Our 1st Family Vacation to the Beach

Back in August, we took our 1st family vacation and went to Gulf Shores. We had a great time!! We left the night of Ella's b-day and drove about halfway down before getting a hotel for the rest of the night. Ella didn't do so well driving at night, but did awesome driving during the day. She played, read books, and watched a lot of DVDs!! All 3 of us loved playing in the sand and water. Ella enjoyed looking for seashells, which were all over the beach. Ella really liked being in the water until the waves got too big and splashed her face. But, the last day the waters calmed, and she got to stand and walk in the water on her own, and she really liked that. We had perfect weather for us...not too sunny so Ella didn't sunburn, not too hot to where we couldn't play in the sand, and rain one afternoon so I could go shopping guilt free! We didn't do much anything else...beach, eat, sleep, and that's how we wanted it. The condo was right on the beach, and was so nice!! It was way too big for just the 3 of us, but we enjoyed it! I am already thinking about our trip back next year!!

My 6 Things

I was lucky enough to get tagged by Andrea from Wright Where We Want To Be to list my favorite 6 things that make me happy.

Here are the rules: Create a blog post and list the person who tagged you, list your 6 things, and then tag 6 people.

Here goes...

1. My Todd. We have been together so long now that I really cannot remember him not being around. He is my best friend, and knows me better than anyone. And even after knowing all my faults, he still loves me!! He is a wonderful husband and an awesome father. He can always make me smile and feel better. Todd is the most hard-working guy I know, and he does so I can stay home with Ella. He is the perfect man for me.

2. My Ella. I had to separate the two because they make me happy in different ways and for different reasons. Ella is my sunshine; she makes me smile and laugh everyday. She has given my life more of a purpose, and I try everyday to be the best mom I can. She is the sweetest, sillyest, most precious little girl.

3. Shopping. I just love it. I don't have to buy anything either. I just enjoy getting out looking at the stores, finding the best prices, people watching, and relaxing. And, depending on my mood, I like to shop for different things...clothes, shoes, baby clothes, householde decor, seasonal decor, home makeover projects, etc. Shopping is a stress reliever for me, and it helps that Ella likes to shop too!

4. Christmas music. I really love anything Christmas, but Christmas music just makes me happy to hear. It puts a smile on my face. It also is a stress reliever for me. Christmas is such a festive, happy time so music that is about that has to be good. And, I like all kinds of it too...children's songs, Christian songs, pop songs, instrumental. But, this isn't to say that I like every Christmas song, because there are some really bad ones.

5. Chocolate. This one shouldn't need an explanation. Just imagine--warm, melted chocolate dripping over a warm, moist brownie with nuts. I bet your mouth is watering. It doesn't get much better than this!!

6. Fall weather. I love this time of year when the temps start to drop, there's a cool breeze in the air, and the leaves begin to change color. It seems to be a more relaxing time too. I love to start wearing jeans again. And, I love wearing sweaters. Happy times.

Ok, I tag:

Dawn Hearne

Kerri Fowler

Amy Barrett

Holly Taylor

Amanda Hardin

Joslyn Johnson

New sleeping arrangements

Last Sunday night after Ella's bath she said she wanted to sleep in her own bed. I was a little surprised but also relieved some. I had said that this week I would try her sleeping in her room, but had completely forgot about it until she said it. Todd nor I were really ready for this change, but I thought we better do it when she is wanting to instead of waiting til we are ready and she isn't. So, I got her bed all ready for her, got the monitor going in my room, and we laid her down asleep, and she slept all night long!!! I was so proud, and very tired because I didn't sleep very well. I couldn't keep from thinking these crazy scenarios of looking at the monitor, and someone being in there! I have gotten better since then. She has slept in her room all week, and is doing really good. She has woken up some, but when I go in there she says "Hi Momma" and rolls over and is out again. I will have to work on letting her cry herself back to sleep some other time (maybe), can't do it now.

On the left is her sleeping soundly the first night in her own bed. On the right is her sleeping like she has since she was born...with her arms straight up! So funny!!

Ella turned 2!!

As much as I was dreading her getting another year older, Ella is a perfect little 2 year old! She has the perfect little personality for this age, and she is so much fun!! We had a family party at the house again for her this year with a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme. As you all know, she is crazy about this show! For 2 weeks before her party she asked me everyday if we were going to her party that day, and she was so excited that Mickey Mouse and the whole gang were coming to her party. Then, for several days after her party she asked were her party went and were everybody was. So sweet! And, of course, she got plenty of wonderful presents that she is still playing with everyday!! My mom and us got her a play kitchen, she got a scooter and trike, a tea set, a stuffed puppy dog, and some Minnie Mouse shoes, and lots of other toys. We had a great time at her party, but my camera was acting up so I don't have many good pictures ): But, here she is playing with her new toys.

Ella had fun "helping" Todd put her kitchen together. She also needed no practice in using it. She jumped right in to telling us all to stay back because the oven was hot!

Ella looked so cute in her Minnie dress, thanks to Amy and Lori. Ella was excited to see her cake with the clubhouse on it. She was even a little upset at first because she thought Mickey was stuck inside it. But, we put the figurine on it, and all was good.

Ella was very bashful when we sang Happy Birthday to her, but it was sweet.

After her party, she played so quietly with all her new toys.

Ella got a bike at her party, but it was too big so we exchanged it for this scooter and a trike. She LOVES them both!! She was very excited about riding them. She stays on the trike all the time throughout the house and plays with sound effects. So cute!

Happy Birthday Ella Bella!!! Mommy and Daddy love you!!!

Ella's 1st haircut

Back in July I decided to get Ella's hair trimmed because she had a little rat tail growing that needed to be cut!! Todd had been on me for a few weeks to get it cut, and so I was going to get hers done when I went in for my hair cut. The morning of it I had decided I wasn't ready for the 1st haircut yet so I was going to back out. That was until Ella started asking if she could get one like me. So, I decided I better go ahead with it while she is wanting to do it, and I'm glad I did. And, I was surprised at how nervous and a little emotional I was feeling about it. It was silly. Ella did so great, just sitting still. And, although it was a simple cut I think it made a big difference in her hair. With the extra weight and lenght gone her curls were more noticeable.

Before and After

Summer Fun

I can't believe that summer is over already! It really did fly by this year. We had a lot of fun just hanging out and playing. Todd and I decided to get a little swimming pool to help entertain the kids--Ella, the nephews, and when I would baby-sit some. Also, Todd thought it would keep me home so I wouldn't be out shopping! Yea, right!! The pool was a hit with the older kids! Ella and Faith would get in for a few minutes then want out to play. Ella wanted to sit down in the pool, and it was too deep for that. So, I ended up getting her a smaller pool for her to play in, and she loved it!!

My nephews loved that I had other kids at my house this summer, and all of them had fun riding bikes, scooters, and the plasma cars!! Even the really big kids had fun with it!!