A VERY Merry Christmas

Where do I start?? We had an amazing Christmas vacation in Florida from Dec 21-30th. We couldn't have hoped for better weather and we were in the best company with the Herb Family (Nanny and Poppa Herb, Great Grandpa Pete, Aunt Ayesha and Uncle Rob) and the Godsey Family (Granddaddy and GG Godsey and Uncle Tom). The only thing that was missing was Uncle Eric & Aunt Shelly and Aunt Patti & Uncle Chopper.

Here are some of our favorie pictures from the trip:

Ella wore her Xmas PJs even though we were in Florida and the flannel was probably a little warm.

We went to lunch with Great Grandpa Pete and Nanny and Poppa on our 1st day. What a treat!

We went to the beach twice while in Florida. Too bad Ella didn't like it as much as Mom & Dad. She had an odd alergic reaction both trips to the beach, we think she might be alergic to the sand??? So sad! Her face was all splotchy and her nose was running like crazy. Hopefully next trip we will be able to enjoy the beach!

On Christmas Eve we had a family dinner with both the Godsey's and the Herb's in the party room at the Lucerne. The Herb Family hosted a wonderful dinner with honey baked ham (yum!) amd Ella wore her special Christmas outfit (from GG).

Then on Christmas day we had another big family meal, this time at the Godsey condo. Ella had another special outfit- an ADORABLE summer dress from Aunt Patti. Wish she could have been there to see Ella wear it!

December 26th is Poppa Herb's birthday. We enjoyed an extra special dinner at one of our FAVORITE places- the Turtle Club. We all had yummy meals and Ella helped Uncle Rob with his dessert.

It was such a fun trip and so hard to say goodbye to everyone. We're looking forward to doing it again REAL SOON!

Santa came to our house a little early...

Because we will be traveling to Florida for Christmas, we put in a special request to have Santa come early. And because Ella is such a good little girl- he did! Santa delivered Ella's 1st Christmas gift- a train!

Ella also opened her gifts from Rachel (hat and sweater) and Kristie & Alan (puzzle). Thanks for the graet gifts!!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

You Better Watch Out,

You Better Not Cry,

You Better Not Pout,

I'm Telling You Why...

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!!!!

Ella Climbing the Stairs

Big Day for Ella

Today was a BIG day for Miss Ella Anne! First, we attended our 1st birthday party (I'm sure there will be many more to come!). Ella's neighborhood friend, Ella Sanidas, turned ONE today. The Ella's (as we like to call them) are only about 6 weeks and 2 blocks apart. While at Ella's birthday party, Ella H. climbed the stairs ALL BY HERSELF!

Then... as if that wasn't enough... once we were back home, Ella pulled herself up to standing ON HER OWN! Our little girl is moving!!!

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

After returning from Phoenix, we started decorating the house. Although we won't be here on Xmas day, we still wanted to get into the spirit of things. We think Ella enjoyed decorating her 1st tree... although she seemed more interested in the Santa hat!

I've been playing Christmas music nonstop. I think I'm driving Mark crazy!

10 months old

Ella turned 10 months old in Phoenix over the Thanksgiving Holiday. And she has changed so much in just a month! We can't believe it.

Since starting to crawl just a month ago, she is moving FAST! Too fast for me in fact... I turn around and she is gone! She amuses herself by doing laps around the couch and coffee table in the family room. This has resulted in a few too many head bumps, but I think she's starting to lean how to DUCK! Ha!

A BIG milestone while in Phoenix, Ella is starting to walk while holding our hands. Maybe not a big deal to everyone, but until the day we arrived in Phoenix, Ella wasn't showing any interest in walking... now I think it won't be long until she is running! It must be Aunt Patti! (She rolled for one of the 1st times with Patti too!)

And by the time we left, she was holding on to furniture and trying to cruise around.

Happy Thanksgiving

Ella's 1st Thanksgiving was great! We spend the long weekend in Phoenix with Aunt Patti & Uncle Chopper at their beautiful new home. We enjoyed the company and the food- espcially Patti's cornbread stuffing! MMM MMM Good!!!

Our trip included lots of rain, some hail, golf for the boys, pedicures for the girls (except Ella!) and a family trip to Ikea! Ha! Ella enjoyed riding on the Ikea rocking horse!

Thanks Patti & Chopper for having us! Looking forward to seeing you again soon!

MIZ-ZOU

I FINALLY returned to my alma mater, the University of Missouri, for a football game. Mark and I traveled to Kansas City and left Ella with my parents for the evening so we could see Mizzou kick butt against K-State! Go Tigers.

It was great fun to take Mark back to Mizzou and so neat to see the Pi Phi house again with all my pledge sisters. Yes, WE were the annoying alumni visiting the house! Ha!

It didn't hurt that the Tigers played great! And we REALLY enjoyed hanging out at Shiloh after the game... maybe a little too much!

Happy Halloween!!!

9 Months Old Doctors Appt

Another good doctors visit!



Ella is still in the 97% for weight (23lbs 10oz), but she dropped to the 90% for height (28.75in) and up above the 97% for head circumference (18.5in). While height and weight are looking great... we need to watch that head size a little. They really don't like the kiddos above 97%. If it still seems a little high at her 1 year visit, then we will talk about a CT scan to make sure everything is growing ok in Ella's HUGE head. :) But nothing major to worry about!

Doc is super happy with Ella's development and also gave us the go ahead with any new foods we are ready for her to try. She can pretty much eat what we eat now... with the exception of shellfish, honey, corn, nuts, chocolate and berries.

Compare Ella to her last 2 doc visits:
Oct 10th: http://herbfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/doctors-visit.html
August 1st: http://herbfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/ella-6-months-old.html

Anniversary and 9 months old

Today Ella is 9 months old and Mark and I are celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary. But we have even bigger news:

ELLA IS CRAWLING!

We were so afraid it would happen while we were in DC, but Ella timed it perfectly! Back in the safety (and all the baby proofing!) of our own home... she's moving around like crazy!

Video to follow!!

Our 9 month old doctors appt is tomorrow so I will report back with new measurements soon!

Washington DC Visit

Thanks to our hosts Sean & Tonya and Tom & Susan for making our trip to DC so amazing. It was Mark's 1st visit to our nations capitol and we all had a blast. Because of the marathon, we weren't able to do as much family sightseeing as we would have liked... but I'm sure we'll be back for another visit.

Marine Corps Marathon

I completed my 2nd marathon on Sunday with a time of 6:08:20. While it wasn't quite the time I hoped for, nothing can compare to the experience of crossing the finish line with one of my best friends, Jen Bailey. Jen was running through major knee injuries to finish her 1st marathon.

We had the best cheering section anyone could ask for... Tom & Susan Bailey, Andy Paul, Jen & Eli Veenendaal, Tonya & Sean Lawson, and (of course!) Mark & Ella!

Thanks to all of you who sent us support in the form of phone calls, text messages, and thoughts and prayers. It meant a lot to know that we had our own private cheering section all over the US!! :)

Ella visits the Pumpkin Patch

We made our 1st Annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch this afternoon! Not only was this Ella's 1st trip, but Mark tells me that this was also his 1st ever visit to a REAL pumpkin patch (I have a feeling that his Mom will disagree).

I don't know who enjoyed it most! None of us had ever seen so many pumpkins in the same place!

Mom and Ella think they've found the perfect pumpkin!

Ella and Dad pose for a quick pic before we leave.

More Photos From Patti's Wedding

To check out more pics from my sister's wedding, go to
http://www.paulvphotoevents.com/pickpic/gallery/splash.php?gallery_id=308
Password: Walker

Standing!

Well... not totally standing on her own. I had to help her up, but once she holds on- she can stand up on her own for quite bit!

Moving and Shaking

Ella has been our little mover this past week. She is still not OFFICIALLY crawling forward, but boy is she moving. She maneuvers herself all over the floor: rolling, scooting, backwards crawling and the occasional shimmy, but still no forward crawling.



New this week as well, she can stand on her own by holding onto tables, chairs and the side of her playpen. We've had a few brushes with gravity as a result, but she's been pretty tough (and Mom is always putting pillows around her).



Now that she has dipped her toe in this whole moving thing, she is rarely satisfied sitting still!!

Also a new development... but not as exciting... Ella is really showing some "personality". She certainly knows what she wants and makes sure everyone else knows it. This girl is going to be STUBBORN- just like her Mommy!

I'm going to try and see if I can figure out how to upload some videos so you can see our little mover and shaker!

Ella moving!

Check out Ella trying to get the cordless phone in the pic below. Her legs kick around like crazy! Hilarious!

Doctor's Visit

Ella has a bad cold! We headed to the doctor today to make sure it's nothing to worry about... it isn't. Just a common cold that needs to run it's course. Lot's of fluids, rest and TLC. Ella is not quite old enough for chicken soup yet.

We did get an official weigh in at 23lbs and 3oz!!! (That's 3.5lbs gained in 2 months!)

Race for the Cure

Mark, Ella and I participated in Race for the Cure this weekend. It's always amazing to see so many people decked out in pink in support of Breast Cancer. Woo hoo!

I'm growing up fast!!

Ella is on her way! 8 months and counting! Still no crawling or (gasp!) walking... but she is almost there. She will be moving just as soon as she decides she is ready.





Don't I look funny in Mom's glasses!!!

GG visits Denver

We were blessed to have my Mom come to see us for the weekend while Mark was traveling. We hung out all weekend at the house with Ella. To the surprize and relief of Dad and Granddaddy, we didn't shop at all! :)

Ella & Nicholas

We headed to a Rockies game with the Sandoval family last weekend. We has a blast and even got to see a great fireworks show after the game. Ella had so much fun hanging out with her friend Nicholas. He is almost exactly a year older than Ella. Hard to believe she will be talking and moving around like him in just 1 year.

Summer is ending

Summer is ending but Ella is still having a blast!


We went to a CSU pep rally to celebrate the beginning of the Rams season... too bad they lost to CU. Boo!


Ella is still helping Mom train for her marathon... well, sort of.


And we enjoyed a short hike with the Fulte family (Kristie, Alan, and their little baby on the way- due Jan09).