Easter

We had a really great Easter. The weather was beautiful the entire weekend, but a wee bit chilly on Sunday. MeMe, PaPa and Uncle Josh were in town from South Carolina and Ella loved every minute of it. She spent the entire weekend outside and I thought I would have to pitch her a tent (considering I knew how) because getting her to retire in the house for the night was undoubtebly an act of congress. She was truly in her element! This was technically Ella's second Easter, but the first one that she actively participated in. She loved her basket and had an absolute fit to get the "dut" (duck) out of the cellophane as quickly as she could. Next, we all found out that she has a true love of jelly beans...

I don't exactly know how many she had, but I do know how much she was enjoying herself and I just didn't have the heart to tell her she couldn't have anymore. Besides, what better way to celebrate the resurrection of our heavenly father than by submerging yourself in one of life's true pleasures!! I think he'd be proud. Later that afternoon, she found the bag of the extra eggs that unfortunately had not been used by the Easter bunny and as she muttled through it, picking up each one with great anticipation of what might be inside, she opened it, looked in both parts intently and said, "gone gone." Now, before you get mad at me for letting her play with empty eggs and not receiving any satisfaction from her efforts, let me tell you that when she wasn't looking I would sneakingly fill one and place it back in the bag. I mean, she had most definitely eaten her weight in them anyway what was a few more. She's just so much fun to watch! So we had Easter basket fun that morning, went to church and then came home. I prepared lunch, it was the first time I had done an entire meal for Matt's family...I was told it was good and I'm hoping since there were no leftovers that they were telling me the truth! It was fun anyhow and I guess after three years I'm finally beginning to step into my new role as wife, mommy and homemaker! It was a big adjustment for me to go from working outside the home to being a full-time wife and mother. And I'm learning a little more everyday exactly how blessed I am to have been given not only the gift of motherhood, but also the opportunity to stay at home with Ella without having to miss a single moment of watching her change and grow. Being her mother is my god-given right and most times I can't believe He trusted me with something as sweet and precious as her. This was the first easter we were able to spend with the Euten side of the family, I think they enjoyed it as much as we did. To all of you that have family, grandparents, in-laws or any other in the same town-be thankful. It is such a true blessing to see your little ones with these people that mean so much to us and play such important roles in our lives. It is without a doubt so wonderful to see them loving each other!! It would be nice to have moments like these everyday, but we take what we can get when we can get it. Everyone left after lunch when Ella went down for an afternoon nap, which was more of an afternoon hibernation. We didn't hear from her (or Matt) for an uninterupted 3 HOURS! For those of you who have or have had kids you know that this is a small lifetime and wonderful opportunity for some quiet peace and relaxation!! We later continued our Easter fun with a fashion show of some more Easter goodies, when Ella rocked out her new gollashes and sunglasses, she's such a superstar! They are a little big, but she fully insisted on wearing her "boots" for even the days to come since then. If only we all could look so fabulous in rubber boots. I believe those are of course more jelly beans stashed in her right fist also accompanied by however many were stashed in her cheeks. Surprisingly, she did sleep rather well that night despite the sugar for those of you that were wondering. On Monday, Uncle John stopped by and spent the afternoon with us on his way back to Auburn. We had a nice visit at the house and Matt grilled out that night. We wanted to send him back with a full tummy. After dinner John helped Matt with Ella's bath and proceeded to tell him that he had always thought he wanted boys, but was beginning to think that he might like to have girls!! Yes, she has a way of changing your heart. I mean who wouldn't want a little girl that likes to dress up AND play with fish...it's a win, win.

Sugar and spice and...FISH!?!

Well, you can't imagine how frustrating it is to begin writing about the love of your life when she is 17 months old. So much has happened up until this point and if I could have written every word and recorded every moment I surely would've done it, but I guess that would've been a little much. Ella is growing so quickly that Matt and I can hardly believe it. I'd love to tell you how much like her mother she is, but that would be a lie. She's the living, breathing spitting image of her father and even though she's a girl I believe her to be Matt jr. So, I guess it's a good thing that I love him like I do. I always thought that my daughter, should I be lucky enough to have one, would be prissy, frilly and pink all over. I mean everybody knows the old saying, "sugar and spice and everything nice, that's what little girls are made of." Well, Ella had her first encounter with a fish the other day and much to my surprise she loved every minute of it. It wasn't but a second before Matt had set it down on the dock before she had scooped it up with both hands and gave it a KISS! Yes, you read correctly. She planted one right on its cold, slimy mouth right before she put her hand to her nose and said "stinty" (stinky). She carried it around for the better part of 10 minutes before deciding she was all right with letting it back into the water, but quickly decided she might like to have it back. Every time we go outside that is the first thing out of her mouth, "fish". Now, don't get me wrong, she does have a prissy side. Though she loves being outside more than anything, after she's finished collecting rocks, kissing fish and getting a little dirt on her hands, she likes to come in and walk around in some of ma ma's fur-collared sweaters and high heeled shoes. Though she gets seemingly frustrated when she can't walk in them because they are so big (probably not for long). She's already so well rounded and what I believe to be the perfect mix of sweet and sassy. Having Ella is so much better than I ever thought having a daughter could be. I can't believe how amazing she is!! What a wonderful God we have to give us precious gifts as these. I cherish every moment with her and still to this day if I look at her for to long it brings tears to my eyes and my heart swells. Sometimes the moments that warm our hearts are few and far between, so I'm so blessed to say that it warms my heart everytime she walks in the room. Now, other than our eight teeth and more on the way we are in the process of potty training. I have come to the conclusion that it's not so much the excitement of the actual "tee tee" itself, but more about the flush. Whatever, just as long as she's enjoying herself! I put her on the potty for the first time on March 17th. She went and later that afternoon she let me know when she needed to go again. We've only been sporadically since then, but nonetheless the ball is rolling. It is a bittersweet moment to see your first baby conquer these milestones. I am so very proud of her, but not so naieve enough to know that once this task is conquered it is just one less thing that she will need me for- that makes me ache. But, Matt couldn't be more excited about the thought of not having to buy diapers!! Every morning I wake up I know that I can count on three things: 1. That Matt will do or say something at some point during the day to make me giggle and smile like a school girl again. 2. That Ella will do or say something at some point during the day to make me feel more blessed than I know I deserve and 3. That no matter how organized and placed the toys and books are before I go to sleep, they will EVERY ONE find their way back to the floor before lunch! I've always liked a little consistency!!

Just getting started

Just trying things out! This is definitely something I should have started a LONG time ago, but sometimes there's only time for being a wife and mommy!!