Ellie Lately

Now that we have passed the one year mark, I don't write out monthly updates, but this does not mean she does not grow and change every single day, in fact, I think more now than ever! So for my Ellie record keeping sake, Here I am to blog about what Baby girl has discovered, learned, done, etc. in the past couple of months.

Ellie has added a lot to her vocabulary lately. "Uh-oh", "No" (and even the shaking of the head), "Don't", "Gimme dat", "Please" (but she prefers gimme dat...working on it y'all.) "Thank you"...(still working on the consistency of this one). "Whoa" "Mimi" "G-dad" "Ellie" "Baby" "Block" "Ball" "Bow" "Bracelet" "Boo" (for peek-a boo) "Eye".

She is learning her animals. She knows what dogs are (easy one around here). She barks and pants like a little dog, too. She has learned what an elephant is and the sound it makes....though she does it terribly, lol, her elephant sound is always consistent and I know to what she is referring.

She has learned where her tummy, eyes, nose, mouth, lady parts (by proper name as I believe in learning proper anatomy), hair, and belly button are located and what they are called. Especially "eye".

We are working on colors. She is very interested in her color/ French cards I made her (not stressing french yet...she needs English first, but we mix it in occasionally. No I am not fluent, but I am preschool level LOL!) She loves to look at the colors and point and call them something of which I am not sure, so we are working on that everyday and she finds it so fun and interesting.

Ellie attends Mommy and Me ballet at Sterling Dance studio in Easley and is loving the class. She loves the music, props, friends, dancing, and interaction with mommy. She alos loves her tutus.

Ellie is loving continuing with Kindermusik with MRs. Rosalind Cross at Kindermusik of Greenville. This class has truly been a blessing in our lives and I only wish I had started Ellie at this at 6 weeks old. Every day, we have fun at home, carrying what we learn there home with us and putting it into use and practice. Ellie remembers the songs, tries to sing them, she remembers the motions to each song, the routines, she anticipates the bouncing, up and down movements, and the rolling and rocking on our backs. She hears me humming the songs as I cook or clean and starts dancing and humming to them, then grabs my hands for me to do the interactions with her. We practice rhythm on her instruments at home, listen to sounds and make sound with the books they give, and we cuddle, massage, and change the tones and levels of our voices for a lot of fun, interactive, imaginitive, and wondrous play time. Her eyes go wild with fascination and she just squeals and shrills with utter overwhelming joy!! It makes my heart so happy and blows my mind with fascination as in only a few short classes, I can see how much her brain and skills have developed. We are in love with this class. Worth every single penny.

Ellie has been a climber since before she walked. Such strong shoulders and arms. Today, as a matter of fact, Ellie grabbed the top of the entertainment piece of furniture, and pulled herself up off the ground, hanging on with her hands. She did a dang pull up!! What the world?!

Our only and biggest struggle with Ellie (praise the dear Lord in Heaven above) has been getting Ellie to want to sit at the table with proper table manners and eat. We started baby led weaning at 6 mos old...and while she has always done well at the mechanics of feeding herself, even using utensils, the problem has been the stubbornness of a child who does not want to sit for more than 2 minutes, yet wants to go and play. We have been battling for months teaching her patiently the table manners of sitting and eating, and when finished sitting and playing with her table toy while we talk and let us finish. We interact with her at every meal, we do not allow any screens ever, we believe in true family meals at the table talking. She loves that, but she also loves to not sit for very long. However, all that to say, it would finally seem, knock on wood and praise Jesus, that Ellie mostly is good at dinner tables now. She sits right down in her chair, feeds herself, and is good mostly up until Eric and I finish eating, too. It actually feels like we can enjoy our own food now without deep breaths, anxiety, and stress. That has truly been the only issue I have really had with parenting that has felt crippling/ will this pass?! She is a very very good baby, but this has been her struggle and therefore, mine. So praise God we finally seem to be turning a new leaf in this area.

Ellie loves teeth brushing time.

Ellie loves to comb her own hair.

Ellie loves to wear mommy's jewelry and purses.

Ellie loves playing with friends at MOPS, Kindermusik, Ballet, and on the Hiking trail, as well as the nurseries at church and the Y. She loves playdates with her friends, and loves to watch them, then join them.

Ellie loves to test boundaries. As in, she knows she is not to touch like anything at all electric, (TV remotes, DVD players, phones, wires, etc...) so she loves to place one little hand on the item and holler to me, "Hey!" and when I say, "Ellie! Get your hand off that!" She runs away laughing. Stinker. Same with dog food. She wants to eat it constantly. Luckily it some fancy schmancy organic, gluten free, hoopity snoopity stuff since Blondie has a special tummy. Because Ellie has definitely had some. Oh well. But her favorite thing to do is pick up a piece, stick it in her mouth, (VERY well knowing she is not supposed to) and look at me and go, "Mmmm!" to which she knows I am just gonna come dig it out of her mouth and pop her behind. She thinks that is hilarious and runs off laughing. Oh boy. I've got a strong willed one on my hands. But I love that for her future. She will be a strong, determined, goal achieving, limitless little woman. I encourage this strength in her....but guide it in the right direction. Test your limits, Ellie, but do NOT disobey your Mommy! Lol!

She loves sorting items an objects into different boxes, buckets, or bags. When she has a project on her mind, she will not be distracted from it. She is set to achieve it. If you try to distract her, she will grunt and push you out of the way. Again, love it, but let's keep it respectful little lady. I don't want to be kept from achieving my goals either.

College Girl Dreams

College Me: aka- good girl, tree climbing, swing dancing, hibachi eating, Jesus lover

Life is a funny little thing. Nobody talks about this better than Thomas Rhett Akins in his song, "Life Changes."

When I was in college, I remember I always pictured, imagined, dreamed, believed, and pined that I would do college with my future husband. That I would meet my husband at school, have study dates together, walk campus together, have pizza dates, cook meals in one of our apartments, and learn about being on our own, together.

I didn't have that. I was a single pringle for a long time--but so glad I was because if I wasn't in the arms of Eric then I would have been miserable anyway!! I intentionally stayed single and waited to give my heart away to the man God created for me. But that is another story.

Now, I have been having the opportunity since 2016 to be dating a college man and doing life with him. This semester particularly, so far, has really put my past dreams into perspective and play.

My husband, Eric got an associates degree in Chemistry at Ferris State University in Michigan. He had always dreamed of becoming a chemical engineer but the logistics were just not yet in place for that to happen for this young, hard working, fully self reliant young man. He got a wonderful job immediately upon graduation as he was dressed for the part and prepared with a resume for recruits at the company he has had the blessing of giving his skills to for 13 years now. He started with the company in Michigan, where he is from. In Kalamazoo. Some time went by and a little life happened and Eric started back to school at Western Michigan in pursuit of a chemical engineering degree. But, life, God's will, said not yet. God moved Eric to South Carolina to continue his work for the same company. Always holding on to his engineer dreams. When we met in 2013, he spoke to me and another friend of ours about how he had been looking into going back to school now. He had prepared mentally and had mapped out a course schedule and a plan. But God still said no. Not yet. Not while you are yet unmarried and childless and have every desirable thing at your fingertips. God made Eric wait until 2016. Just as we started trying to get pregnant. Just as we decide to sell our house. God sent Eric back to school. The opportunity came to him, not he to it, this time. Work had been going well for Eric, successful moments, and this lead to his boss at the time that God put in Eric's life, encouraging Eric to go and obtain his dream of becoming a chemical engineer. And Eric seized that opportunity. 2 years now, in school. From Greenville Tech now at Clemson, he is taking it all super slowly as to maintain a full time career and being a full time husband and daddy.

We laugh so hard lovingly at God and His perfect eternal perspective and plans for us. Sure, God, of course. Have this big journey start now....now that all the big things (happy, but big) things are on our plate! We must be crazy. Eric had been back to school for 3 months when I told him I was pregnant. Then, 2 months after Ellie was born, Eric still in school, we listed our home, sold it, moved to a rental and began building our dream home. All while taking 2 or 3 classes a semester. Big over my head classes.

So back to the college girl dreams idea here.....I had always dreamed of being in school with my man....whew...honey. Now I am. I am blessed blessed blessed to be the cheerleader of Team Eric in this picture. It is hard work on us both. It is way different than I ever pictured. Probably because 18 year olds don't usually have babies, homes, multiple dogs, careers, and the need of naps. Lol! Eric does not see Ellie almost any night during the work week. When I see him, it is to kiss him, feed him, and hear him snore beside me as bed time is only moments after he gets in. Our weekends are for each other. We are each other's best friends and we want to see one another. I am blessed to get to see most of my friends during weekdays. We love seeing them on weekends too, but primarily, weekends are for us to just unwind, vent, play, and nap together. Sometimes on weekends Eric still has to study. I am so proud of him. It is hard on me as I feel like a single parent 5 days a week but I have help from my mama, my Hike It Baby crew, dance crew, and Kindermusik crew, and now my MOPS crew! But as hard as it is on me to help him even when he gets home and allow him his needs to unwind and relax, eat, and be human for a moment too, trying to take the weight of the family on my shoulders as to allow him all the relaxation and peaceful environment he can have, I remember it is all so much harder on him than it is myself. He doesn't get to see his baby girl often at all. He gets up at 3:30 every morning, he skips meals running from work to school to work to home (I deliver food as I can), studies even when he gets home, and never really gets a break until semester end. I am honored to be the helpmate God chose for Eric to encourage him in this time, to help him, to feed him, to serve him in any way I can as he daily serves us with hard work at career, and hard work at giving us a better future while obtaining his dream.

My college girl dream was to be with the man I would marry, doing life together. That is all I wanted. And guess what? God delivered that dream. Later than I thought I wanted. Differently than I thought I wanted it. But God's plans are always better than our own. They are meant to best glorify Him and so I have to praise God for this time in our lives. We are learning a lot and growing together daily in this season. I am so thankful this dream worked out the way God had intended because I couldn't imagine any different. The way God carries out a plan likely does not make sense to our tiny human brains most of the time. But that is why FAITH is so important. I have faith that God has our best interests as His children at hand and heart. It is evident to me He does. He has answered my prayers and desires 50x's more than I could have ever dreamed up. And HE deserves the glory and praise for all aspects of my life and Eric's, our life together.

SkyTop Apple Orchard

It is the *almost* Fall season!! Commence all the things that make me think of flannel, pumpkins, fall colors, cool breezes, and hay rides! First up, apple picking!!

I grew up going to SkyTop Apple Orchard. Growing up there means I started in college with good friends and since then have gone almost every single year with family for donuts, cider, apple goodies, and more than anything else, the views atop that mountain.

Now that I have my own little cutie, I wanted to get her in on ALL the fall activities! I invited our dear friend, the Hardy family and their son, Sam, who is 6 months older than Ellie, to join in on the fun! What a blast! The Hardy's secured a red wagon and we loaded the kids up to be pulled around. Ellie was not too sure about that for a short while, but came around to it. The babies looked at goats and chickens, then helped us pick and eat some apples. We took a tractor ride together, and then played on the playground all before getting BBQ in Hendersonville.

It is so awesome to have other family friends to experience life with. Simple moments and big moments. To experience God's creation with, and to share recipes with. They helped make a wonderful day an incredible day full of laughter and stories! Sharing memories with the ones you love and are so comfortable with makes life as sweet as apple crumble. ;)

Birthday Buddy

Jayden, my first and oldest nephew, and I have only 3 hours and 20 minutes that separate us from sharing the same birthday. I was 18 years and 364 days old when that big baby boy nearly 11 lbs. entered the world, stealing my heart.

He changed my world and he changed me. Jayden is not only my nephew, but he is just like a little brother to me as well as nearly like my own child. My heart had never up until meeting Eric and having Ellie known the immense amount of love that it could behold. I then, as a young college girl, started spending my weekends less and less with friends and more and more with Jayden. I took care of him in the middle of the night when he woke up, I took him on dates, I took him running, I experienced nearly all his firsts with him, I got to see how holidays are way more fun with a little one than with just as your own self. In fact, I remember working as a CNA and having to work weekends and holidays and being so sad as I was single and childless meaning I was the last person allowed to ask off for these days. I understand now as a mommy how important it is for mothers to be with their babies on holidays if possible, but I loved that baby as my own and I couldn't imagine not being with him for Christmas! I was heartbroken. We have always had a special unique bond. We fight like siblings and fuss and annoy each other but we also get each other unlike most others do. We are really super close buddies.

With life having changed so much for both of us since his birth (3 new siblings for him, a husband and a daughter for me, new state and town for him, too), I no longer see him every weekend yet I still see him a couple times a month which is a blessing.

To celebrate us turning 9 and 28 next weekend, Jayden and I went on a special birthday date this past Friday as he was in town for the weekend. I called him up and asked him where he wanted to go. I told him he could go anywhere he desired. Chick-fil-a it was! Jayden got the spicy chicken deluxe. He opened all my doors for me and threw away the trash. He also got a frozen lemonade drink. He and I talked about roller coasters, cars, volcanoes, food, books, and science. I gave him a Harry Potter temperature changing mug of the Marauder's Map for his nightly tea and book time at home.

It overwhelmed me as I sat with him talking and watching him enjoy his meal the amount of special bubbles that over took my heart. I fear he won't think me as fun or as cool now that we are both getting older. He used to call me a big kid....he literally thought I was a kid who was tall...even after I married Eric....and I just wondered, am I still cool Aunt Emmay? Am I still interesting to him? His laughter reassured my fears. He was so interested in my words and he was laughing all the time! He complimented my messy loaded down camry full of Ellie toys, snacks, hiking gear, ballet gear, and extra clothes. He made me feel special and I hope he felt special, too.

There is nothing quite like the first child in your life that makes you see the world through a new pair of glasses.

Happy Birthday, Birthday Buddy!! I love you!!

Cajun

You best know him as Dingo Dog. Insert, "The Dingo ate my baby!!" ...but seriously...watch out kids!

Cajun is my stepchild. I first met him on mine and Eric's first date and he did not even bark at me. In fact he instantly snuggled me and licked me and cuddled down beside me. He was buttering me up. He wanted a new mommy. But, it was short lived. He had to train me and I am just as stubborn as he is! He is a high maintenance picky little dingo. Don't touch his paws, don't cuddle him, don't look him in the eyes, don't run in the house, don't make loud and disturbing sounds, and don't chase him. I don't live by his demands so he and I are constantly at odds in a hilarious sort of way.

Before I came along, for a season of time, it was just Eric and the Dingo. Two bachelors. Doing whatever they wanted. House and couch and bed all to themselves. Enter squealy, chipper, high pitched blonde number one. Then two (Blondie), then three (Ellie).Cajun is the most docile he has ever been, now. Sure he is old, but I think the three blonde ladies of the house have worn him down. Often he retreats to be alone upstairs in the bed or in his "house." If we get near him, he darts. It's again because we are too touchy feely and loud for him. He is a grumpy old man. "Daddy, what did you do?! All these blonde girls running around wild!!"

He is a carolina dog. Breed in the carolinas, clearly. They are still considered a wild and newly domesticated breed. Meaning....they aren't as trusting, calm, or docile as your other family breeds like retrievers and collies....Very dominant, territorial, protective, and wild in character.
For example....when Cajun was a puppy, Eric rescued him from The Greenville Humane Society. He had a nub for a tail. Carolina dogs all have tails. His was clearly docked as a pup. Eric got Cajun set up with a dog trainer who gave services in-home. Cajun failed. I have all the paperwork. He failed. He was offered a free training session due to the bewilderment of the trainer who had obviously just never ever seen such. He is not stupid...in fact he is too smart. He is stubborn. And picky.

He is a protector. He is loving to those who fully submit to him. He personally loves my mom, my friend Savannah, and friend Julie. And well...that is about it. From time to time he shocks me with cuddles and kisses. Ok, so I love him but ugh he grates my nerves. (Animal activists fear not) Cajun is well loved and our "animosity" is a running joke with family and friends.

What I love most about Cajun are a few grand things. First, He makes Eric very happy. He was in Eric's life as a soul companion at a traumatizing time in Eric's life. He and Eric have a special secret language and Cajun only obeys Eric...or me when he fears I am going to kill him....but only then...lol! I see a childlike, boy like grin on Eric's face when Cajun dusts off his old bones and wants to play with Eric. I see tears in Eric's eyes when Cajun seems sick or his time may be near. I see the joy this pet gives my husband. That is why I love Cajun.

I love that Cajun is so funny in his nature. He is the most dominant and territorial dog who just wants to be cuddled by daddy like a big old baby. He has no use for foolish games or antics. He is too posh for all that. He tricks Blondie and keeps us laughing.

I love that he knows how to open Christmas presents and admire them under the tree, practicing self control by only sniffing and not tearing into them until Christmas day. 

I love that he let me dress him as a deer for Halloween one year and as a senor another. He lets me play dress up with him even though he hates it. For being so touchy, he truly does love to please his people. He also knows treats are involved.

I love that Cajun can spell. Yes, he can actually spell. P-A-R-K. .....W-A-L-K. He knows what they mean.

Spaghetti Squash Hamburger Casserole

Y'all....I don't know what I would call this other than good!!! I had a craving last week for a hamburger casserole...noodly, hamburgery, cheesy goodness. But how to have that and make it healthy? Here is what I did:

Spaghetti Squash Hamburger Casserole

INGREDIENTS:

* 2 lbs of lean grass fed beef
* 1 large or 2 small/medium spaghetti squash
* 2 cups of fresh chopped tomatoes
* Seasonings- Course Ground Pepper, Onion Powder
* Shredded Cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.

2. Vertically/ symmetrically cut the spaghetti squash so that you have two equal halves. Lay on a baking sheet with a little water in the sheet, and bake for 35 minutes or until exterior of squash is softened and inside of the squash easily scrapes out.

    While the Squash bakes, brown your beef, chopping it into loose hamburger bites, drain any residual grease, and season to taste with spices. Pour into mixing bowl. Add chopped tomatoes to the mixing bowl with the beef.

3. Let the squash cool off to the side, enough that your hands will be able to work with it later.

4. Once the squash has cooled, take a fork to the inside and scrape away seeds and discard. Then, continue scraping squash with the fork and place into bowl with beef and tomatoes. Mix well.

5. Place mix into a 9x13 oiled casserole dish and sprinkle top with cheese. Bake at 375 F for about 35 minutes or until cheese is golden.

*Next time I would add in spinach and onion. To get my greens in there! ;)

*Just because it is healthy....remember to watch portions. You can have too much healthy food. Moderation. Don't stuff yoselves, y'all! ;P   And easy on the cheesy....y'all know I don't cut anything out but I moderate it. This is a lifestyle, not a trendy diet. Enjoy your food and find ways like this to have your cravings, but healthy or healthier!

*Disclaimer to photo for the blog...Not mine! Haha! Too hungry to take one the night I made it. Thank goodness for Google...and what a beautiful casserole dish! Haha!! Enjoy! Make it your own! Keep it healthy!

Church in the Nursery

Every night, as you all well know by now, friends, we, or just I as Eric's school/work schedule doesn't allow him home at Ellie's bedtime often, we say prayers audibly with Ellie.

While saying prayers as the Three E's, we stand in the nursery, all holding each other in an embrace and speak to Jesus. Eric and I take turns on different nights leading the prayer over our family and Ellie specifically.

The moment is special, always.

It is special for the fact the where two or more are gathered, there God is, too. (Matthew 18:20).

It is special because it grows us closer as a family. When we are gathered in this way and the room is filled with the Holy Spirit, there is no place for evil. There is no place for bad feelings, moods, or grudges to remain. The day ends with peace and love in the name of Jesus.

It is special because Ellie sways back and forth between Eric and I, with her soft, long, cold, sweet little hands and fingers running over our faces and shoulders, grabbing our faces and laying wet little slobbery kisses on our eyes and lips. Rubbing my head and stroking...pulling my hair.

She hugs us and holds us and she loves it. It is special because Ellie sees a healthy loving family dynamic...not perfect....no family is perfect...that is why we need to pray, lol! But she sees love for each other and she most of all, sees and hears, and hopefully one day feels, the love of our Holy Spirit, Prince of Peace, God our King.

Tonight, Eric ended the prayer with, per usual, "Amen." I followed, "Amen." Then Ellie...."men"...with a big fat smile on her sweet face!

My heart was super happy! She smiled and looked from Eric to me as she said it. She doesn't know what the "Game" is we are "playing" but she sees that it is happy and fun and good. She feels the love and joy it emits.

Every night, I pray that one day God will fill Ellie with the Holy Spirit and that her heart's desire would be for Jesus, loving Him, serving Him, seeking Him, and that He will guide her and lead her and protect her. I pray God will help Eric and I to lead her and guide her and direct her in accordance with His will for her life to glorify Him.

While I know she has no clue what "Amen" was for and what we were doing....She was watching and learning and observing.

I do so much wrong every day. I #momfail all day long. But nothing matters more than #winning at leading our child God GAVE us in the way of the Lord and bathing her in His love and truth. And tonight, I got to see evidence of her "getting" that. For all the hard times, imperfections, bad attitudes I possess, that one effort of her to be included in the prayer by saying "men" (amen).....it is really all that matters.

Show her Jesus...not religion.  Show her first, love....not just laws. Show her God's truth...not man's twisted truth.

Emmay's Apple Crumble

I created this as I made it this evening. I didn't measure hardly anything...(I am the typical Southern Grandma's Recipe in the living flesh, haha!) But I will give you here, what I did.

I was insanely pleased with the result! YUM!!! Satisfied all the cravings with NONE of the guilt.

INGREDIENTS:

* 5 peeled, sliced, honeycrisp apples (or apple flavor of your preference)
* Cinnamon
* Nutmeg
* Organic Stevia
* 3 cups (separated) Almond Flour
* Olive oil or Coconut Oil
* Organic Vanilla Extract
* Light brown sugar
* Chopped Pecans

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Peel and slice your apples and toss into a big mixing bowl.

2. Sprinkle desired amount of nutmeg, cinnamon, and stevia, and vanilla extract over the apples, and mix it up, coating apples well. Set to the side.

3. In another mixing bowl, mix 2 cups of Almond flour with approximately 2 tablespoons of your oil of choice, splash a little vanilla extract and a little stevia. If the mix is too crumbly, just add a little water. The dough should be easy to manipulate in form and spread in bottom of dish.

4. Spray or grease a 9x13 casserole dish and spread dough mixture out evenly, covering entire bottom.

5. Pour apple mixture on top.

6. In the same bowl as first flour mixture (now empty), put in one more cup of almond flour, splash a little vanilla extract, and a wee bit of oil....this time the dough should be crumbly.

7. Evenly disperse crumble over apples (it will not wholly cover the apples).

8. Top with chopped pecans and a sprinkle of light brown sugar.

Bake in Oven at 400 F for 25-30 minutes, or until pecans look toasty, and apples are soft to the stab and slightly bubbling.