The Terrible 3's!

I am not sure why people say that 2's are so bad. Trenton will be 3 in November and I am here to tell you that it isn't the 2's, it is the beginning of the 3's.  Granted, T has trouble sleeping in and I know that has something to do with his behavior, but really, I am already dreading the rest of the 3's. I know, I should enjoy every minute, and I do, but there is a time when enough is enough.  The ironic thing is every thing I get frustrated with him for doing, I remember my parents yelling at me for the same thing! Payback is a bitch - I know my parents enjoy watching it all transpire. In fact, yesterday I told Mom, "Trenton is turning into a 3 year old and it is wearing on me".  Mom's response, "I hated 3!" Good advice, right? But there really is no advice - stay fair, stay consistent, stay sane? All things that have been true for every other year. 

T gets up at 5, 5:30 if we are lucky.  Yes, all those out there who want to give me advice, we have tried keeping him up later - it doesn't work.  So, we are met with a child who now (like every weekend) is taking a nap around 8/8:30.  In the meantime everything is a big deal - I mean EVERYTHING. Trenton, it's time to clean up, please help clean up your toys. His response (with kicking feet and lying on the floor - something he has NEVER done) "NOOOOOOO, I don't want to - I not clean up my toys! cry, cry cry".  Yesterday I told him that he cries more than his almost 5 month old sister - and he does. 


Wes and I are entering this stage cautiously; however, he still has those stinkin' cute moments when all the hissy fits, all the leg kicking, all the crying for no reason fades away and you remember why it is such a blessing being a parent. 

So, whichever Trenton we get at any minute - we love him, we will enjoy the ride, and we will all grow a little bit from every tantrum and every giggle we share. We love you, Trenton!

Back to Work

Since I haven't been blogging so much, not many people know just how stressful this past year has been.  I went part time at the bank and found out I was pregnant in July 2012, started my practicum and internship August 2012, left the bank October 2012, started applying for jobs December 2012, interviewed the beginning of 2012, had Addison March 2012, kept interviewing, graduated May 2012, got a job July 2012...whew! Well, I was stressed for a few reasons, but found that I really struggle with worry.  Throughout this process I had so many amazing people helping me, praying for me, guiding me, loving me, it was crazy.  Anyway, I signed my contract and I now am officially back to work - this time as a school counselor.  I have to say that not many people get a job right out of college. Many of my grad school friends were not so blessed and I imagine things are not easy for them. 

I am so excited to start work but I am realizing just how fast-paced and unpredictable this job is - and the kiddos haven't even come back from summer break! I have been asking questions, working my fanny off and trying to get up to speed on all I need to know.  Thankfully, I am working where I did my practicum and internship, so that takes some of the pressure off, but it is still a lot.  I am looking forward to this upcoming year and hopefully will be with this school for many years to come.  So, thank you to all who helped in the job hunt process - now, please pray for me to survive my first year!

"Heffer and who that other man?" - Trenton Ellis

Many people have heard this story - many times I am sure, but when I worked at the bank, I could not stand my "boss".  Her name is Heather. (Trenton calls her Heffer).  My first day at the bank, this is what she said to me, "some of us are getting together tonight for a Girls Night Out. You can come if you want, but you won't know anybody, so you probably don't want to come." What!?! Who says that. I remember going home and complaining about her and how I did not want to work with her and I would not ever talk to her about anything, just work. Well, we all know that I cannot just sit there and not talk! The first little while was a little more quiet; however, our other teller friend was a mute. I love her, but she didn't talk.  Our conversation consisted of "What brought you to Georgia?" She was from Florida. Her response, "change".  Well here in the sweet state of Georgia/South Carolina - that is not acceptable. Now she makes fun of the fact that by the end of a conversation I know your blood type and social security number. 

Anyway, I finally decided that I needed to give Heather a fair shot.  Well, there were still days that I was not so sure if I would even survive.  Then, along came news of Trenton. I am not sure why this is what changed everything, but it did.  I started at the bank in November, got pregnant that February.  Heather and I had been talking more, but I feel as though the bond really strengthened when T was announced. 

Heather stepped up and was more interested and concerned than some of my long time friends.  Ironically, this is a woman that does not want children (at this moment - maybe never) and who will not even hold a baby.  Heather was there for me through it all.  Every sick day, every craving, every mood swing. Even if these things meant she had to sacrifice and come to work sick because she knew I could not be there.  When T was sick, she was there - constantly. She would not complain about me missing work again for another doctor appointment or about me extending my maternity from 6 weeks to about 8.  I didn't get to go to her wedding because of my fat pregnant self being too big to travel and T's complications, but she still did not complain or even whine.  What I love about her is the fact that she is always there - caring, honest, empathetic - she is there. She even helped to coordinate a shower for me at the bank.

Well, about a year ago Heather left the South. She and her husband left for Maryland. (see pic of going away dinner below) That was tragic.  I was excited for her - she got a great job and a great opportunity, but selfishly I didn't want them to go. You see, Wes and I do not have a lot of couple friends. We have tried and found a few, but Heather and Doug (who Trenton kept saying, "who that other man?" Apparently Doug is hard to remember if you are almost 3) did not even flinch when Trenton would be crying as we attempted to play Scattegories. In fact, they even try to take our dog, Baxter because he and Doug have such a special bond. 

Those of you who know me well know that I am not a good long distance friend. I am working on it - slowly, but until recently my life was school, work, kids, husband, house...well, now I am graduated, but still find it hard to make a simple phone call with a baby crying, dinner cooking, and the laundry piling up.  Heather gets that.  I blog about this because they came back "home" to visit.  It was A-MAZING. Granted, I didn't get to see them as much as I would have liked, but it was great to have one night with them. 

I thought that she would come back and it would be awkward. I haven't talked to her as much as I should and she was the sweet friend who sent Addison a present that she started working on as soon as I found out it was a girl.  A Tennessee onesie, pants, and tutu for football season.  Not to mention, she makes all of my shutterfly books, thinks of my children when she goes places, and even remembers both mine and Wes's b'days!  It was not awkward. We picked up right where we left off. To me, that is what makes it one of those long-lasting, never-failing friendships. I am sure I have done stuff to piss her off. I know she gets frustrated at my lack of communication, but she gets me. She understands that I still care and I am here.  In fact, she was my motivation for bringing my blog back to life. Last night, we did play Scattegories and last night they did not flinch when Addison and Trenton were crying.  Heather played with Addi while I dealt with T, they just go with the flow.  We shared some laughs, some memories, some drinks, low country boil, and made some more memories.  I am sad they are going back, but so blessed and genuinely grateful for our night together.  Heffer and who that other man? we love you and miss you already. Ya'll have been amazing friends and I am truly grateful to have you in our lives. It is our turn to come visit you and we are so excited.  Thank you for always being there consistently and for getting us. 

We are family...

When I had T, some people thought he looked like Wes while others thought he looked like my Dad, Sir.  Weird, right? Well, I will say this while he may look like both of them, he is all my personality.  He is quick witted (yes, at almost 3), he is constantly talking, he never meets a stranger, he knows more people at his daycare than I do, he is weird (in a precious way) and he tells fibs about as good as I do.  So, one day we were over at Nona and Sir's and I saw this picture....

Now, to me, Trenton favors my Dad a LOT! I do not have a picture of Wes around this age, but I will try to get one. Now, what let me to this was Addi - she has yet to really develop to look like anyone.  Typically, people say me, but recently someone said Wes....now, this broke my heart a touch.  See, I knew my chances of having a green-eyed child were slim (blue is dominant in Wes's and my Mom's family) but I was just hoping for some child to look like me...now, Addi still has some changing to do (as does Trenton) but one thing is for sure - they are each special and McRee/Ellis in their own ways.

I'm Back!

While I realize I have been gone for a long time - I decided it was time to get back into the blogging world.  See I took Addison (our newest addition who is now 4 months old) to the doctor yesterday and realized this is how I remember everything, so I am back.  A lot has happened to the Ellis Family. We had Addison on March 8, 2012; I graduated from graduate school on May 12, 2012; I signed a contract to be a school counselor on July 11, 2012 (whew!); and other than that it is just the normal day to day trials and excitement. 

A little about Addison:
We call her Addi Mac and she is quite possibly the most laid back baby ever! My entire pregnancy (which like Trenton was not without some complications - everything is okay) I was so nervous. I knew I couldn't have 2 chill babies - well, I can (at least for now).  Addison has been sleeping 12 hours or more at night since about 2.5 months.  She was born weighing 7lbs 11oz and 20.25in long. She is now (at 4 months) 14lbs 13oz and 25 inches long.  She is about to start solids! EEK! She never cries unless it is at night and she is fighting sleep, but other than that, I never hear from her.  Trenton is a great big brother and is always finding ways to skirt around the rules, but he does help when I ask him to. She is at a different daycare than Trenton but once she turns 13 months she will move.  We love her and could not be more blessed to have her in our lives.

An update on Trenton:
He is a MESS! He looks like Wes and my Dad (awkward) but is all me in personality.  I have met my match. To all those Moms out there who have a little one that tests you, don't worry - when your little one grows up to have babies - it will all come back.  Trenton is NEVER quiet.  If he doesn't have anything particularly pertinent to say, he retells episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (his favorite show).  He is so smart (almost too smart) and he is funny.  He is still very laid back and most recently was upgraded to a "big boy bed".  He now tells me he wants to have slumber parties with Nona and Sir. He still gets up early, but here recently has not been going to bed as early. our 6pm-6am sleeper is now a 8pm to 530/6am sleeper! EW! It will be good when I start my new job! August 10th he will move up to his new room at school and we are excited and a little nervous (no more bear except to sleep). We are also so blessed to have Trenton and I am positive my days would not be as exciting if it were not for him. Oh, at his last appointment (2 months ago) he was 32lbs and 38inches!

I am hopeful to get back to blogging regularly to share many of our precious stories and keep pictures updated.  So, sorry for the long break, but we are all doing well - busy, but well!

What A Difference an Hour Makes

I have officially started working my 19.75 hours at work. Now, I thought I was going to have all this free time and not know what to do with myself, but I was wrong. Turns out my 19.75 hour work week is going to be more like a 35 hour work week (at least until school starts). So, Tuesday and Wednesday I got off at 3, instead of 4:30. What a difference! My mood was better and I was excited to be going home which made my time with Trenton that much better. I would pick him up early and we would go to the grocery store. We will not be going back to Publix for a while because they have an Elmo balloon display that I cannot avoid. I would cook dinner and each night bake something (one night brownies, another night a strawberry cake), bathe Trenton and settle in while Wes was outside stripping furniture.

This morning, I was scheduled for something different - I came in at 10:30-5. So, I woke up at normal time and got ready. Took trenton to daycare and thankfully, this was the first morning he didn't cry when I left - I was going to take him in late, but I am SO glad I didn't. When we got there the teacher was rolling the the TV (Trenton calls it TB) and they were going to watch Elmo. I put Trenton down next to his buddy Eli and he goes "Bye Mommy". I was so glad.

I went home, cleaned the kitchen, cleaned the bathrooms, dusted the den, loaded and started the dishwasher, took out the trash, and got ready for work. What fun! I am enjoying part time, but I am not looking forward to the lower paycheck. I know it will all be worth it in the end when I graduate! SPRING 2012!

Gone, But Not Forgotten

I want you all to know that I have not forgotten about this blog. Life has been super busy for the Ellis Family and I hope to post pictures soon. It took me getting a note from a dear friend to remind me that although the blog takes time, energy, and some planning, it is a way for my friends who do not get to see or talk to me everyday to know what is going on in our lives.

So, we are still looking for a home for Bandit...any takers?
We just got back from vacation - we went to see Ansley and Shelby in Nashville.
I am transistioning from my full time position at the Bank to a part time position.
We are redoing a few rooms in the house - I get bored easily.

Not too much, but between work, a 2 year old, and school - we managed to stay busy. So, please keep checking back. I do hope to do a better job about this.