{monthdate} five months!

Dear Ellie,

     You are such a joy to have in our life and we feel so blessed that God chose us to be your parents.  Our dream came true when you became our daughter.  It has been so much fun watching you grow and learn this past month and we know that that is just going to continue to be a highlight of our days!  Yesterday we had a faux celebration for your 5 Monthday with your Auntie, Uncles, Cousins, and G-parents.  You were so excited to have your monthday today that you woke up at 3 am to party with a 5 ounce bottle then back to sleep.  A couple hours later you got to come into the bed for snuggles for an hour before getting up for the day.

We have done some exciting things this month and you are just loving life!!

You had your first fever and visit to the doctor for an "un-well" baby check and broke the tongue depressor.  We got to have lunch with your birth parents and brother.

You went to the pumpkin patch and had your first "solid" food of Rice Cereal and you liked it!

You started to sit on your own and blow bubbles, babble, and giggle.  You have also started the nasty teething process, but staying true to form you are a total trooper!!

Stats: No official stats as we don't have a 5 month appointment

Height: guessing around 25"

Weight: somewhere in the 15 pound range

Head: larger than 16"

Food: eating about 6 ounces at each feeding for about 24-28 ounces a day.

Diapers: size two. 

Clothes: 0-3 months are getting small so we are going to switch you up to the 3-6 month. 

Sleeping: pretty well through the night 7-10 hours. And then still has a few naps during the day. 

Cries: when hungry and sometimes when she is tired or unsettled or when her teeth are hurting.

Loves: eating, diaper changes, her crib mobile, holding her blankets, making funny faces, her exersaucer and walker, "talking" with us (or herself), blowing bubbles and SITTING. 

Hates: still not a big fan of getting her boogers out and being hungry.  She also doesn't like the taste of hand sanitizer on our fingers.

Mama's proudest moment:  Getting to watch her sit on her own for the first time.

Daddy's proudest moment: Watching Ellie sit on her own and play with her toes.

Oops of the month: Stellar parents this month no oops come to mind.

Things we are looking forward to: Ellie making progress towards crawling and talking. 

Sweet sweet Ellie Faith you are just the cutest baby and so happy.  Thank you for being such a good girl and filling our lives with so much love, joy, happiness, and laughter.

Love,

Mama and Daddy

Five on Friday

Linking up again for another post for Five on Friday.

1.

Ellie is a teething maniac so we are going to get her one of those Baltic amber necklaces on Saturday.  She also loves to blow bubbles and make lots of noises.

2.

I signed up for ebates.com I've heard lots of things about it and finally decided that I would join the following. And I'm so glad that I did shopping online is so much fun and it's awesome when you get paid to shop. I finally found a black onesie for Ellie so I ordered it through ebates.com and can't wait for it to arrive. 

3.

I am almost ready for a nursery reveal of Ellies room. It has been certainly a long process to get this done and I had a few finishing touches of DIY that I just hadn't found the energy to complete and I am planning on getting those done this weekend.

4. 

I found a recipe for a pumpkin crunch cake and I made it and we have been eating all week for breakfast and dessert it's delicious. It's basically a dump cake that you put pumpkin as the base on the bottom. Recipe to come soon.

5.

I'm so excited to announce that we are finally going to a pumpkin patch on Sunday with our families. We're going to go and pick out a pumpkin for Ellie and get lots of pictures. And then afterwards were coming back to our house and we are having a pumpkin carving contest! We are also going to have a delicious meal of pumpkin soup, chicken salad, and again the pumpkin crunch cake with Apple Cider to drink!

-Ashley 

{weekly update} week 21

Oh sweet Ellie Faith, how can you already be 21 weeks.  It feels like just yesterday we were bringing you home from Spokane.  You have grown so much and become so much more aware of your world and I just love it.  You are so much fun right now and you complete our family.

Diet: Well our sweet little darling is eating 24-28 ounces a day and has had a few 8 ounce feedings!  She is still exclusively on Similac Sensitive Formula, though I think we are going to try Rice Cereal here pretty soon as she is watching us eat and sitting up!!

Crying: Not too bad. Little Miss E still cries when tired or hungry.  However, I am pretty sure she has started teething so we have a little more action on the crying now.  Not too bad but you can tell that she is in pain sometimes.

Sleep: I would say that the teething has affected her sleeping a little bit but she is still going about 8 hours at night.  Her naps have been a little bit off as well but we are still able to get things done.

Clothes: The Pie is starting to grow a little too long for her 0-3 month sized onesies so I think we are going to have to move her up here pretty soon.  And she is also in size 2 diapers.

Social: Girlfriend is the social girl!!  She still loves to meet new people (and of course see people she knows).  She has been shopping a few times, gone to get hay for the horses and out to lunch with her birth parents (we were there too).

Baby Gear Love: Sitting is her new fave thing.  Though she loves to be in her Exersaucer. She also loves her pink princess Walker (old hand me down) she is still too short to touch the ground but she LOVES to go racing around the kitchen - big smiles and she holds her hands up in the air like she is on a roller coaster! Her O'Ball Rattle is still a huge hit as is her Cloud B Gentle Giraffe at nap time.

Milestones: Baby Girl is teething, blowing bubbles, and sitting up on her own (she does topple occasionally so we can't leave her alone).  Also LOTS of talking!  It is so sweet to hear her little voice and giggles/squeals!

Mama: I am more in love with this little girl every day!  I am loving her recognizing me when I get home and giving me that big gummy smile (that might not be for much longer!) and all the cuddles she wants right now. She truly is a gift from God and has been so great during my times of difficulty. 

Sweet girl you are so beautiful and growing into such a lovely little lady. You are proving to be quite the trooper and I am ever so grateful. I love you so very much and cannot wait to see what happens this next week!!

-Ashley

Our Weekend

No pictures for this post.

We had a great weekend, we are FINALLY starting to feel better and the weather was awesome!

Friday morning at 3:45AM Ellie decided to host a talk show in her bassinet.  She started out interviewing herself and then tried to include me in her show.  When I wouldn't respond she just answered for me and continued with her show like it was no big deal.  I wasn't trying to get up yet so I had to shut this talk show down, I put a "plug" in her (pacifier) and then cuddled her and she fell asleep for the rest of the night in my arms.

On Saturday we had our first meeting with Ellie's birth parents and brother.  They came all the way over from Spokane and we met with them at Applebee's.  My biggest fear for the whole get together was that Ellie was going to be afraid of them, if she was my heart would break!  Luckily girlfriend was on her best behavior and just the little charmer.  She got passed around the table so many times and they took LOTS of pictures of her.  I have to say that Applebee's is probably one of my least favorite spots to eat but we had a nice time.  I got a burger to eat and it was pretty good except it was a little dry.  The fries were delish as was the bacon.

One of the best parts of the meeting was getting to see Ellie "sitting" next to her brother and see how much the look alike.  They looked like twins on their birth days (we got to see a picture of him) and have very similar facial features.  We also learned that he had the faux hawk too when he was her age.  He is a total cutie patootie and gives me great hope that Ellie will continue to be adorable.

The meeting went great and it was fun to see Ellie's birth parent interact with her and to get to see them again and give them our eternal thanks.  I am sure that sometimes these meetings can be super awkward but God really gave us the couple to give us the best experience.

On Sunday, it was our week to volunteer in the Nursery at Church and since Thomas still wasn't feeling 100% he went up to the service and Ellie and I hung out in the nursery together.  There were two other babies (8 months and 13 months) and it was fun to see Ellie watching them.  The 8 month old was very interested in Ellie and tried to touch her face but then pulled her hand back at the last second and then Ellie started to cry!  Just a little whimper for about 15 seconds then she was good as new.  Ellie also loved showing off her new skill of being able to sit!  I was also able to get my Halloween decorations up in the house.  (now just waiting for the lawn to get mowed so I can put out the graveyard!)

How was your weekend?

♥ Ashley

Five on Friday

I am linking up with The Good Life for another round of Five on Friday!

1.

Ellie is 20 weeks this week, that is like half of a pregnancy.  You can read about her update here!

We are so totally in love with her and can't wait for what the coming weeks will bring! 

 

2.

 We have had a sick house the past couple of weeks.  First I came home with it and then Ellie got sick and then Thomas got sick.  Bot myself and Ellie are healthy so we are staying away from daddy as much as we can.  So I have been sleeping on the couch in the living room with Ellie nearby in the bassinet.

3.

 I wrote a confession on my blog.  I have been thinking about it for a long time and after a lot of reflection and the gumption I put it out there.  To see what I was confessing about you can read the post here.

4.

 I made a pumpkin pie this week and it was delish!  I was feeling a little lazy (probably from feeling unwell) so instead of making a pie crust I made a graham cracker crust and let me tell you: Pumpkin Pie with a Graham Cracker Crust is awesome! I just works so well!  For the Pumpkin Pie recipe go here.

5. 

I made an About Me page and updated My Infertility Journey page.

♥ Ashley

Confessional

I am totally an open book but I don't like to share things about my life. I know it's weird because I'm a blogger and my life is the topic pf this blog, but its true. I mean I share it eventually to someone or all of you. But it takes me a while. And it takes a lot of prying. 

Don't get me wrong here, I share about the good in my life but struggle with the trials. Maybe it was the way I was raised but I am one tough cookie. Unless its broken then you shouldn't cry about the pain nor is it an excuse to not do your job. That is how I am. 

I know that others are not like me. They are more sensitive to these things or at least handle them differently. It's kinda like when parents make a big deal when their kid "hurts" them-self it teaches the kid to over react at a paper cut. 

I know I have a high pain tolerance and that was made clear to me when I experienced my first ectopic pregnancy and Fallopian tube rupture. The pain (both physical and emotional) was intense, the worst I had ever experienced. So bad I was puking. But I still went to work and pushed through it. It wasn't until I fainted that I decided to go to the doctor/hospital. Or when I work through my migraines. While they aren't   my favorite I can still do my job. I don't find them an excuse to take a sick day or go home early.  But that's me and I try to not complain to others about it. 

I don't like complaining in general. I don't like to complain because I don't like sympathy or rather I don't like pity. I feel that some people thrive on that. I can't stand it. I can take care of myself and don't like to burden others with some of the things I go through in my life. Though I want to be comforted. God comforts me and gives me peace but sometimes a hug really helps, whether the individual knows it or not that greeting hug you gave me made my day!

But the weird thing is I want to know when others are hurting so I can try to comfort them. I like to be the listener and the shoulder to cry on. But I don't like to be that vulnerable or weak. That's what it really is. I don't want people to think or see me being weak. But I want them to know I am hurting. So I can get the comfort but I don't want the pity. It's a vicious cycle. And I am stuck in the middle of it. 

My trouble is I don't know how to tell people when I am hurting. What is the right timing? Do I have to look forlorn for them to ask me how I'm doing? Or do I just come out and say it at the greeting? Then if I do tell them are they going to think about it every time they see me or talk to me?  I want people to be able to pray for me in my times of need but it is so hard for me to share with them that I need the prayer. 

What about you? How do you share your hurt with others? Are you afraid of seeming weak or receiving pity?

-Ashley

{weekly update} week 20

Oh my how are we already at 20 weeks? That is just crazy! That is like half a pregnancy!!! Our sweet little girl has been such a joy to have this week and we are more and more in love with her every day. I am feeling so much better and enjoying all of the snuggles that I get to have with Little Miss E!!

Diet: Ellie is quite the eater she eats 6 ounces at most of her feedings. Still eating Similac sensitive formula. I think we will probably introduce some solid foods here in the next couple of weeks. Any recommendations on the first foods that we should try, aside from rice cereal?

Crying: Girlfriend is feeling so much better and really only cries when hungry or tired. However we did have a few frightful wake ups this week when she woke up crying but a bottle soothed her.

Sleep: Pie's sleeping has been a little off this week probably because she's recovering from being sick. We are back to a 1 o'clock waking in the morning with a feeding. I think that she will go back to her routine here in the next couple of days now that she is feeling better. But we are still looking at about six hour stretches of sleep! She might have been off too since I got sick, Thomas slept in the living room with her and then once I got better Thomas got sick so I've been sleeping in the living room with her. She is still in her bassinet "in our room". 

Social: Little Miss E didn't really get to venture out much this week since our whole house was sick. We did have to go and get hay for the horses and a part for a broken toilet so she joined us with that as well. Yesterday we did run to my dads office and to the store. She did not get to go to her Nanny's house because Nanny is also sick, boo.

Clothes: Ellie Faith is starting to grow out of her 0 to 3 months clothes so I'm going to have to get the next size up ready for her.

Baby Gear Love: EF is still in love with her Exersaucer and we got a walker for her. She is too short for the walker but really loves to play with the toys on the tray. She loves to lay in her crib watching her mobile and loves to play with her Oball rattle.

Milestones: Ellie can sit on her own for about 30 seconds before she need some assistance!  She also kicks and splashes when she takes her bath.

Mama: I am so happy to be feeling better so that I can hold and snuggle and cuddle my sweet baby girl. A little bit of a rough week emotionally but every time I look at this sweet little face I smile.

Dear sweet Ellie Faith I love you so much and you're just the cutest sweetest little baby and such a trooper.

-Ashley 

{weekly update} week 19

I missed Ellie's update yesterday because I have been hit by the plague, or something like that. It happened last week and I realized that I haven't taken any pictures of Ellie this week. Maybe because she is sick too. We are a mess in this house and just praying for healing and health. 

I still can't believe that I have known and had this little gem in my life for 19 whole weeks!! I am deeply in love with her and it just keeps getting better and better (even though we are sick)

Diet: Even though she's sick she still has quite an appetite and the still getting about 24 to 26 ounces a day. She is still eating Similac sensitive formula exclusively.

Sleep: Again Pie is sick so her sleep schedule has been a little bit off but she is still wanting to  sleep. She is taking lots of naps and sleeping about 6 to 7 hours at night getting up at 4:30 in the morning. 

Crying: Baby girl has been crying a lot more than usual because she's not feeling well and her nose is very congested so probably out of discomfort. But as usual she still cries when hungry or overly tired.

Clothes: Girlfriend is still wearing 0 to 3 months size clothes, she's quite the fashionista!

Baby Gear Love: Even though little Miss E is under the weather she still really enjoys playing with her Exersaucer. Still a really big fan of blankets or anything that she can hold onto, her Oball rattle, and she loves looking at herself in the mirror. 

Milestones: Ellie is being much more vocal and talkative this week so fun hearing her voice!!

Mama: I have been sick for the past week or so and I've been missing holding onto my baby girl because I don't want to get her more sick so Thomas has been quite the husband and father taking care of both of us. We are so lucky to have him be the man in our lives. Aside from being sick and not getting a hold my baby life has been pretty good. 

Sweet sweet Ellie Faith I love you so much. You are just so adorable and I am so thankful every day that I get to be your mama!!

-Ashley 

[birthdays] Happy 5th Birthday Sakari

This little sweetheart, Sakari, is 5 years old today!! I still remember the day we picked her up. It was the Sunday after Thanksgiving (our first married Thanksgiving). We had done a lot of research and looking for just the right Husky. I had made a promise to Thomas 2 years earlier that I would get him a Husky (his fave dog breed) for our first Married Christmas - I think that's the reason he proposed (haha). 

She was just the cutest little thing all fluffy and floppy. All of our research proved to be good because she is THE BEST DOG EVER. So well behaved and really has the best personality. She loves everyone and has a great temperament. Especial for a husky.

So here's to you Sakari-bear. Happy Birthday Sweetheart. 

And in case you are wondering about her name. It is Inuit and actually means "sweet" and she definitely lives up to her namesake!

-Ashley 

Baby Wearing

Hey there blog world!! I am posting from my phone today so I can't do my links how I like to. 

My friend Elise that I met through Wifessionals

 Cara Box exchange is doing a series on baby

 wearing. Here is a link to her first post and I 

loved it!! Hopefully you will learn a lot from it!!

http://beexthree.blogspot.com/2013/09/babywearing-basics-benefits.html

Five on Friday

Hey there!! I am linking up with "The Good Life" for a Five on Friday post.  I have seen many bloggers do these posts but haven't quite gotten into it.  Then my dear friend Meagan started doing these posts and I just had to join in this week!!

::ONE::

I finally got some Fall decorations up around the house.  I love fall and its such a nice change to have a season to decorate my house with.  I find a struggle within myself about decorating for Halloween.  I love all my halloween decorations and having them up but I always find it difficult to find a good time to put them out, I don't think they should be out longer than my Christmas Decorations so I think that the first weekend of October is a good date. I will do a Fall Decor Home Tour here pretty soon.

::TWO::

Ellie had her 4 month appointment and was a stellar patient.  It only took her a few minutes to calm down after her shots and her Doctor said she is one of the cutest babies!!  I can't help but agree. Ellie also got her first fever this week and has some serious nose congestion.

::THREE::

Fall is in the air and we started up Soup Sunday's again in our house.  It was something that I thought I would try all year but it just gets too hot in the summer, and to be honest soup gets boring after a while.  This week I made Cream of Carrot soup again.  You can find the recipe here and it is delish!

::FOUR::

I posted about our adoption finalization and finally got it online on the blog.  The official date is September 6th.  We are so happy that Ellie is officially ours and love seeing our names on a birth certificate.

::FIVE::

It's finally Friday and we are looking forward to a relaxing weekend and recovering since all three of us are feeling under the weather.  We also have started doing some food prep on the weekends and it makes it pretty nice for lunches and meals/snacks throughout the week. Why have I not done that before??

♥ Ashley

{weekly update} week 18

It feels like I just wrote Ellie's 16 week update but here we are two weeks later. Ellie is now officially 4 months old and we have the go ahead to feed her solids when we are ready. I think that I will wait until she shows interest in our eating before we give her anything. We have had a total blast this week with little munchkin becoming more involved in her world!

Diet: Girlfriend I eating about 5 meals a day with 4-6 ounces each. We have been able to get her to eat 6 ounces at least twice a day and moved her up to a level 2 nipple and she is much happier!!

Crying: same old same old. When hungry, tired or bored. And if she gets some sort if owie. 

Sleep: EF is sleeping about 10 hours at night and then a few naps throughout the day. 

Clothes: Ellie Pie is still wearing 0-3 months clothes. Sizes are weird though some brands they barely fit and others she is swimming in them. Most clothes are Carter's or Old Navy. 

Social: Pie went to Costco, Toys R Us, Target and then to her Nanny and Papa's house on Saturday. She also got to go on a few walks with Miss J around our neighborhood and I took her on one too. She is a super good girl and a little trooper!

Baby Gear Love: Little Miss E is in love with any sort of blanket (bib, burp cloth or blanket) to hol on to. She also really likes her OBall rattle and her Exersaucer. The mirror we got her for tummy time is still a big hit as is her Skip Hop Activity Mat. She also gets so excited when she goes in her crib to see her "friends" dance and fly in the mobile. And the puppies have become a new fave. Much to my surprise Cooper is way better with her than Sakari. 

Milestones: level two nipple. Splashes in her baths. Sticking her fingers in her mouth for chewing and many other things are being discovered that way too. Passed her rattle from left hand to right hand!!! 

Mama: I had a bit of a rough week personally and then I got sick in Thursday and am still recovering.  But this sweet little one just made me smile!

Little Ellie we love you and are so happy we get to have you in our lives!!

-Ashley