Kingston Chronicles

We've been going and going and going since Beckett was born so although I've had a lot to blog about and Kingston has been up to a lot these days I haven't really had time! So these pictures are a little out of order but I wanted to give you an update on our Big brother! Last night we went to the Baskin Robbins .31 scoop night in support of the fire department. Kingston had a blast getting in the trucks and wearing the gear. The firemen were awesome and we loved meeting them. We didn't wait in line for the ice cream but we had a blast anyway!

Kingston got in trouble for the first time ever at daycare today for not helping clean up a mess he made. So when he got home he had to help us clean the house. Hopefully he will learn to love cleaning again! Prior to this incident he was the first one to start cleaning up.

Kingston's been spending a lot of time hanging out with Beckett and helping us feed him and soothe him, he loves to hug on him. He's very good to always ask before he touches. He is a great big brother. The other day Beckett was crying and Kingston went running through the house looking for a pacie so he could give it to him. It was a very sweet moment.

Kingston's daycare had Storybook character day the other day and Kingston dressed up like a pirate. He loved dressing up and didn't want to take the costume off.

Here at the Eller house we start them playing corn hole early. We went to our friend Marsha's 30th birthday party and Kingston showed her friend his mad corn hole skills.

My mom and sister came to visit last weekend and my sister brought my youngest nephew Corey. Him and Kingston had a blast. They put on shows for us which we loved to watch.

We went to Crockett Park where my sister took this picture and I had to include it!!

Kingston and Corey playing at the park!

The zip line!

Kingston has been a little trooper since we brought Beckett home. He has his moments that's for sure but for the most part he's been amazing! A little more needy and not quite sure how to share us just yet but we're all learning and he knows we love him and we are willing to do whatever it takes to help him adjust even if that means singing at the top of our lungs, dancing around like fools most nights! He is a cool little dude!

Beckett's Bio-A Birth Story

When I went to my 38 week appointment we decided to go ahead and induce on April 12th. It was a back and forth decision for me because I couldn't decide if this was the right thing to do but I was ready to get rid of this belly and hold my sweet baby Beckett! Even though it was pretty fun to belly bump with :)!

So on April 12th we got up bright and early and said goodbye to this sweet baby and headed to Baptist Hospital to check in at 6:00AM. Oh if he only knew how his life was about to change!

I got my computer set up so I could play on facebook and keep everyone updated the best I could. They started the induction at 6:30AM, my doctor came in to break my water at 8:30 and I got an epidural at 9:30. Everything was going good up until the point where I got my epidural. My blood pressure kept dropping really low (77/55) so they had to keep giving me ephedrine. At 11:30AM the nurse came in and told me we'd have a baby within the hour. I was shocked because again this was a super easy delivery!

Then at 12:39AM Beckett John Eller came into this world weighing 7lbs. 14oz. and measuring 21 inches long after only about 10 minutes of pushing! Daddy got to cut sweet Beckett's cord and he was so excited!

They wrapped him up and handed him to me for our first meeting. I was a little teary but very out of it for the first 30 minutes due to the ephedrine but so excited to meet my little boy!

When I came back to the land of the living I got to feed Beckett his first bottle. He was such a perfect little angel. He had a head full of hair and the sweetest little face. He looks a lot like big brother.

Daddy got the honor of changing the first diaper!

And here's one of the first close of pictures we have of Beckett!

The Grandparents had been waiting all day to get the OK to come visit and they couldn't wait to meet little Beckett! They fell in love with him just as fast as we did!

But the best meeting of all was when Big Brother met Little Brother. It was one of those moments I will remember forever. I would have stopped time at that exact moment if I could have and enjoyed it for as long as I could. The look on Kingston's face was priceless! He was already an amazing Bubba!

Beckett's birthday was perfect and all the worries I had about not loving him as much as I did Kingston faded the moment I laid eyes on Beckett. I love him so much. Not more or less than Kingston just the same only different. I know it sounds weird but it's true. I can't put it into words. He is already such a part of our family. He has always belonged here. He's always been a member of our family we've just been waiting on him to arrive. It is absolutely wonderful to be an Eller!

Beckett's Bio-37 Weeks Pregnant

It's been a little while since I've updated on my pregnancy with sweet Baby Beckett and I can't believe I am nearing the end of it. I have to admit my emotions are all over the place these days. On one hand I'm so excited to meet our sweet baby and not be pregnant anymore. On the other hand I'm a bit nervous. I've never juggled 2 kids full time. I know Kingston's likes and dislikes. Kingston has always been super easy what if Beckett's not? How will Beckett effect our family? How will Beckett effect Kingston? Am I really cut out to be a mother of 2? I know when the day arrives it's going to be perfect and all these things I fear will melt away and it will be as if Beckett has always belonged in our family. I know this because I had these same fears when I was pregnant with Kingston and the day he came into our lives every fear I'd had about him not fitting in melted in a second and it was as if we'd always been waiting on him. Even so, I can't help but fear the unknown once again but more of me can't wait to hold this little bitty person who I've grown to love so much over the last 9 months! It will be nothing short of amazing!

OK now that the emotional stuff is out of the way let's get onto the stats. I still have heartburn although it isn't it isn't as bad as it was due to the fact that Beckett has dropped. Although I'm starting to swell a little on and off it's not bad at all. I'm dilated to 1 but my that doesn't really mean much. Beckett is head down! Sleeping isn't all that bad here lately. I mean I still get up to pee 4 or 5 times but getting back to sleep isn't too bad. I'm outgrowing a lot of my maternity clothes but everyone says I'm all belly, it's just a BIG belly :)!! I still pick up Kingston and get on the floor to play although Alfred has taken over most of his baths! I waddle... a lot!!! I've gained a total of 26 pounds so I think I might just stay under 30. I walk as much as I can although that's becoming less and less lately. All in all it's going pretty well! I feel pregnant but it's really not too bad!

We are ready whenever Beckett is ready to meet us and we can't believe it's so close!!

Kingston Chronicles - 2 Years Old

It's hard to believe it's been 2 years since this! To celebrate such a big day we decided to head to the park and have a picnic! Kingston loves the park and had a blast sliding over and over. I can't believe what a grown up guy he is! We are so proud to be his parents! Yesterday we had his Birthday party at Gymboree in Cool Springs and he loved every minute of it!

He had so many friends that came out to help him celebrate! And his GiGi and PaPa even made the trek from Macon. At his party he got to do things like blow bubbles, play with a parachute, eat a cookie cake, play on toys with his friends and sing a lot! He had such a wonderful time!

Afterward we decided since it was so beautiful out we would head to East Nashville for Ice Cream at Pied Piper our favorite little ice cream shop! Kingston loves it because there is so much for kids to do there!

All this fun made for one tired little 2 year old! He was out cold before we ever made it back home!

It is such a pleasure being Kingston's mom! His aunt Amanda said it best when she said he is such a delight! He really is! He wakes up every morning singing and so so happy! He listens very well as far as 2 year olds go :)! He loves all things cars and trucks, Barney, American Idol, singing into anything that resembles a microphone at the top of his lungs in true performer style and by that I mean he tosses his hand in the air and really gets down, dancing! He isn't fond of salmon or grape fruit but will pretty much eat anything else you put in front of him. He will eat blueberries by the case if you let him and asks for a cookie all day long, and no we don't give them to him all the time he just asks! He prefers water over milk. He loves his mommy and daddy unless Mimi is around then we are chopped liver. He loves playing dress up and being the center of attention. He sleeps great anywhere and will fall asleep just about anywhere he's sleepy! He loves being outside and screams when we bring him in! He is the youngest member of Music City Runner's and treats everybody in the group like they are his best friend. Like I said it's such a delight being this little guys mom! I can't believe he's 2 but it's been the best 2 years of my life and although I'm sad he's growing up so fast but I can't wait to see all he has in store for this world! Mommy and Daddy love you very much Kingston and we can't wait to see how wonderful you are with your little brother, Beckett!

Kingston Chronicles

It has been awhile, OK a long while since I've updated on what my adorable almost 2 year old has been doing! So let's just jump right into it. Yesterday was St. Patty's Day, I had to go back to work so Alfred and Kingston spent the day running errands and playing outside. It was beautiful here and they had a great time. When I got home I joined them! It was a great evening and we've really enjoyed having the extra hour of daylight! This past weekend Alfred and I went to Gatlinburg for our annual friend trip and Kingston went to Mimi and papa's to be spoiled rotten and spend time with his cousins. 2 of my sisters 3 boys and Kingston were all born in March so they decided to have a March boy birthday party. Of course the March boys didn't mind letting our January baby, Corey, in on the fun!! According to Mimi the party was a success and they had a blast!

While visiting Kingston and Corey thought it would be fun to put dish towels on there heads and pretend they were hats! I love the imagination of a kid! They did this for about half an hour and had a great time!

Kingston spent most of the weekend getting Papa to take him outside so he could play with the dogs but most of all so he could splash in a mud puddle and get filthy! He cried every time they tried to bring him in!

Of course he had to earn his keep while he was there by helping Mimi cook! Looks to me like he's doing a lot more eating then he is cooking.

We loved having some time alone before Beckett arrives and we were very thankful that Mimi and papa got to spend so much quality time with Kingston but it sure is nice to be home and since it's been so beautiful outside we've been hurrying home from work and hitting the backyard until the sun goes down. Kingston thinks it's just great!

Sorry it's been so long! I'm going to try to do quite a few updates on the Ellers this week! We've been really busy and with only 4.5 weeks left until Kingston gets a baby brother we've been busy doing a lot of preparing! It's still great to be an Eller!!

Beckett's Bio-30 Weeks Pregnant

I'm at that emotional time in pregnancy when you realize every thing's about to change and it' s very exciting but very scary at the same time. I know I just had a baby 2 years ago but I already forget what it was really like. I don't carry a diaper bag anymore, I don't worry about packing stuff for Kingston to eat or to keep him entertained. I'm about to start all of that over and it's a little scary but mostly very exciting because once again I will get to stare at sweet baby feet all day long and I will get to cuddle for hours on end while a little tiny dude sleeps on my chest. It is pure joy and long nights and so worth every minute.
This has been an eventful week for Beckett and me, I got maternity pictures taken and of course they are all about Beckett :)!! We had a great photographer Sara Rose take them. She came to our house and we had a blast hanging out and taking pictures and she had so many wonderful idea! It really was a fun day and here's just one of many of the great pictures she took of my sweet Baby Beckett in his first home!!

I also had a doctors appointment this week. I'm up another 3 pounds in weight which brings the grand total to 22 so far! According to my doctor I am still right on track so I'm not all that worried. My appetite has finally leveled out and I'm not ravenous to eat everything in sight so hopefully my weight gain will slow down a bit. I got to hear the sweet sound of Beckett's heartbeat again which is always nothing short of amazing.
Beckett is already so different from his big brother. He is a mover and a shaker. When I was pregnant with Kingston he moved and kicked but it wasn't an all day event he was very laid back even in the womb but Beckett is a mover. He moves at times in a way that makes me feel like I'm on a roller coaster! I love feeling him move and kick and squirm! I feel so much better at this point in pregnancy than I did with Kingston. I didn't realize with Kingston that it could be different so I didn't realize I was feeling so run down. My iron is low again this time but not nearly as bad as it was with Kingston although I'm starting to eat ice at an irrational rate again and driving Alfred crazy :)!! And so far I haven't started swelling like I did with Kingston and hopefully that will remain the case for the next 10 weeks!

Beckett's Bio-28 Weeks Pregnant

Could I really be 28 weeks already??? It doesn't seem like I should already this far along! I had my gestational diabetes test this morning and got to hear Beckett's wonderful heartbeat! I've managed to gain another 7 pounds which brings my grand total to 19 pounds which according to my doc is right where I'm supposed to be, but I'm not so sure-this belly looks pretty big! Since I lost so much weight in the beginning with morning sickness I've finally caught up. I have terrible heartburn and can't get enough crushed ice. And I would eat my weight in Little Debbie Nutty Bars if I didn't stop myself! I did a 5K Zoo Run (waddle) this weekend and I was really proud of myself. I didn't set any records but I finished it and didn't feel bad at all. I'm glad I'm still working out and I'm hoping it will make the transition after the baby a lot easier. With Kingston my knees killed me when I tried to get back into running. As for other Beckett news we have officially started working on his room. We still have some furniture to move out of there but we have made some progress. The great thing about this being #2 is we already have pretty much everything we need. I'm at the point in my pregnancy where I start going to the doctor every 2 weeks which is just fine with me since that means I get to hear his little heartbeat twice as much!!

Kingston Chronicles

First Haircut Addition!! OK technically he's had trims by my mom and my sister when they couldn't stand it anymore but this is his official in a salon really give me a style haircut!!

Here's were we started! And while I think this is adorable I do agree he probably needs to see where he's going and this is getting a little out of control but it is just so darn cute! And the back was way out of control! When you have to use 2 different conditioners and wet his hair every morning I think it's time for a haircut!!

This is Kim cutting his hair. She is Alfred's stylist and she is awesome! She has 5 kids of her own and her boys all have longish hair so she did very well sitting me down and explaining that she would leave it long and he was in good hands!

The back of his hair finished!

And the front! He got a cookie for being good! He was actually very good and loved when she got out the blow dryer and have I said how wonderful Kim was. She saved hair for me in a little envelope and when the cut was over she threw confetti in the air which Kingston loved! It was such a wonderful experience I might do it again in another 2 years :)!

Kingston Chronicles

Yesterday was a pretty big day for Kingston! We decided to move the crib into Beckett's room and upgrade Kingston to a Queen Size Bed! His room looks so grown up. I cried and cried as we moved the furniture. I know it's just a bed but to me it represents him growing up more and more every day and that is so hard to deal with. His new room is very cute though. His baby room was GA which made it easy to upgrade with very little changes. I bought new bedding and that's about it. We already had the bed in our spare room so it worked out perfectly!

This is the amazing picture our friend Natalina made for Kingston's first birthday. We've been waiting until we upgraded to hang it over his bed and I think it was a great addition!

Daddy and Kingston doing the night time routine in his new bed!

Sound asleep like a big boy!

As for how the transition affected Kingston,it was a little rough. We have never had sleep issues. If Kingston is sleepy he will fall asleep in the living room floor or by my bed while I'm getting ready. This change for some reason was a little harder on him. He cried for about twenty
minutes for us to lay with him but we held our guns which was really hard and he came out of the room twice and I told him he had to lay in his bed and he did. He woke up crying at 2:30 which is only about the 10th time he's done that since he was 4 months old. I went to his room and told him I loved him but he had to lay back down and he said "OK" in the sweetest little voice ever! Then tonight I laid him down and told him to stay in his bed and he cried for a minute and ask me to go "Night Night" with him but he was done crying by the time I made it to the door. Now let's see if he wakes up tonight! I'm so proud of by big boy! He is so grown up! And I'm doing OK with it too!

Happy Birthday Alfred!

This past Saturday was Alfred's 32nd birthday and we packed so much into the weekend and had a blast! The morning started off with Kingston performing "Happy Birthday" for his daddy! And by perform I mean using his "microphone" snapping his fingers, dancing the whole bit! Alfred of course loved every minute of it! He was lucky enough to get some beautiful snow for the special day so after breakfast we went out to play! Kingston loved the snow until he fell in it and got cold then it was over!

I decided this year for Alfred's birthday we needed to get away just the 3 of us for a night so I surprised Alfred with a trip to Chattanooga so we could go to the Aquarium. We got there Saturday night and decided to ride the Incline Railroad which takes you to the top of lookout mountain, from there it looks like you can see forever! It was so cold but it was so worth it. Kingston loved riding in the train with no restraint!

The ride down was a little scary but so beautiful!

Kingston at the top looking over!

I made sure to get a hotel with a pool since our little fish loves the water so much and he had such a good time! We were in the pool for about an hour and he still wasn't ready to get out. He's also getting very good at swimming and even when he goes under he keeps going back for more!

The next morning we headed to the Aquarium and had a wonderful time!

Alfred had a great birthday! We discussed the fact that even though this
was Alfred's birthday trip it was a lot about Kingston but once you have kids the joy you get to see through thier eyes is what makes you the happiest so this was just perfect!! That's why every picture is about Kingston :)! Happy Birthday Baby we are so lucky to have you in our lives! Thanks for sharing your wonderful weekend with us. And because it is his birthday I think he should be in one picture!

Beckett's Bio - 26 Weeks Pregnant

This is the first Baby Eller 2 Post where we've actually known his name! Beckett John Eller! We knew his middle name would be John because it is Alfred's dads name but we could not come up with a first name, we looked at about 4000! Then my sister called and said how about Beckett! I loved it! I was certain Alfred would hate it but when I ran it by him he thought it was perfect. We slept on it, couldn't get it out of our heads and just knew that was supposed to be his name. As it turns out that mom was named after a lady whose last name was Beckett which cemented this even more in our minds. It is so awesome to finally have a name for our little boy!

I also had a doctors appointment this week and we got to hear Sweet Baby Beckett's heartbeat which never ever gets old! Everything else seems to be going rather well too. I've only gained 12 pounds total, although, I'm really showing now and there is no doubt I'm pregnant. I also have really bad heartburn again just like I did with Kingston so if the Old Wives Tail is true yet again Beckett should have a head full of hair just like his brother had. I feel him move all the time which is something else that never gets old, and I know from last time is something I will miss very much for months to follow.

I can't believe I'm already 26 weeks pregnant. Time has flown by with this pregnancy. I'm trying to take it all in because I'm 99.9% sure this will be the last but it's so difficult when I have a toddler to chase and laugh at and play with! I'm able to sit back and enjoy this pregnancy a little more and not worry so much. I don't worry about every pain and every symptom but at the same time I know what's coming this time around. With the waddling and the uncomfortable sleeping. And who knows maybe I'll even get to experience the last 5 weeks this go around. I already love Beckett so much and I can't wait to meet him but for now I really am enjoying having him all to myself because I know that will be over in a few short months and I will miss it.

Happy New Year 2010

This year Alfred and I decided to ring in the New Year at our friend Gwen and Tim's. We got to dress up and go on a date which we haven't done in a few months so it was really great and the party was fun too!My parents came in to visit so Kingston stayed in and watched "Hip Hop Harry" on the laptop with Mimi!

And staying up until midnight is tiring so the next day daddy and Kingston decided to take a cat nap while watching football.

On Saturday we decided to take Mimi and Paw paw to Pied Piper Creamery for some ice cream. If you haven't been here you need to go. Not only is thier ice cream amazing it is such a neat place. And so kid friendly. Kingston walks in like he owns the place and loves playing with all the toys!

It was a great start to what is sure to be a wonderful year!!

Now it's time to do a little reflecting on 2009. Well on the resolutions I made anyway! Last year my goals were to Recycle, which I'm proud to say I did very good at. And our community finally offers curb side pick up so it just got easier. My second goal was to Run which I am also proud to say I've done pretty good at. I did 10 5K's and competed in the Muddy Buddy. I also found a running group that I love which has helped so much. And this is something Alfred, Kingston and I love doing together so that's a huge bonus! My third and final goal was to be better at recording Kingston's life. I give myself a big FAIL on this one! I've managed to save a lot of his important stuff but I haven't been great at keeping up with his baby book or writing in his journal so I still need to work on that but I'm not dwelling on the negative!

Instead I'm moving on to my 2010 Resolutions!! Resolution #1 is to complete a half marathon. I wanted to do it this year but when I got pregnant with Beckett I wasn't far enough along in my training so I decided to wait until this year. Resolution #2 is to be better at printing my pictures and backing them up. I still need to print the pictures from Kingston's birth :)! Resolution #3 is to cook something from a cookbook every week this year. As many of you know Alfred does almost all of the cooking around here and I really need to be better at pitching in and coming up with new ideas. So there it is in black and white the 3 things I would like to accomplish this year.

So here's saying bye to a wonderful 2009 and hello to what I'm sure will be another wonderful year because it's great to be an Eller and we can't wait to meet Mr. Beckett Eller!