Priceless memories

Since the next couple of weeks are PACKED with numerous activities I thought today was the perfect day to put up the Christmas tree. Ella was really excited when I told her we were going to put up the tree. I cranked up the Christmas music, and I set up the tree. I let her take over once it was done. I sat back and watched as she put on almost every ornament. 

Days like today make me beyond thankful that I have her. Seeing how excited she got just  hanging ornaments makes everything worthwhile. I can't tell you how many times she said, "looky here mommy" as she was going through the ornaments. She also told me "Merry Christmas Mommy" and "Happy Birthday Mommy" as she was doing it. I think she is confused since her birthday is so close to Christmas. She had the best time today, and I had the best time watching her. We can not wait for Christmas this year. I can't think of anything better than Christmas with a three year old. These are priceless memories I will never forget! 

Guess what showed up at my door step as we were decorating!?  My new lens!! Nothing excites me more than a new lens for my camera. I dressed Ella up in her Christmas outfit for a few photos!!

Notice how beautiful the Christmas lights look in the background!?  This new lens is great! 

One more month....

One more month until I have a three year old. I can't believe it! Where did the time go!? I have really seen a change in Ella the past couple of months. She is acting more like a three year old and less like a two year old. In the past the thought of her getting older has made me a little sad, but I absolutely love the stage she is in right now. She is always up for a new adventure. She finds joy in the smallest things, and I love to hear the enthusiasm in her voice when she finds those things.  

If you have been reading my blog you know I have started dropping Ella off at child watch at the Y the past couple of weeks. I thought this would be a good thing to do before she starts preschool next fall (definitely a good baby step for myself as well). I am so proud of how well she has done. The first time was awful. I thought it was going to take her weeks to get used to it. To my surprise it only took her a few times, and she is fine now. She walks in like a big girl and plays the whole time she is there. She always says she "had fun in the toy room" and tells me what she did while she was there. This was a big step for me (and her) to even drop her off, and it has made the thought of preschool not seem so horrible. 

Ella is still in a huge Thomas the Train phase. We are currently planning her Thomas third birthday party. That was totally her idea. I was going to do a Santa themed birthday this year until one day Ella said she wanted a Thomas cake and Thomas balloon for her party.  Ella also loves Toy Store, Dora, Diego, and Little Einsteins. I remember the day when she could not focus on anything for more than five seconds, and now she can sit and watch a whole movie. 

I can also tell Ella is almost three, because naps are slowly becoming few and far between. I hate to think of the day Ella doesn't take naps anymore, but I know they are coming. Her favorite thing to do when she doesn't nap is strip herself down, and throw everything on the floor outside of her bed. This is always fun, because once I go into her room nap is over. I am very thankful she is good about staying in her bed at nap time and bed time. I can always count on her to go to bed easily and stay asleep all night. God knew what he was doing when he gave me a good sleeper. This girl needs her sleep!

Ella is constantly talking about something. Most things she says makes me laugh. I could listen to her talk all day. I can not believe how far her speech has come in the past year. I remember thinking she was never going to take in full sentences, and now she is!

Ella I hope you read this some day and know how loved you are. You have shown me that life is too short  not cherish the little things. I never take a day for granted or wish time away, because I know that will be one day closer to you growing up.   You are and always will be my greatest accomplishment in life! We love you!! 

Funny things I want to remember!

Ella is talking up a storm. When you talk to her it's like talking to a little adult. It's amazing to think last year at this time she could probably say 10-20 words, and now she is talking in full sentences. Everyday I hear her say something new. 

She was full of it yesterday. She helped me take the boys to the vet for their check-up. I am not quite sure what I was thinking taking all three of them plus Ella's three babies and blanket by myself. Trying to get in the office was the hardest part. Ella talked the entire visit. She kept asking if Brody and Elliott were ok. She was very concerned about them and wanted to pet them. The vet finished with Brody first, and Ella announced that Brody was all done. It was the same thing with Elliott. Later on that night Brody came up to Ella, and Ella asked him if he had fun at the vet. I LOVE when she asks them questions. It's like she thinks they are actually going to talk back!

Ella was a little afraid of the thunder last night since it hasn't stormed in awhile. I told her it was just rain, and there was nothing to be afraid of. The next time we heard thunder Ella said, "Listen, I hear something. It's ok Ella. It's just rain." I about died laughing at her telling herself it was ok. She definitely keeps us entertained! 

Update

This was Ella's second week of being dropped off at child watch at the Y. She has done unbelievably well. Wednesday and today she went in and didn't cry. Today she walked right in and started playing. The lady today said she is so sweet. She said Ella kept saying, "I see mommy. Do you see mommy?" She is so cute. Today I didn't even see her look out the window like she usually does. When I went in to get her she didn't even see me. She walks out of there like such a big girl. I am amazed. The best part of this whole thing is that the Y has a preschool. If she continues doing well I am hoping to send her there since she seems to like it so much!

I'm so proud of her! 

YMCA

Last week I signed up us for a family membership to the Y. I have been wanting a membership for awhile now so I didn't have to run in the cold this winter. I also wanted to get one so I could start dropping Ella off at child watch while I work out. 

Last Wednesday I dropped her off for the first time. I knew she would probably cry and scream so I had prepared myself way in advance. I almost felt sick that morning before we left. I had to pump myself up just to get out the door and head that way. Ella was not a happy camper when I left her. Luckily, I can see in the window from the room I am in. She can also see me. She cried for about 15 minutes until they waved me down to come back. She was crying when I came back in to get her, and she cried all the way to Target. 

Today I took her back again. The drop off was horrendous. She was screaming and pulling at my jacket. After about 10 minutes I look over there and see a little head pop up at the window. She was actually standing at the window (not being held) looking at me. I waved to her, and she seemed fine. I gave it about 20 minutes and went over to the window. Her back was to me and one of the workers said she was doing fine. I decided to go ahead and get her. When I walked in she was smiling and not crying. It was a definite improvement from the first time. I am sure we will have our ups and downs, but I am hoping we are on the right path! 

We are also loving the swimming pool. Ella and I have been swimming there twice. I am so glad I can keep her used to the water during the winter. She has such a fun time, and I can always get a good nap out of her after we swim. It's a total win win situation! :)

Sunday at the park

Adam, Ella, and I went to the park today for some fun. We ended up just driving around, because Ella threw a major fit about wearing a jacket. What is the deal with jackets!? It's such a battle. She ended up forgetting she even had it on. Daddy might have let Ella sit on his lap and turn the wheel a few times while we were in a gravel parking lot. She asks me if she can drive almost every time we get in the car. Now I see why;)

We drove around so I could see if there were any good picture spots at the 4H center. Ella really loved this "bridge". 

Time to get dirty!!

This morning I participated in the "Get Dirty" run with Aaron and Sarah. Adam was supposed to do it, but he didn't sign up. He regretted it after it was over. It was a lot of fun. It wasn't as muddy as I expected, but there was still enough mud to get dirty!! 

This run was different than our typical runs, because it had some obstacles. I was a little concerned about the 4 and 6 ft. walls. I do not have much upper body strength so I thought I might just have to go around them. Luckily, I made it over both!

I was not expecting a creek to run through. It was cold and very muddy! My shoes were sticking in the mud. Nothing like running with wet, muddy shoes and socks on. 

This picture below just makes me laugh! You have to watch those quiet ones;) 

 Crawling through mud to finish! The best part!!

 They had beer and pizza after the run!

This was after I washed off!

Another medal to add to my hopefully growing collection;)