The Merry Life of The Murpheys

Savor Today

2010-03-10T15:21:00.003-06:00

I can't stop thinking about Jenny. She touched thousands and thousands of people with her life & death. She was an incredible person with such a heart for God. I'm in awe that a person could touch my heart so deeply and I haven't seen or spoken to her in nearly 10 years. I'm moved by her family. Her husband's messages to her on facebook have me flooded with tears. Thinking of her 10 year old daughter growing up without her mommy makes me wail. Her whole story makes me cherish each moment and know that life is but a vapor. She got sick with flu like symptoms and 2 weeks later things got incredibly worse and she passed away at the age of 31. You can read her entire story at https://www.carepages.com/carepages/JennyBizaillionUpdates
It is so hard to wrap my mind around death. I know she is in Heaven walking the streets of gold and holding babies that have gone before her. I think the hardest part for me is the grief that her family is going through. I've never lost anyone that was young and I was super close to. I almost feel as though I wouldn't be able to breath and make it through the day. But then, I remind myself of Beth Moore's bible study on Esther when she says, "And then what?" What are you going to do after the scenario has happened? You have to go on and then... you rely on God and get on your knees, and then... He will get you through...and then...That's what. I'm not writing it as well as she said it, but it helps me in the slightest when I think about grief. I know your sweet husband and baby girl will see you again and I look forward to hanging out with you too. Maybe we can do boot camp in Heaven together?!?

So, with Jenny in mind...I'm going to savor today. I'm going to hug Ellie a little longer and kiss Brett a little harder. I'm going to love passionately, seek the Lord deeper, and find contentment in all that I do. Thanks Jenny for inspiring me to have purpose in my daily life.

Ellie's 2nd Birthday

2010-01-06T15:35:00.029-06:00

We celebrated Ellie's 2nd birthday with friends and family at our neighborhood park. About three months ago I asked Ellie what theme she wanted for her birthday. She responded with, "SHOES!!" So, I made it my mission to have a shoe themed par-tay!

Ellie LOVES shoes so this was ALOT of fun to put together! Most of my party planning happened online. Here's a little recap on the party planning...then I posted some of the most adorable pictures of Ellie's friends and family. Thanks to Jennifer Luedke for taking such incredible shots!

I was so excited to find shoe pinatas! They were only $8.00 on http://www.partywedding.com/! The polka dot balloons are from there too.

Virginia did an INCREDIBLE job on Ellie's cake. Not only was it adorable, but it was delicious too! Virgina did our wedding cakes (which included a full mouth for Brett's grooms cake!). She can do ANYTHING so check her out if you need a cake! (her baby shower cakes are creative and her Mounds Cake is to die for!) http://www.virginiascakes.com/

I found this site http://www.bakeat350.blogspot.com/ and was so happy that Bridget could make some custom shoe shaped cookies! They were oh so cute and yummy too. Check her out, she has a true talent.

Party Favors! I got the girls plastic princess shoes and feather boas (from The Dollar Store! My fave place for toys). The boys got some plastic cars and motorcycles. I loved the girl party favor bags because they say, "I LOVE SHOES!" These couldn't have been more perfect! I found them at Michael's!

Brett & I figured the kids would LOVE to be outside and bounce, so we completed the party planning with a Princess bouncy house for my little high-heeled princess!

Let the Party Begin!

Ryanne looks like a GAP model and Morgan steals my heart with her pig tails and grin!

Buddies!

Ellie's is like her mama and devoured the cake!

Bounce House Fun!

My favorite picture from the entire day! Doesn't this just capture the essence of 2 year old girls (pig tails and all)? I love Ellie's hand on her neck and Morgan's smile is priceless! Morgan and Ellie share the same birth date so this pic melts me!

Beautiful Caton Sisters. I know they will cherish this picture forever!

Could Marielle be any cuter?

Mexican food! Yum!

Ellie has some adorable friends! I'm just sayin....Look at them!

PINATA TIME!

Opening presents

Sweet Carlson Family!

I still can't believe our baby girl is TWO!

Thanks to all of our friends and family for celebrating with us. We made a great memory!

Decorating Gingerbread Houses

2009-12-18T12:17:00.004-06:00

We had a gingerbread house decorating play date at our house this week. It was so fun and a tradition that will hang around. Here are some pics!
I made these houses out of graham crackers and powder sugar icing. I posted the recipe at the end.

I love the tenderness of Ellie & Ryanne in this picture.

Ellie takes after her daddy and was very meticulous. She spent an hour on the yard!

Don't worry, I have stain remover if it gets anywhere!

More decorating

I LOVE Cash in this pic! Little monkey could care less about decorating. He was all business - eating as much candy as possible! He eventually ate the roof off!

Sweet Ryanne & Macey May

Cash is the ring leader of this activity!

The roof has been removed! Hurricane Ike must have hit it!

We had such a great time making a mess and making memories. What a fun way to celebrate the season!

Here is the recipe (Thank You Aunt Becky!)

Icing:

1 - 16oz pkg confectioners sugar

1/2 t. cream of tartar

3 egg whites at room temperature

1/2 t. vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in medium size bowl. With mixer, blend until smooth, then beat at high speed until stiff. (Makes 3 cups) Icing dries quickly. If icing is too thick, thin with a few drops of water.

Cute things

2009-12-01T14:37:00.002-06:00

Having a toddler can be so entertaining. Ellie has been talking more and more and beginning to form sentences. Some of the things she says makes me laugh. I want to record some the of the latest so I don't forget.

I was humming a lullaby while rocking Ellie to sleep last week. She looked up at me and said, "Mommy, NO, hmm mmm mmm mm." I said, "You don't want me to hum you to sleep?" She said, "NO HMM MMM MMM"
I laughed all night at that one!

Anytime she sees a truck on the road she says, "Biiigggggggg Truuucckkk" or if it is red, she asks, "Daddy's Truck????" If she sees a yellow truck, she says, "E truck??" asking me if it is Uncle Eric's truck.

She finally gave up her Paci (or "peah peah" as she calls it). We sing "No More Peah Peah's" and she dances around.

Anytime she picks her nose she holds her finger out to me and says, "EEWWWEEEE"

Before we left the house today, I said, "Ellie, where is Mommy's purse?" and she said, "Mommy, I want a purse, toooooo"
Well okay then! I know what she is getting for her birthday!

While driving with Brett, Ellie burst out "I'm FUNNY" and shes been saying it ever since. At random times, she'll just let us know that she's funny. It is sooooo cute!

I love my little monkey moo. She is such a delight!

San Antonio Visit

2009-11-09T19:41:00.007-06:00

We had a great time in San Antonio. We LOVED spending time with my family and making memories.
Here are some pics of Ellie in her Halloween costume (A Doctor in Training!)

Brett captured the essence of Miss Elizabeth!

Aunt Monty & Ellie doing their hair!

Putting lipstick on Aunt Shell Shell

Go Spurs Go! Ellie adored this hat!

Ellie & 3rd cousin, Sophie

Aunt Elaine, Misti, and Uncle Matthew

Sis, Dad, Ellie, Me and Mana at Aunt Elaine's 50th Birthday Bash

Ellie is super sleepy (so is mommy!)

Ellie giving kisses to her PoPo

Aunt Shell Shell, Ellie, Mommy (I love Ellie's face in this pic!)

Ellie putting beads on Aunt Monty

Ellie gives kisses to her sweet Uncle Ed

Daddy and Bow Head!

Me & My Aunt Monty

Me & My sis, Mishelle

Halloween & Where The Wild Things Are

2009-11-05T21:16:00.005-06:00

Where The Wild Things Are is my sisters favorite childhood book. She bought the book for Ellie and we read it quite a bit. We were thrilled to take Ellie to go see it. Bad, horrible, awful idea. The movie (in my opinion) was one of the saddest, most depressing movies I've ever seen. We (me, Brett, sis, niece Madison, and Ellie)were all in agreement. Anyway, the best part of the entire movie was that Ellie spilled an entire bottle of water in Brett's lap. Could this be anymore perfect? I mean, it looks like he totally wet his pants. We joked that the movie was so bad he had messed himself! He was such a great sport about it, as with everything!

Nacho Libre stance, typical Brett style

Dr. Ellie Murphey is in the house. She's grown out of her scrubs, oops!

Bewitching Mana and Dr. Ellie Murphey

Ellie handed out candy and toys with Mishelle & Mana while Brett & I went to the Spurs game. Thanks Uncle Ed for the amazing center court tickets. We had such a fun date.

Shell said Ellie was adorable and thought everyone coming to the house was coming over to play with her. Such a ham! Her little personality is coming out more and more.

Ellie helping mommy cook

2009-10-14T13:15:00.002-05:00

Ellie & Braelyn

2009-10-13T19:06:00.004-05:00

This past weekend Ellie and I traveled to Dallas for Janna's baby shower. Janna looked so dang adorable (as always). She gave us the best "hostess" gifts. So thoughtful and genuine. We stayed with Auntie Julie and BFF Braelyn. Ellie & Braelyn are toooo cute together. I think they look so much alike (dark eyes, same color hair, full lips, and oh so cute!) They did their normal hitting, pulling hair, and screaming at each other (normal 2 year old behavior!) but before we left they were clearly so sad to be leaving one another. Ellie kept whining for Braelyn to come home with us. She even told her "get in ruck" (get in the truck!) Braelyn kept saying "I want Ya Ya" (I want Ellie). It was beyond precious. Here's a video in the laundry room before we left.

Grandma Dugan

2009-09-09T21:19:00.006-05:00

Grandma Dugan passed away last night around 9:30pm. My heart is at peace because I know she is in Heaven...how incredible to meet Jesus, sit at His feet, and walk the streets of gold. I'm looking forward to that day! I got to say goodbye to Grandma yesterday. Thankfully my cousin, Tracy, came over during Ellie's nap time so I could go talk to Grandma. We could tell she was dying and in the "final stages". I was sobbing as I talked to her. It was such a weird cry...I was so overwhelmed with happiness that she was about to meet sweet Jesus. I was/am excited for her. I didn't feel like she was really "living" anymore since she was confined to a bed at a nursing home. Her health & mind had been declining and she wasn't really herself anymore. Now she's really living! Now she has health and no more pain.

Grandma was in love with Ellie. I tried to take Ellie to visit her at the nursing home once a week or at least twice a month. Grandma would look over from her bed, and cheerfully say "Well, I'll be...there's my little Ellie" "Hi Ellie Ellie Ellie" "I bet her daddy just loves her" "She's my sugar pot" "Hi Sugar Pot" "I love you love you love you"

It was so sweet to hear her dote on Ellie. Grandma always doted on me and showed me how proud she was of me. She was such a great encourager. She always showered me with compliments and made me feel special. I hope I can do that for my family, friends, and most of all my children and grandchildren. I believe in the power of words and my grandma spoke such uplifting and promising words over me. She always told me that I was smart and made good choices. She told me that I could do whatever I wanted to and that I would be good at it. What an impact that has made on my life. .

Here is a pic of Ellie and Grandma in the summer of 2008. I kept telling Grandma that Ellie was nursing and didn't eat real food. She ignored me!

The next picture was taken in July 2009 and Ellie was having fun feeding crackers to Grandma!

I look forward to seeing Grandma & Grandpa Dugan again when the Lord calls me home. I love you Grandma.

Hawaii

2009-09-09T20:24:00.003-05:00

Last week was amazing for Brett & I. We took a vacation to Hawaii. We stayed in Lanai for 3 nights and Maui for 4 nights. It was incredible! I missed my baby Ellie, but at the same time it was a good break for mommy & daddy. She stayed with Grams & Papa and I know she had a fun time. I ask her, "Did you have fun with Grams & PaPa" and she says, "YES!!!" really loud and excited! Valerie sent cute pictures to keep us posted during the week. I would look them over & over and think about how big she looked. Here are some of the pics we got while away. It is such a blessing to have such amazing grandparents for Ellie. What a privilege for Ellie to have them in her life.

Zinnia & Ellie

2009-08-22T02:16:00.002-05:00

We put Zinnias in our garden at the beginning of the summer and they now look like they are on steroids! They make my heart happy - such pretty colors and so cheery. Brett got this adorable picture of Ellie in the garden. PS, her hair looks short but its actually in a ponytail!

Going to the Pool

2009-08-19T04:39:00.003-05:00

This video was taken over a month ago. Ellie doesn't say much but she looks oh so cute!

Let's go to swim lessons

2009-08-10T14:47:00.003-05:00

Here's a video of me letting Ellie know we were starting swim lessons that day :)

My little monkey is on her 4th day of lessons (as of today) and can blow bubbles, kick, dog paddle, and get out of the pool at the deep end. The only issue we have is that she screams "mommy" the entire lesson. I'll try to get video of that today!

Wa - Wa

2009-07-20T14:50:00.003-05:00

Daddy and Ellie have started a new "before bedtime" trend. They go out and water the plants together. It is so precious. Here is a picture Brett captured from his phone. Now anytime we pass a plant when we are out and about (even if it is fake!), she points to it and says Wa-Wa, Wa-Wa!

Ellie in red wedge heels!

2009-07-16T12:48:00.004-05:00

Ellie LOVES to wear shoes. She typically walks around in daddy's tennis shoes! Here she is today in my wedge heels! It seems she is never dressed with a cute bow when I get great video and photo opportunities! Oh well, gotta capture these moments!

4th of July

2009-07-13T14:13:00.007-05:00

Here are some pics from our 4th of July celebrations! We spent time at my in-laws lakehouse and then to the Carlson's river house.

My sweet friend, Beth, hosted a play date where we made American flags using our babies feet and hands to make the stars and stripes. Precious idea! Ellie and I were super messy, but we had a great time! We gave the flag to Grams and she hung it proudly at the lakehouse!

Rebecca helped us with the paint!

Finished product!

Watching the Cape Malibu neighborhood parade!

Ellie in her new adirondack chair!

Uncle E let Ellie drive his boat!

Uncle E let Nolan and Macey drive too!

I love this picture of Macey!

Uncle E and little E in the Trinity River!

Ellie didn't last long in the river. The lifejacket wasn't too fun for her.

Going fast in the boat!

Body Combat

2009-07-09T08:33:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite hobbies is teaching Body Combat at a local gym. I get such an adrenaline rush from being up front and leading a group in an amazing workout. On the days that I teach, I spend time practicing at home. Ellie loves to practice with me. I got this video yesterday before we headed to the gym.

Can someone pinch me? I think I like turning THIRTY!

2009-06-29T22:39:00.015-05:00

My husband has yet again spoiled me silly! He is so thoughtful, sweet, generous, and loving. This is the best birthday I've ever had. I will surely never forget it. He planned a wonderful day for me....
Ellie spent the night with Grams & Papa on Friday night so we slept in till NINE on Saturday. (Thank you Grams & Papa!) That is the best present I could ever ask for! He even cooked an omelet for me when we woke up! Then, off to my first event (of many that I was CLUELESS about) Pedicure with Bethany, Amy and Julie. It was so fun and I hope we make it a monthly habit! I adore my girlfriends and I thank God for their friendship and love.

I arrived back home and Brett informed me that we were going to enjoy lunch together and then I had a massage appointment at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Spa. WHAT? REALLY? I get a pedicure and a massage on the same day??!! At this point, Papa had brought Ellie back to the house and my mom watched her the rest of the day. (Thank you Abuelita Baby!)
The massage was heavenly and very relaxing. I think I drifted off and began dreaming towards the end of it!

After my massage, Brett picked me up and drove me to the mall...those of you who know Brett know that he doesn't go to the mall. He loathes shopping. Well, he informed me that we were going shopping together for an outfit! Really? I've never been so thrilled to shop (and I LOVE to shop!) We found a great "Birthday Girl" dress at bebe that screamed "Crystal" It is hot pink satin with a big feather puff thingy on the waist! I love it. I loved trying on outfits and doing a fashion show for Brett and the sales associates. He even took pictures so we could decide on the best dress! I hope he'll come along more in the future cause I had so much fun

Then, Brett tells me I have a hair appointment with Rebecca at Visible Changes (she's done my hair for 3 years now). I shed some tears at this point. Getting my hair done is such a luxury. It makes me feel so good - so clean, so bouncy!! While I'm getting my hair done, Brett tells me I have a MAKEUP appointment in an hour. Seriously, this day can't get any better. This can't be happening! This is my DREAM DAY!

Brett then tells me that a limo will be at our house soon. I love him! I keep having thoughts of how lucky I am to have this amazingly thoughtful and romantic husband. Wow! He is so sweet! I kept wondering where we could possibly be going?

We went home and I was so excited to see Ellie. I could tell she was a bit confused about my hair and makeup. She's used to a ponytail and bare face! Abuelita Baby took a few pics before we headed out. Ellie learned how to say "CHEESE" and take a picture of herself holding the camera out in front of her and snap a pic (she's copying mommy & daddy since we do this way too often!)

Brett opened the door and the limo from GURI DO SUL was waiting outside. Guri is a Brazilian steakhouse located next to Brett's office. It is one of my favorite restaurants. We haven't eaten there in a while and I've been missing it! I started thinking about the yummy yuka rolls and fried plantains! No dieting tonight! I'm going to eat like a piggie...
Here we are in the limo...toasting to turning thirty.

We showed up and to my surprise, 22 friends were hiding in the private room around the corner. I knew he was up to something so I wasn't 100% in shock...but I certainly felt special and loved by all. Having friends celebrate with me is icing on the cake.

Brett even had a German chocolate cake (my fave!) and a slide show. Slide shows give warm fuzzies! I shed more tears and thanked God for my sweet family, friends and baby Ellie.
After blowing out the candles and opening gifts, the group headed to Crush. We stayed out late visiting, laughing and making memories.
We slept in the next morning till NINE again! My actual birthday day included brunch at the Waffle House with Mark & April and a day at the lake house in the sun.
The weekend was perfect...better than I could have ever dreamed of. Thanks to my loving husband who dotes on me and makes me feel like a Queen. I was pretty freaked out by turning 30 and Brett made it the best birthday yet. I can't imagine what he'll plan for my 40th!

Happy Fathers Day!

2009-06-22T12:36:00.005-05:00

Happy Fathers Day, Brett. I'm so grateful to have you as my husband and as Ellie's daddy. I love the way you adore her and show her your love. I love how she looks just like you (Brettina!) I love how you sing to her during bath time and rock her to sleep for bedtime. I love watching you interact with her and take her on golf cart rides. I love the way you dance with her and dress her with the perfect bow. You are an incredible role model for her and we are beyond blessed to be a part of your life. Thank you for working so hard for us and for taking such good care of us. Happy Fathers Day Daddy!

Feeling a bit faint?

2009-06-22T08:21:00.006-05:00

Camp Aunt Crystal came to a screeching halt on Wednesday morning. Here's the scoop - Cynthia had mentioned that she may want to pursue dentistry. She was excited to go to Brett's office and observe a few procedures. As Brett began an injection, Cynthia says she got hot and dizzy. She sat down to take a break. She stood back up as he was beginning an extraction. She got hot again, but this time she didn't make it to a seated position. She fainted and landed on her chin. This makes my mouth hurt just thinking about it. She's tall and had a long fall! Turns out she broke her jaw in TWO places. I am so grateful that she was in Brett's care at the time. She said he was so calm, caring, and made her feel at ease. We spent the day at home having a movie marathon while she kept ice on her jaw and took pain medication every 4 hours. Her family thought it would be best to meet with a surgeon in San Antonio so I ended up driving her to San Antonio at 4am so she could be with her family and meet with an oral surgeon to wire her mouth. My niece Madison and my sister Mishelle met with her yesterday and said she looks great and is very content. They bought her a white board and bell!! She will have her jaw wired shut for 6 weeks. I'm sad that Camp Aunt Crystal came to an end like this, but Cynthia is a trooper and will get through this. Not only that, she has a great story tell when she becomes. Dr. Cynthia! Here are our final pics...

Early morning drive

What a strong girl! Broken jaw, nauseous, and tired but still has a smile.

Movie Marathon

Heal quickly, Cynthia. We love you and want you to come back and stay with us again.

Camp Aunt Crystal

2009-06-17T14:22:00.005-05:00

Every summer my niece Madison comes for a week visit that we've named "Camp Aunt Crystal" This year Madison brought Cynthia, her best friend. They are both 16, both incredibly smart, helpful, sweet, and genuine. They make great friends and I LOVE having them here. Ellie is enjoying them so much. In fact, I'm sad to think about how Ellie will take it when they leave. Here are some pictures from our week so far.

NACK NACK, PEAS, NACK

2009-06-16T20:41:00.002-05:00

Ellie is talking so much and communicating more than ever right now. I worked so hard on teaching her baby sign language (she eventually knew about 30 signs) and it is so rewarding and kinda sad to see her drop it all and begin talking. She still signs Motorcycle because she can't quite say that yet. Here's a list of what she's saying right now...

Nack, Nack, Peas, Nack which translates to Snack, Snack, Please, Snack!!
Abua Baby = Abuelita Baby (My mom wants to be called Abuelita Baby! Ellie is almost there with Abua Baby!)
Yo Gabba Gabba
O meal = Oatmeal
Eh Eh Eh = Eggs
Nigh Nigh = What she calls her baby doll blanket
Papa = Brett's Dad
Mur = Trying to say Grams (Brett's mom)
E = Uncle Eric
Ma = Uncle Matt
Cah-ter = Carter Krupa (Ellie's BFF)
Mamie = Amy (Carters Mommy)
Shell Shell = Aunt Shelly (my sister Mishelle)
Mana = My niece Madison
Monnn = Aunt Monty
Ed = Uncle Ed
Grama = Grandma Dugan
Nana = Banana
poon = spoon
Ball (she says it over and over and over and over when a ball, or circle figure, is present!)
Mommy and Daddy
Wa Wa = Water
Ba Ba = Bottle
Shoes
Eat
Dog
Bath
Nose
Eyes
Baby
More
Toes
Hat
Outside
Hot
Keys
Ice
Poo Poo (yep! thinking its time to potty train!)
Diaper
Wipe
Cracker
light
Book
Yeah! = Yes
No

Carter & Ellie = BFF

2009-06-10T13:56:00.013-05:00

Carter is one of Ellie's best buds. This works perfect because Carter's mommy, Amy, is one of my best friends. Amy and I met nearly 5 years ago and since then have made some fabulous memories, including enduring pregnancy at the same time and attempting to raise our first borns right. Amy and I have very similar parenting styles along with the same fears, hopes, and dreams for our babies. Amy is one of the sweetest, nicest & sincere people I know so it is a joy to watch Ellie and her son become such great friends. Ellie and Carter seem to light up when they are around each other. Here are some pics and video of all of their adventures so far!

Taking a golf cart ride!

Swinging in the neighborhood park.

Market Street Fountains June 2009

Awe!

I wish this wasn't blury, but I love the joy on Carter's face. This is Ellie's 1st birthday party!

Crystal & Amy

I love this picture of the daddy's and their babies. Aron is holding one of Mike's twins since Lily wasn't in the world yet!

Ellie gives Carter a Happy Birthday kiss at his first birthday party.

Watch out Carter!

Halloween bumble bee and green dragon :) What a pair!

Their first vacation together! Destin, Florida - May 2008

More play time in Destin

Carter is not even a day old yet. He's meeting Ellie for the first time (she's in my tummy!!) August 2007

It's amazing how many things Carter and Ellie have already done together! I hope they will be friends for life.

Sunday = Funday!

2009-06-08T20:20:00.010-05:00

We had a fun Sunday! After church and Ellie's nap, we went to see UP at the theatre and then play in the yard. Here are pics to document the day

I personally think this picture is ADORABLE, but I'm very perplexed by it. Is she posing?? Really?? She's only 17 months, how would she know to do this?? I've always heard little girls know how to ham it up (I was one of em) but before she's even TWO?!?!?

Ellie wearing mommy's shoe!

Ellie tying my shoelaces!

Ellie loves her bubble maker

I think she's explaining how to tie laces

I asked her where her belly button is!

Ellie and Daddy at the movie theatre. She wasn't too sure about the ticket counter and hallway. She acted as if we were going to drop her off or something!! She kept holding onto us so tight! Maybe she thought it was a daycare or kids gym ?! She got over it when the movie started and had fun eating popcorn and raisens.

Sweet Dreams

2009-06-06T18:56:00.009-05:00

This is one of my favorite sleeping pics of Ellie. She is a mover and shaker and finds the strangest positions to sleep in. This one made me laugh!

Ellie started a habit - a very bad habit. She was waking up every night around 11pm, 2am, 5am, and 6:30am. I know what you're thinking...she must be sick or she must be a new born. Nope, my 17 month old had been sick, very sick with many different things(stomach virus, ear infection, teething) but she wasn't sick anymore. She was just used to mommy coming in at the slightest whimper. I can't stand to hear the screams of "mommy, mommy, mommy." I would dart to her room, pick her up, rock her and sing to her, sometimes give her a bottle, sometimes change her diaper, sometimes give her orajel, sometimes give her mylicon, sometimes give her crackers, sometimes put a cd on, etc. She would instanltly fall back asleep, I would lay her down, and literally 15 minutes later she would be screaming again. It was a total nightmare. After a few months (OMG!)of sleepless nights and me becoming a walking zombie, I sought out my pediatrician, other moms, my mom & sister, my family, my friends, many books and online research. Brett and I finally decided she needed to be broken of this habit, clearly nothing was wrong - she just wanted mommy. So, we decided to let her cry. I would not go into her room for 3 nights. THREE NIGHTS! Do you know how long that is when you're in the moment? One minute of screaming at 3am feels like a lifetime. Anyway, looking back on it, those 3 days have come and gone so fast (just like everything else in life). Not only have those 3 days come and gone, but so has Ellie's night time wakings. Yep, after the 3rd night - she sleeps all night. 7pm-7am. 12 whole hours. It's heavenly. Oh, and the 3 nights weren't really that bad. The first night she cried about 45-50 minutes. The second night she cried for 30 minutes. The 3rd night she cried for 10 minutes.

Other wonderful things have come from breaking this habit. Her naps have improved and are longer. She asks me to go "night night" and actually points to her crib (before she would claw onto me as I tried to lay her down) and she's going to bed an hour earlier. I am the type of person that HAS to have sleep. I become an unstable person when I'm lacking sleep! This has been quite an adventure! If you're reading this and have similiar issues, trust me and give it 3 nights. You won't regret it. Sweet dreams!

Florida - Unusual Transition

2009-06-01T16:40:00.002-05:00

Here is a video from our Florida vacation. Brett and Ellie spent some quality time together while mommy got a massage(my mothers day present!) I love the "unusual transition" part.

Check off my check list

2009-06-01T14:21:00.000-05:00

I finally decided it's time. It's time to check off my "to do" list. I am a list person. I've been making to do list since I was able to write. I relish in the satisfaction of checking off an item from the list. So, on one of my ongoing "to do at some point" list, I have BLOG written at the top. I've been putting it off because I'm concerned of the addiction it may create. I currently have slight addictions (facebook, woodlandsonline, craigslist, etc) that cause me to have poor time management. I am ready to blog though. The main reason I'm blogging is to capture right now. Ellie is growing up too fast and I know blogging will be a wonderful way to highlight fun events in our life. I am also blogging to share with my family. I know many of my family members (mostly my sister) will appreciate it. So, here it goes. It's June 1, 2009 - ready, set, go. I get to go check it off my list!