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

Santa baby

Hello friends! Time is just flying by. Can you believe I'm already 11 months old?! I weigh 24 lbs, have two teeth, and I pull myself up on everything to stand . Before you know it I'll be cruising all over the house.

And while that is all very impressive, I know, the biggest news is that I've just been to see Santa for the first time. And let me tell you, he is a very fascinating fellow. I just love his beard and his shiny glasses. Our visit was brief - we sized each other up, and then I told him what I wanted for Christmas. He's promised to deliver, so we'll see... :)






Okay, so before I get too excited about Christmas, let me tell you about my Thanksgiving adventure. We took a road trip down to Louisiana to visit my boyfriend Drew and his family. We had a great time just hanging out, but my favorite parts were playing with Drew's toys and our trip to the zoo.


I smile and nod and Drew tries to explain how it works (which of course I've already figured out)!

Snuggled up in our double stroller at the zoo...

My favorite animal at the zoo is the monkey - the gibbons were loud and playful - very fun to watch.

Best seat in the house...

Dad bought me a souvenir - a stuffed toucan as big as me!

Okay, back to present day Ohio, which, by the way, is much colder than I prefer. However, that has not diminished my love of the outdoors. I just have to put on my fuzzy jacket first...

Here I am modeling my new Christmas dress - red hot, right?!

My new favorite toy (early Christmas present) is my activity table. I can pull myself up to stand next to it to play. Almost everything I touch makes noise or plays a song, etc. It is great entertainment!

Um, okay - Mom insisted on including this picture. It is of me sleeping. She had laid me down for my nap, but I decided I wanted to sit up instead. However, while sitting, I got very tired, leaned over and passed out. Luckily Mom checked on me and was able to reposition me so that I didn't sleep like this for two hours! Pretty silly, I know.

Here are a few more fun pictures of me just being my sweet, adorable self. Enjoy!

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, too!

Sending lots of love!
Ella

Flower Power

Hello friends! Here are a few recent photos for your viewing pleasure, including very adorable shots of me in my first Halloween costume... a pretty purple flower.

I got to help pass out candy to the trick-or-treaters. It was a very important job that required me to inspect each piece of candy carefully.

Have you ever seen a prettier flower?!?

I've been practicing my crawling and am getting faster. I prefer the more cushy carpet in the living room over the hard floor in the kitchen and entry way. Crawling can be tough on the knees.

I have a "pet" lion named Leo. Mom and Dad say it is probably the only pet I'll ever have. We'll see about that. But I have to say that Leo is a lot of fun. When I push his nose it lights up and plays music.

Yee-haaaaa! Ride that lion. :)

One of my favorite things is when Daddy reads me a bed time story.

I miss Daddy when he's at work. On the weekends we like to play together ALL day and Daddy gets to do some of the things with me that he misses during the week.

Like dinner... sometimes I eat better for Daddy than Mommy! But don't tell her that.

And bath time...

We had some nice weather this week and Mommy took me to the park 3 days in a row!!! I absolutely LOVE the swings and being outside in the sunshine and feeling the breeze.

Hope you enjoyed the latest update of my adventures.

Next time I'd love it if you'd join me!

Love, Ella

9 months old

Hello friends! I'm very excited to report that I've reached another milestone - I'm nine months old. And guess what?! I'm on the move!!!! Check out the video of me crawling below.
I am 29 inches tall now and weigh 22 lbs 5 oz. My first tooth is just about to emerge and I'm getting better and better at eating. My favorite food is still yogurt but I like lots of different flavors. I like to travel and I've been on a total of 12 airplanes so far. Being a little girl is fun, but it can be a lot of work. :) Until next month... Love, Ella