Christmas=Success!

Well Christmas was a success!

Christmas Eve - Ella wakes up with a cold (I tried so hard to keep her from getting sick!) - but she's a kid - can't be helped :( We laid low most of the day to just let her rest...we did go to the Christmas Eve service at church...which Ella did pretty well sitting (playing) through...at the end the lights get turned off and candles are lit...Ella did have a minor melt-down...saying, "MINE!" as I wouldn't let her have a lit candle...so Ella and I made a quick exit before a full on tantrum went down! We came home and she got to open her Christmas PJ's and she got dressed for bed, had dinner, and to bed she went! We waited until Christmas Eve night to put any presents under the tree...I was the biggest kid...as soon as Ella was in her bed...I started makings trips up and down the stairs to bring presents up....

Santa came!

 

I didn't wrap the stroller (to the right)...it was too big...so when Ella came out Christmas morning...of course she headed right for that!

Ella woke up Christmas morning...coughing around 4:40am..she fell back asleep...I didn't! More because I was so excited for Ella to experience Christmas! So finally around 6:30am I get up to make Cinnamon Rolls and drink a cup of coffee before the day begins! Ella woke up around 7:30 I guess it was...the dogs started barking at something...so it woke her up....we set up the computer to skype with Nanny and Grampy in Vermont....so that was pretty cool!

Ella's morning in picture form....

Baby Doll #1!

Excited!

 This is a cooking pot that sings/talks...has vegetables and a spoon that go with it.

 Baby Doll #2

 Her baby dolls are lined up and ready to go!

 A Mr. Potato Head party pack - she has really enjoyed playing with it!

 A princess pop-up tent.

 The spoons - her favorite :)

 And a flamingo puppet!

Whew - after all that....we needed a nap...and a bigger living room! :) But instead...we all got ready to head to the lake for Round 2...

Ella took a mini-nap on the way over...

 Somebody got her very own chair!! She loves it!

 

She also really like attention and people clapping for her :)

 

All in all it was a fantastic day! She was a little over-tired by the time we got home last night...

Today - we laid low again...we actually had a day full of rain/sleet...so I was glad Josh and I both had today off. We took down the Christmas tree to make room for all of Ella's new toys!

 

Ella relaxing and watching some Veggie Tales in her new chair today!

 

I did lots of picking up/laundry/dishes/vacuuming....and I feel as though I have only made a small dent :)

So Ella is just picking up on new words left and right...my favorite is "Elmo"...but she can't really say "e's" yet...so she says, "Melmo"...and I just laugh and laugh...it's so cute....I got her to say "Ella" tonight....to see how that would turn out....and it comes out, "Mella"...we'll keep working on it!

She had a little bit of an early bed-time tonight...it was needed....she is so tired...and this cold is taking it right out of her...so hopefully a good night sleep and she'll be ready to go for tomorrow!

Christmas is Almost Here!

So this month is just flying by!

Last Sunday...

Dressed and ready to go to church! We have to get in all these Christmas dresses during the month of December!

Monday and Tuesday was our typical routine.

Wednesday - my favorite day of the week...we get to go to Rompy's house! Ella first got up and was as happy as could be...

First things first...she asked for her "baby"...(she's going to love opening up TWO new baby dolls at Christmas!)

We went to Rompy's house and had a blast...and then onto Target where it was totally crazy (people out Christmas shopping!) And we laid low for the rest of our day.

Friday - we did something a little different...we stayed home in the morning and played...Ella went down for an earlier nap than usual...got her up around 2...and we headed to my work...where I met up with the other girls...and we all went Christmas Caroling at Oaks Retirement Home...

The man in the picture is Jack...he came with us to each room to sing (he just hummed along to each song...but was actually pretty good!) All the residents enjoyed the singing and clapped for us...one man said..."oh all these pretty girls...Merry Christmas to me!"....I'm sure they loved having visitors...and I think they really enjoyed seeing Ella (she got lots of compliments!)

Saturday - we went and got Josh's hair cut....and then braved the grocery store...what were we thinking! Well I guess we needed groceries! But it was a zoo! Josh was like, "I HAVE to get out of here!" He just loves a crowd...I told him he was more than welcome to wait in the car....but he was nice and stayed :)

We came home and had lunch...and Ella played for a bit before her nap time...I thought after I put her down for a nap that it would be fun to decorate Christmas cookies with her....so while she napped...I whipped up some sugar cookies....

And then we decorated....

 

Ella did a pretty good job of having patience...she did keep saying, "bite," over and over again! However we waited until after the decorating to have some bites! :)

Ella and Josh got some quality reading time in today too...

 

Phew....we've been busy!

Ella knows and can say....hair, ear, eye, nose, and mouth....she can say each of those and point out where they are....today we learned cheek and chin...

She puts a few words together every now and then....yesterday as I was buckling her into her car seat...she said, "puppies na-night?" To which I told her that yes the puppies were going na-night while we went out for a little while.

She can say, "bottle"...she gets frantic if she is holding baby and can't find baby's bottle...she knows how to say, "milk"...but she uses that word anytime she just wants her cup that has either milk or water in it. 

Everytime we plug the Christmas tree lights in....Ella says, "whoa" and smiles really big....she likes the lights!

She's learning a lot...and her little mind is such a sponge right now! She mimics whatever we do...it's funny!

Well the wrapping is done...just a few more days until Christmas!

 

 

Busy December

The saying of, "this being the busiest time of the year" is right! Let's see where I left off....

We went to Josh's Christmas party...I packed an outfit for Ella to be changed into as I worked until 5pm and then I had to go pick her up...so Beth had her changed and ready to go when I picked her up...it took her a little bit to warm up to all the people at his work party...she was running around a little by the end...and waving and saying "bye" to everyone before we left...she even had a few smiles! :) It wasn't too late of a night...so Ella was in bed at a decent time.

Saturday -we held an event at my office to raise money for the "Sponsor Sight" program...where every $30 raised provides an eye exam and glasses to local children whose families can't afford it...so all eye exams that were done on December 8th - 100% of the proceeds went to this, "Sponsor Sight" program...enough money was raised to provide 39 children with eye exams and glasses. So that kept me busy for most of the day....and then Saturday night was my works Christmas Party...again...took Ella a little bit to warm up to everyone...but she chowed down on all the good food...Sweet Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, Cheesy Potatoes, Broccoli....she did pretty well! We always play a game at our party called "Dirty Santa"...at least that's what they call it in the South! I know it as Yankee Swap...but with Dirty Santa...you can bring a nice or not so nice gift...last year I won a fantastic gift...I won a Kindle Fire!!! This year....not so nice....

That's right...a toilet bowl brush and cleaner! Haha...well the way I look at it is...I did need to get those two things...so look at that...now I don't have to buy it! :) :)

Sunday - I didn't get my nap like I hoped...but that's ok...I did get some cleaning done...and I did have to go grocery shopping in the afternoon...I waited until Ella had already taken her nap....which of course by that time it was pouring rain....Josh was gone for the afternoon....he went shooting with his friends and they went over to one of the other guys house to clean their guns...so Ella and I went out in the rain...which actually Ella loved...I had a little jacket on her with the hood pulled up...and she thought the rain was hysterical...she kept laughing away! I on the other hand didn't love getting soaking wet!

Monday - back to the regular routine again!

Tuesday - I pulled a muscle in my shoulder....it didn't really bother me too much...was more of just an irritant...by Wednesday night I was in pain...I kept having muscle spasms in my back...I thought well I will just lay down and sleep and hopefully wake up Thursday feeling great...haha....noooo....I barely slept Wednesday night...and by Thursday morning I could hardly walk or breathe without having a muscle spasm...so Josh says...what are you going to do?? To which I replied that I was going to suck it up and deal....so I took a hot shower, Motrin, and used a heating pad for 20 minutes...and off to work I went...I made it through the day...and it actually got better as the day went on...I still have a little pain...but I am functioning just fine.

Wednesday - Grandma and Grandpa joined us at Romp 'N Roll....a good time was had by all...Ella was a little shy...but she opened up by the end. Then I had to bring the car in for an oil change...so while that was being done...we all went to the Farm Basket for lunch....I ordered Ella a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich (she eats that some at home) thinking that she wouldn't want my sandwich (chicken, mushroom, and spinach)....however...she didn't want that the peanut butter and jelly...she wanted what Mom had...the good stuff! Ella fell asleep on the way home (within 20 seconds of being in the car!) and slept for the 15-20 minutes it took to get home...and then she was done...I tried for another nap when we got home....but she wasn't having it!

Today I was ready to get out of the house for a little bit...so Ella and I got ready...we stopped by my work to just say "hi"...and then went to Target to walk around...Ella is very much into repeating words...so we walked by the Christmas trees at Target...and I stopped and pointed to the trees...and Ella said..."tree"...well in her way of trying to say it...so it's fun to point out things and have her say them back to me...She also knows Bella's name...and will call her by her name now instead of just puppy or doggy.

Ella gave me a sweet smile today...

 

She was being silly! 

Ella is now napping...which means a little downtime for me...which I think I am going to go read for a little bit!

New Foods...

Well I still haven't edited the video's...it's on my to-do list (which there isn't an end in sight at the moment!)

Monday - we both went to work and Ella went to the sitters. I made salmon for dinner...and Ella did eat a few bites of that....she has had it before...and never eats more than a few bites of it...but that's alright...I will keep giving her a few bites!

Tuesday - again the usual! After work I came home and got everyone dinner. Josh did the night-time routine with Ella. While he did that...I wrapped Christmas presents for 2 hours!

Wednesday - our busy day! It started out with pancakes!

Ella ate a whole pancake! She took one bite and said, "MMMM!" And then, "BITE!" She was ready for the next bite!

Josh went off to work and Ella and I headed to Romp 'N Roll. She had a great time as usual! After that we went to the Mazda dealership....the Xterra is no longer a reject! :) Then since we were right by Josh's work...we swung in to say "hi" for a few minutes. After that Ella and I stopped at the store on our way home. We came home and had lunch. Ella played for a bit and then went down for her nap. While she napped I had some baking to do for Josh's Christmas party. I made "cheesecake cookie cups." Ella got up from her nap. Josh came home. I ran out to the post office and made it there 5 minutes before they closed! Came back home and made a peanut butter pie (also for the Christmas party)....I let Ella and Josh lick the bowl clean....I'm not sure who liked it better...Ella kept putting her spoon in the bowl and saying, "BITE!" I made dinner for Josh and Ella...which consisted of "all natural sweet potato fries" and organic chicken nuggets. Ella LOVED it. I cut it all up and put it on her tray and she was eating it as fast as it came to her. Then she was picking up each piece and putting it on the spoon and feeding herself...she was pretty successful with it! After dinner I cleaned the kitchen. Josh did the night-time routine again with Ella...and I made a cheese and cracker platter (once again - for Josh's Christmas party!) Oh...and some laundry was thrown in there too. I'm tired!

Tomorrow...We both work...and then when I get off of work I am picking Ella up and we are headed right over to the Christmas party.

Friday - I am working. Then Friday night I need to make another peanut butter pie (for my Christmas party on Saturday night). And I am also making "cheesecake cookie cups" for a bake-sale on Saturday.

Saturday - I am volunteering at an event from 9-2. And then it's my work Christmas party....whew....I'm looking forward to Sunday! I think a nap sounds perfect for Sunday afternoon...Josh is already planning another "shooting outing" with his friends in the afternoon....and then maybe I will get to editing those video's!

Ella learned a new word today....what a puppy says, "rruuuffff"....Josh taught her that. And a new favorite word right now is, "bug." She spots every bug and obsesses about it! We have a few ladybugs in the house...and she will find them and stand by it, yelling, "BUG" for as long as she can. I have picked a few up and thrown them away...and then she goes to the trash can and is trying to get into it still yelling, "BUG!" Always and adventure around here!

The end of the week...

Thursday morning - Ella wakes up and can walk without any drama :) Her leg is feeling just fine! So off to the sitters she goes and off to work I go! And...the best news...Josh is planning on leaving GA after his class gets out (which will be around 12-1) - so he was home at about 9-9:30....yay!!

Friday - since Josh was home...he watched Ella for a little bit while I ran out and did some errands during the morning. It was so nice to be able to walk through Target without having to tell Ella to sit down every 5 seconds :) And that was really our Friday...I caught up on laundry and cleaning. The day went by fast.

Saturday - we ventured out to Honda/Suzuki...Josh's old workplace...they were having Santa come by for a few hours! Well...Ella got introduced to Santa...but we didn't push it...she went up Josh and he put her down on the ground by Santa's chair. Ella would look up at Santa but that was it...there wasn't any smiles or letting go of her Daddy...which is ok...she got to see Santa :) Santa did give her a little toy...a little 4-wheeler keychain...which she does think is pretty cool! Then we did some grocery shopping, picked up the Xterra from the shop and then came home.

Sunday - We went to church. After church Josh went to the shooting range by our house that he is a member of. He went with a few of his friends...they have a place where you can shoot skeet...and there is a group that gets together on Sunday's at 12...so he met up with them and that is what he did for a few hours. While he did that...I got Ella some lunch and we played for a bit. Then she went down for a nap while I cleaned the floors and read for a while.

That's been our weekend! I did take some video's of Ella today...so I need to edit them and post them (I have to shorten them first or else it will take an hour to load...they are long!) We let Ella eat some yogurt all by herself tonight...by the end she was looking like Santa with a big white beard on her chin! :) She did well though...and did it all with her left hand...hmmm I think she might be a lefty!

Lonely Week.

So this being a single mom thing is NOT fun! Ella and I both eagerly await Josh's homecoming on Friday!

Lets back-track a few days....I heard about some great deals at Old Navy....so on Saturday...oh wait...let's back-track a few more days....the Xterra was due for a state inspection...so Josh brought it on Wednesday to go have it inspected and the oil changed...and guess what...it got rejected :( It needs a new muffler (just what I wanted to spend money on right before Christmas!) soooo....back to the story...on Saturday morning...the Xterra had an appointment to get a new muffler...so we dropped that off...and then Josh wanted to get a hair cut before leaving for GA...so we went and got that done. Sometimes Ella and I stay in the car and sometimes we go in (it's a Barber Shop)...but this time we went in...well Ella really doesn't like loud noises...and they use a "hair vacuum"....she didn't like that noise...especially when they used it on her Daddy...she kept watching him and yelling, "Daddy!" She had to make sure he was ok! So THEN we went to Old Navy....and I stocked up on some things for Ella...they had shirts on sale (still from Black Friday) for $4....and as fast as Ella grows out of her clothes...that was a deal to me! So we got shirts galore, a pair of pants, and a dress...and Josh picked up some shirts as well. So while Ella napped...I went downstairs and started wrapping :) Although we aren't going to put anything under the tree until Christmas morning...if she sees it earlier I think she will want to unwrap it!

Sunday we all went to church and then right after Josh headed out to GA...of course neither one of us thought about it being a really busy travel day as people were headed home after the Thanksgiving break...so unfortunately it added about 2 extra hours to his trip. However, he finally made it...and has had a good week. He has learned lots and passed his big test.

Monday - the usual. I went to work. Ella went to the sitters. The end. Oh wait...well just about normal...Sunday night....at 2:15am....I woke up out of a deep sleep to a loud THUD. Which I was already on edge for being home by myself...and I immediately thought, "this isn't right!!" But then I heard..."uh-oh"...."UH-OH"....hmmmm....why is Ella awake?? So I go upstairs into her room...and she is WIDE AWAKE....jumping around her crib and laughing. She is allowed 2 things in her crib...a little lovey that she has...and seahorse....which you push his belly and it's a light and has a little music that plays....well seahorse went flying through the air...hence the THUD. So I picked seahorse back up, put it into the crib, laid her back down, told her it was time to go to sleep, turned her music back on...and went back downstairs....well the hysterical crying began...and didn't stop...she kept it up for about 30 minutes...finally I came back upstairs...picked her up, changed her, got her a sip of water, gave her some motrin (maybe her teeth hurt??), put orajel on her gums, rocked her for a bit, turned the music back on and laid her back down...I went back downstairs...and again...crying....but only lasted about 10 minutes before she gave it up and fell asleep....so perfect...I was up from 2:15 to 3:30...thanks Ella! So that was actually Sunday night...so MONDAY night...I forgot to add this earlier....Ella was crabbbbbby!!! Super cranky...I told Josh she was in one of the worst moods I have ever seen her in. Absolutely nothing made her happy. At one point she brought me her teething medicine....carrying the tube in her mouth...she was trying to put it on herself...so I took the tube....and put some on my fingers so I could rub it on her gums...well I put my fingers in her mouth to put the orajel on...and Ella bit down...immediately hot tears sprung to my eyes...it hurt sooooooooooooooo bad....I couldn't believe it didn't break the skin...but I had two really deep teeth marks on my fingers. The worst pain I have had in a really long time. I don't think it was intentional on her part...she just wanted relief from her teeth hurting her...and took it out on me :(

So Tuesday...was a little better...still did the same routine...but not as much grumpiness. Ella never woke up Monday night....but I woke up at 4am and couldn't fall back asleep...so Tuesday felt like a really long day...I couldn't wait for bed Tuesday night!

Here is Ella being a little silly...

 

Although she did have one melt-down as I was picking her up at the sitters...she had a babydoll in her hand...that wasn't hers...and I made her give it back before we left...yeah that turned into a melt-down! And she did have to have a few time-outs over the past few days....she has turned into a hitter...which is NOT ok! 

So onto Wednesday....whew....can you see why I can't wait for Josh to be back!

It was Romp N' Roll day today...Ella LOVES it there. She really comes out of her shell there....and just has the best time playing....and is always well behaved. So after we left there...it was Ella's 18 month check-up....she weighs 20lbs and 13oz...still tiny....but 31 1/4 inches tall...so long and skinny! Everything else was great. I just love Ella's Doctor there....she is so good at putting Ella at ease...not that Ella appreciates that yet...but Ella had her beloved stuffed puppy with her that lately goes everywhere with her...and Dr. Gagen was so sweet...she did everything on "puppy" first before doing it on Ella...listened to puppy's heartbeat...and then Ella's...looked at puppy's ears...and then Ella's....looked at puppy's eyes...and then Ella's....I was very impressed by her doing that...and thought it was very sweet as I know not every Doctor in that practice would do that. So then came the shots...which were given by the one nurse that I don't care for there. We have only seen her one other time...but she is my least favorite (extremely not friendly and very quick)...so Ella had to get two shots...and she did them both in the same leg...which Ella has always gotten them...one in each leg instead of in the same leg...but I didn't really think anything of it. So we left, stopped at the grocery store on the way home, and then came home. We had lunch, Ella played, and then I put her down for a nap. After her nap I got her up, carried her to her chair where she had her milk and a snack. I took her out of her chair and put her on the ground and walked into the living room to start picking up. Well Ella started crying...and I was like come on Ella just come into the living room...but I wasn't really paying attention...lately her mood has been so grouchy...I just thought she was being difficult...so I continued cleaning...and after about 5 minutes she was still crying...so I peeked around the corner and she is standing on on leg and won't put any weight on her leg that got the shots. So I get really close to her and get down on the ground...and try to get her to take a few steps towards me...she starts to but falls onto the ground hysterically crying...so I thought..hmmm well maybe her leg is asleep...and it's all tingly...that's not a good feeling....so I pick her up and hold her for a few minutes...I look at her leg...where her shots were given...everything looks just fine...it's not red or swollen, etc. So I bring her back to the living room and set her down...still the same thing...won't walk on it, won't put any weight on it....and now she doesn't even want me to touch her leg...still crying hysterically. (which this has never happened before with other shots)....so I call the Doctor's office...talk to a nurse...explain the situation....the nurse says...just give her some motrin, put an ice pack on her leg and just really baby her for an hour...and then see how she does....so I do that whole routine, she gets motrin, I get an ice pack out, I put her up on the couch with me and we cuddle for a while watching Veggie Tales....after about 30 minutes...I test it out...still won't walk. I set her up on the floor with books and some toys....we play for a bit...try walking again....still won't do it....by this point I have called Josh and he is ready for me to take her to the ER! I was like no, no, no....I really think her leg just hurts from the shots...I don't think anything is actually WRONG with her....but shots hurt....I'm sure she is just being dramatic....so long story short..she finallllly starts limping around...and a little while later running around...by the time it was bedtime...she was even dancing to Veggie Tales and having a good ole time...I think she's over it! Hopefully when she wakes up in the morning it will feel better!

Whew - I feel like I have typed a novel...a lot has happened this week! That's the low down so far...we'll see how the next few days go!

 

Wrapping up the week....

Josh has had the entire week off! However, he leaves on Sunday to go to Georgia for the week...so we've enjoyed spending time together as a family before he's gone.

Monday - I worked, Ella went to the sitters, and Josh did stuff that he wanted to do (reloading ammo, visiting his old work, stopping to get a milk-shake!)

Tuesday - I went to work while Josh had Daddy Care. He did a great job...and he actually took Ella (all on his own - it was his idea!) to Thomas Road - to go play on their indoor playground. He said she did pretty good...but she needs to work on her social skills a bit...which I thought that meant she was shy...but no...when the other kids who were playing there got to close to them she was trying to push them away...throwing punches! So we will work on that!

Wednesday - we all went to Romp 'n Roll together. Oh, but before we went...right around 8:30 - the power went out. Which it was a clear gorgeous day...so we weren't sure why it went out. At least my hair was dry...I wasn't able to straighten all of it...so I had to wear it half pulled back. I wanted to run to the store to pick up a few things...but I didn't because I wasn't sure if the power would be back on by the time we got home....which....it wasn't. Finally around 12:30 it came back on...so I went and  did my errands then. I made a peanut butter pie to bring over to Mom and Dad's for Thanksgiving. Which Josh insisted we try before bringing it over...you know...just to make sure it was good!

Ella knows the word, "bite"...and if you have something she wants..she will yell, "BITE" until you give her a bite. And come to find out...she really likes peanut butter pie!

Thursday - Thanksgiving Day! We got up in the morning and headed over to the lake. We feasted on good food (steak and chicken on the grill). Had 3 different kinds of pie. Went to the park for a beautiful walk (where we got to see a horse drawn carriage -they were out for a ride!) and play on the fun playground. Ella got to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa for a bit, while Josh and I went on a date to the movies (to see the final Twilight movie - Josh was thrilled!)

Our day in pictures...

Ella went full-speed all day....we got in the car to head home a few minutes after 7...and she was asleep within minutes! We drove through Lynchburg right around 7:50...and it looked like it was gearing up to be some crazy shopping...we avoided that!

Friday - time to decorate the tree! I wanted to clean some first before putting the tree up...so we did that for an hour this morning...and then Josh brought up the tree. Ella really wasn't sure what to think of it....she watched Josh put it together and just stood back. Then he went and got the ornaments...and had her come stand next to him while he showed her how to put them on the tree....well she just lit right up. That was the best thing ever!! She was grabbing an ornament and running over to the tree where she just set the ornament on the branch....and then went running back to the couch to get another ornament....and running back to the tree...she was having a blast!

 

That was fun! After the tree decorating we went into town to get a few things that Josh wanted and to hit the grocery store....the store was so empty...it was great! It was again about 65 today...so Josh and a few friends went to the shooting range by our house...he was in 7th Heaven! 

And that's been our week in a nutshell! 

I'm constantly asking Ella what a cow says...I just love hearing her "mmoooo!" I don't think she's picked up on any new words this week...she has however gotten a little picky on how her food is served to her. I normally cut up whatever she is going to eat into small pieces (like her sandwich)...well when I cut it up she wouldn't eat it! So I cut a strip of it and handed it to her....which she ate just fine...so she no longer likes little baby bites...she wants to be a big girl! (With Mommy or Daddy right by her side watching her!)

Oh - Josh did install her new car seat today. So she is now forward facing...we actually put it in rear facing to begin with - but her legs are too long and she couldn't stretch the out - so he changed it to forward facing...and let me tell you what..she thought she was hot stuff!! The biggest smile from ear to ear!