Ella is 20 Months Old

So life has definitely gotten in the way of writing any blog posts.  The last time I wrote anything was back in May (before I started working).  After that I took up a part time job at a local restaurant for some extra money and then I found out in August that there was an open position in the county so I went back to work as a teacher.  That transition all happened in a matter of two weeks...which meant finding daycare and adjusting to a whole new schedule!  Oh, and throw in a kitchen renovation at the same time.  I think we did a pretty good job enjoying the summer even with all the craziness!

I have been wanting to write up an update, but I just haven't had any time to really sit down.  Then I thought about it on my drive home from church today...so that is why I am in front of the computer.

She has truly started to grow up.  I am always surprised by how many words she can say.  Basically she is able to repeat almost anything we say, and she is already starting to put two words together.   She is a very happy little girl.  Usually she is in the best of spirits.  However, she is also very sneaky.  She loves to take things from Jack, as if she knows this will drive him crazy.  She also has learned to hit, bite, push, and be aggressive towards her brother.  It is like a love/hate relationship between the two of them.  I am hoping that one day they will grow out of the constant back and forth and we might go a few days with a little bit of joy in the house!

Recently Ella has become quite interested in her baby dolls.  She likes to lay them all on the floor together and put a blanket over them.  I think she has motherly instinct about her.  It is really cute to watch.  I see a lot of barbies and a doll house in our future!  She also loves animals, especially puppies and cats.  I think she will be an animal lover, because she has such and interest in all kinds of animals.  The last trip to the zoo was really fun, because she was so interested and captivated by them.

She really loves to read books.  However she still doesn't sit in our laps for long (unless it is her favorite book).  Mostly she likes to pick out a book and pretend to read it herself.  Ella loves to go for walks in the stroller and often climbs up into the seat, to let you know she is ready to go. 

I think she is more curious than Jack.  I feel like I'm always trying to get her out of a mess, like the liter box.  She loves to pull all of the clothes out of the dresser in her room.  Or everything from my wallet.  She is not having fun unless she is making a mess.

Ella has always been an eater and she continues to be that way even as a toddler.  Sometimes she is picky, but usually she is game for anything we give her.  The only thing I can think of that she doesn't like is milk.  She will eat cheese, yogurt, and any other dairy, but not milk.  They try to give it to her at daycare, but she just doesn't like it.  So I have to remind them to give her water all the time. 

What else can I say? Well she has a devilish side too. She loves to annoy her brother. She already knows how to push his buttons.  She takes his shoes, touches him while they are both sitting for a meal, steals his food, basically if he says no then she will keep doing it.  They love each other tremendously, but they fit relentlessly too.

We started daycare about a month ago and she is doing so well there. No more crying when I leave in the morning, however I don't think she gets long enough naps. So on Saturdays they usually last about four hours. Poor baby!

I love my baby girl with all my heart. I am so grateful for a little girl in my life. I think if I had two boys I would always have wished for her in my life. I am so glad she is with me and I get to help her grow into a beautiful, strong, and self confident woman.

Something I Don't Say Enough...

I know that I can bicker with Joe a lot. I can be naggy and annoying with my demands.  I know I expect a lot of him as a father and a husband.  I know that he has a lot of things he wants to do and finds a hard time to juggle it all.  And I know that I don't tell him enough that he is doing a good job.  He is a good husband and father.  I should do less complaining and more celebrating of all that he does that is good.  And even though Mother's Day is this weekend, I think we are overdue for a little post about ten great things he does as a dad and husband!

10. I appreciate his mad cooking skills.  All those jobs working as a server or cook have come in handy, because he had a good sense of taste and often puts together the most delicious meals.

9.  He has started to take Jack with him on his climbing days and Jack really loves it.  I know it is awesome for Jack to have that one on one time with him, but it is also great for me to have some one on one time with Ella. 

8.  Last night Jack wasn't feeling good and just wanted to be held.  I had a hard time with that, because if I sat and held him then Ella only wanted to sit with us too, but she was squirmy.  He just needed some comfort and Joe willing sat with him for about two hours.  I think it was exactly what Jack needed.

7. Often times Ella wakes up very early in the mornings.  She usually likes to eat right away and Jack and I don't mind waiting a while to eat.  Joe is almost always sitting down with her and eating breakfast with her.  I think they bond over that early meal!

6. He is great at reading books to the kids.  He often asks questions or points out different images in the books.  It is really great for their learning and he probably doesn't even realize he is doing it.

5. Joe oftens pushes our family outside for hikes and trips.  I always enjoy going, but I am horrible about initiating it. I truly believe our kids will love being in the outdoors because their father has harbored an deep interested in God's world around us.

4.  It really makes me smile when he gives the kids a bath and pretends to have all the water toys jumping off pretend diving boards (i.e. the shower head).  They LOVE it and watch him in awe.

3.  I have realized that I lack patience with my kids at night time.  I just don't do well when I haven't slept good.  Sometimes we bring Jack into our bed and I always complain and get frustrated with Jack when he kicks me.  Joe doesn't like it either, but he never complains and just lets Jack smother him or snuggle right up to him.  It can be very precious to see in the mornings and I know that Jack is bonded to him in a very special way.  Secretly I think Joe also likes the cuddling a little bit too!

2. Our family comes first, even though it might not feel like that to me sometimes, I know that his children and wife are extremely important to him.  He wants the best of all of us and works hard to try and make that happen.  Actually family has always been important to him and that is one reason I fell in love with him. 

1.  "Dear God" I always say a prayer with Jack before he goes to bed at night and I think Jack expects that in his bedtime routine.  So Joe will pray with him, but he prays different.  I always say, Heavenly Father and he says Dear God.  I know that daddy is the favorite, because whenever I put Jack to bed he says, "I like Dear God."  He wants to be just like his daddy!

Joe, we all love you very much! xoxo

Life Lately (Or At Least Some Pictures From The Last Month)

So I always have good intentions of getting onto my blog, but then life gets in the way and I find other things are just more important.  Maybe if I could be paid for it, then I would work on it more...I wish I was that good!  I have been working a lot as a volunteer coordinator during nap time for an upcoming local event.  So when I have sat down on the computer that is usually what I gravitate to. However, in April we were able to take the kids to a family farm so Jack could get up close and personal with horses.  He loves horses.  Of course, when he gets close he becomes shy as you can see from this picture below.  Since he didn't want to touch the horses, but he got braver with time and was excited to see the other animals.  Then he was thrilled to try out their trampoline! 

Ella decided to take a bite of a crayola marker!  I had to use a washcloth to try and get a lot of it out.  Fortunately it was a washable kind and it mostly cleaned up.  That girl will put pretty much anything in her mouth.  Thankfully she has yet to try a stink bug...although she does enjoy picking them up and giving them to me so I can flush them down the toilet!

One day Ella opened the front door and snuck out.  Except we knew she did it and we were watching her from the door (my mom was here for a week and watched them while I worked).  Ella decided to make some fun faces in the window.  I love it!

This is what happens when I take a shower now.  Ella loves to takes clothes out of the dresser and if Jack is around he is more than happy to help her.  I think they were proud of themselves for this.  I walked into the room after doing something for maybe 2 minutes and this is what I saw.  I sort of gasped and was going to get mad when I realized that wouldn't do any good and I went for my camera instead.  Since that day I think all the clothes have come out of the dresser about five times.  Such fun!

Jack spent a day out at a climbing crag with his daddy and since that day he is always "rock climbing" on everything.  He wants to go climbing and he has to have a rope to do it.  In fact, today he was trying to climbing up into my lap and he said, "I need a rope."  I had to inform him that it was more of a boulder problem since I am so short.  Here's a picture that he let me take after putting on his climbing gear and carrying a rope.  Like father, like son!

Brain Dump

I have a bunch of random things I want to post about...here they are:

1.  Last night when I put Jack to bed I said, "I love you sweetie" and he said, "I love you sweetie."  He is just too cute.  And on a good note, he is staying in his bed without us having to lock the door...three days in a row.  We just remind him that he needs to stay in his bed and if he gets up then we will lock the door.  And he is sleeping until about 4:30 or 5am and then we do let him in our bed then...but it is much better than before!

2.  We went home for Easter weekend and it was so great to see all the family.  I really think Jack and Ella were in family heaven.  I captured some really cute video footage...but this might be one of my favorites.  It was when Ella was napping and we were waiting to have our Easter meal.

3.  I have been wanting to do this project for a while now and finally got to it!  We made an art wall for the kids...and I am in love!

 

4.  Ella is out of control...she is into everything.  She moves everywhere and wants to be a part of everything.  I really feel like she has more energy than Jack did at this age.  I am probably just not remembering correctly, but she is so active.  She has already learned to climb onto the dining room table.  So when she does it, then Jack does it.  Sometimes it feels like they are controlling me!

 

5.  However, she is learning lots of new words and that is so cute too.  She can officially say...mama, dada, papa, ball, dog, wow. 

 

And here are some pictures and video from Easter weekend!  Enjoy