The start of a New Year

Although I hate New Years Eve parties, I do love waking up on January 1st to a new year. Something about January first makes you feel refreshed and motivated to "do better" at all those things that had been lagging in the year before. Of course, I started New Year's Day with a nice, healthy lunch of 2 Whoppers from Burger King...ok, so I'm not off to a good start in the healthy living department.

I don't usually have resolutions, but since having Ella, I've put a lot of things on hold...so it's time to stop using her as an excuse and start being better about some things. I am also finally going to lose those last 5 pounds!! Not because I think I look bad, just so I can start off the next pregnancy (wink, wink) at my original, pre-baby weight.

My other goal is to be a better housekeeper. Before Ella, I was always so Type A, obsessive compulsive about keeping my home clean. I just can't seem  to get my act together. And I could make time for it...I've just been lazy in the cleaning department. Who wants to clean when you can play peek-a-boo with Ella all day?

So besides becoming more like Martha Stewart and getting post baby abs like Jessica Alba, I'm content with just loving this place I'm in in life. Although Ella continues to throw us the typical challenges that all babies give their parents, I am loving this age! She is so funny and it's so interesting to watch her learn things. I feel like everyday I'm just trying to take in all this wonderfulness. I love that I am her "buddy" now and not just a person who feeds her. I love making her laugh...baby giggles are good for my heart! I can't wait to hear the echoing of many children laughing in this home...but, for now, I am totally in love with my sweet angel sent to us from God.

Dear Ella, How does a mother explain her love for her daughter? I can only tell you that my heart grows larger and larger everyday because you continue to fill it with so much joy. I am so proud to be your mommy. You have brought so much joy to your daddy and me that we weren't ever sure we'd have. You are so special that God made us wait longer to have you in our lives...He had to finish this perfect creation that He knew would give us all the desires of our hearts. We are so blessed!

Ella goes to see Santa...

Well, after three failed attempts, we finally made it to see Santa Claus. Each time before, the line was 3-4 hours long...needless to say, we couldn't wait that long with our crawling baby girl.
So, as our last feeble attempt, we went this morning on Christmas Eve. To our surprise, there was no line! ...AND our picture was free. Since that went so well, we then attempted an Italian lunch. Ella did great sitting in her high chair...although she was "over it" by the end of the lunch.
It's hard to believe tomorrow we will wake up and celebrate our first Christmas with our own child opening presents! It will definitely be the most memorable yet!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth...

Well, Ella, you got your Christmas wish! On December 13th, you awoke with two bottom teeth!

These would have made great Christmas cards, but we already made them!

Such a happy baby!

And so cute playing under Aunt Paula's tree!

That face just screams trouble-maker!!

What else will Santa bring Ella?...stay tuned!!

Sittin pretty...

Look at this little grown up girl sitting up all by herself!!! Now if only we could grow some hair...?

Thankfulness...

What am I thankful for this Thanksgiving? I'll give you one guess...And what do I want for Christmas? Nothing...for I have EVERYTHING I have ever dreamed of. I only wish to spend the day in our jammies with those in the picture below...for there is no better present than seeing their smiling faces every day of my life. It is Christmas every day in my house...they are my presents.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who prayed for this beautiful gift that God has given me this Thanksgiving...for this beautiful girl who I got to watch enjoy her first Thanksgiving feast.

Mommy's Little Pumpkin...

Picking Oranges...

On our 12 hour adventure back from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, we stopped over night at Ella's Great Grandaddy's house. He has a fairly large orange grove; although the oranges really are not ready to be picked for another month, we couldn't help but pick and fill two bags full that were pretty ripe. Ella was facinated with her new find...ok, techinically, she's more facinated with putting her feet in her mouth...but she did keep reaching out to pull on all the oranges as we took a walk.
Did I mention she did really great on this long car ride? Granted, I had to sit in the back seat the entire time...and pull out every trick I knew to keep her occupied...but, I have a feeling you do that with older kids too. All things considered, we could not have asked for a better trip! How blessed we feel that Ella was able to meet all her great grandparents that are still alive!