Dream Big

Cory called me a few nights ago when he was on his way home from work. He said, "The next time you buy music on MSN will you get me a song called "Dream Big" by Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band? It's my new song". So today when I was wasting time (avoiding work projects I should be working on), and was playing on the internet I looked up the song. The website I found it on wouldn't let me listen to the whole song, just a piece of it (you can find it at: http://music.msn.com/album/?album=42042820). As soon as I heard it my eyes started to fill with tears (and I just had to buy it!) I was holding Gabe, and I looked down at him and I knew that one of the things that has driven me crazy about my dear sweet husband (his "Big Dreams") would be one of the most special things he could possibly pass on to our son.

I don't know how to post the actual song (I probably can't....) but here are the lyrics:

When you cry, be sure to dry your eyes,
'Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile, be sure to smile wide,
And don't let them know that they have won.
And when you walk, walk with pride,
And don't show the hurt inside,
Because the pain sill soon be gone.

(Chorus)
And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
'Cause when you dream it might come true.
But when you dream, dream big.

And when you laugh, be sure to laugh out loud,
'Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself,
And it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to help to carry on,
But when the troubles come your way.

(Chorus)
And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
'Cause when you dream it might come true.
But when you dream, dream big.

(Dream big.)
(Dream big.)

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes,
cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide, and
don't let them know that they have won.
And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
'Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty all
around and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to help to
carry on when the troubles come your way.

So Gabe, I want you to follow your Daddy's example and don't let others tell you what you can and can't dream about. You never know when your dreams will come true - so always dream, and dream big. I hope we can teach you that you can do anything you put your mind to and who better to learn it from than your dad - aka one of the worlds biggest dreamers.

ok - some more photos

I said I wasn't going to post 23 pictures....well, here are a few more. I just can't resist when he's so stinking cute! I am going to work on my whole photo taking ability as he gets older - so I need some practice. I still don't love my camera....but I'm starting to realize that a lot of the problem seems to be user error :).

23 day old....23 pictures?

Ok - I won't bore you with 23 pictures of our little 23 day old boy - but here are a few of him enjoying a nap in the swing this afternoon.

23 days old, 23 reasons I love my sweet Baby Gabe

I can't believe it - but Gabe is 23 days old. Every day he changes, and grows up some more. I know I'll (unfortunately) forget a lot of the little milestones, but I'm trying to enjoy each moment. So today I thought I'd list 23 reasons I love my sweet Baby Gabe - one for each day.

1. He reminds me that there are still miracles!
2. He looks at me with absolute love
3. His innocence and sweetness
4. His soft toes and fingers
5. He makes me want to grow, and become closer to my Heavenly Father so I can teach him all about how much Heavenly Father loves him.
6. He stops crying when I pick him up – almost like I’m rescuing him
7. He loves to tuck his little legs up and snuggle on my chest
8. He trusts me unconditionally
9. His sweet milky smile after finishing eating – looks so satisfied and content
10. He is so pure and wholesome
11. He looks around and seems to just be absorbing everything, experiencing it all for the very first time.
12. He is so fresh from heaven, and from the arms of Heavenly Father
13. The instant he was placed in my arms I became a new person – I became a mother.
14. He likes to hold my finger while he nurses
15. The way he looks up at me when I’m feeding him – with such concentration and attentiveness. Sometimes if seems like our souls are talking to each other.
16. He reminds me that Heavenly Father is mindful of us, and knows what each of us need in our lives
17. He is an answer to thousands of prayers
18. He makes me feel like I’m fulfilling my divine role of a mother; what I’ve always wanted to be and do!
19. He helps me to learn patience daily
20. He reminds me to slow down, and enjoy the sweet, small things in life – they grow so fast!
21. He makes me feel closer to Cory, to feel even more like a family than ever before
22. No matter what, he will always be my “baby” – even when he’s old and gray
23. He love me no matter what – he doesn’t judge me, doesn’t care what I’m wearing, if I’ve showered, if I stink, or even if I have on makeup. He loves me unconditionally.

On our own....

Well, it looks like we're on our own with Gabe now. My mom left this morning at 9:30 after being here for 3 weeks. It's crazy that she got to stay for 3 weeks - but with my surgery she knew we'd need a little extra help (and we did) - so I'm so grateful that she stayed. I think the tears I had when she left weren't as much of feeling like I couldn't do it without her here to help; but were more tears of sadness to see a friend leave. My mom is truly one of my very best friends in life, and it has been so wonderful to have her here to share these new mommy experiences with. Thanks mom!

And I think Gabe will be a little confused to have Granma gone too. She's been here since he was born, so I think he thinks that she's a part of our little family. I'm sure he'll miss her, and be so excited for the times he gets to visit her. Last night I was cuddling with Gabe and I told him, "Now tomorrow morning Granma is going to leave and it's just going to be you and me during the day - what do you think about that?" He looked at me and started to wail. I guess maybe he did understand, and the thought of being stuck with mom all day scared the poor guy a bit.

It was somewhat comforting to know that we'll see her again this weekend when we bless Gabe. We'll get to see lots of family and we're excited to share Gabe with them. But I guess for these next few days - we're kind of on our own.....

Recovery

I'm back from the hospital. I'm feeling uncomfortable, but it's not that bad. I has gotten somewhat worse since I've been home - but I think I'll survive. I even went to the grocery store to pick up some stuff on the way home from the hospital, so I'm doing good.

The baby has been GREAT for my mom today. He was the most alert he's been since he was born, and he even took the bottle of pumped milk really well. It is amazing how much I missed him, and how much I love to just be around him. He's such a sweetheart, and really is the joy of our lives. I feel so lucky to be a mom!

Later I'll have to post a picture of the big glob of gallstones that they got out of me. (I was glad they let me bring it home. When I had my wisdom teeth pulled I was really disappointed that they didn't send me home with my teeth - so this was good....) It is BIG! Kind of crazy to know that they were floating around inside of me.

Going under the knife

Well, I'm getting ready to go under the knife. I have been having gallbladder problems, and I'm going in today to have it removed. It's just a quick 1 hour surgery, and I should be out of the hospital within a few hours.

I've been so blessed to have my mom staying with us so that she could help during this time. I am grateful that she'll be taking care of the baby while they cut me open. However, I'm still sad that it might affect how I'll get to hold and snuggle with the baby when I get out. They only do a few incisions (4 I think) - but you know me - always have to worry about something....

Anyway, if you could please keep our little family in your prayers these next couple of days of recovery, I'd appreciate it. And I'll update the site within the next couple of days to tell ya how it went.

Like Father, Like Son

The #1 comment I get from others is "I can't believe how much hair your baby has!" followed shortly by, "I can't believe how much he looks like Cory!"

I am continually in awe about how much he looks like his daddy. His hair, his eyes, his nose - just his overall face shape. Oh, and we can't forget his long toes and fingers! It is neat to look at Gabe and realize that he was created from Cory and I (although I have to look awfully hard to find pieces of me....)

I hope that he also develops other traits from his dad. I hope he learns to work hard like Cory (and all of the Ellis family does), I hope he learns to serve others like Cory does, and I hope that he can learn to be adventurous and full of confidence like Cory.

(Photos taken 8/24/05)

Grandmas

This past weekend Grandma and Grandpa Ellis, Uncle Spencer, and Uncle Coby came to visit Gabe. Unfortunatley they were all working so hard building our fence that I didn't get any other pictures of the visit - darn it! But here's a picture of Gabe enjoying his 2 grandmas. He really did enjoy having them here - he just had a sad way of showing it.

Hittin' the town

Gabe is really good when we do have to go anywhere. He might fuss a bit as we get him set in his seat - but he quickly calms down, and is ready to roll. So far we haven't ventured out too far, or too long - but we have gone to the hospital for a check up, the pediatrician's office, to the grocery store (on a Saturday when there was a case lot sale no less - it was crowded!), and to Walmart. Gabe even stayed awake and happy as we strolled around Walmart (for most of the time) - so that was an added bonus! Hopefully we'll get even more brave in coming weeks and make it to St. George, and even on other trips to visit family. He's quite the little trooper, so I think he'll do great!

Poor Sadie!

Those of you who know us well know that our dogs have been our "babies" for these past years as we've waited for children. We were somewhat concerned about how they would accept having a new baby in the family. They've done really well overall. They do beg for a bit more attention, and want to be pet more than normal - but overall they've started adjusting well. They both love coming into the baby's room while I'm feeding him. Daisy will sit under the crib and sleep, and Sadie has found a spot on the back of the dog that Grandma Ellis gave to us. She just snuggles up and waits while Gabe gets his food. From time to time they'll look at us like, "Remember us - the ones you used to pay all of your attention to?" - but they like the baby, and I think they know how happy he makes us.

Grandma's little guy

Grandma has had a great time with Gabe this past week. She's been so helpful with bath time, helping with meals, snuggling with Gabe when he's fussy, and just loving him. She'll be going home on Wednesday, and I know we're all sad to see her go! I'm glad that Gabe will always have the support and love of amazing grandparents (both Rhien and Ellis grandparents) as well as a plethora of great grandparents, and even great-great-grandma and grandpa Lusk! He's one lucky guy!

Proud Parents

We couldn't really be any prouder! Gabe looks just like Cory - in fact there are times when I look at him and wonder where I come in. But I love looking into his eyes and seeing so much of his daddy in him.

Gabe's first bath

Gabe got his first sponge bath and hair washing at home on Tuesday night. Daddy filled up our little tub and Grandma helped get him all cleaned up. In the process though poor Grandma got sprayed by our little guy :).

And the cutest baby is...

Not only do we have the worlds best daddy - we have also managed to take the award for the world's cutest baby!

The worlds best daddy

I have to brag about our new little Daddy. Cory has already managed to win the award for the Worlds Best Daddy. He is so sweet with Gabe, and really has a way with him that is so precious. He's calm with him, loves to cuddle with him and really has fun seeing what his "little dude" is up to. He's great at helping me get sleep, and overall has just made me happier than I ever thought possible!

Gabe's first day

Here are a few more pictures (I'm so glad we've gotten it to work!).

Last night was an interesting night.....he got to a point where he was just screaming - poor guy had gas, and it was so painful for him. But after lots of rocking, singing, feeding, bouncing, and who knows what else - he settled down and slept for several hours. He loves to eat, but it calms him down so much though, that it takes forever to feed him. I am getting a hang of it though.

Well enjoy the pictures!

Trying to get more pictures up

I've tried posting pictures several times, but they keep not showing up! So I'll try again - and hopefully you'll be checking out our beautiful baby soon.