Big girl bed!!

Finally!! Ella got her long-awaited big girl bed last night!! And boy, is she excited!! She couldn't wait to jump on it and snuggle into it. She kept saying, "I just can't believe it!"

Wow, our little girl is getting so big!Thanks, Daddy, for putting my big girl bed together!
Surprisingly enough, she went to bed without fussing and slept in it all night long. Way to go, Ella! When she came in and woke me up this morning, she said, "Ella slept in her big girl bed last night and it felt SOOO good!" :)

In Ella's words...

Conversation in the bathtub tonight... Ella was playing with a yellow duck...

Mommy: Ella, what do you think ducks like to eat?
Ella: Ummm, probably spaghettios or something...
Mommy: Do you think ducks like to eat fish or bugs?
Ella: No way! That would be gross-o!!
Mommy: What do you think ducks like to drink?
Ella: Apple juice, or maybe lemonade, because that would match. (She's all about matching these days!)
Mommy: What about a bunny rabbit, what does he eat?
Ella: He probably likes pineapple and cheerios the best.
Mommy: And a cow, what does he like?
Ella: Umm, he likes to eat spaghetti and peas and milk. He likes spaghettios, too, and if the duck ate all the spaghettios, the cow would probably just have to kick him! (??!!)

I love conversations with her and getting to hear how her little mind works. And no, we don't kick each other in our house for eating all the spaghettios!! :)

Lil' mother hen

Our lil' mother hen is practicing up for the arrival of her baby brother. We played baby dolls all day today. She is going to be such a great big sister!

Enjoying the day

We spent a fun day outside today, enjoying the sun and 73 degrees!! It can't get much better than that!
"Working on Daddy's dirt"- I know he's going to be so grateful. :)
Throwing rocks is so much fun!

Awww... I just love this little face!

Running "really, really fast". She kept saying, "Hey, Mommy, clap your hands and say, 'Go, Ella, go!' "

By the time naptime rolled around, Ella was completely wiped out... :)

35 weeks...

and counting!! Wow, I can't believe we only have five weeks to go until we get to meet our precious baby boy. These months have gone by so fast and I can't believe the time is almost here!! Everything continues to look great. A few weeks ago, I was measuring 2-3 weeks ahead, but at my last visit, I was only measuring 7-10 days ahead, which is what we have thought the whole time. Ella came a week early, so I guess in reality, this baby could be here in about three weeks! What a crazy thought. I guess we need to go buy some diapers or something! Everyone has told us you don't tend to be so organized with your second baby, and I guess that is pretty true in our case. We have a lot to do in the next few weeks. It overwhelms me sometimes, but I guess as long as we have some diapers and a place for him to sleep, we're okay, right? I mean, we have plenty of pink sleepers that would work for now. Hahaha- just joking, Baby!! :)
So here's the baby belly at 35 weeks. He's still way out front- completely different than how I carried Ella.

Sunday

We love Sundays at home, especially when we get to hang out with our sweet family.
Papaw and his boys...
Brothers...

An early "mini-celebration" for Mamaw's birthday. Ella is always excited about birthday candles!!

Explaining to Mamaw the pictures on her card...

We can't wait to spend another weekend with everyone!! Please come back soon!!

A night out

We got a rare "night on the town" Saturday to celebrate Chris's 30th birthday. Our best friends, who just so happen to also be our family, were able to come to Cincy and celebrate with us. We went to Brio in Newport and had so much fun and a lot of good laughs. It was absolutely relaxing and exactly the kind of night Chris was wanting to ring in this "monumental birthday". :)
Happy Birthday, Baby!!! I love you!
Carla & Jason

Kyle & Kellie

Chad flying solo- we missed you, April!!

Thanks so much, Papaw & Mamaw, for keeping the girls! We're pretty sure they had a party of their own. :)

This week's favorite...

This week's favorite gown is "purple princess", as Ella calls it, and also has it's very own wand. The best part about it is I found it at Dillard's for $3.50!! The way Ella talks about it, you would think it cost a thousand dollars (and that is fine with me! :)

What are you doing in the freezer, Purple Princess? (Looking for purple popsicles, I'm sure!)

Back on tonight to help Mom in the kitchen...

And just for fun...

Ella has turned into quite the streaker and LOVES to get a laugh out of us when she runs through the house naked! I'm crazy about that little bum!

Turning 30!

Somebody in our house turned the big 3-0 this week! It was a special day for all of us. Ella and I got to take Chris out for lunch that afternoon, which in itself was so great. And the afternoon seemed to drag on forever while we waited for Chris to get home from work- we were so excited to celebrate!
Finally, Daddy's home!!!
Ella passed the time taking pictures while I cooked birthday dinner- fried chicken with apple pie for dessert. Yum- It doesn't get any better than that at our house!!

Ella's silly antics were cracking us up over dinner...
Time for birthday candles!! Ella thought it was just too much fun, so we lit them a second time so she could blow them out again.

Helping Daddy open his gifts...

"See, Daddy? This is for you! It says Happy Birthday!" :)

Trying out Daddy's new cologne...
I didn't get a picture of Ella with her "favorite Daddy present"- his birthday balloon. :) When I first asked her what we should get Daddy for his birthday, she said, "A big balloon! He would just love it and be so happy!" I thought that was pretty sweet- that would obviously be pretty special to her, so why wouldn't everyone else want a balloon, too?! So she picked out a balloon and carried it into him at work. She was very proud, especially when Daddy thought is was SO great! Then after lunch, Ella said, "Okay, Daddy, let me have my balloon back. I'm taking it home." hahaha!

We're looking forward to the weekend. A bunch of family is coming to town to celebrate and it's going to be tons of fun!

Play date

Ella had her first official playdate Monday afternoon when I kept a coworker's little girl, Kylie. Ella and Kylie are only 2 months apart and it was so fun watching them play together. They were both so excited, and jumped and squealed together for hours. I somehow managed to get them both to settle down at the same time, too, and they ended up asleep together on the floor. After Kylie left, Ella asked for the rest of the day, "Mommy, can Kylie come back to my house tomorrow?" She can't wait to do it again!
The two of them trying to settle down for a nap...
Ella just couldn't resist giving her a "night-night kiss"... They were so stinkin' cute to watch!!