Happy 2nd Birthday Ella!

Ella Jae Refvik, aka, the bird, the golden jerk, tweets, pirate girl, ellabee, tweety-bird, babs, and Ls turned two today! It's hard to put into words how I feel about this kid. I hope that all parents feel this way about their children. This kid is the bees knees. She brightens everyday and continues to amaze everyone around her.
I have high hopes for her and I don't just mean career-wise. She's really something special and I hope she keeps her sweet little personality as she grows.
When Ella wakes up after her dad leaves, she opens her door and says, "Good morning, Mommy." Then she comes and gives me a kiss. She is excited to do everything and up until recently (the no's have begun) when you'd ask her a question she'd respond with, "okay." But typing that word doesn't do it justice. The magic is in her delivery. She stretches syllables and says things like, "we go take a baaaaaath or I want craaaaaaayons. She is so smart and can count to ten and "read" books. One of her favorite activities is arranging all the furniture and characters in her doll house, taking them out, and doing it again and again. A few weeks back when I sneezed, she said, "bless you mommy."
She loves hats, headbands, purses, bags, sunglasses and anything she can put on herself. One of her favorite toys is still her stroller which she currently drives a pig around the house in. She doesn't take much interest in Greta but boy does she LOVE Otis. She often sits by him and pets him and tells him, "good boy Otis, or I love you, Otis."
She loves sleepovers with her grandparents and is lucky that they ask for her often. Her diet still mainly consists of fruit, oatmeal, yogurt and cheese. Oh and pizza and nuggets! This kid is stubborn about food but her doctor says not to worry. And yes people, she's finally allowed to indulge in the occasional sweet. I just don't offer them or keep them around but when she sees them and asks, she gets em. I spend a lot of time hiding from her while I scarf down ice cream or cookies ;)
She is okay with hugging and kissing but she doesn't like to be touched that much. When I try to rub her back or pat her hand when she's laying down she moves my hand out of the way. Some say that is how I was but I think they're crazy!
I have to run because we're headed to Chuck E. Cheese for dinner but I don't feel I've done her justice in this post. In summary, she is a rock star and I feel so lucky/blessed whatever you want to call it that I get to be her mommy.

Smelly Dog - an oldie but a goodie

Mother's Day 2011

I'll admit it, I have a problem. I can't really do my daughter's hair. Yes I can put it in funky ponytails but that's about it. I sent her to Grandma Jeanie's that morning, her hair a hot mess, knowing Grandma would make it all better. And she did. I tried to get the bird to pose in her little chair but she said, "uh, nah."

That afternoon we headed to my aunt and uncle's house for a barbecue. Ella (my mom) bought me the cutest bracelets that I picked out the day before.

Then she taught me to pick my nose. It's an important life skill.

I just adore these two together. They make the cutest little faces. And I think they look alike too.

Ella was excited to get an early birthday present.

Dora's talking backpack

Later she raided Steph's closet for a proper hat in honor of the Kentucky Derby.

Summer Lovin'

Finally some nice weather has allowed us to have some outdoor play dates. Ella and Jacob had a romantic lunch date and afterwards, Jake taught Ella some important life skills like basketball and riding bikes. Seriously though, Jill had me over last minute and whipped up a gourmet salad like it was nothing. Totally impressed Mrs Rojas!

Last week we headed over to Deicke Park in Huntley. Check out the difference between Ella and Adriana's personalities in the following two pics...

If you could read Ella's mind, she'd be saying, "Oh shit!"

There's Ade, who's only one month older than Ella swinging like a monkey.

Luke takes good care of Ella except for when he's dumping sand on her head. But hey, she didn't mind...

Sweet baby Emerson

Ella found this hat at Old Navy and when she put it on her head she said, "Look mommy, I'm a cowboy."

All I can say is thank god it's nice out again and we can be out and about!

Happy 8th birthday Otis Van Nostrand, my how things have changed

Hey Otis, remember the good old days when it was only you? You didn't have a care or worry in the world. Then came Greta...She was really a present for you but she moved in and took over. All of a sudden you had to share your people, your water dish and most importantly your treats. She even got some of your birthday dinner...Just when you got used to Greta's female ways, along came Ella. You once enjoyed your own bedroom with a full-sized bed to lounge on, but no more, that damn baby needed a place to live. You used to have full reign of the car, carelessly jumping from front to back, even changing the radio station when the mood suited you. Now you are banished to the very back of the small hatchback, placed behind bars so that you don't jump on precious Ella. And finally, you used to come and go as you pleased, visiting dog parks and walking trails and even neighbors' kitchens. Now you wait for Ella, the one Kelly calls "the bird," to get her diaper changed, her face stuffed, or her tummy tickled before you get some Otis time.

That's right Otis Fanortner, most dogs enjoy their golden years but yours are spent sharing the spotlight with a couple of bitches.

You've been forced to act pathetic to strangers in the hopes of squeezing them for an extra treat or two.

Well at least she hasn't taken away your birthday treat. Not yet anyway.

Easter 2011

Ella wasn't much into coloring eggs so I had to do most of the work! She colored them earlier that day with Jeanie so maybe she was just egged out.
Don't ask why she has Xmas pj's on in this picture. Just don't ask.

My little nerd was too busy reading her new potty book to care about unloading the rest of her basket. Maybe because the Easter Bunny didn't put any candy inside!

The little bird is at that, "don't take my pucking (credit to Kerry for this) picture stage!" I like to call this one, Death by polka dots.

Lemon cupcakes that took over 4 hours to make. Why do I even try?

I made like 28 and totally ran out of frosting! Now I know for next time not to eat so much during the process.

Here's Ella and her BFF, Colton. They were BFF's till the Easter egg hunt began and then it was all blood and tears.

I know, I know, her hair is wild. I am just not skilled in this area.

The Mistrettas (my mom's sister's family)

The Kanes (my dad's brother's family)

The Kubistals (my mom's brother's family)

So Jen and I split the Easter eggs for the hunt. Most of hers were filled with candy and all of mine were filled with toys. Not to be preachy but I just read an article (thanks Jude) about sugar being almost as bad as booze and smokes. I want Ella to be able to enjoy booze and smokes like her relatives so I'm cutting out her sugar ;) What else are mom's for?

My mom with my godparents, Bobby and Sue

Ella received many nice gifts for Easter including lots of clothes from her two Grandmas. What to do with all those clothes??? Ella figured it out.