In Loving Celebration

Juanita Jones

The little cute lady on the far right is my Great-Grandmother. She passed away yesterday after 92 amazing years here on this earth. Words cannot describe the sadness that my family feels to have lost such an inspirational women. Yesterday she met Jesus and I know she is celebrating! She rejoined her husband who passed away exactly 11 years ago today. 

Dear Granny,

Thank you for the example you laid out for me. You left a legacy! 

Yesterday I got a birthday card in the mail from you. I will treasure it always. Your sweet words are ringing in my ears. The card talked about being made for a beautiful purpose. Thank you for your constant encouragement!

I'm so happy that you were able to be at my shower in December and that I was able to come out and eat with you and meet some of your friends at the cafe. Such a great last memory of you!

Thanks for never letting us cheat on any games! I'm still a rule follower because of it. 

Thanks for never caring that you were getting old and embracing each day for what it was with a huge smile on your face!

I loved your since of humor and would like to think I got mine from you. 

Your house was always warm and inviting. I will never forget every Sunday after church coming to see you and papaw and eating all the candy we wanted! I still to this day make your peanut butter cookies with Reese's Cups! It was a huge hit around here at Christmas! 

I always knew even if it was Jake's birthday that Granny would be there and she would give me a little gift too. I want to pass on that heart to my daughter. You would have loved Ella! She is sweet just like you. I know that you will be watching over her from heaven now. You are probably already holding my sweet angel baby in your arms! 

Please give Papaw Jones and big hug from me and tell him I love him and miss him dearly. 

Most of all I want to thank you for serving God. For teaching me about God's love. For serving Him with your entire being. For not only talking about it but living it. For showing me what it means to be a Godly wife. I am so privileged to have grown up with a Great-Grandmother like you. I love you so much and miss you so much already that it hurts. I remember at Papaw's funeral the Pastor said "he has gone on a long trip to heaven but we will be seeing him soon". I'll see you soon Granny! I love you!

One Week

Being a mom is amazing.

I love to watch her sleep.

Her dreaming smiles make my heart hurt in a great way.

She loves to be swaddled. (thanks for the "how to" Jacquelin!)

There is no such thing as a "routine" at this point.

No consistency in her sleep/eat pattern.

Her eyes are looking bluer everyday.

She absolutely loves being carried in her sling for walks around the block.

She has the sweetest spirit.

I can't stop kissing her face.

Her Dad is her biggest fan.

She has long fingers like her Mom.

She had her first outing at Target and slept through the entire thing.

I'm completely in love with this little girl.

She is Here!

Ella Claire Dorrough

April 12th, 2011

Born at 3:57pm

7lbs 5oz

19.25in

 She is so sweet and content. She loves to snuggle. She is very alert. She moves constantly. She sleeps with her mouth open like her Daddy and has hands like her Mommy. 

We are so in love! Being a mother is wonderful. Can't believe I waited so long! A true miracle. The purest form of love. My heart is forever changed. 

J is a natural. He is walking around glowing with a grin from ear to ear. Seeing him with her melts my heart. 

(if you don't want to hear about the labor please skip this next part, don't worry there are no "details" :)
Labor was good. Not at all the horror stories that I've heard. We went in at 6am and I was 2cm dilated and 70% effaced. Started iv at 8am and broke water at 8:30am. By 3pm we were ready to start pushing. She made her big debut at 3:57. It was not bad at all. Let my story be the one that you remind yourself of if you are nervous about giving birth. Don't get me wrong there are moments of hard work but it is MORE than worth it!

Please enjoy her "arrival" video!

 

Ella's Nursery

Here it is!

 This little guy is a Scentsy Buddy that smells like baby powder! I LOVE it! Big thanks to the Allen's!

Mobile made by Kristen. The bottom shelf has little vases that I bought at the Dollar Spot at target and painted them silver and Heather gave me little balls from Pier One with her name on it. So cute!

Black and white chair and black table were relocated from our office. Just changed the knob on the black table with an extra one I had from Anthro from our bedroom furniture. Mirror was saved from the church right before it hit the dumpster. Just painted it silver. (wish I had a before pic b/c it was REALLY not cute)

Changing table/dresser made with love from Ella's daddy! 

Couldn't get a really good picture but this is one of my favorite things in her nursery. I had it made on Etsy. It has the verse Jeremiah 29:11 on it. Here is a link to the Etsy shop.

"Gutter" bookshelves also made by J.

This crib was first purchased by my Great Grandmother. My grandmother and siblings, my mother and siblings, and my brother and I have all used this crib. It is so special to me. It is about 75 years old! (for all of you who are freaking out it was redone for my brother and I and reinforced again by J)

Bedding is "Natasha" from Serena and Lily. A gift from my mom. 

These shoes were my mom's shoes when she was little. I bought shadow boxes from Hobby Lobby and super glued them into the boxes. Another favorite and special thing in her room.

Lamp shade from Anthropologie from Heather and Brent. I'd been watching this since I found out I was pregnant and was so surprised when I saw it at the shower. 

 J practicing

This is it! She will be here on Tuesday and we are beside ourselves excited!

Ella, we are completely in love with you already and cannot wait to squeeze you, hold you, sing to you, and teach you about God's love! 

Showering With Love

My fabulous friends gave me a fabulous baby shower! (i've been wanting to use the word fabulous!)
I can't say thank you enough for all they did. It was perfect! When I moved to Texas one of my biggest fears was never finding close friends. So thankful for SO MANY amazing people in my life!!!

To everyone who came to the shower, THANK YOU!!! It meant so much to me that you were there to share in this special time in my life and that you are so happy for me! Each and everyone of you have a special place in my heart.

I'm forever grateful to my mother who helped me organize, wash, and put everything away. She was so much help. She bought my shower outfit and clothes for the hospital and some other things I wasn't too happy about and possibly had a minor melt down in The Gap over but pushed through :) Thanks Mom!

Here are a few pics from the shower. If I took a pic with you and it's not up it's more than likely because I had a double chin in it so don't take it personally!
 :)} <------- That's my double chin!

This quilt is a combined effort from J's grandmother (who passed away) and his mom. I LOVE IT! Such a special gift!!

I Love these girls!

That lamp shade from Ella's Aunt Hay is a sneak peak at the nursery! 

This banner made by Kristen is beautifully located above Ella's book shelves in her room.

Tres Leches from Lara N. Doesn't get much better than that! The felt balls in the vases were made by Kristen as well. There is one more that you can kind of see in the background on the small table. Those have ribbon attached to them and are now hanging in her room! Such a great gift!

So glad my mom was able to celebrate with us. We are counting down the days until she is officially a Texan!

J's wonderful family! I love you!!!!!!!!

Melissa

Miranda

Sarah and Rachel so glad you came!

Jenn and Del

Lindsie

Deanna

Bec and Lisa. Thank you for always carrying, picking up, moving, opening, giving, and doing practically all things physical for me at church! You have no idea how much I appreciate it!!!

Only 2 weeks left! I promise to put some pictures of the nursery up very soon!