Idaho Trip Pictures

Blogger is finally cooperating, so here are the promised pictures from our recent Idaho trip. We did so many things while we were there, so be warned this is a picture-laden post.

I realized as I looked through the pictures that I didn't manage to get any pictures of Ellie with my sister or her cousins. Did you get any, Brig?

My dad has this new motion-detecting camera mounted in the driveway, so Ellie and I thought we'd surprise him with this shot! (No, we were not out there late at night and it wasn't May, like the time/date stamp says...)

Grandma B. and I took Ellie on a walk. She really wanted to push her own stroller.

On our way back up the hill.

Giving Grandma and Grandpa's cat, Cooper loves. Cooper is my old cat from my teenage years and it is fun to see her when we visit Idaho.

Petting the dogs, Nick and Chance, with Grandma.

We went to a fantastic park while we were there. I used to play here as a kid, but they didn't have this fantastic playground then. It was very warm that day and the park was PACKED!

With Great Aunt Linda at the park.

Sliding.

More sliding. Have I mentioned before that Ellie LOVES to slide?

With Great Aunt Ruth at the park.

Here comes the meltdown. "PLEASE don't make us leave the park, Mommy!!!" Notice that tiny dog in the background above Ellie's head? She had just spent the last 5 minutes loving all over him.

Trying to get a good picture of Ellie and Grandpa. She kept bringing him rocks.

On our way to the airport we swung by Great Grandma E.'s for a visit.

Chasing ducks in the front yard.

On the swings in the backyard.

Phew! Now I feel like I've finally got the blog all caught up and can start posting about more current happenings!

Idaho Trip

Well, I wanted to update the blog with some pictures from Idaho, but blogger isn't letting me upload pics right now....

Since we've been back Ellie has cut two molars and was finally back to sleeping well. This past Wednesday she came down with a fever and then yesterday broke out in a rash all over her body. We were a bit concerned it was a mild case of chicken pox (Ellie has only had one dose of the vaccination, so is not immune yet). The doctor said it might be hand, mouth, and foot disease, but her fever broke last night so it is unlikely.

Other than the fact that she is a bit polka-dotted, she is back to herself today.

I'll get new pictures up as soon as blogger lets me!

Pets

Here are a few pictures of Ellie, most of them with her pets. She recently learned how to play fetch with Kip and he absolutely loves it!

Giving Kip "loves."

Getting "loves" back from Kip.

Basty stealing Ellie's bib.

Giving Moxie a little more love than she wanted...

Fourteen Months Old

What a month this has been! Ellie is such a "toddler" now, and hardly a "baby" at all! Each month it gets harder and harder to remember all of the new things Ellie can do - there are so many of them!

How Ellie has changed in the past month:

• Ellie still takes two naps a day, though it is getting harder and harder to get her down for them both. She is at that tricky age where one nap isn't enough, but (she thinks) two might be too many.
• Sleeping well at night, except for when molars are pushing in.
• Still eight teeth that are visible, although the two top first molars have broken through.
• Favorite foods: Indian food (Ellie's absolute favorite), salmon, Goldfish crackers, any and all veggies or fruits.
• Ellie can climb up her inside climber/slide and go down the slide all by herself!
• She helps get dressed and undressed by pulling her shirt on/off and sticking her arms through the sleeves.
• She knows so many words/directions. Here are just a few: Pat the dog/cat/Kip/Basty/Moxie; Give it to Mama/Daddy; Come here; Where's my nose, chin, cheeks, eyes, mouth, glasses; Go get your coat; Look out the window; Where's Jamison? (looks out front window at neighbor's house); Let's go outside (runs to front door).
• She hasn't added many words to her spoken vocabulary, but she makes tons of new babbling sounds. She can now say Mama, Dada, ball (ba-ba), all done (ahh-unn), Ellie (ehh-yee), uh-oh.

Events of the past month:

• First trip to the dentist. Everything looks great, though Ellie currently has a bit of a cross-bite.
• Sliding on the big slide at the park all by herself!
• Easter egg hunting.
• Staying with Hailey and Jamison while Mama went to a doctor appointment.
• Dance class!

Upcoming events:

• Heading out to Idaho with Mama later this week.
• Heading to Kansas the first weekend in May.

Molars

Dear Ellie,

Molars are over-rated. It is fine with me if you decide not to have any. Tell them to quit moving in. Right now. You and I would both sleep so much better if they would go away. I can only imagine how much discomfort you must be in. Nighttime sleep has always been iffy with you, but this is bordering on ridiculous. You have always been a good napper, but not the past few days. Those blasted teeth are driving you crazy. Mommy and Daddy should have bought stock in the Motrin company weeks ago. I'm sure that you alone have made its value double.

So, if you don't want molars that is okay. I'm happy to serve you mushy food for the next 5, 10, or 15 years. Better yet, lets make it 17 years. Then you can wake up your college roommate and ask her for the Motrin.

Love,
Mama