Ella's First Christmas!

Finally got to meet her first cousins Sarah and Libby!

Ella with 2nd cousins Will, Hannah and Emily

What a special Christmas this was for the Liss family! We celebrated Ella's first Christmas and were surrounded by lots of love from family and friends! On Tuesday Ella went to see Santa for the first time which was so fun. Of course she doesn't understand the whole "Santa thing" yet, but at least it was a great photo op. We greeted Mike's sister and family from Amherst, Massachusetts on Thursday and later that evening (Christmas Eve) we traveled to Oak Forest Il to see Mike's family. So great to see everyone who traveled so far to be here. On Friday, Christmas Day we went to my Aunt Judy's house where Ella "played" with Will, Hannah, Emily and Kailyn (her 2nd cousins). We then went to Ella's Grandpa and Grandma Martin's house to open lots of presents. Then we traveled to DeMotte to see Ella's Grandma and Grandpa Liss and visited with Sarah and Libby in (Ella's first cousins), and her Uncle Eric and Aunt Lori here from Massachusetts. We are so blessed to have such great families!

Week 9: December 20th

Having fun with cousin Jeremy

Ella says, "I love hanging out with Uncle Duane & Aunt Joanne"

Here are a few photos from week #9. We were busy this week! Ella got her 2 month shots on Wednesday at the doctor's office. By the way she weighs 9 lbs., 15 oz. now! She had more photo shoots with Bardot in her new Christmas outfit. We also had our first family Christmas photo taken! It was so much fun! Another fun event was Uncle Duane and Aunt Joanne's Christmas party!

This week she is really developing her hand-eye coordination. She rubbed her eye with her fist for the first time this week. Week 9 Ella is really more lively then ever and we look forward to many many new milestones in the weeks ahead!

Ella-8 Weeks Old

Bardot- Don't Go!

Hello to all again. Hope you are enjoying the Christmas Season! The year is flying by and it will be 2010 before we know it. It was a low key week. It started off with a party in Chicago that Mike and I attended. Aunt Sarah watched Ella and had a great time with her. Grandma and Grandpa Liss came over 2 days this week to watch Ella and she loved it. Ella is smiling a lot now and started blowing bubbles this week! We also learned that our very very dear friend Brigette Sparks (Bardot) is leaving for California in February. We were so sad when we learned this. Bardot is our photographer but much more than that, our very special friend who has especially been there for me since the very beginning (of pregnancy). (She taught at school with Mike last year and that is how I met her). Things were A LOT easier with her in our life the past several months! We will definitely miss her spirited personality around here... a sure way to boost a new mom's spirits! I can't even begin to describe the great friend she has been to both Mike and I. She is an experienced mother of a 3 and 6 year old so her advice is always welcome and appreciated! Her husband, Wade is in the Marine Corp so his job is taking them out west. Our prayers and thoughts are with them! Bardot you will sorely be missed so this one is for you!!!!

December 6th, 2009 7 weeks old...

Another busy week has passed and the Christmas season is upon us! Last week Ella attended mass at St. Mary's for the first time. Mike went back to work after a nice break (over one month off for his FMLA) and being with Ella and I. We will miss him being home during the day with us. Tuesday was actually warm enough for a walk on the Lakefront. Ella loved it. Thursday Ella went on a shopping spree with Ms. Bardot and I. We visited some fun childrens boutiques in Valparaiso. It actually snowed a little. Friday night we ALL went to a Christmas party..first one of the season.

Ella is smiling big smiles for us this week. So sweet to see.

Today (Sunday) Mike and I are going to Chicago for another party (the Chicago Bauhaus Society we belong to). We are dressing up in vintage garb for the event. Aunt Sarah will watch Ella. The very first time we will be away from her for a few hours! Aunt Sarah is looking forward to watching E. Mike and I are planning on putting up our tree this week...Ella will absolutely love the lights! Stay warm everyone!