Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

I can't believe it is already time for Ellie's first Halloween! Seeing her in her costume really made me want to cry this weekend; she looked so grown up! I couldn't help but smile every time I would look at her because she looked so cute. It is so bittersweet to me!

This didn't turn out so great. Hopefully I get a better one this week!

Jimmy's Great-Grandma Irma has a Halloween party every year. The kids dress up and there is a hay ride. Unfortunately, Ellie was under the weather on Saturday. Her dad and I were worried about her being out in the cold that night, so we thought it be best to keep her home. I hate that she missed out on tradition, but luckily I think it paid off - her sniffles are much better today and were on Sunday, too!


On Sunday, I took Ellie to see her Aunt Anita. Anita takes Halloween very seriously - it is her favorite holiday and she goes all out! Ellie was all dressed up in her costume and looking pretty adorable.


This is Ellie's new cheesy grin. Can't say it doesn't crack me up and melt my heart at the same time!


She loved Anita's big pumpkins! This year, they weren't even as big as usual. Usually, they weigh about 400 pounds! One year, all of her pumpkins were stolen out of her yard. The thiefs must have went through a lot of trouble, because Aunt Anita is very precautionary about her beloved 'punkins.' She greases them up with vegetable oil so they're harder to take! Plus it makes them shiny and prettier :) The pumpkin that Ellie leaning on in the picture above isn't greased up, but look at the one in the background on the right - it's ready to take on sticky fingers. ;)


Decorations = everywhere!


Remember when I said Ellie isn't afraid of much? How many 10 month olds wouldn't be afraid of this stuff?! She got up close and personal and didn't bat an eye!


Just takin' a ride on the gargoyle. No big deal.
Thanks for having us Aunt Anita!

Tonight (and probably tomorrow) we will have lots more visiting to do! Happy Halloween everyone!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

So Intrigued

Someone is becoming quite adventurous in the bathtub. Ellie crawls around like a little sea monster - splashing like crazy. If she is wetter than I am after her bath, it's a successful bath time.


She loves her bath toys. Especially her ducks. She has figured out that they shoot water, too. She laughs so hard when she squirts them and gets me wet. Such a sweet child. 

Last night she discovered the water faucet. She's always stared at it with amazement, but she actually touched the water coming out for the first time. When she realized it wasn't harmless, she thought it was a good idea to fling water coming out of the faucet at her Mother. She is quite the little smartypants - sometimes that's a good thing, but in this case.....not so good. One of these days, I'll post a picture of me: what I look like after Ellie's bath.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

First Tooth

Ellie's first tooth has began to break through! This is very exciting - we didn't think she would ever get her teeth! Chewing table food with just her gums was rough on her (since she doesn't like baby food - refuses to eat it unless I can trick her into eating spoonfuls at a time).


This was the best photo I could get. She doesn't let me pry her mouth open, so I settled for a smile!


She is growing up wayyy too fast :(

Redbud Giveaway!

Have you heard of Redbud Designs? I found Sharon through Devin, who I found through her sister - Brooke and I am so glad all of my creeping paid off!! I instantly fell in luhhh-hoooove with Sharon's fresh designs. I just made the down-payment on Ellie's 1st birthday invitations! :) 

Sharon, being the sweetheart that she is - is doing a giveaway for a Christmas card design. GO CHECK IT OUT, PEOPLE! You will instantly be a Redbud fan forrrr sure.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

GO TIGERS!

Last night we went to Aunt Mollie's volleyball game. The tigers were seated 6th in districts, and played the 3rd seated team - who was actually the host of districts. Their crowd was big, but ours was bigger and LOUDER! The girls lost the first set, but tied it up by winning the second one. Tensions were high and the game was so exciting - especially when the girls won the third set!! SO EXCITING! :)



Auntie M, Taylor, and Beans before the game!


Patting Taylor's head! :) 

Giving Randis hugs and kisses!

I can't wait until Ellie is old enough to play sports - assuming she will want to play. My fingers are crossed! I get so into any game as it is, I can't imagine if I was watching Ellie Beans play! :)

Monday, October 24, 2011

In Other News...

When I was a kiddo, I had tons of Little Golden Books. So did my parents! So when I saw this one at the grocery store the other day, I couldn't pass it up. I think it is time to start Ellie's collection!

 I just love the look of these. They're so vintage-ish - which is perfect in my book. (No pun intended) I couldn't help but smile to myself when I wrote her name in this one.

Ellie's Halloween costume came in the mail. It was so much fun picking it out - which I'll probably only get to pick her costumes out for a couple more years. Does anyone have any tips I can refer to in the future about how to make your child LOVE what you want them to wear - no matter what? Nana wasn't so lucky in that department - Mollie and Jesse were Power Rangers one year and I was Britney Spears. I know, I know . . .  so embarrassing. I literally wore a Britney Spears t-shirt, my hair in pig-tails, with headphones on. At least my best friend, Ellie's Auntie Claire, was right there with me - wearing the same thing!! 
Can you guess what Ellie Beans is going to be? :)
Yup, Snow White! We will pair it with a white (probably long-sleeved...it's getting cold out!) shirt underneath and some little tights. Can't forget a big red bow! :c)

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Try not to laugh at this.

These were taken at Angie's wedding in the photo booth. 
Top left: we clearly aren't ready
Bottom left: Ellie is clearly embarrassed. 
But hey, we had fun! 

Friday, October 21, 2011

The Leaves are Changing...

The leaves here are changing, and becoming so beautiful. Fall really is my favorite time of the year. I love the temperature, the scenery - everything. We had to change over Ellie's wardrobe and she's starting to wear long sleeves a lot more often!

I'm telling you, she is the biggest ham. She knows how to work it for a camera...(I did not edit the color of her eyes - I applied a "Nashville" filter on this picture and this is how the photo came out. Blows me away!)

Can you tell we are getting into the Halloween spirit? 

Notice the pumpkin in the background. Ellie LOVES that thing. Granny Linda brought it out and every night,  Ellie and I have to look at it for a good five minutes. It brings the biggest smile to her little face. 

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Creative Mom

Okay, okay. I can't really take credit for this one. It was an idea I found on Pinterest - making Ellie's pack-and-play into a ball pit.


It did a good job of occupying her until I finished cleaning my room and closet. She really enjoyed herself. PLUS, we already had the balls - a gift from Ellie's Aunt Anita at my baby shower! Who would have thought they would have came in handy so soon?! Aunt Anita did, that's who! Thank you, awesome Auntie!!! :)

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

GRASS

We tried out the age old experiment this weekend - putting you on the grass. You and I have played outside a lot this summer, but I never let you sit on the actual grass - you always sat on a blanket.

At first you were all like, What is going on here?

But then you decided you loved it. You laughed and smiled, and even squealed a little bit.

Look at you curling your freaky toes.

I'm glad we tried it out. I was secretly kind of hoping you'd be like most kids and freak out about the grass. We honestly have not found one thing that you are afraid of. Kind of scares me - I feel like there are a lot of emergency room trips in our future. It wouldn't be a surprise to me to hear you say these things someday:

"That wouldn't hurt."
"I can too do it!"
"But Uncle Jesse sits on the counters."
"Hey, Mom, watch THIS!"

Oh, Ellie. Please grow out of this and don't be a daredevil. Some hesitation in your life would be a GOOD thing! :)

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

We Love Weekends

All week long, I look forward to spending the weekend with Ellie. This weekend, we stayed home and played. I must say, it was the break we needed from constantly having somewhere to go and running around everywhere.


 She really enjoys her walker! She's lucky to have a Mom that is so good at finding deals on the internets. ;)


But she likes to play with her other toys, too.

You pulled up for the first time, and it was on your Papa's belly.


We play this new game to get you to eat your baby food. We put a wet paper towel over your face for a second, and you laugh so hard - giving us time to sneak the spoon in for a bite. (Don't you readers judge me, you have no idea how hard it is to get this kid to eat!)

Monday, October 17, 2011

9 Months

Dear Ellie Beans,
Can I start off by telling you how so very adorable you are?! Seriously, kiddo, I don't know how you got so lucky . . . you are one good looking baby! I know, I know - I'm your Momma and I'm partial, but really, how could anyone not just fall in love with this face?! (refer to pictures below)

You aren't crawling yet (if I would have posted this when I should have - but it's late, so I'm sorry!! The next one will be on time, as I am getting better at this responsible blogging thing.) You are very close to crawling, though. You get on your hands and knees and just rock back and forth quickly. I know one of these days, you are going to dart off. (especially since I actually know, aka - it will be in your ten month post)

This picture cracks me up - don't be fooled - you're not standing, yet. I simply propped you up for photos-sake. You fell (and I caught you . . . call me Super Mom) about two seconds after I snapped this picture. Try not to pay too much attention to the floatation device in the background. Your mom is so organized.

This picture was snapped a little too soon - she put her hand in the "Rock On" symbol and actually said the words "My Mom is AWESOME!" Kidding. But I can pretend that's what you said.

You are so sassy - a very independent child. You go out of your way to make my life difficult. On average, you break about 3 bottles per week by throwing them onto the floor and cracking the nipple rim. You then laugh hysterically while I cry because it's time to buy a new box of $16 bottles (For just three of them! Three!! Ridiculous much? Yes.)

On that note, I love your little attitude. I love how independent you are. And last but not least, I love that you have such a HUGE and fun personality. Every day with you is truly an adventure, and there is never, ever a dull moment.

You hate headbands. You're starting to rip them off and it makes Momma mad. I don't think it's because you dislike the way they feel . . . I think it's because you like to defy your Mother.

Thank you so much, baby girl, for keeping me on my toes and filling my days with smiles and fun. (I know that's so corny, but it's so true!)

Love,
Your Momma

Friday, October 14, 2011

"She better wear a tutu"

Mollie wanted Ellie at her volleyball game last Tuesday night, and in a tutu. I know these pictures don't show the skirt, but doesn't she look darling?


Side note: this outfit is 3-6 months. My baby is so dainty! What can I say, she takes after her Mom, I guess. (I could hardly type that without my wrists cramping up and having spasms.)

Oh...Hey there, Linus.



Will this justify buying that cat keyboard at Target for her 1st birthday, where the keys are the teeth? YUP.

Congrats, Angie and Chris!

Last weekend was Jimmy's step-sister, Angie's wedding. It was such a beautiful outdoor ceremony. Angie looked absolutely stunning - she brought a tear to my eye! I love weddings so much! Ellie apparently did, too. Throughout the ceremony - she would just bust out laughing. I don't know what was going on with her, but she had such a good time.


Oh. My. Wow. . . . at least Ellie looks cute.


Ellie bossing her Dad around.


Baby on the loose.


The happy couple.


The whole fam damily. - - I've always wanted to say that - please, don't be offended! ;)




Sweet baby!


Another cell phone picture - go figure! Congrat's to the happy couple!!! :)