The biggest surprise of 2014

We ended 2014 with a bang! We found out the gender of baby #2!!
I thought it was a girl for awhile, but then I changed my tune. I swore up and down it was a boy. I told everyone I would be shocked if it was a girl. Ella thought it was a boy too. She wanted a brother SO bad. Adam never really said what he thought, but I knew he would love another girl. 
On December 30th the three of us headed to the doctor for the ultrasound. It didn't take her long to see that baby #2 is a GIRL!!

We could all see plain as day there was no denying this baby is for sure a girl. Ella started crying, but quickly got over it when she said she knew it was a girl. I still can't believe that I will have two girls. I never in a million years thought we would ever have another baby or another girl for that matter! I can only imagine how different they will be. 
We already had her named as soon as we found out. Her name is Paige. We both really love that name. We are still debating on a middle name, but I'm sure we will figure that out soon. 
Mostly everything looked great with the ultrasound except one little thing. They found a Choroid Plexus Cyst. It's most likely nothing to worry about since everything else looked great, but I will still worry. I had some blood work done so hopefully those results will be normal. 
We are so excited to welcome this little girl into our family.  I just hope and pray Paige is healthy, and I stay healthy as well throughout my pregnancy and after delivery. 
I can't imagine what 2015 has in store for us, but I'm pretty sure it will be a crazy year! 

Christmas 2014

Christmas Eve Ella was up and raring to go to Mammy and Peep's house for Christmas. I absolutely love Christmas at their house. It has changed a little over the years, but it's always a good time. Our Christmas Eve lunch is one of my favorite meals of the year. I love walking into their house and smelling the food. It seriously always smells like Christmas!

Before we left I had to get a picture of my belly. This child wanted to make itself known (didn't know the gender at the time). My belly popped out overnight it seemed. I still have a hard time believing I am pregnant, but I feel little kicks every once in awhile to remind me that there really is a baby in there. 

The girls wasted no time once we arrived to start opening gifts. I think this was my favorite year to date watching them open gifts. They were both really appreciative and loved all of their gifts. It's so cute watching them. 

Christmas would not be fun without these two! 

 Elliott and Brody were there to partake in the fun too. We can't leave out the boys! Santa brought Brody a new bed, and Elliott got a coat. 

 After spending all day at my parent's house we headed home to prepare for Christmas morning. I didn't think Ella would ever go to bed. She kept asking when Santa would be there. After she finally fell asleep Adam got to work on her drum set. Santa also ate the cookies, drank the milk, and left Ella a special note. Ella woke up around 11:30 to use the bathroom. We had just laid down and were afraid she would go in the living room to look and see if Santa had been there yet. Luckily, she went to the bathroom and went back to bed. Little did she know what was in the living room waiting for her....

 She was up around 7am which is probably the earliest she has ever been up on Christmas day. She had a great Christmas. Pretty sure she received everything on her list and more. 

 I have no idea what Santa was thinking bringing her a drum set. The poor dogs would not come in the house for hours. They were terrified. 

We started our own tradition this year of staying home during the day. Adam requested Turkey and dressing so that's what I made along with a few other sides. This was my first time to make a turkey in 32 years, but I would say it's about time. Everything turned out so good. I was pretty proud of myself. 

At around 4:00 we were ready for round two at Maw and Papaw's house. 

Ella had a good Christmas there too, and even got her beloved ninja turtle she has been wanting. 

 I can't believe it's our last Christmas as a family of three. Yikes!

Friday, we had lunch with Poppy, Nana, Wayne, and Lacey. We kept it simple by ordering pizza. Adam, Lacey, and Poppy spent most of the day putting together Ella's basketball goal. Luckily, the weather was fairly nice that day, and they got it finished.  

 This was Ella making her first basket. 

 After a full day of fun we quickly got ready for our annual Christmas dinner with the Ice's. I think this was our fourth year doing this, and we always have a good time. This year we went to Cork n' Cleaver. 

 We are so lucky to have such great friends! 

I am so thankful for a wonderful holiday season. I can't wait for next year!

Ella's birthday weekend

Ella's sixth birthday came and went so quickly. The holiday season seems to fly by every year, and I am of course behind on posting about it. 

Ella had school on her birthday, which was a first. It was the last day of school before Christmas break, and she had her class Christmas party that day. My mom, dad, and myself attended, and it was so much fun. 

My mom read a story to the class. She has a knack for doing stuff like that.  The kids were obviously into the book.  

 Ella had to have a picture with her best bud, Kole! He is such a sweet little boy. 

After school we headed home for cake and to open gifts. I can't believe this sweet girl is six years old. The years have just flown by. 

After gifts and cake we hurried to Los Bravos for dinner. Ella can almost make a meal out of their cheese dip and chips. Ella loves Icemen Hockey games so we took her to a game for her birthday. We had a fun time, but it turned into a late night.  

After a restful Saturday, we headed to Nashville on Sunday for a trip to ICE, and a stay at the Gaylord Opryland. Adam and I go just about every year, but Ella had never been. She LOVES staying in hotels. They Gaylord was decorated for Christmas, and it was absolutely beautiful. Ella had the best time! 

I'm pretty sure Ella had the best sixth birthday any girl could have! We headed home Monday morning to rest up for Christmas Eve. More on that to come. 

Ella's 6th birthday party

We celebrated Ella's 6th birthday party this past weekend. We did things a little differently this year. Instead of having a small family party at our house we had her party at Pump It Up. 
Ella has been talking about having her party there since we attended a party for one of her preschool friends last February. A couple a months ago I booked her party and started planning. In the beginning, I was just going to have a party for her and her classmates. Since her birthday is so close to Christmas I just decided to invite family as well, because there isn't much time left to have another party just for family.
I had quite a bit of anxiety before the party, because only two classmates RSVP'd. I just assumed none of them were coming until I sent out an email and found out all of them were coming except a few. I started to get nervous, because I think we ended up having around 40 -50 people at the party. 
The day finally arrived, and Ella was WILD to say the least. She was so excited. I think the was most excited to sit in the "guest of honor" blow up chair. 

Before the party started all the kids had to watch a video and say "Happy Birthday" to Ella. Pretty sure Ella was not a fan of that, but she handled it all pretty well. 

There were kids running around everywhere. Her party was like a whirlwind to me. I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked to. I couldn't even hardly keep track of Ella most of the time. 

I had the brilliant idea of adding on the glow part of the party. All the kids received glow necklaces, and they turned on the glow lights. It was a little darker than I expected, but I think the kids enjoyed it. One little girl told me Ella's party was too short. 

Even the adults had fun!

Daredevil Autumn!

The party room was decorated in a "Power Rangers" theme just as Ella wanted it. I think it turned out pretty great!

Ella looks happy here, but I'm not sure how happy she was about being the center of attention. After everyone singing "Happy Birthday" she hightailed it out of that chair. 

This little guy was the youngest kid there, but he had the time of his life. He didn't have a nap before the party, but you would have never have known. It was so fun to watch him. He loved every minute. 

I am so thankful for all of Ella's classmates and their parents. It has been great getting to know everyone this school year. Ella has a great group of kids in her class. 

The party was a definite success! We are so thankful to our family and friends who came to the party. Ella is so lucky to have so many people who care about her. Can't believe we will have a six year old in less than two weeks!!