Ella {29 Weeks}

Late last night we got home from a week at "home". We went to Nebraska & Iowa for a wedding, and we got to see a lot of family and friends while we were there. We had a fantastic trip! I'll post pictures of our adventure very soon. [today we're busy with unpacking, laundry and cleaning around here] Update:  Here it is!

Ella was such a good traveler, and she has also been hard at work on a few other things. She now has two teeth! Her two bottom middle teeth popped through her gums the day before we left. She didn't even make a big fuss about it! She has also been working on crawling. She still hasn't figured it out, but she's getting awfully close! She rolls over everywhere, and she gets onto her hands and knees like she's going to crawl. She also likes to hold onto things and stand. She even pulled herself up to stand in the laundry basket one day! 

She's getting so big! She's always been fun, but now she's even more fun. She's interacting with us so much more. Stay tuned for future updates... we'll probably have a crawler on our hands soon!

Ella {28 Weeks}

This week Ella celebrated Easter and learned to sit up all on her own! She's finally figuring out how to eat rice cereal, so we'll try veggies again very soon. And she's also found her new favorite sleeping position - on her belly. She's quite the chatter box, and she's developing such a fun personality!

the first morning we found her sleeping this way

the girl loves going for walks

helping with laundry

We're leaving tomorrow morning for the Midwest, and we're very excited to see lots of friends and family. I'll try to do a quick post from there next weekend. I'm sure there will be plenty of pictures taken!

Penn State Blue/White Game

Last weekend was Penn State's spring scrimmage, the Blue/White Game. The weather was perfect! It was sunny and in the 60s. Perfect football weather. One of Mike's Pegula Ice Arena friends was kind enough to invite us to enjoy the game from a suite, so we were able to stay the entire game without sunburning Ella's baby-pale skin. 

Before the game started, there was an event at the Pegula Ice Arena to thank the university donors. It was a great celebration of the new arena and the generous donors. Mike had to be there for a couple hours, so Ella and I joined him.

Hanging out in Dad's office at Pegula

Ella was worn out, so she hung out with Heidi [a neighbor and Pegula friend] for part of the game

  

Such a fun day!

Ella {27 Weeks}

I'm not sure where she got it [since mike & i are both so quiet and shy], but Ella has found her voice. And her volume. Oh, the volume. This week she has been blabbering non-stop, and she's soooo loud about it. It even landed us in the Children's Chapel part of the church on Sunday because she was so loud. Apparently she has some stories to tell!

She first walked with [a lot of] help few weeks ago, but now she's loves it! She gets so excited every time we 'walk' her across the room. She still isn't crawling, but she's having a lot more fun playing on the floor. She has definitely mastered rolling over, especially to get toys. It won't be much longer and she'll be all over the place! [i think it's time for a target run for some baby-proofing items!]

This weekend Ella decided that her crib is fun to hang out in, but her favorite part is trying to escape. She can't stand up in it yet, but after each nap she tries again to figure out an escape plan. We always find her in one corner on her tummy trying to pull herself up on the rails. I'm not sure what she sees in that corner, but she's like a dog who has found a hole in the fence, and she's all giggles when she's caught!

We've had some more gorgeous weather, so we have taken more trips and walks. We even went to the Blue/White Game, which is Penn State's spring football scrimmage. It was a beautiful day, and Ella even enjoyed it!

She's One(Half)!

That's right... this little bug is six months old! She actually turned six months last weekend, but she just had her six month checkup at the doctor yesterday. The doctor called her a "butterball" and said that everything looks perfect. She was surprised that her weight-gain hasn't slowed down, as I guess many non-formula babies' weight drops about this time. Nope, we have a good eater on our hands! At least she comes by it honestly :). She got her six-month shots, and this time her dad had the pleasure of holding her down for them. I think he enjoyed the tears just about as much as she did. But the good news is, no shots for another six months! Just a finger stick at nine months. And of course she got weighed and measured. She's staying just about the same on the growth charts. Here are her latest stats:

Weight: 18 lbs, 8.8 oz (96%)

Length: 27.5 inches (86%)

Head Circumference:  42.2 cm (47%)

Just think... in another six months we'll be planning a birthday bash!

Ella's Baptism

As promised, I have some photos of Ella's baptism to share. I'm still waiting on one set of photos to look through, so some more may be added in the coming weeks. 

The weekend was wonderful. We were happy that so much of our family could make it to town to help us celebrate. Some family members couldn't make it, but we know they were here in spirit and we'll be seeing them soon!

 The gown Ella wore was a family baptism gown. Mike's aunt Barb made it from the train of her wedding dress, and all six of her children were baptized in it. Ella was the seventh to wear it, and I have a feeling she won't be the last. It was a gorgeous gown - perfect for the occasion, and so special.

with godparents Rachael and Dave

with Deacon Dave, who performed the baptism

afterward, we had a little lunch to help celebrate and thank everyone for coming

A huge thanks to everyone who came to help us celebrate, and to those who helped us celebrate from afar. We love you all.

We're so blessed with an amazing little girl. We love you Gabriella Marie!

Ella {26 Weeks}

After last weekend's baptism and houseful of visitors, it's been pretty quiet around here. Well, if you don't count Ella's complaining that she's not being held, it's quiet. The first couple days without people around to spoil her all the time were a little rough.. she didn't want to play, sleep, anything unless she was being held and had constant attention. She's doing a little better now. She even slept through the night once this week! She's been waking up about 3 times each night, but I think part of that is teething. She still doesn't have any teeth cutting through, but she's sure acting like they're coming any day. Poor girl.

Our pediatrician recommended waiting until Ella was six months before starting solid foods, so we just started them this week! So far she has had rice cereal, carrots, and one taste of sweet potatoes. She doesn't really do well eating any of it yet, but she's starting to catch on. But she sure knows how to make a mess!

This was her first-ever bite -- of carrots!

Now that hockey season is over and things are slowing down, we can enjoy evenings with Mike! We took a perfectly chilly walk around the neighborhood. Bring on Spring!

Today was such a nice day, so Ella and I headed to the park while Mike worked on our taxes. [i think he drew the short straw on that one.] She hadn't taken a nap all day, so she slept for a while as we walked around. 

And once she woke up, she went in the swing for the first time. At first she wasn't sure, but she loved it!

Our baby girl is definitely growing up! 

Her six-month appointment is this week!

Ella {25 Weeks}

I'm running a few days behind again, but we've had quite a busy couple weeks around here! We had a lot of visitors in town for Ella's baptism over the weekend, and the last of our company just left this morning. It's very quiet around here now, the fridge is full of leftovers, and we're pretty sleepy. It has been such a wonderful couple of weeks! 

We had two warm-ish days this week, so we took a couple walks and got some fresh air.

[Me, Rachael, my mom, and Ella walking through the park]

We played and read books.

[Ella and Gary reading]

We did some lounging.

[my mom, Ella and me... excuse all the stray blankets and clothes!]

And then we got even more visitors for the baptism!

[Ella with her Great-Grandma Helen for the first time]

I'll share photos of the baptism tomorrow!