Happy Birthday Elliott!!

Three years ago, today, I gave birth to my Elliott at 5:30p., January 26, 2012. When I became pregnant with Elliott, our family was in the midst of a pretty heavy darkness, having just lost his big sister Eleanor only three months prior. Eleanor was to be our last child, but when we lost her, it felt incomplete. We prayed about it, very hard, and learned that we should try again. Clearly, we became pregnant quickly afterwards, with our next baby.

Three days after Eleanor's first birthday, I gave birth to our youngest child, Elliott Ronald Rogers, in the same hospital, with the same nurse, and the same doctor. He was born into a room full of such anticipation and love. He has been a joy since day one, when instead of pushing the baby out, I laughed him out. On a day where I was so scared, I was so happy to realize that fear can be won out by joy. It was such a sweet experience to have so many loving people around us, friends who became extended family, helping to welcome this sweet spirit into the world, and celebrate with us.

When Elliott was born, he had little trouble breathing, and needed to spend some time in the NICU. I had an overwhelming calm that he would be fine. I was not worried in the slightest. I trusted everyone around me so much, and I knew that they would protect my son, and our family. It was the first time, in a year, that I felt complete peace, and calm. While he was in the NICU, his Grandma and Father was able to be with him, and sent me all kinds of photos and updates on him. He was so so cute, even just in the pictures.

His love for his "fire" (pacifier) started at a young age, and has never wavered. LOL!

5 hours later, I finally got to have my moments with my youngest boy, and I was in love, and I have been snuggling him every day, ever since he was born.

Elliott is just a sweet boy, and full of so much love. He has been such a beautiful addition to our family, and fits in just right. He loves all things boy, and loves to love. He loves his mommy and daddy, and worships his big brothers. He adores his big sister, Sarah, and loves when she mothers him. Elliott, I think, was hand picked by his big sister, Ellie, to complete our family.

Elliott loves to sing, loves to snuggle, loves to wrestle and fight. He has a fun imagination, and loves to laugh. He especially loves to talk on the phone to anyone who will sit long enough to talk to him. His favorite person to talk to on the phone is his Aunt "Sassy" (Cassie). He loves bubbles, digging in the dirt, swimming, and coloring. My favorite thing that he loves, is to snuggle. He, many times during the day, just wants to snuggle me, and I think, he would just snuggle me all day long, if I would sit down long enough.

Elliott is my little buddy, and I just adore him. He has helped to bring joy and happiness back into our family, like a breath of fresh air. He is, and continues to be, a huge blessing to our whole family.

We love you sweet Elliott, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! We, not only, celebrate your birthday, but we celebrate who you are, your beautiful spirit, and what you did for our family.