Ella Claire- First Grader

It's been so long since I have done an update on Ella. I'm not sure how she is almost done with first grade and seven years old. I don't even feel old enough to have a seven year old most days. She is growing up way too fast. 

 This is Ella's first grade picture, and I feel like it's such a good representation of the true Ella. In her kindergarten picture she looked unsure and shy. In this picture she looks like the sweet, confident, happy little girl we all know and love. 

 Ella has loved school this school year. She is completely herself at school, and that is the best thing in the world to see.  Ella is a friend to everyone and thinks everyone is her friend. Ella has branched out this school year and formed friendships with a few of the girls as well as a few boys. Her first school friend was Kole, and they have remained friends this school year. Ella and her friend, Lexie, plan play dates while at school. The first time we went to fired up. They planned a trip to Chuck E Cheese so that is what we are doing next. It makes me laugh that they discuss and plan these things at school. 

Remember the little girl who wouldn't speak in the classroom in kindergarten? That same little girl has gotten a few points deducted (class dojo) for talking too much this school year. She got moved once because she was talking too much to her neighbor. She was also up during snack time whispering in her neighbor's ear when she wasn't supposed to be. I never thought I would see the day!

Ella said her favorite classes are gym and math. She looks forward to every Thursday and Friday, because she has gym class in the morning.  She despises anything to do with handwriting. She tends to rush through her handwriting worksheets and hands them in before anyone else. She has really nice handwriting but just doesn't enjoy writing.  We have to constantly remind her to take her time and write neatly.  

I didn't realize how much work first grade would entail. Every week she has a spelling test and a bible verse to memorize and recite. Every week she has AR quizzes almost everyday so that requires quite a bit of reading. She also has a project once or twice a month and has to present them to the class. That's a big thing for a first grader! I used to worry that Ella would never get up in front of her class and speak, but she has had no problem so far. First grade has definitely brought out the best in her. 

I have not been able to volunteer this school year as much as I did last. I typically only do lunch duty once a month. I still make copies for the teachers, but I have only done that a few times. Early on in the school year I realized that Ella doesn't need me at school anymore. I volunteered every single week when she was in Kindergarten, because she needed to see me. She doesn't need that anymore, and I am happy for her. She likes to keep school her own little world. 

 After a rough start to her school career, first grade has been a breath of fresh air. We are SO proud of our sweet girl! 

Life Lately....

Time is flying and I haven't been very good about doing updates lately. I have to plan my time wisely, because now that Paige is crawling my time is very limited. I'm typically watching her like a hawk, and when she is asleep the last thing I want to do is stare at a screen. Hopefully someday I will get back to regular posting again! 
Paige got this cute trike for Christmas. We had some nice weather a few weeks ago so my parents put it together. Ella was so excited to push her around.

Before Paige could crawl she would scoot around on her stomach. She could get almost anywhere she wanted to go, and sometimes she would get stuck. I heard her fussing and found her stuck between her chair and ottoman. 

A couple of weeks ago Paige was spitting food out of her mouth when she ate. I seriously wore her breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Paige got this little aquarium for Christmas. She has learned how to turn it on herself and enjoys looking at it when she wakes up from her nap.  

A couple of weeks ago we were able to go on a little anniversary trip to our favorite place. Adam and I love the Opryland hotel. I did all my favorite things: ate (Chuy's), shopped, and rested. I love my rest! 

I also hit up the spa. It was HEAVENLY. 

Even though it was nice to get away it is always nice to get home to these two. I know they miss us when we are gone (which isn't often), and we miss them too. 

Paige likes to work on her abs daily. I think I need to take notes...

Last week Ella let Paige join her in the bathtub. This was Paige's first bath in the bathtub, and she loved it! I was shocked Ella actually let Paige get in with her. Miracles do happen!

No schools in Evansville had school on the Friday before Valentines Day, except Ella's school. The joys of private school! Ella was thrilled she was still able to go to her Valentine's party at school. 

Ella has such a sweet group of kids in her class. 

Paige started crawling on her 9 month bday. I can't even hide from her. She has no problem coming to find me. 

My sweet Valentines! 

Paige is typically waiting for me in bed sitting up now. It won't be long before she is pulling up. I'm so not ready for that. Wasn't she just a tiny newborn!? 

This girl has seriously not stopped since she started crawling. She is all over the place! 

Last week we finally had our entire upstairs painted. I have wanted this done since we moved in our house. You can not tell from this picture since it is such a mess, but it looks so much brighter and better upstairs. Now we just need our new furniture, and we will be set. We also had our closet redone. I have had my clothes in three different closets for a few months. It's nice to finally have everything back in the same closet. It makes putting laundry away much easier. 

We had such nice weather this past weekend. Paige was so happy to be out in her swing. She gets such a kick out of watching Ella swing next to her. 

Ella has been riding on my dad's mower since she was six months old. Now that she is seven she can drive it all on her own. She is getting so big. 

If you look closely you can see Paige's first tooth. For a baby that has been teething I would say she has been pretty pleasant. 

Paige || 9 months

Paige turned 9 months old today. I can not believe in three short months she will be a year old. Where did the time go!? 

I know I say this every month, but she is such a JOY. I often wonder what we ever did without her. She is almost always happy and always smiling. It's hard to have a bad day when you look at that face. She has truly been a blessing to us. 

What's new....

• Paige is on the move!
• Paige can scoot almost anywhere she wants to go on her stomach. 
• She just started crawling this morning. She isn't very fast yet, but it's only a matter of time.  
• Paige can say "dada" and "mama" and babbles all the time. 
• She can go from sitting to crawling position and vice versa with no problem. 
• She can sit up for long periods of time without falling backwards.
• She took her first sink bath and loved it. She also took her first bath in the bathtub with Ella and fussed when I took her out. I think they both enjoyed it. 
• She loves baby food and will eat pretty much anything that is put infront of her. 

Likes and dislikes...

LOVES bathtime and splashing in the water

LOVES pear + oatmeal + cinnamon baby food. She gobbles it down

LOVES watching Ella do anything and screams with glee while watching her

LOVES playing with toys and books (probably because she likes to try to chew on them)

LOVES sleeping on her stomach and her zippadeezip 

LOVES life in general. There isn't much she doesn't love

DISLIKES the sounds of aluminum foil and trash bags

DISLIKES strangers 

Sleep: She is still going to bed at 6:00pm and sleeps until around 6:15/6:30. She will sleep all night for a couple of nights, and then start waking up again. I have thought about trying to let her cry it out during the night until I hear "mama", and that is all it takes. She still seems hungry during the night so I will continue to feed her. My body is so programmed to get up during the night that most of the time it doesn't bother me. 

Paige's Schedule:

6:15/6:30- wake up

8:00- breakfast (baby food)

9:00-11 bottle and nap

12:00 lunch (baby food)

2:00-4 bottle and nap

5:00- dinner (baby food)

6:00- bottle and bedtime 

Eating: Paige only takes bottles at nap and bedtime now. She loves baby food, and eats it three times a day. Her favorites are bananas, pears, and pears with cinnamon and oats. I have introduced a sippy cup, but she has no idea of what to do with it. She has also tried puffs, but that still scares me because she doesn't have any teeth yet. 

Now you see why there was no nine month sticker this month. These pictures are getting much harder by the month. She ripped that sticker off as soon as I put it on and started putting it in her mouth. 

Thinking back over the last nine months I can not believe how much our life has changed since we added Paige to the mix. Things are always busy around here with two kids. They both keep life fun, exciting, and exhausting! The past nine months have been nothing like I thought they would be. While I was pregnant I pictured myself being exhausted all the time with little energy. I had no clue how I was going to take care of Ella as well as a baby. Thinking about that now is so funny. It's been nothing like I expected. I wouldn't say it's been easy, but it definitely has not been as difficult as I thought it would be. Isn't that typically how these things go!? 

10 years

Adam and I celebrated our ten year anniversary on 2.4.16. The past ten years have been some of the best years of my life yet some of the hardest years as well.  
It's so funny to think back ten years ago. We were 23 and 26 when we got married. That just seems so young. We lived in a two bedroom apartment on the west side. Adam worked a job in IT, and I had a job as a caseworker. Besides our jobs, we didn't have a care in the world. I honestly don't even remember what we did back then with all of our free time. 
Over the past ten years we have bought 2 houses, got two dogs, and had two kids. We have survived a serious illness, a small business that took A TON of Adam's time, the house selling/buying process, and a surprise pregnancy. It has not been easy, but the hardships only made us stronger. Adam and I are not the same people we were when we got married. We have both changed so much in the past ten years, but we continue to change together. Neither one of us could do what we do without the other, and we both acknowledge that. He is supportive of what I do, and I am supportive of him. 
I feel so fortunate to have Adam in my life. He is a wonderful husband and father. When we got married I had no idea what kind of daddy Adam would be, but he has turned out to be a great one. He has a ton of patience (which I lack sometimes). He is also a great teacher and loves to play. I appreciate the fact that he is trustworthy, respectful, giving, and works harder then anyone I know. Neither one of us are perfect (and our life definitely isn't either), but we are perfect for each other.  
I can only hope the next ten years will be just as wonderful as the first! 

 

Ella and Paige || Weeks 37 &38

Ella has officially made it through 100 days of first grade! We had to make a t-shirt for her to wear. She was so proud of her shirt and excited for school that day. 

Adam was excited for his 36th birthday. I can not believe Adam is now closer to 40. I'm not sure when we got so old. Adam likes to annoy me on his birthday by saying "it's my birthday" all day! He also makes requests all day. I never make breakfast, but he of course requested pancakes on his birthday. I probably won't be making them again until next year. :) 

We had two snowstorms hit which means no school. Ella didn't have school on a Wednesday and Friday. Snow days are typically LONG DAYS. Ella is so used to a structured day which can sometimes make days at home hard. I can't constantly keep her entertained. Luckily, she had some homework to do which kept her busy for awhile. 

One of her classmates had a party at Pump it Up. It was so nice to get out and do something after being stuck at home the day before. 

 Paige is such a messy eater. She has been spitting after she takes a bite. She also hits my hand sometimes when I put the spoon up to her mouth, and the baby food flies everywhere. This time it landed in her hair. She is always such a mess!

Ella had her seven year check up last week. She is 47 and a half inches and weighs 45 pounds. She is growing up!

Paige has learned to turn on her aquarium by herself. It is typically on when I go in to get her after she wakes up from her nap. She wakes up so happy. 

 Paige actually slept until 8:00 this past Sunday. She did take a bottle at 5 but went back to sleep. It was so nice to not hear an alarm go off at 6:15 like it does Monday - Friday. It gets so old waking up early, but that's life these days. 

Ella is loving her new Aces shirt. She is so excited to go to her first basketball game. 

This past weekend it was in the 60's. Warm weather in January is great, but it totally messes with Ella's allergies. She stayed home from school Friday and was not feeling good all weekend. We managed to get out for a little ride around the block, but she did not last long. It took her a few days to get back to normal.