Celebrations

It's official...my babies are even less babies now that they are TWO!!!!! They are getting so big and amaze us all the time with what they can do and say. We are two very proud parents!! Last weekend we celebrated this special milestone with a MONSTER bash, complete with their very own monster cupcakes (decorated by Auntie Jessie). We had over 40 people attend and even our new MUCH larger house felt small.

 Here are some highlights:
1. Party started at 10a, to hopefully circumvent last years "we are tired and need naps" crabbiness and general fussiness.
2. Food served was all their favorites: hotdogs, mac-n-cheese, fruit, corn on the cob, chips and cupcakes.
3. Despite our efforts, Henry fell asleep during the gift opening.
4. The kids made out like fiends. They've enjoyed everything but the winner for Henry was his duplos, for Grant definitely dinosaurs and cellphone (na noo) and Ella loves her sunglasses and clip Minnie. All three loved their new Coupes via mommy and daddy! They vehemently protest coming inside from playing with them. They also really love their bubble maker. Daddy loved their new Iowa clothes, which I have yet to get in their closets...tomorrows agenda for sure.
5. Evie had a blast with her friends Abi, Aine, Ava and of course her bff cousin Xander (more on him and Molly soon).
6. LOVED having everyone here.
7. Our road construction hadn't started yet (also another post).
8. We had all of the V family in attendance, which is ALWAYS a huge blessing.
9. Shawn's sister, Laura (with hubby Brandon) is having a baby girl and I really enjoyed Laura's baby bump...we are excited!!
10. It's awesome to have so many of our friends there and our house ran a muck with infants (5), toddlers (6) and preschoolers (5) !!!!!
11. IT WAS A BLAST!!!!!!

Now I have to start planning Evie's rainbow party....

At this time (1:33p.m)...

two years ago, this little girl took her first breath and let the world know she was going to be a feisty little thing.


 Happy 2nd Birthday, our sweet and beautiful baby A...Ella Rae.

Overdue...Ella

I meant to write this post when Ella turned 18 months and again last month but alas life and time got away from me.  So without further ado, this is Ella as she is right now....

...is approximately 24 lbs according to our bathroom scale.

...LOVES to move.  She climbs, skips, bounces, jumps, runs, dances, slides and spins.  I call her my little firecracker!

...acts out her frustration in a way I would love to.  Throwing the item that is messing up her little life onto the floor and throwing her self down after it, bouncing on her bottom a few time to show her displeasure and smacking the floor with her little fist.

...runs to the shoe closet whenever I ask if she wants to go outside. 

...wears size 18-24 month clothes, depending on the manufacturer.

...sometimes gets so crazy (ie throws herself on the floor rolls around like a dog scratching her back and then flips onto her knees with her head on the floor and crawls forward) we wonder "where did that come from?"

...is the best but sometimes the messiest eater.  Often stuffs her mouth full.

...loves cereal bars, fruit (especially frozen blueberries and grapes), veggies (especially carrots, corn and beans), popcorn, fruit snacks, animal crackers, hot dogs

...calls everyone "gampa" unless corrected.

...says a lot, some most I can't understand.  Common words: diaper, mama, dada, no, up, Grant, Henry, Ella.

...sleeps the most.  She sleeps in most days to 7:30 and takes 2.5-3 hour naps.

...prefers that I dress her immediately after getting jammies off, during first diaper change.  Will in fact follow me around crying and tapping her belly if I don't.

...has started to be aware and have a strong dislike for poopy in her diaper!!  One of the first steps towards potty training.  Yikes! Yeah!

...loves playing in water...but not showers.

...loves to cook in the play kitchen.

...hates when her brothers (mostly Henry) pulls on her clothes during lunch (and who could blame her).

...still has gorgeous baby blues and long eyelashes.

...is all muscle.  WARNING: Stay out of the path of those legs, she's a strong kicker.

...she loves to be a big helper.  Always the quickest to pick up toys and runs to put things in the trash.

...gets along the best with everyone.  Not that she doesn't stand her ground our try to get what she wants from whoever has it, but typically she has the most moments of cooperation and fun with her siblings.  Ella and Evie especially can play well together.  One night they spent several minutes of hilarity running from Evie's bed to the door and back again.  They were laughing and giggling, it warmed my heart!

...gives the best cuddles/hugs first thing in the morning.

...keeps us on our toes and laughing.