just a little update

Just to let you know what we have been up to these day.  To say life is busier with 2 kids would be an understatement.  I feel like I am always preparing for the next day or event.  Crazy.  Scheduling is def our friend these days. But I wanted to update to keep a record of what's been happening...

Ellie is doing  awesome in the 2nd grade!  She is the top reader in her class and also excels in math.  Keeping her challenged can be difficult at times, but we have finally found something that she has to practice and doesn't come so naturally to her - PIANO.  She has inherited the musical ear from Jamie's side of the family (thank goodness), and can play the piano by ear, but when she has to read the music and figure it out it is a little more challenging to her.  It's a good challenge though.  Bless her piano teacher!  Ellie was chosen as a class favorite by her classmates.  She was very excited.  And, today she has turned 8 years old!  Wow!  We are celebrating this weekend with a skating party with her friends and a family party Sunday afternoon.

Lizzie Kate will be 4 mths old tomorrow.  She is growing and filling out - or as we call it "fluffy".  She has been sick with the hand-foot-mouth virus and she kindly shared with myself and Ellie. She was pitiful and it was no fun!  Her well check visit was today - 24 inches long and 14 lbs 2 oz.  She also has a new RX for Prevacid to deal with spitting up.  Hopefully, this will help with her many fussy issues.  She is rolling over; smiling; and will laugh, but those are rare because she finds very little funny.  She loves bath time, her cereal bottle at night, and is still sleeping through the night.

Goodbye Summer Break

Tomorrow, Ellie begins school!  Next week, I return to work from maternity leave!  We are in a sour mood as we are saying goodbye to the lazy days of summer and returning to the reality of schedules and the hustle and bustle of our normal lives.  It is truly a time to mourn.  I have so enjoyed being off this time of year with both of the girls.  To say I am envious of educators for their summer break would be an understatement. 

 

This summer has truly been awesome! From big events like welcoming Lizzie Kate to the more simpler things such as swimming, ballgames, and bike riding it has been fun!  Even afternoon naps and snuggling time.  {sniff, sniff} 

 

 

softball scenes

Softball is over.  The All Star team finished 3rd in the tournaments.  Overall, it was a great season of much and can't wait for next year's.

 

Also, notice the styling socks of Ellie.  Can you say "smurfette is playing softball?"

 

 

Milestones

Our little family had a couple of milestones this week. 

 

First off, it's hard to believe that Lizzie Kate celebrated her 1 month birthday on Monday, July 15th!  Crazy ... where has the time gone?  She has rocked our world.  She had a great "well checkup" on Monday and is growing like a weed. 

 

June 15th:

Weight: 7 lbs 5 oz

Height:  20.4 in long

Eating: 2 oz every 2-3 hrs

 

July 15th:

Weight: 9 lbs 12 oz

Height: 22.4 in long

Eating: 4 oz.+ every 3-4 hrs

And, she has been sleeping through the night!!  :)

 

 

 

Another milestone for our family...Ellie Grace got a new accessory on Monday as well - glasses.  I have been anticipating the day she needed glasses, because it was bound to happen with both sides of the family having poor eye sight.  She went for her annual eye exam in February this year, but I decided to take her back for a check up after her comments of not seeing something and before school started back.  So glad we did; her eyes did a major "jump" from February till now.  I received glasses in the 2nd grade at her age, so I guess she is taking after me.  How cute does she look in her new glasses?  They are purple in color and have "rainbow" zebra print on the side, but they aren't too wild for my liking.

My All Stars

 

 



Boy or Girl?

 

When Jamie and I went for the 20 week ultrasound we decided not to find out that day if the new addition would be a boy or girl.  We wanted Ellie to be a part of the excitement and thought that a gender reveal party would be a great idea!  I must admit, it was rather hard not to tear into the envelope as we left the doctor's office. We tossed around several ideas on how we wanted to reveal the gender, but decided on going to a local children's boutique, The Chocolate Bunny, and getting an outfit. We picked out 1 boy and 1 girl outfit and handed the envelope containing the gender to the ladies with instructions:  open the envelope and wrap whichever outfit indicated. Also wrap up the ultrasound photos too.  The ladies were thrilled to say the least.  When we returned, the package was carefully wrapped w/ no indication what-so-ever as to the gender.

 

That upcoming weekend was the party with family and friends. 

 

So is the new addition a "he" or "she"?

 

 

 

We let Ellie unwrap the package to reveal a pink and white striped outfit! 

Poor Jamie, living with all these girls!

Welcoming Lizzie Kate

 

The weekend before our little family grew by 2 feet, we planned a "girl's morning" with our family friends, the Eakes ladies!  We spent a Saturday morning getting mother-daughter pedicures and the girls got mini-manicures as well.  Complete with massage chairs the idea was a big success with the girls and we completed the morning with a stop at a local donut shop. This was Ellie's first experience with a spa treatment and she enjoyed it.

 

Little did we know that the very next weekend, Lizzie Kate would arrive.  She was to be due on June 24th, but decided an earlier arrival would be better. I must say that she couldn't have timed it any better-arriving on a Saturday morning makes it easy for everyone and not have schedules to re-arrange. Not to go into many details regarding the labor/delivery process, I will state the following:

 

1. lower back labor is terrible

2.  Thank God for people that make the drugs to make the process a little more bearable, even if they don't fully numb.

3. Arriving at the hospital at approx. 2:30 am and Lizzie Kate being born at 8:12 am is what I consider to be a fast process.

 

A few things worth mentioning:

 

Lizzie Kate's name... Both families have Elizabeth's or Lizabeth's in the family tree. And I had a great-great grandmother named Lizzie. Kate is a name that one of my grandmother's wanted me to be named.  Plus, I go for more traditional, timeless names and really like the "Southern style" double name. And, of course the meanings of names is important as well.

 

Lizzie: derived from Elizabeth meaning "my God is an oath" or "consecrated to God"

Kate: "pure"

 

Also, the first things noticed about Lizzie is her perfectly shaped head and long fingers and toes.

 

 

Jamie called family and friends at approx. 6:30 am and all made it in time for LK's arrival. Thanks to Billie Jo for all the waiting room pictures.

 

Big Sis, Ellie Grace, patiently waiting. The cute shirt is courtesy of The Eakes'.

 

This photo cracks me up.  The kids spying for Jamie to come get everyone. 

 

Thumbs Up!  Lizzie is here!

 

Big Sis and Little Sis

 

Just as expected, Ellie has adjusted so well into the big sister role.  The girls are about 7 1/2 year apart, so having a sister that wants to be involved and help has been great.  I have been trying to prepare Ellie for the important role of being a big sister and the responsibilities and role she will have in Lizzie's life.

 

 



Some Summer Randomness

 

I wanted to share some summer randomness before I begin the posts about our family of 4. Before Lizzie Kate arrived, we wanted to squeeze in as much Ellie time as possible.  Though we knew she would be a wonderful big sister, we also wanted to make sure that she didn't feel overshadowed by the new addition. 

 

The above picture was taken while fishing one evening. I love the look of concentration on her face, hence the tongue sticking out while casting the fishing pole. When in deep concentration or thought, her tongue is out of her mouth. During the school year, her lips become so chapped. 

 

Ellie also played league ball again this year.  She was able to move up to coach-pitch softball and played with a great group of young girls that improved so much over the season.  I don't have any photos of the regular season play because being the coach's wife means the unspoken task of keeping the score book, but I plan on getting action pictures with this week's upcoming All-Star tournaments.  I did take my camera to last night's practice scrimmage.  Capturing a sweating Ellie with blue eyes perfectly matching her jersey makes my heart smile.  She is playing the catcher position and her wet, sweaty hair is proof that it is rather warm with the equipment.  Good Luck to the North Gibson 8U All Star Softball team this weekend!

 

 



New Addition

On Saturday, June 15, 2013, we welcomed a new member to the Carson Clan.

 

Meet Lizzie Kate Carson

Born at 8:12 am

Weight: 7 lbs 5 oz

Length: 20.25 inches long

 

This and That

 We have been busy little bees around here.  So busy, I really don't know where to begin.
Where has the time gone?  We now have a 1st grader!  Wow!  Leading up to the beginning of school, Ellie was a little undecided if she was ready for 1st grade and another school year, but she picked up right where she left off.  And of course, she had to begin the year with as many "brownie points" as possible with her new teacher, Mrs. Christy.  So, I was able to cure a 'craft bug' and made a door hanger for her classroom door.  

With all the Olympic coverage a few weeks ago, we got into the Olympic spirit around here.  Jamie & I help with the children/youth on Wednesday evenings, so I thought it was only fitting to have the New Salem Youth Olympics.  It was fun and I tried to make it as "real as possible."  Below, Ellie is holding the Olympic flames for a torch relay.  It could have also been a little confused with the recycling Olympics, but it was fun nonetheless.  

Beth Moore Live!

Have you heard of Beth Moore?  If you haven't, I suggest you find the nearest Lifeway Christian Bookstore or go on line a find her.  I have completed 2 of her DVD Bible Studies and they were equally wonderful.  So when our church ladies heard that she would be in Knoxville in August, we signed up without any hesitation.  I am so glad I went - it was AMAZING!  13,000+ women in the Thompson Bowling area at UT-Knox, with Travis Cottrell (btw - he is at Englewood Baptist in Jackson, TN) with his choir from his church - it was all "just too much" as Mrs. Moore would say!  It was an indescribable experience.  Though I have so enjoyed her DVD studies, and will continue them, it is no comparison seeing her in action.  She is truly using her God-given talent.

Ellie's New Smile

Ellie has a new smile these days and is breaking the tooth fairy.

Christmas in July?

We took a mini trip this past weekend to Holiday World.  We were lucky enough to be the highest bidder at the local school's fall festival auction for some tickets.  And, we were able to take Jamie's cousins, Macy Ruth and Mason, along for the fun.  As my hubby told me during the trip ... "It's a good thing they came because you are a 'park pooper'."  Yep, that's right, I do not ride roller coasters and the like.  Not. Interested. But, I love watch others do it.  We had a great time!  If you have never been, I would recommend it.  There are 2 parks in 1 - the amusement park and the water park.  There is plenty for the whole family - from the little ones to the big kids.  I was impressed with the cleanliness of the park.  And, there are free fountain drinks to help cool off.  Jamie is already planning on returning next year.  

summer

summer is...

Is it me, or is summer just passing by so quickly?  We are trying to cram as much fun and sun into all the summer we can stand.  So, our summer is...

lots and lots of sunscreen for the lake and the pool...

falling asleep after an afternoon of swimming with friends...

marking "park" off our summer list...

ballgames, sunflower seeds, and rooting for this guy, Jaxon...

and trying to keep up with kids at the ball park...

That has been our summer in a nutshell or at least through the lens of my cell phone camera, hence the picture quality.  

How are you enjoying your summer?

The Victory is Sweet

The Victory 93.7 T-Ball team brought home hardware with an undefeated T-Ball season!  All of the coaches and players have something to be proud of.  It was hard for Ellie and her favorite coach to hide their smiles from a great season!  A Victory is sweet!

Expressions from the Lake

Got Dirt?

Batter's Up

T Ball Season has begun.  Love the look of determination on her face!

We took an early vacation this year.  Though we may end up regretting it once summer gets going, it was so nice to be able to get away sooner than normal.  We went to PCB just like we did last July, and stayed at a condo resort, Splash.  The weather was perfect - sunny, 80+ degrees, no rain; and the crowds were much smaller than going during "peak season".  No long waits for eating or terrible traffic to deal with.  And...lucky for us it was Ellie's spring break week at school plus Jamie's cousin was getting married on the beach the same weekend.  What a perfect storm!

I didn't take a lot of pictures, in fact, Jamie often reminded me I was leaving without my camera.  I just kind of sat back, relaxed and enjoyed just being there instead of worry about taking pictures.  I did include some of my favorites in the post.  The above is Macy Ruth & Ellie at the wedding.  Though they are actually cousins, then tend to act more like BFF and sisters.  In fact, I have been trying to claim Macy as another child on my tax return. 

 Our little family at the wedding.  It was a tad windy that particular day, but the rest of the time the wind was no where to be found. 

 The happy couple - Congrats Whitney & Nathan! 

And ... one of my favs of our nephew Tripp.  He was the only one that couldn't move fast enough from the camera.  Ellie & Jaxon wanted no part in having their picture taken.