Walking Milestone

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).

Let the chasing begin.

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.

ZzZzzZzzz. . . .

Last month, I love watching and taking pictures of Ella while she sleeps.  Especially when she wraps her arms around a stuff animal. Her new favorite animal is her Hello Kitty doll she picked out with Mary at Sanrio.

Various pictures of Ella sleeping in May:

Picture:  Ella sleeping with her elephant (May 3, 2012).

Picture:  Ella sleeping on Mommy at meeting 

Picture:  May 8, 2012

Picture:  Ella passed out on Daddy (May 13, 2012).

Picture:  Ella taking her nap (May 26, 2012).

Picture:  Ella passed out on Daddy in the middle of the night (May 27, 2012).

Picture:  Ella taking her morning nap with Hello Kitty (May 30, 2012).

Picture:  Ella passed out - doesn't she look funny? (May 30, 2012).

Sweet dreams our growing baby girl.

Kindergarten Graduation

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).

;)  Goodbye May.  Hello June!

Got Watermelon?

Seedless cold watermelon is so delicious during a nice hot summer day.

Ella spent the afternoon visiting with her grandparents yesterday and she had a nice time hanging by the pool, splashing, and playing with her balls.  Toward the end of the visit, we had watermelon and Great Grandpa got to spend a few minutes alone with Ella while feeding her watermelon.  Sat on his lap and patiently waited to eat - love it!  Too cute not to video tape and take pictures of!

Video:  Great Grandpa feeding Ella watermelon (May 28, 2012).

Pictures:  Ella loves sitting with Great Grandpa while he feeds her (May 28, 2012).

Yum!

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!