Story Time with Nana

Ella loves reading books, well she loves have books read to her. I think Drew and I have almost all of her current books mesmerized by now. We read at all of her nap times and at bed time. I think she's going to be an voracious reader, just like her mom!!!

Sink Time

Bathing beauty. Ella got a little dirty before bed time so we decided to just stick her in the sink. She loved it.
This is my sister's favorite picture of Ella. She thinks it is so funny how Ella is posed so perfectly with her knee popped, her elbow resting on her knee, and her head on her hand. I think we have a child model on our hands...or maybe just a ham!!!

A Real Nail Biter!!!

Drew was in absolute heaven, Ella watched the Master's with him for a while. He's really hoping she'll love golf as much as he does...good luck!!!

Spring...finally!!!

We finally are starting to have some nice weather. Our daffodils are blooming, the grass is green, its fabulous!!! It is so much fun watching Ella explore this great big new world!!!

Nana's Birthday

Ella looking up adoringly at Nana!!
Great Marty and all the Kansas City great kids.
Ella with Great Marty. What sweet gals!!

No More Bottle for Ella

We decided that it is time for Ella to learn to drink from a glass. We're tired of this whole bottle thing, she's old enough, right??!!! She was too funny last night. She was eyeing Drew's glass, so we decided to try it out. She got a little bit in her mouth, most of it went down her front!!!
I think the glass was bigger than her face. She loved it. She kept going back for more.

Sittin' Pretty

We have been working on sitting up on our own. We've almost got the hang of it, but it is quite tricky.
Oops, we don't have it quite yet. Thank goodness dad was there to the rescue!!
Look at what a big girl she is, sitting all by herself.
And we tumble again!!! Almost there!!!

Cousin Sleepover

They sure look sweet when they are sleeping, just like babies. We watched Drew's brother's dog, Macy, this past weekend. Lily thinks she is a person, playing with other dogs is beneath her. Poor Macy, she just wanted someone to play with. Maybe someday Lily will realize that she's a dog too.

She Sleeps

There is nothing more perfect than a sleeping baby. I just worked this weekend so I have felt so Ella deprived. She started crying tonight around 9:30 so I flew into her room to "save her." I think she really missed her mom this weekend and needed a little snuggle time...well I think her mom needed it!!! What an angel baby!!! We are so lucky.

Eatin' Peas and Making Faces

Ella ate her first "real" food on Monday. She ate five bites of peas and didn't seem to mind them at all.
Making "pig faces." I used to make this face too when I was little. Who knew pig face is genetic!!
Making a big mess. She was covered in peas by the time we were done. We then had lots of fun playing in the water while we got cleaned up.

Ella in her Easter Dress

Ella's 5 month b-day/ Easter

Ella is just discovering how much fun her toes are. She just loves them!!
Ella in her beautiful Easter dress that Auntie Lindsay gave her. She looked so sweet in it.
Now that Ella is five months old, she is so mature. She picked up her bottle for the first time and put it right in her mouth. We were so amazed. Its so funny how the smallest things are so incredible.
Nana has a really cool Easter snow globe, Ella wanted to eat it.
Family picture, its definitely nap time!!!

Laying Around

Ella has gotten so good at rolling from her back to her belly, but she doesn't know what to do once she gets to her belly. A couple of nights ago Ella and Drew were playing on her blanket. She rolled onto her belly and just layed there. Drew layed down with her and they had a nice chat. She told him all about her day. He's such a great listener!!

Out Strollin'

After an incredibly long winter, we finally had a nice day. The ladies (Ella, Lily and I) went out for a long walk. I'm not sure Ella knows what to think about her stroller yet. She gets really quiet when we put her in it. She'll grow to love it, I plan on lots of LONG walks when it is nice out.

Ella's First Trip to the Mountains

Ella and I with Pike's Peak in the background. We made a very quick trip out to Colorado springs a few weekends ago for a funeral. Steve Brooks, a very very dear friend of Drew's parents, passed away. He was an incredible man. We were so lucky to have known him.

Daddy and Ella with the mountains.
We drove out to Colorado on Friday morning and came back Saturday afternoon. The trip took us 9hours each way. For as many hours as we spent in the car over such a short period of time, Ella did an amazing job. Other than one melt down on the way home, she did really well. It helped that her Auntie Mimi and several of her friends called Ella and sang Itsy Bitsy Spider to her!!!

Ella's Dedication

Grandma Claire, Grandpa Ray and Auntie Mimi. We had the whole family at Ella's dedication. It was a wonderful day.

Ella wore the christening gown that my grandmother made for my sister and I. She looked so precious in it. What a sweet baby!!!
Family picture.
Nana, Papa, Great Marty and Great John with Ella at her dedication.
Grandpa Ray can't get enough of Ella.
All of the aunts and uncles and cousins on Drew's side of the family.

Just Hanging Out

Poor Grandpa Ray was so tired when he got to KC, he passed out on the chair all snuggled up in Ella's blanket.
Man this tastes good. I think Ella is starting to teethe. I can't feel any breaking through yet but she is drooling up a storm and trying to chew on everything and everyone.
Smooches from Auntie Mimi.
Just a sweet picture of Ella. Man, she's just the best ever!!!

Papa's Birthday

Snuggling with Auntie Leslee
All of the little girls helped Papa blow out the candles on his cake.
Great Marty spent some time snuggling her great grandbaby.
Cousin Adele did a great job holding Ella. Ella just loves Lily. She can't stop cracking up at her. Lily can just sit there and stare at Ella and Ella thinks its hilarious.

Bath Time Rules!!!

Ella has really grown to love her bath. She could stay there all day if I let her. She just twinkles!!!

The Best EVER!!!

You'll have to tilt your head to see this one, I couldn't figure out how to make it flip. I'll get Drew to fix it later!!!

For all you mom's out there, I think you will totally understand this. Last night, Ella was a little fussy so Drew "danced" with her for a while. They were dancing to the Goo Goo Dolls, which always seems to put her to sleep. Its Drew and Ella's special music. Well, last night she fell asleep while dancing with Drew. It was the sweetest thing ever. I know this is sappy, but it actually brough tears to my eyes. There is nothing better in the world to see than the man you love dancing with your sweet baby. Sorry for being such a sap, I just had to!!!