End of an Era

Ella has been fighting bed time more then normal in the last few weeks. We usually sit in the rocking chair by her bed and read her a story then tuck her in. Well, as soon as we opened the book she would start to wiggle her way out of our arms and onto her bed. So story time became very short. So by following her lead we now let her climb into bed, give her a book to look at then read her a story. Sometimes she sits up in bed and we read to her the story she has and she helps turn the pages. Sometimes we take turns. She looks at her book and gets read a different story then we switch books. She is getting more out of story time by doing this because she is more active in her listening and her story times are longer and we can finish a book once again. Sometimes we even read the same story several times till she is tired. We got a story called "Peek A Boo" at the library and she LOVES that book. It's her favorite game, she plays peek a boo everywhere we go and with everyone. It's a great way to keep her out of trouble when we are out and about. I think we will be renewing that book soon and maybe it will show up at her 2nd birthday or under the tree, who knows ;)

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day everyone and thank you to those who serve and gave their lives for our freedom.

As I stated in my last post we go to the zoo alot. Today was no different.  We went this time just the three of us and had some nice family time. We went first thing this morning so we got to see some of the animals that we normally don't get to see or at their most active. We took our time and let Ella be the guide since we go so often it was nice to mix it up a bit. So here are some pictures of some animals that we normally don't see.

Wolves

Cougar

Zookeeper feeding albino wallaby baby

Alligator 

Naked mole rat

Moose

More zoo

We go the zoo alot, good thing we got a pass. This time we went with Ella's cousins. They had a good time even thought it was very hot. Ella had a blast laughing at her cousins on the way to the zoo; they were making faces at her. Asher, the oldest, took great care of his little cousin and helped me push the stroller and stayed with Ella while we walked around. Too bad Liam was in a hurry to see everything and missed everything at the same time. Over all I think it was a good trip. We plan on going just the three of us on Memorial Day. Here are some pics of our trip from today.

Bedroom Makeover

Ella is getting to be such a big girl that we made over her room this week. It's no longer the room of a baby anymore it looks like a room of a little girl now. It looks great, but at the same time sad that she is growing up and life is forever changing. She hasn't been in a crib since she was 14 months, but I don't have any pictures of her room since the new bed was put in, but the rest of the room has stayed pretty much the same until now.


Other big chances that are going on; Ella is finally big enough to her car seat to be forward facing! Also she is signing. You can start a little tune and she will finish it if she knows it. She loves to sing Veggie Tales songs, Happy and You Know It, and Head an Shoulders, and Twinkle Twinkle. I can't believe how much she keeps growing everyday. 

Before

After

Mother's Day

Happy Mommies Day to all the mommies out there!

We had a good day today. Ella and Chris each gave me a card and Ella even signed hers, so cute. Ella colored a picture for me and it's  her best coloring job yet. I am so proud of her. 

After church Chris surprised me by taking me to On The Boarder. We had a great lunch, no lines to be seated and the food came out fast. Ella was able to get her quesadillas on corn tortillas which was great.  We then had a good nap and then went to a friends graduations party and even more great food. The weather was perfect today too which was so nice because it's been windy and cold the last couple of days. So it was a great Mother's Day and it wouldn't mean a thing without my daughter and my husband.

18 Months Old!

Ella is officially 1 1/2 years old. I can't believe that in 6 months she will be having another birthday. So it is update time.


She is saying so many new words and making short sentences. She is picking up big words like congested and giraffe. She is saying things like "where did he go?" and having conversations with me about how she slept and potty training and what she wants for lunch and were she wants to go today. All sorts of fun! She is starting some basic potty training. Basically, she is sitting on the potty clothed and just getting use to it all together. She is starting to go sit on the potty when she needs a diaper change so it is time I guess to try some big girl panties!

She is getting more active and more aware of her body. She is feeling more comfortable walking in more places, she will now walk down the step from our apartment and she will hold my hand now in parking lots instead of being carried. She is becoming quite the little helper too around the house. She is starting to dust and whip up spills, throw trash away, vacuum and help take care of the cat. She is getting pennies for chores that she does around the house now. She has become supper polite. She is always saying "please" and "thank you."

Since she is now 18 months old that means she saw the doctor today for her 18 month appointment. She is now 19.8lbs and 32 inches. She is still in the 1% for her weight. So we talked to the doctor more about that today and I a dressed some concerns that I have had with her BM's and her diet. The doctor thinks she maybe gluten intolerant just like me so we are taking her off gluten. This will mean a whole new world for her, but at the same time not. She likes my food and since I eat this stuff she is use to it being in the house. It will mean that I have to pack more food for her. No more gold fish snacks at Sunday school and less eating out. Birthday parties will be a big deal in the future too. Going to visit family will be harder now too, except those who are already on this diet too like her cousins and her aunts. Good thing gluten free food is very kid friendly and easy to find in stores these days, it also helps that this kid loves fruit.

Other news, we had Grandma and Papa down for a few days this week and we really enjoyed their visit. I know Ella sure enjoyed sitting on Grandma's lap and playing with her too.  Also playing with Papa and his walker.

That is all for now.

Bowling

We took Ella bowling for the first time tonight. We got a coupon for a free activity at Mr. Bigg's (it's like chucky cheese only cooler). It has be rainy and foggy the last two days so we needed to do something fun. We played only one frame, which was plenty because Ella got bored about half way through. She played on all of our turns to she wouldn't get too bored. She got the concept pretty fast. She knew that we got the ball and pushed it down this long hallway like thing and then do it again. She did try to dribble the ball like a soccer ball at one point, it didn't work too well because the ball was 8lbs. There were a couple of birthday parties going on while we were there so they had the black lights on and the disco lights flashing. So here are some pictures of Ella's first bowling trip, I don't think it will be our last.