Christmas Fun

Christmas Eve Ella helped Mommy wrap some last minute gifts. She somehow got a bow stuck on her bottom-too cute and put a ribbon bow in her hair all by herself. At least she didn't shred stickers like Bella! (Liz's dog). :-)




















Ella enjoyed her 2nd Christmas. We're doing the Magi gift thing-3 gifts. She got her 1st peg puzzle, a Jack-in-the-box, and a Little Snoopy pull dog. She also got some play keys in her stocking, but we don't count that among the three. :-)
But her favorite thing was something Will had made her a few days before. He recently got a car seat for his truck and made Ella a house out of it. Nothing fancy-he just cut some windows and a door for her to crawl in, but she LOVES it!


















Went to see Mom and Ken at the lake later that day. Ella enjoyed showing off her Christmas dress.



















Tuesday we first went to visit Mema, Aunt Cherie and Candace. I was so excited about Ella's new PJs Aunt Cherie got her-the pants are made to be tight and b/c of that-they can fit her short legs. Yay!













In the evening, we went to visit my siblings and Dad at Marna's house; Ella loved spending time w/her cousins. She'd never met Tyler (Donna's oldest) and hadn't seen Meagan and Maggie (Donna's other 2 kids) since last October. They were all wonderful with her. I so wish we lived closer to them so she could get to know all her cousins better...maybe one day.


Yes, Justin (Marna's youngest boy who is only 27 months but so huge!) is picking his nose!

7 years and counting...

At 1:30pm 7 years ago, Will and I said, "We do." Yesterday we celebrated by taking Boosie to the zoo (her first time) and then going to Falls Park (1st time for all of us). Oh, it was beautiful! We decided we're definitely going back there in the spring and taking a picnic. The Reedy River was really flowing due to the rain from Friday. And it was 70 Saturday, so it was a great day to be outside. Ella loved seeing the monkeys at the zoo; she loves beating her chest and going "Eeee, Eeee."
I guess that's more like a gorilla, but we think it's hilarious. My favorite thing? Rocking in the swing by the river w/my favorite 2 people. Will and I kept saying how much we enjoyed that time together as a family and how we need to do relaxing things like that more often.
Today we said our vows to each other again and asked God for His grace and strength to love each other like we should. Ella was our witness this time. :-)

Merry Christmas!

Future Seamstress

I gave Ella the measuring tape to play with and she immediately draped it over herself like a pro. Then she took my old headband and pulled it down around her waist. Finally, she emptied out all her toys from the box and climbed inside. Funny girl.















This is what Ella does w/Daddy's tank tops. Notice how the onesie's a little big? And it's only a 12 month size. You can definitely see she has a cute little tummy though. And notice the hands behind her back again. :-)
















My big helper!

Beautiful Day for Playing in the Leaves!

I actually took these a week or so ago but have been so busy w/Christmas stuff (cards, presents, etc) that I'm just now posting them.
Ella loves playing in the leaves-picking them up, throwing them down, etc. Sometimes she even gets mad at them (see last pic).







Ella still has a cold; lots of suctioning going on. Oh, and we didn't make it to Chick-Fil-A but not b/c of the cold thing b/c she was doing better that morning. I was actually ready to go at a decent time but when I was getting in the car, I realized my window was down. That was strange, I didn't remember leaving it down. Well, when I started the car and tried to roll the window up, it wouldn't budge-just made a funny noise. I tried and tried again in vain. I couldn't drive there in the cold weather w/the window down w/Ella still getting over her cold. So, out came Ella, her diaper bag, and Mommy. No Chick-Fil-A breakfast or story time-I was mostly upset about the breakfast.

So...instead of going to get a chicken biscuit, when Will got home, we dropped my Jeep off for repairs, and left there $400+ poorer. They had to replace the window controller unit (which controls all 4 windows) and they went ahead and fixed the trunk hydraulic lift. Now when loading groceries, the trunk door doesn't keep falling down on your head!

Oh well-that's life. At least it finally got us to the mechanic to get that lift fixed!

Ring Around the Rosie

Ella went to her first storytime today at the Easley Library. I was determined we were going to do this even though it was @ 9:30 in the morning. We both enjoy sleeping in until 8:30. And to get a shower, dry my hair (that takes forever), nurse her, get dressed, and be ready to leave by 9:15-well, that would take a miracle. We actually didn't leave until 9:30, so we just caught the last 15 minutes of it, but oh, what fun! I actually thought, "I bet I'll be one of the only ones here." Boy, was I wrong. There are a lot of other crazy moms (about 10) who drag their kids to something so early in the morning. (For those of you reading this who think 9:30 is late in the day, and that if you wake up past 7am you've wasted half your day-this is how Will thinks-forgive me, but I am not a morning person.)

The "teacher" was great w/the kids-it was just for toddlers 2 and under (they have other groups for the older kids.) She read a Christmas book, then we did some fun songs w/bells-Ella loved ringing hers-and finished w/"Ring around the Rosie."

Okay, let's park here for a minute. I've never liked this rhyme after I was told it was in reference to the bubonic plaque. I thought, "How awful to be singing a song about how millions of people died." However, after finding this website, and reading some others' opinions, I think I was fed a lie. In actuality, "Philip Hiscock, a folklorist at Memorial University in Newfoundland, argues that the rhyme likely originated as a way of skirting Protestant bans on dancing." Now, that I can agree w/any day. Everyone knows I like to shake a jig once in awhile. :-)
Another interesting thing. After everyone fell down, the teacher and all the other moms began singing this verse:

The cows are in the meadow
Eating buttercups
Thunder! Lightening!
We all get up

I was amused. I thought it was cute but had never heard of it. Appears it's another verse of the rosie rhyme-though some versions are different (just like there are variants of the original rhyme).

Okay, done chasing that rabbit-back to storytime. Ella didn't want to stand by herself-she wanted me to hold her almost the entire time. I think all those kids intimidated her. But I'm sure once we go a few times, she'll be more sociable.

I also picked up a few more books for her. (Our first time going to the library was a couple weeks ago and I picked up Bible Stories Volume 1.) Now I have Read-aloud Bible Stories Vol. 2 and 3 by Lindvall. Big illustrations and simple but accurate stories-however, the illustrations aren't that appealing to babies. But the best I could find. I also got some other books-The Big Red Barn and some books that had tapes or CDs w/them. Thought it'd be fun to let Ella hear some books in the car.
(I know Liz will appreciate that.)

Letisha, do you know of any other Bible books that are good for Ella's age? I know you frequent your library a lot and am sure you have some gems to share. :-)

They're having another storytime at Chick-Fil-A this Friday at 10am. My plan is to go early so we can enjoy breakfast together first. We'll see how that goes.

Ella's Height

Letisha asked me awhile back how tall Ella is.
I measured her today and she definitely has grown.
She's 29.75 inches. That's huge for her-a whole inch of growth in 2 months time. But she's still at the 9th percentile for a 17 month old. And still wearing 6-9 month pants. I think this is b/c her torso is long but her legs are quite short. Oh well. She's healthy and happy-that's all that matters.

Pics from Em and Jeff

Em and Jeff visited the Sat. after Thanksgiving and took some cute pics of Ella. So now you all can see the leg hug I referred to in an earlier post. And guess what? Ella loves to pull a certain book off the bookcase in our bedroom. The title? The Anne of Green Gables Storybook. :-) What can I say? It's in her blood, I guess. :-)

Smart Girl!

The other night, Will was playing w/Ella in the den. After awhile, he asked, "Where's Mama?" Ella walked straight back to our bedroom, entered, and saw that the bathroom door was shut and heard the shower going. She reported back to Daddy with the bath sign.
He was so impressed, he came right back there to tell me.
:-)

Christmas Questions

Okay, first Emmie sent this to me by email and I emailed her back saying I was pressed for time and might not get around to it. Then, I saw that I had been tagged on Liz's blog....and called "someone special", so I made time. :-)
(no offense, Emmie).

1. Eggnog or Hot Chocolate?
Definitely hot chocolate-never been an eggnog fan-maybe I just never tasted any great eggnog? Who knows?

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
You have to wrap! That's half the fun, tearing open the paper. At least for me, it is. That's the thing that stinks about growing up-adults give each other things in bags now b/c it's easier (I'm guilty too!).

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White, inside and out. When we were little, we always had colored which I thought was great. Now that I'm so mature (feel free to laugh out loud here), I prefer the elegance of white.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No, but my Granny always had some artifical hanging at her house and it was fun to watch people steal kisses-maybe I should start this tradition.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
First week of December-just finished outside-still working on tree.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Ham-my mom gets the yummy spiral honey-baked kind.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
I remember running to my sister's bedroom on Christmas Eve and yelling, "I think I just heard reindeer on our roof!" I think I was 6 or 7.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Don't remember-maybe age 8, 9? Can't remember if anyone told me-perhaps one of my sister's let it slip or perhaps I just figured it out. Don't remember being traumatized.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yes, one gift each, but only b/c it's our anniversary.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
White lights, pink bows, gold balls, and ornaments from childhood (a few) and from our wedding gifts (a lot).

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Absolutely love it-though I hate having to get all bundled up to play in it-wish we got it more here.

12. Can you ice skate?
A little-been a couple times-probably could make it around (very, very slowly) w/out falling.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
As a child? My first Cabbage Patch doll or my Christmas bear-the latter is just a tiny bear w/a Santa hat-but for some reason I was elated to get him. Ella gets to play w/him but unfortunately my doll had to be thrown out after being completely ruined from storage in my mom's shed which didn't have the greatest roof. (I know, bad place to store valuable dolls.)

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?
The magic of Christmas that allows for those warm, fuzzy feelings. You know, having everyone in the same room, even if it's completely chaotic and you can't understand what the person 2 ft. away from you is saying? That's deliciously special. Oh, and I also just love to look at Christmas lights and sing Christmas songs/carols.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Pecan Pie (the only time I get this delicious-make you gain 10 pounds-dessert).

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Don't know if this is considered a tradion but one of my favorite things as a child was opening my stocking. More than any gifts I loved going to the fireplace and getting mine down. I hope to soon get a fireplace and have that tradion w/ Ella. (I know-I can have stockings w/out a mantle but it's not the same.) Also, starting last year, we began reading the Christmas story w/Ella before opening any gifts.

17. Do you send Christmas cards?
We're most likely doing a family photo card this year.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Giving-I love shopping for gifts.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
I love "Sleigh Ride," especially the horse sounds,but currently "Frosty the Snowman" is in my head and I can't get it out. Help! :-)

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
Yuck,yuck, yuck! How did these things get so popular?I'm assuming b/c they're so cheap to buy in bulk and give out. If I'm going to get that sticky and messy eating something, it has to taste FABULOUS. Sorry, candy canes, you don't do it for me.

21. Do you go shopping the day after Christmas?
No, I'd be crazy too, besides I'm still w/family then.

22. Real trees or Artificial?
Has to be real-it adds to the magic of Christmas for me-love the smell.

23. Do you participate in a local Christmas program or just watch?
Watch

24. What is your favorite holiday movie?
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and It's A Wondeful Life (quite the combination, I know)

25. Are you doing anything special or different this year that you have never done before for the holidays?
Starting last year, we began staying at home Christmas morning, so we could have Christmas as a family before hitting the road.

26. Favorite adult holiday memory?
Guess that would be Christmas of '99.
Waking up on Christmas morning in a log cabin in the woods, seeing the snow outside, and then turning to my new husband and saying, "Merry Christmas, honey."

Now, it's my turn to tag. Erin. Sarah

Funny Stories

Last Sunday, Will took Ella out of Sunday School b/c she was "talking" too loudly. He then realized she needed changing and went to the men's room. While he was changing her, an older gentleman came in to use the urinal. When he started peeing Ella pointed to him and went "Pssss."
Will said he was so embarrassed! But we can't blame her; we've been doing that sound when we go, so she'll associate it w/the potty.

Another first, Ella finally outgrew her 9-12 months PJ's (the ones w/ "feet" attached). Last night, when Will was putting her in them, he called me in there and said, "I think she's about outgrown these. Look-she can't really stretch out her legs well." I said, "Yeah, you're right. But I think for tonight it will be fine."
Uh, no...
Just a few minutes later while he was brushing her teeth, he called out,
"Mommy, her toe just broke through!"
Okay, so she's trying to tell us something. Our little shorty has grown at least a 1/2 inch. :-)