She Grows Up So Fast!

Ella is now saying so many words. Yesterday, Auntie Allison heard her say "poop" as she was changing her diaper. Just afterwards, I was holding her and I gave her the choice to go to Auntie Allison or to get down. Ella very clearly said "down." Today she sat in a booster seat to color with Lily and Ethan. At dinner Daddy asked Ella question and she replied "yeah" twice. While getting ready for bath, I was taking off her shirt and left it around her neck. I asked Ella if she could take it off and in no time she was running around naked. She can climb in and out of a rocking chair without falling all by herself. Ella is also trying to do somersaults too.  She knows what she wants and will 'tell' you. She is growing so very fast!! Great job Miss Ella!!!

What a Birthday!

Today has been so eventful! Briscoe somehow managed to get poop on the kitchen floor. I was lucky enough to be able to wash the floor, wash the dog (this is not easy), clean the tub and floor of the bathroom and vacuum the house. All before 8:30 am. Maybe next year there can be a little less cleaning involved. Or a lot. That would be nice! ;)

Walking Backwards

Ella can now walk backwards. Just another milestone she has reached before her first birthday. You are truly an amazing little girl Ella. Just remember, you are still a little girl...

Talking?

Ella is surprising me everyday with something new. Today she walked around the house saying "ma ma ma ma." I wasn't sure if she was talking about me or not. Later in the day, she heard a door slam and thought I was returning from the store. Tim said she started towards the door and said "ma ma ma." Yea Ella!! Also, I am pretty sure she has said "thank you" too. Yes a two word phrase. We say please and thank you all the time here and maybe I'm just a mom wanting to think that is what Ella said, but I swear she said it. More than once. Yikes!


We are also working on sign language. 'More' is the first sign we are working on and we've only been trying for a short time. (I have been lax on it this time around. I'm sorry Ella). With the boys helping me she did the 'more' sign today. We all clapped and then Ella clapped too. It was only once but she got more crunchies and was happy. Ella catches on so fast to all the things I teach her. As she switches over to milk we'll add that sign too. If you see her feel free to try some sign language with her. 

Some Long Over Due Pictures of the Kids

 Ella in her new sweater made by Great Aunt KD.

 Laughter! 

Ella is 11 months old!

Basement Progress and a New Dishwasher!

Pictures of the area before the cabinets are installed.

Old dishwasher gone.

 My dad cutting ceiling trim.

Tim happy to be getting this project finished.

Ethan is a BIG boy!

Ethan is growing up so fast. I know I've said that before, but he never ceases to amaze me as he continues to grow. The words and phrases he uses baffle me and make me chuckle. "Just five more minutes" is used the most. 


Ethan started potty training on Tuesday. He was interested once and we ran with it. He is actually doing really well as long as I remind him to go every hour. He can go all morning without wetting his diaper, or pull up as he often reminds me. He can do everything himself except getting onto the potty. Jeans have proven to be a little bit more difficult, though. Today, Ethan started to stand up and go potty. He was so proud of himself! It's too cute to see. Ethan is just barely tall enough to make it work. The best part for Ethan is that every time he successfully goes potty he gets an M&M.