Fall Fun!

I love Christmas...but not really a fan of winter....but I LOVE fall and wish it would stay like this for months!!

Josh came home around 9 on Friday night. Ella was up around 6:50 on Saturday morning...I was hoping for at least 7! She still has a pretty bad cough. It's mainly at night and then when she first gets up. Then if she starts running around and getting worked up it flares up and she gets to coughing. So when she first got up Saturday there was lots of coughing and I kind of waited a bit to see how she was going to do...and it slowed down...so we made plans for the day. We decided to go to Drumhellers Orchard Apple Festival. We got there probably about 10:45 - it's about 20 minutes north of us. They had live music, all kinds of vendors, bounce house for kids, apple slingshot, and a hayride. We bought tickets for the hayride (but missed the sign that you had to buy a ticket to get a pumpkin - so when we got to the pumpkin patch we just "posed" with the pumpkins!). We'll be going to another festival in October so we'll be sure to get one there. Ella wasn't too disappointed....she had fun just walking around picking them up!

We got lunch there...Ella had a hotdog and some chips, Josh had BBQ chicken, and I had a BBQ sandwich. We sampled the cider and called it a day!

We then went grocery shopping. Then came home for "resting time" for everyone! Ella took a 2 hour nap. Even Josh and I laid down and slept for about an hour! I was so tired from the week getting up with Ella every couple of hours...one day this past week my alarm was set for 5:00....I remember turning it off...and apparently I went right back to sleep! Oops!! I ended up sleeping for an extra 40 minutes....my morning routine went right out the window...I was rushing around to get ready. I made it to work on time....but I was so exhausted all day...I had a few people ask me if I was ok...I think the couple of weeks of 4-5 hours of sleep each night was catching up to me (if you know me - you know that I need 8+ hours to function well!). I am so happy that last week is over!

Last night we got invited to a bonfire/fall party. It was held at one of our friends grandparents house. Ella got to roast a hot dog over a fire (yesterday was hotdog day!)

Ella said the fire was HOT!

She got to hit a pinata!

And then she got to collect the goods! A little bit of candy and some toys. She came home with some stick on tattoos - which her Daddy helped her put one on today! On her hand...it's a "sticker."

Then we all posed for some pictures....the girls being cute....the boys being silllllly!

We stayed til 9....past Ella's bedtime...and she was getting cranky...so we headed home....her coughing got bad around 12....and I was up til about 1:30 with her. She stopped and we all were able to sleep for a bit...and she was up at 6:50 again! I thought she might sleep in a little....but no.

 Her coughing was bad this morning so we ended up staying home from church. Josh said he didn't want to bring her to nursery with that cough as we'd end up getting called out anyway. So we watched church on the computer!

I did lots of cleaning today....and lots of laundry! We just laid low. Ella took a 3 hour nap. She got some honey cough suppressant tonight, Vicks on her feet, humidifier on, propped up on 2 pillows....here's hoping for a good night!

Ohhhh....Ella really likes Veggie Tales....we were sitting at lunch today and Ella says...."look Mama, Bob is wearing sunglasses."

On Veggie Tales....Bob is a tomato. Josh and I cracked up laughing...she's observant!

Pictures

This was the picture I tried to upload last time. So yes...there she is...playing on the tablet. It was early one morning...and it was cold in our house...not time to turn the heat on yet...so she asked for her jacket :)

Let's see...Josh is in Maryland this week for training...so it's Ella and I for the week. He left Sunday...however Friday night he went over to a friends house to help on a car...and then on Saturday he was there from 9:30-6 working on the car...then left Sunday...so we haven't seen much of him! Saturday...the little girl picked out her own outfit...

She was very proud of herself! And we went to Target, the grocery store, and to the bank. :) Ella took a really good nap...after 2 hours I did go wake her up as I was afraid she wouldn't go to bed at night! Oh and Saturday morning....we all slept in....til 7:45!! I could believe it! I woke up to, "MAMA!" I thought ehh probably around 6:30-6:45...and then Josh says...wow she slept late....and it was 7:45...that's the latest I have slept in at home in quite some time! I got a solid 10 hours of sleep....it was fantastic....it's probably been the only night I have slept through the night in the past 2 weeks. Poor Ella can't shake this cough....it's only at night...of course. So she keeps having little coughing fits through out the night..some nights it's worse than others. I'm up with her usually every 2-3 hours...I feel like I have a newborn again! And I'm beginning to feel like a sleep deprived zombie! :)

Sunday we went to the early service. Josh left for Maryland after church and Ella and I headed to the lake. Grandpa was working...so Ella and I hung out with Gigi. We did go visit Grandpa at the store after lunch though. Ella was excited to play with all the tiggers....and Big Bear...

After going to see Grandpa at the store....we stopped and had a little Sweet Frog....

 

She only ever wants to eat out of the blue cup....which is the biggest size....of course. So I'm sure I put way too much in there...but Ella was loving it!

She slept on the way home...and was super grumpy for about 30 minutes after coming home....she didn't get enough sleep....but it was ok....I just let her do her own thing for a little bit until she got over being grumpy. Then she was just fine.

Tonight we talked to Josh on the phone...Ella was doing a great job talking to Josh. I had to prompt her a little....but she could get across what she wanted to say. She was telling Josh that she was coloring a picture and it was of a rainbow, Bella, and Brinly. She told him exactly what she had for dinner. She told him what she did today. I was impressed at how well she remembered and could really tell him about everything! Then the temper tantrum started when I started talking to him on the phone and she no longer held the phone...I mean on the ground screaming, pounding her fists on the floor....wow! She got sent to time out until she could say she was sorry. Which she did and then changed her attitude.

Whew....yes only 8:40....but I slept horrible last night and my alarm is set for 5am. Time for bed!

Technology!

Once I am able to - I will upload a picture (it won't let me right now) - it's a picture of Ella playing on the new tablet! Josh just got a new tablet for work....and he has put a few apps on it for Ella...well she LOVES it! Of course we have to limit her time on it or else she would be on it all day (and it already starts!)

Well....we're on cold number 1 for the Fall season! I hope it this isn't a picture of what's to come! She started it about Tuesday....by Saturday her cough was really bad....so to give me peace of mind...we called the Doctor. Thankfully no infections...just a really bad cough. She got a good 3 hour nap in on Saturday and a 2.5 hour nap on Sunday....so lots of rest, liquids, and quiet playtime! Of course it was such a gorgeous weekend this weekend and we couldn't really take Ella anywhere. We did go to little Mom and Pop bookstore in downtown Lynchburg Saturday morning. Josh was hoping to find some older books...but they didn't have what he was looking for...but he did find, "Voices of 1776"....and get this....on Sunday afternoon...he sat out on the back deck for an hour or so reading his new book. I couldn't get over it! Ella joined him with her chair and just sat out there talking to the puppies. We just left the door open and opened up all the windows to let in all that nice fresh air! I did a little housework and then joined them.

Ella's feeling a little better...a little lingering cough...Mama's tired...I was up with her multiple times last night when she was having little coughing fits in the middle of the night.

I need to record her talking...she's really putting words together and forming sentences. She plays a counting game with Josh...he will tell her how many markers to bring him and she will count them out and bring them to him. Her ABC's are coming along...she can't say them all...but can say quite a few of them if you sing with her.

She's so funny...if she wants to go do something...she will say..."I go to my room right quick." Or..."I go get baby right quick." Haha...it drives Josh crazy to hear her say, "right quick." I however find it funny and cute. She'll grow out of it and speak properly soon enough! :)

Josh is on a panel for church this Wednesday night. They had a state trooper come in last week and do a presentation on internet safety. This week it's a Q&A session to follow up on what was presented last week. I'm looking forward to hearing him and the other people on the panel.

Well this Mama is tired and ready for bed!

Summer isn't over yet...

Well it may already be September 9th...heading into Fall...but with our weather at 86 degrees today - still feels like summer!

Last week was a pretty normal week for us. Monday off and then work for the rest of the week. Friday night Josh and I were both in bed at 8:30 each reading a book. Yes - Josh who said that he was never going to pick up another book after finishing school - read a book. A book about a boy who was on the USS Constitution. His interest peaked after we went to Boston and toured the ship. I actually admitted to him that I might read it....although he said it wouldn't be my type...no one dies, no love story, no tears! So maybe I have gotten wrapped up in my books before and cry at the end...of course I get teased!

Saturday was a busy day. We did errands in the morning and got home around 1pm. Ella went down for a nap. I threw some laundry in..and get ready for this...I went for a run/walk. It has been since 2010 (I'm pretty sure) since I last ran outside. My "before Ella" times. Well...I only did 1.5 miles...about half walking/half running. By the time I got home I was ready to collapse! :) And my body (2 days later) is aching oh so bad! My legs are soooo sore! But now the first step has been taken and I need to keep at it! I went over to a friends house for dinner/dessert...we had a little girls night. So Josh got to stay home with Ella! They had pizza and colored. :)

Sunday was a pretty rough day for Ella. It all started out at about 8:45am. She ran into a chair...just not paying attention to what she was doing. Smacked her cheek right under her eye....we had to put ice on it...a welt swelled right up on it. Then we went to church....I had nursery this Sunday...so I was in with Ella....well some little boy...grabbed a book and ran right over to Ella and smacked it down right on her face....I wanted to smack that boy! Poor Ella was screaming crying. I got her calmed down...and 10 minutes later she tripped on something (her own fault), fell, and bit her tongue...and it bled. Poor thing. She's cutting two bottom teeth and they are bothering her bad. She had her first night of Puggles on Sunday night (Awana's class for 2 year olds) - I thought she would really like it...well she screamed and cried and they finally had to come get me because she wouldn't calm down. She will usually cry someplace new - but only for about a minute and then she'll play just fine. I think it was just a rough day.

A few pictures from our Sunday up in Vermont a few weeks ago..

 

Don't you just love Ella's face in the big family picture....not even cracking a smile!

Relaxing Weekend

Josh and I both had work on Friday. I worked 9-5 and he had to work noon to 8pm. Saturday, Ella had us up at about 6:50am. I got up with her and got breakfast ready and then Josh came up. After breakfast he got ready and made his way downstairs to finish up the bathroom...so all the trim painting, touch-up painting, and sealing the grout. While Josh started in on that...Ella and I went shopping! Actually grocery shopping. However we did stop at Target and Ross...I'm on the look-out for some fall shoes for Ella...she can't wear sandals in the cold weather! However...I didn't find any bargains...so I'm still on the look-out.

Josh spent the majority of the day downstairs working...on Sunday after church we picked up a few things to make the bathroom compete...like a shower curtain, and the mirrors...someday we want to put a glass door in instead of the shower curtain...but that's not in the budget yet! Finished product...

On Saturday night we did have a little thunderstorm. Ella wasn't really a fan...but she kept saying..."shhh it's ok Bella....don't be scared....it's just noise." Hmmm....apparently she does listen to Josh and I. :) She still was insistent that we all sit together on the couch...

Bella is there too...but she's buried under the covers! (Hiding!)

Monday - we spent the entire day at home. Which was actually kind of nice. We've spent the last 10 days or so on the go...it was nice to have a relaxing day. Josh did hang up a picture for me...above the door.

 

 I made pancakes this morning....as we have some maple syrup all the way from Vermont!  Ella helped me yesterday make cookies...and tonight she helped me make brownies...

She is all about helping mom bake!

We found a new favorite for Ella...watermelon! I never buy it because I don't like it. However, she had a taste of it up in Vermont and it quickly became a favorite! So I now have been buying watermelon. She is still in love with pizza too....as a matter of fact that is what she had for lunch and she was loving it!

Josh and I made a budget today...exciting stuff huh!?! That is how we spent our Labor Day :) Now that we have a Masters Degree to pay for...figured it was time to be wise and see if we can pay it off sooner.

That's been it...and tomorrow begins another week at work (almost...only 4 days!)

MBA completed and to Vermont and Back!

Well Josh survived his week at Liberty...it wasn't pretty...but he's done! :) They got assigned their first case on Wednesday afternoon - they were the first group to leave the school at 3am. He was in bed by 3:30am and up again at 5am to get in the shower and then head to school. They had to be there by 6:30am to get set up and ready to present by 7am. After they all presented then they got assigned their 2nd case...this time they were only there til about 1:30am...and again up at 5am. He was so excited Friday night - he was done. And he passed! Ella and I went to go visit him Thursday night after I was done work. They were in the business department working on their project...so we stopped by...Josh forgot to mention it was also the same day the Freshman were moving in - that was just great! Here I am driving around a campus that I don't know very well and there is all this construction so the usual road I go on is no longer a road and everything is only one way....I was getting frustrated! But - we finally found our way!

Saturday night we went to Red Lobster to celebrate Josh completing his MBA. Sunday was another normal Sunday for us....except in the afternoon - Josh didn't have any homework to do! So he helped me clean...next thing I know he's moving the couches around and re-arranging the living room! I like him being done with school!

Well now it's time to head to Vermont. Josh took Thursday off to do some sleeping during the day. I worked. After work - we headed to Vermont! We decided to drive through the night on the way up - which worked out perfect! Ella was asleep around 8:15. She did wake up at 12:30 when we stopped for gas. She was so excited - she thought we were there - we were only in New Jersey. However, she remained WIDE AWAKE until 3:45am!! She was very good - never made a peep - but her eyes were as big as saucers! And well she never whined...but she did ask if we were in "ma-mont" yet! She can't quite say Vermont! We arrived a few minutes before 6am...hung out for a little bit...Josh went and laid down to get a few hours of sleep. Nanny took Ella to the store with her while I took a shower and also laid down for a little while. Ella kept on going! She didn't lay down til her nap time.

Ella's two favorite things in Vermont...feeding the cows and riding the golf cart!!

This is the three of us riding the golf cart! And you can see the little barn behind us...we just finished feeding the cows!

Ella also got to ride a bike....slowly learning...

 

And yes I know - she doesn't have a helmet on...but we didn't let go of the bike! One of us was right by her side at all times! :) A helmet is on the list!

Nanny and Ella did get some baking time in...

 

The first scoop of cookie dough went into the pan...and then the spoon went right into her mouth! We had to have a lesson on you don't get to eat the cookie dough! :)

Friday afternoon Ella and I went to visit our friends, Scott and Cheri and baby Chace (who's almost a year old now!)...and I didn't get a single picture of it!

On Saturday night - Josh's sister, Joy and her family were over. They arranged for a sitter to come to the house for all the kids and the adults went up to Burlington and went out to eat - which was really nice!

 

On Sunday there was a special service for the Taylor's 25th anniversary for being at the church for 25 years - which made for a really nice day. And it was so beautiful out - about 78 and sunny. It was great!

On Monday Josh and I headed to Boston for a few days. Ella stayed with Nanny and Grampy while we went. We did a Duck Tour, Quincy Market, walked around for miles sight-seeing!, the USS Constitution museum and then the tour of the USS Constitution. It was perfect weather - slightly cloudy but right around 80 degrees. Nanny and Grampy took Ella to the Champlain Valley Fair...where she had fun. They said her favorite thing was the pigs! She looooved the pigs and piglets. And she even asked to go on a ride. So Nanny took her on a little ride. I think she had a great time! On Tuesday they headed over to New York and got a few hotel rooms. They cousins went over and met them at the hotel...and they went swimming!

Nanny and Grampy with the big grandkids - the twins were out of the pool.

Josh and I came back from Boston and met everyone at the hotel. Then we went to Joy and Joe's house for dinner and a campfire!

 

Ella loved her s'more!

On Wednesday we packed up and started our track home. Since we were near Albany - that saved us 2 hours. So we only had 10 hours to drive....which we chose to do in 2 days. We drove about 5.5 hours on Wednesday. We stopped at outlets on the way...yay! Got Ella stocked up with some cute Fall clothes! And a stop for Josh....

Which was just as much as a stop for Ella. She loved seeing all the animals inside. While Josh was looking around Ella was pulling me this direction and that direction to see all the animals! It was pretty impressive!

Thursday we got up and made it the rest of the way home. We were home around 1:30. I ran to the grocery store, and played catch-up on laundry.

That's it - that's the highlights of the last two weeks!

Overdue!

I know...I'm overdue in posting! Ella lately hasn't been getting into bed until almost 8...and then by the time I clean up...I'm ready to get into bed!

Let's see...so last I posted...it was Ella's first night in her "big girl" bed....well we're 10 days into it and it has been just fine. Not even one issue in getting her to stay in her bed! Yay! Even nap-time she does just fine and stays in her bed.

Last Sunday....we got up and had breakfast...and she wanted to read her magazine while eating her banana :)

 

We then went to the early service at church. Josh headed to work after church. And Ella and I went to the lake. Grandpa had to work too....so it was just the girls. We had lunch and went to the pool, and of course Sweet Frog. 

Monday - our sitter was on vacation this past week....and wouldn't you know it....our back-up sitter was on vacation the VERY SAME week! So ummm....what to do now?? Well a co-worker of mine was in the same boat as I was....no sitter (her daughter goes to the "back-up" sitter) - so we "hired" another co-workers daughter to watch our two little girls! Kimberly is her name....and she has been around the both of them a handful of times...so she wasn't a complete stranger! :) Well those girls had fun!!

Ella and Payton as princesses!

 

Born to shop! (notice the purses!)

Everyday this week...Ella has asked about going to Payton's house....I think she had a fun week last week!

Josh has his week at Liberty this week for his intensive class...he said so far it hasn't been awful....but the next 3 days are going to be brutal. He has to be there at 7am tomorrow for an exam. And then they are assigned a case that is all group work. And the professor said don't expect to be done until 3 or 4am and then they have to be back at 8am to present it. And they do it all over again on Thursday. He is very eager for the next few days to be over!

I think Ella's vocabulary/knowledge grows everyday! Today on the way to the sitter's...Ella counted to 5 all by herself...without any prompting from me! I was impressed! She can sing part of "no more monkey's jumping on the bed." She sometimes is a little hard to understand...I can usually make out most of what she is saying....and she is very determined...sometimes I have to keep guessing words trying to figure out what she is saying...but she knows what she is trying to say and won't stop until I say the right word! I sometimes have to interpret for Josh...he says..."I have no idea what she is saying!" 

This past weekend was kind of a lazy weekend...which we all enjoyed! I did do the normal cleaning. And I rearranged some things in Ella's room....brought more toys in there....trying to get some of our living room back! :) We went to the grocery store...and Josh picked out a special cart for Ella to ride in...it's the one that has the car attached to the front of the cart....well oh did she think she was hot stuff driving that cart around....thanks Josh! I told him he started something bad...because now she will always want that....and that thing is hard to steer! I told him she can only ride in it when he's with us!

We've been bribing Ella to eat her dinner...that's so bad isn't it! We started a bad trend...but if she eats all of her dinner (fruits and veggies included) she gets a little treat....mainly it's the tiniest bit of ice cream with sprinkles...it's really about 2 tablespoons of ice cream...so I don't feel too guilty...and she thinks she's spoiled with her little treat!

Well...time to go fold laundry and Josh is crying because he wants a brownie....and he did eat all of his dinner...so he can have a treat too! :)