The Search for a "Big Girl" Bed

We've had a hard time lately trying to get Ella to bed at night. It started about a week after she gave up her pacifiers and instead of getting easier, it's gotten harder. Cory and I have been brainstorming of ways to make bedtime easier. We decided that we would try getting Ella a "big girl" bed that way we could lay in bed with her at night and read a book or whatever it takes to get her to sleep. Then we could make a quick exit and she would sleep peacefully the rest of the night :) (At least that's what we're hoping for!) We originally got all of Ella's nursery furniture from Pottery Barn Kids and that was the first place I started shopping. I was so disappointed when I found out that they had discontinued the bed that matched the rest of her furniture. Luckily, we live close to lots of furniture stores so we loaded up the trailer and headed out on the search for a matching bed! We thought for sure we would be coming home with a bed. I found a bed I absolutely loved but the store told me it would be 14 weeks before they could get it in...14 WEEKS?! That's 3 and 1/2 months...are they kidding?! We decided to keep shopping. We went to the furniture mall and they had a whole store of kids furniture. They had beds that were more like a playset than a bed! Ella found a princess bed and she kept telling us, "I like this one!" It was huge, pink, and had a slide! Heck...with a bed like that why would a kid even consider going to sleep! We would never get her to bed! They also had a furniture line by "Build A Bear" called "Build a Home." We had the nicest lady helping us. When we had to leave, Ella cried because she had to leave the big, pink, bed/playset behind. Next thing I know, the lady that was helping us was building Ella a "Build A Bear" bear. It was so cute and Ella loved it...especially it's hairbows! The good news is that they were able to order me the bed I fell in love with at the other store and it will be here in 3 WEEKS! Much better than 14!! So, in just a couple weeks we'll be making the transition from crib to bed...stay tuned for the outcome :)

The BIG, PINK PRINCESS BED...not only did it have a slide but also a playhouse underneath the bed!

Not only was this the ultimate children's bed but it was also the most expensive bed I've ever seen!!

Terrible Twos?!

So far, I would say the TWOS have been TERRIFIC! Don't get me wrong though...we've had our share of temper tantrums and melt-downs but nothing terrible :) Ella is so much fun to be around! She is constantly saying or doing something that makes us laugh. And her expressions are hilarious! It's so hard to believe that she's 2 already!

Ella at TWO...

~Ella tells everybody that she's "so smart!" Of course, we think she is! She loves to count everything and can count to 30. She can spell her name and loves to point and identify objects around her. Sometimes I wonder who taught her that?!

~She loves to sing and can sing "Jesus Loves Me", "Jesus loves the little children", "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", "Row, Row, Row Your Boat", "Itsy, Bitsy Spider", "Clean Up Song", "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes", but her favorite song is "All I Want to Do" (AKA: The Oo-Oo song) by Sugarland :) We have to listen to it every time we get in the car. She's even found out she can watch the music video on Charter Demand at Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw's house. Maw-Maw said one day they had to watch it over and over (what seemed like 75 times!)

~She loves playing with puzzles and books.

~She likes getting ready with me in the mornings. The other day I walked in the bathroom and she was putting on deodorant. She is such a little mockingbird (not only says but does everything we do!) She helps me dry my hair and put on my make-up. She loves to get her toe nails painted...100% girl!!

~She is obsessed with anything Thomas the Train! She got a train set and train table for her birthday and loves playing with it. She talks about Thomas, Percy, Gordon, James, Mavis, and Troublesome. I still can't believe that my girly girl prefers trains over baby dolls :)

~She loves being barefoot! I think it's so she can look at her "pink toesies"

~She loves any and every fruit imaginable! Blueberries are her favorite! Mimi and Paw-Paw have blueberry bushes and she makes a mad dash to them everytime we go to their house. I've learned lots of new stain removal techiniques!

~She's decided she doesn't want to use the potty and it's much easier just to use the diaper and then tell someone she needs her diaper changed. We're still working on this...

~She would much rather be outside than in! She still loves to swing and blow bubbles!

~She is a water bug! She loves going to Aunt Candy's pool and playing on the steps in the shallow end. She begs to go everyday!

~I love how she now tells us her likes and dislikes when it comes to food, TV, toys...life is definitely a lot easier with far less whining and crying!

~She can say and will say ANYTHING! She talks like a little adult and is able to carry on a conversation. Some of the things she says totally cracks me up!

~She is MISS INDEPENDENT!

Everyday she is telling us something new and we are amazed by how much she's developed!! It is amazing the growth and development that occurs in just 2 years! Each day just keeps getting more fun! Life is good and we couldn't ask for anything more!!!!

Ella's Little Swim...Mommy's Big Scare!

Last week was a busy week filled with lots of work and not much time to have fun :( But we managed to get a little pool time in. We had a little more excitement at the pool than I ever want again! Ella accidently took a little swim before we had a chance to get her life jacket or floaties on. I jumped in to "fish" her out in my clothes. To my surprise, when she fell in she started swimming and kept her head above water. She would have definately gotten tired quickly but for the few seconds it took for me to get to her she actually swimmed! Her little heart was racing but once she calmed down she wanted back in the pool. My nerves were shot the rest of the day! There's no way I would have gotten back in the pool after that! She's been telling everyone that she fell in Aunt Candy's pool and Mommy went swimming in her clothes. I told her from now on she's going to have to wear her life jacket and floaties on the car ride over to the pool so we'll be prepared to swim just in case :)

Birthday Comparison

Birth Day

June 27, 2007

1st Birthday

2nd Birthday

Eatin' at Ella's

We got Ella a kitchen set for her birthday and she loves cooking for us. She's definately the cutest waitress I've ever had!! We've had lots of tea parties and baked several dozen cupcakes and cookies the last couple weeks. After we got home from church, Ella made "wunch" for me and Cory. She made me a PBJ sandwich and made Cory a hamburger. It sure was YUMMY!!! I dropped my spoon on the ground and she picked it up, walked over to her sink, turned the knob to turn the water "on", washed the spoon off, then turned the water back "off". It was so cute. She then brought it back to me and said "It's okay Mommy!" We've all had fun playing with Ella's new kitchen stuff!!! (even Daddy!)

Here are some pictures from "Ella's Kitchen."

Is this not the most adorable mixer ever!!

Cutest little cook ever!

Baking cookies

Toasting bread for my PBJ sandwich

Hot Cookies fresh out of the oven!

Ella's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies...sooo yummy :)

Our "wunch" that Ella prepared for us

After we ate, Ella finished off the leftovers

Ella washing off the spoon I dropped..."creen up, creen up! everybody do your share" (she sings this song when she's cleaning up...it's hilarious!)

If you're ever in town you have to stop by and eat at Ella's Kitchen...not only good food but the best service ever!!!!!

4th of July

We spent the 4th of July at the pool with good food and even better company! Ella spent the entire day playing in the pool and would NOT take a nap! As soon as we put her in the car to go see the fireworks, she fell asleep. We were all tired so we decided to come back home and call it a early night! Oh well, maybe next year she'll be up for the fireworks :) I have to say that Ella is quite the little FIRECRACKER these days!!!

Water Bug