JULY 31st : Celebration & The Book You're Currently Reading

CELEBRATION ....

In just a few short days .......... lil' Miss Elly is gonna be turning the big THREE YEARS OLD....

Miss Elly - Birth to 1 years old

Miss Elly - 1 years old to 2 years old

Miss Elly - 2 Years Old to 3 Years Old

I have been so blessed to have been in this little girls life, loving her, from the moment she was created.  When I mean blessed, I truly mean blessed.  She is my "Belly" and I'm her "Nonna"

There was a day - when I looked at Shila and was like .... "you're pregnant" ....  a few days later, confirmation happened...  then the first look at baby sprout .... that was her first nickname...  and then the whole pregnancy...  the day we found out she was a she ......  I mean, my heart burst ...  I never got a baby girl, but I was definitely going to love and adore and spoil her for the rest of her life.  I wasn't the first, or the second person to hold her, but I was the third.  I was there at the hospital every day - all day - helping in whatever way I could.  I even spent the night one night... where I practically held her all night ...

Elly isn't my blood, Kale and Shila are my adopted children ... we took them in when no one else would.  Along with them, I became a grandma to little Clairah.  I adore Clairah .... but I don't have the same connection with Clairah that I do with Elly.  '

The first time we met Clairah, she was 18 months old and all she wanted was her Momma, which was 100% to be expected.  It took a lot of time for her to be comfortable around DB and I ...  and the boys.  But eventually she learned we weren't going to hurt her and only loved her.  Clairah has the typical behavior when she's here (with Shila) ...  she wants Shila's attention and when she feels like Elly is threatening that, she tends to try to get Elly into trouble so that Mommy will be mad at Elly and she'll give more attention to Clairah.  Claire is now five and she's so smart and amazing.  She's going to be starting school this fall.  Shila does't get to see her as much as she would like to.  It is what it is though. 

However, I have spent almost every day with Elly.  I did spend every day of her first year ... and then things happened, they went south to stay with Kale's dad for about 6 months, I saw her once or twice during that time, which was heartbreaking for me.  But we webcam'ed  ...  Shila would message me and tell me Elly wanted to talk to me...  really I think she wanted to talk to Kaedyn, LOL ....  Elly and Kaedyn have always had a super special bond.  He's called Elly his wife since she came home from the hospital.  Lately he goes "Wifey!" and she'll say "Hubby!" lol .... 

He has definitely loved her very much....  they have a special and unique bond too... 

Time has flown and Elly has proven to be such a smart amazing girl....  she's lucky enough to have two sets of parents.  Her Daddy and Momma Brook.  And Mommy and Daddy Cal (or Joey) ... 

THE BOOK YOU'RE CURRENTLY READING......

.....  and I am ashamed to say that I have been working on finishing this book for over a year.  I just haven't had a whole lot of time to read, like I haven't had much time to blog....

.............. or more rightfully - haven't MADE the time for either....   but that's all gonna change....