Ella and Uncle Ick

Mark's brother Eric came for a quick visit on his way through Denver on a work trip. We were so happy to get to spend some time with him. Mark and Eric went golfing and then came home early for dinner after getting rained out.

Here are a couple pics of the boys with Ella. Ella can't pronounce Eric... it comes out "Ick", too cute.

Trip to Phoenix

Mark was in Phoenix for a business trip this past weekend and Ella and I were lucky enough to be able to join him. My sister Patti and her husband Chris live in Phoenix and we had a wonderful time visiting with them while Mark was working.

We had a great time with Patti at the Phoenix Children's Museum

But mostly we just enjoyed hanging around the house for quality time with Ella's Godparents and their dogs. :)

Ella is Silly!

I thought people might enjoy some silly pictures of Miss Ella-Bella. :)

Wagon Ride with Dada

I was able to find a used Radio Flyer red wagon in pretty good condition... yay for Craigslist. So Dada and Ellla took it for a ride to the park. Ella LOVES riding in the wagon and playing on the swings!

Outdoor Fun

The weather has been wonderful this week and we just want to be outside all the time. So I asked Mark to get Ella a "big girl" toy for outdoors as my Mother's Day gift. Dad didn't disappoint!! Ella loves her new sand and water table!

More words and other milestones

Ella has been saying and doing so much more... I have to write it all down before I forget.

Ella is starting to understand that people (and animals) have names. This week at Gymboree class, Ella said the names of two boys in her class, Owen and Nash, while pointing at the boys! So cute! Also- she has been saying "Kya" for a few weeks when pointing to our little dog, but this morning she said "Henry" for the first time when referring to our other dog. Too cute! And also today she said "Patti" while talking to her Aunt Patti on Skype.

Ella also has her two top front teeth coming in- FINALLY. She has been really slow with getting teeth. She got her 1st two (bottom front) about a week before her 1st birthday and nothing else since then, so we were really happy to see two more pop through.

She is getting better and better at walking each day- she's not quite a runner yet, thank goodness, but she is definietly on the move. Ella can get up to standing all on her own with out the help of pulling up on something, and she can also bend over and pick up toys and carry them around.

We also had our 1st "incident" in public this week. I had a dentist appointment and couldn't find a babysitter, so Ella had to go with me. I knew it was going to be "interesting" so I took her to Target before hand to pick out a new toy (see what I'm teaching her already!). She picked out a little Elmo stuffed animal (surprise, surprise) and I let her open it when we got to the dentists office. We wheeled her stroller right next to the hygenists chair and all was going well. That is... until the hygenist started cleaning my teeth. It was awful!! Ella threw a total fit- she didn't want anyone touching HER Mom. Any time the hygenist would go near me, she'd SCREAM bloody murder. We finally just had to let her cry and I held her hand while the hygenist cleaned my teeth. She eventually calmed down a little bit, but she still sniffled through the whole thing. Poor baby, she thought they were hurting me.

I should have anticipated this beacuse earlier this week, Ella got mad at Mark when he was hugging me. Oh well- we survived and I scheduled my next appointment for a time when I know I can get a sitter.

What a Beautiful Day!

Ella and I went on a walk/jog through the neighborhood today and stopped at a little barn and stable to see the horses. This horse came all the way over the fence to see Ella. She was so excited and kept saying "Neigh, neigh!". I wish I would have had my camera so I could get a beter picture, but the cell phone pic is going to have to suffice.

Taking after Mom...

We knew it wouldn't be long before Ella started talking as much as her Mom... now here is the proof!! Ella loves to "talk" on the phone to friends and family.

For those of you who have had the pleasure of chatting with Ella on the phone... now you know what she looks like when she is talking to you!!

Here are pictures and video of today's conversation with Nanny and Poppa!