It was once again...a normal week...work and taking care of a baby...day in and day out! Monday - I went to work and Josh picked Ella up...he decided he was going to keep her home with him on Tuesday as we had to share a car...the Jetta was due for a state inspection....so at 7:30am we all left the house to bring the Jetta to the dealership and Josh then brought me to work....at 6pm he picked me up and we started home as the Jetta wasn't done (once again had to replace the water pump)...and then Josh realized that he needed things out of it for work on Wednesday morning...so we had to go all the way home...get the spare keys...turn around and go all the way back to the dealership. Then once we got there...we couldn't find his car...it was left up on the lift...so thankfully there was someone there who was able to get the car down...Josh got his things and home we went....so this also meant that we had to share a car on Wednesday! So Wednesday morning...we all left the house at 6am :) Brought Josh to work...and Ella and I came home...she played for a bit before taking an early morning nap...she ended up sleeping about 8:30-10:30....up for a while...and then went back down for a good afternoon nap as well...after about an hour and a half I woke her up as I wanted her to sleep at night! So at 6:30pm we left the house to go get Josh from work...and then went back out to the dealership to pick up the Jetta. Thursday was work for both of us...an exciting life we lead :)

Ella is really getting to moving around...still doesn't "crawl"...but scoots all over....she's getting really good at laying down and getting into a sitting position...just about every morning she is now sitting up in crib trying to stand up. And of course when I lay her down for a nap...I go to check on her a few minutes later and there she is sitting up playing instead of sleeping :) I found her like this the other night....

Silly girl! I laid her down to go to sleep...and she moved herself into a sitting position apparently...and then when she got tired...she just flopped over and fell asleep...doesn't look comfortable to me! So I did straighten her out so she wasn't folded in half :)

She is liking her "puffs" a lot now...and does well eating them. The doctor had recommended putting solids into a mesh bag and letting her eat from that...we actually had gotten one at one of our baby showers...so I bought bananas today...and I cut one up and stuck a few pieces into that bag for her to try.....

Maybe not a fan??

We'll keep trying! :)

10 months old!

Can you believe it...Ella is 10 months old already!! Time sure has gone by fast! Friday I did take her to her eye exam (InfantSee) with Dr. Anderson...she did really well....never cried and smiled through almost the whole thing! Everything so far is normal...and she was advised for her next exam to be at 3 years old. After her eye exam we went to Target and had fun over there...they have turned into a "Super Target"...it was actually scheduled to open this Sunday (the grocery part) but they finished early...so it was open when I went on Friday morning. So that was our Friday...and we played for the rest of the afternoon. I had planned on doing my grocery shopping on Saturday...but when I got up it was pouring rain...so I opted to wait until Josh was up in the afternoon so I could go and not have to take Ella out in the rain...so that is what I did...then Saturday night came...and it was horrible thunderstorms. Now I'm not really a fan of thunderstorms as it is...but when I'm home by myself...I'm realllllly not a fan of them!

Poor little Ella is still struggling with this cold...it was actually worse Saturday and Sunday than what it had been at the beginning...so I am hoping she wakes up feeling a little better tomorrow.

Some new pictures from this weekend...

Catching Up...

The days go by so fast it seems!

Last weekend was busy...I actually worked Friday to cover someone who was out...so Ella went to the sitters all day. Saturday - Josh slept in the morning and then when he woke up we went to Target, Krogers, and TJ Maxx...and then Ella was done :) Sunday we went to church...Ella and I were in the nursery (I worked in there last Sunday)...we came home and had lunch and Ella went down for a nap...I ended up waking her up from her nap around 2:15 so her and I could leave to go to a baby shower....Ella's friends (Neko and Payton) were there as well...so they all played together! We got home around 6....played for a bit and then it was time for Ella to go to bed!

It's been much of the same this week...Working for Josh and I and Ella goes to the sitters. Yesterday she woke up with a "cold"....although I'm not really sure that is what it is....it could be teething...the symptoms seem to be identical...and if it is a cold...it's a very minor one...so makes me think it could be teething....but there hasn't been a tooth yet...so I'm just not sure! I do know that she had me up at 4:11am this morning...and she went right back to sleep...and I didn't!!!

Ella is working on her crawling...she has got going backwards down pat...and can actually move pretty quick...we're still working on going forwards! She will get up on her knees and rock back and forth and start to go forward but then her legs go straight out and she ends up on her tummy. Since her last video...she has been clapping at everything! She loooves to clap...actually last night at story time...she took her baby dolls hands and made them "clap" - quite cute!

Tonight at story time...Josh and I did it together....after reading...I was saying to her, "say mama"...and she would go mama mama....and keep babbling on....then Josh would say, "say dada"....and she would go dada dada....and keep on going...it was funny...she was good and going back and forth!

Tomorrow morning is Ella's first eye appointment....our office participates in InfantSee...a program that includes a FREE eye exam for any child under the age of 1. So tomorrow is Ella's appointment....we are going at 8:30am...Josh said...why so early?? But she is usually nice and happy in the morning...that's what I'm banking on at least! I'll let you know how it goes!

Let's see...

Saturday night Josh worked...so that means he got home around 7am on Sunday morning...we decided that we would go to the early service so Josh could go (which starts at 8:30am)...Sunday morning was also time change...so I had to wake Ella up at 7 (which she is ALWAYS up on her own by 6:30am)...so I woke her up and got her ready. We went to church and then we came home..Josh went to bed...Ella and I played for a while. Around 11:30, I put her down for a nap...and she slept and slept and slept! Finally at 2ish...she started to wake up. She got up...and we just played and played! We woke Josh up around 4...and decided to go out and run some errands (he had a few things he wanted to pick up)...and then we went to Sweet Frog! Ella was just about done by the end...she didn't end up going to bed until about 8.

Monday...I again had to wake Ella up at 7 to get ready...I get her up and get her changed and into her outfit for the day...and then I bring her out and strap her into her high chair to drink her bottle while I finish getting ready...

She's still looking a little sleepy! We use "elephant" to prop up her bottle. I pack the rest of her breakfast to eat at the sitters.

Tuesday....again I HAD to wake her up at 7!!!

Don't you know...Wednesday (the day I am off)...who's up at 6:30am??? Yes...little miss is up early on her own! I dragged myself out of bed and went and got her a bottle, we played, she ate breakfast....well she was being sooo cranky...I said...lets try putting you back to bed...I don't think you were ready to get up...so I put her back to bed around 7:45am...and she didn't make a peep until almost 10am...and when she woke up....she was soooo much happier! We played for about an hour, and then she got a bath and then some lunch, and then we got ready to go! Josh, Ella and I met my Mom, Dad, and Aunt BB for lunch at the Farm Basket! Which we all enjoyed...and then yes...another trip to Sweet Frog! :) I left as I had to go to a meeting for work...so Josh and Ella went and ran another errand before heading home...when I got home...they were both sitting on the floor...Ella was playing and Josh was watching "Curious George"...yes that's right...Josh was watching it...Ella didn't care that it was on...she was playing with her toys :) Buuut I did have to get this little video...Ella doesn't watch TV...the ONLY thing she will watch is the opening song to "Veggie Tales" - she doesn't care about anything else...just that song...she bounces and claps her hands...it's so cute!!!

Busy Week...

Lately the days seem to be flying by...

Monday - I worked and Josh had court..he surprised me by showing up at my work at lunch-time so we could go grab something quick to eat during my break...and then he said...well I might as well go get Ella...so he did...she got to spend the afternoon with her dad. He still had to work at night...so I got off at 5 and went right home where we switched and I took over "Ella Duty" while he headed to work :)

Tuesday - It was the same...I worked, Josh was at home sleeping...I picked Ella up at 5...and went home...and he got to see her for just a few minutes before he headed to work again.

Wednesday - It was play-date time! We went over to Neko's house (and Erin!). The 4 of us girls had fun! Neko is just about a month younger than Ella...it was fun to watch them interact with one another. We went out to lunch...and then Ella and I headed home. Josh was just getting up when we got home...so I left Ella with him while I ran out and did a few errands and hit up TJ Maxx....much easier to do by myself instead of just Ella and I. When I got home it was just about 4...and it was right around 65 out....so I decided to take Brinly for a walk. Bella was sleeping on the couch...so Brinly was the lucky one who got to come with me...it was kind of windy though...so she didn't love it...I had to carry her a few times as she stopped walking and just stood there.

Thursday - I worked. Josh picked Ella up...much of the same again!

Friday - Josh got moved to a day shift for training...so he was gone all day Friday. Ella and I (to break up our day) went to Target. I got Ella a few things for her "Easter Basket." Then we just came home and hung out for the rest of the day.

A few "new things"...Ella we have started on "Stage 3" foods...they are supposed to be a little thicker, etc....well she doesn't particularly like them :) Everything she has tried so far...she makes these awful faces and spits the food out. Yesterday it took her about 30 minutes to eat her breakfast...she finally did...just took some time! Ella has been so happy...she is always smiling and laughing and making the BEST faces...

See....such a HAM!!! She is so funny! Her favorite thing right now is standing...loves to stand (with us holding her body)....she even tries to pry my hands off of her and stand on her own (which she can't do!). She is coming close to crawling...she can now get up on her knees...and rocks back and forth...but doesn't go forward!

So that's been it for this week....everyone is healthy...we had the windows open yesterday to get some fresh air in and the "germy" air out! :)

Fun Weekend...

Ella went to the sitters Thursday and Friday (I worked Friday to fill in for someone). She had a great time...she does love to be around other kids...loves to watch them!

Josh and I decided we were going to do a "date day/night" on Saturday...so that meant Ella was going to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house! So we packed everything but the kitchen sink (or so it felt like!) and headed over to Smith Mountain Lake around noon. We got there and left Ella and the dogs with Grandma and Grandpa...and Josh and I headed to Roanoke to the shooting range....after we finished up there - Josh said, "Thank you for going shooting with me." My reply, "It was fun! Now if I wasn't very good at it - I might not find it as fun...but since I'm good...I enjoy it!" Yes - I was tooting my own horn :) Josh of course laughed and said sincerely that I was very good - I have a great shot and again out-shot the people on either side of us easily. Whats the best thing to do to follow up shooting....shopping! We went to TJ Maxx....a favorite of mine! Then went to Panera for dinner, and then went to the theater and watched, "Safe House." Not a chick flick...but it was still good. That was it - and then headed back to my parents house. We were given the report that Ella really hadn't been all that happy :( She was pretty grumpy and only smiled a handful of times.

Sunday morning - Ella woke up after sleeping all night long - and yay was happy as could be! She was full of smiles and laughing! Her new favorite thing is to stand...she loves to stand....she also really likes to "walk." I just keep my hands under her arms and let her take steps...she loves it! I really do think we are just going to skip the crawling stage and go right to walking!

That was our weekend!

10 Days of Sickness...

Wow...it's finally over!!!

So as I said in my last post...Ella came down with a cold...I told you about Monday/Tuesday...well Wednesday rolled around and Josh and I were both off...we kept our day pretty low -key as Ella was still under the weather. In the afternoon we decided to take a little trip to Sweet Frog (frozen yogurt place). So we get in the car and head over there...and Ella cried almost the whole way there :( She's not one for crying in the car...she loves to ride and almost always falls asleep. So we get there...and we don't want to take her in as she is coughing away, etc. So Josh goes in first and gets his...he sits in the back seat with Ella while I run in and get mine. Poor little thing was just so unhappy...her day did brighten up when Josh begged me to let her have the last little bite of his ice cream...I caved and said she could have the last little drop. So he gave that to her...and she got all happy...of course she wanted more (which didn't happen!) So then we were on our way home...we got stuck in traffic as there was a car accident and they completely shut down the road...as we tried to get out to find another way home...Ella was just wailing the entire time...so I said to Josh...do you think I should call the Doctor? I was a little concerned and Josh was going to be watching her all day on Thursday by himself...and I knew he would feel better knowing she had been. So it was 3pm....and I called to see if they had any openings (4:10) - we'll take it! So we both went and she got checked out by her pediatrician...and everything was ok...she did have a mild fever....and just a nasty cold! Since Ella was 2 days away from being 9 months...they also did her 9 month well visit appointment at the same time. Ella is still a little peanut! 15lbs and 13oz and 26 1/4 inches long. Her weight is in the 25th percentile (has been since birth), head circumference was in the 50th percentile...and her length only in the 5th percentile...so hopefully she will hit a little growth spurt before her 12 month check-up! So that was our Wednesday...we just have an unhappy baby who has a nasty cold!

I did notify our sitter that Ella would not be coming on Thursday...Josh was going to be home with her. So he watched her all day...said she did ok...pretty much was just kind of cranky...and had all the usual cold symptoms.

Friday I was home with Ella...Josh was working Friday, Saturday, and Sunday all day each day...so my mom offered to come stay with Ella so I could run some errands without having to take Ella with me...which was great...I did my errands and came back to the house...Ella had slept the whole time I was gone. She did ok Friday...I felt like her cough was getting a little worse...but I really wasn't sure...Josh ended up coming home just as I was putting her to bed so he did get to say goodnight to her. Friday night was not a fun night...Ella woke up around 2am just coughing and coughing and coughing....so I was up with her...and then around 4:30am...she started spitting up and it was just gross (I'll spare you the details!)....and I yelled for Josh as I needed help...and he came running up the stairs...and as I sat on the floor holding Ella who was crying...he looked at me and said...I think I'm going to take some sick time today and go with you to take her back to the Doctor. I said...well why don't you go in for a few hours (he had a lot of reports to finish up...he was due at 6am...and the Doctors office didn't even open until 9am)...so he said that was what he would do...so I called at 9....and they were able to get her in at 9:50. So I called Josh and I told him we would meet him at the Police Station (I was going to pick him up) and we would go to the Doctor's office. So he rolls out in full uniform (he didn't have time to change!) So we walk into the Doctors office and got a lot of looks (well he did!) We saw a different Doctor this time (we have seen him before at her 6 month check-up)...and I had thought maybe she was coming down with croup (an upper respiratory infection)....and sure enough...that is what he diagnosed her with....he wrote her an RX for a steroid (syrup) to take for 3 days. After the Doctor's office I dropped Josh back off at work...he had about 30 more minutes of stuff to do...and then he was going to come home. So our afternoon was a low-key afternoon...Ella was still a little miserable...I talked to her sitter and said she won't be there Monday as I wanted her to have all 3 days of taking the medicine in her before she went back around other kids.

Saturday night was still a rough night...as the coughing mainly hits at night time...so I was up with her off and on from about 11:30-3:00ish. Sunday came...and Josh went to work...I couldn't bring Ella to church...so again we watched church on the laptop at home! She was definitely starting to feel a little better...was a little perkier, etc. Sunday night...she still woke up and coughed some at night...I was actually up with her again at 2am and we were hanging out on our front porch (the cold air helps them be able to breathe a little better)... Oh..and in the midst of all this...I came down with another cold (imagine that!!)

So now it's Monday...Josh stayed home with her as he was off...I was working 8:30-7...with about 4 hours of sleep :( Josh reported that Ella was even a little happier than the day before. Really it was morning time that was the worst...the first 45 minutes after she got up...she would cough and cough. Then Monday night happened...she actually did well with not coughing...but at 11:30 she woke up screaming crying...and wouldn't stop! Josh stayed up with her and fed her a bottle, took her outside, ran a hot shower so they could sit in the steam...she just cried and cried...he told me to go back to bed as I had been up with her for 3 nights and was only getting about 4 hours of sleep each night, and I had a cold...and was just miserable....so I did go back downstairs....she stopped around 1am and finally fell asleep....I still stayed awake until about 3am as I was worried about Ella and really the only way I could sleep was if I was practically sitting up as I was so stuffy!

So needless to say...it's been a loooong 10 days!! I am happy to say that Ella went to the sitters yesterday and did great. She was very happy when we went there and was all smiles at seeing the other kids.

So that brings us to today...Ella is back to her old self...smiles and chatty and so much fun! Ella and I had a great day today...and actually Josh was home most of the day with us. I introduced Ella to some real bananas this morning as the Doctor suggested she start eating some "real food" now....well Ella was NOT all about that...

Her first experience at touching the bananas...

This was as far as she made it...she hated the texture and refused to eat any of it!

At lunch I tried again...this time with "puffs" (baby crackers that melt in their mouth)...this was as far as it got...She wouldn't put it in her mouth and kept spitting until it fell off! :)