Thursday, September 30, 2010


12. As always I am most thankful for Ella and I try to include a pic of her on most/all blog posts. Also wanted to share the music teacher at the sitters commented that we had an "exceptional child with her music capabilities, how smart she is, and how well she cleans up toys when told to".


13. I am thankful for my husband who next Monday (OCT 4) I will have been married to for 2 years. Thanks to Ella's grandmas, we get a weekend away to ourselves this weekend. Although I HATE the thought of leaving Ella and will miss her so much, we desparately need this time away together.

14. I am thankful for great insurance with all the doctor visits, Physical therapy, and diagnostic testing with this ankle. On the other hand I am thrilled its finally starting to fill a bit better even if I am still confined to this boot and its still swollen and black and blue.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Monday, September 27, 2010

Bittersweet...

Yesterday I breastfed Ella for what I plan to be the last time ever. I was very sad but at the same time very proud that I made it 13 months and 26 days. Breastfeeding was an amazing bonding experience with Ella. Between pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding I am in awe at the capabilities of my body.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Happenings

This week Ella has decided to make the transition from two full naps a day to one. We have been putting her down still at 9 am for 30 minutes so that she gets quiet time. We have moved up her afternoon nap time to around 12 if she hasnt slept in the am. Wednesday she had her quiet time in am (didnt sleep) and slept for 1.5 hours in the early afternoon. Wednesday evening she spent almost the entire evening crying which is the complete opposite of how she normally is. Thursday she decided to sleep during am quiet time and refused afternoon nap. So as you can see below, she fell asleep during Tom's evening run. Ella never sleeps in the stroller and especially in the evenings! This nap transitioning could be a rough road!

Since I haven't updated on Ella happenings lately Ill add that to this blog as well!
The sitter shared with us that yesterday Ella took off for the bathroom. The sitter followed her and when they arrived in front of the bathroom, asked her what she was doing. Ella proceeded to tap her diaper and look up at the sitter, and sure enough there was poop in the diaper! wow I cannot believe she is already forming these connections. Can it already be time to start potty training?
Her obsession for the last couple weeks has been body parts! She wants us to label her body parts, our body parts, her babies body parts, body parts in books, the dogs body parts, etc. She is able to expressively and receptively identify hair, knee, back, head, ear, mouth nose, eye, teeth, and feet.
Her favorite, and I mean favorite thing to play with is her baby doll. She spends HOURS a day playing with her baby doll. Its quite remarkable to watch. She will put it in her little rocking chair and rock the baby, take it out, put it back in, she will pat her baby, put a blanket on her baby, pretend to feed the baby, pat the baby, put the baby in the cubbie of the desk, and so on.

Thursday, September 16, 2010


11. I am thankful, thankful, thankful for my husband. For those of you that dont know, I injured my ankle on Sunday and ended up in the ER with what I thought was a broken ankle (Tom had to take me on the first full day of football season!). It ended up being 3rd degree sprain with torn ligaments, but sometimes I think a sprain is worse than a break! The swelling and bruising has been terrible this week. Tom has really stepped up when its come to helping me out, playing with and bathing Ella, cooking dinner, helping with the house, and laundry, getting me ice when I need it, etc. I wouldnt expect anything less from him but I have to give him a big thanks! I couldnt have survived this week without him.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Thursday, September 9, 2010


7. I am thankful for the many funny faces of my beautiful girl. She brings a smile to my face...




8. I am thankful that Ella has a daddy that plays with her and who she thinks is just plain awesome...


9. I am thankful that fall is coming and with fall comes football season(Tom has been biting at the bit for this time of year. Go Bucks and Go Pack Go!

10. I am thankful that after a long conference yesterday, I came home to the smiling faces of my family and dinner on the table thanks to my wonderful husband

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Two more...

additional photos from our photoshoot..

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Blowing Dandelions Photography

I am so happy with Ella's recent photo shoot from Jackie Baughman. Ella looks absolutely beautiful! Unfortunately Tom was unable to get out of work in time to join us for the photos. Enjoy!