Brusha! Brusha! Brusha!

Ella really likes it when we brush her teeth - thank goodness. I use a little finger brush and baby toothpaste and she loves it. Our new apartment has an extra long counter and the other day she was sitting up there next to me while I was brushing my own teeth. She didn't take her eyes off my mouth, her stare was beyond intense. I decided to hand her Daddy's toothbrush (sorry Honey) and see what she would do. She was very good - put it right in her mouth, mimicking my moves. Her brain soaks everything up like a sponge. She is so smart. We think she is ADVANCED!

Getting Domesticated?!?!?

1-2-3 COOKIES

1. a box of cake mix

2. two eggs

3. 1/3 cup of oil

Bake at 350 for 12-15 min.

SUPER SIMPLE & SUPER SWEET!!

A friend of mine posted this recipe to her blog and a challenge to see how many different versions could be created. I made a batch for little Ella's 1st birthday party using funfetti cake mix and strawberry icing. (YUM YUM) So here is my latest version that was inspired by my AMAZING husband and his love for Reese's peanut butter cups. I used a chocolate fudge cake mix and Reese's peanut butter chips. They were very good! Love this idea, it is so easy and you really can get soooo creative and come up with lots of different versions. I think my next attempt may include a Spice flavored cake mix?!?!? The options are endless!!!

ELLA - a baby no more.

Ella is growing so fast. She is becoming very independant, wants to do everything herself. She does not use a bottle and I kinda miss that cuddley bonding time. Clothes and shoes that fit her yesterday do not fit her today. She looks more and more like a "little girl" everyday. Her "baby" face is going away. It makes me sad. I want to freeze time and keep her my little baby who needs her mommy forever!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR ELLA!

Ella is 1 year old!!! Time has flown by, I cannot believe she is already 1. We had a family party over at Grammie and Grampa's house. Auntie TaTa (Tatia) flew down for the party. Auntie Tia (Petrea) and Auntie JoJo (Kelly Jo) were there too. The whole house was filled with pink streamers and pink balloons. She was spoiled by everyone with wonderful gifts - and of course we stripped her down and let her demolish her very own cake. Lots of FUN had by all!

So Long, Farewell

We are moving. Yes, you heard me right -

WE ARE MOVING!!!

We are very excited to be moving to a little town called San Jacinto. It is not too far from where we are now (about 35 minutes north east). It is kinda scary to move to a new place where you have no friends or family but exciting at the same time. Ella will even have her own room! So glad we have things like blogging to keep us connected to all our friends and family. Wish us luck!

TWO front Teeth!!!

Yippee!!!!!

So Ella finally got her two front teeth. No more "vampire" baby. The only way I can even get a decent picture of her baby chompers is to take the photo mid temper tantrum. She is still cute - even when she is mad at me.

Total tooth count is now 7!

Ella's trip to the E.R.

 FACT #1   - I am a totally paranoid first time Mom

 FACT #2   - I am a hypochondriac for my daughter

 FACT #3   - I over react to every little thing when it comes to her

 FACT #4   - I think "better safe than sorry" applies to everything

 FACT #5   - I just can't help it 

 I am her Mom, and I LOVE her more than I could ever express.

It is so heart wrenching to watch your little baby so sick, even if it is only the stomach flu.

DIAGNOSIS : stomach flu

       CURE : nausea medicine and TONS of fluids

Ella cruises around.

Here is a clip of Ella cruising around last Sunday before church.

She is getting really fast (good for her bad for me). 

Watching someone so small WALK around is beyond adorable. 

I could watch her walk around all day long ... oh ya ... I do!

Look at that hair!!!

I know she is my daughter - but you must agree that she is simply ADORABLE!! 

Another cute picture of my little Ella with her hair all spiked up. 

Ella WAVES!

So Ella learned how to wave about two months ago. Her daddy takes her out to the  front gate of the house every morning before he goes to work (7 am) and he yells "GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY" and she waves ferociously. Well about a week ago she learned to say "BUH-BYE" and so now she says this and waves to everyone, everywhere, all the time. We think it is pretty hilarious.

ELLA loving up the beautiful so-cal weather. Yes it is the middle of January and we can hang out outside for hours enjoying the bright sun, the cool breeze and crisp air. 

Yea Winchester - so nice and cool!!!!!

ELLA loves her goodnight dolly.

 Grammy gave it to her for Christmas and she sleeps with it every night.

 (she actually uses it to cover her eyes because she will not sleep unless it is pitch black)

ELLA is very good at playing.

 She knows where her toy box is in our bedroom and she entertains herself for quite sometime.

 (allowing Mama to get the laundry and cleaning done.)

ELLA really loves being in the car.

 Mama and Dada use Saturdays as the shopping and errand running day. Sometimes we will be gone for 5 or 6 hours running around getting in and out of the car but she loves it.

 (thank goodness!!)

ELLA is a really good sport.

 We like taking her to the mall to try on different hats. She smiles and lets us laugh and take pictures. 

(she usually draws a big crowd too)

ELLA has teeth.

 It is hard to capture them all in a picture but she has 5 already and 2 more on the way.

 (on top her "eye" teeth came in first - she looks like a vampire baby)

Ella taking her first steps!

ELLA is walking ... well kind of.

Look at her go!!!!

 It is amazing to me that such a tiny little girl can balance on her tiny little feet enough to get back and forth from her toys to the bed. Her brain must be working a million miles a second to be able to figure out that she can motor around upright all on her own.          

  Love it!   Love it!   Love it!

Meeting SANTA

ELLA saw Mommy kissing Santa Clause (oops!)

Ella really enjoyed opening her presents!

                                                                               

Meeting SANTA for the first time was exciting and scary for our little Ella. I am sure SANTA can be very overwhelming to someone so small, so all things considered, I think she did really well. ( it is safe to say - they are not best friends :))

Halloween Fun

Ella will be crawling any second!!!

Ella holds her own bottle...
she is growing so fast!

Ella and Maxx are best friends!