Dadadadadada

Threw this pic in for good measure (and for Aunt Dolly :) Mike as Mick Jagger..his famous routine always a hit!

"Hey mom, I'm over here with my new friend" (Ella with Natalie at the wedding)

Our fab owl bib set from Miss Bardot! Thanks Bardot!

Look ma, no brace! ha ha!

Father Doug speaking to Ella of the benefits of joining the Convent ;) (mom says keep talking)

Well, Ella did it! She "said" her first word last Tuesday. Dada... Mike wins ;) And it's been so sweet to hear her say this over and over (and over) again :) Big girl Ella! This week, Ella received a nice gift (very cute owl bibs) for her 1/2 birthday from Bardot and boys! We sure miss them since they moved to California.

Other breaking news this week.... Ella is now out of her braces! She loves stretching out her legs and kicking around. And she can finally wear pants now! She, of course, outgrew a lot of clothing that has been stored in the closet that wasn't condusive with the brace. Her 3 month pant sets are way too small- she is too long to wear them.

We also celebrated yet another wedding this week. It was the wedding of Ben (Mike's cousin) and Dana. It was a beautiful wedding and we all had a great time seeing everyone! Two of Ella's littlest admirers were Kyle and Hunter who absolutely loved her. Most of the evening Ella just chilled in her car seat and watched the activity around her. She loved the lights! I don't have many pictures including Ella of the evening. Ella did have one photo op with the bride and groom although not with my camera. Above are all the photos I took of Ella during the evening. I did get a photo of her listening intensely to Father Doug. She really liked him. She also LOVED being held by Natalie, Matt's (Mike's cousin) girlfriend. Ella is very sociable and will make friends with anyone quickly.

What a big week for Ella! We look forward to many more adventures to soon follow!

Ella is 6 Months Old

Go Cubs! Watching the Cub's Home Opener

Our little Cubs fan

Ella giving herself kisses in the mirror.

She shows Grandma how much she loves the baby in the mirror.

Look what we found in the bag!

Miss Ella celebrated her half birthday today! She turned 6 months old today, Sunday the 18th just as she was born on a Sunday, on the 18th. We had so much going on this week again! She had her 6 month check up and weighed 14lbs. 9oz. and measured 26 1/4 long. That's 2 pounds gained since last visit (2 months ago). After our doctor appointment, we visited Uncle Duane and Aunt Joanne since we were in the area. Ella played until she was wore out and fell asleep on Uncle Duane who I swear is her favorite place person to nest upon and fall asleep.

Earlier in the week, Ella and I watched the Cub's Home Opener. They won so she got to celebrate even more and we sang, Go Cubs, Go after they won on TV. She hasn't heard that song since before she was born. Mike and I went Cubs games last summer when I was pregnant with her, so I knew she would recognize the song ;)

One of the highlights of the week is when Mike discovered that E had cut her first tooth (on the bottom)!! Two days later another the tooth's twin appeared! They didn't seem to bother her as they came in and before they were visible. I never had to apply Orajel to her gums so I wasn't expecting little chompers so early. This is one sure sign she is getting to be a big girl. Can't wait to post many more!

Aunt Sarah's Wedding

Uncle Chris and Aunt Sarah with Ella

Sarah, and I with some of my friends from high school.

Ella looking quite uninterested.

There is Sabrina and her doll again.

Ella on her "great" Aunt Bobbie (and Aunt Bobbie's great legs!)

Ella and I with E's great, great Aunt Irma!

Pacifier time --before Ella's fifth wind of the evening.

Ella and the beautiful bride!

It's official. Ella has a new Uncle! Uncle Chris acquired a new niece last Saturday, April 10th as he and Sarah got married at St. Mary's Church in Crown Point! The weather was beautiful and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. Ella wore a pink dress of cotton and tulle. Pink is her color :)

Ella was so good through the ceremony and didn't make a peep. Of course Mike had her blue owl on hand. Mike and Ella were even able to walk to the church because of the sunny, warm weather. At the reception, we all literally partied until the next day and Ella was still up (after a couple brief naps through the evening) when we left the party. She was wide eyed even when we got home at 2 am but went right to sleep.

Throughout the night, she was passed from person to person. I call this playing "musical Ella". This way, Mike and I got to enjoy the evening with "built-in babysitters". My favorite part of the night was when she participated in the conga line (in Uncle Duane's arms) and laughed out loud as we marched ALL AROUND the building. I was two people behind in the line, so saw her head bopping up and down over his shoulder complete with a huge toothless smile, and her moon pie eyes lit up from excitement. So cute! Party baby.

I just can't believe my baby (and only) sister, Sarah is married now! I remember Sarah when she was Ellas age- even though I was only a fresh 3 at the time. One of many memories is when I used to bundle her up with LOTS of blankets when she was small as she was laid on the couch for me to admire her. Sometimes today, Mike comments on how I wrap Ella in blankets even when it is on the warm side. I guess old habits are hard to break ;)

Sidenote to "Aunt Sis" as we call her: (If you are reading this sis, I want to let you know that being your big sister in life has helped me to be an even better mom to E. So, I feel very lucky to have you and wish you all the best-as you are an awesome aunt to Ella.

Ella's First Road Trip

Happy, Happy Baby! Bye-bye Indiana!

"Oh, daddy I loooove this tour" Ella touring Rowan Oak

Rowan Oak- William Faulkner's Home in Oxford

Momma and Baby E on famous Beale Street in Memphis

Ella as the little traveling gnome...can you spot her??? ha ha

We are happy to announce that Ella did great on her little road trip to Oxford, Mississippi last week. We left Sunday night and came back last Thursday morning. All went smoothly. The pulled pork sandwich we had on Beale Street was just as delicious at the last time we visited. We ate at the award winning restaurant, "Pig" as Ella sat and looked around at all the action from her stroller. I also forgot how much I love genuine southern sweet tea!!

We then traveled to Oxford, MS where we stayed the rest of the trip. Ella slept her usual 12 hours in the pack and play every night in the hotel, so life was good! She never disturbed our "neighbors" at the hotel.

The trip really did Ella a world of good to get out of the walls of our home and see some different scenery for a change. She loved the fact she wasn't wrapped in blankets as we walked outside. It was about 85 degrees down there. So many memories from this trip. One in particular: one of the southern ladies down there told Ella in her Southern twang, "Oh, honna, you got such nawce, big aahs and leetle rosebud lee-ups!" It was funny because this particular women didn't look like a typical "Southern Belle" whatsoever with her purple lipstick, bright dyed red hair and actual rainbows painted over her eyes as eyeshadow. Oh and how can I forget the chunky rhinestone sunglasses. Really wish I would have had my camera at the time. She was very sweet though. No idea where she was really from.

For those of you who never experienced Oxford or a southern town of the like, women tend to really dress up (very chic, mod clothes), and always have impeccable nails and hair when out anywhere. Those of you who share my love of quaint boutiques of novelties would die upon visiting them. They are quite lovely (but expensive).

For most of the trip we strolled the tree lined streets with tulips planted in the easements. Mike did a LOT of running. Everything was in prime bloom down there so it was beautiful. I missed the real gas lights on the homes. There is nothing like that around NWI. We ate at our favorite restaurant, Boure. It was Ella's first time in a "fancy" restaurant. :) She did great...just played with her blue owl as always. (Blue owl is her beloved possession).

We toured Rowan Oak for the first time. Rowan Oak (built in 1847) is the home of the author, William Faulkner. What a piece of history! Ella again, was such a good girl on the tour and just stared at everything in the rooms as we went through the house. We may have a history buff on our hands! Mike read all the plaques on the walls to her and showed her all the photos.

We also traveled around the campus of "Ole Miss" after visiting our old haunt, Square Books on the square downtown. It is a historic, 2 story bookstore complete with verandas to sit and peruse through books from the store. Of course the trip wouldn't be complete without purchasing "chicken on a stick" from the local Chevron. Yum! A big piece of fried chicken (all white meat) served on a stick is a great snack. And it's another small novelty that brought us back to the city for the third time :)

Coming home we did the whole trip back north in one shot. Mike and I feel blessed to have such a good natured little girl. We are preparing to take her across the country to Massachusetts this summer so hopefully she does just as well on that trip.

Ella's First Easter

This is later in the week- Ella hanging out on vacation.

Grandpa Liss looking good in the hat.

Ella in her Easter dress

Her new friend from her Easter basket.

Watching all other kids outside on Easter Egg hunt. Next year Ella!

I am about one week behind because we were out of town last week on a relaxing little vacation. I will post Easter news and then do the rest of the eventful week in two other parts.

Ella met the Easter Bunny last Saturday for the first time. They wouldn't let me take my own photo so at this point I only have a hard copy. It turned out very cute. Ella wasn't even phased by the giant bunny whose lap she was sitting on. Actually, the bunny didn't even seem phased that it had a child on its lap...I had to wrap the bunny's "paws" around Ella myself and tell it to hold her tight....kind of scary. ha ha.

On Easter Sunday, Mike and I traveled with Ella to my Uncle Wayne and Aunt Judy's house on Easter where we had a lot of fun and, as always, ate delicious food. Ella got a nice Easter basket from Grandpa and Grandma Martin. Next year she will be able to do the Easter Egg Hunt with the rest of the little ones in the family.

We then traveled to Hammond to his Uncle Ed's house to celebrate with Mike's side. Ella was a hit in her little Easter dress and hat. We then left for our road trip at 5pm that evening. Much more to come on that and the rest of the week last week.

Beach Baby, Beach Baby...

"I could lay here all day"

Lovin' her new pan set.....looking in the mirror in the "pan".

"Oh, momma the sun feels nice!"

I am posting this a little earlier than usual. We have a very busy week ahead. Tomorrow (Saturday) Ella has pictures with the Easter Bunny. We are looking forward to taking her and experiencing her reaction.

Mike's Spring Break begins this week. On Easter Sunday, directly after our Easter festivities we are off on our first roadtrip with Ella. We are looking forward to it! We will be traveling to Oxford, Mississippi, a place Mike and I have visited a couple times before. It is a quaint, upscale town that epitomizes Southern hospitality and alluring architecture. This is the second Spring Break since we've known each other that we won't be spending in California (our favorite state to visit).

I will just briefly summarize our week thus far....this past Monday, I celebrated my first birthday as a mom. I had a nice birthday spent with Mike and Ella. We had a delicious dinnner of hamburgers from the grill...one of Mike's many culinary specialties! Also on Monday, I went shopping and bought Ella many new dresses for summer. I also found a sweet little Easter dress for her as well. It was great to get out and enjoy the day.

On Wednesday of this past week as you all know the weather was gorgeous! I actually took Ella down to the beach for the first time. I took some photos as Ella laid on the blanket and took everything in. She is definitely a beach baby!!

Thursday night Ella received a new toy from Mike's colleague. She loved her new toy- a little pan set. She loves looking in the pan with the mirror in it and then laughing at her reflection.

More to come soon on our adventures from Easter Sunday and the Deep South. Stay tuned!