A tooth is making an apperance...

You can actually see a tooth!!! This is after Ella's 2.5 hour nap yesterday!

That bottom tooth now shows up in pictures! And two more have broken through on the top....haven't come down yet...but I can feel them! Thankfully she really hasn't been that fussy from it!

Saturday Josh was working so Ella and I went to a birthday party for our friend Jackson. He turned 3. It was outside and it was a beautiful day!!

Ella really did have fun...(this picture may not show it!)

After our party we went to the grocery store and then came home for nap time. After nap time....it was still so nice out...I took Ella and the dogs outside...we played outside for about 15 minutes...I think she enjoys being outside. We brought some toys out with us and had fun!

Sunday Josh had to work again...so he was gone by 7:30am. I had nursery...so Ella and I went to church and into nursery. It's hard getting ready when Josh isn't home to help watch Ella...so while I was straightening my hair....this is what Ella was doing...

First...she played "chef"...

Then...it was time to go "riding"...

Needless to say...she was keeping me on my toes!

Speaking of toes...that makes me think of shoes...which makes me think of my day today...my shoe broke in half....literally fell apart while I was at work (my beloved Michael Kors shoes that I wear everyday!!) I didn't have a back-up pair! Sooo....I had to get all ghetto...I put clear packing tape on them to get me through the day :( At least my pants were long and it was clear tape....I don't think anyone even knew!

Ella starts back up at Romp N Roll this week...in an Art and Gym class (for 16-24 month olds)....I am very excited about it...I think she'll have a great time!

This morning as we were running out to the car..it was sprinkling...it started coming down harder...and Ella was saying, "uh-oh, uh-oh"...it was funny!

Josh and I were both laying on the living room floor tonight...and Ella was just having the best time...she was running back and forth between us, jumping on us and just laughing hysterically...I could listen to her little laugh all day...she's a cutie! Oh and the dogs were running around too....it was a crazy house!

Sick....AGAIN!

So yes...little Ella is once again...sick with a cold :( It all started on Saturday...and has just gotten worse over the last few days...I've been doing everything the Doctor said to do last time...Zyrtec in the afternoon (helps dry them up), Motrin before bed (helps take down inflammation - to breathe better), Vaporizer at night, I even put Vicks on her feet with socks on (as I've been told that helps), and orajel on her gums (as she has 3 teeth peeking through those gums)....poor little thing is just miserable :( Hopefully she's getting close to the tail end of it.

Josh is working late tonight (they are at a Child ID event) - so when he works late...I don't do anything special for dinner...I just cut up an avocado and put lemon-pepper seasoning on it (which I have never done before)...and it was AMAZING! I wish I had bought more than just 1 avocado!

All of last week was just a regular week for us...Josh did work late on Thursday (til midnight) - so he actually had Friday off which was nice as I was off too!

Saturday and Sunday we did the lake house with my parents, grandparents, and Aunt and Uncle....which we enjoyed very much. Josh got to eat a HUGE steak and drive a Range Rover...he was in 7th Heaven :) And Ella got to make a friend...Margaux the puppy...

Aunt BB taught Ella how to feed Margaux some treats...which Ella had a great time feeding them to her! Ella has absolutely no fear when it comes to dogs and kept wanting to play with Margaux...who was a very nice playmate to Ella :)

We went shopping today (surprise!) I was home with Ella...and I dragged her out...which I am sure she just loved...but she needs pants...all the Fall things I bought her are 18 months...as I was thinking that would fit her....nope...she needs 12 months...the 18 month pants literally fall off of her...so I picked up a few 12 month pants for her to wear as the weather is starting to get a little cooler! I also looked at some shoes...I wanted to find a couple of pairs that go with other outfits as she only has the one pink pair...I was in Target so I thought...ehh I'll go check out shoes...and they were right around $30 a pair....for shoes...from Target...that she will wear maybe 3-5 months....so I came home and starting "looking" on ebay....that site gets me into trouble! So Ella has new things coming her way :)

That's really been our week in a nut-shell...it's been pretty low-key...which is good...I am not complaining about that!

Little "Ella-isms"

I don't always remember everything Ella does when I sit down and write in this blog...and as the weekend continued I thought of things I wanted to mention...

Ella has those few words down that I have mentioned before...Mommy, Daddy, Mama, Doggy, Puppy, Baby...those are the words that she has down pat...

She has a few words that she uses...but it's not really the real word...like after every bottle (she has one in the morning, afternoon, and before bed) - she drinks the whole bottle and then stretches her arm out as far as it goes holding the bottle and says, "daaaa"....which is really "done"...I'll ask her if she is done...to which she nods vigorously that yes she is done.

Saturday - we spent the morning being lazy. I actually made French Toast for Josh and myself...I tried to give Ella a bite...as I actually made a whole piece for her...and she wouldn't even take one bite of it!!! I also made scrambled eggs with cheese in it...which I got about 10 bites into her. I think she may have inherited my picky eating :( She eats a nutra-grain bar every morning...haha although Friday she wouldn't eat it unless it was dipped in peanut butter (maybe she's a bit like her Grandpa O'Bryan who will put peanut butter on anything!) So after our lazy morning...we went and got Josh's hair cut...and then headed out to CenterFest in Bedford where we had made plans to meet up with the Hermosa family! After our adventures there...we went to Josh's all time favorite restaurant (China Super Buffet) - haha....he says he could eat there at least once a week...they have a few "american" foods...like Sweet Potatoes, Mac and Cheese....you know...stuff for my picky eater! So that was what she ate! By the end of the night she was exhausted and immediately fell asleep when we got in the car to head home.

Sunday - we went to church and then went grocery shopping. We came home and Josh grilled for us....he makes these "black and blue burgers" topped with chedder cheese and this time...we even had peppercorn smoked bacon to add to it...I figured...since he was making lunch...he was free to make whatever he wanted...it was very good...it was a late lunch and filling so we skipped dinner. We are going over to a friends house for dinner tomorrow night...and I offered to bring a little dessert...just some cookies...so Ella got introduced to her first batch of "fresh out of the oven" chocolate chip cookies....she took her first bite and went, "mmmmmmm!" And continued to say, "mmmmm" after every single bite! I caught up on laundry today - 5 loads and I finished! I also made my favorite soup (Turkey and Wild Rice) in the crock-pot today. I make a batch of it and stick it in the fridge...and it's my lunch for the week.

So back to the picky eater...thank goodness for goldfish, yogurt, nutra-grain bars, and peanut butter sandwiches....otherwise I don't think Ella would eat! I tried to feed her some of my soup for dinner tonight....which she proceeded to spit out. Then I made a few cheese ravioli's...again...spit out. I was frustrated and said to Josh...well if she's not going to eat any of it...then she will just go to bed without anything....which lasted all of 10 minutes and then I felt bad and couldn't really let her go to bed without anything...she's tiny as it is...she needs her meals...so I gave in and made a peanut butter sandwich...and she ate every last bite of it!

I'll leave you with a little video of Ella "dancing"....and playing in a pizza box (that was another thing she tried...had veggies on it and everything...she ate it right up!)...this kid doesn't need toys...just a lifetime supply of pizza boxes and she's a happy girl!

Is it Fall?

Well Fall is supposed to be here...but we're still having 80 degree weather...not that I am going to complain about that! Let's stretch it out for as long as we can!

So Josh's 6 hour shift...actually turned into 12...so there went our Saturday...but it was ok...Ella and I got to hang out!

Sunday - Josh was already scheduled to work a Children's ID event...so he was gone almost all day to that...Ella and I went to church...and my mom came over and met us and came to our church (as my dad had also gotten called in). After church she came over and we had lunch. Josh came home later that afternoon...and we went to church at night.

Monday - This is what Ella thought of Monday...

She was ready to go back to bed!

This was a case Josh helped work on this past Monday...

http://www.wset.com/story/19656466/lynchburg-student-teacher-charged-in-child-porn-investigation

(Hopefully that will open it!)

Tuesday - was more of the same. At about noon-time - I noticed my throat started hurting. Great! And sure enough by Thursday evening I had a very sore throat (more my glands were swollen and it hurt to swallow) and I was very achy.

Josh left the house at 6:30am and didn't get home until 10:30pm - they had a pretty big court case and spent the whole day in court.

Wednesday - Josh had more court! But he was able to take some of the day off...which worked out great since I wasn't feeling great. I popped the Motrin (did help with the aching) - and thankfully Ella took a 2.5 hour nap...which I did too! After our naps...I felt a little better and ventured to Lowe's with Josh...we walked around...and happened to find a vanity that was on sale...and it was a fantastic price...almost 50% off...so Josh said..."I think we should buy it"...so we did! The color is "Java" - which we were looking to do a darker wood for that bathroom...

Thursday - I got a special delivery at work...a "just because gift"...

Flowers and Chocolates!

Friday - It was a "Mommy and Ella" day! I did get some cleaning done. Ella is absolutely terrified of the vacuum...so I had to hold her while I vacuumed with the other hand...I got my workout in for the day! :) Once Ella was up from her nap we did take a trip to Target...where Ella got a new outfit and some socks (the kind that have the little grippers on the bottom so she doesn't slip and fall!) We came home and played outside for a few minutes with the dogs...and I almost put my hand right on this...

A "stick" bug....I can't even remember the last time I saw one of these things...it scared me to say the least...I wasn't expecting it!

We came inside and Ella was just running all over...she sat down and was yelling, "aaahhhh" - not in an upset way...but in a I'm just playing way....over and over :)

Then it was snack time...she had some goldfish...

Notice how both dogs are so eagerly waiting for her to drop one! :) Ella put the cup down...and Bella dove into it and ate the last two goldfish.

She is taking a little late afternoon snooze now...she was getting cranky...it was time for a little nap!

I have to share a picture of Cheri and Scott's little baby boy....Chace Scott Petrin (born 9/18/12).

Isn't he so adorable?!? I can't wait to get up to Vermont to see him...and check out that hair...I love it!

Busy Week!

I left off on last Saturday...

Sunday....we went to church...came home and cooked out on the grill...after lunch...Ella took a 2.5 hour nap (yay!) and then at night we went back to church. A nice low-key day!

Monday - we had our normal routine. We both worked and Ella went to the sitters.
Ella enjoyed some goldfish when we got home...

Tuesday - the same again....except when I picked Ella up....I took her out to the car...and as I am putting her into her seat...I notice a rash all over her arms...and then I notice it on her cheeks, and then I pull her shirt up...and it's on her chest....and I pull her pant leg up...and all over her legs...great! She didn't have it when I dropped her off that morning...so I took her out of her seat and went back into the sitters house...to ask her if she had noticed it. She said that Ella hadn't eaten anything "different" that she hasn't had before...but she did notice it starting to come up early afternoon...she thought maybe it was related to her eczema as that also flared up pretty bad. However...Ella wasn't itchy at all...or didn't seem bothered by it...so I get her in the car...and I immediately call the Doctor's office and speak to a nurse...explain everything...and I said that she was on amoxicillan for the nasty cough...but she was 9 days into it...only had one day left....so the nurse said to stop the medicine and give her Benedryl and that Ella's Doctor would call in the morning. Fast Forward to Wednesday morning....her Doctor calls...and says it doesn't sound like an allergic reaction as that would be more like hives and very itchy...but it sounds more like a side effect which effects 1 in 50 kids approximately...yay...Ella is one of them! I had already discontinued the medicine...she said that was fine and I could give her the last day if I wanted....but it was ok if I didn't...I chose not to!

Wednesday - Ella and I spent the day at home! She was a bit on the cranky side...teething I believe...?

I made her a grilled cheese (as I am desperately always trying to find new "soft foods" that she might like)...she ate 3 bites...and threw the rest on the floor...which the dogs then ate...

She had a few naps...as she was cranky...this is what she does when she is sleepy...her tongue goes out...

She usually puts something up to her mouth as if she is sucking on it...she's done it since she was little little....at least we always know when she is read for a nap!

Thursday -another working day for the both of us and Ella to the sitters (her rash is just about gone by now!)

Friday - Josh is off, I am off...and Ella is home! We did some errands...got the oil changed on the car, dropped stuff off at the Goodwill (I did some cleaning during those naps on Wednesday!), picked up some $ (clothes that I sold at a consignment shop), went to the store to pick up a few groceries....busy day!

Ella has learned the word, "mine"....so now everything is "mine"...kind of funny...she puts her hand out and immediately thinks that whatever is in your hand...is "mine."

I've had some success with eBay...I started shopping for myself...my best deal yet...I got a pair of Cole Haan pumps...brand new in the box...$140 price tag still on them...and I got them for $39...I love a bargain! :)

That has been our week in review...Josh got a call last night at Midnight...he needed to be at work for 6am this morning...for emergency coverage for 24 hour surveillance on a person...so bummer...there goes our Saturday...but it's only a 6 hour shift...so he'll be home in the afternoon.

Layman Farms

Today we went on an adventure! I woke up at 7 (Ella let me sleep in!) so I tiptoed upstairs so I could hop in the shower before Ella woke up...so I was showered and the dogs had been taken care of...and then Ella was up...so I got her ready as well...and I started thinking about what we could do today...I thought about Layman Farms...I have actually never been there...just heard about it...so once Josh was up...I ran it by him to see what he thought...sounded good to him...so by 9:15 - we were all ready and in the car ready to go! It's about 45-50 minutes from our house...so off we went..with a quick stop at McDonald's for Josh to get breakfast as he didn't eat anything at home :)

We got there a little after 10 (this was the first weekend of it being open)...we pull in and there is like 3 cars in the parking lot...we were hesitant...and thought about skipping it...but nah...why not...it'll be an adventure :)

So first stop....

 

This was probably Ella's favorite part :) She liked the goats the best...they also had pigs...but they weren't as interesting. We bought grain to feed them as well...which Ella wouldn't do...she wanted to touch them but not feed them!

They had a pit full of corn kernels that you could play in with buckets and shovels, etc. So I took Ella into the pit...and set her down...and she cried :) So that didn't last long!

Next we tried a little corn maze....

 

Ok...so she didn't really like that either...was terrified and clinging onto Daddy's shirt! We were striking out left and right!

Next up...

 

A little swing...that wasn't so bad :)

Josh wanted to take Ella down a tunnel slide...I was a little hesitant of it....I wouldn't say Ella loved it....but she didn't cry :)

 

Then we walked around the pumpkin patch...Ella enjoyed touching the BIG pumpkins...then felt the need to touch every single one of them! After this they were calling out they were going to do a hay ride....so we climbed up on a big wagon full of hay and went on a hay ride! That was probably Ella's second favorite thing...maybe it was even better than the goats! She loved the bouncing...and absolutely squealed as loud as she could when she saw the cows...of course the only animal noise she remembers is Baaaa...so that's what she did... :) She was all smiles on that ride!

After the hay ride...Josh took her on a huge bouncy pillow....

She bounced on it some...by now about 2.5 hours had passed...and she was done...so we headed to the car...and she was asleep in under 3 minutes once we got going :)

We said...well since we're this close to Roanoke...why not head there....so we went to Marshalls....as I just wanted to poke around....Ella was still sleeping when we got there....so Josh stayed out in the car with her while I went in and looked around. I came out empty handed...made Josh happy :)

Then it was about 1:30...and we were hungry...at least Ella and I were as we didn't eat at McDonalds! So we went to Red Robin...which is known for their burgers...and I actually ordered a cheeseburger...a rarity for me!! I brought a little snack for Ella...so she ate that...and then she chowed down on some cheeseburger as well! Josh had mushrooms on his...so she got to taste some mushroom...which she liked...I snuck a few bites of lettuce on her fork....so she didn't really get a lot in the veggie department at lunch today...it was a splurge day! Oh...she did get a few bites of French Fries...she ate about 4 bites...she liked those too!

Never Ending...

So we left off on Sunday...

Monday - another normal day for all 3 of us...Before work I went and dropped off a bunch of Ella's "fall/winter" clothes from last year...at a thing called Kidz Kraze...it's a week long consignment sale...they had over 40,000 things listed in this weeks inventory...it has a way that you can track your sales during the week...as of last night I had made $115.00...not bad for my first time ever doing this sale...it's only done a few times throughout the year...I'm hooked...I was already going through things this morning finding what I could list in the Spring sale :)

Tuesday - all was well until I picked Ella up at 7:45am to head out the door for the day...and I looked at her...and all I could see was blood in the corner of her eye (a hemorrhage). That's a good way to make mom freak out! So I called the office manager and asked if I could bring Ella in to be looked at before I brought her to the sitters...no problem...my biggest concern was that I wanted to make sure that it was just on the surface and that nothing was going on behind the eye. Everything checked out ok...just looked awful on the surface! Most likely caused from all her coughing :( So after that...the rest of the day panned out just fine...

Ella lounging on Bella's ramp...

She has watched Josh and I both do this when we sit on the floor with her...so monkey see, monkey do!

Wednesday - Ella's Grandma and Grandpa came over! They brought lunch over...and we had lunch, and then we went and had a tour of Josh's office, a trip to Sweet Frog and Target...and it was time to call it a day!

Thursday - Another normal day for us....and it was the first time in 25 days that Ella made it through the entire night without coughing...Yay! I still woke up numerous times...worried that she wasn't coughing :) So maybe she's on the mend!

Friday - I spent the day with Ella...she was a little whiny today...made for a long day! We started out breakfast in style..

Both purses and a necklace!

I started dinner in the crock pot early this morning....Turkey/Wild Rice soup...it was pretty good...Ella took a few bites...and then turned her nose up at it...

 

She's slowly doing better about eating more "real food" and less baby food!

I also finally put our bed set on the bed today...

 

Now I need to go shopping to get some new room decor!

I have "won" a few things off eBay for Ella this week...we already received one shirt...today we got her new jeans in. I opened them right up and was very excited about them...they are brand new Old Navy jeans...size 12-18 months...she wears a 12 month now as she is petite...so I thought 12-18 months would be great. I put the jeans on her and stand her up...and she tries to walk in them and she can't! They are so skin tight on her that she walks like a penguin...and she of course thought it was the most hysterical thing in the world and kept laughing and laughing!

Words Ella has added to her vocabulary...nose (she likes to touch my nose as she says it), doggy and puppy...she uses both...if prompted...will say ducky (she has a rubber ducky for bath time)...and of course lots and lots of jabbering which she will carry on a full conversation of jabbering :)