Monday, April 30, 2012

Long Car Ride

Ella: "Can I play with dis? Can I play with dis? Can I play with dis? Can I play with dis? Can I play with dis? Can I play with dis? Can I play with dis? Can I play with dis? Can I play with dis? Can I play with dis? Can I play with dis? Can I play with dis? Can I play with dis? Can I play with dis?"

Derek: "NO! YES! WHATEVER! Just stop talking!"

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Zoo Highlights

Being the slacker that I am, I'm just getting around to posting some pictures from our very spontaneous trip to the Omaha zoo! We enjoyed a solid morning there before the storms hit and were stuck in a tornado watch the rest of the day. Here are some highlights:


YAY! The zoo!


Who says Nemo isn't real?


There were a few monkeys RIGHT up against the glass. Ella kept her distance. :)


Lions, Tigers & Bears! Ella likes to share that this one burped in front of her. :)


Friendly peacock!


Desert Dome


We got so close to many animals!


Potty Training

I am starting to wonder how long it's been since my text message inbox wasn't littered with details about Ella's bowel movements or toilet adventures.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Bossy

Welp, with every proud moment also comes the moments you'd like to crawl into a hole. Twice, this week, we have been astounded by some of Ella's language. This is not good!

"NO! I don't want to go to bed, I SAID!"

"DON'T TELL ME NO!"

Monday, April 16, 2012

Reality Check

It is SO hard for me to think of Ella as the "older child." To me, she will always be my precious little baby! She still snuggles with me, cries on my shoulder, and asks me to hold her hand. Tonight, however, it was a little bittersweet to see new milestones.... she labeled several colors correctly, she put about 8 puzzles together in 20 minutes, she's starting to genuinely have good manners, and she went on the potty. Such a sweet little smartie pants.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Confusion

Me: "Ella. Please get your elbow off my stomach. There's a baby in there!"
Ella: "Baby Jesus?"

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Uh.....

This is how Ella came home tonight after being out in public for several hours with Derek:

Dora pajamas shorts over a pair of corduroy pants
5 lb. sopping wet diaper leaking through her pants
Shoes on the wrong feet
Cupcake crumbs all over her face

Funny, and slightly irritating, but I guess I can look past it since she came home happy, healthy, and gave me a big hug!

Monday, April 9, 2012

April Showers

My very kind and thoughtful coworkers put on a baby shower for me last Thursday...which is so incredibly sweet considering this is my second baby! They made me think it was a "little party" they were putting on--but in reality, they had planned a very elaborate, all-day baby celebration! It is very clear I am blessed at home and at work.

An endless buffet of food...


A beautiful cake...


A beautiful diaper cake....



Lots of sweet cards....


and literally a car full of gifts for Erin, Ella & ME!!





Saturday, April 7, 2012

Not Up For Discussion

If you were hoping for a picture of Ella and the Easter Bunny this week, you will not find it. :)

Ella, who has been afraid of costumed characters all of her life, has reinforced the fact that she has a very serious phobia for yet another year. It is anyone...the Easter Bunny, Santa, the Little Caesar's mascot....

She saw the Easter Bunny walking around at the Readlyn Easter Egg Hunt and hid over Derek's shoulder crying, For the rest of the day, she matter-of-factly said "I don't like the Easter Bunny." Anytime we would try to rebuttal ("but he brings presents," or "Mommy likes the Easter Bunny"), she did not hesitate to chime back with "NO! I don't like the Easter Bunny."

She did, however, enjoy the remnants left by the Easter Bunny, including eggs filled with candy and makeup, a broom set, and a plastic golf club set.




Monday, April 2, 2012

Supper

E: "What you cookin, Mom?"

H: "Hawaiian chicken with rice and corn."

E: "Lion chicken and rice and popcorn?"

H: "Yep."

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Early Easter

*Gasp* "LOOK WHAT I FOUND!"

~The faraway sounds of a toddler who just found and opened her easter present.

I hope she is still surprised next weekend!