Ellia’s Big Birthday Bash

Sorry it has taken me over a week to get an update posted about her birthday. There has been a lot going on recently and time has slipped away from me.
The party was a huge success. The weather was wonderful, the décor was spectacular (if I do say so myself :)), the guests were numerous (haha), the food was plentiful, and the birthday princess was decked out in pink! Ellia was a birthday princess if there ever was one. From her hair, to her dress, to her socks, and right down to her shoes, she was set to party it up all night long. And all night long she did! She was up until 11:30pm. There were a lot of babies that made it to the party and our neighbor Max and cousin Samantha brought their walkers along. When the party was finished and the tables moved out of the way, Ellia, Samantha, and Max played bumper cars. Poor Max was so worn out that he was falling asleep while his Daddy tried to feed him his night time sack. We had such a wonderful time that day. Very memorable. Thank you to all the friends and family who were apart of this special day and who helped in so many ways. Ellia was just taking it all in. She loved opening the gifts but was a little leery about smashing her cake. I think it was because everyone sang to her and then was staring at her.

Some updates too – We went to her first year appointment this past week and she is 20lbs 14oz and 29 inches long. She has two molars (in addition to her 5 bottom teeth) that have poked through and two that are almost there. She is working on walking more and more. We were at a wedding this past weekend and she was standing very well on her own. She also would bend over touch the ground and stand back up. She loves to point at things and ask “what’s that?” And when you ask her how big she is she holds up her pointer finger to show you she is 1!
I hope to have pictures to post after Thanksgiving, however my camera broke and I feel like someone cut off my right hand!!! Hope to be back in business soon. We are also getting Ellia’s one year pictures taken this weekend so hope to be able to post some of those too. Enjoy your Thanksgiving with all those you love!

Ellia Turns ONE!!!!!

Well my little princess has turned ONE! I cannot believe that a year has gone by already. Throughout the day I reminisced about last year and the events of that blessed day. I smiled at the thoughts I had and fears too. I looked through pictures of that day and thanked the Lord again for all he has provided our family. Kevin and I never knew a love like this. It is the most fulfilling and challenging experience. It makes me think more and appreciate all that our parents did for us. It makes me realize that my mom isn’t crazy for being worried all the time over her children’s’ safety and where abouts. It makes me feel humbled and joyful at the same time. It is the most precious gift…this love that knows no limits. It makes me connect more and share more… to laugh more and play more.. to slow down and soak in the moment.. to give more and expect less.. to sing more, cry more, and pray more too.. oh who would have thought that all of these things could be wrapped up in the birth of our little bundle of joy only a year ago.

In this short year she has tested us in so many ways. Her personality is worn right on her chubby checked face. We call her Miss Priss and for good reason. She is a strong willed child and sometimes my frustrations seeps up inside when her temper comes out. I think of the stories my mom told me about when I was little and would throw myself down on the floor in a rage. This sometimes helps me chuckle and easy my feelings, which I am sure will be something I will need to do quite often. She can be as sweet as pie too, giving hugs and kisses, dancing to music, talking her talk and walking her walk!
I see both Kevin and I in her more and more. Not just her looks but her actions and personality. Sleeping habits- dad.. haha Eating habits – both of us.. attention span – dad…girly side – well I hope that is me!
She just makes me smile all the time.. even when I think I am mad at her it usually ends with me laughing.. I will have to remember to read this when she is 16!

So Wednesday we went to day care and took in some cupcakes for all the little ones. Ellia wore her “Hurray I’m 1” shirt that Aunt Jen got her. I took a couple of pictures of the daycare group. The only boy in the class (Henry) is supposedly Ellia’s boyfriend. This is what the ladies tell me. Apparently they hold hands when they are in the high chairs, he follows her around when she “cruises” the furniture, and he helps put her pacifier back in her mouth. Whenever I come to pick her up he is all smiles and follows us around. Too cute!

In the picture is Lilly (little baby) Addison, Gracie, far back corner is Cadence then Henry and Ellia. They had their cupcakes at lunch and sang to Ellia.

That night we had our own celebration. Our neighbors, Lori, Vic, and baby Max came to visit too. This weekend (Saturday) is her princess party and I am sure we will have many pictures to post.


Thanks for letting me reminisce and to all those that follow this blog. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have.

Halloween Fun and more!

Ellia was a Halloween Princess. She plays the part so well!!! We attended a party at Uncle Dave and Aunt Jens. It was so fun to see Samantha (a lady bug), Charlotte (Dorothy for the Wizard of Oz) and Ellia interact with each other. The picture of them at the activity table was captured right before one fell over and then it was a domino effect from there.

We also went trick or treating with cousins Alex (spider man) and Samantha. Ellia wanted to walk most of the time so Aunt Jen helped out there. Papa and Grandma Ollis enjoyed the girls and Ellia enjoyed chasing Alex around after we were finished.

When Halloween came, Ellia was content to help me pass out the candy. I put her in the walker by the door and she loved seeing the kids. She would wave at them and point too. The day after trick or treating I letter her look through the candy filled pumpkin. She would inspect the candy, sometimes “try” a piece, but usually throw it on the floor like everything else. Vader got into it too.

We got this pumpkin from daycare. Just the right size for Ellia. Daddy carved it and Ellia was very curious about how it was lighting up.

Well just a couple more days until she is one. I have been reminiscing this past week about last year and how I was extremely pregnant and overdue. It has also been almost a year since I started this blog. I have enjoyed going back and looking at the old posts, which make me smile, chuckle and cry. It is neat to see how my thought pattern progressed and how Kevin and I have taken on parenting. Hopefully I will continue to blog and have a history to share with Ellia someday.
Some new attributes for Ellia lately, ring around the rosy… when we get to ashes, ashes.. she is already falling down. Itsy bitsy spider… she grabs at her hands and also does the rain coming down. She is an expert at “cruising” the furniture (holding on and walking around). She is also practicing walking to Mommy and Daddy. She takes a couple of steps on her own and then we catch her. And Nana Angelo taught her how to drink from a straw. She is getting a couple more teeth and sleeping through the night occasionally..well like 3 days in a row last week and then maybe once every 5 days.. haha.
Yesterday was mommy’s birthday and I remember last year how we all wondered if Ellia would decide to steal the day for herself… but she decided to wait. We went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner and the waitress (Chinese) put a napkin on Ellia’s head.. Ellia was so intent on looking at the lady that she didn’t even realize it was on her head.. so funny. Mommy is nearing the 30 mark... almost there but not just yet.. haha.. Next post will be about Ellia turning one… see you all then!