done before April. Thank you Lord for a husband with such a great work ethic!!! He really is doing a great job of working on his papers, being a teacher, spending time with Ellen, and making sure I am loved!
Isaiah 40:31 & Ephesians 3:14-19 remind me how to pray for Tim each day. "That Tim might have new strength from the Lord in the midst of his busy schedule.

Ellen has entered the "WHY?" phase. I know everyone has gone through it, but it sure makes me tired. She has also started verbalizing her feelings of compassion and love. She will tell us that she loves us, which just melts our hearts. She will say she's sorry if she causes an accident or notices someones hurt feelings.
Proverbs 3:3 is a prayer that I say for Ellen often. "Let love and faithfulness never leave Ellen, but bind these twin virtues around her neck and write them on the tablet of her heart."

I am starting my weekly doctor's appointments and things are going well. I am still doing a step aerobics class at the YMCA 2-3 times a week. It gets my day going and helps me feel great! I am hoping that it will help in my recovery. I am involved in a Beth Moore bible study that meets every Wednesday at the First Baptist Church and a Mom-to-Mom group that meets twice a month at our church.

Well, that about covers everyone. Keep us in your prayers these next few weeks! God bless you and your families as well.

A Sad Day

The day has finally come. Champ left the Garber home of almost 4 years to try life on the farm. It was a bitter sweet decision, but it was one that had to be made. We have been talking for a while about finding Champ a new place to live. Ellen hasn't warmed up to him like I had hoped she would and she is wanting to get out and play in the yard more. With Champ there I couldn't let her out in the yard for fear of her getting covered in doggy poo! Champ needed a bigger area to run around in too! So, one of my exercise friends was looking for a good guard dog for their farm...and I knew Champ would make the perfect fit.
It hasn't been as hard as I thought it might be, but my neighbor sure didn't like the decision. He really enjoyed feeding Champ while we were gone and the feeling of protection that Champ gave.

Bye Bye Champ! I'll miss you! : )

Sleepy Little Girl

This is how I found Ellen this morning when I went in to get her up!!!

A step back in time

Jane brought an outfit for Ellen to model when they came for a visit a few weeks ago. The outfit has been worn by a lot of little girls in Jane's family. I believe it was bought for Jane as a girl and has been through many hands ever since. It fit Ellen perfectly and she loved the pony-tail hat that went with it. Thank you Jane for letting us be a part of the memory, even if it was only for a few minutes.