Much to my surprise Cary pulled into the garage at 4:00 this afternoon.
We packed dinner and headed to the pool, before he would have been home from work on a normal day!
It was so nice to spend some family time together since we just got home last night.
It was also really nice to be home and have Ellery bathed and in bed on time.
I looked at the clock around 7 and realized we had already eaten dinner and I scored myself an extra hour in my day!
Now, to try to order my pregnancy blog book...
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
A Letter to Ellery
Ellery,
My dear, sweet, precious Ellery. I love you. There are too many fun-fabulous qualities about you that make me eager to wake up in the morning just to see your precious face.
However, I have a question. Why, oh why, is it that when we are on vacation (like 5 nights into our 6 night vacation), and you are doing soo good at sleeping through the night, that you decide to wake up approximately 1 hour after I have fallen asleep and keep me awake for HOURS?
Don't you remember last night? Do you remember sleeping so soundly, making cute dreaming noises in your pack-n-play, and then as if someone turned on a light in the room you stood up and began crying? Do you remember the multiple times we played the "Pick me up, rock me to sleep and try to put me back down while I scream some more" game? Do you remember sitting in your pack-n-play (after you would scream for a short while) and then listen intensely for me to move in the bed and then begin crying again?
These are not actions that show your Mommy love, my sweet daughter. Now, I have forgiven you. I trust this will not happen again tonight. I am so excited to have a full night sleep and wake up with joy to your baby words and laughter.
All my love,
Mommy
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Beach Vacation
My parents, Ellery and I hopped a plane to Daytona Beach earlier this week.
We are visiting my grandparents and trying to relax. I'm not so sure there is much relaxation going on with a toddler running around. Ellery did very well on the plane. She wiggled all over me and my dad but didn't scream or get upset, just waved to other passengers, turned on the overhead light and crawled all over us.
The minute I step foot into this house my entire being sighs relief.
Something about all the home cooking I've grown up with over the years, the beach, 30 year traditions, no make-up and no impressing anyone.
Little Miss is having a blast burning a hole into the carpet around the kitchen/living room, crawling on the beds and going shirtless.
Ahh, the beach....
This Dairy Bar is about a 2 blocks from the beach and for the past 30 years every trip home from the beach included a stop to this ice cream shack.
Nothing compares to this place. NOTHING.
I'm so excited I am able to introduce one of my favorite places to my daughter.
We are visiting my grandparents and trying to relax. I'm not so sure there is much relaxation going on with a toddler running around. Ellery did very well on the plane. She wiggled all over me and my dad but didn't scream or get upset, just waved to other passengers, turned on the overhead light and crawled all over us.
The minute I step foot into this house my entire being sighs relief.
Something about all the home cooking I've grown up with over the years, the beach, 30 year traditions, no make-up and no impressing anyone.
Little Miss is having a blast burning a hole into the carpet around the kitchen/living room, crawling on the beds and going shirtless.
Ahh, the beach....
This Dairy Bar is about a 2 blocks from the beach and for the past 30 years every trip home from the beach included a stop to this ice cream shack.
Nothing compares to this place. NOTHING.
I'm so excited I am able to introduce one of my favorite places to my daughter.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Potty
This could mean absolutely nothing and is most likely a freak accident, BUT...
Twice today Ellery has gone pee pee on the potty.
She HATES having her diaper changed (which I expect from a 17 month old) and late this afternoon I was taking her back to change a wet diaper. Much to her wiggles and "nooo" I asked if she wanted to go pee pee on the potty. She squeaked, a.k.a. "yes".
Sure enough after a moment or two she tinkled!!
I praised her big time. Got excited about wiping her (which I'm sure at some point the excitement will ware off) and let her flush the toilet.
At one point I started mentioning the "M & M treat" but then realized, "Hey wait, she doesn't even know what an M & M is so why set that expectation now if toilet paper and flushing is enough of a reward?!?"
At bed time when I was changing her clothes I noticed her diaper was dry and then asked, "Do you want to go pee pee on the potty?" Same response as earlier.
This time Cary stood outside of the bathroom door to witness it and SHE DID IT AGAIN!
I'm just stoked. I know she's probably not physically developed enough to completely potty train at this point but I'll give her the opportunity and see where it goes.
Twice today Ellery has gone pee pee on the potty.
She HATES having her diaper changed (which I expect from a 17 month old) and late this afternoon I was taking her back to change a wet diaper. Much to her wiggles and "nooo" I asked if she wanted to go pee pee on the potty. She squeaked, a.k.a. "yes".
Sure enough after a moment or two she tinkled!!
I praised her big time. Got excited about wiping her (which I'm sure at some point the excitement will ware off) and let her flush the toilet.
At one point I started mentioning the "M & M treat" but then realized, "Hey wait, she doesn't even know what an M & M is so why set that expectation now if toilet paper and flushing is enough of a reward?!?"
At bed time when I was changing her clothes I noticed her diaper was dry and then asked, "Do you want to go pee pee on the potty?" Same response as earlier.
This time Cary stood outside of the bathroom door to witness it and SHE DID IT AGAIN!
I'm just stoked. I know she's probably not physically developed enough to completely potty train at this point but I'll give her the opportunity and see where it goes.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Wedding Weekend
My dear friend Lauren got married this weekend.
Out of all of the festivities I took 3 pictures and this is the best one.
Lauren and I have known each other for about 15 years and her new husband, Garrett, is just perfect for her.
I had so much fun this weekend, although it meant sacrificing precious time with my daughter and husband, memories were created that I'll cherish for a lifetime.
And here are some random pictures from Ellery's morning snack.
I just thought they were too cute to pass up posting.
Out of all of the festivities I took 3 pictures and this is the best one.
Lauren and I have known each other for about 15 years and her new husband, Garrett, is just perfect for her.
I had so much fun this weekend, although it meant sacrificing precious time with my daughter and husband, memories were created that I'll cherish for a lifetime.
And here are some random pictures from Ellery's morning snack.
I just thought they were too cute to pass up posting.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
My Day
Hi there!
I thought it would be fun to show some of you all out there what I did today.
Shortly after breakfast Mommy put me on my blanket for what she likes to call "blanket time." I like to think of it more as a game of tag or chase, you know anything to get Mommy up from the computer and putting me on home base, a.k.a. The Blanket.
I think Mommy got tired of my little game so she gave me something new to play with. Yep, she wrangled me into my "chair" so I would stay put.
I'm working on my coloring skills, but more importantly I figured out how to take the wrapper off of the crayons!
Later, Mommy took me for a long car ride with several stops and we went into some stores. I liked to ride in the carts but when it got close to lunch time and we were in the grocery store I made it very clear to Mommy (and everyone else) that I was hungry and ready to go.
Did you know cereal boxes are very hard to open. What's up with that? The jar of peanut butter Mommy gave me to play with didn't open either. I was NOT happy about that.
As we were leaving the grocery store Mommy started to sing "Old MacDonald Had A Farm" and I got to sing "E, I, E, I, OOOO" along with her! Very fun..
After my nap Mama & Papa had some work to do at a farm in the country, so I got to play on the hammock and slide! My little toes are very dirty from running around the great big yard in my bare feet and I love it. No washing these toes tonight!
Papa decided that since I was such a good girl on our long car ride that he would take me and Mama out to dinner at Cracker Barrel. He got me a chair of my very own and fed me chicken & dumplings and applesauce (I liked the chicken but did not like the dumplings).
Hmm, which one to eat next, the biscuit or corn muffin. Maybe I'll play with them both before making a decision.
Mmm, Mmm, good...
Yep, I love food...
When I got home from dinner Daddy was just getting home from work and we played and played and played; that is until he told me it was time for bed.
Good night ya'll, Byyyeee!!!
I thought it would be fun to show some of you all out there what I did today.
Shortly after breakfast Mommy put me on my blanket for what she likes to call "blanket time." I like to think of it more as a game of tag or chase, you know anything to get Mommy up from the computer and putting me on home base, a.k.a. The Blanket.
I think Mommy got tired of my little game so she gave me something new to play with. Yep, she wrangled me into my "chair" so I would stay put.
I'm working on my coloring skills, but more importantly I figured out how to take the wrapper off of the crayons!
Later, Mommy took me for a long car ride with several stops and we went into some stores. I liked to ride in the carts but when it got close to lunch time and we were in the grocery store I made it very clear to Mommy (and everyone else) that I was hungry and ready to go.
Did you know cereal boxes are very hard to open. What's up with that? The jar of peanut butter Mommy gave me to play with didn't open either. I was NOT happy about that.
As we were leaving the grocery store Mommy started to sing "Old MacDonald Had A Farm" and I got to sing "E, I, E, I, OOOO" along with her! Very fun..
After my nap Mama & Papa had some work to do at a farm in the country, so I got to play on the hammock and slide! My little toes are very dirty from running around the great big yard in my bare feet and I love it. No washing these toes tonight!
Papa decided that since I was such a good girl on our long car ride that he would take me and Mama out to dinner at Cracker Barrel. He got me a chair of my very own and fed me chicken & dumplings and applesauce (I liked the chicken but did not like the dumplings).
Hmm, which one to eat next, the biscuit or corn muffin. Maybe I'll play with them both before making a decision.
Mmm, Mmm, good...
Yep, I love food...
When I got home from dinner Daddy was just getting home from work and we played and played and played; that is until he told me it was time for bed.
Good night ya'll, Byyyeee!!!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Maybe...Finally
The past week Ellery has been off.
Her mood could have been due to a solid week of not-so-solid poo poos. That would make me cranky.
Maybe she picked up a bug from the few days at the gym nursery.
Maybe she picked up a bug from the pool.
I didn't know what to do but decided from reading online that I would change her diet to see if that helped.
She went onto the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) yesterday and we had our first day of no poo poos. I was thankful.
This morning I decided she would be on BRAT the entire day today and tomorrow I will introduce milk.
Today was the first day that she acted normal; excited to play, laughing, running around and not wining (a whole lot at least).
After lunch I was brushing her teeth and felt something a little out of place.
Sure enough she had 3 molars break through in the past week.
FINALLY! A more probably reason for all the crankiness and runs.
Of course she woke from her nap in a terrible mood but about 1/2 hour later she was back and a happy little camper (yes I was able to get some Tylenol into her after much fighting).
It's so difficult knowing your child doesn't feel well, you don't know why and therefore don't know what to do to help.
Her mood could have been due to a solid week of not-so-solid poo poos. That would make me cranky.
Maybe she picked up a bug from the few days at the gym nursery.
Maybe she picked up a bug from the pool.
I didn't know what to do but decided from reading online that I would change her diet to see if that helped.
She went onto the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) yesterday and we had our first day of no poo poos. I was thankful.
This morning I decided she would be on BRAT the entire day today and tomorrow I will introduce milk.
Today was the first day that she acted normal; excited to play, laughing, running around and not wining (a whole lot at least).
After lunch I was brushing her teeth and felt something a little out of place.
Sure enough she had 3 molars break through in the past week.
FINALLY! A more probably reason for all the crankiness and runs.
Of course she woke from her nap in a terrible mood but about 1/2 hour later she was back and a happy little camper (yes I was able to get some Tylenol into her after much fighting).
It's so difficult knowing your child doesn't feel well, you don't know why and therefore don't know what to do to help.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
So I don't forget....
Tonight I packed a picnic dinner and within 5 minutes of Cary walking in the door we were heading out for an evening at the pool.
Lots of families there and I met a "new to me" neighbor who had a cute little boy about Ellery's age; he ate some of her grapes.
She discovered that with a small spoon like pool toy she can try to pour water on me and I will shiver and shake with surprise which in turn makes her laugh hysterically.
I loved that.
Actually this was probably my favorite moment of the day.
Sweet, sweet moments that I never want to forget.
Tonight I packed a picnic dinner and within 5 minutes of Cary walking in the door we were heading out for an evening at the pool.
Lots of families there and I met a "new to me" neighbor who had a cute little boy about Ellery's age; he ate some of her grapes.
She discovered that with a small spoon like pool toy she can try to pour water on me and I will shiver and shake with surprise which in turn makes her laugh hysterically.
I loved that.
Actually this was probably my favorite moment of the day.
Sweet, sweet moments that I never want to forget.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Topsy Turvy
Here is my Topsy Turvy.
It is a little something I splurged on a few months back in hopes that having this contraption would produce better tomatoes for me this year. I also hoped that it would prevent Amos from eating my new and underdeveloped fruit.
Well after what seems like ETERNITY I noticed this little gem Saturday evening.
Praise. The. Lord. I was beginning to think that this stupid plant would never produce anything.
Now, as for my "normal" ground tomato plants, they have lots of tomatoes on them and one is even turning red!
It is a little something I splurged on a few months back in hopes that having this contraption would produce better tomatoes for me this year. I also hoped that it would prevent Amos from eating my new and underdeveloped fruit.
Well after what seems like ETERNITY I noticed this little gem Saturday evening.
Praise. The. Lord. I was beginning to think that this stupid plant would never produce anything.
Now, as for my "normal" ground tomato plants, they have lots of tomatoes on them and one is even turning red!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Maymont
Just a few pictures from our Sunday morning.
We took Ellery to Maymont Park since the weather was amazing.
We packed a picnic lunch and decided a gazebo in the Japanese Garden would be a perfect spot to eat, see the fish and maybe throw a few pieces of bread into the water.
(You can tell Ellery is ready for a nap)
We are working on transitioning her from 2 naps to 1 nap a day.
During our walk back to the car she dozed off in the stroller (almost an hour before nap time) and we tried everything to wake her up. Finally I had to pull her eyelids up and that seemed to work. Needless to say she walked a bit back to the car and ate some of Cary's snow cone.
She went right down when we got home and slept almost 3 hours.
We took Ellery to Maymont Park since the weather was amazing.
We packed a picnic lunch and decided a gazebo in the Japanese Garden would be a perfect spot to eat, see the fish and maybe throw a few pieces of bread into the water.
(You can tell Ellery is ready for a nap)
We are working on transitioning her from 2 naps to 1 nap a day.
During our walk back to the car she dozed off in the stroller (almost an hour before nap time) and we tried everything to wake her up. Finally I had to pull her eyelids up and that seemed to work. Needless to say she walked a bit back to the car and ate some of Cary's snow cone.
She went right down when we got home and slept almost 3 hours.
Celebrating the 4th of July
We headed up to NOVA on Friday afternoon to visit with our friends the Cassada's, Fogarty's & the Young's in celebration of July 4th.
I took no pictures on Friday because I was having too much fun catching up with Courtney and just being there.
Saturday Ellery woke up at 5:30 AM and after a while of trying to get her to go back to sleep (which wasn't happening) we decided to get some coffee.
We found a Starbucks near by and just had some family time, which I loved. On our way home there was a guy putting up yard sale signs so we decided to take a chance and see how good that sale was!
I ended up getting a book and magnetic alphabet toy for Ellery. Not too bad.
Back to the Cassada's who had a fantastic big breakfast waiting for us when we got home.
Later in the morning we headed out on a family walk to the pond.
Ellery and Sawyer got a little cozy (more later) in the double jogging stroller.
I couldn't decide which picture I liked better. So I'm posting both.
Bailey was Ellery's playmate and babysitter. She made sure to keep our Little Miss away from the steps and carried her around the house; which is kinda funny considering they are just a few inches apart in height. But I think E liked it because she kept following Bailey around.
While we were walking I looked down and noticed Sawyer (who apparently never sits back in the stroller) was trying to tickle Ellery.
Hmm, always a sign of flirting when a boy tries to tickle a girl....
Anyway, she kinda noticed sometimes and other times she seemed more interested in trying to go to sleep. I did NOT want her sleeping so somehow we (as in Cary, Courtney & myself) began encouraging Sawyer and Ellery to hug. Then I think I told her to kiss him or something but this was the result.
I just about died when I saw how good this picture turned out. HOW CUTE?!
Once the Fogarty's & Young's arrived the volume went up a few notches from excited children, but so did the joy of 4 families spending some quality time together.
Pat & Courtney set up a baby pool in the back yard for the kids to play with.
I have to give it to them, they planned a TON of stuff to keep all 10 children entertained; very good job.
At one point Joshua came into the screened porch and threw a water balloon at Cary.
This was his payback!
There were relay races..
Just a random cute picture of Brian and Caroline.
And there was BUCKET BLAST! This was a game that got the kids chasing each other around the yard and laughing so hard they were falling down (very cute).
2 precious boys.
While I was driving home I turned around and saw this in the back seat.
I don't know who was more exhausted, Cary or Ellery.
I took no pictures on Friday because I was having too much fun catching up with Courtney and just being there.
Saturday Ellery woke up at 5:30 AM and after a while of trying to get her to go back to sleep (which wasn't happening) we decided to get some coffee.
We found a Starbucks near by and just had some family time, which I loved. On our way home there was a guy putting up yard sale signs so we decided to take a chance and see how good that sale was!
I ended up getting a book and magnetic alphabet toy for Ellery. Not too bad.
Back to the Cassada's who had a fantastic big breakfast waiting for us when we got home.
Later in the morning we headed out on a family walk to the pond.
Ellery and Sawyer got a little cozy (more later) in the double jogging stroller.
I couldn't decide which picture I liked better. So I'm posting both.
Bailey was Ellery's playmate and babysitter. She made sure to keep our Little Miss away from the steps and carried her around the house; which is kinda funny considering they are just a few inches apart in height. But I think E liked it because she kept following Bailey around.
While we were walking I looked down and noticed Sawyer (who apparently never sits back in the stroller) was trying to tickle Ellery.
Hmm, always a sign of flirting when a boy tries to tickle a girl....
Anyway, she kinda noticed sometimes and other times she seemed more interested in trying to go to sleep. I did NOT want her sleeping so somehow we (as in Cary, Courtney & myself) began encouraging Sawyer and Ellery to hug. Then I think I told her to kiss him or something but this was the result.
I just about died when I saw how good this picture turned out. HOW CUTE?!
Once the Fogarty's & Young's arrived the volume went up a few notches from excited children, but so did the joy of 4 families spending some quality time together.
Pat & Courtney set up a baby pool in the back yard for the kids to play with.
I have to give it to them, they planned a TON of stuff to keep all 10 children entertained; very good job.
At one point Joshua came into the screened porch and threw a water balloon at Cary.
This was his payback!
There were relay races..
Just a random cute picture of Brian and Caroline.
And there was BUCKET BLAST! This was a game that got the kids chasing each other around the yard and laughing so hard they were falling down (very cute).
2 precious boys.
While I was driving home I turned around and saw this in the back seat.
I don't know who was more exhausted, Cary or Ellery.
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