A Week of Fun and New Things!

This past weekend was a blast with Ella. She was in such a great mood and was smiling about everything! We also did a few new firsts...going to church, splash and flinging water everywhere during bath time, saying "UH-OH", and just starting to fake cough. She has been so funny! Sunday was the first time we all went to church and Ella's first experience with all of the church crowd. At first she didn't know what to think about the organ and the choir singing, but once we took her out of her seat she was fine until...she got hungry 15 minutes into the service. Brian left, gave her a bottle, and when they came back she loved being talked to by the woman behind us. (She loves being the center of attention.) She did very well, but we have decided that it would be good for her to go be with other kids her age while we are in service. We'll see how it goes next weekend! After church, we decided to go have a nice dinner out. She was in her car seat playing with her links when they came off and she said 'uh-oh'. Just like she really meant it! I don't know if it was because she was imitating me or it was a new sound she was trying out but it was so funny! She did it again when she saw us laughing. Now it is a new sound for her. :) Something else kind of funny is her new talent... fake coughing. I guess it all started this morning while I was getting ready for the day and she coughed (for real). I went to her, patted her on the back, then she did it again and I did the same thing. Then, she did a little cough and I just looked at her and did it back because it was not very real sounding and she kept doing it back. It was so cute and made me laugh. Now she is doing it all of the time. But, here are a few other moments we caught!

Having a blast in her new jumper! She thinks it is funny to bounce!

She loves the little chewy sun!

Loving bathtime now! She giggles everytime I wash her tummy...

Giving daddy a smile.

After church in her little dress outfit. Her feet look so funny in this picture! :)

Mommy and Ella after church

Daddy and a giggly Ella! She was in a great mood!

Ella's First Party!

A few weeks ago, we received an invitation to Hudson's 1st birthday party! Well, I can tell you that Devon and Ella have been waiting anxiously for a party. (Always a good excuse to shop!) Last Saturday was the big day. Ella got dressed in her new blue dress and put her white bow in her hair. (I know, I know. She doesn't have any hair, but you know what I mean.) We went over to the Donnell's and got to meet all kinds of new friends. There were about 10-12 little boys and only 2 girls. Yes, Ella had her pick of the litter. :) She enjoyed sitting outside, watching Hudson dig into his birthday cake, and having a good time. It was great to see her have such a good time with all the other kiddos. We enjoyed it... almost as much as Hudson! His parents know how to throw a party. :)

Showing off a new outfit...

Enjoying a nice day with Mommy and other kiddos!

Hudson having fun with his birthday cake!

"Ummm... cake!"

Showing off those baby blues. ;)

(Thanks Dena for the picture!)

Ella's loves and hates...

I have slacked a bit on the blog so I am trying to catch up a bit. Lately, we have discovered some of what Ella loves and hates. I am sure I will miss a few but these are what we captured. I think she has more loves than hates, so she is a pretty happy baby.

Loves...being carried by daddy in the carrier. She can get her hands on everything!

Loves... typing on the computer. We visited daddy at work last weekend and she got to play on his keyboard for a little while. Now every time she sees one of us on the computer she wants to "type" something. She is learning early!!

Loves... to be the center of attention. Doesn't every baby!?!

Loves... books! She loves to be read to and to look at all of the pictures. She will try to turn the page when you are done and help hold the book.

Loves... to sleep in her carseat. Whenever she is tired she will instantly fall asleep in the car. Until...

she wakes up. Hates... waking up and not knowing where she is.

Loves... puting everything in her mouth! Everything she touches goes directly into her mouth. Here she has a teething toy and loves it being really cold. Pearly whites coming soon????

Loves... sucking on her fingers. She tries to put her whole hand in her mouth!

More of her loves...

her toys on her carrier. She can't leave the house without her pink hippo/bunny, links and her tinkle dragonfly!

her bottle! She has to be the one to hold it until she gets tired then you are the one or she will begin to fuss.

her toys on her changing table. She has to hold one of them while she has her diaper changed. She usually chews on them but it keeps her occupied while I change her diaper.

bathtime! She now loves to splash and kick while we wash her. She giggles like crazy when we get her feet and belly. Since we have added a couple of toys she has loved it even more!

Hates...

naptime! We really don't know what naptime is, yet! She will cry and cry and cry if I put her down for a nap! We are working on it though. She will soon LOVE it and so will mommy!

the dogs licking her. She doesn't know what to do when Dusty or Daisy sneeks a sniff or lick. She turns and screams at them. They usually run when she does that. I think they are scared of her sometimes! It is actually kind of funny. :)

strangers. Oh my goodness, she does not like anyone that comes to her while she is in her carseat and starts talking to her! She pouts out her lip, looks at me and then screams! She is getting better with the people she knows. We are working on this as well.

I am sure there are some that I have forgotten. I know this is pretty much every baby's loves and hates but it just so much cuter when it is your baby you are talking about. She has been such a joy lately and keeps changing everyday!

Doctor Update!

Today we went to the doctor for Ella's two week weight check. As you read before, we had a little weight gain problem. We supplemented with formula after every feeding hoping that she would gain some weight. Well, it turns out that she has gained a little over a pound and added a 1/2 inch in just two weeks!! She now weighs 13 pounds and is 25 1/2 inches tall! Wow! We are so happy that she is gaining like she should. She is still not up where she should be for her height but both the doctor and us are very happy. We will continue to supplement with formula for awhile to keep her gaining until she is on baby food. Here are some cute pictures that I caught of her today.

Daddy reading a story while we wait for Dr. Aaron.

She loves books!

Loved looking at the animals...

Happy girl!

The doctor wore her out! The nurses all wanted to hold her and one said she looked like a china doll today with her rosey cheeks. So precious!

Welcome Adyson!!!

Talia, Kris, and big sister, Aydan, welcomed little Adyson Kensey yesterday, August 6th. Yeah! We are so happy for them! Adyson weighed 8.1 lbs. and 20 inches long. Ella now has another little girl to play with! Congrats and best of luck to you, Talia and Kris!

(photo was sent to us from Talia)

Isn't she precious!?! :)

5 Months!!!

Well, today our little girl is 5-months old!!! I can't believe 5-months has already passed. Becoming a parent has been such a tremendous adventure. First, you're completely freaked out about the entire process. Am I going to be a good parent? Am I ever going to sleep again? :) Then, before you know it... you're changing diapers at 3am with your eyes closed! But, this entire experience has been a dream come true. I can't imagine spending one day without Ella in our lives. We look forward to watching her grow! Here are some pictures of her showing off her new outfit. :)

Smile for the camera, baby!

Show off those rosey cheeks!

Mommy's favorites...

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the past couple of weeks. She has been really fun lately. Laughing, giggling and squealing all of the time. Since she has been getting more to eat she has been a little less fussy. She is on the move all of the time and you will see when she just has had enough. More blogs to come really soon: Loves and Hates, 5 months, and Doctor Update! We will be going back to the doctor this coming week so we will make sure to let you know how everything goes!

She really loves playing on her mat and doesn't mind tummy time anymore! Finally caught a giggly Ella!

She just looks so sweet sleeping in her big girl bed!

We just had a busy morning and ate a little lunch. This is where she decided to take a nap for an hour while mommy watched some TV.

This is one of my absolute favorites! We were doing tummy time and she just posed for Grandpa while he took a few pictures. She is so cute (I think so anyway)!