What an opening!

I missed the Emmy's because I was at work. I think Jimmy is awesome! I would love to go to his show next time we're in NY!

Found!

I was looking for the fall/winter clothes I bought last year on clearance for Ella and I found THESE! Oh my!

Ella will be sporting these summer clothes in the next few weeks while it's still warm enough! Thankfully many of these will transition well into fall. In reality many of these probably wouldn't have fit her earlier this summer and may still fit her next spring!

Why do I do this? I am going to start storing all of her "future" clothes that I buy early in her closet!!!! I put all her gifts there --- why not the clothes I buy or the large lots of clothes my family sends when they find them on clearance?

I was just cleaning out her closet and taking out all the sleeveless clothes....well, now she has some more to wear!

Monkey Girl

Dear Ella, just because you love your monkey jammies, it doesn't mean you need to act like one!

Get on your squeaky shoes - well just one shoe!

Kiss Baby and take her for a ride!

Spin in circles!!!!

Read Baby a nighttime story!

And she's almost ready for BED!

New look - it was time!

What do you think?

Survived....

We survived the weekend! A huge thanks to Grandma for watching Ella Friday night/Saturday. Ella calls her Mamm-mar and I think it's adorable! Grandma is from Brooklyn and adds an R to the end of Grandma and Ella picked it right up!

Today Ella was at Janie's. We left at 9AM and returned home at 11PM. What a long day! I called a few times to check in on her and I was way stressed when no one answered the phone! I worry....alot! The first time I called Janie was laying down on the a bed near the crib singing to Ella and waiting for her to sleep. I laughed -- not my Ella -- she would let her sing for 3 days and not go to sleep! She left the room to call me and Ella finally took a good nap! I called at 8PM to make sure she went to bed --- nope, they were out on a walk. I arrived at 10:30 to see Miss Ella running around, happy as could be in her PJ's and a new bracelet! We left with a loaf of zucchini bread and Ella was so amazed at the darkness. I don't think she's ever seen DARK that she can remember. She kept saying Dark, dark, dark as we got out of the car --- still awake at 11PM! We are so blessed that dear, sweet Janie will take her with last-minute notice for a very long day!

My heart feels good. I think we have found the right full-time sitter for Ella. Unfortunately, I still need someone for nights and weekends so I have interviews for Monday and Tuesday evening! I had hoped for Joe's help, but I guess I'm flying solo on this one!

We made it!

Emotional

Joe called early thus morning to say he wasn't coming home.  I work the entire weekend. 

I dropped Ella off for her last day of daycare.  It's so hard to say goodbye to the daycare we were on a waiting list for 18 months to get her into. 

I'm in the parking lot at work looking at the adorable photo album Ella's teachers made her and I am emotional!

Update!

Thanks for the votes! I used this picture for Ella's August card that I mail out to family. I always give her a copy and when she saw it she was sad and kept saying, "Ella, cry, Ella Cry". I felt so bad!!!

I know she is ecstatic in this photo and so excited she can't take it and I thought that's what I captured, but now I can see how it may look like a "kid crying, throwing a fit" kind of photo! Oops!

Pool Buddies!

Joe (Daddy) -- We miss you!!!

The end is near! Joe should be home on Saturday! It's been a long 2 weeks and some long days with just Ella and I! I had a friend call last night and I just talked and talked and enjoyed the adult conversation!

Tonight he texted a picture of the HUGE boat of sushi they were having for dinner and I was soooo jealous! Then he sent a video of everyone saying "Hi" to Ella. Priceless and she loves it! The videos have helped. We are working hard on teaching her to say Brazil!

It's back to work for the weekend for me and Grandma Dorothy is with Ella Friday night and Saturday morning until Joe returns! Yeah!!!!! My fingers are crossed he is home through Labor Day!

Even better than I thought!

I just synced Ella's My Own Leaptop and it's amazing! It now knows her name and I chose the ABC's for the song when she clicks on the music button, and I chose 3 email messages to send her from Mommy and Daddy. When she clicks on the blog button it talks about what the Leapfrog dog did today and asks her, Ella, what she thinks. Adorable! All of this for under $20.....I'm impressed and sold!

Save 30% at Gap, Old Navy, Banana, etc

Let me know if you need the email. It's Give and Get time!

Ella vs Apple!

Ella had been begging for one of the apples from the kitchen table for days. I would slice one up and she would eat it, but I knew what she wanted! This morning I caved.....

I can't believe those very tiny teeth could chomp on this huge fuji!

Mission: Halloween - Accomplished!

I found this adorable Elmo costume in the toy section. What a steal for only $16. I had been eyeing one in a catalog for over $40! It's big, but it will work and it's currently hidden after the drama of taking it off!

Please vote -- Happy or Sad?

Asparagus Recipe

I'm really missing my griller! Tonight I had fish and asparagus for dinner and both would have been so much better on the grill....but I'm not so great with fire and while wrangling Ella and Nicky, it's a no-go for me!

Roasted Asparagus

Snap off ends of asparagus
Lay in single row in pan
Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle Weber's Veggie Grill seasoning.
Bake at 500 degrees for about 10 minutes

It was fabulous! Ella ate some too!

** stock photo, while searching for photo most recipes recommend adding olive oil, save yourself the calories, I didn't miss it!

Finally....used for it's intention!

Ella is finally big enough to sit at her easle/art table and use it for it's intended purpose! She did some coloring today ---mostly on paper, but she did get the bathroom wall and cream couch! Thank goodness it was just crayon and came right off!

Style....I guess

Ella started her day in pink sandals. Next, she wanted her Nike sneakers so I told her she had to have socks and I chose a white pair and LOST, it had to be the Elmo socks!

Shortly after that she had the sneakers off and had to wear her squeaky shoes! 3 nights in a row she insists on running through the house with her squeakers!!!! She can get them on and off and most of the time on the correct feet!

Could it be any worse? Pink stripes, red stripes and pink/brown polka-dots....oh, and the shoes SQUEAK!!! Love it!

Teachers?

I love how much Ella learns at daycare. She benefits from learning to play with others which I value and she will continue to have that opportunity. I think she will be missing out on some of the structured learning that happens at daycare.

We have been working on the ABC's, colors, and numbers through various books, games, etc that she has. I think overall she is doing great, but I don't want her to fall behind in the next year or so.

How can I best spend my time with her teaching her the didactic things she needs to learn? Are there any great books for me to read or certain lesson plans out there? I am going to you first blog friends--- I've done zero research on my own!

I want her to be a kid and have fun and we do that and it will continue with the new babysitter...but I want her to be on top of her game when she returns to daycare as well! She's a little sponge and I don't want to miss out on any great opportunities.

Love these books!

Grandma Barb and Grandpa Larry gave these books to Ella and she LOVES them. I love them because she has learned so much from them. She got them last spring and they have been very loved and some of the pages are taped back together! She has effectively learned tons from these books! At first she liked to read them because she could DO something - pulling the pages in/out and now I can see how much she has learned when she tells me what's on all the pages.

She has the numbers, shapes, colors and opposites. I'm a big fan!

Dentist -- Success!

I am very proud to say for the first time in a long time.....I had a great dentist appointment! For a couple of years I've had a long list of "problems to fix" and they are all done! I did them all slowly to max out my insurance yearly. I don't have to go back to the dreaded dentist for 6 months! YEAH!

Voice Search -- Amazing!

In my frustration with losing my "blue arrow" for navigation I found out how to use my voice search for EVERYTHING!

I simply push the voice search button and say "navigate to Target" and it gives me the closest Targets and then navigates me there with turn-by-turn directions!

If you are running Android on your phone -- check this out! I was amazed.....

Droid Incredible - Life Changing!

I love my Droid Incredible Smartphone. This has to be the most life-changing purchase I have ever made! I was having issues with my Twitter App and yes, I know it is not vital to have access to Twitter, but if I have the capability to use it, it might as well work!

I spent over 2 hours on the phone with Verizon yesterday (thankfully Ella took a long nap). I ended up having to reset my entire phone.....back to the way it was when I took it out of the box months ago. I wanted to cry, but all-in-all it was a great choice!

1. I decluttered my phone! I lost all my apps and I chose to only reload the ones I really need.

2. I learned that I was not utilizing my SD card as I should and I had the potential to lose all my photos, videos, etc and have now learned how to back all those up!

3. The Android market is great and it will remember the apps I have paid for and allow me to easily reload those.

4. The Android market is not perfect, it forgot many of the free apps I had downloaded, but I think I will remember what I miss and find them again!

5. I lost my google navigation blue arrow that I used constantly. I was so frustrated last night....but in the end I learned some new tricks that will allow me to use my google navigation with even less steps!

6. Backing up everything with google is incredible.....I don't' see google going anywhere, so I think I can count on them for life!

7. I dumped the old mail app that didn't work well with my yahoo account and now I am even more pleased!

It's not the iPhone, but for me I think it's even better! I love, love, love it! I've come a long way from my simple flip phone a few months ago and I like it!

Technology is so wonderful!

Joe, Ella and I have been skyping as much as possible. She's kind of a challenge on skype....but at least she can say Hi, blow kisses, and show off a trick or 2 before she loses interest!

It's so wonderful to stay in touch with Joe via text messaging and phone calls. I ask him to text me before and after he is in scary areas or on small planes! It's such a relief to know he is safe! He's been in some scary prisons this week and I get nervous.

The very best is the adorable video Joe made for Ella and then texted to me. I may lose all access to my phone when Ella takes it hostage, because she LOVES to watch it. Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, she knows he's talking to her and she repeats "work" after he says it every time!

What did we do before all this great technology???

Thank you, little girl!

We had fun at the zoo this morning. No pics to share.....we had too much fun! Ella sat on the baby tiger while a 4-year old was on the big tiger (statues) and I would have had a picture, but my camera was on video and I was just too slow to get the shot! Ella got off the tiger and I was ready to scoop her up and go see the next exhibit when this nice little girl said, "stop, she needs her shoe". Thank you, thank you! This Mommy needs help alot and I will take it from anyone! I would have looked everywhere for that darn shoe and never found it between the tigers!

** photo from previous zoo visit --- funny, she had the same jeans on this morning!

The Ella-puter

Ella was so good at Costco so I perused the toy aisle -- they are ready for Christmas shopping, I guess! I saw this cute Leapfrog My Own Laptop and thought it would be perfect for her birthday. I snuck it in the cart, no problem.

Then there was the checkout -- the very kind lady handed it right to Ella and her eyes lit up! She instantly said "Ella-Puter" and I thought, it's OK, she'll forget it during the car ride.

We loaded up the car while she nicely played with her new toy. I put her in her seat and then she demanded the 'puter. I'm thinking, that's OK, she'll forget about it when we get home.

I unloaded the groceries while she nicely played with her new 'puter in the patio. We came in and I wrestled the 'puter away so she could eat lunch. I knew I was close to doomed, but I still had nap-time and it was still in the box.

After lunch she had to have it out of the box and I don't blame her...it is pretty cool. She sat on the couch with her Ella-puter in her lap and I grabbed my netbook. Mommy-puter, Ella-puter over and over again. Too cute!

The 'puter was in the living room and I was still contemplating hiding it until her birthday. During story time, she ran out of her room to rescue her 'puter and it's sitting safely in her room while she's napping.

Oops.....guess she scored a fun present today! I still have the wooden puzzle pieces in the car. No more shopping for Ella while she's along!

2T vs 24 months -- what's the difference?

I googled it and of course found many opinions. This is the best info I found:

The 24 month sizes are more baby-shaped, so they are wider around the trunk. 2T is for children who have started moving around, so they are leaner from Wiki Answers.

And these random tidbits....

*Clothing companies do 2 lines: a baby line and a toddler line. 24 months falls into the baby line, 2T in the toddler line.

*Since 24 months is in the baby line, there are usually snaps to make diaper changes easier. 2T generally does not have snaps or zippers in the crotch region (are there kids really potty trained by the time they're 2? WOW).

*24 months tend to be wider to accomodate a diaper.

All in all, Ella is in mostly 18 month clothes and her jeans from last Spring still fit that are 12-18 months, I just had to roll them down! I think I made the right choice to buy 2T clothes for next summer because we should be living life diaper-free if all goes well!

Flower Jammies!

The words are just flowing from Miss Ella and I love it! It makes my life so much easier! She used to just throw a fit and I didn't know why. I spent about 40 minutes with her tonight (mostly bath and bedtime) and it was fabulous! I think working makes me a better mom some days.

She told me where her owies all came from: She blames Nicky for the scratches on her arm and nose -- it's not him, but who knows where they came from. I guess she's learned early to blame the dog! She told me the owie on her leg (scrape from hitting the sidewalk - I knew this one) was from Nana (meaning at Nana's house). It's fun to see what going on in her head! We always tell her that Mommy or Daddy has to go to work, so we wonder what she thinks "work" is!

Tonight she wasn't super excited about putting her jammies on. I had been giving her a choice of 2 pairs, but lately just haven't done it and she's been fine. Not tonight, she kept saying something and I eventually figured it out -- Flower Jammies! Problem solved and she went to bed like a champ!

I hope the rain holds off so we can enjoy the zoo in the morning. We could use some fun together time! I miss her....I would have kept her up later, but she's not the kind of keep up late and sleep in kid, so I'd rather have a happy kid tomorrow!

Joe called me tonight and started to say, "well, you can sl....", meaning sleep in tomorrow. I just laughed! Although he is right, the Ella alarm clock will go off much later than the 5:40AM alarm the last 2 days....and her voice is much cuter than the loud beeping!

Joe is making history!

I'm so proud of you!

SecureAlert, Inc. Makes History by Signing First-Ever GPS Offender Monitoring Contract in Brazil, Following Passage of New National Law

Thank you, Thank You Grandma Dorothy!!!

Dorothy is going to pick Ella up from daycare tonight and watch her almost all weekend while I work! We greatly appreciate your help! I hope you have some fun and I hope she is good! Miss Ella, please be good, we need Grandma's help again next weekend!

It's such a relief knowing she will be cared for and loved while I'm at work! I think it's going to be a long 3 days!

Joe, you may not extend this trip! We need you home next Saturday!

I'm thankful for....

Family Restrooms -- I don't think I ever even noticed them until I had Ella. They were great to haul the stroller, etc into when she was tiny and now they are the only way I can pee without dealing with an escape artist (term from random lady in Denver airport as Ella climbed into her stall). It even functioned as a playground for Ella yesterday --- moving the caution, wet floor sign and playing with the papertowels. I had a moment of peace and it was wonderful!

Dear Business Man, these restrooms are intended for families and those with special needs. Your desire to poop in a quiet place does not count!!!!!! Please give me this space for sanity and I'll do my best to prevent my child from screaming or kicking your seat during flight. Thanks, Mom who needs this place more than you!

My friend Nicole. We became moms together and we are both anal pharmacists and we just get eachother. She always manages to find the things I need (whether I know it or not) and sometimes the things I want!

She sent me silly bandz (for Ella)! I didn't even know we needed them!

She was able to get tickets to March Madness and we will be enjoying round 1 in Denver next March! And I got the day off work.....so we'll be there!

Delivery Service - they are stopping by on their RV tour this fall and we've already placed our order of Colorado Beer!

Today she found something I had been looking for in the store and simply texted me and asked if I still needed it. Thanks! You made my night better!

Now if only we lived closer........

I wish we were still on vacation!

It was wonderful to be in Iowa and on vacation. It is different than what I used to call a vacation, but now I just love it! It is so wonderful to watch Miss Ella and all the love! It feels so good!

Back to reality. We are using our potential daycare provider for help on Saturday afternoon/evening this weekend. I wanted to give it a trial run this morning while I was not at work just to see how it went.

I dropped her off at J's house. I saw some things I wasn't excited about. In-home care is much different than structured large daycare and I'm struggling!!!!!

I cried. I talked it over with Joe. I called J and we discussed some things. I talked it over with my Mom. I cried some more.

I am struggling with the right choice. I need a 2nd pair of eyes on the situation and those eyes are in Brazil for another 8 days!!!!!

My final plan is to see how Saturday goes. Dorothy will be dropping her off and I'll be picking her up. Go for another "trial" next week in the morning where I can observe at drop off and pick up with other kids around and go from there...

My ad is still on Sitter City and we're still getting applicants. It is so hard to find the right care for a child. I'm still so frustrated that what I feel is the best care (daycare) is not working!!!!! It's so hard to protect your children and I know this is only the beginning......

Iowa Trip - the end!

I'm cool!

I'm NOT sharing my cookies with Maggie!

Silly, silly girl!

Grandma Eunie brought over ice cream cones! Can you think of any more desserts to expose her to?

Great Grandpa Bob and Grandma Eunie

Ella's tree my mom planted in her front yard - I hope to take yearly pics to watch both grow!

The kitty!

Very sad Grandparents to see Miss Ella pack up to head back to Utah!

Thanks for everything! We had a fabulous trip! I am so thankful for my wonderful family who always makes time for us when we come to Iowa. We love you!

Iowa Trip Day 3

Fun times at Nana's! We visited the nursing home and Ella was a hit! Alyssa and I were more entertained by the residents!

The public pool! I remember the summer this pool was opened!

She's getting braver!

Just chillin on the side!

She's swimming!!!!

Now THIS is Iowa, sweet corn and steaks! Thanks to my Dad for cooking my steak perfectly. In his words, "there is no way this steak is really done, but if that's how you like it". It was DELICIOUS!

Ella loves the barn kitty and Maggie too!

Hanging with more animals and Auntie Lyssa.

Rootbeer Floats! Ella is going to be one sad girl without dessert at home!
Bath time!
AT - I will call you when she wears these pajamas for 3 days straight! She loves them -- thank you!