Baptized In Christ

Sunday was Ellia's Baptism. We chose to have her baptized at Kevin's parent's church. This church is also important to me since it is the place I accepted Jesus with my whole heart. It was a more intimate ceremony and one we will never forget. We had about 50 people come to celebrate with us. Kevin's sister Kelly and her fiance Ron sang. Kevin's dad also sang and did a reading for the presenting of the church tithes. Ellia did better than expected. She cried when the water was poured on her head. When the pastor held her up to the crowed, we all smiled and laughed and she stopped and stared at all of us as if she knew this was her moment. Then the pastor asked all those who would like to come up to congratulate her. It was so nice and gave Kevin and I a chance to see everyone that came. The gown she wore has a very special value to it since it was both my sister's and my baptism dress. From the bonnet to the shoes and blanket, she looked adorable. I of course cried through most of the service as I reflected on my quiet prayers last year around this time asking the Lord to bless us with a baby. Ellia is a Hebrew name that actually means "answered prayer". The day for me was a way for us to say Thank You to God for entrusting us with raising her. She is a miracle and a true gift from God. What a memorable day of professing our obedience to raise her in the Lords unwavering grace.

After the service we had a wonderful luncheon in the church hall. Food was prepared by numerous loving hands and the cake was from Bethel Bakery (the best bakery ever!)

Today, Ellia is 15 weeks old. She talks to us so much more and seems to be aware of her surroundings. Kevin and I catch her in a fake cry which we can usually turn into a smile. I call her little miss priss but when she is sleeping she looks just like a perfect angle. She also grabs at things now like her pacifier, fingers, my hair and her bottle. Only one more month to enjoy every day with her until I go back to work.

Valentine's Day Blessings

We have had a great blessing this Valentine's Day. I know that Saturday was Val's day but Sunday was the true blessing. Kevin and I took Ellia and the dogs to the Angelo's house on Sunday after church. That evening when we were leaving to come home we were in an accident. It was late at night and the parkway west was snow covered. As we came around a bend, we saw a tractor trailer with its flashers on. we started to slow down even more and the car in front of us was having trouble stopping. we watched as the car skidded out of control hitting the guardrail and another car. we thought we were going to avoid the whole situation but then there was a loud bang from behind as an SUV hit our left back side. I screamed, waking poor Ellia. The dogs were a little shaken up too. Kevin was so calm and managed to avoid getting hit further. Kevin pulled us off to the side and took care of the details with other involved drivers and the police. Thank goodness we were in Kevin's Nissan Xterra because it sits up higher on the road and the damaged occurred under the window above the left rear wheel. This just opens our eyes even a little more to all the many blessing we receive each day no matter how great or small.
Ellia is now 14 weeks old and getting so big. We put her in her big girl crib to sleep in her own room on Saturday night instead of the cradle in our room and it was harder for mommy to handle then Ellia. I was up every couple of hours checking the monitor to make sure she was okay. I even cried a little at the thought of her being in the other room by herself. However, she is doing great with it all. Also she is trying to already pull herself up right when lying down and studies her hands too! We got out her rain forest jumperoo and she seems to like it cause she can sit upright to look at the TV at a more direct angle! She loves the TV and we catch her head looking in that direction whenever it is on! She makes us laugh and smile everyday. And that in itself is the best blessing of all!


Valentine Pictures

Jumperoo Fun!

3 months old!

Well today Ellia is 3 months old. She is developing such a little personality. She babbles to us all the time now and gets really excited about things.. such as the TV, her jungle gym, and or mommy and daddy makeing silly faces at her. She sits in her vibrating rocker chair and will watch her Baby Enestine DVD's all the while kicking her little legs and swinging her arms around like she wants to join in with the action. I really enjoy just watching her little face make all kinds of different expressions. Even when she cries I still get a laugh at watching her persistent nature and her little lip stick out in such a pout. Then through the tears, she will give me a big smile and we will have our girl talk time. I am not sure how much she weighs now since we will not make a trip to the doctors until next month but I am guessing she is about 13 or 14 lbs. She is all about observing her surroundings and loves to be held upright. I see Kevin and I both in her features more and more.. It is just so amazing that we created her yet she is still her own little person who God has entrusted us to raise. Motherhood is such a blessing, even when it is so hard.

I go back to work in April and I am already getting upset about it. I have found a wonderful daycare facility that is on the way to work and also close to the Angelo's house. The women that work there are all older and have been with this facility for 15 years or more. We will see how I adjust. I am sure she will be fine. In the mean time, I am taking in every day and feeling grateful for the time I get to spend with Ellia. Here are some pictures from this past couple weeks.

Super Bowl Champs!

Here We Go Steelers, Here We Go! Here's to the Steelers' 6 pack. Last time the Steelers won the super bowl was the year Kevin and I got married. This time we have Ellia. Ellia is about 12 weeks old now. I guess I keep saying this but, time really does go by so fast. She is talking to us so much more now and though it might not make much sense to us, I know she knows what she is saying. Sometimes it is so important for her to get something out, she stops eating just to talk. Every time I look at her, I am reminded at what a miracle she is and a blessing that God has given to Kevin and I. Life is really amazing. Here are some pictures of the past week and also from the super bowl.