22 Months

I waited WAY too long to write this post but here we are :) Since my last post, and starting in February, Ella has been staying with my sister Katie all day whom she adores more than anything. Its been wonderful to have her with family and the extra bonus is that I get to see both Katie and little Jojo on a daily basis! We have had two week-long breaks (Laguna Beach gets a mid-winter break at the end of February and Spring Break, we are spoiled!) and we had so much fun spending time with Uncle Drew (finally) and enjoying endless play-dates together!!!! I don't think I will ever be completely sold on working and missing out on my priceless Ella time, but I can honestly say that I absolutely love what I do and where I work. The mornings are the toughest part of the day, sometimes getting out of the house seems virtually impossible. She follows me around everywhere I go and won't give me even 5 minutes to myself. Someday I know that I will give anything to have her chase me around again so I am trying to enjoy my little shadow and the time we have together :) She is quite talented when it comes to the application of make-up and nothing is more exciting than the blowdryer. Our morning breakfasts consist of talking about our plans for the day and usually the sequence of events that occurred in the latest episode of Peppa Pig. This amazing daughter of mine eats like a champion in the mornings so it makes exposing her to new foods that much more exciting :)

Ella has accomplished so much and there is nothing more precious in the world than watching her grow and change every day. She says so many words that I obviously can't keep track anymore, but my favorite word/phrase attempts were "het-tay" which transformed to "it down" both of which actually mean "sit down". She always pats the area next to her with her hand so you know exactly where she wants you to sit. My family loves to have her say "big truck" because it comes out as an inappropriate phrase and they all get a kick out of it! Her most frequently used word has to be "more" because she uses it interchangeably with "again". Anytime she wants to repeat something (which is all day, everyday) it's "more" this and "more" that. Unfortunately, her other most commonly used word is "mine". I don't know how she even learned it (hopefully we don't say it :) but, according to Ella, just about everything is hers. She is a lover and a fighter and definitely a confident little munchkin. I wouldn't want her any other way :)

We finally got Ellabells back in swim lessons to prepare for summer. It's a special bonding time for her and Daddy since he is the one that gets in the water with her every weekend. She just got moved to the "advanced" level after being able to float on her back. Daddy had been practicing with her every night in the bath for a week. We are so proud of her!!!! I'm literally counting down the days until I can get her into dance lessons :)

Ella, just when I think we couldn't possibly love you any more than we already do, you always do or say something that melts my heart and reminds me that I could not live even one day without you. You and Daddy are my world and I feel so honored to be your mommy.