Snow day

We woke up to a beautiful, snowy morning, and Ella was so excited when I told her we were going to go out and play after breakfast.
All bundled up and waiting on Mom. "Come on, Mommy, hurry UP!"
"Ella's having so much fun, Mommy!"

"Yee-haw!" That was her word for the day. :)

Look at that face! She didn't like it blowing on her. :)

Little cutie pie!

Warming up with some hot chocolate...

The first sip...

"Yum, Mom! That's so good hot choc-wat and marsh-marshers!" :)

The past week...

...has been a busy one. Chris and I have both been working extra hours and there hasn't been a lot of time for blogging. We did get to spend the day together today (for the first time in over two weeks!) and had some great family time. If only our days together weren't so few and far between... :(

Other news around the house...
-Ella had an appointment with an allergist this week and has been officially diagnosed with asthma. Stinks for her, but we're glad we don't have to make it through any more scary wheezing attacks without proper medication just so the doctors can "witness her wheezing". Now that we have rescue meds at home, we don't feel quite so defenseless. She's been on a daily medication for the last few weeks that seems to be working, and I'm so excited about her being able to run and play and not having to worry about bringing on an asthma attack. Seriously, try telling your 2 year old she needs to sit down and be still because the jumping and running are making her wheeze- trust me, it doesn't work!! We're hopefully finished with that now.

-On the potty training front- Ella is doing fabulously! It's been several days since she's had an accident in her panties. The only problem we have now is that she doesn't always want to put panties on. She has lazy days (or maybe she's too busy!) when she doesn't want to worry with panties and prefers to wear a diaper "for just a little bit, Mommy". We're not being pushy, we know she will eventually decide she's finished with diapers. Right now, it's pretty cute watching her run around with her little panties on. There is sort of a ritual she does everyday before she puts them on. She lays every single pair out on the floor... and goes through each pair one by one before she decides which pair she will wear for the day.
She takes this decision very seriously and sometimes the process takes 10 minutes or more! haha!! I can only imagine how long it may take her to pick out an outfit once she in middle or high school! :)

-And a little word about the old pregnant momma :) Everyone keeps asking how I'm doing, how I'm feeling, am I sleeping okay, is this pregnancy different than my first, etc. All I can say is that I hope this little guy is as well-behaved once he's out in this world as he has been during this pregnancy. In all reality, he never gives his momma any trouble. He's not quite as active as I remember Ella being. However, he does like the music at church just like she did and he goes crazy every time I eat anything. :) I feel great, I sleep decently. Similarities between the two pregnancies are that I crave the same food- orange juice, meat, cheese, fruity candy. I have heartburn (go figure!). My hips and feet get sore, but, seriously, whose wouldn't after working a 13 hour shift. The main difference I notice is the way I'm carrying with this one. He is way out front. With Ella, I never had any trouble putting socks on or painting my toes- not even the week before I delivered her. With this little guy, it's already a bit of a struggle to get socks and shoes on. Cracks me up every time, because I can't imagine what it'll be like in another 11 weeks! Anyways, I'm feeling really wonderfully, and just feel so thrilled and lucky to be in this place, having these "issues". Thanks to everyone for all your prayers for us. Please keep them coming!

And I have to post this, more so I can remember it than anything, but I know our family will love it. Tonight, we were at Olive Garden and Ella went with me to the restroom. She's standing there watching me and when I'm finished, she looked in the toilet and said, "Oh, Mommy, that is so pretty!" I started laughing and said, "What's so pretty?" And she said, "That pee-pee in there! It's so pretty!" hahahaha!!!! Sure, Ella, whatever you say! :)

Today, I am thankful...

for so many things.

I am thankful for this day off work and time to spend with my growing daughter. I can't believe how big she is and how fast the time is going. Just last night, Chris and I were talking about how the time is flying before our eyes and how precious this time having her at home truly is. In just 2 1/2 short years, she will be off to school during the day and we will wonder where the "early years" went. Call us sentimental, but we really do try to remind ourselves everyday that this time, this day, is fragile and won't come again. I never want to wish it away with "I can't wait until" or "If only she would". We know how lucky we are to have such a sweet, creative, thoughtful, and loving, little girl like our Ella, and getting to spend the whole day with her is a blessing and a joy.

Just this morning, we went to Kroger- one we had never been to before- and they had the child carts- something Ella had never seen. What fun it was watching her pretend to be a mommy and push that little cart around and discuss things with me as she chose items off the shelves. She kept almost running into things (and people), but she would say, "Oh, excuse me!" and just keep going. She had the sweetest, proudest smile on her face and I couldn't help but just love watching her! It once again hit me what a huge, important job I have to teach her about the world and help mold her into someone who is caring, polite, and kind to others. I'm slightly overwhelmed that God has trusted me with so much responsibility and I pray for strength and guidance to live up to the task.

Secondly, I am thankful for this new life growing inside me- this little boy who kicks and rolls and flips at all hours of the day. Perhaps more so this second time around, I am constantly awed by the knowledge that what I'm feeling inside is our son, an entirely new yet complete person, with distinct characteristics and a personality all his own. I wonder what color his eyes will be and will he have his Daddy's smile. Will he have wild, wavy hair like his sister and a fiesty temper to match. Will he like fast cars and skateboards like his cousin Payton, or will he be wild for tractors like his cousin Carson. I learned with Ella to have no particular assumptions, because nothing has ever been as I expected. That's the beauty of it. I have been surprised at every corner by the reality of who Ella is and that has been far greater and much sweeter than anything I could ever have imagined. I know it will be no less wonderful with this child. I feel extremely blessed to have been given this gift, this opportunity to bring another child into this world. What a miracle life is and what a good and generous God we serve!

What's your name?

Hey, Ella, what's your name? :)

Something to celebrate...

From 8:30 am- 1:30 pm today, Ella wore big girl panties and didn't have one, single accident!! She was able to make it to the potty in time!! I made her put a diaper on before her nap and that upset her because she wanted to wear her panties. So... we put them under her pillow, so she can put them on as soon as she wakes up (I know, it's a little weird, but hey, whatever works!). I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we're getting the hang of things. :)

The Aquarium

We took Ella to Newport Aquarium over the weekend. For anyone looking for a little indoor family fun (and willing to drive to Cincinnati!), it is a great place to visit. Ella had a blast and couldn't wait to see what was around the next corner.
"Wow, Mommy! Look at all the fish!!"
"Come on, Daddy! You need to come see this!"

Trying to touch a huge fish...

Checking out some little "baby duckies"...

The frogs were huge and scared Ella a little bit...

Playing a game...

Goofing around with Dad...

Aren't they the sweetest?

The sharks were my and Chris's favorite...

Thanks, Mommy, for a great day!

Hey, Mamaw and Papaw...

Thanks for my great Christmas gifts! They are some of my favorites!! We love you all!

You'd be impressed to know she already knows where Asia, Europe, and "Norf Amankata" are. :)

"Look, Mommy! Presents!!"

As I was taking the Christmas tree down this morning, Ella all of a sudden realized there were more presents under there! It was as if she had no recollection of all the times since Christmas that Chris and I had asked her if she wanted to open the rest of her Christmas gifts and she always said, "No! I no want anymore!" Well, today she was thrilled to open them and they provided entertainment all morning long. What a silly and funny little girl!!
"Look, Mommy! Presents!"
"Oh, Boy! More puzzles!"

Dress up gear that she LOVED! She couldn't wait to put it on and wore it around all day. She was especially proud of her "clappy shoes". :)

Too cute! Even princesses have to go potty!

She finally agreed to take the skirt off after she had peed on it a couple times :), but she promptly ran to the sink so we could wash it and "put it back on when Daddy comes home!" hahaha!! She is such a little sweetie!

Back to basics

Well, we are starting this whole potty training thing over. We tried a few months ago because she seemed to be ready according to all the potty-training "checklists". However, she HATED it! She would literally have a meltdown every time we tried to sit her on the potty. We figured it wasn't worth making her so upset and maybe it was a little too soon, so we backed off for awhile. We are starting back up this week, and it's going fairly well. She was a little hesitant at first, "No, Mommy, I want to leave my diaper ON!" but she's adjusting pretty well and even excited to go at times. I took her to Target yesterday and let her pick out a bunch of new big girl panties and she couldn't wait to get home and put them on. We are going through them pretty fast- at least 2-3 an hour (!)- but at least everytime she wets in them, she tells me she's going and runs to the potty. I know I'm going to be doing a lot of laundry, but pull-ups have never seemed to work- she just wets in them like a diaper and keeps on going. I'm hoping after a few days, she will be able to make it to the potty before she wets (at least occasionally). Anyways, if anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears!

Everyone needs a little music on the potty!
This was too funny! She said, "Come on, Daddy! Come and sing on the potty with me!"

Talk about melting my heart...

Last night at work, I got a call from Chris, who said Ella was crying for her mommy and wanted to talk to her. Ella got on the phone and said, "Mommy, can you come home? Ella really, really misses her Mommy." :(
I said, "I miss you, too, but I have to stay at work. I will see you in the morning when I get home."
She said, "Mommy has to take care of the sick people and make them feel better," and I said, "Yes, there's lots of people here who don't feel good. I need to give them medicine and take care of them and make them feel better."
She thought for a minute and said, "Mommy, you're an angel!"
Talk about melting my heart! What a sweet, sweet moment that I desperately needed in the middle of a very busy night.

Ella's new room...

It's a work in progress, but we are slowly making over Ella's room. So far, we just have new paint on the walls, but even that has made a huge difference. We're planning to put up a chair rail and buy Ella all new white furniture, so we can pass on her furniture to her baby brother in a few months. Needless to say, Ella is pretty happy with the changes so far.

When we first asked her what color she wanted to paint her room, she said, "How about pink and red and green and yellow and blue?" We told her that might be a few too many colors, so we decided on just pink and green. :) Once it was painted, she was jumping up and down, saying, "Oh, Mommy, I'm be-cited (excited)! I'm be-cited! I love my new room!" :)

From the weekend

A few more pics from the weekend. Our time home is always jam-packed, but so much fun! We got together with all the Lawyers, which is something that happens only once or twice a year. It's been a couple years since we were able to make it. We were glad we were home to be there this time.
Ella making friends with her cousin, Aiden. Knowing these two, I'm pretty sure Katie was having to play referee a little bit. :) I just thought this was too cute to leave out!

Amy and her sweet little boy, Nicholas.

Ella and I with Emily and Jenny.

April, Ella, and Katie watching the guys play basketball.

Ella found a new buddy in Samantha. They are only three months apart and seem to be so similar in personalities, interests, etc. It was really sweet to watch them play together.

One last hug before we left...

Back at Mom and Dad's. A pic with our ever-growing baby bump (25 weeks)...
I love this one!
A serious game of bowling on the Wii... I was amazed how quickly she learned to play!

Kyle and Payton...

This was Payton's response to losing a game of bowling to Aunt Melissa. I think we were all surprised with the outcome- this little rascal's really good!

The kiddos enjoying a little fresh air...
Run, Ella, run! It won't be too long before she's able to keep up with the big kids!
Little Miss Bossy trying to tell Carson what to do...

Stopping for Mexican on the way home...
Wiped out after a long weekend...

More Christmas...

More Christmas pictures!! We celebrated with my side of the family a few days after Christmas, which is kind of nice because it gives you something to look forward to when Christmas day is over.

Lexi and Ella couldn't wait to start the party!

Jared and Katie

Carson found his buddy. Seriously, if Pappaw is around, Carson wants nothing to do with anyone else- unless you have food. haha!How about some Hungry, Hungry Hippos, Aunt April? Watching as Grammy opened her pajamas from Ella. She was so proud and excited to give them to her!

All wrapped up in a new Dora blanket from her canine cousins. Thanks, Cassius and Ami!

And she finally got her piano! Yea!! Thanks, Grammy and Pappaw!

Ella and Carson dancing in the midst of chaos.
The clock Jared had been anticipating for months now... Chris just so happened to walk into the right store and found it!

The biggest smiles of the day...
All the boys got antique sniper rifles from Dad... well, Jared can't have his for a few more years... when he grows up :)
Jason and Carla hard at work on our traditional Italian feast...
The end of a busy day. The kiddos were ready to hit the sack- Ella and Lexi anyways. I'm pretty sure Carson is going after the candy dish! :)

We always have such a great time hanging out with family. We just wish it could happen more often. We ended up getting spoiled again. Thanks, Everyone, for all our awesome gifts! We love you all!!