Life is Good....Busy but Good!

We have had a busy week. Ella Claire turned 4 months on Wednesday. We spent the morning with Aunt Wes and Bree Bree. The girls took their first bath together. (I'll post pics if someone would send them to me. HINT HINT WESLEY CAROLINE!) Then, EC or easy, as we sometimes end up calling her, had an appointment with her doctor and got her shots. It was not a fun afternoon to say the least.

Bryan...a.k.a..Uncle Bine is coaching Bree's training t-ball team in Morrison. He is so good with the kids. My mom keeps telling people, when they ask which kid on the team is his, that he was a good uncle before he was a good daddy! They had their 1st game today. It was a hoot! Bryan seemed to be getting more exercise than any of the kids. LOL They all did so good though! Ella Claire also seemed to enjoy watching all the bigger kids. It's amazing how she already watches Bree's every move......and Bree is just crazy about "Baby Ee-ah." I hope they always like each other as much as they do right now. :)

It's also been an exciting time at home. Ella Claire tried cereal for the 1st time tonight and pear juice for the 1st time on Friday. She is laughing all the time now and she even noticed herself in the mirror for the 1st time this morning while I was getting ready.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful tax free weekend!

Spring is in the Air!

I love love love this time of the year. Ella Claire and I went to the greenhouse on Saturday afternoon with Wes, Bree, Gran, Great Granny Ruthie and NiNi. We had so much fun. We picked out some new guinea impatiens and a pink mandevilla. We are planning on setting them out tomorrow. Ella Claire also has a new red hummingbird feeder outside her window. A special thanks goes to Ruthie for all our goodies. :) I am so amazed at how much Ella Claire loves being outside. I hope she always enjoys the outdoors.

Ella also is working really hard at rolling over. She will be 4 months on Wednesday and almost has this new trick down. Aunt Wes actually kept Ella Claire for a few hours for me today and tried really hard to get her to completely do it without me there. It's kinda funny. Monday is the day that I have a meeting in Cookeville. It's the only day I'm out of town and usually the only time that Bryan or myself isn't with Ella. I'm always back by lunch, but those 3 or 4 hours that I am away from her kill me. Bryan always goes to check on Ella on his planning period, which is about 9:45. Wes told Bryan that Ella was trying to roll over and his response was "Please don't tell Linz. She'll cry if she's not here." I thought it was so sweet that he didn't want me to think I had missed anything. Luckily, Ella Claire decided she would wait till Mommy is around to roll all the way over. :)

We have a busy week planned, but most of all I am dreading Ella Claire's 4 month check up on Wednesday. I hate when she has to have shots, but we're looking forward to trying some cereal later this week. :) I'll post some new pictures soon.

Ella Claire's 3 Month Pictures

We asked Julie LaForte of Sweet Memories photography to take Ella Claire's 3 month pictures. She also took pictures of Ella Claire for her birth announcements at 1 month. Julie posted the slideshow today and Oh, how I love them! I chose a song that two of my best friends, Lyndsey and Mindy sent me after Ella Claire was born. Thank you girls because it was just meant to be with these pictures. Julie, thanks for taking time with Ella Claire and helping me get some outside pictures even though the weather was not cooperating. Taking pictures of babies (especially....babies who have colic) is not an easy task. I really appreciate your patience and can't wait for the next session. Just another great job!

On another note -

My baby girl is growing so fast and it is making me so sad. We saw a friend's newborn baby at church tonight. I just can't believe how much Ella Claire has grown. I miss the newborn diapers and when her carseat carrier looked way too big for her. I miss when, as my MIL would say "her hips would fit in a dixie cup." LOL Don't ask....those Mathenys have some of the funniest sayings. We were looking at her new pictures and she has changed so much in just 4 weeks.

I just want to make the days count with Ella Claire. I want to make even the smallest things fun for her. I want her to wake up everyday and think to herself that her life is the greatest! I'm starting a list today of "Fun Things To Do with Ella Claire." I also watched Randy Pausch's Last Lecture and if you haven't seen it...find it on YouTube. It really made me think about what is important in this life.

My mom and sister were giving me a hard time while we were teaching the baby Bible class tonight. They love to pick at me and were telling me how I was going to be "that mom." They were talking about that overprotective mom that everyone rolls their eyes at. Maybe....maybe not, but it's my job to protect her, right? LOL I'll let her fall down sometimes. So, I can teach her to get back up. :)

Until next time.....Happy Thursday. The weekend is almost here. YIPEEEE

Check out Ella Claire's pictures at http://www.sweetmemoriesphotography.blogspot.com/ and Julie's photography!

Happy Birthday Wesley Caroline!!

"There is no better friend than a sister. And there is no better sister than you. " ~Author Unknown

Today is my baby sister's 20th birthday. I can't believe that she is turning twenty. It seems like it was only yesterday when she was running around naked in the front yard....sending me into orbit because someone might see her. LOL I am so proud of her and the woman that she has become. Wes is a WONDERFUL mommy.

We are alot alike, but sooooo different at the same time. Alot of people can't believe that there are 6 1/2 years between us, but it's true. Some have even asked us if we are twins. She loves it because usually they think that she is the oldest. LOL (I don't mind that either. :) I could list a million things that I love and admire about her. She is my best friend and I don't know what I would do without her. Ella Claire and I want her to know how much we love and are thankful for her.

You are the best, Wes! Hope you have a wonderful day.

"She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child." ~Barbara Alpert

First Post Ever

I have debated starting a blog for some time now and today I broke down. I decided it would be a good way for family and friends to keep up with us and how fast my sweet Ella Claire is growing. It seems like I am sending pictures everyday to someone through e-mail. So....now this will be my way of communicating (showing off) what new cute things she is doing. She is almost 4 months and is growing so fast. I'll try and post more when I can figure this blogging out. Happy Monday!