Birthday Girl!

Hello party people!!! This last week I celebrated my very first birthday and YES - I really did celebrate ALL week! :) Here are some great photos to prove it.

But first, just a little update about me... Being 1 year old is great. I have four teeth now - front top and bottom. I am cruising all over the house and can walk across the room with my lion walker all by myself. I love to stand up, especially right in front of the TV (even though it is way above my head). I love to play with all of my toys and I LOVE to read my books. And YES, I did get a swing for my birthday, but its not hung up yet, so no photos of that today.

I went to the doctors office for my one year check-up and I am very healthy. I have been teething and that led to another ear infection, but it is already almost gone. I weigh 24 lbs, 1 oz (94%) and am 30.25 inches tall (80%). Plus, I got 3 more immunizations, for which I was very brave. Growing up is tough work, but I'm up for the challenge. One year down, 99 left to go. :)

Birthday girl



Okay people - let's get this party started already!!


Wait a second - this tiara doesn't "go" with this bib! Need a quick wardrobe update...



THE CUPCAKE SAGA - A Play-by-Play documentary
Okay, now that I have my birthday bib on, let's check out the birthday cupcake.


I've never had a cupcake before - are they as good as they look? I'm just not sure.


Okay, I'm downright scared! Will this go straight to my hips?! Please, don't make me eat it!


What? Just a taste? You want me to lick that off of your finger? I don't think so...


I've had enough! I'm taking my tiara and we're leaving. I don't like chocolate and you can't make me eat it! (Blaspheme, I know!)

My lips are sealed. No matter how you try to force the cake in, I will never open my mouth. Smear cake on my face if you want, I will NOT eat it!!!

I'm serious about this.

Inspecting the wreckage. It's finally over!

I know, I'm quirky, but at least I'm cute. Here are some photos of me in my beautiful birthday dress and tiara. My cheeks are a little extra red from teething, but you can imagine it's my rosy birthday glow!

Neehner, neehner, neehner!

We had some great snow recently and here are a couple of photos of me and Dad playing in the backyard. We tried to build a snow fort, but only got a little tiny tower built when I got cold and had to go in. But you already know how I feel about snow - the whole cold and wet part is SO overrated. Give me a beach any day... :)

Hope you all enjoyed my stories. I wish you could have been here to celebrate with me, but maybe next year. Until next time...

Hugs and kisses,

Ella

The Best Christmas EVER!

Merry Christmas friends! This was my very first Christmas and it was so exciting. I loved the decorations on the tree and the lights. I got LOTS of presents and had a great time ripping off the wrapping paper and bows. We spent the week in Utah visiting family and trying not to freeze like snowmen. :)

This is me opening my first present...




Inspecting the wrapping paper for any more potentially hidden presents -


Playing with my stacking rings. What a fun toy!

Testing out my new "spill proof" sippy cup.

Me with Dad holding my new cell phone.

Me and Mom - playing with the rings again. Love those things. :)

Family shot. This is the little horse Grandma and Pops gave me. It makes little galloping sounds and then whinnies and snorts. I like to hold it by the legs and rock it back and forth in rhythm with the trotting sounds (hence the blur in the 2nd picture below). Love it!

Me and Pops. (and my favorite rings again!)

Me and Grandma.

All 3 of us hanging out and playing with (what else!?), my new rings...

We stayed at Aunt Tammy and Uncle Mike's house. Aunt Tammy ALWAYS makes me laugh. She's so funny and I like it when she tickles me. AND, she's the coolest because she bought the ring toy for me!

I even got to play in the snow in their front yard. There is more snow in UT than at home. It was cold and wet and very different from anything I've played with before. If only I could bend my arms in that coat... ;)

I tried to make a snow angel, but it didn't go so well. I think I'd like snow better if it wasn't cold and wet. Maybe if it was more like sand on a tropical beach... but I digress.




Okay, so we spent the last 2 days in UT visiting my Aunt Adriann, Uncle Shane and cousin Ivy. Ivy has this cool swing in her yard that we got to play on. Have I ever mentioned that I like to play on swings? Oh, how I hope Mom and Dad buy me one for my birthday (hint, hint). :) It was cold out there so we couldn't play long - but swinging is awesome and so worth the red nose and frozen fingers.

Wow! I have to say that this was for sure my best Christmas EVER! Yes, I know it is my only Christmas so far, but it was just great and I had lots and lots of fun. I hope you all had a great Christmas, too.

-

Be sure to check back in a couple of weeks for pictures of my first birthday. I just can't wait. Maybe you'll even see a picture of me in my very own swing?! (Hope you're reading this Mom & Dad). Turning one is a very big deal. :)

Lots of love, Ella