Ella {13 months}

I feel like I've been M.I.A. for a while. Did you notice?     [you didn't?  ok then....]

We have had quite the busy, fun month since Ella turned one! We've been soaking up a lot of fall weather and making some new friends. Now that Ella is walking, interacting, and really able to hold her own when playing with other kids, we've been getting out and socializing a lot more. Here are some fun pictures to document our adventures of the past month.

Hockey Games

We have gone to several hockey games, and the season is only beginning! Ella is much more active than she was last season, so we don't always last the entire game. But she seems to enjoy going, and she's even starting to not hate the goal horn!

Ice Skating Show

We were fortunate enough to go to the Musselman's Family Skating Tribute again this year. It was a great show with former Olympic and world champions, and Amy Grant performed live. It will be broadcast around Thanksgiving -- you should tune in!

Arboretum

On one of the super-nice October days, our friend Carrie asked us to join us at the Penn State Arboretum. Neither of us had been there before, but it was a great place to walk around and enjoy the weather. They had a fun kids' area that Ella loved, and they had fun pumpkin displays all around.

Library Storytime

The local downtown library has a great storytime that meets weekly for a chunk of time in the fall. The registration fills up ridiculously fast, but we were fortunate enough to get in this year. We go a little early so that Ella can play with some of the fun library toys, then we enjoy the half-hour of stories, songs, and rhymes. Kids' librarians are so fun!

Playgroup

I found three playgroups for us to go to this fall and winter. The weather is getting chilly, and Ella and I both need to socialize -- and this is the perfect solution! We've met some very nice people already, and Ella has a blast every time we go.

Pumpkin Farm

A few weeks before Halloween, we went to one of the local farms for their fall festival. They had hayrack rides, a corn maze, farm animals, baked goods and soups, and loads of pumpkins! 

Halloween

Last year's Halloween was pretty low-key, but this year was so fun! Ella was a ladybug, and she got to dress up five days that week! There were Halloween parties for playgroups, hockey games, and of course our own with friends. We didn't go trick-or-treating [let's be real... i didn't need the candy], but we went to my friend Kristi's house to hand out candy with her.

Hangin' at Home

Here are some random photos from when we were just hanging out and playing at home. Just a few cute & fun moments I thought you might enjoy!

Man oh man, we've had a fun month! Ella is learning so much and growing so quickly. 

She is starting to eat many of the same things we eat for dinner, but we're taking things slowly. She enjoys fruits & veggies, pasta, soup, grilled cheese, and pancakes. 

She babbles all the time, but she still isn't really saying any purposeful words. We're working on it! The pediatrician says she should have five purposeful words (or partial words) by her 18-month check up. 

That's about it for this month.

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Ella Turns ONE!

It's been a fun couple of weeks around here! We had some great company (thanks, grandmas & grandpa for coming to visit!), and one fun birthday party! We're just getting things back in order, so I'll finally get you a recap of Ella's birthday party...

[obviously] The table of yummy party food!

Yes, there was real food for the party. It was just in the fridge at this point. 

[no food poisoning here.]

Cupcakes with swirled frosting and sprinkles!

The smash cake... pre-smash.

Not really sure about this... it sure doesn't look like my usual lunch.

[we maybe had a candle mishap. if you didn't witness it, don't ask. if you did witness it, shhh.]

It took her a while to decide, but she loves the cake!

Opening presents. She loved ripping the wrapping paper.

Playing with a singing & dancing dog from Mike's Grandma & Grandpa Dee

Taking a ride on her elephant from Grandpa Dave & Grandma Deb. 

They really know how to pick out toys.. she loves this thing!

Taking her bubble-blowing mower for a test drive. Thanks, Keith & Kristi!

Basketball hoop.. totally not surprising that this was Mike's idea.

  

We have a ONE YEAR OLD!

Happy, Happy Birthday, Gabriella Marie! We love you!

Ella {51 Weeks}

Only one more week until our little Ella is one!

This week, Ella decided crawling is for the birds. About mid-week, she started walking more than crawling. She had previously crawled when she was tired, or after she fell she would just crawl to wherever she was going. But in the last few days, she has been walking nearly everywhere. She loses her balance and falls quite often, but she hops right back up and starts walking again. I have a feeling it won't be long and she'll be running!

We've been working on getting her to eat more real, solid foods rather than mashed or pureed baby foods. She's been eating a variety of soft fruits, cooked vegetables, and some bread and crackers. She seems to be enjoying it too; she is refusing to eat much baby food but gladly eats small chunks. I guess finger food is more fun! Yogurt is another new favorite food. When she sees the yogurt cup come out of the fridge, she knows what's coming!

One morning this week, we had a play date with two new friends. They each have a little boy about a year and a half old, so we got the three of them together to play. Even though she's just learning to do some of the things they're doing, she kept right up!

Despite trying to cut three teeth right now, Ella has been sleeping pretty well at night. But of course that means she only takes one nap during the day!

And now for some photos of the week...

we watched the psu homecoming parade with some friends, and ella loved watching everyone go by!

showing off her walking skills during the parade, with a little break by the bench

playing at the park!

enjoying the beautiful fall weather and playing a little sunday football

[i used the photo filter by accident.. woops]