Christmas!

Josh and I both had Christmas Eve off....which was nice...we really just had a lazy day around the house relaxing...it was very nice! We got ready for church as our church does a candlelight service....we went to that...and then stopped on the way home at our friends house as they had a little gift for Ella...we came home and Ella got to open her Christmas PJs...there was a matching nightgown for her baby doll too. This was her first nightgown....so I put it on her and she said, "Mama I need pants. Where are my pants??" I was excited to tuck her in so I could bring up all the presents and put them out under the tree! I think I was more excited than Ella for sure. I woke up at 4, 5, 5:30, 6:15, and then finally 7....which is when Ella woke up. Here we are ready to go....

 

Ella enjoyed opening up the first few presents...then she was more interested in playing with them and kinda didn't care about opening up anymore! 

I think the hair dryer might be her favorite thing....she wants to blow dry everyone and everything! :)

After Ella got to play for a little bit...we packed up and headed over to Grandpa and Gigi's!

I was really hoping she would sleep on the way over....but no luck :(

We did get Ella to take a nap....in the big bed...she desperately needed one!

All in all it was a great day....we were all tired out at the end of the day....and it was sad to have to be at work the next day at 8am! 

Josh and I both worked Thursday and Friday. Friday night we went out with some friends for dinner for my birthday. Saturday we took Ella to Grandpa and Gigi's house...then Josh and I went to Roanoke for the evening....we picked Ella up on Sunday afternoon....came home for a few hours then went back out to our friends house for dinner....it's been a whirlwind...I'm tired! :) 

I made homemade chex mix in the crock pot today! Pretty good I must say....not quite as good as my Nana used to make it...I need to do a little tweaking. 

Ella's favorite toy has been....play-doh!

Every chance she gets she's asking to play with her play-doh! LOVES it!

Almost Christmas!

Josh was gone all last week to DC for work....so it was just Ella and I...needless to say....I was sooo happy to have him home Friday evening! Ella is a good girl....but she has a hard time obeying Mom...and my patience was just about out! Last time Josh was out of town I told Ella that Mommy needed to step away for a few minutes because I was so upset that she wasn't being a good girl....so this past time when I was getting upset...she said, "Mommy...you need to step away few minutes." At least she knew she had pushed my buttons!

We had a pretty quiet weekend...

Ella was sick again! Imagine that....it's actually a nasty little bug going around....it only lasts for about 18 hours...a yucky little bug that made for a big mess for Mommy to clean ;) That hit Ella on Sunday morning as we were all getting ready for church....but after that..there was no church for Ella....I was almost ready...so Josh said why don't you go to church and I'll stay home with Ella....he knew that I had been cooped up all last week with her...so I did. They watched a movie...and then Ella fell asleep on the couch...and slept for a few hours. Woke up and had a little applesauce....and then went back to bed for another hour. She  woke up from that nap...and said that she was hungry! So I made her a little Mac and Cheese (her request)...and that was all she ate for the rest of the day...and she climbed into her bed at 7...and asked to go to bed.

She woke up this morning and said....my tummy all better....she said she slept and when she woke up her tummy was all better! So she ate breakfast....and then I headed to work. Josh was off today...so he hung out with her. They actually went to the mall...Josh had a few last minutes things to get...and he wanted to take Ella on the train ride at the mall.....and show her Santa. He said that Ella didn't want to sit on Santas lap....but she was very interested in him....Josh said that Santa waved at her and said, "Merry Christmas"....and Ella waved back and said, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" She was very excited to tell me about it when I got home. She also told me exactly what her and Daddy went shopping for :) I had asked for a new water bottle since I broke my last one a few weeks ago...I always carry a water bottle with me...so apparently that is what they shopped for today ;) It's a purple one. Ella pointed out which present it was under the tree....hahaha....can't tell Ella any secrets!

Ella's new thing is bringing her table and chair into the living room to eat....

I didn't have my act together this year...I didn't get Christmas cards going...I need to be a touch more organized for next year....

And on that note...I'm going to go wrap for a few minutes :)

Overdue!

It's been a few weeks...

And what do you....2/3's of us are sick again! Josh - always manages to stay healthy. Ella just came down with a cold on Thursday...it's actually not a bad one....except for her cough...poor little thing....and I have never felt sick at all....just a cough that kept getting worse...and finally enough people said to me....you should probably go to the Doctor for it...I did....asthmatic bronchitis I was told I have...so basically bronchitis...and some fancy named tubes are reacting like I have asthma (which I don't)...so I have to use an inhaler for a few weeks and be on an antibiotic...Someday we'll be healthy again....maybe not til Summer!

We've been busy with Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, and getting ready for Christmas! We had a mini ice storm last week...so we stayed home and Ella and I made gingerbread houses...

 

She had fun making them....and eating them!

We decorated our tree...

 And Daddy brought this wonderful toy up from the closet downstairs....it has lots of Christmas songs...and a train goes around the globe...and she plays it non-stop! Thanks Daddy!

Nanny and Grampy came for a few days for a visit. Ella had lots of fun baking with her Nanny!

And of course she's not smiling....but Ella had a blast on the train ride! She kept wanting to go on it again and again!

Ohhh....Ella got to meet her new friend....Baby Sadie....

 

That's Baby Sadie at 2 weeks old. We got a picture of Sadie and put it in a frame. It is in Ella's room....and she carries around "Baby Sadie" quite often. It's cute!

She's still very much stuck on Ann and Andy and they go everywhere with us! Andy came to Josh's Christmas party this past weekend. Ella and Andy got matching "Deputy" stickers. She thought that was soooo cool!

Poor little Ella coughed so much last night...no one got very much sleep...I put her to bed tonight a few minutes before 7...she was just so tired...she's still coughing quite a bit...but I hope she'll sleep a little better...she needs it! And mommy need it....I need more than 4 hours! :)

Thanksgiving Week.

Ella I think might almost be all the way healthy!

Sunday - we didn't go to church as she was still coughing a lot. And I didn't want to bring her around a bunch of other kids. It was a quiet day but productive in cleaning/rearranging. We are in the process of moving the guest bed out of Ella's room into the office. Well the office has about 2 years worth of clutter in it - so it took some time going through everything, rearranging, and getting everything all cleaned up! Today we made the big switch.

It was rather a normal week for us. Josh had his first eye exam. He's been getting some bad headaches so I advised him to have an eye exam. :) He does work on a computer 8 hours a day....since that is his job! I thought maybe he's getting a headache from staring at that all day. He has better than perfect vision for distance...but was prescribed a very mild prescription for the computer. He at first said there was no way he was getting glasses.....but then he warmed up to the idea....or caved...and is getting some glasses to wear just while at work. He didn't like what I picked out for him....so after going back and forth - we settled on some Oakley frames that are black plastic...I approve :)

I started doing some wrapping tonight for Christmas....but soon ran out of tape (I only got 3 presents wrapped)...that love of tape must run in the family! ;)

Thanksgiving was fun. We went to the lake for lunch. Ella was super excited to go over and play with Grandpa and Gigi - and was thrilled the puppies were along for the ride. (They came with us for a week visit at the lake since Josh's parents are coming this week - it's better when the puppies aren't at our house). However when we left...Ella said, "where are my puppies?!?" in a rather accusatory tone! Ella and Grandpa had the best time (well Ella did - Grandpa was a good entertainer!)

Grandpa and Ella played with Chapstick...Ella LOVES chapstick...I have to hide it! Then Grandpa took Ella for a walk around the house...and Ella kept wanting to walk more....but it was cold out...so Grandpa had to bribe Ella with the pie inside!

And this is Ella's new smile...when she has chapstick on...she doesn't want to mess up her "lips" so she does this funny scrunched up nose smile. Silly girl! (and notice that Felix the cat is in her arms....as Felix goes everywhere with us!)

It was a nice day filled with steak, shrimp, salad, and peanut butter pie! :)

We got home and we skyped with Ella's Nanny and Grampy in Vermont and all her cousins. She just stood and stared at the TV watching everyone! We have skype connected to our TV...so it's like watching the family on TV (reality TV!)

I was given the option to take Friday off - and I jumped on that opportunity. I was thankful to have it off and spend time with Josh and Ella. I made a bunch of muffins. And I am going to make a German Chocolate Poke Cake to bring with us tomorrow - we are going to a friends house to have a Thanksgiving meal.

I got lots of laundry, dishes, cleaning done today. And tomorrow morning...I get a massage! :) I'm looking forward to it!

Still Fighting a Cold...

Poor little Ella has been fighting this cold for 2.5 weeks now. I did actually end up taking her to the Doctor on Tuesday afternoon. She has an ear infection and a sinus infection. Started her on an antibiotic. She was a little better about going to the Doctor this time...but she still knows when the person who walks in with the white coat is the Doctor...she flips out. Starts crying and saying, "noooo!" Her cough is pretty bad today. She was up 3 times last night. She did however take a 3 hour nap today....which she needed!

Let's see....last Sunday Josh left to go to Virginia Beach...he had to be in court there on Monday so he left Sunday to drive over. He was in court all day Monday and then had to drive back Monday late afternoon....he got home around 9. I got off at 2pm on Monday...so I had 3 hours to myself before having to pick Ella up...it was awesome! I did some Christmas shopping and had a great time walking around the stores by myself (it's been a while since I was able to do that!)

Tuesday was a normal day for all....well except for having to take Ella to the Doctors. Wednesday...Josh had a normal day of work...and then had to go to "night driving training." So he got home around 11:00-11:30 that night. Thursday....was the midnight release of the xbox one!!! Aren't you excited?!? Josh was :) Him and 2 of his friends went and got theirs! Which was on pre-order....so he went to bed at like 4am....he took Friday off specifically to play on the new xbox....but he has lots of vacation time built up....so why not! Then Friday I worked....and had a girls night after work. Josh picked Ella up and I went to dinner with two friends and then we went and saw Chonda Pierce...who is a Christian comedian...and she is hilarious! I had a fantastic time and was home way later then I am used to! So I didn't get to bed until almost 11:45...and then I had to work this morning! Whew....it's been a busy week!

Ella was a big helper today....

She was very eager to help Mommy make brownies! (She did just wash her hands before helping....as she is touching the spoon!)

The nurse at the Doctors office said, "Wow...Ella looks just like you!" I said, "Well she does have a few of my features....but if you saw my husband then you would think Ella looks just like him!" She said it must be the hair...you both have long hair and similar colors.

Last Friday night we went to the hospital to see our friends who just had a baby. Ella can't go back into the Mother/Baby center so Josh and I took turns going in. I saw out with her in the waiting room first and then we switched. Ella colored a picture for "Baby Sadie." She is very excited to meet her....but of course Ella needs to be healthy first!

I am having a massage next Saturday....finally cashing in on a Christmas gift from LAST year. I'm looking forward to it! I wish it had been today.

Well that has been our week in a nutshell....and I'm ready for bed....I only slept for about 5 hours last night....and I like sleep!

Ella Joy Taylor

And here is the video clip....

I think I have watched it at least a dozen times!

I may be slightly partial...but she is so cute! :)

Josh had today off....lucky him! I had to work. And actually I can say that Josh did a fair amount of work around the house. Our next project is to spruce up the upstairs bathroom. So Josh did some work in there. And he began a long process of cleaning out the office (aka JUNK ROOM) - it has just accumulated over the past 2 years - everything! He hung some pictures up on the walls, moved the book shelves, and began to start going through things....a big step! And he reloaded ammo.

I do 99% of our bills electronically. I opened up our electric bill this past week and about fell on the floor....it's the highest bill we've ever had! How is that possible....it was October...a few cold days...but not awful. I told Josh - he wouldn't even let me tell him the amount - he said he didn't want to know! However, said that he would make a phone call to the heating/air guy that put in our new coil this past spring. So today, Mike came out to the house....and discovered the problem...a wire had come loose and it was causing the air conditioner and the heat to run simultaneously. Cold air was being blown over the heater and the heater was trying to warm it up and blow out warm air - so that's why it sounds like it's been running 24/7 - because it HAS! That's just great. Oh well....at least it's fixed now!

Ella loves putting me to "bed." It's her new favorite game. I lay down. She covers me with a blanket, brings me dolls, "reads" me a story, gets me water.....I actually LOVE to play this game! :)

And speaking of bed....I am ready for bed...I know it's 8:19 - but Ella shared her cold with me and I am so whipped. I fell asleep around 9:30 last night and I woke up in the exact same position this morning - I'm pretty sure I never moved an inch last night! Plus my kindle is downstairs right next to my bed...and I just love getting into bed and reading!

No Naps!

Two days in a row...Ella wouldn't take a nap...ummmm I'm not happy about this!

We put her in bed to have resting time but she keeps getting up and playing. We go in and put her back to bed and she gets back up again! All is well - she's not grouchy....until about 6pm..and then she's rolling around on the floor as whiny as can be! Hopefully a trend that will soon be broken!

We're having family pictures done next weekend...I'm really excited about them! I just went today and bought 3 items of clothing - 2 for Ella, 1 for Josh to pull the look all together....and hopefully Ella will be co-operative and they will turn out!

My stories are going to be random...I'm too tired to try and put them in order tonight!

Ella and I went to church together today. I had nursery. Josh had to work today.  After church we're driving along and Ella points out the window and says, "Daddy get hair cut there." I was really surprised she put it all together...Good job Ella!

So I made the mistake about a month ago to let Ella bring her chair into the bathroom to let her stand on it and brush her teeth, etc. Well now she likes to get into Mommy's make-up bag! I was getting her bath ready yesterday so I went in her room to get a towel and washcloth and I walked back into the bathroom to catch her putting on my makeup!

Ella's doing better about eating. Even Beth (the sitter) said Ella has been eating more....yay a growth spurt maybe! Maybe she'll start filling out a little instead of growing taller! Some of her 2T pants are already getting a little short on her!

Ella is a little parrot. When we read her a story she wants to repeat every word. Which is good....helping her learn new words/phrases. The other day (I'm not sure where she learned it) - she said, "Oh snap." It was pretty funny! And she says, "oh my crackers" all the time.

My video isn't working....but I will try to upload it tomorrow. If you say to Ella, "your name is Ella," she'll say, "no my name is Ella Joy Taylor." It's soooo cute!

Since Ella didn't have a nap today and I had nursery....it meant I spent 12 hours with Ella today....12 hours straight....ahhhhhh! That 2.5 year old has run me ragged. I am so tired! I can't even think of anymore cute Ella stories!

Oh by the way (great) Grandma..Ella LOVES Raggedy Ann and Andy. It's her favorite thing to play with right now. She likes Andy the best and carries him everywhere! And she likes Felix to sit on the counter and if you move him she gets upset and puts him back on the edge of the counter!