Outdoor Weekend Fun

While this weekend is spent ducking rain showers and working, last weekend was spent swimming and eating popsicles.  A much more relaxing way to enjoy the weekend...

Elli is still not a fan of cold foods.

 

Elli tolerated the life vest.  She couldn't really move her arms but she let us have our fun.  She was much happier in her float/raft.

Learning to float

Elli's First Birthday Party

While planning for Elli's first birthday party, we quickly decided on a Minnie Mouse theme due to Elli's love of Mickey since a young age.  I wanted classic Minnie Mouse with the red and white polka dots because that is what we grew up with, rather than the new Minnie with pink and white polka dots. We tried to keep the party planning simple but it's amazing how quickly one idea leads to another!  No wonder so many parents quickly go overboard with birthday parties!

 Thanks to ideas from Pinterest and etsy, making the Styrofoam Minnie Mouse table decoration, Minnie Mouse cake (Thanks Glee!) and Oreo cookie desserts was simple.  We served Subway sandwiches, chips and desserts including a do-it-yourself Mickey sugar cookie decorating station.

We played Pin the Bow on Elli and also had two people face off on assembling a 24-piece Minnie Mouse puzzle.  The kids enjoyed the pool while the adults relaxed under the shade.  It was sunny and high 90s for her party, just like the day she was born.

And we ended the party with cake...

First bite

I think she liked it!

 Elli was very careful with her cake, she didn't dive into it like some kids.  She kept looking at Ryan for reassurance that she can be eating this.  Surprisingly, she didn't have a sugar high or low afterwards and didn't crash after her party.  I know she didn't fully understand that everyone came to celebrate her but Elli enjoyed herself and gave plenty of smiles. 

12 month letter

My sweet Ellianna,

It is so unbelievable that you are already one!  This past year has gone by so incredibly fast.  You have turned our lives upside down, but in a wonderful way.  You bring us so much happiness, you have enriched our lives, and we can't imagine life without you.

Everyone warned us that life with a baby goes by so much faster, and although we listened, I don't think anyone fully understands until they become a parent.  I think back to last fall when I was home with you during the week and smile.  I'd love to  be able to stay home with you again but work is work and it makes me treasure my weekends with you. 






The weekend before your birthday, we had a small pool party to celebrate your big day.  Minnie Mouse was the theme and red and white polka dots decorated our house.  The gifts our friends brought are being donated to the Vannie Cook Cancer Foundation where local kids in our area go for their chemotherapy.  We want you to learn from an early age the importance of giving back to the community, giving to those less fortunate, and to develop compassion for those who are sick.


You aren't walking independent yet.  But that doesn't stop you from getting around.  Chairs, step stools, tables...anything you can push with you hands enables you to walk to your destination.  You are cruising around the furniture and walls faster and we have seen you stand independent for a few seconds.  You received a push-toy walker from a friend and your face lit up with a huge smile the first time you walked with it.  You think you are pretty hot stuff walking around the house.  I'm okay with the not walking yet as you have become so fast and efficient with crawling on your hands and knees.  Last month we switched you from your infant carrier car seat to a larger car seat.  We drove around the neighborhood with you facing forward and you squeled with delight.  However, you will continue facing backwards until you reach the 20 pound requirement.  Despite you becoming so much more active during the day, sleep still isn't important to you.  Naps continue to be 20-60 minutes in length and sleep at night between 9-10 hours with waking every 2-4 hours.  You continue to babble 'ba ba ba' with 'ya ya ya' also thrown in the mix.  You are pointing to everything! Well, pointing with your palm.  We are trying to name everything for you, thinking that you are learning names of things.  You aren't yet calling us by mama or dada.  You are understanding so much these days, when we call your name and tell you to 'come here', you quickly crawl over to us.  You already test us and your boundaries, you laugh or smile when we tell you no.  Yet, you do understand 'no' and sometimes you begin crying as though your feelings got hurt.  New foods this month include corn, grilled red and orange peppers, and yogurt, and birthday cake. I'm sure we have introduced more but those are what I wrote down.  Aside from your hospitalization at 6 weeks old and 2 rounds of strep throat, you have been a very healthy baby.  I am so happy that you have escaped your first year without an ear infection because your daddy has quite the history of those from when he was younger.

At one year old, your favorites are blueberries and cheese, Mickey Mouse, interacting with your dogs, and you love going for walks in your stroller.  You have developed a few nicknames over the past year: Ellie Mae, Elli-belly, Elle, and of couse Elli. 

We did it!  We made it to the one year mark of breast feeding!  This was my goal and if the road hadn't been so challenging, I don't think we'd even be mentioning it.  Due to our various struggles, this achievement is bittersweet.  I love the bonding and closeness it has given us and I anticipate weaning will be hard on both of us.  However, there is a 1/2 marathon in our future and your daddy and I are eager to begin training for the race, with you in your stroller, babbling away while we run.

Official stats at 12 months old: Weight - 19 pounds, Height - 28.5 inches, Head circumference - 18 inches.  You are wearing size 9 month clothes, size 4 diapers, and size 4 shoes.  Your hair is thickening nicely and slowly starting to grow in length.  Your eyes have stayed blue and you have 2 new teeth (one on the top left and one on bottom right) for 7 teeth total.

39 weeks pregnant, on our way to the hospital

1 year old!

Oh, Miss Ellianna...this past year has been one of the happiest, most rewarding, and challenging.  We have learned so much along this journey with you and continue to work hard to be the best parents we can be for you.  As much as I miss your 'baby' days, I love your emerging personality and I can't wait to watch you continue to grow and amaze us.  We love you so very much and look forward to all the fun memories ahead.

Looks who's 1!

Happy Birthday to the most beautiful little one year old!  We are so incredibly blessed to be your parents :)

Father's Day 2013

We celebrated Father's Day this year with egg tacos for breakfast and grilled out for dinner.  While in Colorado, we stayed at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park.  When we return, we will definitely be staying there again.  So many activities to do, hiking available, horseback riding, and we saw dozens of elk each night.  Elli and I snuck away one afternoon to the arts and crafts cabin and made Ryan a footprint plate which they glazed for us.  Originally, it was to be Elli's handprint,  but she curled her fingers when I tried lifting her hand off and was having nothing to do with repainting her hand.  Elli and I also bought the pink swing for Ryan and her to enjoy this summer while they are spending time outside.  Elli also picked out some pink lilies for Ryan, which smelled so good when they opened. Aside from studying during the day, we spent time outside in Elli's swing and swimming in the pool.  I think Ryan had a nice, relaxing day.

11 months!

My Ellianna,

I know I say this every month but these months seem to go by faster and faster.  You continue to grow and develop by leaps and bounds and you are learning so much!  This past month there is no denying, you are so close to turning one and the early newborn days are long behind us.  Long gone are the days of quiet cuddling as you are a mover.  When you are awake, your body is in motion.  Standing, dancing, cruising along the furniture, and crawling...as long as you are moving, you are happy.

You spent most of this past month on vacation.  We took a family road trip to Colorado at the end of May for 12 days.  We drove straight through the 18-hours, leaving our house at night after your bath and even though you got a little restless the next day, you hung in there for the drive.  Our first cabin was at 9000 ft. elevation and between the elevation and winding road to get there, you got sick. You were fussy and beyond tired of your car seat, so you were sitting on my lap which means you threw up all over me and the car.  Other than that, you didn't have any problems with the elevation.  You went on your first train ride at the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, saw your first moose at Rocky Mountain National Park, first concert (Darius Rucker and Rodney Adkins) at Red Rock Amphitheater, and first MLB game in Denver.

This past month you have began clapping!  In my opinion, this is probably one of the cutest things you have learned.  You said 'ma' on June 8 and 'da' on June 15.  'Ba ba ba' continues to be your most consistent sound.  You are now swimming in the pool with us, trying to stick your face in the water, and kicking your legs when we practice swimming.  You love your new swing outside.  While on vacation, we placed at you the base of the stairs and you climbed the flight of stairs like a pro.  We have stairs at home but we just hadn't tried them yet.  You are also now crawling on your hands and knees (finally!) and you have become quite efficient and fast.  You and your daddy like to play chase and you squeal with delight as he comes after you.  You are learning the meaning of the word 'NO' but usually pause, look at us with a smile on your face and continue heading towards your destination.  Your favorite destination that gets the most 'no'?  The dogs water bowl.  You love to play in the water and splash until there is more water on the floor than in the bowl.  No new teeth arrived this past month but it looks like we are waiting on a top left tooth.  You are a chewer, edge of the window sill, your highchair tray, the edge of the tub, and your crib.  You are leaving teeth marks everywhere but we now have fleece lining the top rail of your crib so that is protecting your crib.  We have seen you try standing by yourself  but it usually results in a fall but you are getting braver.  We are brushing your teeth every night after your bath and this has become one of your favorite activities.  It seems you had a growth spurt overnight.  From one day to the next, I had to switch your wardrobe from 6 month onesies to size 9 months!  You wear size 3 diapers during the day but I have started with size 4 for nights for more coverage.

Sleep continues to be our biggest struggle. You continue to resist falling asleep and most nights this past month, sleep happens a good 2 hours after your bath.  Once you have fallen asleep, we are good for the night and most nights continue with waking every 2 hours but you and I quickly fall back to sleep without fully waking up.  I have heard you giggle softly in your sleep so I trust you are having good dreams.  You are enjoying Goodnight Moon and that has become our bedtime story.  Naps have made good progress this past month.  You are now staying at home all day with your daddy while he tries to get his studying done.  Most days you are taking 3 one-hour naps although there are still plenty of naps that only last 20 minutes.  Naps for your daddy are occurring in your crib! This was a huge milestone for us and we continue to increase the use of your crib.

You  continue to enjoy your solid foods.  We didn't introduce too much this past month due to traveling but you have added watermelon, old-fashioned oatmeal, nectarines and tomato.  You liked them all but developed a rash with the tomato.  We have been trying to introduce some sign language the past couple of months but it is during eating that you have been seen to bring your hands together for 'more.'

We are busy planning for your first birthday party. We were undecided about whether or not to have a party but we decided this is a day to celebrate you. You have added so much to our lives.  Your smiles light up the room and your giggle is music to our ears.  You continue to amaze us.  We look forward to experiencing so much more with you and hope that we can teach you to be true.  True to yourself and true to others.  We love you baby girl!

San Antonio Get-Away

After Ryan's graduation weekend, we made the 4 hour drive north with Ryan's parents to spend a few days in San Antonio.  We didn't have a time schedule, just going for relaxation.  We had plans to eat lunch on the Riverwalk, walk around the Alamo, eat dinner at Culvers :), and spend the following day at Sea World.  Everytime we go to San Antonio, I am so happy with all there is to do in the city.  It's just 4 hours from our house but we don't make it up there often enough.

Playing in the grass on the Alamo grounds

Lunch and walking around the Riverwalk, even though it is a touristy thing to do, is always on our list when we go to San Antonio.  The first year we lived in Texas, I think we went up to San Antonio about 5-6 times! The Riverwalk is so unique and truly its own little world under the hustle of the city streets. We have previously taken the river boat tours and there is so much history in the city and the trees are so old!

As previously mentioned, this trip was Ellianna's first night in a hotel.  Even though she was still sick, she had a ball.  This was her first time to crawl in the bath tub and she ate breakfast the next morning just sitting on the couch like a big girl. We have been strict about her eating in her high chair and this was the first time she was allowed to move while eating her meal.  She sat still for most of her bagel and started crawling around as she got filled up.

Onto Sea World.  We were surprised when we got there that the Budweiser horses are no longer there.  Apparently Anheiser-Busch is no longer partners with Sea World.  Ellianna will have to wait til we get up to her great-aunt's farm in Michigan to see horses up close. Ryan and I were disappointed with the new Shamu show.  Because the trainers are no longer allowed to get into the water with the whales, the show was limited on the ooohhh and aaahhh factor.  But that didn't slow Ellianna's interest in watching...

After Shamu, we headed to Ryan's and my favorite show, Azul.  It has the Beluga whales, dolphins, and synchronized swimmers.  It has lots of action, high dives from the performers and flips and jumps from the animals.  Unfortunately, it was timed for when Elli was past due for her nap.

Ellianna waiting patiently for the show to start.  While fighting off a nap...she finally gave in to her nap about 10 minutes into the show.



This child has never been good at falling asleep, has always fought naps and sleep for fear she might miss something...fell asleep while outdoors!  She and I left the show and waited just outside the arena and next thing I knew, she was sleeping.  Ryan and I were so proud of her that she was able to fall asleep despite the noise.  She proceeded to sleep a solid hour that afternoon.

The drive home also went well.  All that fresh air does a baby good!  She napped for about 1 1/2 hours on the drive home.

It's always so nice to escape from the everyday.  Even though our trip was short and sweet, it was just what we needed to forget about stresses at work and school.