Sissy will always hold your hand

I'm an only child, so I've not ever experienced the bond that these girls have or will have in the future, but it makes my heart soar to see the love growing each day.

The BIG Red Man

I know the BIG Red Man has come and gone, but I wanted to share pictures of the girls with Santa this year. We just got them in the mail a couple of days ago.

A very blessed Christmas

We had such a very blessed Christmas and are so grateful Ms. Ellison was here to complete our family this year. Wednesday before Christmas we went to the candlelight service at Church and then went to Red Lobster with my parents. I am not exaggerating when I say Hadley had at least, if not more than 30 shrimp scampi and popcorn shrimp. The girl loves her shrimp.


Christmas Eve we made cookies for Santa. My mom had to help, because I quit after cutting out two angel cookies. Why does it have to be so stinking hard? We let Hads decorate. Here she is getting down to business, decorating some Angel cookies. Notice the focus, sleeves rolled up, these are going to be some good cookies.

It really wouldn't be any fun, unless there was a mess involved.

Every cook worth her salt, must lick test.

Hope Santa is hungry, these Angels are ready for him.

Ellison thought all the cookie decorating was overrated since she couldn't have one and decided to sleep right through it.

Each year we let Hadley open a package on Christmas Eve. Here she is surveying the loot, trying to make her decision.

I have made my decision, put the camera down, I'm ready to open my present.

Sis we have to go to bed soon, Santa is coming.

Wow I think Santa enjoyed our Angel cookies.

Santa brought Hadley a princess bike and Ellison an activity table for when she gets a little older.

Could I think I'm any cooler?

Another tradition from when I was little, an apple and an orange in your stocking. Look at how happy she is with simple fruit, awesome.

Ahh, the power of green.

One of her favorite toys is a puzzle, and it is quite entertaining to watch her put it together when she cheats.

Christmas night posing. I was hoping to get one of the girls together, but someone was not having it, but it wasn't' this little girl, who hasn't met a camera she doesn't like.

This is the reluctant reindeer. Ellison's Nana Vicki and Dr. Tim bought her the sweetest little outfit with the cutest hat but she was not interested in having her picture made. Last night was the first night since she has been home that she has been fussy, I think she had a belly ache.

At the end of their trip, PawPaw finally held Ms. Ellison.

Sporty made a few trips around the driveway and took a tumble before she gave up because she was cold.

Her absolute favorite part of the bike was the water bottle, which she insisted on having filled up for her big ride. Before she even made one lap, she had to take a water break.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and has a Happy New Year!!!!

Merry Christmas

From: The Goofball

Hads and El A

Hadley 2005

**********

Ellison 2009

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Check up A ok

Ellison had her one month check up today. Little miss weighs in at 8lbs 9 oz and is 21 3/4 inches long. The nurse did a double take on her height, she couldn't believe she had grown almost two inches in a month. Here's hoping Ellison escaped my height challenges. Here we are waiting. I thought Ellison would have a problem given how long we had to wait and how she hates being naked, but she didn't make a peep the whole visit. Such a sweet little angel.

I AM

I AM One month old today

• I am eating 3 ounces every 3 hours.
• I am still wearing newborn clothes and newborn diapers.
• I am enjoying more and more awake time, but still love my sleep.
• I am content 99.9% of the time, I rarely cry.
• I am now beginning to focus on objects, even watching TV with sis.
• I am picking my head up and moving it from side to side, when I am laying on my belly.
• I am on a special formula, I seem to have a sensitive tummy.
• I am a snuggler.
• I am so loved.

Merry Christmas

Her GraceLESSness

Tonight was Hadley's Christmas Party/PJ Party/Parent Watch night at dance class. It was a time for the parent's to see what the children have learned. Mine not so much, looks about the same as she did last year. She still lacks grace, could care less that she lacks grace, completely willing to use her gracelessness for a laugh and never takes herself seriously. I'm learning to love her carefree nature. She was slightly more focused during the dances than she has been in the past, she at least attempted to do the moves everyone else was doing.

Video

Drummer girl

Yesterday was our Christmas play at Church. It was a wonderful show, the kids really worked hard on it. This was Hadley's first year participating and all I can say is she was Hadley. I honestly think when she grows up she will be on some version of some show like Saturday Night Live. She is in her own little world and it honestly does not phase her in the least (see photos below). Hadley had a solo during the show, I will try and get the video up. She repeated one of the lines twice, but was able to keep going and didn't stop so her error wasn't too noticeable. Although, Wayne knew immediately. Seeing as they have been singing the song for months and she knew it word for word. However, I can't imagine the stage fright of being in front of all those people, let alone the pressure a little 4 year old might feel. I think she recovered rather well. The girl's BellBell came to visit and see the show and as a surprise, Nana Vicki was able to come too. She got to meet Ellison for the first time.

Hadley quite early in the show, still participating.

Still hanging with the kids.

Hmm, I think I'm done now. When I asked what they were suppose to wear Amy said Christmas shirts/sweaters and jeans. Something they won't play with. Really when I first looked at this sweater I didn't see how she would play with it. It is now so obvious. The unbuttoned part became wings and the fur around the hood was so soft when she was rubbing it on her face. Sorry Amy!!!!

Still playing with my wings. At one point towards the end of the show, she even pulled the sweater back and began rubbing her stomach, with a puppy dog face. She was trying to tell us how hungry she was.

I'm thinking Wayne was telling her she needed to at least smile, if she wasn't going to participate and this is her mocking him in return.

You know everyone else is singing, but I think this part needs a little circle dance.

I think I will rest my foot on the same place that I got my shoe stuck during practice and fell.

I don't have pictures, but after Hadley sang her song and took the present down to baby Jesus, she fell going down the stairs then fell going back up the stairs. She just smiled not embarrassed at all. Then as Amy introduced everyone, she felt it was time to work on her shoe strings, oblivious to what was going on. The girl marches to her own drummer and we are going to have to learn to live with it.

Santa Baby

Yesterday, morning we went and had milk and cookies with Santa. The girls got their pictures made with Santa and so did I. I held Ellison next to Santa, while Hadley jumped right up in his lap. Oh to flash back two years ago when Hadley was screaming in terror, holding on to me for dear life. Here is the family, notice Ellison is sleeping.
Hadley enjoyed the milk and cookies, notice Ellison is asleep.

Hadley decided we would have our photo op in the corner, notice Ellison still sleeping.

There was story time too, although it didn't hold their attention for very long.

Oh and here's Ellison sleeping on her changing table when we got home, the excitement was just too much for her. I am amazed by having a baby that I can take places and just sleeps. At 3 weeks old Hadley was wide awake if we went anywhere, making her presence known.

Aren't the girl's dresses cute? Their BellBell made them for them. So sweet.