ELLA 10 MONTHS

(I'm a little behind...)

Ella is now standing on her own for brief amounts of time and trying to walk from one piece of furniture to another.  She loves the slides at the play place we frequent and likes to bounce in the jump house.   She's making new sounds and exploring her world a little more each day. Ella has 2 top teeth for a total of four.  She has become more tough.  She really doesn't have a choice since she has a big brother.  She adores Dex and tries to pet him and throw him his toy.  She sure lights up when she's happy!  

E is 4!!!

Evan had such a blast at his Pump It Up Birthday Party!  Thanks to all our family and friends that joined us in celebrating his special day!!!!

Snow Day Fun

I LOVE Evan's exuberance!  E and I had a fun afternoon of childhood games and adventure.  After shoveling our driveway we made a snow man and then had a snow ball fight.  Last weekend we went sledding.   Evan, Ella and I were all smiles!   Lots of falling down, falling off and falling onto the snow.  It was a blast!  It reminded me of my youth and how carefree and fun snow can simply be.  Thank you E for reminding me what it's like to be a child again.  Love you bunches!

Ella Bella's 9 months old

At 9 months old you are starting to look less like a baby here.  You love clapping and crawling around exploring your world.  Your latest excitement is playing airplane on mommy's legs and jumping on the bed with Evan.  You prefer to feed yourself and like to pretend to feed mommy.  You  sure know how to eat.  Where you put it, I have no idea.  You are still such a petite girl.  You are getting stronger so you are now able to pull yourself up on most furniture.  You learned how to climb the stair in our first floor hallway.  You laugh and squeal at Dexter.  You like moving to music by bouncing up and down. When you are happy YOU.ARE.HAPPY. When you are mad... YOU.ARE.MAD.   

You definitely took after your mommy!  

I love seeing what each new day brings!  I love being your mommy Miss Ella Bella!

Ella's Baptism

Yay for Snow....F.I.N.A.L.L.Y

E couldn't wait to go out in the snow this morning.  He was already dressed and asking if he could go play at 6:45 this morning!  yes, 6:45 am!

Ella loved her first sled ride.

E tried all of our sleds.  He helped me shovel and enjoyed filling snow up in a small sand bucket.  After shoveling, we tried making snowballs with our new snowball maker but the snow didn't pack so the snowballs fell apart.   Maybe we'll be more successful after the next snow fall.  

Eight Months Old...Ella!

SO hard to believe you are 8 months old!  Every month when I take your picture and reflect on the past weeks of your life I think the same thing... don't...grow...up.  It's so bittersweet.   I want you to stay a baby, to hold you and for you to need me; yet, I am eager to see the years to come, watch you grow and reach new milestones.

This past month you have begun to crawl.  Well, it's more of an army crawl.  You love blowing bubbles and are saying a new sound 'na'.  You have two teeth.  You are signing the word 'more'.  You love making loud noises with your brother and usually at not so appropriate times, like during church service.  You still love to be held by mommy, although you are slowly warming up to our family and friends for longer periods of time.  You still are not afraid to let us know what you want.   You have me wrapped around your finger little girl.

Love you my sweet Ella!

The True Meaning of the Season

Upon waking to the sweet voice of a three and a half year old boy saying "Mommy and Daddy I heard Santa on the roof",  and the plentiful gifts that awaited us this Christmas morning, we like to remember the true meaning of the season.   Today is the day our Lord, Jesus Christ, was born or as Evan likes to say "It's Baby Jesus' birthday".  As we continue through this glorious day with our loved ones, whether we are with them or not, we will not forget the true meaning of this season, the celebration of our Savior's birth.   Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas Day!

Ella Bella 7 months

Ella, you are getting SO big!   You now weigh in at 16 pounds.  Your smile lights up a room.  This month you have started to move from a sitting position to your belly.  You also are squirming around on the ground.  You are more brave as you reach for things that aren't necessarily within your reach.   Whether you are in my arms or on the ground, you are quite the wiggle worm, no longer hanging out in one place.  You make different sounds, like 'ma' and 'ba'  Sometimes I am not sure who talks more or who is louder, you or your brother.  No one can make you smile and laugh more than your big brother.  As of now, your brother considers you as his best friend.   I hope that lasts forever.

  Happy 7 months (a little late) my sweet girl!

Favorite Game: Peek A Boo

Favorite Foods: Banana and Cheerios

Favorite Song:  If You're Happy and You Know It

Favorite Toy: Leap Frog Musical Table

Favorite Book: Where Is Baby's Belly Button

The Magic of Santa

                                We made our annual visit to see Santa at the 900 North Shops!

halloween 2012

What a FUN adventure this year!   The streets were filled with kids, families, laughter and squeals from kids running from house to house trick or treating. We tagged along with some of our neighbors this year for a memorable first halloween in our new home of Hinsdale.   Looking forward to the many trick or treating years to come.

Evan and Ella before we headed out to trick or treat.   

Evan and his neighborhood buddies did not want to stop for a picture.  They were so excited to run from house to house getting candy.   

Near the end of our halloween adventure Evan and Kaden lost their steam and decided to set a play date for another day and called it a night.

Evan and Hayleigh, our next door neighbor

Ella and Mommy trick or treating (not one of our finest pictures but we wanted to capture the moment for Miss Ella.)  Ella wasn't in the mood to go out until we strapped her in the carrier and started walking around.   She went trick or treating with us for 2 hours.  Both the kids were troopers!

ella.6 months

It's hard to believe you already half way to your first birthday!  

I LOVE how your smile lights up a room!

Happy 6th months Miss Ellasyn!  So proud to be your mommy!

Our Pug Bug...

enjoying the beautiful weather today!

Papa, Nana, & Grandkids

I absolutely LOVE this photo from Dominik's baptism that I had to post!

Ellasyn.5 Months

What a joy the last month has been watching your personality shine through!   

You are so engaging.   It is fun watching you take in your environment, how you learn from what you see and mimic some actions of what others do.   You are at your happiest in Mommy's arms but you will let Daddy comfort you if Mommy is not around.  Your brother always knows how to bring a smile to your face, and sometimes tears to your eyes when he forgets how small and fragile you still are.  

I am amazed at how much you are changing and the little girl you are becoming.  

Happy 5 months sweetheart!

Blackberry Farm.2012

We had a wonderful day at Blackberry Farm!  The weather was cold but the sun was shining to make the day bright and a bit warmer.   We went on a train ride, a tractor ride, and carousel.  We visited the one room school house, old town museum, log cabin, and blacksmith.  It was so nice spending the day with Grandma and Grandpa making more fun memories!!!

Blackberry Farm, Aurora, IL

Trying to keep warm as we walked through the farm.  It was a cold day.

Grandma and Grandpa with Dave and Ella on the train.  Ella enjoyed it!

And of course, E liked the train ride too!

These little tractors were adorable.  E enjoyed riding everyone of them.

Not in the mood to pose for another picture.

Inside the one room school house sitting at a desk.

Ella sitting on one of the many carriages.

Our family of four on the tractor wagon ride...both the kids loved it!