My Blessings

After watching coverage of the devastating storms that ripped through Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, I have been praying and reflecting on what's most important in my life. Everything can be taken from you in the blink of an eye, and I take that for granted. Living on the Gulf Coast, I have been through many hurricanes, but never one that did a lot of damage, thank goodness! My heart goes out to all the people that have lost loved ones and everything that have. I heard about a friend that I knew from Aliceville that now lives in the Holt area that lost everything. He has a 5 year old little girl and a baby boy due in 2 weeks. The pictures and videos that I keep seeing make my heart hurt. Tuscaloosa is like home to me. I know it will be a long time until it is recognizable. Please keep the people that have lost so much in your prayers.
I thank the Lord daily for all that I have been blessed with. I thank him for a wonderful family, a job, an amazing husband, friends, and the list goes and on. But most of all, I thank him for the two most precious things that he has given me...Ella and Emory. They are my heart, that is for sure!

Easter Egg Hunt

A Craker Easter

We had a wonderful Easter weekend in Aliceville. Cameron was in Texas coaching volleyball so the girls and headed to Aliceville. We had a great visit with family. Ella did some Easter Egg hunting and loved it. The Easter Bunny even found Jeje and Pops' house. On Easter Day we enjoyed a wonderful service at the church I grew up in and then lunch with the family. It was a great weekend but it went by too fast,

Picking My Battles

I never really understood the term "Pick Your Battles" like I do now...of course after teaching 8 years there are times I know a kid is not doing exactly what they should be but I let it go because fussing sometimes does more harm than good....now that Emory is here and Ella has figured out she is here for good, have really began to PICK MY BATTLES....

Sunday aftenoon after Ella woke from her nap she wanted to go outside and play with her bubbles. It was a beautiful day and I told her to go out and I would be out with Emory in a few minutes. When she went out she was fully dressed....and this is what I walked out to. I wanted to fuss at her for stripping down but then I had to laugh...these pics will get some good laughs one day when she is 16 or so and I pull them out to show her boyfriend.

I used to see kids out in public wearing the strangest things and now I know why....We wear princess shoes, tutus, and dress up clothes out...who cares? Most of the time when someone takes a double take at my little trend setter they laugh....and it makes me feel better to know that Ella has brought a smile to someone. Having a 2 year old has definitely made me understand the meaning of "Pick Your Battles"

Two Months Old...

Two months old! Wow, time is flying by and I don't think I like it too much! I had a ton of pictures to upload but I keep getting an error so I stopped trying before I threw this computer across the room... :)

We went to the Dr. today for Emory's 2 month checkup and all is well! She weighs 13 pounds and is 24 1/2 inches long. At 2 months, Ella was 2 pounds heavier and 2 inches longer...Emory has always been a little smaller than Ella so I am not surpised.

After switching formulas 4 times, I think we are FINALLY on the right track. Now she is on soy formula...she has a milk allergy and it took 2 months to find the right formula but now I think we are good to go.

My favorite things about Emory:

1. The looks that you give....you are so intense with your facial expressions

2.The way you bobble your head....you think you can hold it up just fine, but let's face it kiddo, you are only 8 weeks not 8 months.....

3. You are a close talker....When I am holding you, you get as close to my face as possible....maybe you are trying to give me kisses, or maybe you are trying to tell me something....either way, I love it!

4. Your crooked smile....

5. The love your big sister has for you....it blows my mind...

6. When I hold you up like you are standing....you start trying to jump....and make this funny sound....maybe you are going to be our volleyball star!

7. Your sweet sweet noises.....when I rock you, change you, bathe you, feed you, and even when you are sleeping....

I could go on and on....

The other night Ella was talking to you and playing with you and I turned to your Daddy and told him I couldn't wait for you to get bigger so you and Ella could play together and be the best of friends, but I take that back...stay litle Emory...

We love you!

Happy 7 Weeks Emory

These last 7 weeks have flown by...maybe it is because I have been in a sleep deprived haze....

Exactly 7 weeks ago, you were born and it was one of the two best days of my life. You came into this world kicking and screaming and I knew then that you were going to keep us on our toes....and that, you have Emory.

You are finally starting to get on a schedule....you get up around 8, eat, and then go back to sleep until 11 or so, you wake up, eat, and then play (or look around while mommy holds you or puts you in the Moby Wrap), you catnap off and on until around 3, then eat and go back to sleep for awhile....once Ella gets home from school, she wakes you up and you fuss a little, then go back to sleep. Around 10 you get your last bottle and then usually sleep well until 4ish.....I think you are finally realizing that nighttime is for sleeping and not partying!

You started to smile this week....like REALLY smile...it is usually when I am talking to you and I do believe you think I am crazy already...some of the looks you give are hilarious. Your little personality has really started shining through the last few weeks.

We love you Emory Craker! :)

1 day old 7 weeks old

Fun With the Girls...

A few pics of my silly big girl and serious little girl.

Emory has developed quite the personality. She and Ella (as a newborn) are very different. Ella rarely fussed and was easy going and laid back....Emory, on the other hand, wants what she wants when she wants it. It's a good thing she is so cute and looks like me or I might send her back.... :)

I think I am finally figuring out this mom of two thing....Between bottles, cleaning, cooking, washing clothes, potty training, two year old tantrums, and playing, that is...I sometimes think going from one to two is harder than going from zero to one. I am trying to love every second because I know that before I know it, Emory will be Ella's age and Ella will be in Kindergarten... sniff...sniff...

Ella stole Jeje's glasses....she looks so smart, even with chocolate on her mouth

Thinking about giving mommy a grin... There it is....

There is nothing sweeter than seeing Ella love and play with her little sister

Ouch!

Well, Ella had her first trip to the ER after a fall at daycare this week. Daycare called and told me she had fallen and needed to go the Dr. When we got there she was laughing and smiling until she saw us and then she had a major meltdown. We took her to the Dr. and once the nurse looked at it she said it could probably be glued back together. Then the Dr. came in and took a look at it and while she was cleaning it, it came open and started gushing blood. I thought I was going to pass out. Blood doesn't really bother me, but this time it did! An hour later, many tears, and a lot of screaming, and three stitches later, we left.

She was a trooper, after all, she is only 2 1/2.

She has had lots of extra loving this week. :)