Cousin #5 - Lila Belle

Clara has some friends at church and school, but other than Chloe the little people she really loves the most are her cousins.  I was never close to my cousins growing up, but it's so fun for me to watch how my girls have girl cousins so close to their age on both sides and the bonds that they are forming.  My brother, Trey and his wife, Jennifer were expecting their third child in April and since they don't find out the gender until the baby is born, I was so excited to get the call and find out that it was their third girl.  Girls, girls, girls everywhere.  Introducing Lila Belle Davis, Davis grandgirl #5 and Clara and Eloise's fifth girl cousin (all under five years old).  Sweet blessings.

Here's our first time meeting her.  Clara loves loves loves her some babies and since Eloise was getting big and wiggly by this point, she was pretty excited to get her hands on a newborn.

Baby's First Year

Eloise's first year ended several months ago, but I still tear up when I start thinking about how it's gone.  What is it about that first year in the life of a new human?  It's so exhausting, so overwhelming, such an adjustment.  As a nursing mother, I feel so tethered and oftentimes a slave to schedules.  But so much happens.  Personality emerges.  Milestones are checked off (figuratively, of course... if you think this blog is in bad shape, you should see poor Eloise's baby book).  Teeth pop in all over the place.  So much learning and growing and becoming occurs.  I hardly remember our family without Eloise.  One year seems so short and also like forever.  She is my little pal and we spent so  much time together during her first twelve months of life... more than we ever will again.  I treasure the sleepless hazy memories and although I know that what's ahead is even more fun in so many ways, I am still mourning the loss of babyhood.  I truly love the first year and now it's over.  Thanks for all the snuggles, Eloise.  You're the most perfect baby and I love you.

Eleven Month Eloise

The problem with not recording life as it happens is that it seems you almost instantly forget it.  It's been nearly six months since I took these "Eleven Month Photos" and I've already forgotten what eleven month Eloise was like.  She didn't walk til 14 months, but I'm sure she was already standing and cruising.  Probably already babbling too.... and that certainly hasn't stopped.  One thing is for sure.  She was happy happy happy and full of tons of personality.  She is our joy.

(When) Eloise (Was) Ten Months

Spoiler Alert:  She's always been and always will be unbelievably adorable.  I took these clown dress photos in March for her (circus themed) birthday invitation.  

Eloise Turns One

The smash cake really deserved a post of its own, but here are a few more photos of Eloise's birthday.

 Macaroni and cheese lunch at Clemmons Kitchen.

Presents... 

And all dolled up for a night of dancing (next post).

The Dedication of Lila Belle

So, the problem with this whole working backwards from June thing is that it's like some strange reverse narrative.  This is the dedication of Lila Belle Davis, but I'm realizing you might not know who that is.  Davis niece #3 was born in April and is a delightfully squishy bundle of baby love.  And at the end of May we all went to Raleigh to be there for her dedication service at First Baptist, where my brother serves as a minister.  It was a great joy to celebrate with their congregation as we pledged to stand with Trey and Jennifer as they raise Lila to  know the love of Jesus.  Here are some photos of the special day.  

 

 And all God's people said,

"Thanks be to God!"