Ella's 15 month stats

Last week, Ella went to the doctor for her 15 month check-up and shots. I know I say it too often, but this kid was a rock star. First, she was standing next to the doc and slammed her fingers in the drawer. She turned towards me, stuck out her lower lip, walked over to me, put her arms our and let out a big sigh. And then a whimper. No tears. Later, she had 4 shots and didn't cry until the last one and then only for a minute. She's one tough cookie.

Here are her stats:
Weight: 19 pounds, 9 ounces (10%)
Height: 30.5 inches (50-75%)
Head: 18 inches (50%) I stopped doing the monthly updates because I am so busy and can't be bothered to do them ;) (that is a total lie) I mean I am so lazy and haven't gotten around to them and it's a lot of pressure. So let me fill you in on some things...

This kid has teeth. And lots of them. I call her Madonna cuz of the giant gap between her two front teeth. I love how it looks. She got some molars and never even bothered to mention it. No sleepless nights or whiny baby.

She has a new best friend and her name is Violet. It's the purple dog that sings songs. Ella liked to press her paw, throw her on the ground and dance around her like Elaine from Seinfeld. I need to get it on tape.

She continues to be a super picky eater.

Loves: yogurt, bread, any kind of fruit, crackers, cheese, and the occasional meat item

Hates: veggies, most meats, puffs, mac and cheese, potatoes, corn, spaghettios, gerber graduate meals...and pretty much everything else.

She loves to read and when I'm in the bathroom, I can always find her on her floor surrounded by books.

She strung together her first words...this will not be a shock to those who have been to my house..."Greta, no no!" And she used them at the appropriate time.

She is very smart and knows tons of body parts (nose, eyes, teeth, mouth, ear, hair, belly, foot, knee, butt) She can follow some directions like, "put your baby in her bed" or "go sit in your chair." She LOVES Sesame Street and squeals and runs to her chair when it comes on.

She can entertain herself for long periods of time playing with her toys. Still no stranger danger. She's happy to go to anyone. She loves to take walks and remains independent - as in she won't hold your hand or let you lead! She is not afraid of anything except for veggies. I know I'm forgetting a ton but this is what I can come up with for now...

Oh and she's pretty darn beautiful too!

The Pink Panther

Sometimes I have a hard time letting go of stuff. Take for instance, this pink panther stuffed animal. I've had him for as long as I can remember. I was going to get rid of him so I took a photo first. When I was a little girl I used to carry him around all the time and one day my Grandma asked me what my favorite stuffed animal was. I replied, "The Pink Panther." When she asked why I told her, "because he has a penis." Because my mom was a crazy cleaner back in the day, she would take my stuffed animals off my dresser and dust it off a few times a month. She would always find the pink panther with his tail between his legs like a penis. You see people? I was always a little strange.

By the way, I couldn't bare to part with him so now Ella has a new toy!

Sleepovers

This was the first year that Blake, the the almost 13 year old, didn't want to sleep over ("you don't have a bed for me"). He ended up staying one time and him and Buzz went to a movie and hung out all night. But the little guys were glad to sleep over multiple times. We did crafts, went to the dog park, got ice-cream, went on walks, watched bad movies, played video games and just hung out. They are so attentive with Ella and she loves them. I'm so glad that they get to spend this quality time together since they can't live by each other. I do have to say that one time they were over, I was walking around downstairs and ended up with gum on my foot. One of them - which one remains to be know - spit it or threw it or something. Jerks!

Yearly Arlington Race Track Outing

Every year around Father's Day, my mom's side of the family goes to the racetrack for an outing. We used to do it on Father's Day but it was too crowded and now there are other dads to consider.

The girl cousins Aunt Maureen and Uncle Vinny Cousin Nick

Me and my sister have this running joke over who our dad likes better. It's a joke cuz it's obviously me. She is always making me take pictures of her and MY dad together ;)

I can't believe it's been almost a month since these rugrats went back to Texas. I miss them so much. My Godmother, Sue, and Kerry

Aunt Dawn and Uncle Bobby with Blake

Chris and Colton

My mom skipped the track to prepare for a barbecue at the house. Good excuse, right?

Most of my cousins

Grandma Jeanie came for the barbecue and to see Ella, um I mean visit with my sister's family.

Sick of these yet?

Don't let these people watch your kid!

Here is my sister's family. The look innocent enough. But when Ella was left to spend the day with these fools, this is what I found... Climbing on cement benches.

Playing in nasty bird baths. Giving Ella cocktails...before noon! Letting her sleep around with other dogs.

If these people ask you to babysit, please run the other way!

Beaches and Pedis, Oh My

Love this pic of Cole wearing Buzz's boxer shorts when he slept over one night. I made the mistake of taking the kids to the dog park. I specifically told them..."no running, screaming or rolling in dirt." They managed to do all three at the same time so I had to strip the boys down, wash their clothes and make them wear Buzz's clothes for a bit. Crystal Lake Beach. Thanks to my Aunt Beth for taking all of us. We had so much fun.

Ella is not afraid to get down and dirty with the sand. In fact, I could not distract her for a good 30 minutes!



This was tan guy. He was so tan that he was purple. He kept slathering tanning oil all over himself. He looked cooked to perfection and if I wasn't a vegetarian, I would consider eating him.
Here's my cousin, Kacy, with Ella.

My sister had never had a pedi and my mom had only one in her life! So us girls headed out one night for pedis and dinner at Big Bowl.
A little Asian man was working on my sister telling her how great she was and how young she looked. We were in vibrating chairs and her boobs were shaking like crazy! I wonder why he liked her! Anyway, while doing her nails he told her that he had a surprise for her...and she looked down to see this...She didn't want the flowers but thought it was nice of him so she thanked him...15 minutes later when she's paying her bill, he tells her, "flowers on toes, 5 dollar extra!" She was totally scammed and of course was too nice to say anything.

Grandma's Birthday

So my Grandma turned 87 in late July and we went to the nursing home/rehab center where she's been staying for the last few months to celebrate. You see, Grandma has cancer, a lot of it. They did some chemo on her and it kicked her ass but she might try again. The docs said that without the chemo she would have been gone by now. Problem is she keeps getting this really contagious infection called, C-Diff. So the kids can't visit and when the adults go we have to wear gowns and gloves and not touch her. BUT, the place gave us a room for the day and since she didn't have a fever or diarrhea, let us have a little party. So here's Grandma rocking her wig...She is my dad's mother. My only grandparent left. The nun is her sister. The other elderly woman is her friend, Joan from the home. They were roomies when my grandma broke her hip years ago and have stayed friends.

Ella sure brings my Grandma a lot of joy but can't visit her due to this damn infection. We did sneak her in for a minute the day before my sister left...Oops!
I love how Ella is looking at my dad in this pic.
My Grandma is one of the kindest people I've ever known. She never has a bad word about anyone and I love visiting her and hearing stories from the old days. This lady rocked a pack of Parliaments her whole life and hasn't been able to smoke since entering the hospital months ago. But her attitude is good and she has a lot of love around her on pretty much a daily basis so we're pulling for her!