Mama & Mini

We took a few pictures after Christmas Eve Service while we were in Florida--notice the beautiful warm weather foilage behind us.  I have been going through my memory card photos slowly and getting the good ones edited.   Ella is definitely attached to her mama…and honestly I couldn't love it more!  It's pretty great…except for when I want to go to the bathroom by myself….haha, never happens.  ;)

smoothy face.  Ella has been giving real hugs lately.  She wraps her little arms around my neck and just holds and pulls herself into me as much as she can.  It takes my breath away, it's so precious.

Loving her mama.

I'm pretty sure this is one of my favorite photos of the two of us.  I wish Ell was looking at the camera but it's still so good of her! 

I love love this one…something vintage about it…not just the edit, her dress reminds me of a vintage nanette dress.  I think just because it was a bit short on her.  The poor thing is still in 9-12 month clothes and is almost 18 months in this photo.  

Happy Birthday Dada!

Today day is Kyle's birthday and what better way to show our love than with a picture or two of ella!  Happy Birthday, Kyle!  We love you so so much!  Thank you for all you do for us!  You are the BEST!

12 Months

12 Months!

Now at 12 months…this was the best picture I could get of her next to her chalkboard.  I was pretty bummed I couldn't get a shot with her legs stretched out like she's done in almost all the other monthly pics.  I think at 18 months I'll have her stand next to it….we'll see.  

She is around 18 pounds and the peds office here didn't give me her height and I forgot to ask.  I want to say like 26"...

Taking steps while holding hands--She is taking a few steps here and there while holding hands but I think we are still a ways from walking….we'll see.  Maybe she'll just take off….who knows!?

Favorite Toy:  Pink Car--She loves riding in the pink car we got her for her bday.  While we are in temporary living and have nothing to do…we go on LONG walks twice a day.  She loves it and usually gets a few people to wave at her.  

Says 1 year old--Well, really she just holds her pointer finger up when we say, "how old are you, ella?…1 year old!"  

Loves to read books--We read books on and off all day long.  

Loves playing with mama's makeup bag--This kept her busy for many mornings and afternoon while we were in temporary living.  I didn't want her crawling around too much over the nasty floors while I was getting myself ready so I gave her my bag to play with.  She loves it.  She also loves trying to "put on makeup"  She really has no idea…just trying to be like mama.  

sleeps so much better--ever since we got to MS she has been sleeping much better through the night.  Not perfect, not great, but way better.  That mattress for the pack n play was a sleep-saver!  She's getting up about once a night.  I can usually just go in and hold her for a minute and then she's fine.  

Loves the Pool--Ella is finding herself loving the water…especially when she has a great dad to play with her in it.  She also loves bath time.  After moving into our house Aug. 1 she will really love it.  We  have a HUGE master bath and she'll have tons of room to play.  At the TLF's I wouldn't dare put her in the tub.  I bathe her in a big bucket like thing in the sink.  Hard to explain.  

Favorite Food-- She loves CHEERIOS!  

Ella turns 1!!!

Yes, it's been almost six months since she turned one but here are a bunch of pictures from her birthday.  We've had a lot go on in the last six months but things are finally getting back to normal with our move and daddy being home for hopefully a long time now.


The day of her birthday was a very special day.  It was also a little hard for me as we were in temporary living on base with none of our things and none of our family and none of our friends.  I had always hoped to throw a 1st birthday party for her….you know me and my party planning ideas.  The two of us (me and ella) went shopping and had lunch.  Then we waited for dada to get home from flying.  We had a donut cake for her…she had a couple bites and decided she like it pretty well.  :)  We were able to Skype/FaceTime both sets of grandparents in to watch and sing Happy Birthday to her.

Ella got a red swing from her Grandpa and Grandma Bateman.  A pull-a-long green frog and a water and sand play table from Grandpa and Gram Gram Wink.  Needless to say, in the summers heat down in MS the swing and water play table are great for her.  Kyle and I got her a pink car to ride in on walks…which we do at least once EVERY DAY!

Happy Birthday Ella!  She was so cute that morning when I got her up.

We taught her to hold up her finger…1 year old!

I made her onesie and her headband.  If I had thrown a party it would have been pinks and gold.  

Her donut cake.

She was happy.

Wasn't so sure about the fire.

She watched daddy blow them out.

She also got a little people house.

Her in the antique highchair.

the pink car.

The water table.

The swing.

I travelled home to NE for my best friends wedding.  Which Ella was apart of too…flower girl, of course.  We had a cake at home.   Again, a small version of the one I wanted to make for her bday party.  It was cute!

The first touch of the cake.   She was quiet but didn't really hesitate, too much.

The first lick.  It was pretty cute.  She liked it.  

I think we were all clapping and telling her she could have "more".

yummy!

The smash cake.

Happy Birthday our sweet Ella.  We love you so so much and can't imagine our lives without you.  You bring so much joy to us each and every day.  We couldn't have been more blessed the day you were born.  You are truly a gift from God.  We love you forever sweet sweet girl.   -mama & dada