Happy Birthday, Ella!

What a wonderful day! Matt went in late to work so when we woke up Ella opened her presents, he made us all breakfast and we spent the rest of the morning playing and just enjoying each other. Ella tried on her new princess gown right away and then wasted no time learning the in's and out's of her new kitchen. She loves to cook, always has. She's constantly playing with mama's pots, pans and utensils at some designated area in the house. I think she's excited to have a "real" place of her own now to prepare her masterpieces.

The funny thing was that later that afternoon as I was making our lunch, I peeped around the corner at her in her kitchen...she was opening her refrigerator door and taking out a cup that Matt had put some sweet tea in earlier that morning for her. She took several sips and then placed it carefully back in her fridge and closed the door. I can only imagine the array of surprises that I'll find opening that door!

She also got a very fabulous dress-up dress and slippers from Honey. She had to try that on as well. Isn't she amazing! She was funny in her fancy bell sleeves.

Her favorite was probably the slippers...she couldn't stop looking at them and yes, wore them around the house for the rest of the day regardless of how big they were.

Here's the close up:

Tonight we took her to Chuck E Cheese for dinner. She had a great time. We took her last year for her birthday and it was amazing the difference that just one year makes. We couldn't keep up with her!

There were two things she enjoyed most. The slide was the first one. After about two runs of assistance she quickly caught on and no longer needed us. She even waved and could look at other things as she came down. She would go up the stairs, through the window and down the slide repeatedly. We spent a good majority of our time here.This was the second, the Chuck E Cheese car or as she referred to him, "Chuck E Bear." I don't know, maybe he was too big to be a mouse so bear was more realistic. She put the token in all by herself and when it was over she would hold her hand out and shout, "Mo money, please!" That's scary...at two and we already know how to ask for money!!

Eating pizza and watching the "show"

This is the best picture I could get. She LOVED Chuck E. She wasn't the least bit scared. She could spot him a mile away and would leave whatever ride or game to go and give him a hug. She wanted him to follow her around and couldn't understand why he wouldn't do what she was telling him to. I believe she thought he was there FOR HER!Happy 2nd birthday, sweet girl! We love you so very much, you make every day so much fun and we are so blessed to have you. Thank you, Lord for our Ella bear, she's just the most precious gift.

'Twas the day before Ella

'Twas the day before Ella and I was at work,
managing Abercrombie, going berserk,

On a not-so-busy Saturday, they didn't need me,
so I left my assistant with my responsibilities.

When lunch rolled around, I headed toward home,
to be with my husband, for he was alone.

Then I was so tired I thought I would sleep,
a well deserved nap, I'd needed all week!

So three hours later I awoke from my slumber,
and into the kitchen, where Matt had my number.

He had bacon-wrapped filets ready to cook,
rice that was steaming and beans off the hook!

For he was awaiting the game on TV,
South Carolina was playing Tennessee.

When all of a sudden my eyes looked down more,
at the puddle of water that was now on the floor.

Not knowing what to do and feeling quite stuck,
I ran to the bathroom and stood there in the tub.

"Matt, please don't panic, but I think it's time,"
"And my pants are all wet," I said with a whine.

He scurried around the apartment gathering our things,
tripping over shoes as if he had wings.

I said, "Please don't fall, I need you alive,"
"for I am in absolutely no condition to drive."

So into the Chevy we loaded, me on my towel,
Anxious for what would happen in the next several hours.

Down the highway we flew discussing some names,
for now would be the time to agree on the same.

So Ella we decided really was great,
and along to go with it, what better than Kate!

We got to the hospital, and got all hooked up,
just in time for the game, gee, Matt was in luck!

We began our long night at Williamson Medical Center,
my mother showed up first to be my great mentor.

I labored all night, contractions galore,
but after 3cm I could take no more.

So in came the doctor to alleviate pain,
Epidural was surely the name of the game.

Matt stood by the monitor, watching the lines,
"Hey Abby, what about that, did you feel it this time!?!"

The next morning came slowly, but made us quite glad,
for we were able to look at the baby girl we now had.

She was round and all pink, from her head to her foot,
and a love I'd never felt just after one look.

She had dark hair and eyes and ears that were bent,
there was simply no doubt she was heaven sent.

Her little round mouth and small button nose,
were as cute as her arms that were covered in rolls.

It was the happiest moment we'd ever known,
it was no longer the two of us, we weren't alone.

We had a bundle of joy to add to the clan,
the Euten's were now two girls and one man.

Matt knew he would never be quite the same,
for this little angel was the one to blame,

For after just a few hours he was wrapped around her finger,
he felt his heart swell, it was a real stinger.

The days since then have quickly flown by,
two years have passed in the blink of an eye,

And I'd like to take this moment so that I can say,
Ella, have a very happy "almost" birthday!!

"Jesus Loves Me"

The first time she sang this to me I was laying down with her to go to sleep. She looked at me and said, "Sing Jesus." To which I replied, "I want to hear you sing it." I didn't know that she really would do it! I didn't even know she knew all the words! You can imagine my surprise. When she finished I was simultaneously laughing and crying. I ran into the bathroom, where Matt was trying to get in the shower, and beckoned him to come into the bedroom...I can only imagine the terrible thoughts that ran through his head. When we got back there she did it again for him and we squealed and celebrated...so much for bedtime!

Yes, she did get jelly beans for singing this...I was afraid she wouldn't do it for the camera. However, when I took it out she smiled and said, "You gonna take my picture?"

Fun in Nashville

Ella and I spent part of last week in Nashville. Courtney had Chloe in September and we finally had the chance to go visit them. It was wonderful to see them, we had a great time. Ella really loved Chloe and has constantly talked about the trip since our return. Allow me to introduce our god-daughter, Chloe Michelle Hanson, isn't she precious!?!

This is Ella "allowing" me to assist her in giving Chloe her bottle. I believe she's very nurturing for a toddler and I was so very proud of how unselfish she was when it came to the baby. It's not the first time she's surprised me! She kept pushing my hand away saying, "No, mama, I do it." And so she did.

Just loving on Chloe...It's a difficult task teaching a toddler the fine line between loving, squeezing and SQUEEZING a little much, but Chloe made it through the week unscathed...I think.

Speaking of nurturing she also wanted to make sure that the dogs were well fed. Here she is helping Bella or "Bedda" eat her dinner as well.

Ella really enjoyed bath time. It was fun pouring water on Chloe's feet, but sometimes it was more fun to climb up and down the stool.

Tuesday night Lisa, her husband Branson and their son Cal came over and had dinner with us. Cal is 4 months younger than Ella. It was so amazing seeing them together, we really enjoyed getting to spend some time with them.

This is Ella and Cal looking out the door at Bella. Notice Cal's hand on the door? Now notice Ella's expression...she's telling him he can't open the door to go outside. I don't know what we'd have done without "momma Ella". Later Cal was going to pick a coaster up off of a side table, but before touching it he turned around to "check" with Ella first. She said, "you're fine." It was the funniest thing. I was afraid he would be slightly irritated at her loving bossiness, but Lisa seemed to think he liked it.

Ella and Cal, so sweet! I think he is just the cutest thing. I couldn't get him to sit still long enough to get the "squeezes" that I wanted, but I did get a few to sustain me.

So did Ella... maybe this is why boys think girls have cooties! We keep trying to make them sit still and love us. Give a guy a break, all he wanted to do was run around and have a good time.

Here Ella has made herself at home in "Jock's" bed. I guess since it was small, she thought it was for her viewing pleasure. Jock is the Hanson's scottie dog that they've had for 16 years. Her actual name is Tia. Ella could only refer to her as Jock because of Lady and the Tramp. It was quite funny. She really thought the dog was from the movie.

It was a wonderful trip, we're so thankful to the Hanson's for all of their wonderful hospitality. We can't wait for our next trip and we hope Chloe can come visit us soon!

The Many Faces of You!

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Just So I Can Remember...

My baby is almost TWO. And the only thought I have is how quickly time flies. She has changed so much and everything she does is precious in our eyes. Below I've listed some of her favorite or most common phrases, just so I can remember...


What’s your name? Edda Ootie means Ella Euten
Where do you live? Chessie, Adabada means Chelsea, Alabama
When’s your birthday? Octodo means October
How old are you going to be? TWO (with a squeal)
Can you say “hippopotamus?” Hiptopasa
-“I ludjew” means I love you and sometimes it's "I ludjew too much."
-“Watcha dewey?” means What are you doing?
-"Goo gain" means Do it again. And "louw" is short for lay down.
-Everything is still plural.
-She now knows how to fib, but is still extremely honest.
-Knows how to skip and count to ten.
-She still loves drawing mainly with a pen.
-“I pooty” means I’m pretty, usually as she rubs on her belly
-She loves “Aroll” Ariel and knows that Scuttle calls a fork a dinglehopper “dinglehoppa”
-She loves Lucky Charms and gets excited when she sees the commercial.
-Other than The Little Mermaid her favorite movie is Monsters Incs. (hence the plural), though she loves "hakuna matata" (The Lion King) and Cindereda (Cinderella)equally
-She loves t-shirts-any tshirt and shoes.
-She can feed herself with no assistance and holds her other hand underneath the fork to catch what falls off.
-She reminds us if we forget to say her prayers every night, but still fails to keep her eyes closed. If for some reason we leave anyone off the list of who we're thankful for she reminds us of them as well.
-If we ask her to say the blessing, she bows her head and says, "amen"
-"I wanna hold you" means she wants you to hold her.
-When she talks on the phone she holds it to her ear and walks around the room. She’ll talk about the toys, books, etc. that are laying around and say, “see” because she thinks that whoever she is talking to can see what she’s doing. She doesn’t like to say “I love you” on the phone because she’s about to have to say bye and she doesn’t want to give the phone away.
-When she talks to daddy on the phone she always says, "Hey Buddy!"
-She is constantly reminding him to "shave beard."
-She knows all the animals and their sounds, but she HATES crickets.
-She still loves dogs, all dogs with a passion.
-She could eat noodles all day, every day, for every meal. This includes spaghetti, lasagna, fettuccine, macaroni and cheese, ziti...you name it. She loves biscuits and the chunky chocolate chip Chips-A-Hoy which she refers to as "fat cookas".
-Jelly beans are still a cause for joy and milkshakes are not far behind.
-She loves presents from the grandparents and shakes the bag upside down to see if there is anything left.
-She has NO fear, except for the Halloween aisle at Wal-Mart and the dark (and crickets)!
-Before she falls asleep at night she turns to me, places her little hand on my cheek, gives me a kiss and says, " I ludjew mama." Then she closes her eyes and goes to sleep.
-She says "God bless you", when you sneeze and "scuse me" when she burps.
-She loves to sing and dance and has surprisingly good tone and rhythm! She walks around the house all day singing, kiss the girl la la la la la!
-Her laugh is contagious.
-If you're not paying attention to her she grabs you by the face with both hands so all attention is now on her.
-When she calls for Matt or me and we don't respond on the first try she resorts to calling us by "Abby" or "Matts".
-She calls the booth in a restaurant a “couch”. Because of the “couch” she no longer sits in a high chair when we go out to eat.
-Like a true Southern girl, she LOVES sweet tea.
-She’s extremely determined and gets easily frustrated when she can’t figure something out. She doesn’t want help until she realizes she just can’t do it herself.
-Sometimes when I look at her it’s like looking directly at Matt. They have a lot of the same expressions.