Daddy's Girl

Over the last several months, we have made a big effort to have Ella become more of a daddy's girl prior to baby number 2. It only took the arrival of her brother to get her to love her daddy. 

Fun facts:  When Brian comes home, Ella runs to the gate to greet him with a kiss.  She loves to go bike riding and take walks around the yard with Brian.  So sweet to watch their father-daughter relationship blossom.

Picture:  Daddy and Me (May 20, 2012).

Picture:  Daddy and Me (May 27, 2012).

Picture:  Daddy and Me (June 2, 2012).

Picture: Daddy giving me a piggyback ride (June 9, 2012).

Picture:  Ella kissing daddy to wake him up (June 15, 2012).

Picture:  Ella and Daddy at the recreation pool (June 23, 2012).

Picture:  Ella and Daddy after the DC (July 14, 2012).

Picture:  Ella and Daddy playing (September 5, 2012).

Picture:  Ella and Daddy sitting outside (September 9, 2012).

Way to go Daddy!

Discovery Park

Brian wanted to take Ella on a bike ride yesterday so we decided to check out Discovery Park.  Wasn't sure if E would even remember the bike trailer but to my surprise she definitely remembered it.  As Brian pulled it off the truck, Ella immediately walked towards it and tried to get in.  She cried desperately to get in with Dexter - so cute!  It probably didn't help that we were trying to figure out how to put it back together and taking a long time.  Overall, we had a great family outing at Discovery Park.

Video:  Ella, Dexter and Daddy at Discovery Park (August 5, 2012).

Picture:  Ella asking for milk after the long bike ride (August 5, 2012).

Sacramento State Fair 2012

We took a family outing to the State Fair on the evening of Friday, July 27th.  Ella loved watching the people, the rides and the lights.  It was fun watching her point and make her noises as she wants to try to touch everything. 

Video:  Ella and Daddy on the carousel (July 27, 2012).

Video:  Ella and Daddy checking out the bird exhibit (July 27, 2012).

Picture: Ella and Daddy (July 27, 2012).

We love our family outings together.  Ella's second trip to the state fair was a success!

Orangutan's at the Zoo

On Wednesday, we took a family outing to the Sacramento Zoo.  Brian had the day off so he was able to join us in the fun along with his mother Chris.  As usual, Ella enjoyed looking at the different animals walking around.  Today was a treat as we got to see the orangutan's out and about.

Picture:  Ella and Daddy walking to the Zoo (July 25, 2012).

Video:  Ella watching the Orangutan (July 25, 2012).

Sharing is Caring  Ella typically does not like to share her toys.  This afternoon, the Adair kids came over for a play date and Ella was so kind and sweet.  She shared her toys, watched the kids play with her toys and even sat next to them playing with the blocks.  Love how her personality is coming out!

Video:  Ella enjoying the toys next to Jack (July 25, 2012).

Picture:  Ella, Isaac, Paige and Jack playing (July 25, 2012).

Picture:  Ella, Paige and Jack playing with the mega blocks (July 25, 2012).

Love it!

2012 District Convention

Ella attended her second District Convention "Safeguard your heart" at the Sacramento Convention Center this past weekend. 

Video:  Ella leaning on the chair (July 13, 2012).

Video:  Ella and Daddy playing with bubbles after the DC (July 14, 2012).

Video:  Ella having dinner with us at Michelangelo's (July 14, 2012).

Picture:  Ella reading the program (July 13, 2012).

Picture:  Ella eating her snacks (July 14, 2012).

Next year, she'll be running around the DC with William. ;)

Swings

I wonder at what age Ella will LOVE being pushed on the swing.  After a month of swinging attempts and lots of patience, we can officially announce that Ella loves the swing!  


Swing attempt on May 20, 2012.

Picture:  Daddy pushing Ella on the swing (May 20, 2012).

Video:  Ella riding daddy's shoulder at the playground in West Sacramento.

Video:  Ella walking daddy around the playground.

Swing attempt on June 7, 2012.

Picture:  Ella on the swing at Woodland playground (June 7, 2012).

Video:  Ella swinging away at the playground in Woodland (June 7, 2012).

Swing attempt on June 9, 2012.

Picture:  Ella on the swing at Fremont Park (June 9, 2012).

Video:  Ella enjoying the ride at Fremont Park (June 9, 2012).

Video:  Ella and Daddy enjoying the swing (June 9, 2012).

Swing attempt on June 21, 2012.

Picture:  Ella being pushed by Jack at Sam Combs Park (June 21, 2012).

Video:  Ella swinging away at Sam Combs Park (June 21, 2012).

Swing attempt on June 25, 2012.

Picture:  Ella

Video:  Ella loves swinging at McKinley Park (June 25, 2012).

Swing attempt on June 26, 2012.

Video:  Ella loves swinging at Miwok Playground (June 26, 2012).

Swing attempt on June 30, 2012.

Video:  Ella on the swings at McKinley Park (June 30, 2012).

Yay for swings!

Hot Italian & Fremont Park

We had a lazy Saturday morning but Ella sure loves to walk!  Here's a funny video of Ella walking around the sofa - laughing as she turns the corners.

Video:  Ella laughing while walking in circles (June 9, 2012).

Hot Italian:
Brian suggested we go out for lunch just to get us out of the house for a little bit.  We ended up taking Ella to Hot Italian (her second visit) and enjoyed a couple of pizzas for lunch.  Ella was a good mood as she gave Brian hugs and kisses while waiting for the food to arrive.  ;)

Picture:  Ella giving Daddy a kiss while waiting for food (June 9, 2012).

Video:  Ella giving daddy a hug and playing with his glasses (June 9, 2012).

Fremont Park:
After lunch, with the weather being nice and Ella still in a good mood we walked across the street to Fremont Park. Ella loves to explore and she doesn't mind directing us where she would like to go! 

Picture:  Ella refusing to get up without help (June 9, 2012).

Video:  Ella walking around the park (June 9, 2012).

Video:  Ella and Daddy walking around Fremont Park (June 9, 2012).

Loving our family adventures around Sacramento!

Pool Time

Yesterday we spent the afternoon by the pool.  What did we learn?  Ella does not enjoy going into the pool to swim.  But she does love sitting on the edge and kicking the water!  I'm not sure if the water is too cold (she's use to the indoor heated pool) or scared to go under the water.  Either way, we'll just enjoy watching her have fun splashing around.

Video:  Ella going into the pool with Daddy (June 3, 2012)

Video:  Ella playing ball with Daddy near the pool (June 3, 2012)

Video:  Ella chilling with Daddy on the lawn chair (June 3, 2012)

Video:  Ella trying to get her towel off (June 3, 2012)

Various Pictures from our pool adventure at Harbor Oaks (June 3, 2012):

;)

Pops in The Park - McKinley Park

East Sacramento is hosting "Pops in the Park" where in which they have a band play in different parks every Saturday for the month of June from 6pm - 9pm.  This past Saturday, June 2nd, the first concert (performance by The Nibblers) was held at McKinley Park is located on H Street between Alhambra and 33rd - perfect for dogs, has a beautiful garden, cool play area, tennis courts and pool. 

After our Special one day assembly, we decided to take a family outing and had a great time.  The park was packed with families, couples young and old, and lots of dogs.  Ella spent the first hour in aw of all the kids running around, dogs walking by and balls bouncing around.

Video:  Ella enjoying the view at McKinley Park (June 2, 2012)

Video:  Ella and Daddy sitting together at McKinley Park (June 2, 2012)

Video:  Ella walking around with Daddy at McKinley Park (June 2, 2012)

Pictures:  Ella and Daddy (June 2, 2012)

Despite the heat (which Brian loves), we're going to take as many family outings as we can before baby William arrives! 

I love our family time.

International Kids Festival

Favorite Video of the weekend:  Ella standing and dancing on her own.

International Kids Festival
The 8th annual International Kids Festival was held this past Saturday, May 26, 2012 at Williams Land Park.  We decided to take a family outing and checked it out.  I thought it would have more interesting things to see for Ella but I was disappointed as most of the fair involved soliciting business booths and random performances.  The highlight of our weekend would be walking around the garden and the pond.  Ella loved looking at the flowers and watching the ducks swim around in the pond. 

Pictures:  Daddy giving Ella a piggyback ride around the festival (May 26, 2012).

Pictures:  Daddy walking Ella around the garden (May 26, 2012).

Videos:  Daddy and Ella bonding time around the garden (May 26, 2012).

*  *  *  *  *

Vick's Ice Cream
We made a stop at Vick's Ice Cream parlor on our way home.  Can I say how much a fan Ella is of ice cream?  Brian gave her some of his mint chip ice cream and she kept signing for more.  It was entertaining when she started to feed herself the ice cream with her own hand.  I had to discipline her and (though it was so cute) tell her no.  Her initial response was this sad, teary eye look - as if I just took away her favorite toy she was playing with.  She does not like being discipline or being told no.  Smart little infant this one.

Picture:  Daddy feeding Ella mint ice cream

Video:  Daddy feeding Ella mint ice cream

Our time as a family is always the highlight of the weekend!

2 Feet Bubble

Personal space has always been a very big thing to Ella.  In the past, she cringes when people get too close, she dislikes being carried by other people, and she prefers you not to hug or touch her.  These days, her two feet bubble is getting smaller and she's allowing more people to get close to her.  She even gives people hugs at times!  It's just too cute.  I love it when Ella shares the love BUT I also respect her personal bubble when she doesn't want to.  Lately, playing hard to get works great with Ella - ignore her and she comes crawling towards you.  Smothering and fussing over her does not go well with her.  She's going to be an independent girl like her mamma!

Video:  Ella runs away from Claire who tries to give her a hug.

Picture:  Ella giving Paige a big hug (May 9, 2012).

Picture:  Ella giving Daddy a big hug (May 11, 2012).

For an infant, she definitely knows what she likes, dislikes, wants and preferences.  It's hard as a parent to acknowledge the limitations of your infant and at the same time be patient to let them develop on their own pace. She finally gives daddy hugs when he comes home from work, gets excited to walk to him and gives him kisses (sometimes) when asks for it. Yay Ella!

Whole Earth Festival

On Saturday, May 12th, we decided to join a few friends and attend the Whole Earth Festival held at UC Davis.  The festival was design to celebrate ecological sustainability through education, music, food, and art. Lets just say it was a perfect Davis event.  Ella slept through most of the event in her stroller (afternoon nap time!) so it was a enjoyable event for the most part.

Picture:  Ella wearing shorts for the first time (I think she likes it).

Picture:  Daddy carrying Ella around UC Davis. So cute! She's clinging on to his shirt.

Picture:  Daddy pushing Ella around and through the crowd.

Picture:  Ella after her nap (had to take off her shirt as it was soaked).

Picture:  Ella giving Olivia some love.

We spent the rest of the weekend relaxing and recovering from the heat.  I can't imagine how hot its going to be in the upcoming months.  I already feel sympathy for Brian who will have to deal with the heat and a very pregnant wife with a 1 year old.

Asian Squat

Have you ever heard of the "Asian Squat"?  For those of you who aren't familiar with this term, the Asian squat is when you have both feet on the ground, butt touching ankles and knees spread wide.  It's pretty hard to balance but Ella must have picked it up somehow and loves to do it.

Video:  Ella does the Asian Squat while taking her bath (May 7, 2012).

Picture:  Ella doing the Asian Squat while taking her bath

Picture:  Ella doing the Asian Squat to pick up things

Picture: Ella doing the Asian Squat in a dress.

Other fun videos from this past week:
Video:  Ong visited Ella on May 2nd and Ella loved it.  (May 2, 2012).

Video: We had to let Ella sit in warm water to help with her diaper rash.  Oh man she couldn't stop playing in the sink (May 5, 2012).

Video:  Ella is starting to really love her sippy cup of milk. (May 7, 2012).

Video:  Ella and Daddy playing with hair ties (May 7, 2012).

Video:  Ella and Claire play with post it notes (May 8, 2012).

Video:  Ella and Daddy playing ball together (May 9, 2012).

Video:  Ella loves to toss her balls around (May 10, 2012).

Hugs, Kisses & Giggles

For some strange reason, Ella was in a lovable mood this past week.  I could not believe how sweet she was.  It was as if she was over her stranger anxiety/shy self and her true social butterfly self was born.  But it was short lived and she's back to herself now. . .

On Monday, she gave her daddy lots of love while he carried her on his shoulder.

Picture:  Ella and Daddy

On Thursday, she danced and giggled with Sheryl to music at home. 

Video:  Ella dancing with Sheryl (April 26, 2012).

On Friday, she gave Mary hugs (for the first time) and kisses while having brunch at Crepevine with Kimi.

Video:  Ella giving Mary lots of hugs (April 27, 2012).

Picture:  Ella, Mary and Kimi

Other fun videos from the week:
Video:  Ella and Leila play date in Roseville (Friday, April 20, 2012).

Video:  Ella wearing her first jean skirt while playing cups (Monday, April 23, 2012).

Video:  Ella playing during her bath (Wednesday, April 25, 2012).

Video:  Ella and Jack singing/listening to story time at the library (Thursday, April 26, 2012).

51 Weeks - 04.13.2012

Capturing Ella at 51 Weeks . . .

Picture of the Day:

Friday 04/06/12 - Getting E to smile for the camera is fun!

Saturday 04/07/12 - E after her bath.

Sunday 04/08/12 - E loves taking her nap with blue bear.

Monday 04/09/12 - E loves her pink bunny.

Tuesday 04/10/12 -E loves to read with Daddy.

Wednesday 04/11/12 -  E visiting Mary.

Thursday 04/12/12 -  E and Kingston at the library.

Videos of the Week:

Video:  Ella playing with her bucket of balls (April 6, 2012).

Video:  Ella using the walls to get around (April 8, 2012).

Video:  Ella testing out her new lion push toy (April 11, 2012).

Video:  Ella trying to push her push toy (April 11, 2012).

Video:  Ella and Kingston listening to story time (April 12, 2012).