The Year in Review

My little girl is one! It has been a busy year for her indeed. I am always so amazed at the amount of knowledge our children gain in such a short span of time ... we are truly miracles fashioned by our maker! Elizabeth is a precious child, I can tell she is going to be the ham of our family. Kathryn loves to laugh and have a good time but Elizabeth finds humor in almost anything. At the year mark Elizabeth is still "thinking" about walking. I have to laugh because Kathryn tells me, "Mommy, Elizabeth is thinking about it!" I truly think that she is, this little one will not be pushed to do anything that is clear. It will all be in the time of her choosing. Elizabeth is very vocal, which she must be to keep up with Kathryn. Words she uses, mama, dada, at (cat), baby, muwah (kissing sound), baba (bottle). She also is using the sign for all done and more. Elizabeth is standing very well on her own, she has just not ventured to the other world that is awaiting her. Honestly, I am glad because I am not sure I am ready for this yet! Elizabeth has a knack for getting into many things she shouldn't and pushing the limits.

She also has a flair for drama, more so than Kathryn (I think)! I guess time will tell on this one. The one thing I can say is that if she is not happy, she is mad, there isn't really a neutral with her. The good thing is happy describes her demeanor 99% of the time.

Elizabeth also loves people. She has a talent of getting people's attention. Elizabeth will lock into her target if we are at a restaurant or really anywhere public and if they do not look at her right away, she begins making very LOUD noises until they look at her. And when they do, watch out! She reels them in with the batting of her eyes and sweet smile. And more times than not she is practically trying to crawl or climb over to the other table. She also loves to hand the waitresses or anyone who walks by our table her food. It cracks us up!

To celebrate her birthday this past weekend we had a big family party with a few close friends. A good time was had by all and the weather cooperated. Stay tuned for pics of the birthday fun and festivities.

Thank you Lord for the precious blessing you have entrusted to us. I pray daily for your guidance and patience and how to train up our children with a deep love and understanding of you.

Happy 1st Birthday Elizabeth!

Well, today, September 5th, is my baby's first birthday! I can hardly believe it was a year ago already that this sweet addition blessed our family. For my own sake I want to retell the story of her "birth" day.

My official due date was September 3rd but I wasn't holding my breath considering that I was a day late with Kathryn. Elizabeth did not disappoint me, the 3rd came and went and no baby. And in my mind no sign of one coming anytime soon either! The day of the 4th went well, no unusual activity ... until later that evening. Let me just insert that my girls like to keep me awake with their births, they must take after their mommy, late night owls!

Around 8 pm that evening, I started having some contractions. They were about 15-20 minutes apart at this point but very consistent and mild in intensity. I told Kevin that I was contracting but didn't think anything would happen for awhile being that I was in labor with Kathryn for a total of 19 hours. So, around 11, still contracting about 15 minutes apart, Kevin decided to take a Tylenol PM. Bad idea!

No sooner than he had started snoring, my contractions quickly went from 15 minutes apart to 3 minutes apart and were much stronger in intensity. I am not one for natural child birth. I mean I am all for it but not for myself ... epidural please! So with this being a known fact, I knew it was time to head for the "rock" (Kennestone as those who work there lovingly refer to it). Of course, Kevin was in slow motion and started to ask me if I was sure but the look on my face told him to think twice.

We called my parents and they came to my house to stay with Kathryn while we headed to the hospital. My mom decided to ride up to the hospital with us. We arrived around 1:30. They checked me and I was about a 3 and still contracting strong. They monitored me for awhile, it seemed like forever, and finally decided to put me in a room and get me an epidural. Thank goodness!

By this time my mother-in-law had also arrived. Once in the room, relief came relatively soon compared to the first time around. It must have been a slower night ... good news for me. I received the epidural around 4 am and was right around 5 cm. Once I was comfortable, I began discussing with the nurse how they had to break my water the last time. She thought this would be a good idea to help things progress and paged Dr. Huffman.

In comes Dr. Huffman to break my water. Let me add that Kevin was just getting comfortable and ready to catch a few zzz's while things progressed along. The last time, after I received my epidural, Kevin and I slept for a few hours before Kathryn made her entrance. Well, today the poor guy was just not going to catch a break! Dr. Huffman announces that I am a 10 and the baby is on her way out! Wow! That was fast.

At 5:18am on September 5th, 2007 Elizabeth Anne Caroline Tillis made her debut with her two grandmothers, daddy and mommy waiting to greet her. It was such a joyous and tender moment and such a miracle. I am and will always be amazed at the gift and miracle of life from our Creator and that as women we are so blessed to birth our children. It is such an awe-inspiring experience. She weighed 7lbs 1oz (same as Kathryn) and was 20.5 in (1/2 shorter than her Big sis). She was and is still absolutely beautiful.

Elizabeth, I pray that you grow to be a strong woman in Christ and know and never doubt God's love for you and plan for your life. I pray for your friends and that they would be an encouragement to you in your walk. Mommy and daddy love you so much and are blessed with such a wonderful daughter. Kathryn adores you and will always protect you and will be your best of friends. You are loved my many and our a joy to all of our lives. Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

1 year ago

1 year later

School Days

Kathryn's Ready for School

Tuesday was Kathryn's official "first" day of school! She has been so excited for this day. Every morning she would wake up, "Mommy, is it time to go to school?". Tuesday was no exception, as soon as she realized that the first day had finally arrived she rushed to get dressed and was ready to go! She assured me that I would miss her but "Don't worry mommy, I will be back, I always come back!" I love this little girl so much!

I was a little apprehensive as I drove her to school that morning. I wasn't sure how I would feel sending my little girl to school. I was so proud of her, she got right out of the car and didn't even look back! I had a mixture of emotions to say the least. We are starting a new chapter in our lives and our little girl is growing up! Thank you Lord for entrusting us with these precious ones.

She wouldn't give me the specifics of her first day but that night as I was putting her to bed, she exclaimed, "I want to go to school EVERYDAY!". If only mommy had signed her up for more than two days a week!

Mommy with Elizabeth and Kathryn

Sweet Daddy giving Kathyrn a thumb's up

No looking back, my big girl!

Mission completion, successful first day!

New Look

As you can see if you are reading this my blog has had a facelift! It took a little while to get here but I absolutely love it. I give all the credit to Holly Muncie, many of you may know her (she is a dear friend of Selwyn Kelley's), she is extremely talented and crafty. Selwyn kindly gave me her contact info so I could beautify my blog! Thank you Holly and thank you Selwyn for the referral.

Out of the mouths of babes

Some funny quotes by Kathryn ...
"I just can't take it anymore!" this as she was being placed in time out by daddy.
"Five more minutes!" classic response to any request we present to her.
"I just love her so much!" usually said after doing something unkind to her sister.
"Mommy, I'm so proud of you." as I am doing a chore around the house.

Quotes by Elizabeth ...
"mama"
"dada"
"at" for cat
"uh-oh" as she drops anything.
head shaking back and forth for no (not really a quote)
"ba ba"
"mi" for Omi (her grandmother, my mom)

I can't wait to see how these girls just blossom into their own. I pray they have a burning desire for the Lord and are sweet servants for Him.

The Paci Fairy

Alright, so I have been meaning to post this for a week or two now, just not sure where the time has gone. I am a little embarassed that my 3 year old still had her paci thus the reason for a visit by the paci fairy. However, I guess we all have our vices!

Since, Kathryn is 3 1/2 I decided to bite the bullet and quit the paci. I had seen an episode of the Super Nanny, where she used the Paci Fairy technique. I planned long ago, this would be the method of choice when I decided I was READY to deal with the fallout. So, on the ill fated night of August 3rd, the Paci Fairy came to visit our house.

The night of the visit went great. All weekend I had been building up for the big event. As night approached Kathryn was anxious to return home to tie her paci's up in the tree before the Paci Fairy visited. She quickly gathered up all of her remaining paci's and even took one of Elizabeth's since she only had one she could find. To my surprise Kathryn went to bed without any problems. Little did I know the "calm before the storm" was brewing.

The next day, she was excited to find what the PF left behind. A few trinkets from the Target dollar spot and a letter sprinkled with fairy dust. The novelty was gone by nap time as Kathryn began asking where her paci's were and "I want them back, I never wanted to give them away!" Uh oh, so much for smooth sailing.

Little did I know that after the Paci Fairy visited I would be kissing the coveted nap time good-bye, hasta la vista! How was I to know the price would be so steep? My sweet Kathryn has been a trooper but every night she mentions how she wishes she hadn't given her paci's away and wants to read the letter left by the Paci Fairy. How I wish I had gotten rid of the thing when she was a baby!

Just the other day, Kathryn confessed the following. "I like to sleep and take naps but only when I had my paci." Too late to turn back now!

Princess Ballet Camp

Sophie Kate, Reese, Miss Irene, Kathryn, Camilla

Today was the last day of princess ballet camp. Kathryn has had the best time this week. In fact, the first day of class Miss Irene said that Kathryn cried when it was over because she wanted to keep dancing. My precious girl is just high octane all the time! For the last day, the princess ballerinas gave a performance. It was so sweet and precious, of course I had the camcorder and the camera to capture it all! It is hard to believe my baby is growing up so quickly. I wish I could just freeze this time in our lives and put it in slow motion! Elizabeth had the best time watching her sister dance and had the biggest smile on her face while clapping for the ballerinas. I was very proud of my little ballerina, she actually listened to Miss Irene and did quite well. It was very surreal watching my daughter dance in the very studio I had danced as a teenager and even take class from one of my old dance teachers.

Speaking of time passing too quickly, we just received the information for Kathryn's school for this fall. I can't believe that we are actually starting school. I know it is only two days a week but this is the beginning of school for her for the next 18 years! I may be getting ahead of myself but it is a milestone! I guess we will be busy buying school supplies and getting ready in the next few weeks. I know Kathryn is so excited to go to school. This afternoon she was looking at the Pottery Barn Kids catalog and saw the picture on the front. For those of you who haven't seen it, it is a little girl sitting at a red desk. Kathryn informs me that she needs this desk so she can do her "projects" and take care of customers! I guess she has been going to the office with me a little too much lately! I told her we would think about it, her response, "Well, I need it for my house!"

Another funny, as I was putting Kathryn to bed last night I asked her what was the best part of her day. She said, "Going to Lucy's house." Then, what was the worst part of your day? Her response, "Going home." Kathryn obviously had a wonderful time at Lucy's and was ready to go back today. Thank you Selwyn!

Lucy, Reese, Camilla, Kathryn

Lucy and Kathryn (the best pic I got)