Owen Samuel Elliott

With the trend from the previous pregnancies you would have thought that I was going to have a baby in 2010, but I happen to like the odd years best (2005, 2007, 2009). July to December 2009 we owned and operated a café in downtown Riverside. After the experiment I went back to work at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, in Corona February 2010. It was refreshing to have a break and use my brain, what was left of it that is. April-October James went through Peace Officers Training for Riverside PD. The week before he graduated we found out that we were expecting baby number 4 to arrive June 11^th 2011. Prior to finding out that we were expecting I really started praying for a boy. God can go all things and we have not when we ask not. But as soon as I found out my tummy popped out. I remember someone asking me if I was pregnant when I was only 6 weeks along…not fair!

Owen was another great pregnancy, it was amazing. He was easy going, but BOY was I ever hungry. I felt like I ate all the time, I probably was too! It was a great enjoyable year 2010. I stopped doing wedding, I was just too busy and I couldn’t keep up with the demanding industry. Plus with James in Academy for most of the year it was nice to go to work and leave it there at the end of the day.

During my midwife appointments we started to discuss when I should call when I am in labor. My labor times had significantly reduced with each baby. My only concern the 4^th go around was that the mid-wife would make it in time.

During this pregnancy James and I had one of those, do we find out what we are having debates. We weren’t sure if we wanted to and James was letting me decide. I wasn’t sure if it would through me off in Labor knowing what I was having since I have not found out in the past. One day in March we were driving by the mall and I mentioned that some friends of ours went to a shop and did a 4D sonogram to find out what they are having. James pulled off right away and we went right in. It happened pretty fast, the kids were even asleep in the car and we had to wake them up. When we went in the lady had a pretty easy time finding out the gender since I was so far along…its a BOY! We both cried and I think we had a sigh of relief. We prayed in the car and thanked God for answering our prayers, even if it was so trivial.

I was treated to a great day at Disneyland in May and was hoping that all the walking would send me into early labor since I went early with Audrey. Well after a rather exhausting day of walking nothing happen, again you would like I knew better. It took me several days to recover from all that vigorous exercise.

Disneyland trying to walk tons 

 Well, June 11^th came and went, same song 4^th verse, and no baby. I went on maternity leave at the end of May so I was really available for this baby to arrive, he had my FULL attention!

Monday June 20^th arrived. James got up early for work. I remember that as he closed the door behind him at 6:30am I had my first contraction, figures! I waited until 8:30 am before calling anyone. They were only 15 minutes apart, but good strong contractions. My beloved mother was not available to come down right away, she was going to the beach. So I called James and he came home from work. He also went to bed for a good part of the day since we didn’t know how long I would labor for. My mom arrived at 5:30 pm and the contractions were still every 15 minutes. I sent my mom home and told her we would call her when the contractions got closer. Well she wasn’t home for very long before we called her to come back. We also called the mid-wife, then I realized the contractions went from every 15 minutes to every 5….huge difference…would the mid-wife make it on time? Thankfully, one of her assistance arrived with in 15 minutes around 9 pm. By the time the mid-wife arrived I was in the process of going to my room and getting ready to push. Karen arrived just in time, I was very relieved. When I started to push I didn’t feel like I was making much progress like I remember with the other babies. After working through pushes and changing positions the babies head started to show. I was encouraged to keep pushing. When I would stop for a much needed rest, and air, the head would drop back. This happened a dozen times. Finally I got to the point that I could sustain a good push. I knew at one point that I had pushed the head out but I couldn’t believe that I was being asked to keep pushing and there was no celebrating…and no relief! I pushed again and I heard “Keep pushing!”, so I pushed and again I was told “Keep pushing Michelle”. Three times I had to push after his head. Well, no wonder. Owen arrived at 11:55 pm weighing 10 lbs 8 oz and 22 inches long.

Trying to figure out how much the scale says!

 I remember that I did shake for a good hour after trying to rest and recover. James says that he has never seen me sweat so much before. Yeah, well I can honestly say that that was the hardest thing physically I have ever done. I have often commented to friends that when I am in labor I feel the closest to God. I am praying the entire time and talking to him. He truly gives me the strength that I need to accomplish what I needed to do. Owen is in 6 to 9 month clothes and weighs about 17 lbs at 12 weeks.

Even though Owen has only been alive for these past few months, I couldn’t imagine life without him. He is my ‘big’ little boy and I love him to pieces. I can’t wait to see how he grows in the months ahead. His personality is starting to come out and he is very happy and does not like to be alone (that is also a baby thing too). We pray for him, as we do the others, that he will grow in godliness and that he will do great things for the Lord.

Owen at 10 weeks



Audrey Laura Michelle Elliott

We found out that we were expecting another bundle of joy June of 2008 due date Feb 11^th 2009. We had just moved into our house on Orange Vista Way. I wasn’t feeling all that great during the move in May, I was lifting and painting, I thought I was just tired from all that was going on. You would have thought that I knew better by now! In 2008-2009 I planned the most weddings for our business, besides doing things with the kids and family. Needless to say it was a very busy time.

Audrey’s pregnancy was very uneventful until the end. I had some bowel issues that resulted in a necessary bed rest for 2 weeks in the middle of November. Until the bowel issues I thought I was having a boy and then I had this real sense that…no, I think this is a girl.  I thought the bowel issues was going to complicate the delivery but quite the opposite happened. Thursday January 22^nd I went to MOPS with the kids. I started to have contractions every 5 minutes and they weren’t easy, they meant business. I labored all day and then the next day they were more like every 40 minutes. Saturday I was a little tired had a contraction every now and then but nothing serious. So Sunday morning I woke up and got ready for church with the kids. Went to church had lunch and then came home. I wasn’t feeling all that great so we decided to stay home and rest for the evening. Around 10 pm I FINALLY realized I was in labor and we called for reinforcements. What had happened is I went straight into transition without a lot of pre-labor since my body had already labor the previous days. Karen, our midwife, arrived and I knew then I needed to get to my room…the baby was coming. I pushed for about 20 minutes,  I was in a bit of disbelief since it seemed too early to have the baby, I wasn’t over due yet! I was a little shocked by that. Audrey Laura Michelle was born on January 26^th (Australia Day) at 12:50 am. She weighed 8 lbs 14 oz and was 20 inches long.

I did not tare and felt really great. I wasn’t shocked that the baby was a girl. She was born with dark brown wavy hair. She was a great baby. She started sleeping through the night sooner than the other kids did, it was a dream. She was pretty easy going but FULL of personality. She had two others to compete with! She was also the fastest baby I recovered from (helps when they are under 9 lbs).

Audrey Fun Facts:

Toys: Audrey loves playing kitchen and riding her tricycle

She loves to swing and is also pretty athletic

Food: Her first word was “cracker” …yes she loves her food

Favorite Color: I think she is still deciding but she likes purple and pink

She started to suck her thumb at 4 months while we were on our trip to Australia in 2009, she was teething

Favorite Movie: “How to train your Dragon” (Cracks me up)

Audrey has had a scowl on her face since she was born. She knows what she wants and tries to get it. She was the first to talk in sentences (9-12 months) which has its advantages and disadvantages. Number one advantage is that you can communicate with her pretty well for 12 months – problem is…she wont stop talking. She can memorize anything and recite it. I have been amazed so often at what she can learn, especially in Family Devotions. She has learned many bible verses and hymns and will walk up to me and start saying one of them. My prayer for Audrey is that she can use her ‘gift’ of words as she grows and matures to bless people and win many for the Lord.

Emma Elizabeth Marie Elliott

We found out that we were expecting our #2 child in November of 2006. We were in Australia visiting James' family. I wasn't feeling that well and so we decided to take a test just in case, well! Surprise! I was about 3 1/2 months along. I was pretty excited since my older brother and I are 16 months apart and we had a great time a kids together. I remember the pregnancy was a little tougher. This time we also decided to have the baby at home. We were referred to our midwife Karen Baker, I was pretty excited but at little apprehensive about it. Since we didn't know ahead of time what we were having, there wasn't much to do in getting ready. We did have to borrow another crib since Liam was still so young he wasn't ready for a big boy bed yet.

2 days over due

The due date for baby number two was April 24th. I was bigger and carrying the baby more on the sides than out front. I had a feeling it was a girl and prayed that it would be. Well April 24th came and went. My family decided to go to Disneyland for my birthday April 26th so we went. Boy, I did a lot of walking. Besides being very tired nothing happened. My lifelong friend, Jessica Wiley/Fredrickson, came to be with me May 4-6. It was fun, we went and watched the church play Saturday morning soccer and walked laps around the field. Again feeling nothing but a bit tired. Sunday morning just about 7 am, I sat up in bed and my water broke. I was so excited I knew what that meant. We called my mom and the mid-wife and Jess also decided to stay. The three of us walked down to a park and did some laps to see if that would help bring my labor on. Serious contractions didn't kick in until 2 pm. James worked graveyard the night before so he was ready to get up at that time. Around 5 pm I started to push. After a good hour of pushing Emma was born 9 lbs 10 oz and 21 inches long.

She was a very beautiful round baby. What I noticed about Emma was that she wasn't as relaxed at Liam was when he was born. She wanted to be hugged and cuddled all the time. Emma grew very quickly. When she was 3 months she wore 6 months clothes, but by the time she was 6 months she wear 18-24 month sizes. Not for length but for her thickness and her very cute belly! She had four very distinct rolls on her arms and three on her legs. She also had two rolls on her neck. We used to have to stretched the rolls out to get her clean enough. She was pretty heavy to carry around, I was very thankful for my two seater stroller.

Emma rolled over around 6 months and walked at 11 months. Once she started moving she started to slim down, and get very tall for her age. She wore the same clothes for a year because she could grow into the length. Another funny memory about Emma is that when we would ask for a hug she would offer her head and turn her body away. It was so funny, we had to train her how to hug properly. She does the 'leaning' hug now if she is too busy playing to give us a cuddle.

Emma Fun Facts

Toys: Love to play princess, dress up and family

She loves to color and do crafts

Favorite Color: Pink

Clothes: She wants to wear dresses all the time and 'soft clothes'

Bike: Unlike Liam, Emma is very timid on her bike and takes it very slow

She loves to dance and loves babies!

Emma was a very determined baby and required a lot of discipline early on. I thought girls were a lot of work, but it was really her personality and attitude coming out. I think the Lord used Emma to teach me many things about myself, as a mother and sinner too. I was pretty busy when I had Emma, I was learning to juggle two kids and a new Wedding Planning Business. My prayer for Emma is that she will keep her sweetness and meekness and grown into a beautiful Godly young woman.

Emma's 3rd Birthday Party

Liam James Elliott

I remember taking the pregnancy test and showing James. We cried and prayed and thanked the Lord. We found out that we were expecting our first child in March 2005, due date was December 4^th. I wasn’t really prepared for the things that happen to you when you are pregnant, doing trivial things was such a big deal! We were living in the “Love Shack”, as I call it, the Barn behind the Lombard’s house in Redlands. We knew we couldn’t bring a baby home to a studio apartment and so, with some references from friends, we moved into a 3 bedroom apartment called “The Ranch”, in Riverside. We decided not to find out what we were having which meant the nursery had to be gender neutral. I chose a rustic theme and painted wooden alphabet letters and tied bows on them for the room border. We were so excited. December 4^th was approaching and my mid-wife thought the baby wasn’t growing enough. I was put on bed rest for a week or so. My due date came and went. James’ parents and sister arrived on December 8^th for the happy occasion, which had not happened yet. I didn’t realize this until later, but it was only my third time being around James family.

I was getting pretty desperate and Sunday December 12^th James and I did a lot of walking. In the early hours of the morning I went into labor. After going to the mid-wife’s at 8 am I was only 2 centimeters. They told me to go home and rest and that most likely the baby would arrive that night. Around 5:30 pm I knew we needed to get to the birth-center, driving in traffic, in labor is not fun. By 9 pm I was fully dilated, but did not know it. Around midnight, I told James that I felt like something was wrong if I didn’t start pushing. Within 50 minutes our first child was born. I remember everyone yelling “Its a boy!” Liam was born at 12:50 am on December 13^th 9lbs even and 21 inches long. They were concerned about his coloring, he looked grey, and not breathing. James prayed with me and within 10 minutes Liam had already improved. There is no feeling like the first time you hold your baby. It is the most amazing experience I have ever had. I felt like I had known him all my life and couldn’t imagine life without him. James took to Liam and bonded with him for the first little while, and even changed all his diapers for the first 2 weeks! His cry was so sweet, and thankfully not annoying. He was a good little baby, he ate, slept and slept.

The first year with Liam was amazing. He rolled over, scooted, stood up, crawled and then walked at 8 months. He had 6 teeth come in at 6 months and decided he was too ‘grown up’ to nurse anymore and wanted mommies food off her plate. The one thing that I didn’t realize would happen at 6 months was sucking his fingers. He was in a bit of pain and would suck on his middle two fingers, a habit he still has at 5 yrs. Liam was a very obedient baby and toddler, he also would laugh when he fell down. I miss how he would suck his fingers and hold onto my hair. If it wasn’t my hair he would find someone with long hair and wrap it around his fingers. Liam’s second favorite thing to do was to play with the guitar. He would drag it around the house and get so excited when Jeff Davis from church would play. Liam taught me that kids really can learn a lot when they are little and he knew his letters and sounds by 12 months. It seems like he wasn’t a baby that long and its true. Before Liam turned one I was 3 months pregnant with our second baby.

Liam fun facts:

Toys: Disney's Cars (2006-2011)/dressing up

Food: Loves crackers and vegemite

Loves to dance and has been a ring bearer 3 times.

Learned to ride his bike on two wheels at family camp this year (Sept 2011)

Music: He is taking guitar lessons

He also hates to loose, something we are working on.

Favorite Color: Red

Liam is such a gift from God. He is a great older brother, loving and kind. Like most kids needs some parental directional changes (discipline), but I am thankful for him. Having children is truly a sanctifying experience. I have grown as a person and Christian from having children. We have had a tough days and I know more are to come, it’s the happy times and memories that we build as a family that I cherish. I look forward to see how God leads him in the future.

The Story of Us

First I have to say, I love our story. I am the second oldest of 9 children. There are 3 girls and 6 boys. The order is: Bryan/'78, Michelle/'79, Sterling/'80, Cameron/'83, Lance/'86, Taylor/'88, Cristilynn/'90, Parker/'93 and Victoria/'97. You get the picture, large family, lots going on.
It was the fall of 1995 I was a junior and not very focused on my academic future. I really loved playing sports and participating in all the school activities, basically I did enough school so that I was allowed to participate. One evening my parents took me aside and we had a conversation in their bedroom. My dad asked me what I wanted to do with my life. I was only 16! Geez, so I thought a moment and said what popped into my head first. I wanted to go to Australia and I wanted to see the Olympics. I remember my parents looking at each other, they took a moment to respond. What was going on inside my head? Well, as a family we had watched a Disney series called "Five Mile Creek". It was based in Australia in the late 1800's when the first stage coach lines were opening up. It was fun, had adventure, they spoke English, what more could a sixteen year old girl want!? The other item on my list was set in motion with the anticipation of the 1996 Olympic summer games being held in Atlanta. Everyone was talking about it, it seems surreal and like another adventure. My dad turned and looked at me and said, "Well, lets do it. You need to focus on your studies, get good grades and graduate. Then you can start taking college classes and work part time to save up". Sounded like the most amazing advice ever...yeah I didn't know that most people did those things, graduate, start college and get a job. Boy was I naive!
But I didn't know any better. I graduated with a 3.3 GPA (thought that was pretty good, considering). My dad took a new job my senior year and so my family moved from the Bay Area to Nuevo, about an 8 hr drive south and almost a different planet. I started attending Riverside Community College and got a job part time as a nanny. With the move we needed to find a new church to attend. My parents started to attend The Reformed Baptist Church of Riverside. The pastor there was Robert Elliott, from Scotland, and had many contacts overseas. As I shared my goals, Pastor Elliott started to help me contact people in Australia and see if they might be willing to host me. Between 1997 and spring of 2000, I saved money and planned my trip. When I started planning I found out that the Olympics were going to be in Sydney Australia in fall of 2000, how wonderful! I was over the moon, the two things that I wanted to do are actually happening. So I took time off from school and left for Australia on July 19th 2000. (remember that date...its important)
I started my trip in Brisbane for 6 weeks, then I made my way down the coast to Sydney at the beginning of September as the Olympics were about to start. My first Sunday in Sydney I attended Stanmore Baptist Church, the church that Pastor Elliott had contact with. I was dropped off, and made my way to the main hall. No one was there. I was nervous and couldn't remember seeing anyone! I was sure I was at the right place and went out side to double check. There was a young man standing outside talking on the phone. I waited for him to finish to see if he knew where everyone was. He did and so I followed him. He entered a lower part of the church building and walked me straight over to ...his dad? His dad, Andrew Elliott, introduced himself to me and was very polite. The young man that left me with his dad at this point ...walked away? I thought it was strange and rude and left it at that. I was introduce to some young people and enjoyed my first day at the church. Four weeks later I was invited over for Sunday Lunch at the home of the Elliott’s. I went over to their house for lunch with another single gal from the church. Lunch was nice, and after I noticed people started to disappear! First James’ sister, Rebecca, then James’ dad, then James. So us two singles girls were left with James’ mom, Anne, visiting in the living room. Soon it was just his mom and me, I remember it like it was yesterday. She was relaxing in a wing-backed chair and looked as if into space. She then said out loud, still looking past me and I’m not sure at what, “I’ve always pictured someone like you for James”. WELL!!! In my head I had warning lights and red sirens going off and I was lookin’ for the exit. Me and James…what! The guy doesn’t even speak to me. I’m a guest in his home and he just left!
So I dismissed the comment (wrote him off) and made sure that I didn’t have much to do with him. After my 2 months in Sydney September-October, I left for an outback experience from November-December near Adelaide. When I returned I was invited to stay with a family which I was so thankful for. By this time I had been away from my family for 6 months and I was getting a little lonely. David and Bridget Roberts were so much fun, and I would have to say staying with them made my trip so special. They had two little ones at the time, Hannah and Joel, Hannah was the same age as my youngest sister so it was just great. One Sunday in January, just got back remember, James came up to me and asked me if I would like to see the Blue Mountains. I had already been once, so I wasn’t sure. I spoke with Bridget about it and she said James was a safe guy to go sight seeing with. Well the first date that was set didn’t work out. A few days before I had fainted and hit my head on the cement while at the pool with Bridget and the kids. Needless to say I was not in good shape for any sight seeing. So we rescheduled for a date in February. I confirmed with Bridget that this was not a date, right? I was picked up in morning and the weather was not cooperating, rain. James still drove to the Blue Mountains. We were able to speak in the car about how we were saved, being raised in Christian homes, and had what I consider a relaxed time around each other, with no expectations. In the early afternoon we made it back, said goodbye, and James was on his way. I was recounting the day to Bridget when the phone rang. Bridget answered and said it was James. I had this HUGE sinking feeling in my stomach. As I took the phone I looked at her and said “It WAS a date!”. He asked if he could come back and speak to me…boy, I had a feeling I knew what was coming.
Before I left Pastor Elliott said that “just incase” someone takes a fancy to me to remind myself, and them, that I am on holiday, traveling, and returning home. A long-distance relationship would be very difficult. So I was running all the ways in my head that I need to handle the situation. James arrived back and we spoke on the porch. I don’t really remember what he said to me because I was concentrating so much on my answer of “NO”. But what I remember saying is, “I need to speak with my dad and see what he thinks, I will let you know when I hear back” ….uhhh that’s not what I was going to say! I did speak to my dad and he reminded me to keep it at a friendship level since I was leaving in 3 months. Sunday came and I told him my answer, we can just be friends. I do remember a sad look on his face and I felt bad, but I didn’t really know the guy! Well Bridget was going to change that. They had James over for dinner a few times and then James and I decided we could go running together. In the mean time my brother Sterling was planning on meeting me in April and we would travel home together. I told him that some guy at the church was interested in me but I didn’t think it would work and I didn’t like him.
The runs that James and I went on started out at a quick pace, then more like a jog until it finally was just an evening walk that we took as we talked. By the time Sterling arrived James and I were pretty comfortable around each other. Sterling asked me who the guy was on Sunday and I said, “Oh its James” and his replay “James! What’s wrong with James?” Well, I really didn’t know now, what was wrong with him? Sterling seemed to like him and we did get along really well. The week (May 2001) soon came for me to leave and I remember feeling uneasy and confused. I asked James not to contact me for 6 months since I had been gone for so long. I haven’t seen my family, need to start college courses again, get a job, so much to do.
When we hugged at the airport I cried and I didn’t know why I was crying. My adventure was over, I was heading home. Now what? The two things that I wanted to do I’ve done! I didn’t have another goal lined up! Well, around November I remembered that James’ birthday was in September, so I got a card and had Sterling sign it too. I also thought, oh I will just spray a little of my Victoria Secret body spray onto the card, yeah, yeah…I did know what I was doing. If he contacts me great, if not, well that is how its going to be. James tells me that when he smelt the card so many emotions started to go through his head.
James emailed me late November 2001. I thought “YESSSSS!” So I waited the “proper” amount of time, one week before I responded. Then he waited 5 days, then I waited three days until we were emailing back and forth on a regular basis. He asked if he could call me and I said he needed to speak to my dad first. He did and so the phone calls began. We spoke every few days for a little while. Then he decided to come for a visit in June 2002. When we saw each other it had been 1 year. I lost a little bit of weight and I was nervous that I forgot what James looked like…was this even a good idea, what if I’m not attracted to the guy?
No problem there, he looked better than I remembered! Score! We had a great visit and decided that after James’ leaves if we are still interested in each other that it is serious because of the distance. It became very serious and I visited James in Sydney December 2002. It was a strange feeling knowing that I was going to be proposed to, I said “Yes!”. When I got back we started to make arrangements for my visa to be processed to live in Australia, in the middle of our engagement, after some prayer and counsel, James decided that we should live in America. We did not get to see each other for 6 months again until we were married. We got married on July 19^th 2003, I love happy coincidences. After a 6 week honeymoon (YAY), I had to return to California alone while James waited for his visa and paperwork to be processed. We didn’t see each other until Feb 7^th of 2004, never to be parted again!

Lets start at the beginning

I'm not sure who will read this blog, but whoever you are, I hope you enjoy it. I would like to capture those moments and memories that are special to me before they are lost in a mind that is slowly being tossed to and fro in the midst of life with pre-schoolers. Yes, that is me. A typical mother of pre-schoolers. Lets do some introductions. But before that, the most important person who is part of my story is my husband. So in my first series of posts I will write the beginning of each persons story. James (my wonderful husband), Liam (my first son), Emma (my first daughter), Audrey (you guessed it, the second daughter), and Owen (of course, the second son).

...and so it begins!