We enjoyed a day at the Calera Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum's Pumpkin Patch yesterday with the McKnight / Scroggins clan.  Jaxon has definitely entered the terrible 2's.  It was on tantrum and crying fit after another.  He boldly proclaimed that he wanted to get in our car when it was time to ride the train.  Not 6 months ago, he loved it.  Once we got the patch, he wanted nothing to do with pictures, so please don't think I intentionally took more of Jillian.  She on the other hand did great.  She even went to sleep on the way back despite the loud train.

The last pictures in her crib are the way I found her after her nap Saturday morning. The book she's holding has crinkle pages, and I thought Joel or Jaxon was making noise but come to find out she had woke up and started playing with toys in her crib.  My 2 kids are so different - daylight and dark.  Hope everyone is enjoying fall and the cooler temps!

We officially have a big boy on our hands now.  I've been a mom now for 2 years, all though most days it feels like 10 already.  We had a Thomas party on Saturday to celebrate the big day.  Lots of fun was had by all.  As you'll see in pictures he did not enjoy our rendition of Happy Birthday very much at all - he's so shy and does not enjoy being the center of attention.  He jumped so much that he scraped the hide off his nose from bouncing into the mesh walls.  I think he liked his gift from Mom and Dad.  Thanks to everyone for coming even with the crazy gas prices!  Don't miss all the photos.

Been a while since I've updated.  Jillian turned 2 months on July 6, and checked out great at her doc appt.  She weighs a whopping 10 lbs, ha ha!  We've gotten her acid reflux in check with baby Zantac and she is keeping more formula down.  She's growing and changing daily.  I just can't get enough of her smiles and coos.  She will almost laugh out loud at you now.  Jaxon's beginning to get jealous now, so we're trying hard to make him feel special too.  I think the terrible 2's have started a few months early  He loves making funny faces now, and recently found a winter hat I bought for him that's great fun for playing make believe Jaxon the Dragon ~ "RAWR!"

We've had lots of birthday partys to attend the past few weekends.  Emily Scroggins (Casey McKnight's little girl) turned 3 and we saw them in T-Town.  Trey Cotton (Andy and Brandy's little boy) turned 9 and we enjoyed a swim party with them.  And Callie Cavender had a really sweet 1st birthday party that we enjoyed lots.  Good to see all our friends!

We had a busy and fun weekend!  Mimi and Papa Jack kept all 3 grandkids at their house for the weekend, and they had so much fun.  They went to Oxford Lake and played Putt-Putt Golf on Saturday.  Then Sunday, we all meet for lunch and the fun continued.  The boys fished for apples as you'll see in pics and Papa Jack gave lessons in shooting the BB Gun.  Never too young to start

Jillian got to meet lots of new family also.  We went to Cousin Randi's 21st Birthday party and she meet all the Williams clan on Joel's side.  It was great seeing everyone and congratulations are in order for Shannon and Randi!  They announced they're expecting their first baby.  What fun it will be in a few years at Meemaw's with all the babies.

Jillian is definitely a baby of extremes - unfortunately, just like her momma.  I was so praying she would have Joel's disposition, but she's still proving to be pretty high maintenance as well.  I just live for the happy times, and when she's happy she just smiles all over - you'll see.  She loves sitting in the Bumbo now just like Jaxon used to.

We recently had 2 celebrations at our house - Father's Day and Joel's 33rd Birthday.  We spent a quiet day at home for Father's Day with Mimi and Papa Jack.  The kid's got daddy a new pocket knife and Jaxon colored him a card, and I made dinner for everyone - (My famous sweet potato casserole)  Then we celebrated Daddy's B'day on Monday with a Jim N Nick's lemon pie - mmm mmm good.  Joel and I got a much needed night out at the Comedy Club to celebrate as well.  Thank you Mimi and Papa Jack!

As for a Jillian update, it's official our good baby has left the building for good it seems.  We have started her on Zantac to try to see if it's acid reflux that's keeping her so unhappy.  She constantly has hiccups and spits up if you lay her flat.  Lots of crying still going on.  I have about 3 more weeks to be at home, then she will start daycare.  To make matters worse, she wants nothing to do with a bottle or formula.  We have some major hurdles to overcome, so please keep us in your prayers.

We have survived the first month!  It's been fun, stressful, exhausting and wonderful all at the same time.  My little girl is growing and changing daily.  She is starting to coo and smile now which I can't get enough of   She pretty much ate, slept and pooped the first month, but now she is awake - a little more than I would like for her to be.  We've had some rough days and nights of crying - not sure if it's gas, stomach troubles or I'm praying not colic.  I've added some cute and funny shots of the last few weeks - ENJOY!

Love, Elease

This last week has been eventful to say the least.  Jillian is still doing great.  Her color is getting better everyday and Joel has almost stopped asking if her daddy was a Mexican because of all the dark hair and tan complexion.  Breastfeeding like a champ - still working through what foods she's sensitive to but she hasn't had a bottle yet.  YAY!  She has hiccups ALL the time and may be a spitter.  Not too bad though if we can keep her upright after she eats.

Mimi and Papa Jack Whitman were with us all last week to help with the transition and wow they were awesome!  I didn't have to lift a finger to cook, clean or wash clothes.  That break has really helped with recovery from my section.  Thanks Mom and Dad!

Jaxon has a Robin's nest outside his bedroom window!  He loves checking on it everyday to see if the baby's have hatched yet.  What a great way to learn about nature.  He's starting to talk SO much more lately too.  Potty training is going really well for him to be 20 months also.  He loves to go poopy on the potty while looking at 4-wheeler mags with daddy.

Things will get so much easier once I can lift Jaxon again, I have to constantly remind my self not to do too much or get overwhelmed by everything.  Keep us in your prayers that everything will continue to go well.

Today is Saturday, May 10, and I've survived 24 hours of being home with 2 kids and things are going so much better than I anticipated.  This time has actually been less stressful than when we brought Jaxon home.

Jillian has been an absolute joy and blessing to me.  She is a natural at breastfeeding, and sleeping in her crib 2-3 hours between feedings already.  I know I'm probably biased, but I could gaze into those dark eyes and sweet face forever.  She has already been such a blessing and joy to her mommy!

Jaxon is being a great big brother also.  The first day he wasn't very interested and pretty much ignored her presence.  Then the next day he wanted to touch her and give her kisses, and now since we're home as a family he can't miss a thing with "my baby" as he calls her.  It's really adorable when he says, "My hold her"  I do have to constantly remind him to be easy with her when the rambunxious little boy comes out.

This will be the best Mother's Day ever tomorrow.  Children are truly blessings from above, and I'm overwhelmed at the moment with love for both of my little blessings.  Thank you to everyone for all the gifts, calls and words of encouragement.  They mean so much to Joel and I!