Emily,
My sweet, sweet baby girl! I am absolutely blown away how fast the past two years have passed! The day you were born was such a miracle and you continue to be a huge blessing in my life. You fulfill my dreams of having a little princess in the house.
"Princess" is actually your new favorite word and you LOVE wearing outfits with princess on them, dressing in princess dresses or wearing a crown. You also love clothes in general, jewelry, play shoes and your "bag". You also love animals, especially cats. Kitty goes just about everywhere with us.
You love to cuddle with mama but now if I ask for a kiss you say no just to tease me. You are definitely stubborn and adventurous. You climb everything you can reach and chase your big brother everywhere. You want to do everything he does even if it means getting hurt.
You love Frozen, Tangled, Sophia the First and Doc McStuffins. You know most of the songs and you sing and dance every time you hear music. I love watching you twirl around our living room, listening to you sing and having dance parties with you. At Christmas Pappaw danced with you and now when you turn on music you typically hold out two hands for the closest person to dance with.
You are not a big fan of riding in your car seat but you love going to the zoo and seeing all the animals. There's not really any food you don't like but you have moments when you refuse to eat unless we give you a fork. You typically pick up the food, put it on the fork and then put it in your mouth, but you're learning. You like to color but all the crayons have to be dumped out before you're done. And we have to keep them put away because you will color on the table, the floor, yourself, or any other available surface. You are constantly into something! We have to keep anything we don't want you getting a hold of locked up or you will get it somehow. You love getting Daddy's wallet which will probably be a trend that continues throughout your life ;)
You are such a good little sister and you love your brother more than anyone else. Even when he's being bossy you typically give him what he wants without any fuss. Earlier this week Eli told me that you were going to be his "Mom" (he meant wife) when you grow up. I explained that he can't marry you because you are his sister, but I think that really shows how much he loves you.
We love you so much sweet girl! You completed our family and I don't know what we would do without you. I absolutely love watching you grow! And even though I wish time would slow down, I'm so excited to see who you become!
Love always,
Mommy
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Saturday, October 4, 2014
4
Eli,
I absolutely cannot believe you are 4 years old! My heart nearly stops every time you say that after 4 you'll be 5. I really wish I could slow down time. I am hoping this year passes very slowly but I know it's going to fly by like all the others.
You are such a sweet boy! We've had our fair share of troubles but it warms my heart every time you say "Mommy, I love you" out of nowhere. You share your love so easily to everyone around you and, even though it might cause you some heartache down the road, I hope you always do. You are the best big brother to Emily. You've been known to say "Good morning sweet princess" when she wakes up and you will do anything and everything for her even when we want her to do it herself. You love nothing more than playing with your daddy, whether it be trains, planes, cars or animals. And you're almost always willing to help me.
You are still obsessed with trains. We went to Chattanooga last month to take you on a birthday train trip and the memories we made won't ever be forgotten. I wonder nearly every day if trains are going to be a lifetime passion of yours or if one day you're going to wake up and move on to something else.
You are super smart too. We have spent the last 6 months or so teaching you letters and how to write them. You have even memorized 26 Bible verses and 3 prayers (Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, Our Father and Hail Mary).
You like chicken nuggets, pizza and pancakes. And last weekend you happily ate a cheeseburger for the first time, I'm hoping that leads to you liking more foods that you formerly hated. Your favorite color changes every time I ask you but you seem to choose green most often when you are just picking colors for things. Your favorite word recently is "Awesome" and this year you have started singing full songs. It seems like you hear a song once or twice and you know all the words. You're not a big fan of movies because they always have a bad guy of some sort but you LOVE happy endings when you do watch them.
My heart fills with so much love every time I look at you or think of you. Tuesday morning I told you it was 4 days until your birthday and you said "then I'll be 9 and 10 and 11" and I told you that it would be a while before then and you replied "it'll be a lot of days and then I'll be a grown up like you", the thought of that makes me happy and sad at the same time. I know it's going to pass in the blink of an eye. I looked at you and saw a flash of you all grown up and I said "We'll always be buddies, even when you're grown up, right?", you said yep with a big grin on your face.
I love you sweet boy!
-Mommy
I absolutely cannot believe you are 4 years old! My heart nearly stops every time you say that after 4 you'll be 5. I really wish I could slow down time. I am hoping this year passes very slowly but I know it's going to fly by like all the others.
You are such a sweet boy! We've had our fair share of troubles but it warms my heart every time you say "Mommy, I love you" out of nowhere. You share your love so easily to everyone around you and, even though it might cause you some heartache down the road, I hope you always do. You are the best big brother to Emily. You've been known to say "Good morning sweet princess" when she wakes up and you will do anything and everything for her even when we want her to do it herself. You love nothing more than playing with your daddy, whether it be trains, planes, cars or animals. And you're almost always willing to help me.
You are still obsessed with trains. We went to Chattanooga last month to take you on a birthday train trip and the memories we made won't ever be forgotten. I wonder nearly every day if trains are going to be a lifetime passion of yours or if one day you're going to wake up and move on to something else.
You are super smart too. We have spent the last 6 months or so teaching you letters and how to write them. You have even memorized 26 Bible verses and 3 prayers (Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, Our Father and Hail Mary).
You like chicken nuggets, pizza and pancakes. And last weekend you happily ate a cheeseburger for the first time, I'm hoping that leads to you liking more foods that you formerly hated. Your favorite color changes every time I ask you but you seem to choose green most often when you are just picking colors for things. Your favorite word recently is "Awesome" and this year you have started singing full songs. It seems like you hear a song once or twice and you know all the words. You're not a big fan of movies because they always have a bad guy of some sort but you LOVE happy endings when you do watch them.
My heart fills with so much love every time I look at you or think of you. Tuesday morning I told you it was 4 days until your birthday and you said "then I'll be 9 and 10 and 11" and I told you that it would be a while before then and you replied "it'll be a lot of days and then I'll be a grown up like you", the thought of that makes me happy and sad at the same time. I know it's going to pass in the blink of an eye. I looked at you and saw a flash of you all grown up and I said "We'll always be buddies, even when you're grown up, right?", you said yep with a big grin on your face.
I love you sweet boy!
-Mommy
Friday, June 27, 2014
Happy 6th Birthday!
Oh my sweet boy! How is it even possible that six years have passed since I first looked at your precious face? This year is especially painful because all of the dates fall on the same days of the week. Plus we lost Callie just over a month ago which brought the pain of losing you back in an unexpected way.
I wanted to get out your scrapbook just the other day to take a picture of your tiny footprints and the safe was stuck. I had a terrifying moment thinking I may never see or hold your things again. Thankfully with the help of Google and a rubber mallet I was able to get into the safe. We bought a new one, one less likely to get stuck closed. We have taken every measure possible to ensure that we will always have your things, and to think that the safe we thought was protecting them might keep them from us was scary. I know they are just "things" but they are the only physical connection I have left with you.
You are always, always in our hearts and I look forward to the day I will hold you again in my arms. Until then, we will continue to remember you, and celebrate your birthday with cake and ice cream and a visit to your spot with new flowers.
I love you with all of my heart. I wish every day that things had turned out differently, that our time together didn't end so quickly. But I also know that I wouldn't be who I am if your story was different. And I know that God's plan, for you and for me, is perfect, just like you.
Please be close by my side during the next few weeks. I'm going to need all the support I can get to get through them without breaking down.
Love you,
Mom
I wanted to get out your scrapbook just the other day to take a picture of your tiny footprints and the safe was stuck. I had a terrifying moment thinking I may never see or hold your things again. Thankfully with the help of Google and a rubber mallet I was able to get into the safe. We bought a new one, one less likely to get stuck closed. We have taken every measure possible to ensure that we will always have your things, and to think that the safe we thought was protecting them might keep them from us was scary. I know they are just "things" but they are the only physical connection I have left with you.
You are always, always in our hearts and I look forward to the day I will hold you again in my arms. Until then, we will continue to remember you, and celebrate your birthday with cake and ice cream and a visit to your spot with new flowers.
I love you with all of my heart. I wish every day that things had turned out differently, that our time together didn't end so quickly. But I also know that I wouldn't be who I am if your story was different. And I know that God's plan, for you and for me, is perfect, just like you.
Please be close by my side during the next few weeks. I'm going to need all the support I can get to get through them without breaking down.
Love you,
Mom
Friday, January 17, 2014
One
Dear sweet Emily,
How is it possible that a whole year has already passed since the first time I held you? You fit so perfectly into our lives that, in ways, it seems like you've always been here. But at the same time, it feels like a blink since I held your tiny little fingers for the first time and marveled at how big your brother suddenly seemed.
You are such a special little girl! Your birth was a pure miracle. You failed your hearing test only to pass it the next day. Then you were diagnosed with hip dysplasia. You had no fever when you got RSV leading to us finding out at a "well-baby" appointment. The ER doctor who saw you for a very high fever thought he saw a lazy eye, so he sent us to an eye doctor (who confirmed that there was no sign of lazy eye). And yet despite all of this, you are perfectly healthy today.
You do things on your own schedule. You took forever to roll over for the first time but then learned to sit yourself up, crawl, pull to standing and even cruise the furniture so quickly. You have the ability to walk but you're terrified to let go. I've told you a million times that I'm right by your side and I won't let anything happen to you.
You are a snuggler and the look you give me when you want to be held and I can't hold you completely breaks my heart! You are jealous of the other babies getting attention at daycare but you play well by yourself most of the time. You are sensitive and a simple "No ma'am" is enough to make you cry and stop what you're doing. You also try using tears to manipulate us.
You are so smart and already say Mama, Dada, Bubba, cat, hi and bye bye but you don't perform for anyone and only talk when YOU want to. You love your blankie and your puppy. You LOVE music and your favorite song is the "Emily Rebecca Song" mama made up the first week you were born. Your brother is your idol and he can always make you smile.
You have 7 teeth now and eat everything that is put in front of you. Your favorites are yogurt and green beans but we haven't found anything you don't like!
You wear mostly 12 month clothes and size 4 diapers. You weigh 21 lbs. 13 oz. and are 29.5 in. tall.
And most of all, you are loved unconditionally by your daddy, your brother and me! I have had so much fun getting to know you this year and I am looking forward to continuing to watch you grow. I am so excited about having tea parties and playing dress up with you. And I am looking forward to seeing how you and Eli play as you grow. I love you my princess!
-Mommy
Friday, October 4, 2013
3rd
Eli,
It is amazing to think about how you have changed in the last 12 months!
You have become a big brother and a great one at that. I have seen your heart grow with love for your sister.
You have expanded your interests to Bob the Builder, Mickey Mouse, Cars, and Bambi. Trains remain your favorite though and your collection is growing and growing.
You've grown physically of course. When I went to the hospital to have Emily you were just my little baby and yet just hours later you walked in the room a big boy.
You are completely potty trained, day and night.
You can count to 14 without missing a beat, know your ABCs, introduce yourself as Douglas Elijah Gooden and your sister as Emily Rebecca, can spell Eli, know all your colors, recognize stop signs, and can sing several songs all by yourself.
You say our meal prayer and bed time prayer, love to sing Holy, Holy and people always tell us how good you are at Mass (even when Daddy and I don't feel like you've been very good).
You like chicken, peanut butter and jelly and "dip" aka italian dressing. You don't like potatoes unless they are french fries.
We call you an elephant because you seemingly remember everything. When we went to our first high school football game of the season you said it was going to be "green and purple football", we were confused until we remembered that the last high school football game we took you to had uniforms of those colors.
You always let Mommy have the last kiss and will tell everyone that Mommy loves you the most and that Mammaw spoils you. In the last few weeks you have started to say "I already told you 3 times..." when something is really important to you.
Your best friends are Iyanna and Andrew but anytime you see kids you refer to them as your best friends.
And most of all, you are loved more each and every day. Every time I look at you or think of you my heart fills to overflowing. Remember how much we love you and that we will always have your back, even when it seems like we don't.
Love,
Mommy
It is amazing to think about how you have changed in the last 12 months!
You have become a big brother and a great one at that. I have seen your heart grow with love for your sister.
You have expanded your interests to Bob the Builder, Mickey Mouse, Cars, and Bambi. Trains remain your favorite though and your collection is growing and growing.
You've grown physically of course. When I went to the hospital to have Emily you were just my little baby and yet just hours later you walked in the room a big boy.
You are completely potty trained, day and night.
You can count to 14 without missing a beat, know your ABCs, introduce yourself as Douglas Elijah Gooden and your sister as Emily Rebecca, can spell Eli, know all your colors, recognize stop signs, and can sing several songs all by yourself.
You say our meal prayer and bed time prayer, love to sing Holy, Holy and people always tell us how good you are at Mass (even when Daddy and I don't feel like you've been very good).
You like chicken, peanut butter and jelly and "dip" aka italian dressing. You don't like potatoes unless they are french fries.
We call you an elephant because you seemingly remember everything. When we went to our first high school football game of the season you said it was going to be "green and purple football", we were confused until we remembered that the last high school football game we took you to had uniforms of those colors.
You always let Mommy have the last kiss and will tell everyone that Mommy loves you the most and that Mammaw spoils you. In the last few weeks you have started to say "I already told you 3 times..." when something is really important to you.
Your best friends are Iyanna and Andrew but anytime you see kids you refer to them as your best friends.
And most of all, you are loved more each and every day. Every time I look at you or think of you my heart fills to overflowing. Remember how much we love you and that we will always have your back, even when it seems like we don't.
Love,
Mommy
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Happy Birthday!
Logan,
Happy 5th Birthday sweet boy! Everything I can think of to say I've said a thousand times. We miss you so much down here.
Your daddy and I have talked several times about what it would be like in our house if you were still here. You would be starting kindergarten this year. We should be meeting your teacher and buying uniforms, a backpack and so many other school supplies. Instead we're fixing flowers for another trip to the cemetery. Even though I miss you constantly some events make the heartache even worse and seeing all the other kids getting ready for school this year is one of them.
I often wonder if you would like trains the way Eli does or would it be some other obsession. Would you know how to read? Or write your name? What kind of birthday would we be having today and who would we invite? Would you be playing t-ball and soccer? Eli and I talk about you a lot, especially lately. When he sees a picture of you he says "Brother!"
Thank you for being such a blessing in our lives. I have felt you with me so much lately and as much as I miss you, I know you are in a much better place and I look forward to seeing you and holding again one day.
Love,
Mama
Happy 5th Birthday sweet boy! Everything I can think of to say I've said a thousand times. We miss you so much down here.
Your daddy and I have talked several times about what it would be like in our house if you were still here. You would be starting kindergarten this year. We should be meeting your teacher and buying uniforms, a backpack and so many other school supplies. Instead we're fixing flowers for another trip to the cemetery. Even though I miss you constantly some events make the heartache even worse and seeing all the other kids getting ready for school this year is one of them.
I often wonder if you would like trains the way Eli does or would it be some other obsession. Would you know how to read? Or write your name? What kind of birthday would we be having today and who would we invite? Would you be playing t-ball and soccer? Eli and I talk about you a lot, especially lately. When he sees a picture of you he says "Brother!"
Thank you for being such a blessing in our lives. I have felt you with me so much lately and as much as I miss you, I know you are in a much better place and I look forward to seeing you and holding again one day.
Love,
Mama
Monday, May 20, 2013
4 Months
I really can't believe Emily is already 4 months old! I really haven't updated much about her so I thought I would take a minute to do that.
Emily is 15 lbs. 12 oz. and 25.5 in. long. She wears size 2 diapers and 3-6 month clothes. I actually went through her closet on Friday and took out all of the 3 month stuff and put in the 6 month and I'm pretty sure she could wear those now too.
She sleeps through the night and naps well during the day. She LOVES to nurse and has only been taking 2 4 oz. bottles at daycare until just last week. It was kind of crazy because she was eating around 10am and then they were having to wake her up at 3pm to giver her a second bottle but as soon as we would get home she would want to nurse and then again less than 2 hours later. It's all about nursing though, not eating. Sometimes she gets so mad because she's getting milk after she's full :) I'm really enjoying it though because Eli just wanted to eat and would finish quickly whereas I get to spend extra time with Emily. And on that note, I am doing sooo much better with my milk supply this time around. I'm getting 24-25oz. per day and she's only taking 10oz so I'm building up a great supply, so much so that we're running out of room in our freezer! After the struggles I went through with Eli, that's a huge blessing for me.
Emily is such a happy baby. She smiles easily and loves her brother and her daddy. She likes being held and rolled over for the first time last Thursday morning. I was actually getting ready for work when I heard her crying and when I got in there I found that she had rolled from her back to her belly. She hasn't quite figured out belly to back yet. She's a big talker and will tell you a story a mile long if you'll listen, heaven help us when she actually learns to talk! She has already taken to a blankie which makes things easier for us since we're used to carrying Eli's around.
I started Eli on cereal around 4 months but Emily still has the tongue-thrust reflex so I'm planning to wait, hopefully until she's 6 months old. When I think about that as 2 months from now it seems far away but when I think about it as just after Logan's Birthday it seems like it's just around the corner!
Emily is 15 lbs. 12 oz. and 25.5 in. long. She wears size 2 diapers and 3-6 month clothes. I actually went through her closet on Friday and took out all of the 3 month stuff and put in the 6 month and I'm pretty sure she could wear those now too.
She sleeps through the night and naps well during the day. She LOVES to nurse and has only been taking 2 4 oz. bottles at daycare until just last week. It was kind of crazy because she was eating around 10am and then they were having to wake her up at 3pm to giver her a second bottle but as soon as we would get home she would want to nurse and then again less than 2 hours later. It's all about nursing though, not eating. Sometimes she gets so mad because she's getting milk after she's full :) I'm really enjoying it though because Eli just wanted to eat and would finish quickly whereas I get to spend extra time with Emily. And on that note, I am doing sooo much better with my milk supply this time around. I'm getting 24-25oz. per day and she's only taking 10oz so I'm building up a great supply, so much so that we're running out of room in our freezer! After the struggles I went through with Eli, that's a huge blessing for me.
Emily is such a happy baby. She smiles easily and loves her brother and her daddy. She likes being held and rolled over for the first time last Thursday morning. I was actually getting ready for work when I heard her crying and when I got in there I found that she had rolled from her back to her belly. She hasn't quite figured out belly to back yet. She's a big talker and will tell you a story a mile long if you'll listen, heaven help us when she actually learns to talk! She has already taken to a blankie which makes things easier for us since we're used to carrying Eli's around.
I started Eli on cereal around 4 months but Emily still has the tongue-thrust reflex so I'm planning to wait, hopefully until she's 6 months old. When I think about that as 2 months from now it seems far away but when I think about it as just after Logan's Birthday it seems like it's just around the corner!
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