6 years and 2 1/2 babies later

Well Daniel and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary today (well we celebrated yesterday but it was today)! I can't believe we have been married 6 years already. It is crazy how fast time goes. We were talking last night about what we will do on our 10 year anniversary because it will be here before we know it. The last 6 years have had their ups and downs but it has been a wonderful ride. I look forward to what God has in store for the next 5, 10, 20 30+ years ahead. I am sure it is more than we can imagine!

As the title states we are also working on growing baby #3! We are 18 weeks pregnant! We find out tomorrow if we will be raising 3 precious boys or adding some pink/purple to our family! Thinking about being a family of 5 is kind of like..whoa what are we thinking? Our two boys are overwhelming enough sometimes and keep us busy all the time. Soon we will definitely be outnumbered! As most of you know I have always wanted to raise a big family and I could honestly say I would probably want more children. But overall I firmly believe every child is a gift from God but I believe that more for this baby than anything else (I need to post the story behind this feeling soon). For various reasons, it was very hard for Daniel and I to decide to have a third child. But after lots of praying on our end, God basically said this decision is not up to you, and here we are 18 1/2 weeks later! We are a family of 5 already in more ways than one. Our boys (especially Teagan) kiss the baby daily and pray for "mommy's baby" nightly! It is so amazing to see God working through them to be gentle and caring to the baby already. Let's just see if that caring and compassion continues once this little bundle of JOY arrives ;)

2nd Annual Preemie Onesie Drive

Yes so I haven't posted in over 4 months. But this is an awesome thing that I wanted to repost and let everyone know about, in case they want to get involved. I still follow this little girl Kayleigh's blog and her mom just posted this a week or so ago. I do not know Rachel and Ryan but I think this seems like an awesome event to get involved with.

I will update with family/life updates sometime soon... I promise!

Hello Everyone!!! We are holding the 2nd annual preemie onesie drive being held by me (Rachel) and Ryan. We are collecting preemie onesies and other preemie clothing to donate to the babies that are staying in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit).

Ryan and I had our first daughter Carly in the NICU for 4 months before passing away from a heart defect. I know as well as other preemie parents of children in the NICU know that it's hard for your child to be there. It's hard in many ways. It's hard as far as gas is concerned because of the many daily trips to the hospital. Most of the time having a child in the NICU comes as a surprise. Parents are normally not prepared for such an early delivery. With not being prepared comes not having clothing to fit a child who is so small. A lot of times one of the parents (usually the moms) quit working to be at the hospital with their child as much as possible. This makes funds tight. Paying bills can become a struggle, and it makes it hard to buy your new little one the cute outfits that moms want to see their child in.

So, this is why I'm having this preemie onesie drive. To give to those parents who's world has been turned upside down. To help them along their way in their struggle. To help parents enjoy seeing their little boy or girl dressed in a cute outfit. Carly got a cute outfit while she was in the NICU as a anonymous donation. It made me feel completely blessed. It was nice for someone to do this for her. Being in the NICU is a very stressful time. Some are only there for days while others are there for months and even over a year. Simple acts of kindness fills peoples hearts with happiness. I'm doing this donation in memory of Carly who passed away on 3/9/08. I will deliver the donated onesies on 3/9/10.

When I started this drive last year I had a goal of 200. As March got closer and closer I realized I was going to go over my goal. By 3/9/09 I had collected OVER 2,000 items! This drive was truly blessed. We not only were able to donate to Levine Children's Hospital on the 9th of March, we were also able to donate to 5 other NICU's in NC. Every 3 months after March 9th I have donated MORE clothing to Levine Children's Hospital. I have one last donation to make this year in December. Let's come together in prayer and support and make this up coming year as big of a success as this past year. Please tell everyone you know to help spread the word as far as possible.

So please lets come together and help me to gather the needed onesies to donate to the NICU that my sweet Carly was at (Levine Children's Hospital). We will be having collections at my church and other local churches. If you would rather donate monetary donations you can do so at the top of my blog. The funds received will go toward the purchase of preemie onesies. The NICU houses nearly 100 babies. This fluctuates from time to time. Also they have an NPCN (neonatal progressive care nursery). And this unit holds about 60 babies maybe more. I hope to raise enough to donate to both the NICU and NPCN. So tell everyone you know to help me reach my goal by 3/9/10.


Ways you can become involved.....

1. You can mail donated preemie onesies

2. You can donate money to go toward the purchase of new preemie onesies. Just click on the donate button at the top of my blog. http://preemieonesiedrive.blogspot.com

3. You can place a flyer in your church, staff break room at your job, or local businesses with a box to help gather donations and mail them to the PO Box. (If you gather a large donation I will gladly pay for shipping).


**I will make a flyer and send it to your email to print if you would like to help in that way.


I will keep updated post on onesies received.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
You can reach me at carlynicoleelliotte@gmail.com

Thanks for your help and participation,

Rachel and Ryan

Look Alike or Not?

So of course one of the many questions that everyone continues to ask me is if Teagan looks like Brayden. So here you go. You judge for yourself. I tried to get pictures that were similar.

Brayden 1 Day Old

Teagan 1 Day Old

Brayden 4 Days Old

Teagan 4 Days Old

Brayden 6 Days Old

Teagan 6 Days Old

12 Days Old - who is who ? :)