What Happens in NY Stays in NY

I took my first red-eye flight. I was a good girl and slept 3.5 hours. However, I was so OVER it when we landed. I did pitch a mini-fit. After all, I was tired. Instead of my normal 12 hour nightly nap, I only managed a 3.5 snooze. Mommy totally understood.

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Grampy was excited to give me my first flying saucer. I managed to eat 90% of it before Mommy took it away. Grampy wanted to feed me ice cream every night, but Mommy put her foot down. She is such a Debbie Downer.


As you can see, I totally enjoyed each and every bit.


While in NY I got to see some of mommy's college friends, Andrea and Nikki. We played. It was so fun. Gabi taught me all about the Disney Princesses. I have a lot to learn!


Grammy and Grampy took me to Lucy's for dinner. I had this A-MA-ZING meatball.


While we were out to eat Great Aunt Vi came in. Funny thing, when I was in town last September we ran into Aunt Vi the one night we were at Lucy's. Guess you can say that Aunt Vi and I crave Italian at the same time.


I had many, many visitors while in NY. My new friend Audrey came over to play. She is FUNNY and liked to run around in the buff. My mommy kept laughing.


I met cousin Bree. We got along famously. I plan on teaching her everything I know.


Isn't Bree cute?


Gramy and Grampy gave me lots of attention.


I got to visit with my great grandpa at cousin Cheryl's bridal shower. Mommy loved seeing him too!


I attended my second bridal shower. This was special to me since I got to see my mom's family that lives far away. I had so much fun.


All the girls on my Grammy's side minus cousin Jennifer.


FOUR generations.


Cousin Alex and I

It was a great trip. I can't wait to go back in December although I am sure my mommy is not looking forward to the plane ride!

Ella and Mommy's Big Adventure

Ella and mommy went on a BIG, week-long, cross-country adventure. We just returned (hence, the blog drought). And I must tell you, it was QUITE an adventure.

Here is a teaser....



Photo taken during take-off at 10:30 PM, the start of our red-eye flight...

A Little Bit of Everything

I can't believe Ella is 14+ months old now. Her vocabulary is blossoming and her toddler skill set is expanding daily.

Shoe size: 5, although her right foot is slightly smaller than her left

Teeth: 14 including the cuspids that are emerging as we speak

Clothing size: 18 months

Diaper Size: 4

Bedtime: 6:30 pm

Wake: between 6:00- 7:00 am

Favorite Show: Sesame Street She adores Elmo and tries to sing La, La, La, La

Words: Car, shoe, balloon, mama, dada, book, cracker, up, night-night, more, diaper, duck, quack, dog, woof, cat, juice, bath, ball

Favorite book: Biscuit

Special talents: besides growing teeth, Ella can impersonate the sounds in her Roar! Roar! book~ rattlesnake, owl, elephant, lion, and monkey.

Favorite foods: peanut butter, waffles, Mandarin oranges, avocados, bananas, cheese, crackers, soy nuggets, meatballs, blueberries

6 Years .... 14 Months Ago...

6 years ago I married this incredible guy



and 14 months ago I gave birth to this sweet thing


Happy anniversary to my dear husband and happy month birthday to my Missy Moo!

Plum Tuckered Tired

This does not happen often, but when it does, it sure is CUTE!

Mommy And Me

Life's a Beach Part 2...

If today was a dessert, it would be a banana split with strawberry, vanilla and chocolate ice cream. It would have three perfect mounds of whipped cream, hot fudge, and peanuts. Lots of peanuts. Hold the cherry; they are gross and ruin the perfect sundae. With each bite the tastes merge, creating a little bit of heaven.

Like sundaes, today was made up of lots of little flavors and textures. It started with a shared scone with my best girl and a long walk on the beach with my best girl and husband all before 7:30. We had the beach to ourselves with the exception of a few frolicking dogs, serious AM runners, and the occasional early-morning riser. We felt the sand between our toes, felt the wind on our faces, and tasted the salt in the air. It was bliss.



For lunch, we threw together an impromptu hot-dog roast on an Ella friendly portion of the beach where sand was soft, the wind was calm, and the water was still. Wading in the water increased our appetites. Hot dogs were cooked to perfection and satisfied appetites, even with the occasional grain of sand here and there. A certain Missy Moo was especially fond of the lunchtime treat. And the soft sand. Boy, did she love the soft sand! At one point she even thought to take a snooze on the sand, covering half her face with tiny grains. No worries. A little bit of never hurt anyone, especially Ella.





Ryan and I were able to sneak away to the "Big City" for an hour where we walked at a snail's pace looking at the other vacationers, soaked up the sun, and talked about nothing and everything. Ice cream cones capped of our sweet date. Today was sweet!

Life's a Beach

It is fun to ride on Uncle Brett's shoulders. To thank him, I give him a hug.


This is the view from the beach house. I love to watch the dogs frolic on the beach.


This house has windows galore, perfect for watching the waves (and dogs).


This good looking guy is my daddy.


We walked along the beach and the water was C-O-L-D!


But, I LOVED every minute of it!

BIG FAT FAIL!

I spoke too soon. I guess I was just a little too eager, a little too happy, and a little too ready to get rid of the bottles. Ella took back the power when she reminded me that she is the decision maker in the family and that bottles can only go when she is ready, and ready she is not. For three days she barely drank her milk and refused to nap. I became one of those moms who followed their child around trying the get her to drink a sip saying things like "Want some milk? It is soooo good..." and " How about some milk?" I was one tired momma and in my delirious state of mind, I realized I could give in and reinstate the bottle. Best thing ever. Naps are back and so are the bottles. Heck, as far as I am concerned, Ella can drink out of a bottle as long as she wants....

Laundry baskets are great for transporting clean clothes

and storing GOLDSFISH!

Movin' On Up

Out with the old ....


And in with the new....


Little does Ella know, but today was the last day she would use a bottle. They are all packed and put away since her bundle of sippy cups arrived in the mail today. I will not miss the bottle organizer on the counter or the milk drops around the house or the gazillion of bottle pieces that take up an entire cupboard!

Sweet, Sweet Summer

7 AM

This is what

happens at our house

every morning at 7 am~


SESAME STREET!

Cutest Patriot Ever...

"I'm all ready to go the parade, Mommy. "

Little did we know the parade was pushed back THREE hours and the newspaper had the wrong time! Of course, I woke her from her nap so we could attend. After all was said and done, we did not make it the the parade.










"I love my cute dress from Sarah and Brad! I feel so fancy in it", says Ella.























"But Grandpa, I don't want to go home now. I'm really not tired. "



























"Okay, Mommy. ONE last picture with Aunt Gillian and then will you put that thing away!?"

Bridal Tea

Today was a very special day. It was Aunt Gillian's bridal shower and I got to go! It was lovely. I especially loved all the pillows that I could romp around on. Plus, there were all types of delicious treats that mommy let me have. She even let me have some cupcake (SHHHHH!!! DON'T tell daddy), tea sandwiches, and fruit. And since the theme of the shower was "English/ Colonial Indian Tea Party", I wore my finest and sweetest dress. I was on my best behavior because I love social functions. And as Aunt Lucille says, I am a party girl!

Strawberries

It is strawberry season around here!

Summer Has Arrived

Nothing beats "swimming" in your own little pool.

Ahhh Friday....

Today I woke up and did not know what day it was. I love that about summer vacation. Days mingle and blend, schedules become a little less important and life is lived. The only big decisions become what is for dinner?, what do you want to do today?, or honey, would you like some coffee? LOVE THAT! And today the sun gods blessed us again.



Ella's new love affair~ ELMO

Ella had an especially fun day as she is still loving' the ELMO doll she stole/borrowed from her buddy, Grafton. Seriously, she will not put the doll down. Thanks, Grafton. I think you prevented us from having a major meltdown in the car.


Ella and I ran a few errands today. We went to REI to return a pair of shoes for daddy. But, little miss Ella, fashionista in training, could not leave the store without some sensible shoes of her own. She got the cutest pair of bubblegum Crocs and plaid Keen shoes. Precious. And let me clarify, CROCS are not cute, unless you are a tot.


Sportin' my new shoes.


Here they are up close and personal.


Cute Crocs?

And before we knew it, the day was practically over. Grandma brought Nancy and Caitlin over since they were in town visiting. They oohed over baby girl and she hammed it up. We toasted the day with pasta and VEGGIE meatballs (much to grampy's dismay). Hey, Ella certainly looks as though she enjoyed them!


As Ella says," MMMMMMM!"