Eliana six months

Six months. This makes me excited and sad at the same time. Why you might ask?

I am excited because in six short months she has turned from a eating, pooping, sleeping machine into

a smiling, cooing, giggling little girl that is starting to get her own personality.

It makes me sad because as fast as these six months came so will another, and another and another.

Before I know it I will be watching her first dance at her wedding. I'm going to

stop there before I have a nervous breakdown. Eliana has been such a joy to our family and I can not imagine life before her little smile. It is so funny how after you have children it is hard to imagine not ever having them.

Eliana is not a fan of bath time yet. But we have found that having distraction of big brother helps.

Eliana and her bestie Sailor. This was taking during the Saints game. Love these little WHO DATS!

Six months and has found her toes. I love this. She is now forever grabbing and playing with her feet.

We got out Sebastian's high chair and strapped it to one of the dining room chairs this month.

It is so funny seeing this thing. Now while mommy cooks or does some light (key word light) cleaning she can see all the action.

Oatmeal was a hit! I didn't even try the rice ceral this time around. Bash had a reaction and didnt want to chance it. She loves it thick. If it is too watery she will not have that!

So far the veggies go as follows: peas, green beans, squash, carrots

fruit: bananas

She is such a good eater. She hasnt given me a hard time with anything yet and it looks like peas and carrots may be her favorites.

keep growing my little sweet potato. I cant wait to see what kind of joy you bring to this world.

in search of the great pumpkin

So every year I drag, yes drag, my beloved family to Hammond, la to Mrs. Heathers pumpkin patch.

They have everything. pumpkins, corn feild maze, zip lines, giant air jump, etc etc etc. We really

had a great time except one thing it was HOT. I am talking hot as hell. I mean who wears a tank top to pick up fall pumpkins? This Louisiana girl.

It was so hard to get both of my littles to both smile and look at the camera. My motto for the day for my pictures was "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit." I will say I think I got some cute ones that represent my little family well.

the Bash is FOUR!

I seriously can not believe that my firstborn baby boy is four! WTH?!?!?!?! Where does the time go really?

this year we wanted to keep it fun and colorful. So we came up with monsters! I got tons of ideas from pinterest and web searches so dont think I'm that creative.

Dessert Table:

adorable cake pops from Queen of pops, cupcakes from sams club, and I made the pretzels.

monster apple and apple "crack" dip.

birthday boy!

little sister had to get in on the monster action.

food table

my little happy family.

 



big boy school.

 

So we decided  last Christmas that it would be a good idea for the Bashman to attend some sort of mothers day out program. I was so excited about it. I wanted something that was only three days a week and only a half day. I looked for something close to our house only to find they where all booked up or they didn't do half days. Some even said just pay for the whole day and pick them  early. Umm, that makes sense how????? We finally came across a school that was everything we wanted. I was glad they where teaching and not just "babysitting" the kids. And they had Jesus time! If you didn't know we LOVE Jesus in this house 😉. So the new year came fast and soon we had a new baby at home. Our everyday dynamic had drastically changed, not just for us but also for my very active very passionate three year old boy. Passionate, yes passionate, that is the perfect word for our Bashman. When he loves he loves big and when he hurts he hurts even bigger. He took to the big brother role very quickly and he loves every little thing about his "sissy boo". But I could tell that being coupe up all day and being on a new born schedule was not his ideal. It got to the point where he was begging, screaming for our constant attention. I hate to admit that I was so looking forward to summers end. I even cried because I was sure I was a horrible mom for wanting just two seconds of alone time. I mean really what kind of mother wants that?  Isn't this the "job" that I wanted my whole life? I have come to realize that 99.9% of mothers out there really just want a moment alone. Now I'm not talking about a couple of weeks off hell not even a couple of days I just want to be able to pee with out a set of little eyes watching my every wipe. So as the back to school sales started rolling out and the school list came in the mail I was ready. Or so I thought. I was happy he was happy everyone was happy happy happy. That was until I found my self in the crayon aisle at target balling like I was just punched in the gut. Who knew a box of primary color markers could make me weep so hard. It was at that moment when I realized that he would go on this journey without me. He would let go of my had and spread his own wings. Make friends on his own, not ones that I would set up via playdates. He would do arts and crafts with out my hand guiding his. This is what I think really got me because it has always been a favorite time for us.  He would be in a space completely separate from me. Mind you he did go to nursery at our church and my local moms group but I am always just a hallway away. I composed my self and checked off every item on the list and came home. I vowed to not let Sebastian see that I was upset, but to show him how excited I was and how great this new adventure would be. The morning of I was pretty surprised no tears fell (maybe because they decided to come during my nightly prayer time and I had no more to shed) we woke up, got dressed and had breakfast. He was beaming. I could just tell he would do great. He talked about the teacher and about his new friends and how he would play and laugh. I could only smile because that is what he did the whole drive to school. Before we got out to walk to class we prayed and asked God to give us (me) strength and courage. His little legs kicked in excitement and he could hardly sit still. We walked into the classroom and with the biggest ear to ear grin he said goodbye momma and grabbed my leg and squeezed extra tight. He quickly turned and found a spot on the Lego table and went about his building. I chatted with the teacher for a quick second and walked to my car. It is the strangest feeling to have part of your heart roaming outside your chest like that. Such a bittersweet moment I will never forget. For all you mommas that sit in the parking lot a cry because your baby is growing up to fast I get it now. I'm sorry I never really understood. And for you mommas that aren't there yet kiss those babies and hold them every second because they do grow to fast. In my opinion a baby can not be kissed or held too much. It just isn't possible.

 

To my Sebastian,

I love you more then you could every know. You have changed my heart for the better and I am so proud of the little man you are turning out to be. I pray you keep your sense of humor and continue to seek adventure for the rest of your life. I pray that you will grow to walk with the Lord and that you will seek him on a daily basis. Dream big my fierce lion cub. You will change the world with your amazing smile. I love you to the moon and back.

month by months two-five

To keep up with the theme of this blog, or lack of updating I thought it was only fitting that I lump all my late month by months of Ellie into this one post. Well let's get started.
Month two:

 

Three months:

 

Four months:



five months:

 

These past five months have been so special to us. All the crazy that I went through with pregnancy and delivery I would do it a million times over. I prayed so long and so fiercely for you baby girl. I could not have gotten blessed with a sweeter baby girl.  I pray that you grow strong and brave. I pray you have a sense of humor like your brother and a warm kind heart like your daddy. I am so excited to watch you grow, watch you love, to watch you learn, and to watch you fly. Shine bright my little buttercup.

 

Some of my favorites from these last few months:

 

 

love it list

So I am once again late on keeping up with this damn blogging thing. Maybe it just isn't for me. But what the hell I'll try anyway. So I have been cruising the blogging world for a couple of days now and I noticed that people love to do love it lists. So here it goes!

1. Love it lists! I think they are great. I like to see what everyone's favorite seasonal, home, and baby trends are. I really find them so inspiring and you can find new gadgets/websites/clothes/crafty crap all on one quick little list.

2. H&M . I mean seriously why do we not already have a store here? Home items are super cute and don't even get me started on the baby/kid clothes. I have literally been stalking their website everyday. My first shipment came in two days ago and I love love love everything. Bright blue jeans for Bash? Jean polka dot dress for Eliana? Umm yeah, duh.

3.my new tablet. And that is all I know what to call it. Really. I have no idea what it is called. Chase put this case on it that blocks the name. I tried getting the damn thing off and it is like trying to escape from Azkaban. This is what I tell people to explain which one I have. "You know that commercial where that one tablet makes fun of the iPad? Yeah I have that one." Let me just tell you we are really enjoying it. And by we I mean Bash and I. That little dude uses it better then me.

4. Fall! I could not even tell you how much the McCloud's love the fall. Scarfs, cool weather, Halloween ,oh my!! We love it.

5. Target. Need I say more? So target has ALWAYS been a favorite of mine but lately try have been on point. Here are a couple of my favorite purchases in the last month.

-for the Bashman  robot chair
- for Ellie animal print leggings
- for the home storage bin



Sweet dreams.

oh what a wonderful month

HAPPY ONE MONTH ELLIE!

I can  not believe that it has been a month already! So crazy! First off I would like to say a HUGE thank you to my mom, my mother-in-law, and my grandmother. They are the only, and I mean only, reason I am still some what sane. They are the reason why my house was clean and food was in our fridge and in our bellies! Also it was so awesome to have someone help keep Bashman occupied too. Seriously, I am so blessed by these woman. Also I would like to send a big shout out to my amazingly great friends! They went out of their way to make sure we had dinner taken care of for a couple of weeks which helped out tremendously.

Even though I wasn't mentally prepared to have Ellie Bug here so early, I am so happy that she did. This past month bonding with this little girl has been so amazing. I have truly fallen madly in love. She has been such a good baby (knock on wood). She sleeps, eats great and is gaining weight like a little champ! I have to say this time around the whole waking up every three hours at night to feed has been easier. I guess we just knew what to expect this time around. I am not saying that it isn't tough and exhausting. Just easier then i remember with Bash. I think this past week we have fallen into somewhat of a normal routine. Bash has winded down a good bit around her and I love hearing him whisper to her when she sleeps. I am so used to him only talking to me during the day that when I ask him to repeat what he said he simply says "I'm talking to sissy". Yeah, my heart melts a lot these days. :)

a few of her favorite things:

-Sleeping on momma

-Brothers kisses

-her bouncy set

-her big ole ugly pacifier

Loving watching you grow little love bug!

Some of my favorite pictures from this last month.

  Seeing sister for the first time.

Me and Sailor Girl, Shanna and Ellie Bug

Best Friends

 Easter Sunday

Enjoying a snowball.

At the park

He loves his baby sister :)



i am now a vampire.

March 25th: I wake up for my 10 am 36 week doctor appointment. I jump in the shower, get ready, help the husband with Bashman, run around like a chicken with my head cut off because somehow I manage to be running 10 minutes late. My mom picks me up and we head  to my appointment. We get there about 15 minutes late but don't worry I always call when I am going to be late for any kind of appointment (my momma taught me right!) The nurse takes me back, weighs me (ugh why must we do weigh in every time?!?!?), and takes my blood pressure and a pee sample. Wow your blood pressure is high she says showing no other emotion except for a friendly smile. I didn't feel too worried, I was more concern with the fact that my hair was still soaking wet from the shower and my mom was telling me my shirt was kinda wrinkled. Then my doctor walks in and this is where things got very blurry and moved along very quickly. Next thing I know I am laying in labor and delivery trying to get a hold of husbands cell and worrying about them not being about to find a heartbeat on the Doppler. 45 minutes go by. Husband is here, heartbeat not so much. Now I am about to loose it. A doctor comes in with an ultrasound machine and then music to my ears. a low but strong bump bump bump. Baby Elle is moving and now the doctor is telling me my blood pressure is dangerously high and I have a lot of protein in my urine. Signs of Pre-eclampsia. what? i have what? so I was ordered to stay over night in the hospital for blood pressure monitoring and a 24 hour urine test. Fast forward through the night, through some tears, through lots of phone calls and it is now March 26th at 3:00p.m. Blood pressure goes down but then jumps right back up only 15 minutes later. In walks nurse with a big smile "we are going in for a c-section in 30 minutes." Wait what?? I am only 36 weeks! not quite full term! my mom isn't here! she just left to go to the store! the baby's nursery isn't even ready! the crib is still in the box! no clothes have been washed! Our hospital bags have not been packed! I am NOT ready yet! I'm not finished being pregnant! These are just a few thoughts that spewed out of my mouth in between tears moments after the nurse left. I am so thankful that I have such a strong man of God with me by my side because I don't think I could have made it out of this experience without losing my mind. so grandparents where called and made it to the hospital in record time just before I was walked to the back OR. Now when I had Bashman I was so drugged I was in and out of consciousness during the whole c-section. I had no idea what to expect with being aware of everything that was going on. I remember seeing Chase walk in dressed all in blue, the Dr talking about going on a afternoon run in the neighborhood later and I remember the way my body felt as they jumped and pushed and pulled at my numb belly. "Its a GIRL!" and then I heard it! the most beautiful sound to a mothers ears. the wail of my precious baby. Tears filled our eyes, we have a daughter now. my heart has never been so full. And then I saw her. She was the tiniest baby I have ever held. Weighing in a 5 lbs and 1 oz and 18 1/2 inches long.

So after delivery and after the epidural wore off I was to move to the recovery room. They wanted me to walk around before I was moved to make sure the meds where wearing off. Even though I was slow to rise out of bed I felt fine, until I stood up. I immediately lost hearing in both my ears and I knew I was moments from fainting. My blood pressure was taken again and this time it was bottoming out. so now they where taking my blood to run tests. now I am in the recovery room and they are taking my pressure again. My heart was racing my pressure was once again high and now the blood test are back. I lost alot of blood and my body couldn't produce red blood cells fast enough. then my Dr said " blood transfusion". Now all together: WHAT? I NEED A WHAT?  After many tears and questions we realized this was our only option. Now does the post title make sense? I got two bags of red blood. I thank God for the three Nurses that went out of their way to put me at ease. One even went as far to cover up the bags of blood with tape and paper so Bashman ( or anyone else that visited) wouldn't have to see what was going on. Needless to say after the second bag I felt noticeable better. I could get out the bed easier and I didn't feel like I would fall asleep at any given time. Even though I went through all of this, I would do it all again. I would go through it all again. all the yucky sucky pregnancy stuff and all the crazy after delivery stuff. when I hold my little bit it all disappeared and I am so over come with joy and love. Welcome to this crazy family baby Elle. Daddy, bashman and I are so happy you are here, even if you are a month early :)