19 months old

Dear Ella,

It's hard to believe you are 19 months old today. Time is flying so fast and I barely have time to write down all the memories we are making with you. You are such a smart, beautiful and fun little person to have around. You surprise me every day with all the things you are learning. You are learning your ABC's and how to count to five. You sing songs like "Row Your Boat" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Your favorite book is "Goodnight Moon" and you ask to read it constantly. And you are even learning to say your bedtime prayers. We say the same prayer that I said when I was a little girl. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love you. Even though you test my patience from time to time, I can't imagine how boring life would be without you.

Love, Mom

Funny Viedo- Ella gets Dad a BEAR

Ou biggest little blessing is our darling Ella Anne. She is a firecracker for sure (where did she get that from?). We hope you enjoy this video of her taken on 8/10/09. It makes us laugh every time.

18 months

We headed to the doc for Ella's 18 month appt last week and our little (or should I say BIG) girl is still growing like a weed. Here are the stats:

Weight: 30lbs

97%

Height: 33.5 inches

90-95%

Head circumference: 19.5 inches

>97%

The doctor said we have absolutely nothing to worry about with Ella. She is a healthy girl and developing great. He was really impressed with her vocabulary and couldn't believe how much she was talking. We are so blessed to have such a happy, healthy, well-adjusted baby girl.

Our only challenge with Ella seems to be the on-set of the TERRIBLE TWO's. We were informed the they actually start around 18mos and boy do they!!! Ella is strong-willed to the MAX! She knows what she wants and she IS going to get it! She's quite a handful when she gets her mind set to something and we are STILL spending quite a bit of time in the corner. I'm hoping this blows over soon!

Weekend fun

A photographer friend of ours (Alan Fulte Photgraphy http://www.alanfulte.com/) captured some amazing shots of Ella at a birthday party this weekend.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Happy 4th of July!

Ella hopes everyone had as good a 4th as our family did!!

We were blessed with a visit from GG and Granddaddy Godsey. It was a wonderful weekend!

GG got herself a pair of cowboy boots while visiting, and Ella just HAD to try them on!

We also spent time at the zoo, watching fireworks, swimming in the backyard and good food!

Thanks for the wonderful memories and looking forward to another visit soon!

Family Reunion

We traveled to Florida this past weekend where we met up with Mark's family for a mini family reunion. It was so wonderful to spend time with everyone and enjoy the Florida sun and water!

Here are a few pics from our trip:

Ella Bella!

Everyone who knows me well knows that I've been dying to get Ella in pigtails since the day she was born. And it was SO worth the wait! Isn't she just the cutest munchkin ever!?

I think Ella will be the LAST kid her age to have a full set of teeth!!! She has been teething like crazy this month, and all the drooling, chewing on things and sucking on her fingers has given her quite a rash around her mouth! But she still manages to make that cute! :) At least I think so, and that's all that matters, right!?

If there was any doubt in our minds, this past month has proved to Mark and me that we definietly have a toddler on our hands! Ella is not a baby anymore... she walks, runs, talks, sings and does some other things that we're not so happy about too. No one ever told me the terrible two's really start atound 16 months. We certainly have a headstrong child on our hands (I wonder where she gets that from!?). She knows what she wants and she will throw a fit until she gets it! I feel like we spend half of everyday in TIME OUT! She's lucky she's cute!!!

San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon

This past weekend Mark and Ella held down the fort in Denver while I traveled to San Diego for the Rock n Roll Marathon on Sunday, May 31st.


I am so excited to report that I CRUSHED my goal of under 5 hours and finished with a 4:34, beating my best time by 36 minutes! Thanks to everyone for all the calls, emails, texts, and messages on facebook! I couldn't be happier!


Marci & Lisa- thanks for having me and letting me crash with you guys. And an extra special thanks for shuttling me all over San Diego and making sure I got to the expo, race, etc.

Lisa- congrats on your KILLER Boston qualifying time of 3:38!

Dana- Thanks so much for making the drive from OC to see me finish! It was so special to have you there!

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. :)