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.  

Pink Eye.

This last couple weeks has been pretty hard on Ella.  Since I started my new job, Ella went back to daycare.  Daycare has beat this poor little girl up onside and down the other.  Her first week she got sick, popped through more teeth, was bit, and was scratched.  The next week (last week) wasn't any better.  She contracted pink eye =( and an ear infection.  To complete her week, she was bitten again!! I felt so badly for my little bug. Today is the first day she has been really well.  She was wide awake when we came into get her and was happy as can be. I am praying that this week will be better for our little bug.  Devin says he kind of prefers her sick only because she's more cuddly.

Hats

I have a thing for hats, especially animal hats.  Someday I want to buy three hats and get family photos done...perhaps that will be my theme for a Christmas card one year.  I know that it's not Devin's favorite thing in the world but, he's a good sport.  Even little Ella is getting better with hats ^_^

Pinetop

Last week, Devin, Ella, and I went to Pinetop.  We had such a wonderful time while we were there.  We went to the fair in St. Johns and watched my Uncle Tom play with his 'Blue Crates' band.  It was a nice drive and we enjoyed listening to my uncle play harmonica and sing.  

My parents had given Devin and I a gift certificate to Los Coralas a Mexican food restaurant in Pinetop.  They took Ella to the 9/11 symphony and Devin and I went to dinner.  It was nice to have a night with Devin and to eat a full meal ;) 

Devin left on Sunday after we had a nice breakfast at Darbi's and went to Woodland Park to feed the ducks.  Ella though she ate a ton of breakfast still managed to eat all the bread we gave her to throw to them.  Although we were sad to see Devin leave, Ella and I were happy to stay a few more days.  We did a lot of shopping with my mom and went to lunch ever day.  It was nice to be able to hang out with her and watch how Ella interacted with my parents.  We are so lucky to have such wonderful families.  

Ella is such a lucky little girl with amazing grand parents.  

Thanks Grandma Flochie and Grandpa Moosie for such a wonderful time!!

Happy Birthday Devin!!!

Devin turned 28 last Wednesday!  We had a very chill birthday celebration this year.  We went to dinner with his family the weekend before :) Then on his actual birthday, we had a nice dinner and cake and ice cream.  I don't know how many ways I can say what a wonderful man Devin is....Ella and I are so lucky to have him in our lives.  This is a little bit late but, Happy Birthday Devin.  We love you very much.