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.

Bless His Heart

My precious baby has been down for the count. Yes, he just went to the doctor on Wednesday, but over the weekend he started coughing. At first, it wasn't anything major, but Sunday night it got progressively worse. He developed a fever Sunday night and maintained it Monday morning. I took him to MCG to the Pediatric Clinic and they gave him a breathing treatment and sent us for x-rays. The doctor could not determine if the wheezing was his natural breathing (product of a TE Fistula baby) or something more. We didn't wait long, went home with an inhaler and 1 prescription and waited to hear back from the doctor regarding the x-rays. Not an hour later, the doctor called and T has an infection in his lung. It is small, but there. So, my 1 prescription turned into 2. T was sleepy and very whiny...not his normal self. I selfishly enjoyed the cuddle time!

Tuesday rolled around and he still couldn't go to school. I needed to come to work, so we worked it out where Granny kept him from 8-12, Wes had him from 12-1:30, and I had him after that. I could at least get my co-workers through lunch. Trenton started to feel a little better, but he was still whiny. His cough was still there, but he seemed to be in better spirits. Then, the night rolled around....

Around 6:30 T went to bed and everything was fine until around 12. He woke up crying and coughing. Wes went and got him and we both held him and tried to calm him down...he went back in his crib. 2 AM - same routine. I go downstairs to get him some tylenol, and for the 3rd night in a row, Bandit has pooped in the house. NOT FUN! T gets tylenol and we let him lie in our bed for about 10 minutes..back to the crib...3:20 - he is up again. We get him back in the crib and he sleeps until 5:20...I get up, get him, put him in the bed with Wes, shower, let the dogs out and I am up for the day.

My entire routine was off...Trenton was dressed and ready for school even ate about 3 bites of breakfast and it was only 6:20! Still coughing and a little needy, we sat in the den and talked and watched Sprout.

I took him to school this morning. He doesn't have a fever, but he isn't 100%. Very needy and he ran to see his Ms. Mitt, who took care of him when he was in the infant room. He went to her and she helped me get him to his class. Ms. Mitt is such a God-send. She has constantly cared, loved, and prayed for my son. Not saying that other teachers didn't, but Ms. Mitt holds a special place in my and Trenton's heart. I mean, for him to run to that classroom and see her...that speaks volumes to me!

Trenton's "I don't feel good face...."

Trenton has a new favorite thing, running around and pretending to draw with his new pen.

When Trenton watches Sprout he likes to lean against the furniture for the best view...

We leave for the beach on Friday, so this could be interesting. I hope he gets to feeling better. So far, no calls from daycare...it is 10:30..that is pretty good, right?

He has learned how to "blow his nose" through this...he knows to put it to his nose and then he dusts the table..we are getting there, right!?

T's 18 Month Check Up

Wes took Trenton to the doctor today for his check up. Wes is a good Daddy and takes Trenton to all the shot appointments. :) Just a quick update, he is 25.6 pounds, 33 inches long, and healthy. This is a picture of Trenton I took yesterday on our way to Publix. Trenton has on his new shoes (SIZE 6!) that he got Sunday. He is so much fun to be around and he is learning so much!

Something About Those Sporty Imports

When I was in College I got a new car, my father LOVES car shopping, so we went and I got a Saab 93. I loved the way it looked and the way it drove. I LOVED that car, but then I graduated and the repair bills were all mine. For some reason, that car missed the shop when it wasn't in it and would break down.

Prior to any of the break down, my first week of ownership, a High School kid hit my car that was parked in the parking lot. Got that fixed, then on the way home from school one weekend, a log flew off the back of a logging truck and into the hood of my car. True to the make of the car, it got me home - the turbo was shot, but I made it. I remember I called Dad and told him (I think he made out what I was saying through my sobs). My Dad said, "are you okay? Is the car drivable? Don't call your Mom. She is in Bible Study and we will let her know when you get home." That was hard. I wanted my Mommy. :) So, I slowly made it home and pulled into the drive. Mom was home, she ran out the door, hugged me and said, "sara, you could have died!" I cried. She cried. Dad was in repair mode. The Saab (Claire was her name) was repaired and got a new turbo and everything!

After graduation I moved to Greenville, SC where there is a Saab dealership. I quickly became friends with the service department there. I did not have the best relationship with the service department in Augusta - one man in particular. However, since I had my first "real" job, I was responsible for car maintenance. I sure wish I had asked about how much it costs to maintain the Saab. Every oil change, $80. But, every oil change uncovered new problems. Brakes, $600, Tires, $900. The car started to just shut off for no reason as I was driving..we would hook it up to the diagnostic test and everything was fine. That car was too electrically driven, and boy did I pay for it.

When Wes and I got married he had a truck. Long story short, we traded his old truck for a new truck. Then, I got pregnant and the Saab was costing about $800 a month to maintain - it was still breaking down. So, we traded the Saab and I got a Rogue. Then, Trenton came and with his medical complications, we were looking for ways to cut costs, so Wes made the ULTIMATE sacrifice and traded his beloved truck. We went car shopping and he decided he wanted a car. He test drove bunches, but ended up with a VW Passat - yes, it surprised me too.

Well, apparently, this Sporty Import has a target too. Since getting the VW, Wes has been in 2 accidents - close to each other - both his fault. Then, he went to a meeting last week in Savannah and calls me to tell me he got pulled over. I was not excited. Thankfully, he didn't get a ticket. He was pulled for illegal tint. The tint wasn't illegal, so he was let go. As we are on the phone, he goes, "I have to go, the cop is pulling me again". I am a NERVOUS wreck. I have no clue what has happened. About 10 minutes later, he calls me and tells me the dispatcher had entered his information incorrectly and they thought he was a different person - um, not cool. Wes called me all nervous too - that had to be a little scary, pulled twice by the same cop within 3 minutes. Thankfully, it was all straightened out and he continued home.

So, while my car, Claire, had a tendency to break down and cost a lot of money and be hit by other people/things, Wes's import tends to be the offender. Apparently, if there is an import around me, you can bet it will be a headache. Needless to say, we are NOT buying another sporty foreign import again. As foreign as I will go is Nissan! (sorry, Dad, love you!)