Ella Ruth is 3!

 3 years ago! My baby is growing up.

A lot of people say they have no clue what they would be doing without their children. I, quite actually, know if Ella Ruth was not here that we would be doing a LOT less cleaning. We wouldn't be vacuuming and mopping the dining area multiple times a day, we wouldn't be watching a TV with smudgy fingerprints ( and sometimes crayon) on it, we wouldn't be cleaning up bits of paper from the suburban ( everyday), we wouldn't be taking socks and shoes in after every drive, and we wouldn't be waking multiple times a night by her crying or climbing into our bed.

BUT we also wouldn't be laughing so much. This little girl is so funny. She says the craziest things, and she knows she is funny. She constantly laughs, even when she is in trouble. And she says things when it is absolutely inappropriate. And we absolutely laugh when we shouldn't. She is a very sneaky little girl, and she keeps us on our toes. She is what they call everything I never knew I wanted.

 

She turned 3 the day before Thanksgiving, and we celebrated on Saturday night with Landon ( he will be 7 THREE days, and if you see him, he will ask you if you know what happens then).

This is from her 1st birthday =)
 

 

 

Big girl turning 2!

Happy 3rd!

4th Trimester Bodies

If you're my Facebook friend, you might have seen the new profile picture I put up yesterday.

 I think this might be my most liked photo--other than a newborn baby or Lucy news. I guess I just wear my hair up too much ;) I did not post anything else about the photo, but I did on IG. There is no way to click on a link on IG ( besides in your bio), so I thought I would explain the picture here.

 

If you're on Facebook, you might  have seen recently some articles floating around that talking about the 4th Trimester Bodies Project. The latest, that brought over 10,000 new fans to the Facebook page was on Upworthy:

http://www.upworthy.com/want-an-honest-look-at-how-motherhood-changes-womens-bodies-here-you-go-5

 

A few from Huffpost:

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/16/4th-trimester-bodies-project-ashlee-wells-jackson_n_3757793.html

 

http://videos.huffingtonpost.com/healthy-living/the-4th-trimester-bodies-project-518029184

 

http://videos.huffingtonpost.com/4th-trimester-bodies-project-517938261

 

Others:

GMA

TODAY

 

 

If you go to the 4th trimester Bodies web site, you can read the entire reason behind the project and a good background to the photographer behind it.

" The project exists because women are judged too crudely on the way we look and are often told we don’t measure up. Because no real person can compete with the tools in Photoshop and glossy magazine covers. And because motherhood is sacred and should be celebrated. This project exists because sometimes babies are born too soon. Because sometimes babies die. Because sometimes the best laid birth plans and the reality of our births are two very different things. And because sometimes they are everything we dreamed just the same. Because regardless of how our babies get here we should be proud and, regardless of how we choose to feed them, we should be able to feed them where we choose whenever they are hungry. This project exists because women and men and society need it. Because our sons and daughters deserve more. Because we deserve more. Because we are beautiful – stretches, stripes, scars and all"-- Ashlee Wells Jackson

 

Ashlee's story brings me to tears & she is completing this project--which will be a series of books-- along with being a mother & running a photography studio full time. There was a quote by Jacob Needleman in church Sunday that made me think of the project "human beings were built to give. To put it in the most extreme form, we’re built to love and serve something greater than ourselves, whether it’s other people, something you call God, or whether it’s justice. Until we are finding our way to give, there will be no happiness or meaning."

 

I actually was chosen for a scholarship position for a shoot in Atlanta. She is currently traveling around the world with Laura, shooting moms, getting stories, and gearing up to publish the first book. I had read about the project last year sometime, and had been following along on Facebook. I saw that Nashville was on the schedule, but not until 2015, and totally assumed it would be impossible by then to buy a shoot before it sells out. This was something I wanted to be a part of--for me and for other women. So I decided to send an email about my babies, my body, and my story to try to get a scholarship shoot. I got an email back that I was chosen! Luke just happened to be off on Friday so we took a little day trip with the kids and had a great time! I might have been sick to my stomach the entire week before and nervous as I've ever been, but the minute we got there we felt so comfortable with Ashlee.

We started with some light make-up and curlers in the hair, then took a few head shots, had an interview on camera, and then took some pictures with the girls. After the shoot was over, Luke and I got into more and more and more detail about the births-- he said I gave a very mild story on the video. But when's the last time you sat in front of a camera and talked about yourself? While we were talking, Ashlee uploaded the photos onto her computer, picked her favorite shots, I looked them over & we decided on our favorite. There is absolutely no photo shopping done to any of her pictures. As soon as we decided on the one we were most comfortable with, she added the black & white( not sure of the technical term), and by the time we had left and gotten to eat Mexican and head home, it was up on her site.

 

So, here's my picture! I didn't post it on IG because I was hoping that people would go to the website or Facebook page and see what it's all about, and not just comment or 'like' my photo.

http://4thtrimesterbodies.com/emily-howell/

 

 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Ella in this picture. I love how Lucy is looking at her. I just love it. And I can't wait to blow it up and hang it in our bathroom. We've had 2 screw in the wall where we had a picture before we moved, and didn't know what to put there.

So , just in case you see another story floating around ( Oprah's 'O' Magazine in May) on Facebook or twitter and think that baby looks familiar, it might just be who you think it is! We had an amazing experience, and I can't wait until the book comes out as well. She has said that what's online right now is just a teaser as to what will actually be in the book. The plan was to self-publish, but as of now are talking to publishers.

So go check out her website & the Facebook page. Check out my tiny contribution to the project of my story & the photo { that I LOVE} of me & the girls! I can't wait to see where the project goes & am thrilled I was able to be a part in helping others.

 

One Year!

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Ella,

        

        In just a few short minutes you'll have been here for an entire year! You have taught us so many things during your short 37 weeks in my belly and 12 months in our home. I've never felt such an immediate love and overwhelming feeling for a person until you came along. Mommy and Daddy were so scared and so worried when we found out we would be having another baby. We tracked every single day you were in my belly, and we were so thankful for every milestone we hit with you. We wanted nothing but the best outcome, and were so relieved after you were here and you had been laying on me for a few hours. You were an answer to our prayers and an absolute miracle in more ways than one.

     You are so loving. You would let us hold you all day. I think this is why you can't walk yet, and you don't seem to be interested in it either. When I am at the gym working out, more than half of the time someone is holding you. You will snuggle in anyone's arms. And everyone loves to hold you too! You have loved to let me hold you and smoosh your face against mine. You still do it some, and I love it. You slept swaddled at night until around 7 months old. We wrapped you tight, stuck that paci in, and you'd tuck your face into my arms and fall asleep as I swayed back and forth. Then you always wanted to hold on tight to our arm as we rocked you to sleep. I hope that you will always find this comfort in us. It is an indescribable feeling to know that I can provide this for you. You finally have just let me hold you upright like a big girl before bed. You like me to rock you now while you lay your face on me and wrap your tiny arms around me the best that you can. You are amazing.

    You have taught Landon how to be more protective. He is so proud of you! His face lit up the first time he saw you in the hospital, and it still does EVERY time he sees you! Lucy has grown so much since you have been with us. She loves to rock, hold, and kiss her babies like I do you. She loves you so much. I love that you have made her a big sister. She tries to sing her song to you any time she hears you cry, and she will do whatever she can to calm you down. I love to watch her love you.

    I can't wait to see you grow! You are such a happy and laid back baby, but yet you cry more than your siblings EVER did. We don't have that one quite figured out yet. You have brought us such joy, but you have brought me many more sleepless nights as well. You are just so sweet that all the crying and staying awake don't even matter.

     You have taught me so many things about life. You have taught me that I can feed, bathe,(nurse 1), and put 3 kids to sleep by myself multiple days a week and not go completely crazy. You have taught me a little bit of patience. You have taught me how nothing is in our timing or our plans.You have taught me how to let some things go, and I hope to keep getting better at things for you.

     I love your big blue eyes. I love that dimple on your left cheek, it was the first thing I noticed about you in the operating room. I love how dark your hair was when you were born, but is still getting lighter by the day. I love your frown. When you get very upset, you slowly start to frown with your tiny little mouth until it turns into a scream. I love how when you are so upset and crying, I can pick you up and you feel so safe and loved that you immediately stop.  I love how excited you get about so many things. You are absolutely adorable.You really saw snow today for the first time--on your birthday-- and your eyes were amazing! You are amazing.

    I could write you a book about how much I love you, but you have two older siblings who seem to always need me too. I have tried to divide my love between the three of you. I wish I could have spent more time with just you this year, but you were perfectly happy in your swing or bouncy seat or jumper when I needed to deal with your brother and sister. I pray that I have given you everything you have needed this past year. We love you so much! Please stay little and sweet forever!

               Love,

                Mommy

 

 

 

 

 

Are you serious?

Ella Ruth.

Seriously is the most awesome baby. Even though she has had a rough past few weeks, and forgotten quite a few times how to sleep from bedtime until 7AM, she is A DOR A BLE! I've been keeping up with my monthly photos of her , since I did the weekly photos during the pregnancy:

I've told most people, but the weekly photo thing was to REMIND myself that I indeed was carrying a child. I stayed in denial right up until I was waiting with Luke being prepped for surgery. I would look at the picture each week and say to Luke, " I don't REALLY look like this do I?"

Now, I'm taking monthly pictures of Ella to capture and remind me how much she is growing and changing this first year.

SHE IS NINE MONTHS OLD NOW( as of August 25)!She has learned to do SO much in like a week span. She was just a little bit late on the sitting up thing--her head is quite larger than the rest of her body. But now that she is 9 months and sitting, she immediately went to scooting, crawling backwards, propping up on 1 leg, shimmying the blanket under her to try to crawl forward, and she LOVES every second of it. She, just today, decided to pull up onto her knees. She thinks it is HILARIOUS! She is so amazed and amused by all these new things that she is capable of doing. I love to hear her laugh!

I'm sitting!

And I can fall forward on all fours.

Then I can lunge forward and face plant too!

Watch me back it up.

It's SO FUN to be up on my knees!

Peek-a-boo! I have to stick my tongue out to do almost everything ;)

Luce and Landon , look at mommy so I can snap it when Ella looks.....

Luce, Look at mommy!

Ok Lucy, let's sit up so you don't kick her head.

Keep looking at me....

YAY! All 3 looking!

I think I'll just lounge in my bed and kick my feet up.

Yep, still spitting up.  Change my sheets, mommy.

 The kids had a blast taking pictures of her--especially because they think it is so awesome to get into Ella's bed or have Ella in their bed. I love love love watching them love her.
Real 9 month photographs coming soon! I can't wait!
Someone remind me tomorrow that we NEED to lower her bed!

She is seriously getting too big.
Too fast.
For serious!

2 months?!?!

It's been 2 months since I have sat down to write. And that means the summer is almost over =( I can already feel the seasonal depression taking over, and am trying to plan as many days at Nashville Shores as I can the next week. I'm so mad it closes (except for weekends) so early! After that, we will just have to deal with the baby pool, the sprinkler, and the splash pad.

 I have been too busy with these 3 kids. I told Luke tonight we are too busy to even clean. And we are just exhausted!

I'll throw in some pictures from the summer and let you see what we have been up to!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, Ella turned 6 months and we got some pictures made =) Thanks Canaday Photography!

 

She turned 7 months!

Worked on the fire pit a little at a time( we can't find too much of that lately!)

 

Had some family fun around the 4th

 

Swam in the lake ( and caught some nasty green or blue algae something that made me throw up--story of my life the past 2.5 years.

 

Loved watching this little one grow up. TOO MUCH growing up!

 

Made some memories with my little man!

 

Bought color coordinating clothes for my kids and niece =)

My baby turned 8 months old? NNNOOOOO! I want her back laying on my chest warm as can be, hours old, in the hospital. =(

She is just simply adorable!  We can't get enough of her. Well, I mean, since she just started this crazy waking up at 3 AM thing, I mean, that I have had WAY more than enough of.....

 

And we have of course been filling as much of our time as we can at the waterpark here, we've been hanging out at the splash pad, we've gotten shaved ice, we went to the drive-in, Landon had a week of swim lessons, we've play in the sprinkler, and we've spent much time at the Y! Busy, busy, busy!

 

I will be back at it, and not taking off  2 months before I update again =)

 

One last picture:

 

Where did she get that adorable headband you ask? Oh, well you just need to check out my new little adventure! If you have instagram, you can follow me @storkbitesandangelkisses or you can find it on http://facebook.com/storkbitesandangelkisses

 

 

 

 

4 months

It took me so long to post Ella's 3 month pictures because my computer crashed, that she is already 4 months old like one post later. Here is her monthly shot:

I couldn't get down for her to look at me because I was afraid she was going to nose-dive into the corner of the mirror! She isn't the best at holding her head right now. She is trying, and she is working hard on it! She does have a neck under there. Luke wasn't home, so I had to position myself to catch her just in case. She was looking at Landon and laughing =) So cute!

After we took her back to the doctor on Monday--because the on call doctor seemed a little concerned that she was still vomiting -- he got her some medicine to calm down her stomach, and we haven't had any throw up since Monday morning!

 She is just now getting her appetite back. She was weighing in at 11 pounds and 6 ounces about 3 weeks ago, and after being sick she is down to 11 pounds 3 ounces. I'm sure she lost well over a pound.
But you know how toddlers and kids get over a stomach bug and seem to want to eat EVERYTHING IN SIGHT at that very moment. They gain their weight back quickly. Well sweet little girl has decided she is going to SCREAM her head off and cry and yell as if the world is ending today. I think she is hungry finally. It's been a long day, that's for sure! We have a few of those individual packets of 4 ounce formula that I've used. I pumped quite a bit while she was sick because she had several days that she was only drinking pedialite ( I think she got hooked on the taste and really wants some!). But that is all frozen and waiting for a day when Mommy gets to go on vacation. Yep, I'm calling in sick, I'm taking a mental health day, I'm using my yearly vacation days, and I'm using my personal days all at once.( Yes, this really only adds up to like 3 days??!?) And I WILL NOT feel bad about it. Hopefully. I didn't leave Landon until after he turned 1 & Luke was with me. I didn't leave Lucy ( besides the hospital) until about 15 months & Luke was with me then too. This doesn't mean that I don't trust Luke over others to watch our kids. He just hasn't been alone with all 3 of them for more than 2 - 3 hours. I don't think he's gotten them all ready to be somewhere. I've mastered the single mom getting 3 kids fed and to church by 9 AM thing. But we have a totally different understanding of time frames , and how long things take. And like he says, I do this EVERY DAY.
I'm sure he will be alright! But I'm trying to send him off to the country where there might be 3 other adults to help =)

 

I need some help! I haven't even attempted to run since last year's half marathon.

Getting it done ( SLOWLY , look at the people around me) @ 2 months pregnant.

 

Half marathon #3.

I do not like running at all. I  always resort to it because it gets me back into my pre-baby weight and size. I also know if I pay a stupid amount of money to RUN, then I have to train and actually do it. But I ventured onto a treadmill  one day this week. And it only lasted .73 miles. I wasn't tired or hurting at all. But I forgot that I need like 3 sports bras to run after having babies-- especially while nursing! I need a good new running-worthy sports bra!
If I can't get some help , then I'm packing the car up to Atlanta and stopping in at LIVI RAE'S.
Have you seen the show Double Diva's? Honestly, I probably wouldn't have heard of it if I wasn't obsessed with Dance Moms. It comes on right after that. Search for it on Lifetime and DVR  a few. It's funny. Love it!
I'm not wanting to spend a bunch of money on one unless I know it is good. And my Target ones just won't cut it anymore. Apparently, Luke was going to get me a good one for my Easter basket( I must have mentioned it a few times, seriously not realizing it), but he said he went to Academy Sports and had NO CLUE about what to get.
So, leave me a comment. Help me out!

UPDATE: I got several facebook messages and comments. I received this info:
Moving Comfort is the #1 selling sports bra for running. The jubralee and Juno are our top sellers at the store.