Ella had an exciting week - she got to see the ducks at McKinley park again. On Monday (before heading to Costco) I thought I would surprise her by taking her to the park to feed the ducks. Boy did she love it. This kid really loves animals. That afternoon we had Claire over and they had a fun time fighting over the stroller. On Wednesday, Ella spent the afternoon with the Adair kids (I forgot my camera!) at their house while I took William to the Dr. for his shots. She got to meet their new dog Buster and followed the kids around all afternoon. Didn't cry or anything - good job adjusting E! We didn't get to see the twins this week as their mom was sick and it was wet/cold so we stayed in.
Video: Ella enjoying the ducks again (October 29, 2012).
Video: Ella and Claire playing (October 29, 2012).
Video: Ella taking her morning stroll (November 1, 2012).
Video: Ella enjoying the train display (November 2, 2012).
Video: Ella watching the train display (November 2, 2012).
Picture: Ella and Claire enjoying their afternoon snack (October 29, 2012).
Picture: Ella checking out the toys (November 2, 2012).
Ella loves to "jump" or make attempts at jumping. It's pretty funny to watch her as she continues to make the hop. She now likes to dance and jump at the same time too. While I'm nursing William, she'll grab the TV remote and hand it to me while making the gesture "jump" and point at the tv - translation? I want you to put music on so I can dance and jump. Yes, she knows how to boss me around.
Video: Ella learning how to jump (October 16, 2012).
Video: Ella trying to jump outside (October 17, 2012).
Video: Ella trying to jump (October 17, 2012).
Video: Ella dancing in her diapers (October 27, 2012)
Our first attempt at having the girls take a bath together failed miserably as Mikayla was not use to sitting in the bath tub (she's use to her baby bath tub). However, our second attempt was successful until Ella got splashed in the face by Mikayla and wanted out of the bath tub. ;)
Mikayla love to splash! Ella does not.
Video: Ell and Mikayla taking a bath together (September 2, 2012).
I love babies in their diapers pictures. Especially when there are more than one baby wearing nothing but diapers. Here are a few pictures of Ella and Mikayla playing with toys while only in their diapers.
Ella now believes that William is her baby and wants to hold him the way I hold him while I nurse. She asked for the boppy pillow and then she asked for William to be placed on her. I don't know if she just wants to copy me or wants to be the center of attention with the baby.
After the first time, she was hooked. Anytime she sees him, she wants to hold him and gets really excited to see him. I love my baby girl, she's such a good big sister.
Video: Ella holding William with the boppy pillow (August 26, 2012).
It took only one day before Ella fell in love with her baby brother. She didn't really understand what he was or who he was but she does now!
The first time she saw me hold and nurse baby William she instantly signed for finish and wanted him off. Pretty cute to watch her be protective (same reaction when Brian would try to put his arm around me or give me a hug). But now she's willing to give him a kiss, take a ride in her stroller and give him her stuff animals.
Video: Ella kissing baby brother for the first time (August 25, 2012).
Video: Ella watching baby brother move (August 25, 2012).
Picture: Brian thought it would be cute to put William in Ella's stroller (August 25, 2012).
What is Ella's typical morning routine with mommy? She walks in while I'm still in bed, asks to get up onto the bed, and then asks for her iPad. Yes, it happens every morning for the last two months. We decided to not bring Ella to the hospital as she was doing well with my parents at home (much love to my parents for learning E's routine and doing everything for us) and didn't show any signs of missing/wanting me. So we thought it best that her first time seeing me would be in the morning as if nothing has changed.
Fortunately, everything went as planned! I was doing really well with my recovery and was allowed to be discharged after 48 hours. Woohoo! We came home Thursday night after Ella went to bed and everything followed as we thought it would. Ella woke up, usual morning routine, and then came in to see me (sitting on the sofa). She asked to sit next to me and then asked for the iPad. As if nothing has changed ;)
After she settled down, we brought William out and got her first reaction on camera.
Video: Ella meeting William - Part 1 (August 24, 2012).
Video: Ella meeting William - Part 2 (August 24, 2012).
Video: Ella meeting William - Part 3 (August 24, 2012).
Video: Ella meeting William - Part 4 (August 24, 2012).
We went to Funderland on August 16th with Alicia and her twin boys Andrew and Cameron. What I did not notice in our prior trip was the pony ride business next door. After we went on a few rides, we decided to check out the pony and see if the kids would be interested.
At first, Ella was scared but toward the end she wanted to go again. It was so cute to watch her pet the pony and want to give the pony a hug.
Picture: Ella's first pony ride (August 16, 2012).
Before we went to Funderland, we met with Tien and Claire at Costco. Ella and Claire shared their first cart ride! They both had a good time sitting next to each other.
Pictures: Ella and Claire sitting together at Costco (August 16, 2012).
We took Ella to Fairytale Town for the first time this past Tuesday, July 24th. Where was this when I was a kid?? Tien and Claire joined us and the girls had a good time walking around. It was so cute to watch Ella's reaction when she see's Claire - my friend is here! As much as she enjoy Claire's company she still resists being touched or being too close. E sure likes her personal space.
Video: Ella and Claire enjoying Bubbles (July 24, 2012). Picture: Ella going down on the slide (July 24, 2012).
Picture: Ella saying cheese in the cheese hole (July 24, 2012).
I think I won't get a membership pass until Ella is about 3 as most of the amusement park is designed more for older toddlers. For now, we'll enjoy our membership at the Zoo.
This past Monday, July 23rd, we took Ella to Johnny's Incredible Pizza (same concept as Chuck E Cheese) and she didn't enjoy it as much as I thought she would. Will have to wait until she's 3 before we try it again. She did like the bright lights and the games that she can touch and stomp on. If anything, she probably enjoyed being with the other kids while they had fun.
Picture: Ella and Genna walking into Johnny's (July 23, 2012).
Video: Ella on a ride (July 23, 2012).
Video: Ella going down the slide (July 23, 2012).
The buffet (to my surprise) was pretty good - even the pizza! I was expecting the worst but overall the experience was good. I like how the food area was completely separate from the games which makes taking kids more enjoyable for the parents as you have more control.
McKinley Library Storytime
We decided to check out McKinley Library's Storytime for infants ages birth to 18 months. The library website describes this activity as one that is designed to help develop literacy with stories, songs, and movement. I enjoyed it. Gave me a few ideas on how to make reading more fun with E. ;)
Video: Ella playing with the toys before Storytime (July 18, 2012).
Video: Ella walking around (July 18, 2012).
Picture: Ella hanging on to the toy bunny (July 18, 2012).
McKinley Park Ducks and Geese
Prior to storytime, we enjoyed a few minutes feeding the ducks and geese at the park. I enjoyed taking her around 9am as all the animals are on the grass relaxing. Ella just loves animals! It was fun watching Claire and Ella sit next to one another while feeding the ducks ;)
Video: Ella wants to play with the ducks (July 18, 2012).
Video: Ella and Claire sitting on the bench (July 18, 2012).
Picture: Ella gets close to the animals (July 18, 2012).
Picture: Ella loves the geese (July 18, 2012).
Picture: Ella and Claire sitting on the bench (July 18, 2012).
We took Ella to Funderland yesterday afternoon for the first time (the weather was perfect!). She enjoyed watching Isaac, Paige, Jack, Alexandria and Izzy run around the park and participating on the rides. Ella was a big fan of the carousel (rode it 3 times and kept wanting to go back!) and the train ride.
Video: Ella riding the carousel - Part 1 Video: Ella riding the carousel - Part 2
Picture: Ella riding the carousel
Picture: Ella and Uncle Johnston riding the train
FAQ: Funderland prohibits anyone who has a cast or is expecting to participate on the ride for their own safety. Yes, I could not even sit on a train or stand next to E on the carousel for my own safety. Ugh....that's an odd policy when the zoo does not carry the same policy.
This past Tuesday, June 26th, we went on a play date with Tien and Claire at Miwok Playground and Park in Elk Grove. Ella loved playing in the bark - way too cute to watch her throw it up in the air as if it was snow.
Video: Ella and Claire greet one another (June 26, 2012).
Video: Ella and Claire enjoying the bark (June 26, 2012).
Overall, I think Ella's personality is bursting out and she's letting more people hold her. It's wonderful to see her give hugs, laughs, smiles and kisses to our friends.
We hosted our first kids swimming party with Ella this past Saturday, June 23rd for our congregation. We had about 30 kids varying different ages come and everyone seemed to have a great time despite the breeze and semi-warm weather. We were hoping for a hot sunny day, but it all worked out! Ella was her usual clingy self at the beginning of the party but was more sociable towards the end.
Video: Ella eating with the rest of the kids (June 23, 2012).
Video: Ella at the recreation pool (June 23, 2012).
Picture: Ella sitting and eating with the kids (June 23, 2012).
Picture: Ella joining the kids playing with the punching balls (June 23, 2012).
Picture: Ella with the big purple ball (June 23, 2012).
Picture: Ella watching Wyatt playing with the ball (June 23, 2012).
Overall, we had a fun time with all the kids and their folks. Ella behaved for most of it which was great especially since she didn't get her afternoon nap. When we got home, I notice she got her first knee scrape ;( Doesn't seem to bother her but still breaks my heart to see her get hurt.
Picture: Ella's first scrape on her right knee (June 24, 2012).
On the morning of June 19th, I found Ella enjoying her new chair - sitting on top of her books. Ha! She thought she was so clever to be able to position herself in a way where she can sit comfortably. It's finally time to get her a chair of her own to start practicing on.
Picture: Ella sitting on her books (June 19, 2012).
Video: Ella loves her books (June 19, 2012).
Her friend Claire got her chair from HomeGoods so we made a trip out to Elk Grove to see if we can find a chair for Ella. As we walked around the store, we were able to find one that we loved and would match Ella's room.
Picture: Ella testing out her new chair at HomeGoods (June 19, 2012).
We brought the chair home, moved around some furniture and made Ella a storytime spot for her. The chair originally came with a rocking attachment (which freaked Ella out) but we decided to remove for fear of her following off and hurting herself. I think Ella enjoys the chair as it is stationery and she's getting better at getting off it.
Picture: Ella enjoying her chair at home (June 21, 2012).
Until Ella can get up and down by herself, she'll still be enjoying her books on the floor. Just need to spend more time reading with her while she sits in it.
Picture: Ella reading next to her chair (June 22, 2012).
Video: Ella still prefers to play with her books on the floor (June 22, 2012).
This past Tuesday, after Ella took her morning nap we had a play date at Claire's house. Claire learned to jump in her crib and she showed Ella how to do it too. The video of them both jumping is so adorable. Since then, she has not jumped in her crib.
Picture: Ella and Claire in the crib (June 12, 2012).
Videos: Claire teaches Ella to jump in the crib (June 12, 2012) - Part 1 and 2.
Lunch at Leatherby's
Did you know Leatherby's open a new shop in Elk Grove? It opened this past May and has been drumming up a crowd. After our play date, we took the girls to Leatherby's for lunch and boy did they have a blast! Ella sure does love the taste of ice cream.
Picture: Ella sucking on her finger she touched the ice cream with (June 12, 2012).
Ella attended her first Kindergarten graduation ceremony (Congrats Gabriella and Paige!) this morning at Clarksburg Charter School. She loved watching the kids sing, clap and run around - especially around the playground. I love how her personality is revealing itself each day and she's warming up to people too!
Picture: Ella with Gabriella
Picture: Ella with Paige
Video: Paige giving Ella her first puppy show (May 31, 2012).
When we got home, Ella learned a new method of walking around - by pushing a chair. It was too funny to watch. ;)
Video: Ella pushing a chair around the living room (May 31, 2012).
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).
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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!
We went to visit Great Grandpa Steele today as we haven't seen him in a couple of weeks. Brian was able to join us while on his lunch break too. During the visit, grandpa offered us fig newtons as a delicious snack/dessert. As I was eating my fig newton cookie, Ella pointed and signed for eat. So we gave Ella her first taste at fig newton cookies. Let's just say, like her Great Grandpa, Ella is a big fan.
Picture: Ella devouring her fig newton cookie (May 22, 2012).
Video: Ella eating her fig newton while sitting on daddy's lap (May 22, 2012).
Walking at Great Grandpa's house
During the first part of our visit, Ella enjoyed watching the birds from the window. A few minutes later, she finally warmed up to Great Grandpa and showed him that she can walk! She even gave him a kiss goodbye when we left. Good job E!
Picture: Ella looking out the window (she loves the birds).
Picture: Ella walking towards and away from G-Grandpa.
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