Our family of three....

This was the last picture we took as a family of three. At the time of this picture I was about 6 months pregnant with Allie Claire. I remember feeling sorta nervous about the changes of going from a mother of 1 to a mother of 2. Wondering how would Ella Brooke take it. I have to admit that she was sooo excited about the IDEA. But once Allie Claire actually made her arrival.... now that was a different story. She loved her, and was very gentle with her, but she did show a little jealousy. Matt and I tried very hard to help her through this change. She quickly realized that I was cool to be a "big sister". And what a great "big sister" she has been!

Some cherished moments of Ella Brooke's life

Now... Just remember that I am sorta playing catch up on my blog. These are just a few of my favorite moments with this silly girl. I can't believe how fast time flies! It seems like just yestereday we were in the hospital having her. These pictures display alot about her personality. ALL girl! But very well rounded. She is usually up for anything. So much fun and full of energy....and questions! I love her!

The not so smooth transition into our new life as a family of three

 

Well, our first night home with our new little bundle of joy did not go so smooth. Exausted is an understatement. I felt like there was something going on with her. Every time I would try to feed her she would scream and cry. She appeared to be so hungry, but would not eat for crying. This went on all night. I  remember crying my eyes out and telling Matt that we needed to take her to the Doctor and that something was wrong. She had not eaten all night long and was obviously crying out of hunger. I also thought that it was something that I was doing wrong. So, we got up, got showered and headed to talk with the lactation nurse at flowers first. After speaking with the lactation nurse and weighing Ella Brooke, she recommended that we head on over the the pediatrician office to see Dr Ashley. Nothing could have prepared this new mommy and daddy of the news that we were about to hear. Dr. Ashley is a GREAT physician. Not very personable though. He began by laying her on the table in the office and undressing her. She was screaming of course. He told us that she looked a little jaundice. Matt and I looked at each other as I continued to describe how she would act during feeding the night prior. In the middle of me talking he turned around and very bluntly said, " she has a cleft palate, did you not know this?" " she is also jaundice and we need to check her levels right away" He turned his head and looked me in the eyes and I just lost it. "Cleft Palate?" I asked. "Could you start over and slow down?" I asked him. His tone quickly changed to a more compassionate way and he told us what was ahead for us. In a nutshell... she was born with a cleft palate and the pediatricians had missed it in checking her out on the night that she was born. And for that fact, the whole weekend we were in the hospital. She was starving. She could not suck and her levels were critical. What were we in for? What was going to happen to her? We were admitted into the hospital and the physicans and nurses quickly began pricking, and poking my newborn baby. She had her very own tanning bed to lie in until we could get her levels to drop. We were told that this could take days. The other obstical was that there was no bottle or way to feed my baby with a cleft palate. For this to be one of the most common birth defects....I felt like nobody had what we needed. One sweet little nurse busted it trying to find any pharmacy in town that had bottle or nipples for cleft palate babies. Finally after being there for about 3 hours... my baby got to eat. After trying two different cleft palate bottle nipples, the second one was the charm. Then, a nurse came in to tell us that there were several safety precautions that we needed to be aware of and choking hazzards for our cleft palate baby. Not exactly what I needed at the time of relief that I had finally just gotten.   She told us that we would not be leaving any time soon, but before we were discharged that Matt and I had to go through a CPR training before we ever got to leave with our baby. EMOTIONAL EXAUSTION!!!!  And at this point, I had not had any time to even research Cleft Palates to see what the future held for our sweet little girl.  We had to stay in the hospital for 7 days. Her levels finally went to normal and we felt comfortable with feeding our baby. 2 weeks after Ella Brooke was born we were sent to Childrens Hospital of Alabama to meet with the Cleft Palate Surgeon. His name was Dr. John Grant and his assistant was Miss Dana. I remember sitting in that waiting room of the clininc trying not to stare. It was at that time that I think it finally sunk in with Matt and I that yes, our baby has a cleft palate. We also felt blessed that this was all that she had going on. There were babies hidden under their blankets to hide their faces. Babies with no lips and flattened noses. We then realized that Dr. G was a craniofacial surgeon. And one of the best. This sweet lady sitting beside me showed me a picture of the before and after picture of her baby. AMAZING!   I guess that sweet lady could just sense the fear and worry that Matt and I were feeling. She had been there. She had been in our shoes before an actually she had it worse. She was so encouraging and honest about any questions that we had. I thank God for putting her in that room with us. Then we met Dr. Grant.  I felt 100% better after talking with him and Dana. Basically we were told that she would have her first surgery around 9-10 months of age if weight was appropriate. We were sent home to treat her normal and were told the only thing different about our baby was that she may need a little extra time to eat and would need a special bottle. Until December... let her grow and call them if we had any questions. He answered all our concerns before we could even bring them up. HE is AWESOME!  Matt and I felt total relief. So off to Dothan we were to start our life as a family of 3. 

Everyone meets Ella Brooke

During those first few days of Ella Brooke being here... I remember feeling like my heart was overflowing with love for her. I also remember realizing on that first night of her arrival, just how much I love her Daddy. I love being reminded and humbled by things. I remember taking this picture of him and her and thinking... Wow! I love them both so much . He was AMAZING during the preparation and delivery process. He was so encouraging. I remember looking at him that night and thinking... I have fallen in love with him all over again.

I love this look on Brad's face. He was one excited uncle! You can't see it here, but my mom had him a shirt made that said " Ella Brooke's Uncle Bubba"

Matt and my best friend Kelly changing the first "tar" diaper.

Love the look on all their faces. Precious!

Matt's mother was my labor and delivery nurse. She was great! She basically delivered Ella Brooke. I am glad that she got be a part of bringing her first grandaughter into this world.

Stork Poppy! Not very often do we see a silly side of my dad. I just have to think he was "tickled pink" with excitement.

Getting ready to head home with our beautiful baby girl.

The arrival of Ella Brooke

The arrival of my sweet little girl. Now this.... was love at first sight. I will never forget holding her in my arms for the first time. I had waited so long to hold her. I remember thinking she's finally here! There is nothing in this world like being a mommy.  Ella Brooke was born on March 10th, 2006. She arrived at 7:04pm and weighed 7lbs7oz. She was 21in long and had blonde haire and blue eyes.

Then & Now

This is probably the most recent picture of us. Yep... like I said earlier....changed a bit. But one thing is for certain.... We are better than ever. We have two healthy, beautiful little girls who have completly changed our Worlds from what they were 9 years ago. They have taught us patience, unconditional love, what is truly signifigant in life.... and what is NOT. So... with that said... Here comes what I like to call ... " The good stuff." 

My best friend....

                   

                                                      Awww... where it all began....

Well... here is where it all began! Matt and I were friends, and co-workers before we ever started dating. I have to admit it was not love at first sight! Did I think he was attractive? yes. Did I like him? yes, I thought that he was a great guy and I liked him. Did I like him, like him? NO! I remember telling another co-worker/friend that he was just to old for me. Ha!!! Boy did i eat those words! I could go on with all the lovely details.... but in a nutshell... He asked me over to his house one night for a cook-out with some of his friends and family. And.... well, we've been together ever since. We started dating in March of 2002, Were engaged by September 2002( yep, you counted right, 6 months later we were engaged), and we married in April of 2003. This month we celebrated our 9 year wedding anniversary. In a way it seems like just yesterday. Then, in a way, I feel like we've been together for way more that 9 years! I love him dearly. He is my best friend. He is a man of character who understands commitment and does MORE than his share to to make his family comfortable, secure, and safe. He is patient, optimistic, caring and smart. His sense of humor holds me up when I just can't do it myself. I love him more and more each day that passes. My girls and I are truly blessed for God choosing him to be our EVERYTHING.  I love you Matt! These are just a few photos of our dating life, honeymoon and wedding. OH MY how we've changed!