11 Months

Ok, so I have been working on this since Tuesday!! Its been a long week and a busy one at that!
Wow our little Ella is 11 months today (the 27th). I can't believe how much she has grown. Just the other night I was looking at old pictures of her and she doesn't even look like the same baby to me. She is truly the love of my life and makes me so happy and proud to her mom. She is still not walking, but I know its just a matter of time. She can stand tall for long periods of time and cruise from one thing to the next but she just won't take that step. I am on pins and needles b/c I know its just a matter of time. She is still talking all the time and some words I can make out, but the rest is all Ella lingo! Her new obsession is Woody from the Toy story. Our nephew Dylan had one at Christmas and she was always playing with it. So MeMaw (Eric's mom) found her one and sent it. Woody went everywhere with us. He went to Kroger, Church, dinner you name it he has gone. Well one night at dinner he was left and they couldn't find him. Its a good thing she is still too young to understand b/c it was like he was never around in the first place. Out of sight out of mind. As parents though you feel like you have to replace it b/c she loved him so much. Well we called around and looked on the internet for some reason woody is a HOT comity. Well MiMi (my mom) found him in South Florida. It was more to ship him here than the actual cost of the doll. Well Woody is back!!! She is so happy with him again. The new rule though is Woody doesn't leave the house. He has to stay here!!


Ella had her "real" first playdate today (Tues). It was at 10am so I knew she wasn't going to last long b/c that is typically around her morning nap time. She had a GREAT time and played with all the other children. She was the youngest but she LOVES other "little" people so she was in her glory. She lasted about an 1hr or so and she ended up taking a nap at their house ha!! Only Ella. I guess she gets that from me. When I am tired I will sleep anywhere at any time!! So Sara set up a pack and play and Ella was OUT!! She had a great time and we can't wait to do it again.

Another thing Ella is doing and probably shouldn't be is standing in her grocery cart. Her Aunt Julie and Uncle Ryan got her a Fisher Price sing along grocery cart. Instead of playing with all the "groceries" that go in it she takes them all out and sits it. Here are a few photos we took of her. She is a mess!! Each day is something new with her. We hope everyone is doing well and your New Year has started of great!! My pics are soon to come! I haven't downloaded them yet.

Ella's 1st Christmas

Ella's 1st Christmas was a BLAST!! She had a great time. I know she didn't understand what was going on but when you have children it gives Christmas a whole new spin. We had Christmas with Eric's family this year. We rotate every year since our family's live so far apart. We went to Jasper, Indiana where Kari (Eric's sister) and PawPaw live. We came in on Christmas Eve. That day they had a cookie decorating contest. Mine was picked by Dylan (our nephew) for Santa to eat! You can tell a child did the judging b/c it was not a pretty cookie. We went to 5 o'clock mass, which Ella did very well. I was nervous she was not going to make it b/c at our church she is always in God's Garden, a.k.a daycare. Thank goodness for Cheerios!! That night we played games and waited for Santa's arrival!! Christmas morning we watched the kids (Dylan and Ella) open their gifts. Santa was very good to them so I assume they were very well behaved this year. I also had a great Christmas. Santa was very good to me too!! I got a new watch, diamond necklace and a food processor ha!! I got a few other items for the kitchen as well. I am taking the hint I need to get in the kitchen more!! I will let you know how that goes. We had a great Christmas dinner and Wii for dessert ha!! The theme of the weekend was Mario Cart. The guys were addicted. I have to admit the bowling was VERY fun too!! Ella had a great weekend with Dylan. She loves to play with other children. We had our 2nd Christmas this past Friday when MiMi and PopPop sent their gifts. Ella LOVES her new giraffe with tags!! Ella has always been obsessed with tags. If something has a tag on it she will find it!! Thank you to everyone for making Ella's first Christmas so wonderful. I know she will never remember it, but we will and we can share the stories with her oneday.

All in all we were VERY blessed in 2008. Our move to Nashville was a great transition for our family. We LOVE it here!! So come visit. ha We were blessed on Feb 27th with Ella Marie and life has not been the same since. She is our pride and joy!! I truly love Eric but you when you have a child you fall in love all over and even harder. We have met some great people here and found a church we really enjoy. God has been so great to us and we are very thankful for that. We love you all and wish you the best in 2009.