Easter

Yesterday was such a nice day here. Saturday night, I was running around like crazy to finish up last minute things since I was having my in-laws over for Sunday dinner. I was a little stressed to say the least, but I woke up Sunday and asked the Lord to help me enjoy the day and it's true meaning. Easter always reminds me of how blessed we really are. I know it shouldn't be the only day that I'm reminded of that, but to think that Jesus died for my sins really makes me feel so loved and unworthy. I'm so glad I was able to spend time with my loved ones on such a special day. I wish the rest of my family could have been here with us, but it was great anyway.

We started the day out going to church. I'm so thankful to have such a wonderful church family and such an awesome man of God to bring us His word. Our choir did a Easter music special before the sermon and special it was! Such a sweet service.

After church, Morgan's folks came over and spent a few hours with us. Before dinner (lunch to most of y'all), we took a few pics out front of all of us in our Easter attire. I am so bad about taking pictures of my own family, but I decided this year I was going to be better and take some before we were all full and tired! They all turned out so good. Morgan thought it was silly, but I wanted to get a picture of him, his dad and Wyatt. 3 generations of Ellis men! He may think it's silly now, but we will be able to have this memory for years to come.

Wyatt with 2 of his FAVORITE people! Nanna and Pap. While I'm thinking about it, I've got to just add how much this boy is obsessed with his Nanna! I mean, he LOVES her to pieces!! I'm so thankful for her and she's such a great help with Wyatt. She's the reason it's even possible for me to have my little "side" job. I don't know what I'd do without my in-laws. They are so special to me!

And here we are! My little family. Notice how Wyatt isn't looking at the camera. I didn't get one picture of the 3 of us where he was looking and smiling! That little booger.

See what I mean, silly boy!!

'Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives, All fear is gone.

Because I know, He holds the future.

And life is worth the living, just because He lives.'

Beach Wedding

Thursday, Christy and I (plus our boys), headed to Gulf Shores for a little mini-vacay and to photograph this gorgeous wedding! Morgan was supposed to go with me, but we had a little incident here at the farm so he had to stay home :( Fortunately, my bestie stepped in and went down with me. She was so much help! I can't thank her enough for taking care of my little guy while I attended the rehearsal dinner and the wedding.

The sweet couple in the pictures is Justin (better known as Parsons to me) and Amy. Justin is my brother's best friend, so I was so excited to get to see my bro and sis-n-law while we were there! Wyatt loved having his Uncle Justin to play and build a few sand castles with! It was the perfect weekend for a wedding and everything was absolutely gorgeous. I'm so glad that Justin and Amy chose me to photograph their big day. It was by far the most beautiful wedding I've ever attended! It made me want to get married again (to Morgan, of course) and have a simple beach wedding.

The Boys

First of all, thank you for your sweet words on my previous post. This blog is me and it's real. That's how it is and you get the good, the bad and the ugly! haha.

On a happier note, I'm leaving for the beach in the morning and I'm so excited! Due to a little issue here at the farm, Morgan isn't going to be able to go. I was so bummed about that, but fortunately my bestie stepped in and is going with me! She's bringing Mason, so Wyatt is super excited that he's going to have a buddy along on the trip. He's been asking for 2 days when we were going. I know it's so hard to be a kid and wait for something to get here! It seems like tomorrow will never come. Well, it's almost here and when that little man gets up in the morning we are loading up and heading south!!

Today, we got together with Mason and Christy and did the boys Easter pics! We've done their pics together since they were little babies and it's only right that the tradition continues (not sure how long we can get away with this, it won't be near as cute when they are 16, I'm sure!). Here are some of Wyatt's pics from today and one of the 2 of them together. 2 of the cutest boys there are, in my opinion!

Waiting.....

Today has been one of those days. One of those days that I wish I could just see into the future.

It's no secret that we have been trying for a baby for a while now (July will be 2 years). I was diagnosed with PCOS last year and I've been seeing a RE (reproductive endocrinologist) since Feb. While I am amazed at the advancements of fertility treatments, there are still so many unknowns with the whole issue. I have such a hard time understanding how we were able to get pregnant so quickly with Wyatt. We only tried 2 months for him. Before trying for Wy, I had lost 17 lbs with Weight Watchers. Dr. H believes that is what allowed me to become regular and ovulate properly (if this is TMI, you can stop reading now!). Sometimes weight loss can jump start ovulation in women with PCOS. At the time, I had no idea I had it so I just assumed that getting pregnant with #2 would be as easy. I've never been a "regular" girl, but I never thought twice about it.

In July of 2009 we decided to start trying for another baby. We definitely weren't on a schedule, but we quit preventing. I had always wanted my kids to be close in age. Wyatt was 1 1/2 at the time. After about 6 months and no baby, I decided maybe we should talk to my doctor about it. That's when the bomb was dropped....... PCOS. I had never even heard of it. So, what's a girl to do? Google it. Let me tell you, that is THE. WORST. THING. YOU. CAN. DO! I have never been so scared, shocked and worried in my entire life. I know every case is different, but I wish I had never read all the things I did. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a good thing to be informed, but it literally consumed me. The only thing I could think was, we will never be able to have another child. Our doctor didn't seem to concerned and he put me on clomid to try to jumpstart my cycles. The result....nothing. I had always heard that clomid was the miracle drug and that anyone can have a baby if they just take clomid......wrong. Not me. Dr. F had told me on numerous times that he would refer me to a RE if we wanted to be more aggressive with the treatments. He said that clomid was about as much as he could do. I just couldn't bring myself to go that route. Not yet. I've always felt that when the time was right, we would get our baby.

Around Christmas, Morgan and I talked about it and we decided it would be ok to go see Dr. H (RE). Wyatt was about to turn 3 and baby fever had set in...... bad. It seemed like everywhere I turned, there were pregnant women. I swear, People.com announced 4 pregnancies a day! Why is it that when you can't have something, it seems like everyone else does? I never was jealous of women who became pregnant so quickly, I was one of them at one time. I just really wanted another one. Anyone who knows me knows that I've always wanted a lot of kids! We were able to get in with Dr. H the beginning of Feb. He was so understanding and I instantly felt like this was our guy. The man who was going to get us our baby. The first method of treatment was tamoxifen. It did nothing. Through ultrasounds, it looked like my follicles were growing, but my hormones never triggered ovulation. After a week, he decided to put me on femara. 7 days later..... WHOO HOO, I'm ovulating! I've never been so excited to hear those words! Unfortunately, 2 weeks later we realize that it didn't work that time, but I still had hope. I thought femara was our answer. Anyway, 2 weeks ago, I started my 2nd round of femara. I went in last week feeling great. I just knew I was about to OV again and that this month might bring us our baby we've wanted and prayed for. The nurse does the ultrasound and says I look like I might be about to OV. I was thrilled! We went back today and guess what. Nothing. She said it appears that my hormones started to spike (to release the egg) and then just stopped. Are you kidding me?? How could this be.

It is so hard to stay positive. If you could see my face, it is broken out like a 13 year old from all the hormones. I feel like I can't lose weight from all the fertility drugs and what is this all for......? It is such a waiting game. The doctor wants me to try another drug for 5 days (my face will NEVER clear up with all these hormones) and see me back next week. Hopefully, this time it will work. Morgan and I have talked about it and I think we are going to go through this round of treatment and then take a little break. I'd really like to get all of these drugs out of my system and try to lose a few pounds. That really seemed to help in getting pregnant with Wyatt so I don't think it would hurt to try this time. I'm just mentally and emotionally drained. I know that God will give us our baby in time, if that's what's meant to be. He sure if teaching me a life lesson in patience in the meantime!

Sweets....

Oh my goodness, ladies (and gents, although I doubt many of you read my blog)!!! I have found the ABSOLUTE BEST COOKIE BLOG EVER!!!

Sweet Sugar Belle

You have GOT to go check out her stuff! It is unreal how talented she is. I'm not even sure how I came across her page, but I'm hooked! Not only are the cookies beautiful, but get this, there are tutorials!! I'm so pumped, I can't wait to try these out. I mean, how perfect would these be for a baby shower or little boy's birthday party?!?

Anthropologie inspired cookies??? GORGEOUS!

And how perfect would these be for Easter?!?

One more reason I love blogs!! I'm not the best blogger, but I sure love how I can find someone who has the same interests as me. I'm so stoked. I can't wait to go back and read more :)

All About Wyatt

Ok, so I'm stealing this idea from my sweet friend, Molly!

Here are some of Wyatt's favs lately!

Color- Green or Blue (Ba-loo, as he calls it)

Food- Thankfully he's not a picky eater, but his favorite is still spaghetti! That works well for me because it's so easy to cook! He also loves: pop corn, wrinkle chips (Ruffles), ice cream, corn on the cob, and Krystle burgers :)

Candy: m&ms, lappy tappy (laffy taffy), and gum (he's just now getting old enough to get it every once and awhile and he thinks he's so big!)

Toys: Definitely his ride-on John Deere tractor that PawPaw gave him for Christmas!

Clothes: Loving his Crocs right now, must mean spring is here!

To-Do: Play his guitar, Ride his tractor, Sing ANYTHING!, Play outside in the mud (such a boy!), help me cook

Movies: Where the Red Fern Grows (probably his fav right now), Wizard of Oz, Charlotte's Web, Thomas, Second Hand Lions, Up

Shows: Swamp People..... no, I'm not kidding!

Books: Anything Dr. Seuss and the Farmer's Exchange :)

Song: He loves so many. I think his favorite singer, however, is Alan Jackson. We were riding down the road the other day when a song came on, I didn't even think he knew. He said, "Hey Mama, this is Alan Jackson. Yeah, he's my favorite!" haha. I about died. Thankfully Morgan was with me. He thought it was hilarious too!

Words/Phrases: "I love you Mama/Daddy/or whoever else is around" (all the time lately!), Be sweet to me, Mama (when he thinks he's about to get in trouble), I've just been workin' (when you ask what he's been doing). Really, he talks all the time and very well so it's just like having a conversation with an adult! He cracks me up all the time!

On another note: Wyatt had to go to the dr yesterday for an ear infection. While we were there, I asked the nurse to measure him and weigh him. The doctor had been concerned at his 3 year appointment that he hadn't grown much. Well, let me tell you! That boy of mine has grown a whole inch and gained 3 lbs in 2 months! I don't think we have to worry anymore :)

I love my little guy and I'm so glad to be his Mama!

What have I gotten myself into?!?!?

Well, I decided to try my hand at decorating sugar cookies. The gorgeous ones at Alexa's birthday party definitely inspired me. Let me just tell you, it is NOT as easy as it appears! I went to the craft isle at Wal-Mart last week to get my necessary supplies. I did find this great recipe here (well, it would be great if I knew what I was doing)!! I decided after reading a few blogs that I didn't have ANYTHING I really needed so I decided to just go all out and buy everything. I really do want to learn how to do them well, so I believe it was a good investment. Fortunately, I had some great cookie cutters I had gotten as a wedding gift, so I didn't have to purchase those.

It started out pretty well, the cookie recipe was really easy to follow and after chilling the dough for a couple of hours, they were very easy to cut out and bake. I thought they turned out pretty good for my first time. I did learn that it's pretty important to keep the dough even so the cookies bake flat and evenly. I'll work on that more next time!

Then came the decorating :/ Oh my, SO MUCH HARDER THAN IT LOOKS!! I can't even begin to tell you how difficult it is!! Between getting the frosting the correct consistency (which I didn't get right), to putting the frosting in the bags, to keeping a steady hand....... wow! I had no idea how to keep it all organized. I'm in desperate need of a cookie coach! Seriously, contact me if you can help! haha

Ok, so please don't make fun of my bunny! haha. Everything else turned out ok (not perfect, of course), but my black frosting was WAY too runny and it didn't turn out great! It's pretty embarrassing, but I'm just being real with ya :)

I guess my favs of the day were the initial cookies. I was really worried about making letters with the icing, but it went better than expected.

Wyatt was so excited about "his" cookie! He recognized the letter W, so he knew that cookie was just for him! Needless to say, it didn't last much longer after this picture was taking. He devoured it! All in all, the cookie making was a success. I guess you have to start somewhere. I can't wait to practice more. I have a shower I'm hosting in June and I'd really like to learn how to make them really pretty by then!

And of course, I couldn't get away with breaking out the camera and not getting a picture of this little guy. He's sick with an ear infection, so he's not been his usual perky self this week.

Yeah, you can't tell, can you?!?!? haha. I could just eat him up!

Summer Sandals

I know this is sooo last year, but I have been obsessed with these sandals since I saw them on the gorgeous Jennifer Aniston last summer! Me being the obsessive shoe person that I am, I immediately sought out to find these adorable sandals. Unfortunately, they were Stuart Weitzman and WAY out of my budget! I wrote them off, but never forgot about how adorable they were :)

Spring forward to last Thursday. The bestie and I decide to get out of the house and do a little "window shopping" at the mall. Honestly, I didn't intend on buying anything until I saw THESE!! What?!?!? Just what I've been looking for!! And, to top it off, they are Kensiegirl and under $50. I had to have them. They are so cute and so practical (at least that is what I kept telling myself as I was convincing myself to buy them). I mean, I can wear them with dresses, jeans or shorts! Perfection :)

I've been on a little spending "freeze" lately, but I couldn't resist. Now if it will just STAY warm so I can start breaking them in!

What a weekend......and it's only Saturday!!

Whew! It's only Saturday and what a busy weekend it's been already!! 2 birthday parties, Prom up-do for my cousin today, then pictures at church tomorrow and a session tomorrow afternoon. I'm ready for Monday to be here so I can do some get some rest!

Unfortunately, I only got pictures from the birthday party we went to last night. It was soooo cute! Miss Alexa turned 2 and we celebrated with a tutus and ties party at her beautiful house. Wyatt had a great time, but I think he was a little overwhelmed with all the kids! I'm hoping pre-school in the fall with help him come out of his little shy phase. It was an adorable birthday party. Her mom went all out with the food and decorations!

There definitely wasn't a shortage of adorable cakes!! I loved the tutu and tie theme. She had each child a tutu or tie ready when they came in (including Wy, who refused to wear his tie!)

These adorable cookies were made by the mom's cousin!! I've been wanting to learn how to make these sugar cookies. I plan on making my first attempt this week. We'll see how that goes! I would love to make them for showers and gifts!

Look at this handsome fella! I know he's mine, but I could eat him with a spoon :) Love him to pieces!

Chris, Tanya, and Alexa! What a sweet little family

The birthday girl opening her gifts! She loved this one.

Pretty girl!

Tomorrow's another busy day! Church then more picture taking! I'm so thankful to be so busy, but I'm so looking forward to a little beach getaway in a couple of weeks. I'll be taking pictures there too, but we're squeezing in a couple of vacay days too! It's impossible to stress at the beach, right?!?!?