Summer fun!

Elliot is such a little fish!

His first trip to the pool was a bit... confusing.   He wasn't exactly sure what to think of the water because it was so different compared to bath time.

He now loves being in the water!   He kicks and paddles with me and loves to splash!

The funny thing is he's not really a fan of the kiddie pool.  He'd much rather be in the bigger pool with everyone else! 

Elliot's 8 Month Letter

Dear Elliot,

            Ok, seriously?   Time flies!   Time FLIES!   Watching you grow over the past eight months has been an incredible adventure.   Being your mom is the biggest honor of my life.    Now that it is summer time ... and you're beginning to crawl ... I wanted to talk to you about several things.    This letter will focus on the beauty of curiosity as well as having an escape.

            The more you move, the more you learn.    When we first took you to the pool, you didn't know what to think.   It was definitely interesting to you.   You knew you were in water.   But where was the soap??   You knew you were wet.   But why were you in a diaper in water?    You had to become more comfortable and before we knew it you were splishing and splashing!   You gave in to your curiosity.  You learned.   You embraced.  

            Sometimes while you are playing, we will just watch you.   We are so curious as to what you are thinking as you manipulate, maneuver and move!  You're definitely a thinker!    Our hope and expectation for you as your parents is that you never stop EXPLORING your curiosity.   It's how you LEARN and GROW.    Find something you are passionate about and pursue it.    Do not let fear get in the way.   Just try.  

            Finding your passion will take you on an adventure all of your own!   But also, I want you to be able to have an escape.   Something you do for you!   Something you enjoy.   Take this escape as something to help you refresh yourself.   It could be swimming!   It could be hiking!   It could be writing!   It can be whatever you choose because it is your life.   

            For the longest time, my curiosity was if I'd ever be a mommy.   When I found out that your little heart was beating within my womb, I fell in love with you.   I became curious as to what you were doing inside of me.   Who would you look like?   When I first held you, my heart became complete.   Would I ever feel such a strong feeling of love as I did that first day?    The reality is I've learned I fall in love with you more and more each day.   Being your mommy has been the best job of my life.   I wake up in the morning super excited to greet you with our good-morning song.   I tell you each day in our song and before bed that you are my love and my joy.  So now, YOU are my escape.   After a long day of work, I am eager to get home.    I am eager to sit down and play with you.   I'm excited to spend time with you!   You are the greatest achievement of my life.   And I know you are still so little (but growing so fast!).... I want you to know how very proud I am of you!   Stay curious!   Follow your passions and be sure to find an escape, too.  :)

                                                            Love,

                                                            Mommy

Elliot's 7 month letter

Dearest Elliot! 

The theme of this letter for your 7 months is about friendship and people you can count on.

One thing your daddy and I want you to know is that we will always be here for you.   You can always count on us whenever you need to confide in us about anything!

BUT Mommy and Daddy aren't silly.   We know that there will come a time or times in your life where you feel you can't come to us about something.    It happens.  We get it!  We've been there!

For these times in your life, we have selected Godparents for you.

And just like they are there for YOU, they've also been there for me and your daddy.

Your Uncle Joe and I have known one another since I was 14 years old!  We met in 1996!    Uncle Joe and I have a great friendship and he holds a lot of the characteristics and qualities we would like you to possess as you grow into a boy and eventually a man.   

Uncle Joe will be there for you to help you understand confusing relationships and he can fix almost any problem with a joke and a smile.   Uncle Joe is awesome.   And you two get along really well.   For only being seven months old, you've got this guy wrapped around your finger!

Now... Auntie Jen!   Oh Auntie Jen!   Auntie Jen is tons of fun!!   Her and Uncle Joe together make a great pair of resources.    Auntie Jen and I have been friends since college.    We met in 2000 and she's got the Bible down!   So she can not only give you practical advice, but spiritual as well.    She is going to help you mold into a true man.   

You're not going to be slacking off on learning manners and how to treat a woman when it comes to her.   I also venture to guess that among all the lessons she will teach you, you will probably learn to love literature with her as well.   Auntie Jen can make you better in an instant.   She's got a glowing smile and gives the bestest hugs.  In fact, one of your favorite things to do is to have some snuggles with your Auntie Jen.    

These two people are two very special people in your life.

Daddy and I want you to know that you'll always be able to rely on us and your family.    We chose Auntie Jen and Uncle Joe  to guide you through the ups and downs of your life.   They're amazing people and they love you, just as much as we love you.

You are my love and my joy!

Love,

Mommy!

We took Elliot to see the Ocean...

These photos do no justice for the memories made yesterday.

Watching the ocean with my son for the first time was amazing!

We had a wonderful time!   We were all over the place, and I've got many more photos to post!

I can't believe the weekend has come to an end!   Dear Summer, Get here FAST!  :)

6 Month Letter!

Dearest Elliot,

Happy 6th Months!  You have now been in our life for well over a year and in
our arms for six months.  Time sure does fly!  You are so full of love!  So
full of energy!  So full of life!  You are curious... and daring!  You're
learning more and more each day.    You're growing so fast - it's almost as
if you're doing something new each day!

You were named after my Nana, Eleanor.  One of her favorite songs was
"Forever Young" by Rod Stewart.    When we found out you were growing in my
tummy, we had a lot of friends and family asking us to "register" for gifts.
The problem was... daddy and I were TERRIFIED of not just losing you - but
also, we were TERRIFIED of the store "Babies-r-Us."    It sounds so silly to
even be typing this, but that store was a store we avoided at all costs.
It was too painful in the past to be there because Daddy and I weren't sure
if you'd ever arrive.  We believed you would.    But again, we weren't sure
it would happen.  We must have walked into Babies-r-Us at least four or
five times before "registering."    The day we walked in and registered is
the day that we walked in and heard the song "Forever Young."    We knew God
(and your Great-Nana) were smiling down on us giving us the "ok" to start
getting excited. 

One of the things you do that really makes us smile, is you respond to
music.  You always have.  Since the moment you could hear in my womb, you
responded to music.    I remember driving home from work and hearing Adele's
song, "Rolling in the Deep" playing for the first time, and then feeling you
kick me for the first time.    It was SO COOL.    From then on, any time
that song played... you would kick.  And when you finally arrived.... I'd
rock you to sleep to her music.    You LOVE music.  Especially country
music... and anything with drums!

So, for your sixth month letter/lesson... I have for you, my dear, sweet,
miracle boy... the lyrics to "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart.    You are the
love of our life sweet boy!
Love, Mommy!


May the good Lord be with you
Down every road that you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
Surround you when you're far from home
And may you grow to be proud, dignified and true
And do unto others as you'd have done to you

Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you'll always stay
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young

May good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to Heaven
With a prince or a vagabond

And may you never love in vain
And in my heart you will remain
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young, yeah

And when you finally fly away
I'll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tell

But whatever road you choose
I'm right behind you, win or lose
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young
For, forever young, forever young

Elliot meets Auntie SB!

Elliot met his Auntie SB today!

We're so excited that he is six months old now because it means he can go up over mountains with no ear issues!    We're excited to go and visit her this summer!    She spoiled him of course - and Mommy too.    I can't wait for the two of them to have time together again!   He really enjoyed her!    :)

Happy Birthday, Mark!

Happy Birthday to my amazing husband!   My Mark!

Mark,
Thank you for always being the one I can run to - for anything.   You've been my best friend for the past ten years.   You are without a doubt, my soul mate.    Thank you for loving me unconditionally.    Thank you for standing by me through everything.   Thank you for supporting me and encouraging me with my hopes and dreams.    Through countless tears and melt downs on our road to infertility, you never let go of my hand.   Through miscarriages and let downs, you were there.   You wiped my tears.   You stood by my side.   You never made me feel "less than."   You kept our dream of being parents alive through your constant faith and optimism.   And now, on your birthday.... you have your son.    You are a phenomenal father.    Elliot is head over heels in love with his daddy.    You two are my world!  My men!   I hope this is your best birthday yet, and I'm looking forward to spending many more with you!   So happy 34th my love, but happy 1st birthday as a daddy.  We love you. 
All my love for always and forever,
Leigh Anne