wee she I in every issue
photographed by Devin Eldred
Addison & Kaylin Eldred
Sister Love
Kaylin. At ten weeks old, Kaylin’s doctor discov- ered a tumor blocking 90% of her airway. She was then rushed to MUSC for emergency surgery to remove the tumor and reconstruct her airway. Devin recalls, “I will never forget following the ambulance and passing our home church on the way. The pastor had all of the kids in the front of the church from vacation bible school waving goodbye to us. There were a few times we didn’t think she was going to make it. But God had other plans. She pulled through so strong.” Since tissue from her voice box was removed in recon- struction, there was a chance Kaylin would not be able to talk. “Oh boy, were they ever so wrong!” she jokes. Seven year old Kaylin is now a very talkative, sweet and loving little girl. She loves going to Sweet Frog, riding her bicycle, shooting her bow and arrow, and visiting Dad at the fire department where he volunteers. Devin admits that Kaylin loves being outside, especially in the sum- mertime when she can go swimming and in the fall when she and Dad go hunting. Five years later, Devin became pregnant again. “Kaylin
Devin and Tyler Eldred praise God every day for their miracle child,
was super excited when she found out she was becoming a big sister! She said from day one when she knew I was having a baby that it was going to be a girl. Although she taunted me, saying it was twins and their names were go- ing to be Mason and Jason. She told everyone that! She was extremely excited.” Sweet baby Addison was wel- comed into the world in February 2012. Little Addison is sweeter than tea and brings so much
joy to their family. “She has quite a personality and now that she is almost two, it’s really starting to come out. She loves the camera! As soon as I pull it out, she says cheese. She is also a very polite little girl. I hope it sticks with her. Anytime she wants something, she will look up at me and in this cute innocent voice say, ‘Pease.’ Then I will hand it over and she’ll say, ‘Tank tu,’ (thank you).” She loves Loop Loops (her baby doll) and bouncing on the trampoline with Sissy. She also can’t go anywhere without her special cup. She loves sitting in Tyler’s lap, watching television and videos on the internet. And wherever there’s music, you’ll see her dancing! Kaylin was very helpful once Addison came home from the hospital. “I was so shocked at how much she had grown up and become more like a little adult. She would help me by bringing me diapers and wipes when the baby needed to be changed, and she even wanted to help change her diapers. So of course, I let her!” The girls soon became two peas- in-a-pod, as they would play together for hours. “I would sit in the hallway at the door and just watch them laugh and play. I am blessed and it just melts my heart to watch them have so much fun together. The older they get, the closer they become.” As they’ve grown older, they’ve both become energet- ic. “Play time is a bit louder and messier, but I wouldn’t change it for the world!” In addition to jumping on the trampoline, they love snuggling up together in front of the television to watch cartoons and playing with Ad- dison’s kitchen set. Kaylin adds, “She loves to play and sing with me!” The girls do everything together. Time spent apart reveals a different side of Addison, especial-
ly during the hours when Kaylin is at school. As soon as they pick her up, she becomes hyper and excited to be reunited with her big sister. “I love that part of the day. It’s so heartwarming to watch their little relationship grow more and more every day.” Kaylin shares her thoughts on Addison: “I love my lit-
tle sister. She is the cutest, funniest best baby sister ever! She will always be my best friend.” Devin and Tyler are so thankful for Kaylin and how well she has grown into the role of Big Sister. “She is the hero who runs to her rescue with her cup of juice, or to get her out the crib aſter nap time. I could do all of those things, and most the time I do, but I love watching the reaction they have with each other when Kaylin is able to do them. I can see how rewarding and how good it makes her feel when she can help Little Sissy stop crying. She is proud of herself!” The reason behind the girls’ tightly knit bond is the
strong and loving relationship of their parents, not only with themselves but others as well. “Our children watch us every day. I am blessed to have two beautiful daugh- ters that share an amazing bond with each other. Don’t get me wrong, they fuss and fight as most siblings do. But when this happens, I encourage love. I really exaggerate this word with them. When I tell Addison that ‘We love on Sissy,’ she will look at her and give her a hug and squeeze her so tight. The fight then goes from crying to laughing in a matter of seconds. It makes me feel like I am doing something right as a mother. If we continue to show them a good, loving relationship, they will one day strive to do the same with their husband and children.”
Kaylin and Addison Eldred reside in Effingham with their parents, Devin and Tyler. 26 February 2014
shemagazine.com
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