Christmas with PopPop and Grandma

We were so excited to have a week visit from PopPop and Grandma to celebrate an early Christmas with Ellie.  Ellie loves her grandparents so much, and it is so obvious that they love her as well.  We spent much of our time just hanging out, eating great food, and playing together.  I will blog later about each day, but wanted to share a few quick photos.

Storms and Lack of Sleep

North Carolina weather is crazy!  On Monday the high was in the 50s and cool all day, but on Tuesday the high was 72.  Yes that is correct a 22 degree change in twenty four hours, but atlas it does not continue.  We had a fast moving cold front come through the area on Tuesday night that resulted in Tornado watches and severe storms.  This woke up Ellie from her slumber three times.  At four I gave up on sleep and brought her in bed with us.  I know that I said brought her to bed with us, which should indicate that we all slept for another hour and half, but with Ellie I can't sleep.  I spent the next hour and half holding her and thinking about how she is growing up and loving the fact that she still needs her mom.  It was only a year ago that she was a little baby, and now is  a on the move toddler.  I love her so much!!  She is my world, and I can't think of life without her.  So as I go to bed tonight I am thankful that I will sleep through the night, but a little hopeful for the next storm.

Thanksgiving

I can't believe the difference that one year makes in Thanksgiving plans.  Last year at this time Ellie was a little baby that was only eating baby cereal and sweet potatoes.  This year Ellie had turkey, ham, veggies of all kinds and her favorite food of all is still sweet potatoes.  It was so bittersweet remembering that Ellie last year had the cutest onies that said "Thankful for Mommy", while this year onies have been replaced with jeans and shirts. We also started the family tradition of watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.  It was so much fun to play with her in the floor and watch her excitement when she was big bird.   I absolutely love the age that she is in at this time.  She loves to play, read and figure things out, but still love to sit on mommy or daddy's lap to read or snuggle.  I know that she is growing fast.  I only hope that I capture every minute that I can, and always show her how important and loved she is by us. 

First Day Back

Quick Post to say that our adventure into daycare did not go as smoothly as I had wished.  Ellie cried and did not want me to leave her this morning.  I am hopeful that tomorrow goes better, and she enjoys playing with others.  I know that she needs to get accustomed to others, but it is so hard when I just want to snuggle with her.  I was glad to see several people that I work with and hope that this great school year.  On a positive note, we found that we were named as one of the best public schools in America by Newsweek.  Hopefully a better day will follow.

Last Week of Summer

I can't believe that I am writing this post, but we are in the last week of summer before I start school back on the 17th.  Last year at this time I wrote that I was kinda of sad not to be starting school - that would not be the case this time around.  I hate the thought of Ellie being in daycare all day.  I love spending my day with her.  We play and really just enjoy being together.  She has grown so much in the past year.  Ellie is such the little toddler now - running and playing all over the place.  I hope that she adjust and enjoys getting to play with the other kids, and I also hope that I adjust to the new schedule.  It is my goal to leave work and bring no school work with me 90% of the time.  I will report back after the first month to see how I am doing on that goal.

So how are spending our last weekend?  We started on Friday with going to a consignment sale for kids clothes.  I found a couple of pieces for winter.  I bought 24 months, and I hope that those are the sizes.  Ellie now wears either 12 months or 18 months depending on the outfit.  I bought a new brand Sweet Potatoes.  I love what I saw in the cateloge for this brand and hope that Ellie will look super cute this winter in these outfits.  The remainder of the weekend we plan to clean, laundry, and just hang out before the craziness of the year starts.  I will post later on the drama that goes with working in a high school, and no its not always the kids.
Here is a picture of Ellie to make this post worth reading.

Summer 2010

I can't believe what a difference a year makes. Ellie is growing so fast!! It is hard to believe that the toddler that is constantly running and playing is the same little baby that we brought home from the hospital a little over a year ago. This summer has been full of adventures from Ellie's surgery to correct in the kidney tubes to first flight to the Gulf Coast.
When we first found out that Ellie was to have the procedure we were so scared, but we knew that this was needed. In the end the procedure was very easy, that is with the exception of the anesthesia. Ellie woke from surgery very mad and in a lot of pain. The first day was hard, but she has bounced back like nothing was ever wrong with her. The only lasting evidence is the small scar on her right side, and her new found fear of strangers.
The trip to the Gulf Coast was amazing! We flew into Panama City over the Gulf. Ellie did great on the flight and did not cry at all. She actually said a few WeeWee! This means that she is happy. Sand and surf are our girls favorite, but time her PopPop and Grandma are a close second. We were lucky enough to spend six days with them on the beach playing and having fun as a family. Although, I am an East Coast girl I must admit the sugar sands of the Gulf are the best in the World. We hope to go back next year!