Road Trippin'

We took a little (long) road trip to Tallahassee to celebrate Mimi's 70th birthday. Libby hasn't rode more than an hour at a time since we moved in June and I brought her to Aliceville from Mobile. It was rough... And I don't plan on going anywhere else anytime soon with that baby. She doesn't really understand why she has to be strapped down and not in a lap. She has a lot to learn. We did have a great trip and got to visit cousins and play. 

Sweet cousins.... I love that they love each other so much! They are showing off their friendship bracelets. 

My sweet girls 

Mimi and the grands 

Sweet Libby

No caption needed 

Much better 

Trying to make her happy

Two big girls 

Happy for a minute 

Passed out on daddy 

Month Seven

Well another month has flown by and you're doing all kinds of new things.... The biggest thing is crawling... It's still slow, but you've got it down! This completely stresses me out. It occurred to me that I'll never have a child again that I can leave and run to the bathroom and know when I return you'll be in the same place. Your favorite thing to do is torment Emory by going after her barbies and princess castle. Karma is a funny thing.... When Emory was a crawling babe, Ella would give her anything she wanted...but not Emory. It's a hard lesson that she's having to learn. You've also got two teeth on the bottom. It's a good thing they finally came through, because I was on the verge of sending you back. You are such a happy baby. Always smiling, always laughing.... You still like to be on my hip.... ALL THE TIME. 

You've decided that bananas are ok.... It's a big deal since now you eat four things instead of three. I'm really enjoying being at home with you everyday.... Even when you don't nap.... And want to be held all day. We are working hard on getting you on a better schedule..... This would be good for us all! You could help out by starting with sleeping all night. I still can't believe how far you've come! You blow my mind everyday! We love you to pieces sweet girl! 

New car seat! 

First Day of School

Ella is now a big first grader... My heart is a little sad today. She's going to my Alma Mater, Pickens Academy. Last night was open house, and we went and saw Cher classroom. That girl was so excited about school starting, she couldn't go to sleep last night. This morning, she had no problem getting up and dressed this morning. I think going to a small school is going to be great for her! She has the sweetest teacher! There are 5 girls and 10 boys in her class. I think it's going to be a great year! I can hardly wait for her to get home and fill me in on her day! 

Six Months Old

Baby Love is already 1/2 a year old.... Is this really possible? Libby, you couldn't be a sweeter baby. You love to cuddle! You've started the "I want mommy and if she leaves my sight, I will flip out" stage. I love you too little love, but I can't permanently attach you to my hip. You only like green beans and squash and will lock your lips and turn your head when trying anything else. This teething thing is for the birds. You've got the tip of one coming through and your gums are swollen and I'm pretty sure there's another ready to break through.... I just wish it would come on, already! You are a little roller now... And also inching like an inchworm. I'm not ready for you to start crawling, but you are getting ready! You've also started sitting up this month. You get excited and fall over, but you are getting the hang of it! 

Things you love:

1. Your big sisters... You laugh hysterically at them when they dance around you like monkeys.

2. Dogs... They are so interesting!

3. Mommy (read above)

4. Your grandparents....especially Jeje.. 

5. Going outside and swinging

I wish I could bottle your sweetness up. You've come so far in 6 months. I thank God for you everyday! You are truly a blessing to all around you!

Six Years Old

Ella Craker is SIX! I can't believe my first born is already 6 and about to start 1st Grade. Ella has always been my little sidekick. Last week, the two of us went shopping for school supplies and some school clothes. It's nice to have one on one time with each of my girls, but it dawned on me during our shopping trip that we are doing a pretty good job raising Ella.... I know that might sound a little conceited, but we really are.... Ella is a sweet, kind, unselfish, and acting little girl. Her heart is huge, and even though she has her typical 5 year old moments, she is an amazing kiddo! I can't believe 6 years ago, after an awful labor and delivery, I'll spare the details, I held this sweet baby girl in my arms. Ella made me a mom.... I'm so thankful that God chose me to be her mom. I couldn't ask for a better big sister to Emory and Libby. For her birthday, we took two of her friend SS and went to Tuscaloosa and got manicures and pedicures. Then we went and are lunch at one of her favorite places. For dinner, my parents and grandparents came over and Cam grilled steaks. Ella was born on my granddaddy's 75th birthday. I always am so thankful on Ella's birthday.....one of the many reasons is because we still have my granddaddy with us. His health has declined in the past few years but he's still kicking it and there's nothing he loves more than being with his family. 

One tired 6 year old 

Cousins

There is no boy I love more than my nephew. He's the closest thing I'll ever have to a boy of my own. I HATE the fact they live so far away. I'm hoping that will change someday soon! When my brother and sister in law told me they were pregnant, I was ecstatic! I couldn't wait to spoil him or her! When I found out a few weeks later that I was expecting, I was so excited that these two babies would grow up together! We have big plans for them! Even though they are just 6 months old, they love each other already. Ella and Emory adore the little man! It's fun to have some blue in our life! 

They came for a visit this weekend and we had a great weekend! I am already counting the days until they come back! 

I love Ella's face in this picture. Priceless! 

The Big Move

For a year or so now, Cameron and I have talked about moving closer to family. It's something that has always been in the back of our minds. Mobile is a great place to live, but when you have 3 little ones and no family, it was hard...and it got harder. With Cam working from home, we can live anywhere. I had already planned on not going back to work, so we decided to put the house on the market just to see what happened. It sold in 6 days to the first couple that looked at it. At first, we said we would live in Tuscaloosa. Then I felt like we would have the same issues that we had in Mobile (traffic, going non-stop, school issues). So we decided to give small town living a shot. We are now in the town I grew up in... A little place called Aliceville. It doesn't look like much as you ride through, but there is so much here. We see Jeje and Pops everyday and Namaw and Granddaddy most every day. The other night at 930, I was making a cake for July 4th and realized I had no vegetable oil. Jeje brought me some... How lovely! The girls are adjusting great. The only thing they don't like is all the bugs! The house sits in the woods, and we are having to learn to love all of God's creatures. Stay tuned for more stories from the country! So far, we love it! 

Yes it took 2 trucks 

Boxes to unpack