Another Year Older...

Well I turned 29 last week....and forever I will be "turning 29 again!" Josh took me on a surprise night away...KID FREE! it was only for a night...so I figured it couldn't be too far away! Mom and Dad came over and watched Ella for us. My first night away from her :( But...I knew she was in good hands...and I only checked on her about 10 times :) He took me to Williamsburg...to the outlets! :) He knows me well! He had built up points with his Marriott card so he had a free night stay...yay! He was a good sport and went into all the stores with me...usually standing off to the side playing on his phone (along with all the other husband that were there!) and was my bag boy ;) I think Ella made out better than I did...I do love to shop...but shopping for a little girl is way more fun! So I came home with, for Ella, a pair of Stride Rites (on sale for $9.95 - marked down from $45!! Such a deal!!), 4 shirts for next fall/winter, an outfit, and a sweater. I could have done more damage...but I'm sure I'll be going back again :) Josh did give me a limit - I guess he knows I could get carried away ;) So once my limit was hit...we started back home. It was a very nice time away and I am very appreciate of that thought that went into it!

I have just been cooking up a storm! I made Shepherd's Pie this week. I also made a broccoli casserole. I don't really love casseroles...but at our Christmas party for my work, one of the girls made broccoli casserole and Ella loved it...and what a great way for her to get some veggies! So I asked for her recipe and I made it...and Ella has eaten quite a bit! I'm feeling like a real Southern girl...I also made Banana Pudding...

I actually don't think I have ever had banana pudding until a few weeks ago...we had some friends over for dinner and she brought banana pudding for dessert....I was brave and tried some...and actually liked it...and Ella LOVED it...and Josh likes it....so I looked up recipes...and voila - Banana Pudding! :) And my left over banana's are going into a Banana Bread this weekend.

Our New Year's Eve was very low-key...I promised Josh Chinese food....his FAVORITE....oh let me start at the beginning...Josh had Monday off...and I had to work. So Josh kept Ella for the day. He took her to Romp and Roll to play....they were there for about an hour...and then she laid on the mat and said buh-bye....guess she was tired out! Then they stopped by to see me at work. And then they headed home. So back to the Chinese food....so I came straight home after work not really sure what Josh wanted for Chinese nor did I know where he wanted to get it from....so he decides what he wants and we all go out to get it...I ended up not getting any....Chinese isn't my favorite....unless it's really good Chinese. So he gets what he wants and we come home. And then I find out he went and got Chinese for lunch too!! So I made it til 9:00 :) Then I was so tired I went downstairs and read for a few minutes and then fell asleep around 9:30....Happy New Year!

Wednesday morning is where it all went downhill...I woke up around 1:30 to Ella coughing...I rolled over...and then I opened my eyes...I laid there for a second...and thought, "oh no...I'm going to be sick!" Sure enough the stomach bug came and got me! So I moved myself upstairs at 1:30 to sleep on the couch...well more like lay awake and be miserable. Mom and Dad were sooo gracious and came over early on Wednesday to help me. Josh had to work...and I had Ella...but there was no way I could have watched her. So they came over and I went downstairs and slept for a few hours...which helped me some...I felt a little better when I got up. They fed Ella lunch and then left. She was up for about 30 more minutes before going down for a nap...and then I slept for another 1.5 hours while she slept...and then I had her for about 2 hours before Josh came home...which thankfully she really was a good girl...I just laid on the couch and she kept herself amused. By the time Josh came home I had a fever and felt really weak...he took care of Ella...and she went to bed...so did I! I went downstairs and dozed off and on...before finally falling asleep....thankfully it seemed to just be a 24 hour thing....I woke up Thursday feeling about 90% better.

So Ella and I have laid low today...

We've played with baby dolls, legos, watched Veggie Tales, read all kinds of books! Such a sweet girl!