Brian returned home late last night so he could give Ella a kiss as she was already in bed. Ella woke up about 7:30am and I brought her back into bed with us. We all slept in until 9:30am and then decided to take a walk to the Eatery for brunch. Ella did great in the stroller and even took her pacifier. We sat outside which allowed Ella to stay quiet for the entire meal (she watched the clouds go by).
Picture: Ella in her stroller with her pacifier.
We came home, study our watch tower, fed Ella her rice cereal and then took a nap before meeting.
Video: Ella sucking her thumb.
Picture: Ella sucking her thumb.
Picture: Ella with daddy watching football
After meeting, we spent the rest of the night relaxing at home.
Ella slept great last night (even though she went to bed late). She woke up this morning about 7:30am and found herself entertained by her Grandpa Frank for a couple of hours.
Morning Activities: We fed Ella rice cereal earlier today to see if that will help with her afternoon nap (it did not). She was a little fussy while she was eating as she was overdue for her morning nap. At one point, she was eating while her eyes were closed. ;) Funny stuff. Dad went to Brian's office for his dental work while we went to DDGE.
Video: Ella with Grandpa Frank
Ella did great on the car ride - slept through most of it. Amber watched her today and she did great with Ella - - even got her to take a long morning nap. No crying or fuss ;) so hurray for Amber! An awesome babysitter is one who can calm Ella down and not let her cry to the point where she is mad. We'll be using her again.
Afternoon Activities: We left work about 1pm and got Ella home in time to play with her Grandpa Frank. She continues to skip her long afternoon naps.
Video: Grandpa Frank and Ella (reading)
Video: Ella playing with her blocks
Ella's First - Sitting Up (without any support)
Milestone Moment: Ella was playing with her soft blocks and I notice that she was doing well sitting up. So we tried something new and she sat up without any support (I think she was trying to impress her Grandpa while he was visiting). I can't believe she is sitting up and balancing herself. ;)
Video: Ella sitting up for the first time
Evening Activities: We made a trip out to Elk Grove to visit relatives and then met up at Michelangelo's for dinner with Brian's folks (Thank you to Great Grandpa Steele for treating us). Ella sat in her car seat for most of dinner which allowed me to eat with both hands (awesome!). I'm trying to get her use to sitting in her car seat more so that dinner outings are more enjoyable for everyone. Tonight was a success!
Picture: Ella with her great uncle and auntie
Video: Great Auntie is holding Ella.
Picture: Ella with her grandparents (missing her Grandma Ngoc)
Picture: Ella sitting in her car seat during dinner.
We got home about 8pm, gave Ella a bath and put her down for the night. Poor thing, she was tired.
Happy hump day. I regret my decision to bring Ella to bed with us last night. She fell asleep about 9:30ish but kept waking up every 30-45 minutes. After waking up for the third time, I laid her next to me and she fell asleep to Brian reading his economy book out loud. She woke up every 2-3 hours to eat (I think she smelled milk and instantly was hungry!). Sigh, I put her back into her crib about 3:45am, she fell asleep instantly and without being swaddle. She woke up a couple of times (a cry) but fell back to sleep on her own. About 7:30ish, I woke up to her complaining to be fed. To my surprise, she turned herself 180 degrees. She's a funny one.
Morning Activities: Ella did great on the car ride to work. Poor Leslie, she had to carry Ella during her second morning nap as she kept waking up on every attempt of putting her down. We left about 11:50pm, got home had lunch with Brian and then prepared Ella's rice cereal. Brian was a rockstar today ;) He fed Ella her entire bowl of rice cereal (1 Tablespoon + 1.5 ounces of breast milk).
Video: Ella enjoying rice cereal - Brian feeding her.
Picture: Ella and Daddy
Afternoon Activities: About an hour later, I fed her again (I will increase her rice cereal tomorrow) and she went down for her afternoon nap about 2:45pm to 3:20pm. Sigh, another afternoon without a long afternoon nap. We played, changed her dirty diaper, and played some more. Ella now attempts to put her feet in her mouth. ;)
Picture: Ella and giraffe sleeping in her swing
Picture: Ella's Tummy Time
Video: Ella trying to suck on her toes (on the changing table)
Evening Activities: After our family study, we decided to watch a movie at the theaters. ;) Ella slept through some of it but for the most part she sat on my lap and played or we walked around the hall way. We picked up a few Vietnamese sandwiches to go and then picked up Grandpa Frank from the airport. Ella fell asleep about 10:20pm and didn't wake up! So hurray!
Video: Ella playing with her blocks before the movies.
Picture: Ella and Brian sitting at Wayside Noodles (waiting for our sandwiches)
Ella woke up about 6:30am this morning which was great because we had a busy day planned.
Morning Activities: After we fed the dogs, prepared Brian's breakfast shake and lunch, and tidy up the house, Ella and I drove into work (no Leslie as she had to meet her teacher). Ella slept the whole way there which helped her mood at work. She was happy and played for the first hour and half. About 10ish, she was starting to get crank (ready for her second morning nap) so we decided to take our work home.
Video: Ella playing in her bouncy while mommy works.
Picture: Ella happily swinging away
We made a quick surprise visit to Mary's house. I don't remember the last time Ella got to see Mary. Ella helped Mary on her work project.
Picture: Ella and Mary
Afternoon Activities: We got home about 11:30am, had lunch, took care of the dogs and then prepared Ella's rice cereal. I started to pump again (for fear that I may dry up!) and I think I have a good routine down now. Ella ate a full tablespoon of rice cereal mixed with 1.5 ounces of breast milk. She did great! Though she did not want to take her afternoon nap. She napped for about 45 minutes (12:45pm to 1:30pm) before she woke up. ;( She tried to nap again from 3:00pm to3:45pm. Sigh. So she played on her play mat, listened to Vietnamese music, and then did some tummy time.
Video: Ella and Rice Cereal
Video: Ella playing on her play mat - talking. grabbing toys, and smiles.
Video: Ella listening to Vietnamese music.
Evening Activities: Though she didn't get her afternoon nap, she did pretty well at meeting. We got their early enough to play with the friends. Ella enjoyed her time with the kids (Jenna, Little Ray, Gabriella, Samantha, Annie, and Savanna got to hold her - though I missed a couple of pictures). Cynthia by far makes the most effort to making Ella laugh (playing peekaboo and all). Love it!
Can you believe it's already mid-September? Where is the time going.
Ella slept great last night (10:20pm - 7:15am). She wasn't even the one who woke me up. I walked into her room and it looked like she just woke up and was trying to figure out what she wanted to do. Funny girl this one. After her morning diaper change/feeding/clothes change, Ella played with Brian while I got the car ready. She is probably the most fun right after she wakes up. ;)
Morning Activities: The drive to work was easy as Ella enjoys watching the view outside the window, talking and playing with her toys. Thank goodness as I usually hate to take her to places since she hates the car seat. Although she didn't get her usual morning nap on the car ride, she wasn't fussy ;)
Video: Ella talking, smiling and waving her hands
Video: Tummy Time and a weird new cry (it was like she was scared of her toy elephant). At one point it looks like she holds up her head high enough to stick her finger in her mouth.
Afternoon Activities: Ella is definitely back into her routine. It's like clockwork when it comes to her naps! She took her long afternoon nap between 1:10pm to 4:20pm. I love putting her to sleep and watching her (yes, a little creepy but I do love watching her sleep).
Video: Ella talking while in her car seat
Evening Activities: Who enjoys her bath? Ella does. Especially after she gives me a dirty diaper. ;) The secret to not upsetting Ella during her bath is to avoid water in her face and if she starts to fuss - - distract her with the rubber ducky. Her hair sis starting to fall down with a natural part down the middle. If I wanted it to be flat, I would only need to come it flat and it would stay down.
Ella does not sleep through the night. ;( She woke up about 4am but she went to bed about 11ish though. So I am hoping her return to Sacramento will get her back into the grove of things. Sigh - please go back to your sleeping habits.
Morning Activities: For a four month old, Ella sure does gets around. Lots of visitors this morning for our baby girl. Michael and Mayelle came over to have breakfast before we left for the airport. It was nice to have a meal together as a family.
Video: Ella with Uncle Mike
Pictures:
Ella got a nice treat as her Aunties and Great Aunties and Uncle came to visit her for the first time. She wasn't in the best of moods as she was due for a nap but she managed to allow them to hold her for 30 minutes or so.
Video: Ella with her Great Uncle and Aunt
Pictures:
At about 11ish off to the airport we go (with no delays or hiccups). Brian's mom picked us up from the airport and we were so happy to be home. Ella enjoyed her bath time (no crying) and went to bed about 9:30ish. Though she keeps waking up with a bit of a cry and falls back to sleep.
Ella didn't sleep to great last night. Poor thing. She kept waking up which didn't do me any good because I needed to sleep!
Morning Activities: The whole day was busy for all three of us as Brian watched Ella while I went back and forth between rooms getting ready for Kelly's big day. The bridesmaid dress was beautiful but it was not very easy to feed Ella with. But I was able to not drip, leak or anything on my dress throughout the whole day ;)
Video: Ella during Kelly's Wedding (before the ceremony)
Picture: Ella with Caroline
Picture: Ella with Brian
Afternoon Activities: After the ceremony, we drove to three locations for the photos (Walt Disney Concert Hall, Union Station, and LA County Modern Museum Art). Ella got to go on her first limo ride! While Brian followed us so that Ella had a babysitter during the photo shoot. This is what happens when your baby doesn't take the bottle - she has to be nearby in case she gets hungry!
Evening Activities: The reception was at 888 Seafood Restaurant (brings back memories). Ella did not like the loud noise and especially the clanking of chopsticks on cups. At least she fell asleep for some of it which put her in a better mood. After the reception, we went home to relax. Ella got a second wind as she played with her uncles and aunt.
Pictures: Ella with Val and Kimi
Video: Ella with Aunt Mayelle
Video: Ella playing her Uncle Hieu (you can hear her laugh)
Day 7 of Ella's First Trip to Hawaii: Last Day
Ella finally got to sleep through the night! 7:30ish to 4:10is. Woohoo! I think the fact that she got her long afternoon nap helped her sleep through the night. This kid really likes her naps and loves her sleep. ;)
Morning Activities: Today's our last day in Hawaii which means Ella's last day with Grandma Choi until our next visit. She did pretty good this morning as she played while we packed everything up. After everything was ready to go, we had breakfast with Grandma Choi and then prepared for our departure. On a fun sidenote: Ella enjoys sitting on Grandpa Choi's chair ;)
Pictures: Ella and Grandma Choi playing
Video: Ella sitting in Grandpa Choi's chair
Picture: Ella
Afternoon Activities: On our way to the airport we stopped by Auntie Katheryn's house for lunch. She was hosting a lunch at her place so we got to meet lots of people from her congregation.
Pictures:
Picture: Ella and Grandma Choi (saying goodbye at the airport)
Evening Activities: Ella did great on the 5 hour plane ride - she is truly a rock star when it comes to traveling. The people in front of us turned around and told us how good of a baby she was. In fact, they would never have guessed a baby was sitting behind them ;) Ella rocks. ;) Hieu picked us up from the airport and we were so glad to go home.
After a few greetings from my parents and brothers, we all passed out.
