day at the beach.

today was a good day! we started out by going to a rummage sale at one of the local churches. that was pretty much a bust! they had nothing good.

so, we decided to go to the beach. the weather wasn't the greatest but, at least it wasn't raining. turned out to be a fun unexpeted trip! ellee got to see the little crabs for the first time. and the tide was pretty far out so we got to walk really far out onto the beach. we got some really cute pics of ellee!

click on the photo to see more!!

kisses from ellee.

This morning Ellee woke up at 7:30.  I was not ready to get out of bed so I went and got her out of her crib and laid her down next to me in my bed.  Now normally she will go back to sleep for an hour or so.  This morning however, she wasn't interested in sleeping anymore.  Instead, she sat up, leaned over and planted a big kiss on my cheek! Then she laid back down.  She repeated this several times!  So, this morning I woke up to Ellee kisses!  The most sweetest thing ever!!!

I love being a Mom.

 :-*

Teddy Bear Picnic.

Thursday was our last Sprouts meeting for the year.  (We take a break for the summer.)

When we first started going in September Ellee was only 2 months old and of course couldn't do much other than look cute. : ) Now, she crawls around, plays with all the toys and interacts with all the other kids.  It's amazing the changes that happen in 8 months!  It has been really fun getting to know other Mom's in our community.  I already can't wait until Sprouts starts back up in the fall!

This months theme was Teddy Bear Picnic.  Auntie Emily has been in town for the past week so she was able to join us, along with my Mom.  It was fun having them tag along!!

Here are some photos:

When we got there each child got a pair of Teddy Bear Ears.

I was surprised that Ellee kept her's on the whole time!

Sprouts always starts out with playtime (social time for the Moms)

Miss Ellee and her friend Wilson!

Ellee was very interested in the story this month! :)

Ellee 365: days 301 - 307

301 days old.

302 days old.

303 days old.

304 days old.

305 days old.

306 days old.

307 days old.

10 months today!!

Yes, we have a 10 month old!  This is so crazy (I think I say this every month)!!  This month has flown by!  Ellee seems like she has done so much growing/developing in the past 30 days!

• She went from crawling backwards to crawling forwards...and at a very fast pace.  Along with pulling herself up on furniture..and whatever else she can find.
• You tell her to clap, clap, clap and... she clap, clap, claps! 
• She stays balanced on her 2 chunky little legs for a few seconds at a time.
• She gives REAL hugs and my favorite...REAL kisses ---ON DEMAND!!!
• She knows when she is in trouble...she will look at you and smile.  It is so darn cute which makes it hard to get mad at her! She loves our entertainment center...I think its something about all those fancy buttons on the DVD player and cable box.  Who wouldn't like to push all those buttons!! : ) Oh and she LOVES to pull ALL the DVDs off of their shelf. Which by the way, she is currently doing!! Yes...she is up past her bedtime but, who cares...It's Friday! : )
  Yes, we have a laundry basket in front of the DVD player!!  Hey, whatever works right!?
• She is almost fully transitioned into a sippy cup --she went the WHOLE day today with no bottle.
• She is using her fingers to pick up food. And is managing to eat small pieces with out choking. Her favorite is green beans and small pieces of cheese. : )
• She hasn't said any words other than Dada and the typical baby babble but, you can tell she is really trying hard. 
  I think they will come soon! 

Oh yeah, and she has learned the art of temper tantrums!  This skill isn't one that we are very fond of... Especially when we are trying to change her diaper or get her dressed...  Ha!

She learns new things every day..it is so amazing!  I can't wait to see what new changes this next month brings!!

And of course...this post would not be complete with out her 10 month photo collage!!

Mother's Day.

I know this is late but, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

We started out Mother's Day by going to church with Shayne's parents at Chapel Hill. The worship was awesome and the sermon was really great. I love going to church..It always makes me feel so refreshed!

After church we went to one of my favorite restaurants, The Harbor Monsoon. Their food is always so yummy and Ellee even tried some rice. : )

Later we went over to my Mom and Greg's. We took Ellee over to the park that is near their house. She experienced going down the slide for the very first time (see video below!)

We finished out Mother's Day with a happy hour Starbuck's frapp and some pizza from the new pizza place called Blue Cannon. All in all it was a wonderful 1st Mother's Day! I wouldn't have wanted to spend it any other way!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! Of course I had to include my favorite snapshots of the day!

My favorite girl and me!!!

Our goofy girl!

Peek - A - Boo!!!

And finally the video I promised!

Ellee 365: days 294 - 300

294 days old.

295 days old.

296 days old.

297 days old.

298 days old.

299 days old.

300 days old.

Ellee 365: days 287 - 293

287 days old.

288 days old.

289 days old.

290 days old.

291 days old.

292 days old.

293 days old.

9 month photos

I know I am a bit behind on getting her 9 month photos up but, whats new!?

I think these are my favorite so far!!

Click on the photo below to see more!

Ellee 365: days 280 - 286

280 days old.

281 days old.

282 days old.

283 days old.

284 days old.

285 days old.

286 days old.

1st M's game and Uncle J pitches!

The day we went to the zoo was a very busy day!  Ellee also got to go to her very first Mariner's game!  The Mariner's played the Baltimore Orioles.  Ellee's Uncle Jason is a pitcher for the O's!  We were lucky enough to see him pitch and he did great!  3 innings with out allowing the M's to score!! 
We had so much fun and Ellee did amazing!  Especially since we had already been to the zoo.  Halfway through the game she decided she was tired so she just fell asleep!  She is truly such a great baby! We are blessed to be her parents!
Enjoy our snapshots of the game below!

After the opening pitcher for the O's allowed the M's to score 7 runs the Orioles brought in Uncle J!

After the game we got to go below the field to the 'green room' to see Uncle J.

Ellee loves her Uncle J!! : )

Posing in the Big Mitt in front of Safeco Field after the game.

Changing into PJs for the ride home.