Play-doh!

Ella's first time playing with play-doh. 

She loved it! 

I don't think I have ever seen her sit for this long =)

Tree update

I am happy to report we have only had one casualty so far. Ella has been infatuated with the ornament I bought this weekend. I plan to get her an ornament each year. She pulled it off the tree a couple of times yesterday so I moved it a little higher. I didn't move it high enough. She grabbed it and took off running toward the front door. I went to grab it from her, and she threw it. It unfortunately shattered all over the floor. She just stood and stared while I cleaned it up. She has done a lot better than I expected. Let's hope she can keep it up!

"Baby, baby, baby!"

That is all we hear from the time Ella wakes up from the time she goes to bed. She can now even say, "Babies." Ella says it over and over and over again. Every night I line the babies up in her crib. Pretty soon there won't be any room for Ella. Her main baby is a purple lovey. My parents put it in her stocking on her very first Christmas. I am not sure when she got attached to this baby, but she loves it! Today was the second time we thought she was lost. I tore this house apart. At bedtime tonight she was still not found. After Ella went to bed we tore the house apart again and even went through the trash. Adam finally found her at the bottom of an empty diaper box. THANK THE LORD! 

Yesterday at my parents house Ella snatched every baby she could find and brought them home with her to add to her collection. She is now lugging around two of my babies when I was a kid, Bill John and Strawberry Shortcake. Don't ask me where I came up with the name Bill John.  I lost Strawberry Shortcake when I was probably in preschool. After a phone call to Hardees my parents found out I left her there. I am pretty sure we picked her up through the drive-thru. ! I think it's pretty crazy that Ella is lugging them around now. I still remember when they were my babies. I am glad my mom kept them.

Jabbering about something! She is constantly talking these days. 

 

Black Friday

I can gladly say that I DID NOT go shopping today. I think people who get up at the crack of dawn (or earlier) to go shopping are crazy. I would rather stay in my nice warm bed and sleep. I did do a little bit of online shopping, but that was it. Instead, I decided to put up our Christmas tree. I have thinking about doing it for a week now. I wanted to put it up, but yet I didn't want to put it up. I knew it could turn into quite a headache for me considering I have a little one running around who is into everything! 

I woke up this morning and decided that I was going to do it. Ella had a lot of fun playing in the empty box. It provided enough entertainment for me to put the tree together. I decided to get a new tree this year. Our tree was just a little bit too big for our living room. I also was tired of dealing with lights so I bought a pre-lit tree. It made things so much easier. 

My little helper

I waited until Ella's nap time to actually decorate the tree. This is my favorite part. As far back as I can remember my parents have bought ornaments on every trip we have been on. Once Adam and I started taking trips together I started doing the same. I love getting the ornaments out and remembering the places we have been and the memories we have made. I am so glad we started this tradition! Here are some of my favorite ornaments:

We got this one on our trip to Gatlinburg when I was about 6 months pregnant. I love this one. It brings back memories about how excited I was to be pregnant and have a baby right before Christmas that year. 

I got this one on our honeymoon to Disney! That seems like a lifetime ago. 

My friend, Alison, bought this for Adam and I when we were engaged. 

Our first family ornament

 This was one of our first ornaments. I love it! It still takes me back to our carefree days!

Ella's first ornament:) 

I was excited to see how Ella would react to the tree once she woke up from her nap. She walked in the living room, stopped, and said "Oh boy!" I was worried that she would start pulling ornaments off, but she has been really good so far. She has even left the stockings alone. It's a miracle. She likes to walk up to her stocking and tell the little girl on it "hi." Hopefully things continue to go this well. 

Ella's first look at the tree!

Elliott loves laying under the tree. 

Let the holiday season begin!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! We spent most of the day with Adam's family. We had a nice time visiting and eating, and Ella had a lot of fun playing with the other kids. She did exceptionally well for not having a nap all day. Minus the sheets of rain that fell today we had a great time! 

Bree and Ella playing with babies. 

The two little curly tops of the family. They are so cute!

Ella really loved playing with this baby doll bathtub.

Ella and Aunt Lacey. Ella loves pictures just about as much as her daddy does;) 

I am thankful for...

...this beautiful little girl who makes me look forward to everyday! 

...a loving husband that my daughter and I adore.

...parents who raised me in a safe, loving home and always put their kids first. 

...my love bugs, Elliott and Brody.

...my niece, Autumn. 

...my family and Adam's family. 

...friends and the memories I share with them.

...my health and my families health. 

....a warm place to call home.

...a reliable vehicle

...the privilege of staying home with Ella.

...my camera and the memories it enables me to capture.

...my LIFE, you only live once so you might as well enjoy it. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! 

Ella talking =)

JUMP!

Ho Ho Ho

23 months old already!?

Ella you are 23 months old today, 11/19/10. Today is your Grampy's birthday. Happy Birthday Grampy. We love you! I can't believe you are only one short month away from being 2 years old. I remember when I was pregnant I never really thought past the baby stage. I didn't think it would go this fast, but it has! 

Right now you love babies and balls! Those are usually the first two words you say when you wake up in the morning. You sometimes throw in Au'um, dada, Brody, Hank, or mama. I am not sure where you got this love for babies. You are so gentle with your baby dolls. You get as many as you can in your arms and carry them around. You also like to pretend they are going  "night night," and you say "shhhh." If the day ever comes I know you would make a great big sister. 

Your speech continues to improve. I have lost count of all the words you can say. You say "mama" all the time now. You have also started saying "thank you", "love you", and "please". You can say "Elliott" and "Brody", and you know who is who. You have also started talking to random strangers when we go places. You tell people "hi" and "bye". I have also seen you wave to people when we are checking out at the store. It's really funny. You used to be so shy, but I think you are starting to grow out of that. 

You are starting to become so independent. You want to do things yourself. If you see me doing something you want to do the same thing. You are also very stubborn. You will do things your way on your time. 

You LOVE to play and be outside. You are also obsessed with Elmo. Every night before bed you tell Elmo "night night," since Elmo has the same bedtime as you do..haha. You love to climb, swing, and slide. You love playing with Autumn. You love to go bye bye no matter where we are going. You love to go see Cloudy and Hank. You really do love the simple things in life. 

You love animals. I have always loved animals and wanted you to be the same way. You love dogs and cats! You help me feed the stray kitties everyday. You carry the food bag outside and go get the bowl for me. You come from a long line of animal lovers:) 

This is the last month I can call you my 1 year old. You are growing up way to fast. There are days that you make me want to pull my hair out. I try to appreciate every moment with you (good and bad), because I know you won't be this small forever. I am thankful everyday that I get to watch you grow up. I hope you stay the loving, funny, gentle, beautiful little girl you are, forever. 

Little Mama

The boys and boots

I had to take Elliott to the vet yesterday for his annual checkup and shots. The poor little guy has to go on a diet.  My heart sank when I heard her say that. He is only allowed to have fruits, vegetables, cheerios, and of course his dog food! There is nothing that makes Elliott happier than a McDonald's french fry so I have a feeling he may be going through withdrawals soon. 

Brody is obviously already a little depressed from not getting table scraps. He has seemed a little down in the dumps today. He did perk up when I gave him some cheerios though. Unfortunately, since Elliott is on a diet Brody will have to be too. Poor Brody:(

Elliott enjoyed cheerios yesterday, but today he refused to eat them. He isn't stupid! It makes me feel horrible when he looks at me with those huge eyes of his. He loves human food, but that's how he got the nickname "tubby."  I love these two dogs, and I want them to be healthy! Hopefully they will get used to their new healthy diet soon! 

On another note I have been thinking about getting Ella boots since last winter. She couldn't walk in boots last year so I knew this year would be the year. I had a mental picture of what I wanted to get her, and this past weekend I found them. They were on sale and 30% off. I got them in the mail today, and I couldn't wait to try them on her. Ella has a chubby foot so I was unsure if they would fit her. To my surprise they slid right on. 

The cutest thing I have ever seen!