Splash Pad and Other Adventures

It was the end of the summer, and we had yet to take Ella to a pool or splash pad. "It was too hot, it was too much work, what if we did all that and she didn't like it," we said to ourselves.

If it hadn't been for play group it would have stayed that way. I finally got Ella to the splash pad! She had lots of fun (which doesn't seem true from the few pictures I got. She is just sad because we had to leave!)

I was sure she wouldn't really like it so, needless to say, I was dragged around the splash pad wearing jeans! (I was smart enough to bring a towel and leave my phone out of my pockets!)

Ella's Cute Faces

Sometimes Ella makes really cute faces for the Camera. Often she makes cute faces when she sees herself in the camera. Here are a few of my recent random favorites.

Ella with her book
"Look, I've got a tongue!"
Playing "I'm gonna get you!"
"Sometimes I wake up happy!"
"I found Mom!"
"That baby is me!"

I don't have a great picture, but she is getting great at blowing Daddy kisses!

5th Anniversary

Daniel and I have been married for five years! Enjoy Marriage Timeline!
Wedding Day (2009):

Year 1 (2010)

Year 2 (2011)

Year 3 (2012)

Year 4 (2013)

Year 5 (2014)

Ella at a Year

Physical Stats:
Weight: 20 lbs 15.8 oz  (I've gained 13 lbs 8.8 oz gained since I was born!)
Height: 28 inches (I've grown 10 inches since I was born!)
Teeth: Still 7

Things I've done in the last month:
Learning to walk (I started the month like this and ended it like this!)
Drinking out of a cup
I love to tote around plastic cards. (Daddy better watch out!)
I like music. (Drums, Piano, Singing and Dancing)
Decided my favorite colors are Purple and Yellow
Sometimes I feed Mommy!
I got a tooth brush!
Started playing "Daddy's Going to Get You!" (It makes me Smile!)
Sometimes I'm a Sweet Face, sometimes I'm a Silly Face, and I sometimes I'm a Goose Face! (and sometimes I'm all three in two minutes!)
The other day Mommy caught me jabbering away at my Dolly while she wasn't looking.
I love my Family!

Ella's First Birthday

Ella turned one year old on August 2nd!  Here are some of the highlights:

Daddy made her some special smash cakes!

We had lots of fun eating the cake.

Ella didn't smash her cake, though, just ate little pieces.

Ella got some fun toys for presents: a doll, sorting blocks (her favorite block is a purple plus sign), a ball, bubbles, stacking rings, a book from the library, and a stroller (which came with a card that Ella proudly carried around the house!)

Stroller Walk

Elissa's parents decided to get Ella an early birthday present -- a fancy stroller!  I'm pretty sure this stroller was designed to go off-roading*.  We didn't want to wait to try it out, so we took a walk with it.  Here are some pictures:

Strapping her in.  "What did I get myself into?"  "Thanks Grandma & Grandpa, that was fun!"


*Elissa assures me this stroller is probably designed for sidewalks and mostly-flat trails, but it will tell you the temperature and the time.

First Steps

Ella has started taking steps on her own! Usually it is just one or two, but sometimes she will get excited and take 7 or more without realizing it. She mostly uses this skill to walk to something to balance with (couches, tables, pianos (and piano benches), baby gates, chairs, walls, shelves, and especially grown ups!)so that, ironically, she can walk!  Also notable, she has started "coloring" with crayons and paper.