Perfect day

I really thought today was going to be ordinary. I felt like we should do something special, but I wasn't sure what with Dave working and stuff needing to be done. Well I got a lot of laundry done and some stuff around the house cleaned up. Ella took her nap, and afterward, I planned on going with her to feed my mom's cat. There is a nice new outdoor mall by her apartment so I thought we would stop and walk a bit there.

Well things started out a little hairy. We forgot the stroller so Ella had to walk which only was an issue when we got in stores. Ella loves to touch EVERYTHING. Well we only stopped in three stores thankfully. We hit the playground for a few, and then we found the fountains. They have these cool fountains that are on timers. Ella had a blast! Of course this was not planned so she was drenched and I had no change of clothes and certainly no towel. :) So we went to Parisian where they just happened to have some cute patriotic shirts and shorts on sale for 50% off. I was going to get her an outfit for the fourth anyways. We then headed off to get dinner, but on the way we stopped to listen to the live music playing :). They were singing oldies songs and Ella loves music. We went to Taco Bell for a quick bite, grabbed a cookie, and went back to the music. Ella was a dancing fool. For an almost two year old, she has some moves. She really gets into the footwork especially.

It was just a great day. We are both tired but it was worth it. Here is some pics from this morning after I got her dressed in her really cute dress.


Ella gets this cheesy smile now everytime the camera points her way!

That's better!

Miss Hollywood


Mom, you're cramping my style!

Biting my nails...

So anyone who knows me knows I am addicted to polymer clay. I found this medium back when my sis was in college and broke it out again about 5 years ago and didn't stop claying until Ella was born. I took a break for a long while, but at our retreat in March I found that I had missed it so much! I am back to clay at least 3 nights a week. I am very happy with my recent works and have decided to try my hand at selling some of my stuff on Etsy. I can get lost in this site for hours. This is a very tough thing for me to do. I like my stuff, Dave likes my stuff, but who is to say anyone else will. I did give some jewelry as gifts this year and they were big hits. I used to mostly make vases and bigger pieces, but with limited time, I find pendants much quicker and more challenging so more fun.


Heathlove's Etsy

Here is my Etsy store if you would like to check it out. I have several more pieces that I want to get up there but haven't managed to get pics for them yet.

How do you punish your monkey?

Monday disguised as Tuesday Part 2

So this morning was fun. Ella woke up last night around 4 and came to lay down with us. She started coughing and just couldn't stop for almost an hour. I eventually got up with her and sat on the couch so she was upright. It helped and we both passed out. When Dave woke me up at 5:30 to tell me to put her in her crib, I made the unwise decision to go back to bed. I didn't get up until 6:30- so much for showing off my new do. I did ok getting myself ready- showered, dressed, and made coffee before Ella got up. Once she was up it went ok too. Until we went to get shoes and jacket on. Ella's shoes tend to end up in different rooms now. I can only assume Ella is picking them up and carrying the around. So it took me 10 minutes to find her 2nd sneaker. Then I went to get my keys to leave- I bet you can see where this is going- and they were nowhere to be found. I knew exactly where they were and I freaked. They were in the diaper bag which I knew was in the car! So I mentally start going over the conversation I will have to have with my boss while I head out to the car to see if they are there. Miraculously the car was unlocked! Of course that was a very irresponsible, unsafe situation but somehow it happened at the right time. Of course now we are very late and I couldn't even get myself to enjoy Ella's cuteness. She was a very happy girl through it all. I was 10-15 minutes late but ok with just getting here safely. Now I just want to go home and it is only lunch time.

Happy Belated Memorial Day- Monday disguised as Tuesday Part 1

What a beautiful weekend! We really had a great one. Unfortunately we didn't see Dave much. He had Friday off but got called in around 4. Of course I was getting my first haircut in 6 months when he got the call. I got home and he was getting ready to leave. It sucked. Cool thing though- my hair looks great! I just hate that when they style it at the salon it looks so much better than I could ever do. I should have taken a picture. They used a flat iron on my hair (at my request) to see what would happen. I looked at least 5 years younger! Dave even said it was the best hairdo I had ever. So I was all excited and went out to purchase a flat iron. Apparentally that was a once in a lifetime do. I can keep practicing but since I don't have four arms and they are not 6 feet long, I don't think the magic will happen again.

So that was Friday- I don't really remember the rest of the night. I know Ella and I went somewhere, but it must not have been terribly exciting. Saturday morning- I had a plan. We headed off to the Farmer's Market to pick up some vegetable plants in case mine started from seeds don't pan out (so far so good though!). Then I wanted to rush back and pack a lunch to take to the zoo. The ideal outcome would be to arrive at the zoo no later than 11 so it wasn't as crowded. We arrived back from the market at 9:30. I rush in to make sandwiches....ummmm no bread. Guess we are eating there. So I grab some snacks and start packing Ella's bag. Can't find the sunscreen. Oh and there's stuff that HAS to go in the mail. So quick trip to Target and then the post office and then on to 75 to goto zoo. At the post office,it hits me- I don't have my house keys. Which ordinarily wouldn't worry me too much because I can just get Dave's and if they are lost, it will be a hassle but fixable. The problem this time was my mom's apt key was on there, and we are taking care of her cat. I really didn't want to kill Nell. She's a good kitty. My mind and heart start racing. Where did I throw them? Why didn't I put them back with my car keys? So I trace back and I remember locking the house, but I don't remember having them at Target. So best case scenario- they are at the house in the yard. Worst case- somewhere in Target, Target's parking lot, or in someone else's pocket. I try not to drive 80 back to our house or think of the huge crowd that will be at the zoo by the time we finally figure this out. So we get to the house and I don't even have to pull in before I see my keys shining brightly in the driveway. I take a deep breath and finally head off to the zoo. On the way, Ella falls asleep. I handled the bumps well I think. I went through the Burger King drive thru and got lunch for us. Took the long way to the zoo and when we got there, Ella was well rested and it was only 12:30. Of course, everyone and their brother arrived at the same time, but Ella ate her lunch while we waited in line. I found that just mommy and daughter at the zoo goes well. We manuever much faster than most. So we pretty much hit everythin

Sunday we went to a coworker's house for a BBQ. Ella wore herself out playing outside. No nap! We had a lot of fun. She looked so pretty in her little dress. We really had a nice relaxing day. Ella didn't want to leave, and with no nap, we had quite a meltdown. She passed out in the car and really never woke up even through getting her pjs on. Poor girl was exhausted.

Yesterday was beautiful. I thought it was going to rain so I had planned on getting the house spotless, but since it was so nice, we spent the afternoon outside. Ella got to hang out in her little pool. That was fun. She is such a laid back kid. She just sat and played with her tub toys like it was bath time. We had dinner out with Dave and that was it.

Oh quick update- Ella talked a lot this weekend! I am still concerned that she is mostly babbling but at least she is making sounds now. We have a dr appt tomorrow and I plan on talking about her hearing. Also my friend, Barb, pointed us in the direction of an early intervention service that we can check into.

Ok today is a two poster because I wanted to cover the weekend and today seperately.
Here are some pics from Sunday. The second is Ella and her pal, Rachel.

"Thinking: the talking of the soul with itself"- Plato

I found this quote and thought it was very approriate for my post. I am having some severe mommy concerns. My little girl STILL isn't talking. She turned 23 months old today and right now she only says "More", "shoe", "tanks", and "mama". We have no concerns about how bright she is. She comprehends everything we say. Dave pointed out too that she never has been one to blow away the milestones like crawling, walking either. Pretty much just about the time I would get all worked up with worrying, she would decide it was time. I am thinking this will be no different. The last couple of weeks she does talk in sentences. We do not understand what she is saying at all but she is definitely trying to tell us something. This is different than before when she was just silent. So I am going to definitely have them test her hearing and anything else they think might be holding her back. I am ok if she needs some speech therapy. I just worry it's something big. I keep telling myself she's fine but its hard not to consider the worst.

On the things she does get, her comprehension astounds me. We can't have conversations with her unless we really mean what we are saying. I even mention the word "outside" and her little butt is at the door attempting to put her shoes on and then at the closet getting her jacket. The other day a friend watched her and Ella kept going to the door and to discourage her from wanting to go outside, she told Ella it was too cold."Brrr" she said. So Ella goes to the coat closet. Oh and I have to keep the back door locked. She doesn't try to escape without me - yet- but if the dog wants in, she is nice enough to open the door for her. The other day I forgot to lock it, walked into the kitchen,and all of a sudden I heard the door opening and then crying. She pinched her fingers closing it. And Ella is also a great "helper". She now thinks it is her job to empty the dishwasher and thinks anything is fair game. She goes first for the knives and plates. She is so sweet all the time. That is what I focus on when I am worried. No matter what she is the best thing to ever come into my life!

The games we will play!

I thought this was going to be just a blah post. Things are gray here. I have been a little worried about Ella and her lack of words. I plan on talking to her doctor at her 2 yr appt. I haven't felt the need to rush her in because the last week she has been saying more. They moved her to the next room at daycare and I really think it's helping her come out of her shell. Her teachers seem to think she is just shy. That is what I believe too. I am ok if she needs some help. I just want to make sure we start it as soon as possible if it is needed. Who knows what our future holds after my job is over. We also attempted some potty training today. Yeah- she's not ready. We would sit on her potty fine for about 5-10 minutes, and I would ask her if she was done. She would pull her pull up up and head back out to play. Nothing in the potty. I kept her pants off to make it easier to go often. Well three times today, she went 5 minutes after we tried. It was so frustrating to find that her little flowers had disappeared. I think I am going to wait until she is talking more.

So after a very slow day, our evening picked up. Ella has learned to play hide and seek! She goes in her bedroom and closes the door, and I go hide. Then she opens it back up and comes looking for me. We had a lot of fun. About half the times she found me with no help. Other times I had to give her a little hint. We had a lot of fun.

I had a redneck, white trash moment tonight. I took my almost two year old to the liquor store on the corner. I had food stains and all. Before I left the house, I almost put her in her jammies, but I realized then it would be obvious I left the house with her just to go buy beer. Why did that make a difference? I DID leave the house just to buy beer. Dave and I have taken to having one in the evening a few nights a week to relax. We have decided to try different kinds. Tonight I got Bell's Hopslam. Should be interesting.

Happy Mother's Day!!

I just want to wish all our wonderful mom friends a almost belated Happy Mother's Day (11:59 PM)!! I hope everyone one had a nice day with family.

We started our celebration last night with Dave's mom. We had a very nice dinner together. Ella was a little antsy but nothing a couple of walks around the restaurant didn't cure.

Our day today had its ups and downs, but it started and ended on the perfect note. I got to sleep in until 8:30- WOW! Dave and Ella were going to get me coffee but I got up too fast for them. I got some fun cards including one Ella made at daycare that was super cute. Also Dave gave me a gift certificate for the salon up the street. I am excited to go get beautified very soon. I am thinking highlights but not sure. I may opt for the manicure instead. It was very wet and yucky today but we went out and had lunch and walked the mall. I have to fess up that the low today was my grouchiness. I haven't been feeling well at all and it definitely caught up with me. I got over it a little by the evening and Dave gave me some time to scrapbook which was fun. It was so neat looking at some pics of Ella when she was just a tiny baby. I will have to take some pics of what I got done when I am not so tired.

Snack attack hit which is why I am up so late! Off to bed now!

If I could freeze time....

We went to Cleveland this weekend for a long overdue visit. It was such a wonderful, fun weekend packed with music, laughter, and lots of love. We hadn't seen my sister and brother and their families since February. Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming when we all go so long without seeing each other because you feel you have to pack everything in. This time was we were all relaxed and let ourselves just be. We got together to celebrate Jason's birthday (Apr 23), Parents anniversary (Apr 25), and Mother's day. There were a lot of presents going on and they were all very cool. I got some tunes, much needed car washes (very cool gift!), and some yummy smelling body butter. Seriously yummy. I can't wait to put it on! Oh and a few weeks ago, my mom got me some coconut holders. Figure that out on your own!

I am always curious about how Ella will respond when we go down there. Every time we go it has been a couple of months and she is doing new stuff and will have new experiences. This time though- wow. She was much more interested in playing with her cousin who is 3. I know they all try really hard to win her over, but I think she remembered everyone this time and had smiles for all. The magic moment came on Saturday night though. My whole family just loves music and most of us were blessed with some talent (yeah not me). Almost every time we get together, impromptu jam sessions happen. This time, my little girl got to finally see what our family is about. The music started, and I would have sworn something possessed Ella. She was so into the music. She was dancing like a mad woman. Every so often she would just look around and you could see the joy and love on her face. She laughed and danced so enthusiastically. There really are no words to describe. And her spirit was contagious and I think we all put more into it because of her. I know I got teary eyed a couple of times. I am really lucky to have such a special family.

I am trying really hard today to relive a little bit of that jam session. We are definitely back to the grind today and to start off my morning, I rear ended someone! *sigh* There was only a little mark on his bumper and he didnt seem concerned. I really don't think it was even from me, but I bumped him pretty good. I have to call the insurance company and mention it but I am sure it will be ok. Hopefully I didn't just jinx myself. Well, the day can only get better from here.

Oh and Ella is moving up to the big girl room today. Toddler 2!! I just can't believe that my baby is growing up so fast. She really has lost all her baby look in her face.