Ella is 23 Months

Wearing daddy's fancy hat

 Figuring out how to brush her hair and wanting to do it herself

 Little Nikes for the girl who loves to run

 Playing at Gramme & Grandpa's House

 Photo with mommy

 Playing outside in the sunshine

This girl loves to dance!

Today Ella is 23 months, which means in one month she will turn two! Goodness gracious, I can't believe we will soon have a two-year-old on our hands. She is already exhibiting some signs of the "terrible twos:" throwing tantrums, whining, not listening, running away from us, and getting into things she knows are off limits. We definitely have our hands full with this child, but we are loving every minute of it.

The new thing she learned to do is climb out of her crib. It started last week and now we have to listen to see if she opens her door when we lay her down because it means she is looking for mischief. We plan to put the toddler rail on one side of her crib which will turn it into a daybed and will make it more safe if she does want to get up. I am slowly getting use to the idea of her being so independent, but still am startled when I see her appear on her own after her nap or in the morning! Lately she has been more cuddly and she likes to snuggle between mommy & daddy on the couch in the evenings. She also likes to give other people hugs and kisses, especially her new friend, Henry (tomorrow's post will feature Henry and his family). She will also ham it up for the camera (for a little while anyway) and did great at her two-year photo shoot last Monday. 

She adores being outside and since our summer has been pretty warm, she plays in the wading pool as much as possible. She would wear her swimsuit all day if we would let her! She also loves going on the boat and now will jump off the back platform into the water as long as her daddy is close by to catch her. Jeff wanted to get her on his wakeboard this summer, but mommy is still a little nervous about that so we will wait another summer or two (or three). 

She will happily entertain herself for hours playing with her toys, "reading" books, running/jumping/hiding, but she really likes playing with other kids young or old.

My absolute favorite thing that she just started doing in the last couple months is when I hold her she lays her head on my shoulder and wraps her arms around my neck. It usually happens only when she is tired, but it is always a most treasured moment of the day. She likes to cuddle there while I sway with her for a few minutes before laying her in her crib. 

She is a sweet girl and is starting to develop her own tastes and sense of self. We can't wait to see what the next 23 months will bring. We LOVE you soooooooooo much, Elizabeth Rose!!!!

Harkins Family Baptism

Last Saturday Ella and I flew to Spokane for a very special event because my good friends from college, Rod & Catie Harkins, asked me to be their youngest child's godmother. They baptized all three of their children at St. Anthony's parish with the priest who taught Rod's Catholic instruction classes before the couple got married nearly ten years ago. 

 Ella and I boarded our plane at 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning and since the flight was not very full, the young woman sitting next to us moved up a few rows so that Ella could have her own seat beside me. She loved looking out the window and did great on the hour-long flight.

 When we arrived in Spokane we got a rental car and made a quick stop to eat some breakfast before we changed our clothes and left for the baptism. 

 Isn't the church stunning?!

 The Harkins' have three children: Aubree who is four, Hank who is two, and Cash who is two months.

 The baptism was beautiful and so special. 

 TJ Smith and I are godparents to Cash.

 Isn't he a doll? 

 Aubree is the cutest, most articulate, most appreciative four-year-old I have ever met. She played with Ella and watched her for me before the baptism started and later at the BBQ.

 Aubree with her godparents Tom & Crystal.

 Hank with his godparents Matt & Beverly.

 Mamas chatting with babies on their hips.

After the baptism we went to TJ & Jamie Smith's home which was only a few blocks away and had a BBQ. It was so nice to visit with college friends again!

Around 2:00 p.m. Ella and I returned to the airport and she did great, even without her afternoon nap.

 On our way home I snapped this photo of majestic Mt. Hood. 

It was a whirlwind trip, but totally worth it!! I am so blessed to be a godmother again! Thank you, Rod & Catie, for honoring me with such a very special title!

Hubby is in The Hospital

Jeff is in the hospital tonight because of a skin infection surrounding his knee and lower leg. He started having pain and swelling Saturday after finishing up our flooring installation and his knee continued to hurt all day Sunday and Monday morning. He also had flu-like symptoms with cold chills and he couldn't put any pressure on his leg because of the pain. This morning he went to urgent care and they referred him to the ER to make sure it was only a skin infection and to be sure it wasn't affecting his blood or tissues. The ER admitted him to the hospital because of his 101 degree temperature and so they could administer antibiotics for the infection and swelling. They drained some of the fluid and are running tests to make sure it is nothing serious. They think bacteria entered his skin through a micro abrasion on his knee while he was installing the floors. Hopefully it will clear up soon so he can come home tomorrow because the kids and I miss him!

New Floors!

This weekend we finally installed the hardwood floors that I had been waiting for six years for. Jeff worked hard all week, ripping out the old, stained ugly carpet and 70's linoleum. Here are a few before photos...

 We purchased engineered birch hardwoods at Lumber Liquidators. Engineered wood floors are the only kind we could buy since our home is built on a concrete slab. We choose a beautiful dark brown stain that matches really well with the rest of the wood in our home.

 It only took Jeff and his friend, Scott, fourteen hours to install the wood in our entryway, hallway, living room, and dining room. 

 Today, my brother-in-law, Kris, volunteered to help Jeff put up all the trim.

 We are so happy with the end results!!

Thank you to Scott, Kris, and Grant (who helped us move our furniture) for helping us make our home a little nicer. 

Back to Our Everyday Routine

It's been kind of a lazy week after our wonderful family vacation. The kids and I spent most of the week sleeping in and relaxing while Jeff went back to work. I also did lots of laundry and yard work this week. The flowers are all blooming now and it's so nice to walk around the yard and look at the lovely colors. 

 Ella and I polished off the rest of the saltwater taffy on Wednesday. I love that stuff. It makes me so nostalgic because it reminds me of all the summers spent at the coast during my childhood. 

 Ella had a first this week: her first ice-cream sandwich!

 She loved it as you can see...she licked all her fingers clean. Afterward, she was a crazy, hyper, bed-jumping, screaming, running-everywhere toddler. Soooo....I don't think ice-cream is something we will be giving her very often.

 Yesterday Nicholas and Ella took a bath together and Ella wanted to lay down in the water like her big brother does. They both had a ball laughing and giggling and splashing!

 Last night before Ella went to bed (Nicholas was already asleep), she watched some of the Olympics with me. We watched the end of women's volleyball and men's gymnastics and she was completely obsessed! She clapped and cheered whenever she saw something she liked. I couldn't stop laughing!

 This morning we had a play date with my dear friend, Holly, and her two boys, Victor & Rickey. It was so nice to catch up with Holly and see her boys again. They grow so fast! None of the kids really wanted to take a photo, as you can see, but bribes apparently work with toddlers. So they sat. Reluctantly. 

This photo makes me laugh so much! Taking pictures is pure torture, don't you know :)

 Tonight was a beautiful evening and we enjoyed being outside in the warm summer sunshine. 

 Ella played in the wading pool while Jeff and I sipped margaritas. Later, Jeff made burgers on the grill for dinner and it was nice to eat al fresco. 

 Here is Nicholas's view from his blanket on the grass...evergreens and beautiful blue sky. 

 The highlight of my week was being asked by my college friend, Catie, to be her youngest son's godmother! So next month, Ella and I will board a plane for a quick trip to Spokane for Cash's baptism at St. Anthony Catholic Church. I could not be more thrilled and honored to be this little cutie's godmama! Being a godmother is truly such an honor and blessing and I hope I will help inspire this precious little fella to live a life filled with love, joy, and compassion. I can't wait to smooch your sweet cheeks, baby Cash!!