Fall Sports

Our school year is off to a busy start as usual.   Once school starts, so does fall sports and we have all 3 big kids involved in one or more sports.  Starting with the big one, Cohen!  This year Cohen started middle school and so far has really enjoyed it, which I'm so thankful for.  I was dreading this move but it has been smooth so far and she has started off having lots of fun.  She is a middle school majorette so she has enjoyed performing at half time of the home games.  They have a great group of girls and she has known all of them for most of her life.  They have looked great on the field and everyone loves to see them twirl fire.  I still see that little 4 year old girl when she went to her first baton lesson and now here she is performing on the field.  In addition to the auxiliary, Cohen continues to twirl with her team in Anderson at Carolina Superstars.

FCMS Majorettes

This fall Cohen has also stepped out of her comfort zone and has been playing tennis for the middle school.  Tennis is usually a spring sport but this year was moved to the fall.  We thought she wouldn't even get to play since she was auxiliary but both the tennis and auxiliary coaches have really worked around the schedules and she has been able to do both.  Kelly loves tennis and has always wanted her to play.  She's been to a couple of camps and after camp this summer she thought she would give it a try.  We have been so proud of her for sticking with it and just being so willing to try it.  She has so much potential.  Its been tough because so many girls weren't able to play because of other sport conflicts which has put Cohen playing #1 singles a lot.  Naturally that has meant she has been up against some tough competition at the matches because the girls she plays are bigger and older and some have been playing tennis for years.  But she has stuck with it and has really enjoyed playing.  They have such a good group of kids who have played and I love that.   I really hope she will consider playing again in the future. 

Kate has been back on the soccer field this fall.  Soccer has always been her favorite.  Now basketball may have passed it but she still loves soccer.  I snapped this picture in our front yard before her first game.  When I looked at it later I just couldn't believe how much she has grown!  She looks so much older.  It breaks me.  She has been playing soccer since she was 3 and I still see that baby girl running up and down that field.  My sweet Katie Kate!

And last Bryce is back on the baseball field playing t-ball.  We found out how much he loved t-ball this past spring when he was finally old enough to play.  SO instead of doing soccer we let him go back to t-ball.  He has coach Gatlin again and is loving it just as much as he did in the spring.  It took a minute for him to understand that this time his team was called the Rockies.  In the spring he was the Cubs.  He LOVES it!

He was so proud to wear the helmet that Keyes brought him, even if it is a little bit big!

These 3 keep us busy and on the go but we wouldn't have it any other way.  We love watching them do what they love.

One Month With Our Ellington

I read the best quote today, it said "when you have a new baby, your love doesn't divide, it multiplies."  I love this for so many reasons and it is spot on for sure.  It has been a month and a half with our baby girl and we are so in love with her.  I'm pretty sure she's the most loved and loved on baby in the world.  She's had an exciting 6 weeks earth side for sure.  I remember telling her when we left the hospital that we were now leaving the calm of that hospital room and moving into her chaotic life where she would be on the go with her siblings.  I then cried because it was so true and I was already having "mom guilt" over that.  And while she has been on the go with activities we have a lot of quiet, calm time too and I'm glad for that.  I get alone time with just her each morning while everyone is at school and then at lunch we get Bryce and slowly start adding everyone back in until by 5:00 everyone is home and we are on the move.  She's had a lot of fun this first month and of course we have the 3 million pictures to prove it.  I'll spare all of them here but I will share a good many because I will want these in my book that I print.  After all she is the 4th child so if she ever gets a picture framed on the wall here in the house it will be nothing short of a miracle.  Not really but y'all know what I'm talking about.  For stats at her one month check-up she was 21 inches long and weighed 9 lbs 4 oz!  She is spoiled and loves to be held but that's ok because we love to hold her. There's nothing like newborn snuggles.  She sleeps pretty good, really good in her car seat, but at night its more like 3.5-4 hours.  She is a very gassy baby and that sometimes makes her real fussy.  I can tell she hurts but we can normally calm her down so that helps.
Here are some pictures to document Ellington's first month/6 weeks.
Like any baby she has done a lot of sleeping!  Her first 2 days we even sat outside by the pool, until we couldn't take the heat.

Thankfully she loves to sleep while I walk

If you follow me on any social media you have noticed just how much Bryce loves her!  And if you read this blog you know that he was not thrilled when he first found out he would be getting a sister instead of a brother.  Well fast forward to now and I don't think he could love a baby more than he loves Ellington.  He hugs her, kisses her, holds her, tells her "its ok",  and calls her his "little cutie pie".  Watching him with her has been the best thing.  He's like the baby police too, especially to Kate.  Those 2 argue over her and its quite comical.  He yells at her to wash her hands, or tells her whatever she's doing is making the baby cry.  Its so funny.  You can always follow along with us on Instagram to catch those videos.  It will provide laughter for sure!  Here is the world's best brother loving on her all the time!

Her first of many visits to Chick-Fil-A

Just yesterday this happened...Ellington was asleep on my bed but we heard her crying so while I pumped I asked Bryce to go give her the paci.  The next thing I know I hear him coming into the kitchen with her!   He had gotten her off my bed, carried her down the hall and into the kitchen!  HE put her in her seat and during all this all I had time to do was snap a quick picture.  Thankfully she made it out of this situation without a bruise, scrape or anything.  I got a good laugh because he was so careful with her even if he looked like a cat carrying a kitten!

  

Her sisters are quick to love on her too!

Kate has even been changing a few diapers!

And showing her off to her friends at lunch!

 I also caught Kate reading her animal books to Ellington one night.  The best was that Ellington looked so into the book like she was listening to Kate's every word.

She's been introduced to some of our closest friends!  This is some of our "village" and we love them and all the ones I don't have pics of too!

Her other sister, Josie

We love all the Madden children!  We really look up to this family and we love that they have 4 kids too so we can follow in their footsteps!

Tara & Tina came to visit.  I had a picture with Tara so I'll share Cohen & Tina lol

Annie loving on her during the t-ball game 

Ellington has already met 2 sweet boys!  WE are already arranging marriages over here.  

 I think L was boring Kal 

 Caught these 2 already holding onto one another

As you can see it has been just one eventful month for our littlest love.  SO much excitement for one little bitty girl.  I think its safe to say she has completed our family and we are all just in love with her.

1 month check up with Dr. Setia

 Big Sis Cohen and Mrs. Hazel are going to turn baby girl into a twirler

Love that baby head

Headband probs

Thanks to Loan she got her first manicure