Lazy Afternoon

Today was such a beautiful day so Ella and I went out in the backyard for some lazy time in the sun. We read a few books, played and smiled and talked about all the trees and flowers and all the pretty colors. We even sang our ABCs which apparently is a big hit with this kid.

Smile for the camera!

Look at those dimples!! Just like Daddy.

Playing peek-a-boo in the grass

Such a cute little smile!





I also decided to try out Sophie the Giraffe. Parents rave about her when their kiddos are teething. I bought it when I was pregnant and hoped Ella would like it. Well, turns out she does! It sqeaks which made baby girl all excited and Sophie went straight to the mouth.

What a Fun Day!

Ella was just full of herself today! I was trying so hard to get her to laugh again and she is almost there. Instead I got some other fun videos that crack me up! I can't believe how much our baby has learned to do...and it seemed like it happened over night.

Watch Ella's breathing closely...she is totally mimicking me!! At first I thought it was just coincidence how she was breathing but she kept it up, even after I went to get the camera!

And while trying to get her attention for pictures, she started getting really excited about the crinkle-ly toy I was holding. It almost looks like I'm scaring her but she loves it!

Ella Smiles

Our baby girl is nothin' but smiles these days. In fact, she laughed for the first time today! It was the most amazing sound! She was watching Sassy play with a toy and got tickled. Of course, when we went to get the camera she stopped.

Here are some pics of our super smiley face, all happy in the morning

Lately she has been getting excited all of a sudden when playing with toys or watching TV. She lets out a little shriek sometimes. I guess that was the precursor to her laughing today. Here she is grinning at Olivia the Owl.

And playing with Daddy right before her bath and bedtime.

Sleepy Mover

There is a great reason why Ella got moved to her room at 2 weeks...she is a noisy sleeper! She throws herself around, grunts and talks. I can still hear her on the monitor. Well, I put her to bed last night like this...

And at about 6am this morning, she was like this...

Yep...sure glad she is in her own room!

Ella Standing!

With a little bit of help from Daddy, this big girl is struttin' her stuff before bedtime.

Poppys Everywhere!

We took Ella to Wildseed Farms in Fredricksburg today to grab some pictures in the flowers. There were a few bluebonnets but the poppys were much more amazing!! There were fields filled with the bright red flower!

Can't wait until next year when she can run through the flowers!!

Dee Dee the Dragon Spills the Beans

Dee Dee crossed the line and spilled the deepest, darkest secrets to Ella.

Pssst...Hey...your parents really do love all the blowouts you've been having lately...

No way! Wait till they see what I have in store for them tonight! Bwahahahaha!!

And in babyspeak...

Happy 3 Month Birthday Ella!

That's right! She is already 3 months old! I cannot believe how big she's gotten! We went to the doctor's office where for the first time, the nurse called her name while we were in the waiting room. Up until 2 months or so, you go in through the special 'Stork Door' for newborns. When her name was called, I just sat there! I'm not used to hearing her name called yet!!

Something she has been doing a lot of lately is putting things in her mouth. It was just a matter of time before the tutu got in there.

I love this look..."I wonder how exactly I can get THIS into my mouth??"

At 3 months Ella:

Is close to growing out of Stage 1 diapers and 3 month sleepers

Can finally wear socks and shoes..they were just too big and easily kicked off

Stands for a little bit with help

Sleeps 9-10 hours a night (yes, I know...a shocker...I have no idea how!)

Is starting to put things in her mouth...toys, teether rings, clothes, whatever...She'll even get upset sometimes when you take the item away!

Loves her Jumperoo

Reaches out her arms and pulls her head and shoulders up off whatever she is laying on

Is very, very talkative...She coos to herself all the time

Smiles and coos when she sees someone she recognizes

Did half a raspberry to Tia...she didn't stick out her tongue but made the noise with her lips

Jumpin Jumperoo!!

Finally our darling daughter is feeling better! Turns out she doesn't have reflux at all, but a milk allergy. Such a simple fix and kids usually grow out of it by one year of age. It's very common and usually hereditary. It's also the last thing a pedi will diagnose a crying baby with. I really started to worry when Ella began losing weight, a feat not easy for our champion eater. Ah well, now we know!

While I was at the doctor's office for one of the many appointments Ella has had over the last few weeks I asked if she was old enough for the Jumperoo. She likes to kick and stand so much I knew it would be a hit. But all the safety requirements I could find just said the baby has to have good head control, which Ella does. The pedi said as long as there was support that went all the way up to under her shoulders she could play in the Jumperoo. Thanks to the super handy invention called Hugga Bebe and a little help at her feet because she is still a bit too small, I present you with our little Jumperoo baby!! (complete with the hiccups)

And yes...she is watching TV, Lost to be exact. This kid will watch ANYTHING, as long as it's on the tube.

Working Hard For the Money!

We went to visit Poppy at the office today. Ella wanted to see the boss and tell him how much she misses him during the day.

Posing with the boss man

Checking emails coming in

Making the tough decisions

I think she's ready to take over!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all!! Here is our little bunny in her Easter tutu and bunny onesie. And of course, she had her very first Easter dress. From Janie and Jack, it's just too stinkin cute! We took some fun family photos today since the weather was so nice and Ella was all dressed up. Thanks to Aunt Lyndsey for the matching bows.

The Easter Bunny brought Ella some fun goodies...a Sweet Pea Doll, a bunny lovie, a duckie rattle, Taggies blanket, the book 'I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly', a Max and Ruby DVD and some super cute Mudpie socks. And Tia Santa brought Ella a sweet bunny with really long ears! Gracias Santa, we love you!

Can't wait to see what Ella will get next year!

The Levels of a Blowout

Level One:

Definitely a mess, fills diaper, but remains INSIDE diaper

Level Two:

Spills out of diaper, gets on clothes or other parts of baby, but only on baby

Level Three:

Not only gets on baby, but is projected onto whoever happens to be changing diaper when said blowout happens

Level Four:

Gets on baby, poor sap who is changing baby, anyone who is standing remotely close to baby, and possibly inanimate objects or strangers near baby

Ella's First Easter Basket!

Aunt Lyndsey came by today and dropped off the sweetest thing! Ella's very first Easter basket! She filled it with a doll, rattles, duckie toys, books and two sweet jumpers. One that says 'Daddy Loves Me' and one that says 'I Love Mommy'. They are sooo cute, all polka-dotted up! We love us some polka dots around here. And of, course, there were some bows in there! Aunt Lyndsey bought some that will match Ella's Easter dress. So thoughtful.

Thank you so much Aunt Lyndsey! We love you bunches and bunches!