All about Elliott and Brody

While I was pregnant with Ella people always told me that once she came along I wouldn't feel the same way about my dogs. Well guess what, they were wrong! Even though I may not have as much time for them as I used to I still love these little guys so much.

Elliott

This is Elliott, also known as "Bert." Elliott is our well thought out "first child." I wanted a dog so bad and once we bought our house I knew it was time. I called the breeder in June 2006, and it just so happened they were expecting a litter. Elliott was born June 25th, 2006. We picked Elliott out when he was only two or three weeks old. He fell asleep in Adam's lap and that was that. I think I drove the breeder crazy, because they let me bring him home at six weeks old. He became our little baby. He went everywhere with us, he slept with us, and I even dressed him in clothing most of the time. He was SPOILED ROTTEN and still is in some ways. Some would think Elliott is mean, because he growls a lot. I think Elliott has always thought he needed to protect us. I know Elliott is a sweet dog. If I am crying the first person to comfort me is Elliott. He jumps in my lap and licks my tears away. He definitely has a comforting way about him.

Brody

This is Brody, also known as "Boda." Brody is our spur of the moment "second child." Adam and I had been thinking about getting a friend for Elliott. One Saturday I saw an add in the paper for shih-tzu's from the same breeder we got Elliott. We gave them a call and told them we would like to come look. Adam and I almost talked ourselves out of it, but we decided to go anyway. We of course could not resist a puppy. I wanted a female puppy and Adam wanted a male. We asked the breeder which puppy was the most outgoing since we knew it would have to get along with Elliott. That is how we ended up with Brody. Elliott and Brody were very unsure of each other the first day, but day two they were like old friends. I remember them running around together in my parents backyard, and I knew they would be great friends from that day forward.

Brody is the most laid back, independent dog you will ever meet. He has the gentlest way about him. Brody loves to be near us. He follows us wherever we go. He never barks or growls. I don't think he would hurt anyone. He is the total opposite of Elliott, and I think that is why they get along so well.

Elliott and Brody don't get as much attention as they used to so I thought I would post a little something about them. Even though they pee on the carpet sometimes or drag mud through the house I still love them and always will!

A day in the life....

I am up and ready for the day! I think I will destroy the bathroom while mommy puts away laundry!

Waiting in McDonald's drive-thru while mommy gets her caffeine fix, and I get my biscuit.

Eating my biscuit!

Watching Baby E. while mommy cleans up my breakfast mess

Mommy let me take a bath in the big bath tub today. So much fun!

I love bath time!

My wrinkled toes after my long bath.

Kissing that pretty girl in the mirror

I am hungry! FEED ME NOW!

Eating my yummy lunch

When will it ever be spring?

Nap Time.. DO NOT DISTURB!!!!

I just woke up, and I am still kind of tired

At the store with mommy picking up a few things for dinner

I have to get in the dog food at least once a day!

Helping mommy get out the ingredients for dinner

"When will dinner be ready mommy?"

Shoving in my dinner...

It was especially good tonight!

Chillin in the coupe after dinner watching Baby E.

I POOPED!!!!

Playing in my room

Having a meltdown. It's time for bed!

I've got my baba and I'm ready for bed!

It's a rough life, but somebody has to do it!
NIGHT NIGHT!

Sunday morning

This morning while I was getting ready it was Adam's job to keep Ella occupied. She usually comes to the bathroom door to see what I am up to, but today things were especially quiet. After about ten minutes Adam told me I needed to come see what Ella was doing. I went in the living room and there was Ella, kicked back in a laundry basket, watching Baby Einstein. Adam always comes up with things that I would never think of to entertain Ella. I'll leave you with a couple of pictures:)

Ella's new favorite meal

I always record "Giada at Home" on Saturdays and watch it while Ella naps. Every once in awhile I will see a recipe that I just have to try. Today she featured recipes that she made for her daughter's first birthday. One of them I knew Ella would love so I tried it out this evening for dinner. It's called pastina with peas and carrots. I have to say it was delicious. Ella was still eating it even after we were finished and had the kitchen cleaned up. I'll definitely be making this again. Here is the recipe for you to try with your little one:

Pastina with Peas and Carrots

Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped into bite size pieces
1 bag frozen peas
1/2 pound bow-tie pasta
4 ounces cream cheese
4 ounces Mascarpone cheese (you can substitue butter)
1 cup chicken stock
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

Directions:
Boil water for pasta. Cook chopped onion in olive oil until onion is soft, add carrots and one cup chicken stock. Let onion and carrots simmer for about five minutes. Add pasta(reserve some pasta water) to the onions and carrot and add thawed peas. Mix in cream cheese and mascarpone cheese. Add some pasta water if it needs to be thinned out. Once cheese is melted it is ready to serve.

Trying it out...

Shoving it in like a champ!

She loved it!

Ella acting silly as usual:)

Video of the day!

Nap Time

Being a mom is a 24/7 job so you can probably see why nap time is my favorite time of the day. These two hours (three if I'm lucky) are sacred to me. I usually have time to take a shower, do some housework, and kick my feet up for a little bit. On rare occasions Ella decides she doesn't need a nap. Today she decided she only needed to sleep for twenty minutes. This always puts a kink in my day because nothing gets done. I am working on the fact that I am a neat freak, and I have a one year old who enjoys getting into everything. Here are a couple pictures of what our house looked like by 5:00 this evening.

You probably can't see it, but there is spilled rice cereal all over the kitchen floor. You also can't see that there is poop smeared on the floor. I won't even get into how that happened. Just use your imagination:)

Notice Ella sitting in the corner, in her own world, eating her dinner. What a life!

Now it's time to get to my cleaning since Ella is asleep. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a better nap tomorrow!

Happy Birthday "Da-da"

I know this blog is "All About Ella," but since today is Adam's 30th birthday I thought I would post a little something to let Adam know how much Ella and I appreciate all he does for us. Ella and I both love Adam so much. Thanks for being a great daddy to Ella and husband to me!