Shopping Trip!

Ella, Gigi (no longer Grandma...we're going to try out Gigi!), and I have been planning a shopping trip to Roanoke for a few weeks now. Saturday was the big day! Josh had made a few plans of his own...was going to go get his hair cut, go shooting with some friends, and work on some more homework. Ella and I were out the door at 7:56am...headed to the lake. We got there around 9:15...Ella took a little nap on the way over...and when we got to my parents house I let Ella run around for a few minutes to burn some energy....about 20 minutes later we headed to Roanoke...our first stop TJ Maxx...Ella was in her stroller...so she was pretty happy....she didn't really like me being out of her sight...she would call out "Mommy!" However we spent probably close to 45 minutes to an hour....picking out an outfit for Ella, new cups that she HAD to have, new shoes for me and a new top, a book for Ella and a shirt for Grandpa. After TJ Maxx we headed over to the little mall that is attached...it's a pretty empty mall....but it was kind of nice...Ella was able to get out and walk around (holding my hand of course!) but it wasn't crowded....she had her first escalator ride...which was so much fun! Then they had 4 or 5 little cars made for kids to climb in and ride....so we had to check out every single one!! (and ride the carousel!)

She had a blast on those!

Then she was done....she did well for a few hours...I wasn't going to push it any further...baby steps! So we skipped the second mall. Instead we headed over to Rocky Mount to visit Grandpa at work...which he had about 10 more minutes before he got off...so we made plans to meet for lunch....we went and stuck our head in another store to kill a few minutes while we waited...and then went to Cookout for lunch! Grandpa shared his fries, and Gigi shared her milkshake with Ella....she was in 7th Heaven....by now it was about 2:45...Ella was happy and had a full belly...and fell asleep in the car...and got a good hour nap in.

We came home and played until bedtime! Ohh I did have to bribe Ella to eat her dinner....I told her that if she ate 3 more bites I would let her come outside with me and walk the puppies around the house...that bribe worked wonders! :) We made 3 big loops....and then BELLA was ready to come in!

Sunday we went to church, grocery shopping, and I came home and made a Rosemary Salmon and Corn on the Cob....and got everything ready to go in the slow cooker for dinner...

 

An organic whole chicken stuffed with a lemon and cut up carrots, celery, and onions....with a garlic rub...on low for 6 hours....it was good! And then I also cut up some sweet potatoes, squash, zucchini, and carrots and roasted those in the oven....I feel like I cooked all day! But now...meals are covered for at least the next 3 days with left-overs! 

Throw some laundry in there, cleaning the floors and kitchen....and I call it a day! Ella's in bed sleeping...I'm getting ready to go read for a few minutes...and Josh is packing as he is getting ready to head to Virginia Beach for a few days to do a presentation at a conference being held there.

Oh I did finally start a little birthday shopping for Ella today...I ordered a big Pottery Barn towel that is navy, white, and pink and has a whale on it...and is embroidered with her name....it matches perfectly with the bathing suit that Grandpa and Gigi got for her birthday! 

Fun at the Zoo!

Ella has me up at 6:30 this morning...that is about what time she gets up during the week...so of course on the weekend she's ready to roll at 6:30...so I got up and went and got her....and heated up a pancake for her (I made a big batch last week and froze some).

Josh came upstairs around 8...and said are you ready?? To which I was like ummm no....ready for what? And he said....remember we talked about it last night...we're going to the zoo...and I was like ummm no I don't remember that...he really had me believing that we had that conversation...but he was just teasing me....we didn't have that conversation...he thought of it himself...so I got ready....and we walked out the door around 9....so we start off...and Josh pulls out...and I say..."don't we usually go 130?"...he says..."I don't remember....lets just go to Charlottesville and get on 81...." well 2 hours later we get to the zoo....hahhaa....I tried not to rub it in too bad...that my 35 minute trip was the right way to go....and not his way....but it worked out because Ella slept for about an hour in the car...so that was her nap for the day...she just took a morning nap instead of an afternoon one!

So we finally get to the zoo....Ella felt safer in her stroller...and didn't really want to get out....

However...she FINALLY warmed up and once she saw Josh and I feeding the animals...she wanted to check that out...

 

She liked the camel...she was too scared to feed him...but she did pet him a few times. 

Then we moved onto the goats....she kept saying "hi" to them...and calling everything "her friend"...

 

I think she enjoyed herself! There's a little smile there!

She did keep calling some of the animals "puppy"....and there were all these roosters walking around...she really wasn't a fan of those.

It was perfect weather....the day started out at about 60....but then warmed up to 75ish...perfect weather!

On the way home we stopped and got lunch at Sonic...and then came home....we relaxed for a little bit and I let Ella play to get some energy out....then I took her to the grocery store with me. And that was our Saturday!

Tomorrow I have nursery at church, a Baby Shower to go to at 3, I need to make lunches for the week, and make some kind of dessert for a dinner Monday night, and finish house work...it's going to be a busy day!

35 degrees to 90 degrees

Last week I drove home in a snow, sleet, rain mix. Today it was 90 degrees out....crazy! With the 90 degree weather comes the news that our Air Conditioner unit needs a new coil. Just peachy! Which of course they can't be here until next week. So that means it's a warm house for us....at least it's supposed to be in the 70s in a few days...that will help cool down our 83 degree house! I told Josh we were getting take-out tonight as I wasn't going to come home and start the oven up! So we had "Cook-Out" where they have the best milkshakes ever....and we indulged in those! I put a fan in Ella's room thinking that would help cool it down...the first night she cried so I turned it off...tonight I asked her if I could leave it on...and she said ok....it's been about 45 minutes since she went to bed and there hasn't been a peep out of her..so must be she got over her fear of it!

Josh came home on Friday night after being gone all week. Saturday he went to a shooting competition...his first one ever and he loved it and will be doing another one in July. So while he did that Ella and I went to Target to do some shopping :) Well first we went to the dry cleaners to pick up our clothes. Then onto Target....then on to the grocery store.

Ella got to pick out a new toothbrush at the store...and talked about her teeth the whole way home...and couldn't wait to get home to brush her teeth!

Saturday afternoon we did our usual...we went to Sweet Frog and to the Pet Store...I'm not sure who enjoys it more...Ella or myself!

Sunday my parents came over...and we talk the puppies for a little walk around the yard! Ella likes to do it all by herself!

 

After we came in...Ella and Grandpa played in her princess tent!

 

Monday brought the beginning of another work week....at least Josh is home for a few weeks!

We went out to dinner Monday night at Texas Roadhouse (a co-worker of mine was doing a fundraiser there - 10% of all food sales went to her for the money she is raising to go live in Haiti for a year to help start an eye clinic). So the three of us went to dinner...Ella actually ate a lot! She was chowing down on a "Bloomin' Onion"...I would have never thought she would eat that!

Now we're in the midst of hot weather...Josh is miserable...can't stand the heat....I however will take this any day over the 20 degree weather! :)

Strong-Willed

Strong-Willed - that's how I describe Ella this week....it's like a switch went off and she wants to do everything herself and not listen to a word Mom says...it's been a long week...in just a minute I am headed to bed...the girl has worn me down this week!!

I'll recap the past week or so in pictures...

Ella loves balloons...she's never actually had her own balloon...just has seen them....so on Saturday we went and got Josh's hair cut...then went grocery shopping....while I was picking out the veggies for the week...Josh said I'm going to go over and get Ella a balloon...and I said that was fine by me...so he took her over and they picked out a pink balloon...and the nice lady at Kroger just gave it to her and didn't charge us! And then the check-out people gave her a sticker...life was good!

This is a favorite past-time of Ella's...

She would stay outside for hours with the puppies if we let her! She loves "walking" Bella!

I actually forgot about this picture...it was on my camera...it's from about a month ago before church one Sunday. I couldn't get her to smile without her hand in front of her face. But still a cute picture!

So of course the Easter Bunny made a little stop at our house...her favorite thing was the coloring book...it actually came with markers...but they are "magic" markers..they are actually clear until they write on the page...I don't know how it works...but they are wonderful as she can't make a mess with it...and she loves it. Every morning...."color mommy"...so I think she likes it!

Oh and I said that everything Ella wants to do by herself...that includes taking out the trash...

That's been my week in pictures!

Where is Spring??

This is what our Sunday looked like...

I think we ended up with around 6 inches...what is up with that?? Thankfully it melted in a matter of 2 days! However....the weather can't seem to get above 50! Although I think next week we get to see some days in the 60's!

Let's see...I have so many little Ella stories...

Today on our way to the sitters...a deer ran out in front of us...(thankfully we didn't hit it)...and it was actually a decent sized deer (the deer down here are tiny compared to "northern deer"!)...so the deer runs out...and Ella sees it (we've been driving the xterra this week...so she sits up higher in the back and can see really well out the window)...and she starts "neigh-ing"....she thinks it's a horse! I guess she has never seen a deer...so that was pretty funny!

I worked just a half day today...and during my afternoon...I ran and did some fun errands for me....shopping by myself! I went and got Ella around 4...I thought...well maybe I will take her for a special treat...and we'll go get some frozen yogurt at Sweet Frog...well I go and pick her up...and what is she eating....a pop-tart!!! So no sweet treat for her...she had a little treat at the sitters!

Ella loves trying on my shoes and trying to walk in them....this morning it was my heels...this afternoon my flip-flops...

 

Ella and I have had lots of battles over the past few weeks...since it's just the two of us...Josh is out of town again....

Let's see...one battle was last night...she wanted to get down and play...and not eat dinner....I told her that she needed to eat a few more bites and then she could get down....after 15 minutes of crying and throwing herself around in her high-chair...she finally ate 2 bites....just like I asked...so I let her down to play....and she likes to play with someone....so she will come grab my hand and drag me over to where ever she wants me...I played this to my advantage...I taught her how to rub Mommy's shoulders...and "make mommy pretty"....and she will play with my hair....yeah sure I'll play with you Ella! :)

We sometimes battle over food....she is actually pretty good at eating vegetables...a few of our favorites...

 

I roast them for an hour....she really likes the sweet potatoes. She also has been eating a lot of olives, cucumbers, and red peppers. Oh...and pizza...I buy the Amy's all organic pizza...she's gone to town on that a few times.

Another battle...she likes things "apart"...I think it's due to Mr. Potato Head and pulling the pieces off and putting them back on....well she wanted her own finger off..."apart mama apart!!!" She was pulling and yanking on that finger....I told her I'm sorry but her finger is just not going to come off! She finally gave up!

I had a case of forgetfulness last week...I have never forgotten anything for Ella (when going to the sitters)....Monday I forgot diapers....that's kinda a big one! So I had to stop at the store...such a pain to do....at 7:15 in the morning! And they were vacuuming at the store...and Ella is TERRIFIED of vacuums...it was a great Monday morning...then Wednesday...I forgot her cup...that wasn't a big deal...she just borrowed one for the day....I told the sitter....goodness by Friday I was going to get 1/2 way to her house and then realize I forgot Ella! :) Thankfully that didn't happen...and I haven't forgotten anything yet this week!

Well that seems to be all that I can remember :) It's only 8:30...yet I am tired and so ready for bed...and for Josh to be home! I'm worn out! 

80 degrees!

It just keeps getting better and better....we were able to enjoy an 80 degree day today...

We've had Josh home this week....yay! Makes life a little easier with an extra hand around to help keep an eye on Ella! However Josh did catch Ella's cold...so he was a little miserable for part of the week.

It was a busy week at work for both of us...Josh was trying to get as many projects as he could done at his work (in-between a court case and training that was held on Thursday) - he's getting ready to head out of town again.

Ella is turning into such a little girl...and very quickly getting away from being a "baby"...one day this week I was dropping her off at the sitters...and she came running to me and gave me a kiss and said, "bye Mama!" and then proceeded to actually push me out the door...she was ready to go play with her friends! And every night she comes to me and gives me a hug and a kiss and tells me good-night (Josh puts her to bed). Such a sweet little girl!

Josh was home this week when a package arrived for Ella...he caught me...I bought more clothes for her! :) He told me that she didn't NEED anymore clothes...my argument was....she's our only child and she's a girl....and I like shopping for her! :)

Ella also received another package (from my grandparents)...so Ella's great-grandparents...and her favorite thing out of that box was...a little car that has a long rope on it...so you pull the rope and the car follows you....well let me tell you what...Ella LOVES it! She's always saying..."car! car!" and she runs up and down the hall pulling it....she had it at 6:45 this morning...I made her wait until Daddy was up before she was allowed to play with it again :) (Thank you for the package!)

I brought a few bags to Kidz Kraze this week....the huge consignment sale that the hold here a few times a year...I'm hoping to make around $150....that's my prediction....so see...it's ok that Ella got some new clothes! :)

Today was beautiful...I wish I could say that I was outside a lot....however I ran errands for a few hours...did some housework...we met my parents at Sweet Frog (yummm!) and then we took Ella to the pet store....that was fun! So many puppies, bunnies, fish, birds, and even snakes....we checked it all out! Ella liked the snakes and laughed and said they were funny....that was until they would get close to the glass...then she was scared....we didn't stay in the reptile dept for too long...I don't like that section! :) Then the rain started in....it was actually a really quick storm....but it got really dark, really windy, and heavy rain! But then it blew through and the sun came back out.

And the weekend is almost over...and back to another week!

60+ Degrees Today!

Well in the middle of the week...this is what we had...

Then just a few days later it was in the mid-60's!! I went to a baby-shower today...and I left Ella in Josh's hands :) He said they went for a little walk around the house...and he put the dogs on their leashes...and let Ella carry Bella's leash...and Ella did great..as did Bella...they just walked side by side...and Ella never let go of the leash....I thought that was pretty cute!

It was another week without Josh...he came home Friday night a little after 7...so Ella was able to see him before she went to bed.

It was a pretty uneventful week...our bathroom is ALMOST finished....Josh bought the light fixtures today and is actually working on that right now. 

Ella has another little cold :( She was up around 4:30 this morning...coughing away...which meant I was up around 4:30...I waited it out for a while and finally around 5:30 got up and got in the shower....I'm already ready to go to bed!

Ella is starting to learn colors...well she's in the very beginning stages of it...I was putting on a purple sweater the other day..and she said purple...so I asked what color her shirt was...she said red (it was bright pink...so kind of in the red family!)...she's pretty good at knowing what blue is. You can tell that her little mind is like a little sponge...if you ask her to say a word...she is going to try to say it...and she remembers it...and will use it correctly later on. 

Her new phrase right now is..."I did it! I did it!"...every time she does something all by herself...she will say that over and over...it's cute! 

She LOVES to read...

 

It was just Ella and I this week...so we played a lot!

 

Mr. Potato Head right now is a favorite!

I had my eye exam this week..my eyes got even worse! :( Well just the right eye...my left eye didn't change...but that would explain why I've been getting a lot of headaches! Guess it's time to find some new glasses! I've pretty much given up on contacts...they bother my eyes too much...good thing I'm in the "eye industry!"

Since Josh was out of town this week...I didn't have to make "real dinners"...I ate a sweet potato almost every night....Ella had real dinners...kind of...she would pick at it and then end up eating half of my sweet potato.

 Well I'm off to throw another load of laundry in...have to catch up from the week!