Ella is 19 weeks today-

Ella and Clare

Getting sleepy

Hello everyone! Today is Ella's Grandma Liss' Birthday, so Happy Birthday to Grandma Liss.

The long awaited photos from E's first cereal have arrived here :) She loves her cereal and gobbles up every bite in every bowl she eats. Miss Independent even grabbed the spoon out of my hand and ate the food herself and then started chewing on the spoon. I am sure it felt good on her mouth based on the little gummy smile she flashed me. She is always up to something new! The doctor said oatmeal will be the next cereal to try after this rice cereal. She can then graduate to veggies and utlimately fruits. I am sure we will be at fruits in no time seeing how fast time is going these days.

Since the last post, Ella has started transfering toys from hand to hand and can sit in a chair with minimal support from me. I also noticed she is very ticklish under her arms (she giggles when I dress her).

This past week Ella stayed at Aunt Sarah's (my sister's house) while I went into work for a quick meeting. She loves her Aunt Sarah and giggled and played until she fell asleep from all the action.

Last Friday, my friends Lisa and Ginnifer came over with their little ones. It was a nice visit. Clare is Gin's daughter and is a few weeks older than Ella. Jacob (Lisa's son) is 3 but was more interested in playing with the dog more than anything else. As I mentioned in a previous post, Lisa is Brigette's friend (and former neighbor from Valpo ) and Gin is from the mom's club. Ella and Clare are so cute when they get together.

My mom and dad stopped by for a visit yesterday (Saturday) and got to spend a lot of time with Ella. Today (Sunday) was another busy day for Ella as I took her to Crown Point to celebrate cousins Ben and Dana's wedding shower. She got to give her Grandma lots of Birthday hugs at the shower which made both of them happy! Again, she was right in on all the action and met some family members for the first time such as Mike's Aunt Dolly and Dolly's daughter-in-law Stacy. She loved the party favors, which were maracas that really captured her attention. She was held by many before falling fast asleep as her Aunt Dolly rocked her. She came home and capped off her big day with a bowl of her rice cereal. She ate a surprisingly big amount and then cooed and squealed with contentment until it was time for bed. She is such a happy girl :)

We are looking forward to another busy week. Can't believe it's March already tomorrow. The old adage, "They (kids) grow up too fast" seems very true these days.

Ella is 4 months old!!

Today, the 18th of February, Ella turned 4 months old. Time is going by rapidly! She is really developing a little personality. She makes such good eye contact and babbles constantly. She loves to be bounced up and down vigorously when holding her...something we learned she loved by her giggles. Today, her Grandma and Grandpa Liss came by for a visit. It was a lot of fun:)
She is able to be held without needing too much support now and loves to grab for things around her. We are going to try cereal soon so stay tuned.....

Ella at 17 Weeks

Aunty Kathy, Katie, Ella and Uncle Bill

Katie with Ella

This past week Ella visited the doctor for her 4 month check-up. She weighed 12 lbs, 7 oz's and measured 24 1/4" long. She is really getting big! Almost 5 inches longer than she was at birth!

She also visited the orthopaedic doctor who suggested her little brace stay on for 5 more weeks. Ella's Aunt Sarah made some comfy sleeper sacks for Ella to wear. Sarah is so talented when it comes to sewing! I just don't have that talent (AT ALL).

On Wednesday, we all felt the earthquake here in Beverly Shores that occured in Gilbert, Illinois at 4 am. The bed shook and closets rattled but nothing serious. It was exciting though. Mike and I joke about it being Ella's first earthquake. Let's hope its her last. ;)
On Saturday, we celebrated Ka's (E's 2nd cousin) 15th birthday party. It was great to see everyone and everyone loved seeing Ella. It was her first "Sto Lat" (Polish birthday)celebration. She cried from being startled from Uncle Stanley's loud singing, but we explained to E that "Sto Lat" birthday song is always sung loudly.

On Sunday, we had company that conisited of cousins, Ben, Dana and Katie. Katie met Ella for the first time and came all the way from Oklahoma. It was exciting to visit with her! Uncle Bill and Aunt Kathy also stopped by. It was nice to spend Valentine's Day with them!
Mike made shrimp alfredo (one of his many mastered entrees) for dinner in the evening... this was our little Valentine's dinner.

Ella is 16 weeks old today

These two are finally friends.... Sadie caved.

Ella and her crazy "bed head"

This week has been a relatively relaxing week. Nothing too productive to report. We are all great here. Ella is still in her brace and has her appointment with her orthopedic specialist on Tuesday. This contraption hasn't slowed her down at all and she is oblivious to it. I can't wait to dress her in some of her many cute clothes as she has been able to only wear "sleeper sacks" the last few weeks.

Last Monday, Ella and I met new friends for lunch. These friends are part of a mom's club. What a wonderful group of women! Ella met (or should I say sat in her carseat next to) a sweet little girl named Clare who is not even a whole month older than her. I befriended Clare's mom, Ginnifer with whom I shared some great conversation. It was nice and refreshing to meet Ginnifer, another new mom who also has a baby girl the same age. All thanks to my friend Lisa (who I know through Brigette) :) Whew! Now that you have all that info...

Mike, Ella and I went shopping this evening- yes on Superbowl Sunday. Mike loves pushing Ella around in the cart showing her different things off the shelves while I shop. I feel lucky to have a husband who chooses shopping with Ella and I, on his own accord mind you, instead of the Superbowl. Today her favorite was a BIG stuffed monkey. By the way, we did catch part of the game when we got home. We were happy the Saints won... sorry Colts fans.