Big Smiles

I'd say she is happy baby!! She is full of smiles these days. Even when I put her down for naps/ bedtime she will smile at me as I leave the room. She is such a sweet baby girl!

Ella 1st Dentist Visit

Ella had her first trip to the dentist today. She had been to visit my old work a number of times. What she remembered most was Dr. Lael's the french bulldog, "Zipper." So when we found out that Zipper was there today she was very happy.

When we go there she climbed right into the chair with her two kitties: Meow meow and Meew, meew they go pretty much everywhere with us. She let the assistant polish, floss and brush on the fluoride. Plus when Dr. B came in she opened right up and let him look. I thought for sure I was going to have to bribe her with something but she was a perfect angel. I was so proud that I was the one who shed a tear or two.

She was so comfortable she wanted to take off her shoes.
All done and still smiling!!

Fun Times

We have definitely gotten into the dreary weather here in the Northwest. Luckily, I had ordered this book Marjie (my mother-in-law) recommended to me to get for Ella. It has tons of different ideas of things to do with a two year old. Everything from sorting games, songs to sing, coordination, social skills, and holiday craft ideas. In a couple of the pictures below I put shredded paper in a bag and then put in different small items and had her dig around and find each one. It was fun for a while then Ella decided it would be neat to bury Avery in the paper. She didn't seem to mind it a bit.

My smiley baby!!

Yup, trying out the bottle.

Doesn't she look like she is having fun!



Random picture of Ella reading her library book " Little Quacks Bedtime" she can read this book to me.

Lisa's visit

My best friend Lisa ( freshman year college roommate) has been coming to visit me out West for the past 6yrs. Crazy how time fly! Every time she comes things get a little more hectic around our house. This time Lisa got a glimpse of what life is like with two babies. Lets just say we joked a lot about how I could hire her as my nanny. She was a big help with the girls all weekend. We did manage to sneak away one of the days and have a Spa day/ out for dinner and drinks with some of my other girlfriends. Which left Jake with both girls pretty much all day. If you asked him he would probably tell you he barely survived. Mainly because Bridgette doesn't take a bottle. I think he did great under the given circumstances. Anyway, I think Lisa had a good time and hopefully isn't scared to come back next year.

Nana comes to help

We have had a lot of visitors the past couple of weeks. First Uncle Paul and Auntie Lindsey, then my mom came for almost a week and then my friends Lisa ( college friend) came for her yearly visit. I'll post pictures of her visit next.

My mom was a huge help with the girls. I was able to run lots of errands and go to appointments like getting my hair done. Very important!
Nana has Bridgette in a trance with tickles. Very sweet!!

Halloween Night 2010

Ella was well prepared for Halloween. We had been talking about the big night all month. In fact somedays she would ask how Halloween night was going to go and we would tell her where we were going to go first and what we would say. She got a lot of use out of her ladybug costume. She wore it to her Kindergym party, then her Mommy and Me class and then on Halloween night. I was so proud she even wore the antenna's. She did great going to people's house and saying, "trick or treat" and finishing with a "thank you." Most times her voice was so quiet it was hard to hear her above all the other kids but at least I know she said it. One of her favorite parts was getting to ring the doorbells. And in the neighborhood we went too the Firetrucks came by to hand out candy. Ella was so amazed! Bridgette got to stay home with Nana that night and hand out candy.
Below are a few pics of Bridgette and Ella in her costume before heading out trick or treating.

Halloween Night 2010

Bridgette Laughing!!

Uncle Paul and Auntie Lindsey

We had a great visit from Uncle Paul and Auntie Lindsey the past weekend. It was supposed to rain all weekend but for the most part the weather held out for us. Which was good because we did a lot of outdoor activities. One day we went to the pumpkin patch and another day we went to Burfoot Park and walked to the beach then of course we couldn't leave without playing on the slide and swings. One of the nights we listened to Halloween music and carved pumpkins. Uncle Paul carved Ella a kitty and Lindsey carved the big "M" 2010. Jake's is the one original pumpkin face. Creative huh!! The pictures below are out of order but we hope you enjoy!

Ella is very proud of Daddy's work.

Skipping rocks at the beach

Updates

The girls are doing well. Ella is really into saying all the nursery rhymes she has learned from a book we have been reading to her. Obviously her favorite is "Baa Baa Black sheep" She also can sing Mary had a little lamb, pumpkin eater, Little boy blue, Daisy, Daisy, and twinkle, twinkle little star. She can also say almost the entire Dr. Seus book of ABC's. She is quite the little sponge.

Lately she has been trying to scam us, every night Ella will ask to cuddle and sing songs before bedtime. The other night she said, "I have a little more milky, and I won't cry" and then just this afternoon she goes " I have some binky gel ( which is baby orajel" on my binky so I won't fuss. What a little stinker!!

On a side note, she has been doing excellent on the potty. She isn't afraid to tell you if she has to go and she doesn't mind using the big potty. So far we have gone in restaurant bathrooms, parks, library's, her school and the best one was at the Pumpkin Patch port o potty. Yup, that was a real treat!! NOT especially when I had poor baby Bridgette straped to me.

Bridgette is doing great too- we started rice cereal with her a couple weeks ago and she loves it. She is always grabbing at my food and stares at me when I drink water. Now if we could just get her to drink milk out of a sippy cup we'd being doing good.

She is also rolling over onto her tummy all by herself.

Ella fell in love with the kittens at the pumpkin patch! So did I!!
Us girls at the Pumpkin patch with Ella's class. I had my hands full that day.

Ella Singing Baa Baa Black Sheep

Ella was gracious enough to provide some song for our dining entertainment last night with Nana and Papa. Just remember to clap next time Papa!

More Potty Time

As some of you might know, Ella is getting potty trained. Actually, there hasn't been much training needed. She has taken right to using her little potty. I think the songs her potty chair sings helps. When she has to go potty, first she will announce it to everyone and then sit on her chair and say, "listen, I hear my song" For a reward Ella gets to put a special kitty, dog or truck sticker on her chart. So far as long as we don't leave the house she does great. The tricky part is going to be to get her to use the big toilet when we are out. For now we'll just take it one day at a time.

Fire Trucks!!!

We took Ella to the Fire Station open house this weekend. Though she was timid at first, it didn't take long for her to warm up. She wanted to "drive for just a second" for a lot of seconds. She did not want to leave. At one point, she suggested we set up her pack-and-play in the fire engine so she could stay there! She loved it. Enjoy the pics.

New Pics of Da' Girls