Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened

We have been in Destin, Fl for the past week. It has been a great trip, but today is our last day. I don't like last days. Even though I'm sad that it's over I am so thankful we have had such a great trip. We have had some not so great vacations in the past so I always appreciate the great ones!

Here are a few instagram pics from our trip... 

Our sweet ride in the parking lot at dinner. Adam rented this golf cart for the week. It has been so fun to drive around!

Ella ready for the dolphin cruise. Love her dress!

 Laying out on the beach. I love the beach!

Ella on her huge dolphin at the pool. We had to get this as soon as we got settled on Saturday after we got here. 

A snapshot of the beach. I will miss it!

We are still around...

I don't know why, but this has been a crazy week. I have been really stressed out and feel like I am barely keeping my head above water. Adam has been working a lot of over time lately so I have been on my own with Ella and trying to take care of everything else with her running around like a crazy person. This week is coming to an end though and things are about to slow down for a little bit! 

 Ella actually made it to both days of preschool this week. She did really well. She didn't cry either day and was happy to go. I really enjoy hearing her stories when she comes home. I think she is really fond of her friend Nick. Every time I ask her who she played with her answer is, "Nick." Today she told me he played with the Thomas toy she brought with her. I find it so funny that one of her first friends in preschool is a boy. I didn't expect it, but I think it's so cute. I think preschool has been really good for Ella so far. She seems to be coming out of her shell and opening up a little more. I still can not believe how far she has come in the past year and how much she has changed.  Last year at the time Ella was still in diapers and now she is fully potty trained. It blows my mind how much can change in a year. 

Ella threw probably the worst fit she has ever thrown to date the other day. She has been truly testing my patience lately.  The fit started in Target. I told her she could get one Thomas DVD. After picking out a DVD she found a Thomas book she wanted instead. There is no way I was going to pay $20 for a book so I told her to put it back. She wouldn't put it back so I put it back for her, and she threw herself on the ground. Once that happened I told her she wasn't getting anything and headed to the checkout. The fit continued while we were checking out. She kept staying, "I don't want a DVD." I think the fit was bothering the cashier, but I didn't care. Ella changed her tune when she realized we were heading out the door without a DVD, and then she wanted one. I was not giving in, and then that really set her off. She screamed all the way home and probably for a good half hour when we got home. It was not fun, but she has to learn she can't get everything she wants in life. 

Yesterday we went to the park while we were waiting for the dogs at the groomer. It was such a nice day. We met my friend Joan and her boys there since they live right down the road. I love hanging out with her and listening to her talk about her kids. Her two year old threw a D battery at her head the other day. Not funny to her, but I couldn't help but laugh. While our kids play we exchange stories about the fits they have thrown that week. It makes me feel like I am not alone. :) 

"The days are long, but the years are short." 

Preschool, Week 2

It's been pretty eventful at the Bertram house this week. Ella went to preschool on Tuesday. It was a bit of a rough morning. I told her she couldn't wear her favorite pair of underwear(because they were dirty) to school on Tuesday morning and that set her off.  Things went down hill from there. She cried and cried for a good thirty minutes saying she didn't want to go to preschool. I knew she would be fine once I got her there, but it wasn't very easy getting her out the door. Once we got there she had calmed down and did ok until she saw another little boy crying. She teared up so I just sat her down and left. When I picked her up her teacher said she only cried for a couple of minutes, and she had a good day after she calmed down. I heard she made a new friend, Nick. I'm not surprised she would become friends with a boy. He was stuck to her like glue when I went in there. Maybe it was the thomas the train jacket that attracted him to her? I think it's so cute. I am excited to see who she forms friendships with 

Unfortunately, Ella had to miss today because she was sick again. It stinks she has only been there two out of four days. We aren't starting off on the best foot. Ella started telling me her stomach hurt yesterday afternoon. Around five she fell asleep on our bed which is very unlike her. When she woke up she kept moaning and groaning, and I could tell she felt horrible. I took her temperature around seven last night, and she was running a fever. Shortly after she threw up. Once she did that she felt better, and her fever went away. It was the weirdest thing I have ever seen. Today has been better. Tonight she sounded a little congested so she might just have a touch of something. Fingers crossed her immune system will toughen up a bit now that she is around other kids and germs! 

I just had to share pictures of this dress I got Ella for fall/Halloween. I found it on an etsy shop I love, wren ten ten. I am a HUGE fan of chevron. I love almost everything in this girl's shop, but I especially loved this dress. I knew Ella would look cute in it, and I'm thinking she may be able to wear it next year also. 

 I could just eat her up! Hopefully I will be able to keep Ella well for the weekend and our Florida trip coming up in one week. My fingers are crossed! 

First Day of Preschool

Today was Ella's first day of preschool. Technically, it should have been Tuesday, but she was getting over her stomach virus. 

I have dreaded preschool since the day she was born (no joke). A year ago, even the thought of preschool made me tear up. I had visions of Ella screaming bloody murder when I dropped her off. I think things happen for a reason. Last October I started taking her to the Y so she would get used to being dropped off with strangers at their childcare center while I worked out. Come to find out they have preschool at the Y, and today that is where she started.

It was not a big deal to drop her off since we are usually there at least four or five times a week anyway. It was like any other day, but I just dropped her off in a different room. I couldn't have asked for a better drop off. Ella didn't shed a tear, and she seemed excited to be there. Me on the other hand, I at least made it to the car. I did so much better than I expected, but it was still a little sad. 

The two and a half hours flew by and before I knew it it was time to pick her up. Ella's teacher said she did great. At circle time, they went around and all the kids were supposed to say their name. Ella would not say her name, but when asked what her favorite toy was she clearly said, "Thomas!" I'm sure you couldn't have guessed that from the picture. Her teachers seem so nice. Their names are Mrs. B (Briody) and Mrs. Kremer. I think they will be a good fit for Ella. 

On the way out of the building Ella said, "That was so much fun!" I was happy to hear she enjoyed herself. Afterwards, we met my mom at McDonald's for some lunch. I promised Ella I would take her to lunch if she was good, and she didn't forget. 

Ella came home with her first little art project from school. I am so excited to see all the things she will make this year. I'm thinking I will frame this one since it's her first. I really love it. 

I can only imagine all the things she will learn and all the stories she will tell us this year. Tonight, as she was going potty, she told me she touched her pee at the Y today. She said she stuck her hand in the potty. Who knows what went on in that bathroom. I'm just proud that she peed on the potty without me there. :) 

I hope this is a great school year for Ella!!

Day out with Thomas

This past Sunday we headed to Nashville for "Day out with Thomas." with my family.  Ella is OBSESSED with Thomas the Train. She has anything and everything Thomas you can think of. She has only wore Thomas the Train PJ's for the last year. When I potty trained Ella I got her Thomas undies (boy undies) as an incentive for wearing underwear. We hear "Thomas" probably 100x a day. Ella loves Thomas. 

Day out with Thomas finally rolled around, and Ella was so excited! 

Isn't she just the cutest Thomas fanatic you have ever seen!? 

I thought Ella looked so cute in her Thomas garb. I ordered her shirt off of etsy. My sister in law, Penny, made her skirt. It turned out so cute, and Ella was more than thrilled to wear it. We ordered the hat and lanyard with our tickets. She also had a Thomas whistle and bandana.  She got lots of compliments on her outfit!

Ella got a Thomas and Percy tattoo. 

Ella in Thomas heaven. She made it out of there with a duffle bag, t-shirt, pez dispenser, and picture album. She is lucky Adam is a softy! 

Ella is getting so big. I didn't think she could make it up this slide by herself so Adam went with her the first time. She told him she could do it by herself. The second time she climbed up all by herself. She is getting so big!

This is my favorite picture. Ella in all her Thomas glory! 

After Thomas we went to eat at Jack's Barbeque. Unfortunately, Ella's stomach started hurting and things went downhill from there. I was in the bathroom with her five times. At the time I didn't think she was sick. I thought she just need to go to the bathroom but was afraid to go anywhere but home.  Once we headed home things only got worse. We had to stop 4 or 5 times. Adam took a different way home, and it ended up taking us almost four hours to get home. Come to find out Ella had a stomach bug. Poor thing missed her first day of preschool today. I'm hoping Thursday she will be good to go!