Photo Session fail

So today I tried to get some pictures of Ellie.

She was 11 months old yesterday and admittedly I haven't taken her 11 month pictures (this week I promise).  I was trying to get the pictures for her birthday party invitation. I am planning on ordering an invitation from Etsy and although we are having family pictures soon, I didn't think I could get the pictures back in time to get the invitations ordered.  I mean, how hard is it to get a picture of an 11 month old?

This hard.

Not too bad but almost too close.

 

Crawl, crawl, crawl.  I need her to sit still!

 

Hey kid, how about you get your hand out of your mouth?

 

Mommy wants to you look at her!

 

"What's that? I didn't hear you mommy"

 

I almost would have settled for this but she looks on the verge of tears.

 

Mulch is safe for kids right?

 

I was trying to get her in decent light, smiling, looking at the camera with flowers in the background.  That's not too much to ask is it?! Oh and her hands out of her mouth!

Now then, I did actually get 1 or 2 that I was pleased with but I expected more. I even had my helper (Avery) out there trying to get her to smile.  Oh well.  I'm going to leave photography to the professionals!

PS- I didn't post the actual picture I chose. I'll post the invite and picture after her party! Can you believe she's almost 1?!

Happy Halloween!

We had a great Halloween at our house.  What about you?

Avery has been telling me for months she wanted to be Glenda the Good Witch for Halloween.  What happened is that she saw a costume (pink) in a catalog and I said "you want to be Glenda the Good Witch?." She said "YES!"  Because I refuse to pay $78 for a costume, I was determined to make something.  This was after weeks of trying to convince her to be something else. But she HAS seen the Wizard of Oz so at least we had that going for us.

I only got excited about her being Glenda when the hubs suggested Ellie should be the Wicked Witch.  Mean right?  Probably.  But super adorable

 

 

So I stocked up on tulle (hello 200 yards for the Glenda costume. yes, 200!) and went to town. I was so proud of my Glenda!  



Avery LOVED her costume.  She wanted to wear it every day.  I can't honestly blame her.  It was pretty awesome. 

I'm not quite sure how Ellie felt about her costume but she was the cutest Wicked Witch ever!

You remember the part where the Wicked Witch bears her belly and must have a paci clip right?  Yeah, me too. But look at her.  Green face? Green legs? To die for dimples? Stinkin adorabe right?

My parents were so sweet to drop by the house to see their girls so we didn't have to make an extra trip.  They couldn't get enough of these witches!

 

And because I got 0 pictures of the girls outside, you are forced to check out a few poor in the poor lighting.

  All glittered up.  We also glittered up her hair and arms.  Can a girl really be too glittery?  I say no.

At our house, witches have to hug it out!

They were seriously the cutest things ever. No bias here!

We had such a great Halloween season.  The girls got to get dressed up and make the rounds at the Fall Carnival at the church were they go to school on the Sunday before Halloween.  The Halloween parties in both their classes were a huge success.  And then tricking or treating Halloween night.  I think we have more candy than what we handed out!

This Halloween has been the best yet.  Avery was super excited to head out and we had a grand time.  I think I was more tired than she was when we got home! I am kicking myself for not getting more pictures of the girls while we were out.  Oh well, it's all in my memory right?

Can't wait until next year!!

PS- I'm sure you are asking yourself "what's that bluish grey blotch on the wall?  that looks weird" It was a paint color we were testing. It's been veto'd.  We may never paint!

Ellie Abigail 10 months

Ellie Abigail,
I can't believe it's been 10 months already!  Where has the time gone? This past month has been our favorite by far.  You are quite the curious little thing and we can't get enough of you!  You love to crawl around (and you are so fast) and explore new areas!  We are on birthday count down and mommy is already in planning mode!  We love you baby girl and can't believe how fast you are growing!

At 10 months you:

• wear size 9 month & 12 month clothes and size 3 shoes.
• still only have those bottom teeth but we know those top 2 are going to be here any day! Mommy and daddy can feel them!
• get everyone with those amazing dimples.  We can't get enough of them!
• are crawling EVERYWHERE and girl, you are fast! You don't hang out long in one place!
• are pulling up on anything and everything.  You have started to cruise around the furniture but you know crawling is definitely faster!
• are clapping and think it's so funny. 
• love to drop your toys and say "uh oh".  We think it's adorable...the first couple of times.
• have started saying "mama" and still say "dada".  You will sometimes say "baba" for your bottle.

You....

• put everything in your mouth and it's a wonder you haven't choked on anything yet!
• still get about 4-5 bottles a day each about 6 oz. Sometimes more, sometimes less.
• are starting to sleep in for us.  You are usually in bed by 8 PM and get up between 7:30-8 AM.
• love to stand at the window and look outside.
• babble constantly.  Between you and your sister, there is never a quiet moment! I can't wait to hear what you have to say.

• are such a good eater.  You usually get cereal and baby food or yogurt for breakfast & lunch.  At dinner we have been giving you a modified version of what we eat that you can feed yourself.  You love to feed yourself.  You especially love grilled cheese, any kind of bean, chicken, tortilla with cheese, peaches and sweet potatoes.
• are really getting good at drinking from your sippy cup.
• are very ticklish. Very.

You...

• started Children's Day Out with big sister this month!  You are a Tiny Turtle and you are the youngest one in your class.  You haven't cried one time during drop off! You must really love Ms Natasha and Ms Daana!
• are trying to get used to 1 nap at school.  You have fallen asleep in your high chair a time or two.  You will usually come home from school and give mommy a big nap!
• got to go to your first pumpkin patch at school! 

• started sitting in a big girl car seat.  Rear facing still.  Sister thinks it's pretty cool that you are in a big seat! You are growing up!
• still sleep with a paci and lovey. 
• have discovered Broozer and Bella and think they are pretty cool.  You love to pet the doggies.
• are so good at waving at anyone and everyone.  Even the dogs. 
• have also started clicking your tongue.  It's so cute!
• have discovered the dishwasher and thinks it a great place to play.
• love to play in the pantry.  You can sit forever and find all kinds of things to do in there.  You especially like to open and close the pantry door.

• have discovered the magnets on the fridge and know just how to make the magnets sing.  You crawl right up and make the magnet start singing.  You are so smart!
• have started really getting some hair.  It has even started curling in the back and behind your ears.
• are really good at putting your paci in your mouth. 
• love your sister.  You are always so excited to see her when you have been apart!

Ellie Abigail,
We cannot believe how big you've gotten and how much you can do!  You are an amazing little girl and we know so much more is to come.  Mommy and Daddy can't believe God gave us you! We are blessed beyond measure with you and your sister!

Speaking of big sister..

I can't believe how big this one has gotten.  She is more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.

Even when she combs her own hair, puts in her own clips and gives me a silly grin.

 

My heart is full with these 3.  

Thank you God for this amazing family! My cup runneth over.

Ellie Abigail 9 months

Ellie Abigail,
My oh my what a big girl you are becoming.  This month has been our favorite month.  You have been quite the mover and shaker! You are learning so much and becoming such a big girl.  Keep up the good work baby girl.  There's so much more to learn!

At 9 months you:

wear 6-9 month clothes and size 2 shoes. You are ready for 9 months clothes but Mommy is waiting for fall to arrive before getting you into anything new.

still only have those 2 bottom teeth.

are crawling like crazy and you are quick! One minute you are here and then next minute you are gone! You love to be one the go!

 

 

 

• are pulling up on everything you can get your hands on.  We think you'll be walking before your first birthday.
• will even take a tentative step or two when holding on to something.
• love the dogs and get quite the kick when they come by you.  You love to pet them and play with their tags.  They still aren't quite so sure about you.
• are getting so good at feeding yourself.  You'd much prefer to feed yourself!  You love to eat pasta, pears, peas, beans, etc.
• get 3 meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner and a couple bottles of formula as well. We seem to be getting this food thing down pretty good.
• have started staying with Ms Carla while Mommy is at work.  You struggle with the drop off but Ms Carla says you are doing better.  Next month you will get to start going to Mother's Day Out with big sister!
• still struggle with night time.  You go down great but you still wake up several times.  Sometimes replacing your paci is enough and sometimes we have to feed you.
• are usually ready for the day around 6:30 AM but sometimes you surprise us and sleep until 7:30 AM.
• still melt everyones heart with those huge dimples.
• got your first cold.  You had a stuffy nose that made it hard to sleep.  It was a tough couple nights for everyone.  We are glad you are all better!
• can say "dada" and we are certain you told Gigi and Grandpa "bubu" (bye-bye) the other night! You babble all the time.  You always have something to "say".
• love to drum on anything. 
• still put everything in your mouth.

 

 

 

 

We can't believe how big you've gotten and how much you've grown.  We can't wait to see what the future brings and all the accomplishments you will have!  You are such a sweet and happy baby and never want to miss a thing.  You and your sister love each other so much.  It melts our hearts when you two girls are laughing at each other.  It's the sweetest thing. 

 

We love you baby girl!

 

Pre-K Rocks!

My baby started Preschool last week. I'm trying not to make a big deal about it because it's not like she started high school but still.  Avery was BEYOND excited to be going to preschool!

The Mother's Day Out program that she has gone to for the past few years actually has a Preschool program so we decided to forego the public school route and opt for what we knew.  We LOVE her Mother's Day Out program and know we won't be disappointed in Pre-K! It's also 3 full days instead of 5 half days. Even better!

 

 

I had to get some pictures of her holding her holding her "First Day of Pre-K sign". I also wanted to throw in one where she has written her name. I want to document her handwriting over the years and can't wait to see how she and her writing changes. I told her to write it big. This was a little bigger than I meant but at least she follows directions!

 

Can someone explain what this fake smile is all about? I can't get a real smile out of this girl for anything! When we got to school her friends, Kennedy and Kassidy were alread y there waiting. Of course this was a photo op!

We went inside and Avery found her cubby. Every morning she will have to put away her lunch and backpack and find her seat.

 

 

She found her seat and she was ready to get started!

I'm not sure where my little girl went.  I wish we could bottle her up and keep her like this!  This is only the first of many first day of school pictures to come.  Such a big girl.  We love her so much!