Video for out of towners

Ella has discovered her voice and knows how to use it!

Nothing in life is free anymore!

I went to Olive Garden with my friend Laurie and her daughter Kyla this week. That's what I do now, I have play dates and go to lunch! Last weekend my brother in law, Eric, was saying how they went to Shaw's and they told the waitress that it was his wife's un-birthday - and guess what? They got a free dessert.

I thought to myself at the time..."Self, that is a perfect idea. Whenever you go out to eat you should say it's someones birthday at the table and get a free dessert. I mean who doesn't love a FREE dessert?"

So I checked with Laurie's daughter to make sure it was okay and pulled the waitress aside at the end of the meal to let her know it was Kyla's birthday. She nodded and walked away. A bit later, all of the wait staff shows up with a beautiful little cake and they sing to Kyla. We toast her and cut the cake. I was totally impressed because they brought us a to-go box as well. How sweet.

Until...we get the bill and that damn cake is on there! What is wrong with Olive Garden? The waitress never mentioned a charge and she didn't even ask what kind of cake we wanted! The funny thing is that Laur had warned me that we might get charge and I brushed her off telling her no way, they never charge for birthdays. Well be warned people.

And oh yeah, Ella had a poop blowout at the table.
The girls came back to the house for a bit and we attempted to get a picture which is apparently really hard with these two.

Did I mention her daughter is going to be only twelve? Crazy.

Friends

Ella gets around. We stopped by to see Amy's twins this week. Addison is already holding her own bottle! It's hard to believe that they are only two months behind Ella.

We had a play date at Dom Heyse's house. Ella left the house dressed up and ready to go. Thanks to Mandy for this adorable headband. Here are the "big" kids and Peyton. Luke, Reese, Elliott and Peyton. Holy kids. Check out all the little slugs on the end.

Here are the babies. Adriana, Ella, Devin and Keaton. Poor Luke and Devin don't stand a chance with all these chicks.

Although Ella left the house looking cute, she slowly fell apart. Those hair bows don't stay on her little head. She spit-up numerous times all over her self and whoever was holding her (Teresa). It's kind of like what happens to me. I leave the house thinking I look okay and a few hours later I'm a hot mess!

"Come here often?"

There's a bully at Grandma's birthday party

Last Sunday we all went out to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday.

After dinner we went back to my parent's house for dessert. Ella tried to get away from the bully.

But he was too fast and too big.

Poor, defenseless Ella didn't stand a chance.

For Jeanie: Now back off!

My MIL, Jeanie, sent me an e-mail today stating that she was tired of the eggplant and wanted to see the baby. So, here are some of the shots that I didn't choose. Yes, there are some really great ones and perhaps I should have chosen some of these but unless you've lived Portrait Innovations (and you know who you are), you can't imagine how stressful it is to decide.

Cooking with Kelly

Since there is the real serious potential for me to be a SAHM (Stay at home mom), I decided I should start trying to cook. Last week it was eggplant parmesan on whole wheat pasta. It looks pretty good, right? Here is my salad with HOME-MADE dressing...

I am so unorganized when it comes to my mail and announcements and baptism thank-yous. We had a nice meal on one side of the table and on the other you could find this disaster. I can't even believe I'm putting it on my blog but I'm trying to keep it real.

Here is some of the aftermath. What a disaster and did I mention my kitchen is TINY? I know, I know, you don't need a big kitchen to be a great cook but come on - I had to prepare everything on that sliver in front of the toaster oven!

So this recipe that said it would take 10 minutes to prepare and 20 to cook ended up taking about two hours with the salad. And 1/2 hour clean-up time. Is cooking really worth it?

Portrait Innovations-3 months

All of my girlfriends are now using Portrait Innovations for their baby pics so of course, I had to try them out. Why reinvent the wheel?

They've got a package for $9.95 where you get a free sitting fee and tons of pics of one shot. But really, who could choose just one shot? The more you buy, the cheaper it gets and pretty soon you've spent a small fortune! The worst part is deleting the pics of your child. They pull up three at a time and suggest that you keep only one - but they're all cute - but you can't afford them all - and you live in a small townhouse with no wall space for hanging all of these damn photos anyway. Sorry...

I love this pic but I HATE the black background. Whatever.
What a big girl. I want to eat her.

Here is her Halloween costume because you know, her dad is Buzz. Also me and Otis have both been bees for Halloween. We have to keep the tradition going. You'll just have to wait till Halloween to see the cute tights that come with this number...

This is my money shot. The one I used for the big package. I brought her bedding to use and it didn't really photograph true to its color but who cares, look at that face!

I'm done narrating the photos. Here are the rest...

One more thing...What a bitch it has been to try to divide all of these up between grandparents, aunt, uncles...Yikes Stripes. Warning to the receivers: you get what you get.

I'm 3 months old!

As you know, my mom will not be writing me a nice, heartfelt monthly letter. She is just not that sappy (or won't admit to it ;) But, she was willing to post some cute pics and tell you a bit about me...

I'm finally noticing all of my toys and my mom is trying to give me ADD!

I hold me head up and look cute doing it.
I go on family walks with the dogs.

I think my dad is hilarious.

I love to munch on my hand and fingers.

I make some pretty silly faces.

I roll from front to back and am trying to roll from back to front. I am also able to rotate like a sun dial around my playmat.

I love the bath.

I'm starting to grab things.

I drool, a lot. I also spit-up after EVERY meal.

And finally, I'll admit it. I sleep through the night. In fact I've slept through the night since I was one month old. I sleep from between 9 and 10 to between 8 and 9. Yeah, yeah, I know...my parents are soooo lucky.

Until next month...