Awaiting Arrival of Baby Liss # 2

It is the end of July and we are patiently awaiting the arrival of our expected newest addition. It won't be too much longer now! We are all eager to welcome baby home. This summer has seemed to go by quickly so far. I am anxious to meet the little one. I have been fortunate to have had a good pregnancy overall.
It has been a "low key" type of summer for me. No big travel plans for us. We were excited to welcome our California friend Brigette and her boys back from California on her brief visit to Indiana. It was great seeing them again! We look forward to seeing the Knapp family (Mike's sister and family) in August as they come in for a visit. We also have two weddings to look forward to on back to back weekends in late August. So, our August should be filled with much excitement as we get to catch up with family and friends (not to mention welcome baby).
I am feeling great these days, although the bout of extreme heat was a little trying.
I like to spend my time this summer by the poolside with Ella as she takes a dip in her little pool. She requests to go in her pool by saying, "poo" in her little high pitched voice and pointing toward the door. It is so fun watching her in the pool. She likes to play with her big cup in the pool and uses it to "water" me as well. :) I am very grateful that I can be outside enjoying Ella and the summer.
Mike has spent countless hours this summer renovating the exterior of the house and the landscape. He has painted the house, planted trees and many flowers, built window boxes, installed brick moulding around the windows, repaired our picket fences, reinstalled landscape lighting, built new porch stairs, brick veneered the front porch (which was the most time consuming) as well as many other projects. He still has some other projects, but it will look great when everything is complete. We are happy to be back at the "cottage" this summer. It has brought back memories of the summers when I used to come here when we were dating. (Mike started leasing out the Valpo home after we were engaged). As I said before, my life has come "full circle" as I now call this place OUR home and prepare it to welcome the newest Liss.
As Mike has been feverishly working outside, I have been working on the inside organizing things before baby arrives. Of course, Ella is involved and "helps". I can tell Ella is going to be a great "big" sis. She already identifies with baby items. She points and says, "baby". She loves to put her dolls in the baby cradle. She also loves to throw other toys in the cradle as well, so I will really have my hands full when baby is occupying it.
Yes, our lives will change drastically with two kiddos, but we are looking forward to the challenges and rewards. Right now, Ella is our world and we love her to pieces!! We can't wait to share the love with Baby Liss #2.

The Latest- Summer 2011

Well, it's been quite awhile since the last post! Things have also been quite busy these last six months. It is July and I have not downloaded any pictures since Christmas. My apologies to those who have been asking or wondering. ;) There has been some technical problems with my computer over the last several months, so I am hesitant to download any new pictures. I think the problem is solved, but I don't know for how long.
I have decided to continue to blog since there will be much exciting news to "blog" about :) I am sure all of you know that Mike and I are expecting Baby Liss #2 in August. This pregnancy has really went by quickly! I found out the news and told Mike around Christmas, so it was as if it were a Christmas present to both of us. I would like to dedicate just as much time on here as I did with little Ella, who, by the way isn't so little anymore!
Speaking of Ella, I don't even know where to begin. She has grown sooo much over the past six months! Ella finally began walking on March 2, 2011. Her vocabulary is increasing weekly and she is amazed at the world around her. She is learning names of various colors currently. "Bru" is her version of blue. Her favorite things to do right now are; collect balloons (her favorite), play with stickers, (her second favorite), color, draw, play with her blocks, wrap her dolls in blankets, play her pink harmonica (which she does with much intensity), and I can't forget swinging on her swing set at Grandpa and Grandma Martin's house in Crown Point.
Ella loves Elmo, about any animal and the Cat in the Hat theme song, "Go, Go, Go" ("doh, doh, doh" in her terms). We go outside where she enjoys running in the yard and pointing and waving to ants - a funny sight. Ella loves to sport her Cubs tee shirt and watch the pitchers on TV. She mimics their actions and "pitches" complete with the leg lift. She did this one day as she watched a game on TV. She can spot the Cubs emblem anywhere. She excitedly says, "Bubs". In our house, being a Cubs fan is part of being a Liss ;)
I am sure Ella will make a wonderful older sister. She is very aware I am carrying a baby in my tummy since every morning, part of her routine is to say, "baby" and hug and kiss my stomach.

Amy and Chuck's wedding

We attended our friends, Amy and Chuck's wedding on the last weekend of October. We are so happy for them. Amy is my friend I was with the night I met Mike. I always acknowledge her when Mike and I celebrate any of our anniversaries (of meeting each other, dating each other, our wedding, etc). I didn't get many pictures because my battery died. I did snap a couple before it did. I am glad I got these. These are pictures of Ella listening to the live band at the wedding. The band Alligator Blackbird performed and they are an excellent group. Ella loved experiencing a live band. I hope her love of music never ends. She sat on the floor in front and felt the vibrations through the floor. Of course she danced and captured some attention. She loves a good time!

Ella's Second Halloween

Ella last year on Halloween with Aunt Sarah

She has come a long way since then.

Ella last year around Halloween.

Me and E

Ella and Droopsy at Uncle Duane and Aunt Joanne's house.

Ella grabbed ALL the Halloween stuffed animals she found at Aunt Joannes.

Ella and Grandpa Martin.

Ella literally rocked herself to sleep.

A stinger on the stinker :)

Ella trick or treating up Court Street.

Halloween books

Halloween balloon

Halloween Jack o' Lantern from G&G Martin.

On an Autumn walk here. She really resembles my dad here.

Halloween 2010

I remember this time last year...Ella was only about 3 weeks old and was a banana for Halloween. I also remember staying in the house anticipating taking her out the following year for trick or treat. Well, 2010 was much more exciting. She was a bumble bee for Halloween this year. Intially I planned on her being something else, but upon putting that costume on- I found that it was much too small since I bought it about one month in advance! Yikes! I had to run out on the day of Halloween to find something else. Thankfully, I found the perfect costume regardless of the time crunch. It worked out perfect! She was a perfect little bumble bee, stinger and all!
We took her to Crown Point on Court Street (our old street in Crown Point where our CP home is). We visited former neighbors there and trick or treated among our friends on Court St. It was great seeing everyone. We miss our great neighbors we had there! We also stopped in to my parent's house for Ella to receive her Halloween goodies. Of course there was a balloon waiting for her. Balloons are now her favorite since her Birthday. We also stopped at Uncle Duane and Aunt Joanne's house. She loved playing with them and cousin Sabrina. She doesn't fully understand what trick or treat is all about, but she sure was happy to be part of the action.

Ella's First Birthday Party (with family and friends)

With friends Mike and Deanna.

Cousin Sabrina and Aunt Sarah.

Grandpa Martin and Ella.

Uncle Duane dancing with Ella.

Opach side.

Cousins Hannah and Emily helping us open gifts.

Family from Nora's side.

Grandma and Grandpa Liss.

Uncle Chris and Aunt Sarah.

Liss side.

Pink boots--perfect for Ella.

Ella's denim jacket from Brigette.

Finally sampling the cake. This is as dirty as she got....one hand only ;)

Birthday cake we ordered (and then decorated with owls).

The smash cake Mike and I made.

Ella sporting her Birthday hat.

On Sunday, October 24th we celebrated Ella's 1st Birthday with family and friends. It was such a great day! We really appreciated all who came out on the sunny, unseasonally warm October day! Over 50 of us gathered at Gelsosomos in Crown Point to celebrate (since our Valparaiso home was still under renovation). Ella received many much appreciated, generous gifts. Of course her cake was decorated with owls (what else ;). Mike and I made the smash cake and we ordered a larger coordinated sheet cake. Mike actually did a great job in helping decorate the smash cake...he decorated with the purple frosting (must be his experience in working at a bakery years back in college :)

For Ella's birthday, she wore a sparkly tutu I found and a custom made shirt from our friend Brigette (who lives in California now and who we truly miss)! Brigette also surprised us with a custom jean jacket--very cute! Brigette also made a custom shirt for Ella's tutu. It is perfect! Her tutu was custom made by another friend of mine.

After we sang Happy Birthday, and her candles went out she started to cry for some reason. Not really sure why. We sang "Happy Birthday" ("STO-LAT") in both Polish and English. Sto-lat means "many happy years". During her song, I called our friend Brigette and her family sang with us. It was as if she was there, so it was nice :) We recorded the song for Aunt Lori and family (in Massachussetts) so they could be a part of it too.

We were grateful that our cousins Mark and Kristy were able to join us from Florida. We are also grateful to cousin Sabrina for helping put Ella's 1st year picture CD together for the party. It turned out to be quite a project with over 1,000 pictures to choose from! A special thanks to everyone who had a part in making it such a memorable day! What a great way to celebrate Ella's First Year! What a big girl she is becoming.

Happy 1st Birthday Ella

Ella opening her packages from Aunt Lori, Uncle Eric, cousins Sarah and Libby.

Ella crashes from all the excitement. (Notice her "Party Girl" pin).

Ella with her two new favorite things..her horse and her Birthday balloon.

At G&G Martin's house in the evening for a small party...look at that cake face :)

The morning of the 18th--on our way to her one year checkup at the doctor.

Ella with her Elmo. A gift from Aunt Lori and family. (She loves Elmo)

It's October 18th. Our sweet baby Ella was born at 4:24 pm on this date 1 year ago. Her first birthday seemed like an eternity away this time last year. It's really hard to believe we experienced the first year year of her life already. We are truly blessed to have had such a sweet little girl.
During the day, we took her to her one year check up. (Yes, I scheduled this ON her birthday). She is really growing. She weighes 18 pounds and is 29 1/4 inches tall. On the night of the 18th, we had a small party at my parent's house to celebrate on her birthday. We found out how much she loves balloons. Her cupcake balloon was a hit and her favorite new "toy". She received a new rocking horse (from G. & G. Martin) that talks and sings. She was content as can be riding her horse and holding her balloon. Her big family birthday party is on October 24th and we can't wait to celebrate with everyone!

Autumn Update

The last 4 weeks or so have been very busy for us around here. I just wanted to update everyone on the eve of Ella's First Birthday. Her First Birthday tomorrow. I can't wrap my mind around it. It was one year ago tonight that I denied being in labor. haha. I went to bed around 11pm and had a great night's sleep after a very long day of shopping with Mike. The next day I surrendered myself to the hospital. ;P

We made our big move to Valparaiso. We didn't have a lot to move, yet this move seemed monumental. We plan to stay here for awhile - at least a few years until we outgrow this house. Mike and I are back where we started....literally. Back to the house where I used to visit him when we were dating. I used to pull up in the driveway and Sadie would be barking to greet me and be waiting for me outside my car door. Then I would walk up and knock on the door until Mike answered. That was about 5 years ago before he moved away and right after we got engaged. A lot has happened since then! It is so strange to think back to moments that seem like yesterday. I now pull up with Baby Ella in tow. Sadie still greets me with vigor. Now I don't knock and open the door to "our" home.

We have been making it ours even more for the past few months (as you know) by doing some renovations. It is all to be complete by the end of the week. One thing we are really enjoying are our walks in the neighborhood. Especially on warm Autumn mornings when the leaves crunch under foot. Ella loves to stroll. She insists she hold Sadie's leash from her stroller. It is very cute. Walks around these old haunts were another favorite pasttime of me and Mike's when he lived in Valpo.

Another favorite thing these days is going to the park. Ella loves the swing and giggles when she is pushed into the air. We went to the little park, Melorose Park, in Long Beach many times. Ella still is a dancing queen. Music could entertain her for long periods of time, clapping dancing and "singing".

Two weeks ago she started saying, "what's that" and pointing. She does this constantly and is very inquisitive on everything. You can't help but to just love her when she exercises that little voice of hers and points her finger.