Six Month Sweetie

Elias' sixth month quickly passed by, but it wasn't without some very special memories.

In his 6th month, Elias:
Weighed 21.7, then 20.12, and finally 20.5 lbs.
Wore 12-18 month clothes.
Wore size 3 diapers.
Had a bit of weight loss.
Was eating less.
Was sick for most of this month.
Had an ear infection.
Got bronchialitis.
Was constantly wheezing.  A LOT.
Was admitted to the hospital on November 1.
Spent 4 days there.
His oxygen level kept dropping.
Lots of breathing treatments, steroids, antibiotics, and oxygen.
Rolled everywhere in every way.
Began scooting.
Wasn't a big fan of the exersaucer.
Favorite toys were his swing.
AND his Man's Best Friend dog from Pop.
Tried squash and sweet potatoes.
Still on breast milk.
Had quite a bit of Pedialyte.
Said, "Ma-ma."
Loved his Mama.  A whole bunch.
Liked to wave.
Still not too strong with sitting up.
Drools all the time.
Has the most laidback personality.
Went on his first vacation to Gatlinburg.
Had a TON of breathing treatments, antibiotics, etc.
Went to the Aquarium.
Liked watching the fish swim by.
Did some shopping in Pigeon Forge.
Slept in his car seat.
Had his follow-up with Dr. Kastner.
Dr. believed he was better.
Gets mad when Samuel gets in his face.
Laughs at Daniel all of the time!
Went to his brothers' MDO Thanksgiving lunch.
Went BACK to Gatlinburg for Called Out Quartet.
Got a lot of attention from a lot of people!
Loved listening and tapping his feet to the music.
Got his picture taken with ADDY!
His smile was WIDE!
Stopped sleeping through the night.
Took quick 20 minute or less naps.

Sitting up in the Bumbo,

laughing at his crazy big brothers!

Getting held by Paula...

Easily one of his favorite things.

Kenzi is such an amazing girl...

Her gentle spirit was so calming for E.

Smiles in the Sun

at the Apple Barn

Laughing at Daniel - 

Big Brother made a "tent" 

over E's car seat.

Quite entertaining.

MaKenzie holding onto Elias!

He was ready to get down!

Sweet picture...

Love these sweet ladies.

And SO thankful for this picture.

A Quiet Surprise

Last Thursday was really busy.  Elias had his appointment at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital with a pediatric pulminologist.  It ended up that he and I were there for 2 hours.  While I was at Vandy, Brian left work early in order to get the older boys from Mother's Day Out.  He also was busy working on a surprise for me.  I had no idea, so when I finished up at Elias' appointment, Elias and I headed downstairs to visit Addy.  I took my time with her.  I gazed into her eyes and listened to her every word.  And yet, I knew it was date night, so I hurried home through Nashville traffic. 

However, when I got home, Brian said he'd gotten me a card and I needed to read it right then.  It said a lot of sweet things, and then I noticed it said to "pack your bags."  Brian had planned a getaway for the two of us and Elias.  He'd taken care of getting the older boys prepared with having Ms. Jennifer and Mimi here. 

So, to my surprise, I quickly packed (and forgot to pack) A LOT of things for Elias and myself.  We loaded up and headed to Chattanooga.  Can I tell you the best part?  It was quiet.  Oh, sweet silence.  Here is our weekend in pictures:

Fascinated with the Marriot's elevator

Eating lunch at Sticky Fingers

Even Elias enjoyed the atmosphere

It's a brick couch.  Really?

Heading into the Aquarium

Brian would have spent all day

with the sea dragons.

Elias would have spent all day with the turtles.

Amazed by this scary alligator snapping turtle

It was so nice at the Aquarium.

Brian and Elias both got a nap

while we were there.

With the penquins

Intently watching the fish

Easily, the jellyfish were Elias' favorite things to watch.

Riding the shuttle back to the hotel

Showing how he can lift himself up

Lunch at the River Street Deli -

Oh. my. word.

So delicious.

We found the Grinch at a bookstore

on the North Shore.

Happy boy ready to head home

Stopped off at Bell Buckle

to have a Moon Pie

Adventures in Alaska - Day 1

When Brian told me that the Anchor and Brother James Keen had called him to be their revival helper, I was stunned.  My initial reaction was fear.  How would I handle two toddlers on my own for 7 days?!  However, much to my surprise, the Lord opened up all kinds of doors (and hearts) to allow me to go with Brian to Alaska for what-ended-up-being 9 spectacular days.

Day 1 was a whirlwind. We spent much of the night packing and making sure everything was in order both for us and for our kids.  Mimi was able to take a week off from work to keep the boys at our house.  We left the morning of Daniel's 2nd birthday, and it was bittersweet.  I wasn't nearly as sad as I imagined I'd be, but it was strange leaving him on such a precious day.  However, what I had in store was very worth it!

We boarded our plane in Nashville and headed to Minneapolis.  I realize that I'm not much of a traveler because 1) I was fascinated to find a dvd/tv screen in front of me on the plane, and 2) I was amazed by the amazing stores in the airports.  Seriously, I couldn't even get pictures of it all!

I'd never seen one of these on a plane before!

The coolest bookstore we've ever seen.

As goofy as it was, we had to pose as Vikings.

My sister works at the Spirit of the Red Horse

in the Nashville Airport.

So, it was fitting I take a picture

in front of the one in Minneapolis.

The flight from Minneapolis to Anchorage was quite long.  6 hours to be exact.  My rear end was so tired.  As was I.  The jet lag was excruciating, and I don't even know how to explain it.  The 4 hour time difference was tough, but seeing Brother James for the first time in the airport was refreshing.  It was so nice seeing a familiar face.  Then James drove us to his home in Anchorage, and this was the view...

Seriously. 

Just driving down the road,

and this is what you see.

No big deal.

When we got to the Keen's home, it was so precious.  I can't explain it, but I felt so at home in their home.  We didn't know this family all that well, but God had begun weaving our hearts together in years past.  Yet this was our first chance to seriously "meet" them.  Their children had welcome cards waiting for us.  They met us with giant smiles and fresh faces.  They were so excited to have us.  And because it was already late, we simply went for a walk around their neighborhood.  If that walk had been all we would see, I would have been delighted.  Their children and the amazing views were already imprinted in my mind. 

At Cheney Lake Park,

right down the road from the house.

Snow-capped mountains!

Sweet and Spunky Anna

Intelligent and Incomparable Josiah

Humorous and Humble Micah

Amazing Grace

Thanks for the warning.

Just a Little Walk with James.

6 Months Went By TOO Quickly...

Actually written a month late on 12/20/10, but a mother's work is UNENDING so forgive me!

In His 6th Month, Samuel:
Found his feet.
Made funny faces.
Laughed out loud when you tickled him...
Laughed so hard when you told him he was "STINKY!"
Ruined lots of his clothes being "stinky." 
Loved attention...  of any kind.
Unless Daniel decided to sit on him.
Or take his toys.
Or push him.
Liked Daniel's hugs and kisses.
Mimic-ed faces others made.
Was checked for RSV, and was FINE!
But had to go on breathing treatments.
Wore size 3-6 months in clothes.
Rolled over and over and over.
Was the sweetest lamb you've ever seen for Fall Fest.
Visited his Nana's family in Dyersburg, TN.
Got a lot of love from his great aunts, Dina and Pattie.
Visited Gatlinburg for the first time with his family.
Loved the lights in Dollywood.
Chewed on Mom's McAllister's sweet tea cup...
We may have a tea drinker on our hands!
Really liked his brother's xylophone.
Tried his exersaucer for the first time.
Was beginning to sit up on his own!

Look, Mommy!  I found my feet!

Well, hello, little Pappy.

Samuel looked just like his Pappy,

who passed away in May of 2008.

Happy boy all the time.

Making the same faces Daddy does.

Watching t.v. with my big brother.

Samuel wasn't so sure about this costume situation.

But he got the hang of it!

The second time he wore it

was to his brother's MDO Trunk or Treats,

and he was such a sweet little thing!

Even Daddy and Lion admired him!

Meeting his great-aunt Dina for the first time!

Getting lots of kisses...

Just like a little monkey.

Sharing the xylophone with Daniel

Looking like Mommy

Watching the parade at Dollywood

With Daddy in Dollywood

Getting dressed up for a day in Gatlinburg

Waiting in the van for our table at Bennett's.

Wanted a drink of sweet tea.

Trying out his exersaucer.

Attempting to sit up.

WHOA!