18 Months

It's so hard to believe that my little girl is a year and a half.  She's getting so big and learning so many things.  She's smart, funny, sweet, crazy, wild, loving, adorable and, loud.  We love this girl so very much.  Some of her exciting things at 18 months:

26.5 pounds!!! 

Not sure on height =\

Is almost able to jump

Has her favorite friend (puppy)

Can say : Mama, Daddy, Papa, hi, bye, thank you, no, mine, shoe, what's that, what is this and, more...

She tries to mimic almost everything we do. 

She's a very sweet girl but we're thinking the terrible twos could be starting early =\ 

Thankful

I did not do the things I am thankful every day for the month of November.  Honestly, I am a slacker when it comes to blogging.  I started a blog a bit ago to try and catch up for not blogging for about a month...Then I realized that there was just too much to say and that I don't really think many people read this anyway :) So, I am just going to jot down the things I am thankful for now.

I am thankful first and foremost for Devin.  I am so lucky to have him in my life and can't imagine what things would be like without him.  Although things happened quickly for us and to some it was out of the normal order, I think we've done very well.  He is my rock and I love him so so much.  He is my best friend and the worlds greatest dad.  I don't know what I did to deserve such a wonderful man but, I thank God every day that I found him :)

I am thankful for my beautiful baby girl.  Ella is such a little firecracker.  I know she's going to give us a run for our money but, she is the sweetest little thing.  I was always told you never knew love until you had a child..and I never understood it but now I do.  I have never loved something so much.  She is the light of my life and I am so proud and happy to be her mom. 

I am thankful for my family.  I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.  My parents are so amazing.  I know that I have taken them for granted in the past but, I am so grateful for them.  They are there whenever I need advice or when I need to vent.  I have called my mom at 2 in the morning with questions on Ella...or just because I needed someone to talk to.  Not many of my friends can say they have the same type of relationship that I do with my folks.  I also love what wonderful grandparents they are.  They are so involved in her life and have taught her so many wonderful things.

I am thankful for my new family.  I hear people all of the time complain about their in-laws.  I don't have anything to complain about.  Mine are great, they are so good to Ella, Devin and, myself.  They welcomed me in with open arms and have just been so sweet and supportive.  Ella is just so lucky to have such wonderful Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Aunts and, Uncles :)

I am thankful to have such a wonderful job.  Given the economy it is just really great to say I have an awesome job with great benefits.  I am blessed to have been hired on with a great company.  Although I spent three very hard and long weeks in New Jersey, I am confident this will be a great fit for me.

I am thankful to have a place to live.  I think some people take this for granted.

I am thankful for all of those who currently are serving or are currently serving our country.  I have lots of people in my life that have been or are in the military.  I am so thankful for them and also that they are all safe.

I am thankful for our silly kitty Hobbes.  Ella loves her cat very much :) 

I am also thankful that I have had such an amazing year.  This seems to have flown by but it has been great.  I have learned so much and had so many wonderful experiences

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year.  We went to Devin's dad and step moms house.  My parents drove in from Pinetop Wednesday evening, Devin's sister Caity flew in from England with her daughter Irish and, Devin's brother Ben drove in from North Dakota.  It was a nice Thanksgiving and I was so happy to have most of the family there.  Ella was a bit of a crazy baby =\ I am not sure she's use to sharing the spot light with another baby :) We had yummy food and it was just great to chat with everyone.  My mom and I finally got to do black Friday in the city :) We have been talking about it now for ages but, I usually go there for the holidays.  This was a very nice change and I enjoyed shopping with her :) Our best bargains came from Bath and Body Works and the awesome new vacuum I got.

Parents

I have to say, I have the best parents in the world.  Last night, Ella got VERY sick.  She has never thrown up before so this was something I was not ready for.  Spit up is one thing...puke is something totally different.  My poor little girl woke up at 12:00 this morning...Devin and I were up with her until 3:30..she was sick about every thirty minutes.  Every time she would get ready to get sick, she would have to sit on my lap.  Needless to say we have LOTS of laundry.  I was freaking out and called my mom at 2:00 am.  I didn't know if I should have taken her to Goodnight Pediatrics (Late night Urgent Care) or just let it go until the morning. I tried a nurses hotline..and of course, no one answered. Like always, my mom made me feel better.  She gave me very simple advice but still the same, she made me feel more level headed.  I am so thankful to have such wonderful parents and Ella is lucky to have such awesome grandparents.

=\ sorry again for waking you up so early mom

Utensils

My mom is pretty amazing :) When Devin and I went to Pinetop last, my mom worked with Ella on using utensils.  I was amazed at how quickly Ella learned.  It took my mom just a few days and some whipped cream  (=  We give Ella a spork or a spoon with just about every meal now and she does really well with them.  She will take a bite and clap because we would clap when she successfully get a bite of food.

However, tonight I am pretty sure she just got lazy....

Socks

Ella loves to wear shoes and socks.  She likes to bring us random pairs of shoes to put on her feet and now she also bring us socks.  I think it's funny when she tries to put them on by herself. 

Side note...I never knew babies could have stinky feet....Ella's feet are SUPER smelly!

Busy, busy, busy

We have been so busy lately! Everyone told me how much things would change when Ella started walking.  Truthfully, things haven't changed too much but, she is always on the move.  She loves to walk in rocks and we're not entirely sure why.  When we are at the mall she enjoys walking around staring up at the big people. 

I am pleased at how well she adjusted to me going back to work (minus her getting sick).  It's hard for me because I don't really get to see her much during the week.  About an hour in the morning and two at night.  She's just so tired when she comes home.  So the weekends are mostly spent focusing on Ella :) I enjoy my weekends so much more now.  I think she does understand the weekends because the last couple she has been more clingy than normal with me.  

All in all, we are still doing wonderfully as a family. Although we have had a lot of changes recently and even more to come, we are all still just very happy. I can't imagine things being any sweeter than they are now.