We had our first rain day and enjoyed it in the garage. Ella loved chasing the dogs around the garage with her stroller and found it entertaining to stomp her right foot around. Towards the end of the week the weather warmed up so we were able to go to zoo with the twins, play date at Leila's house, have the Adair kids over, and lots of daddy time during the weekend. We love our weekends together as a family!
Video: Ella playing in the garage w/dogs (October 22, 2012)
Video: Ella sits down and laughs at herself (October 22, 2012).
Video: Ella, Andrew and Cameron watching the anteater (October 25, 2012).
Video: Ella and Daddy playing during bath time (October 25, 2012).
Video: Ella taking a stroll down the vineyard (October 28, 2012).
Video: Ella's first trip at the Nimbus Hatchery (October 28, 2012).
Picture:Ella and the twins having lunch at La Bou (October 25, 2012).
Picture: Ella enjoying Lelia's toy (October 26, 2012).
I haven't taken Ella to the mall in a long time but we had a great time shopping for gifts. It was probably more enjoyable because Tien and Claire joined us and kept us entertained everywhere we went. Arden Fair Mall has a pretty cool play area for kids in the Food Court. Though our girls were not tall enough they still enjoyed playing in the corner with themselves.
Video: Ella and Claire checking out the play area (August 3, 2012).
Video: Ella loves the butterfly statue (August 3, 2012).
We got to see Claire three times this week! It was great. Here is another fun video of the girls playing with each other in Claire's room.
Video: Ella and Claire playing with blocks (July 30, 2012).
Thursday was a busy day for Ella - the park, the downtown library for story time, Wayside Noodles for lunch, and bubbles with Uncle Johnston. We had a good time walking around Cesar Chavez Plaza Park though no ducks to chase but lots of bums to look at. Baby lap sit and Toddler story time was better this time around and Ella does great at sitting still, listening and participating.
Video: Ella walking around Cesar Chavez Plaza Park (July 26, 2012).
Video: Ella chasing bubbles (July 26, 2012).
Video: Ella laughing (July 26, 2012).
Ella loves to chase bubbles now!
Picture: Ella making new friends at the library (July 26, 2012).
Picture: Ella and Andrew at Wayside Noodles (July 26, 2012). Where's my pho?
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.
Three months later and Ella's hair continues to amaze us - thick, long and full. I can't believe how much she has grown these past three months - walking like an expert, starting to run, more baby signs, and wants to feed herself more.
Much love and appreciation to Mary Wang for taking Ella's 15 month portrait on July 21, 2012. We had a blast trying to get her to laugh and smile for the camera.
Sample 15 Month Portrait:
We got three awesome video clips of Ella laughing and smiling (yes, she's smiling).
Ella is learning how to run - bumps, falls and cries along the adventure but well worth the effort! It's pretty fun to watch her getting a better handle at running as well as maneuvering around obstacles in her way.
On Thursday, July 19, 2012, we had a nice day at the park, storytime with friends and visited great grandpa. Lots of fun things to do and people we love to visit.
McKinley Park with Cameron and Andrew:
By far I think this is Ella's favorite spot to go. All the ducks, geese and squirrels running around keeps her entertained and she loves to feed them. Today was pretty funny as Uncle Johnston put her on his shoulder and chased a lot of the animals around.
Video: Ella feeding the ducks while sitting in her stroller (July 19, 2012).
Video: Ella walking with ducks - Part 1 (July 19, 2012).
Video: Ella walking with ducks - Part 2 (July 19, 2012).
Video: Ella chasing ducks with Uncle Johnston (July 19, 2012).
Picture: Ella, Cameron and Andrew sitting on the bench (July 19, 2012).
Picture: Cameron pushing Ella around in the stroller (July 19, 2012).
Carmichael Public Library Storytime with Lily and Wyatt: After the park, we met up with Lily and Wyatt at the Carmichael Public Library Storytime. We haven't been here in a while so it was nice to see the kids we did know and have E socialize with new ones. Lily and Wyatt are so much fun to watch. I hope E and W are good siblings.
Video: Ella doesn't want to share her drum (July 19, 2012).
Video: Ella running around the chairs (July 19, 2012).
Visiting Great Grandpa Steele: Ella was awake after Storytime so we made a quick stop and visited Great Grandpa Steele. Ella was pretty well behaved (i.e. friendly) and even allowed him to kiss her and sit on his lap.
Video: Ella loves looking outside Great Grandpa's window (July 19, 20212).
Picture: Ella giving Grandpa kisses (July 19, 2012).
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).
Ella caught a cold this past week and we're happy to report that she had a fast recovery. Not the case for me as I still have my cough and sinus congestion - being pregnant, sick and this heat does not make me a very sociable person. to say the least.
We stayed in for most of this past week but got a few good clips of Ella.
Video: Ella and Claire play date (July 3, 2012).
Video: Ella sitting on the rocking chair with a book (July 5, 2012).
Video: Ella loves running around Target (July 7, 2012).
Video: Ella loves bathtime with Uncle Johnston (July 9, 2012).
Video: Ella watching the ducks and geese at McKinley Park (July 12, 2012).
Video: Ella sitting by the pond (July 12, 2012).
Picture: Ella loves going to the store and walking down the aisle (July 10, 2012).
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.
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).
Morning play date with Andrew and Cameron
Ella refused her morning nap but managed to be pleasant when the twins came over for a play date. She shared her toys, watched them chase each other, and learned how to walk around other kids. I find it most interesting how possessive she is with her toys. Initially, she cringed when the boys played with lion, alligator or drums. Toward the end of the play date, she just played along side them.
Pictures: Ella playing with Cameron. Andrew pushing Ella on the lion. Playing in her room.
Video: Ella playing with Cameron (June 11, 2012).
Video: Ella playing with Andrew and Cameron (June 11, 2012).
Afternoon play date with Paige and Jack
After her short afternoon nap (man, I wanted her to sleep longer), Ella was able to spend a few minutes with Paige and Jack. Looking back, she wouldn't dare follow them or even leave my side. Nowadays, as long as she knows where I am she's perfectly content to follow the kids around and see what they're up to.
Picture: Ella, Paige and Jack playing with the drums.
Video: Ella playing her drums with Paige and Jack (June 11, 2012).
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).
As of this past Monday, June 4th, we can proudly announce that Ella has mastered walking - pausing, turns, standing up, squats, picking up objects and holding them while walking!
It's interesting to observe how excited she is to know that she can walk instead of crawling to get around. As you makes a turn, picks up an object or simply pause - you can hear a small giggle from her as if she was proud of herself. We'll see if she'll be one of those kids that needs a backpack leash!
Video: Ella walking around the twister game (June 4, 2012).
Video: Ella pushing herself up and then walks toward the stairs (June 5, 2012).
Video: Ella holding/playing with her ball while walking around (June 6, 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).
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.
Almost a month has passed since Ella started to walk and then stopped (sigh. . . we were so close!). I realize I am not the type of mother who wants to manipulate or bribe her infant to do something she is not ready for or shows no interest in. Although it has been difficult to be patient and let her take the time she needs to develop physically and emotionally we're happy to say that she is showing interest in walking again!
Picture: Ella walking from Daddy to Mommy (May 9, 2012).
Video: Ella walking, gets overconfident/excited and falls (May 7, 2012).
Video: Ella loves pushing her push-toy around (May 11, 2012).
Video: Ella can stand still, clap, and then walk! Confident little booger. (May 11, 2012)
I was patient with her crawling milestone (despite the constant disapproval that she may not crawl and the annoying "you have to make sure she crawls" comments I received - - There is no evidence to support that by skipping crawling you hurt your child's mental/physical development.) It took her almost 10 months before she wanted to crawl so her wanting to walk again at 1 year and 2 weeks is awesome.
Picture: Ella checking out the alligator.
