Happy St. Patty's Day

Ok being of Irish descent you would think I would celebrate this fun holiday more, but for some reason, I have never managed to really get my Irish on. Something always comes up. Even in college, I don't remember much green beer drinking going on. I have a chance to today but now I have been asked to dinner by my sister in law and that would be fun too. Plus I think I have what Ella had - (I washed my hands like twenty times a day but then Ella would be sleeping on me and I swear she purposefully turned her head around just to cough on me). Everyone at work is ditching early to go to the bar. What do I do? On one hand, I could really use some time out, but on the other, I should be with family. Decisions, decisions.

On being sick, I feel kind of bad for Dave. He really is such a great, patient man. When Ella started feeling better, Dave tried to say he was sick and I just shot him down and told him I didn't want to hear it. Basically I told him to suck it up. So Friday I started to feel icky and pretty much whined every night this weekend. Dave was so sweet about it. He got me things and said he hoped I would feel better soon. Not once did he mention the fact that I was totally unsympathetic when he felt sick. I love you, Dave! You put up with so much.

After spending a week with Ella when she is sick, I am reminded of how happy Ella truly is all the time. I missed her smile so much when she was ill, and this weekend it was so much fun having her back to her old self again. She was cute, giggly, and full of hugs.

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes. Dave's dad is still with us. I will probably email everyone any news.

Attempt #10

So I started a post a week or so ago and kept trying to finish it, but I just had to start over. I kept holding off because I wanted to post pics but our computer is being so cranky and slow.

Ella is being such a big girl lately. She is finally starting to repeat some words back to us, but we usually only get them out of her once. I think she is going to start spewing words one of these days and floor us all. We have been struggling with naps lately. She used to go down right after lunch without a fight and now we have to wait until she is just exhausted which doesn't usually happen til 3. I am always almost tempted to just go without but then she just gets irrational. I feel like we spend half the day just trying to get a nap. It is cute to listen to her when you try to lay her down and she isn't ready. She sings :). I think she is practicing for American Idol. She is a big fan of Chekeezie. Ella is also the sweetest girl. She is SO into hugging. Tonight we were saying goodbye to Dave's brother and his family. They have two girls who are so sweet and adore Ella. Well the little one got her hug,then another, and then her sister got one, then Aunt Grace, then Dave's mom, then Uncle John, then back to her cousins, etc. Everyone got 4 hugs except for the lil Kate who got at least 6. The amazing part was this was mostly all her own. A couple gentle nudges towards the right people at first but then it was just all Ella. That's how she is too. She just brings sunshine wherever she goes.

Our family has been going through a rough patch, and it is something I hesitated on posting about because I am not sure how to explain. Dave's father has a disease called Lewy Body Dementia. It is in the same family as Alzheimers, but it is also similar to Parkinson's, but it seems to be much more progressive than either. So although he has had symptoms for awhile now, the worst has definitely been the last year. He has really gone downhill since last summer when he lost the ability to swallow. He has been such a fighter, but it progressed very quickly. It is looking like he may finally end his battle with the disease soon. So please keep Dave's mom and his family in your thoughts over the next few weeks.

Too tired to make up creative titles...

My mom and dad drove Ella and I to Cleveland this weekend. We felt we hadn't seen our family down there in so long. I missed them so much and couldn't wait to see them! We had a great time and the trip was so much easier because of my parents. I know it was harder for them and sometimes we make the trip three times longer but not this time. Ella was a doll the whole way down and back.

Update on the shower head fear: We have worked out that the shower head is ok in Ella's book, but now she won't sit down willingly in the bathtub. Go figure! I managed to get her sitting the other day but had to bathe quickly because the peace didn't last long. Saturday night in Cleveland Ella's cousin, Saoirse wanted to take a bath with Ella. I thought for sure Ella wouldn't even fuss because she would have a buddy, but we were wrong. Complete breakdown! She would stand up but not sit down at all. I finally coaxed her down with a new tub toy from Grandma. Then cute Saoirse decided she was having so much fun dumping water over her head that Ella should get some too. OMG! Jason and I just waited for the melt down. Ella started cracking up!!! She had a great time after that with her cousin. One of those moments where I look back now and think " where was my camera??"

Oh well- here are some pics from the last month or so...

Ella in pigtails


Ella with Daddy having fun at Sesame Street Live


2nd time in the snow- she loves it!


the most patient dog in the world



And to close- a rare portrait of mother and daughter

Scary monster or shower head?

We don't know what happened or when exactly, but over the weekend Ella suddenly got terrified of the shower head. She remembers now too so she won't take a bath unless Mama gets in with her. Not very convenient or fun. She used to not care for baths but we had found how to show her they were fun. Now we are in worse shape because she screams and won't let go of me. The only thing I can remember is that Dave was cleaning the shower a day or so before and Ella was watching, but she had no reaction then. I do admit that from Ella's POV the shower head is kind of creepy. I am going to try showing her what the shower does since it is a hand held one. Wish us luck. I was just thinking around the holidays how lucky we were that Ella had no real fears or phobias. Jinxed myself maybe?

Elmo Rocks!

What a busy,fun week! I took Monday off because my boss told me to. It was nice not to even think about the place. It was really cold though. After being couped up all weekend, Ella and I decided to head to the mall and play on the giant food. Well, I forgot it was also a holiday and that kids were out of school. OMG! What a nightmare! First, it was a great reminder of what a good mom I am for several reasons. The best one being that I didnt send her out on her own (seriously there was a baby about a year old just toddling around by herself). I was about a foot behind Ella the whole time, and she still almost got plowed. Insane. Secondly, it was like watching a miniature Lord of the Flies. There was definitely a caste system in place and everyone had their role.
The rest of my week was trying to catch up from having one day off! Sad isn't it? Friday we went to dinner with my parents. That was great- especially because I found a new friend named Mochatini (at Applebee's). We will not seeing each other again until I reach my goal weight (9 lbs to go!). Saturday I did a great job of cleaning house. Of course I noticed last night that it only takes a day for Ella to destroy the whole house again so why bother?
Sunday (yesterday) was a fabulous day!! Ella had been cranky on Saturday so I was glad to see she was in a better mood especially because we had big plans for that night. Last night we went to see Sesame Street Live:Elmo Makes Music at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. We had no idea how Ella would react. It was our first big event with her. It started out with a bang. Lots of lights and loud music, and Ella's eyes got huge. No smiles but no crying either. About 5 minutes later she got this little smile on her face and after that it was all fun! She watched the whole thing. Ella has never paid attention to anything that long. Dave and I enjoyed it a lot too! It was very cute and very lively. We also paid way too much for an Elmo balloon that was actually totally worth it after we saw Ella play with it at home. I totally recommend this for anyone with toddlers or preschoolers.
After so much fun last night, I was sad to leave Ella today, but at least my boss is gone so its quiet. Hope everyone has a great week!

Belated Happy New Year

Happy 2008 way late!! We had a wonderful holiday with both families, and we wrapped it up with a heck of a party in Chicago for my company. The new year has replaced my baby with a full blown toddler. Ella just doesn't look like a baby anymore and she is starting to "get it". Still not talking much. The other day I knew she might need a change so I asked her "Ella, are you poopie?" She looked at me, put her toy down, and went to lay down on the floor. My mouth dropped, and I told her "OK stay right there. I need to get a diaper." So with that, I decided to move her potty into the bathroom because she is obviously aware of things now. We took it out today and cleaned it up and she watched me put it in the bathroom. She lifted the lid a few times, and she sat on it for a second. Later I decided to give it a try. I told her we were going potty, took her to it, and got her disrobed. She was very content. Not freaked out at all. Nothing happened. Still there was promise. After her nap, I figured she may have to go so we tried again. This time she did it!! So maybe it was a fluke except... she did it again right before bed!! Yay Ella!! I was not really expecting us to get to this step for a little while but hey maybe this is the time. These events prompted a trip to buy pull ups. If she is ready, it will happen. Wish us luck!!! Ella has just been so much fun since the holidays. She is always happy and smiling. We are loving every minute of it! Here are a couple of pictures from the last couple of months.



Ella loves Olive Garden. Too much perhaps. Her look here definately suggests she might be a little full.

Whew

These last few weeks have just been so insane. Thanksgiving went great. Dave's mom, my parents, and my sister's family all joined us for dinner. I was in charge of the bird. It was a hit with everyone but Ella. Not a big meat eater right now. She just chewed on it for about 20 seconds and spit it out. I will try not to take that one personally. My nieces and I went to see Enchanted last Friday. Such a great movie!! We had a great time and laughed a lot. It was fun because I don't get to spend that kind of time with them much anymore. Things seem busier sometimes because Dave and I don't see each other much and one of us is exhausted from chasing Ella Bella. Even my mom and sister said she is a very busy little girl. It's no wonder she is so skinny and eats as much as I do.

Ella is picking up stuff so fast now. She's still not saying many words. I think it may be becuase I talk too fast. Apparently there are two "ma"s in our house. Dave is ma too. He used to be "da" but lately she calls us both ma. We are working on calling him daddy every couple of seconds and were rewarded today with a "da". She says "more" a lot. I think that is her favorite. She will repeat things we say too but doesn't seem to remember what they meant. She has mastered both the spoon and fork now, but often resorts to hands when things just aren't going fast enough. She also climbed onto the couch for the first time today. Apparentally food is a big motivator for Ella because she came up onto the couch and sat herself in my lap to mooch my oatmeal. After that big accomplishment, I really couldn't say no. It seems like everyday now she does something that we are just shocked - "where did she learn to do that?" is often said.

Tonight Dave was working. We had a great girls' night. It was just one of those perfect fun nights with lots of laughs and cuddles. I really wished Dave could have been home to see and even document. There were sippie cups on heads and horsie rides and lots of climbing on Gibby (she's such a patient dog). Ella showed true appreciation for her first real glimpse of snow. I can't wait to take her out in it soon.

Ok enough catching up- I will post some really cute pics once I find batteries so I can upload pictures.