Ella is 3!

Ella can now very proudly says she is three years old!

All day long I kept thinking, “I can’t believe she is three years old!” Last year on her 2nd birthday, Reese was a newborn so I was too exhausted to actually enjoy the day.  But this year I got to take it all in and relish in the little person she is. 

My mom stopped by after school to wish her happy birthday, and said to me “much better than what you were doing three years ago today, huh?” I said “actually she was the only epidural that worked, and those drugs were good:)”   (So good that Jeff got to watch college basketball playoff games and a Spurs game while I was in labor)

I still get sad that my babies are growing up, but it is also so great to watch them become people.  While playing outside on Monday evening, Ella had figured out how to climb all the way up the slide.  She shouted out “Oh my goodness, this is so much fun!” 
She pushes the boundaries, but just to see if she can, and when she knows she is about to go too far she usually does what you are asking her to do.  She loves to give me a kiss.  She still loves her milk and will drink as much as we let her.  She has no fear and always makes sure she tells Austin every night “I love you Austin”

Happy Birthday Ella Bella, we love you!

Starting the morning with birthday donut holes.

 

Part 2 of the celebration – Cupcakes at school with her class.

    

Dinner of her choice, chicken nuggets of course. Then on to presents and cupcakes.  We actually let her open her presents first, she obliged us with the traditional happy birthday song, but after a bite just wanted to go play with her new presents.

Ella got a brand new baby that has hair that she can brush and a new stroller.  The baby closes her eyes when laid flat.  She now insists on the baby sleeping in the stroller, laid backwards on the ground.

The present I think she is most excited about, was a last minute decision.  We had gotten Austin a bike when he turned three, but it didn’t get much use.  I found this one as a deal that was too good not to get.  She was so excited she hopped on and took off right there in the living room!

  Jeff bedazzled the bike a little for her last night and both of our bikers got out there tonight.  The thing that made me smile ear to ear is that she hopped on, for the first time ever, and just took off.  We had to run after her to slow down.  She has no fear, and loves it. 

And because I love to look back, here was my cutie pie on our blessed day – 3/23/08:

And Austin on his 3rd birthday.

Pearl Farmers Market and a visit with Cousin Janice

Our last weekend without sports and it was a very busy one.  On Friday night Ella was in heaven because one of her favorite teacher’s came to babysit while Jeff and I went out on a date.  We went to DOUGH Pizzeria Napoletana and it was FANTASTIC!!! The food was amazing as were the drinks, we just had the best time and can’t wait to go back. 

The most surprising part of the whole weekend was that all three kids slept until 8:30am both mornings.  Life was good!  We saw more friends and family the rest of the weekend.  Grandma Chris’ cousin Janice came to visit from Colorado and we all hit the Pearl Farmers Market on Saturday morning.  It was our first time and we loved it. We didn’t actually buy any food, but just walked around and let the kids run and play.

I adore the look on Reese here.  She is practically running now and I love watching her explore the world through such fresh eyes.

Ella, of course, wanted to push the stroller.  She pretended the fresh vegetables in the bag were her baby.

Austin raced everyone and it was a close one between him and Jeff.   He wanted to carry Ella while he raced which was funny until they fell.  Then she needed some good daddy snuggles.

   

Even grandma got in on the race.

 
The weather has been amazing and we spent as much time as we could for the rest of the weekend.  Reese spent most of the weekend sticking out her tongue.  She must get it from her big brother.

Sunday at the Zoo

We had intended to go to church, but the time change got the best of us and we were slow moving.  It was a beautiful day so we decided to take advantage and hit the zoo.  It was the beginning of spring break and it was crazy crowded.

One of our first stops, feeding the fish.

Hippos, fish, and frogs.  It was the first time Reese was able to get out of the stroller and walk around and explore herself.

 

  

Elephants.

 

Last stop, a special treat with the train.  What we thought would be the ending to our great adventure took a twist.  While on the train my phone rang and it was Jeff calling me.  This was our first sign something was strange as we realized he had accidently left his phone in the stroller, which we left in the stroller parking.

Surprise, surprise.  We get off the train and our stroller is nowhere to be found.  While waiting for security I called his phone back.  A guy answered, said he found it, and would bring it back to us.  Meanwhile the kids are tired and hungry, we are grumpy at losing our stuff, but I turn around to see Sarah and her two boys there.  At least we got to see a friendly face.  Then comes security and at the same time the guy with our phone.  Things are turning around.  I asked him where he found it, he says “ in the buggy.”  I said “you mean our stroller?” 
He says “Ohhh, those aren’t for anyone to just take?”

We got our phone and stroller back, and a great laugh at how crazy people can be.

Weston and Nolan Birthday Party

Basketball was over and we had a pretty relaxing weekend, no sports just a birthday party and a zoo trip. (Which deserves it's own post)

Thanks to Megan Perkins for her great pics I am using!  I like how the kids have kool aid mustaches, including Austin.


It was extra fun because our Ellas didn't know the other would be there.  Ella Perkins and Ella have been in class together since they were 12 months old and every day when I ask Ella who she played with Ella Perkins is first on the list, followed by Addie Brown and Jack Putnicki.
Ella saw Ella Perkins come in and ran to her as fast as she could.

   

The next birthday party will be our very own Ella's.  She will be three in just a few days, I can't believe it.  Last night we were asking her what she wants for her birthday.  She says a present, a red present.  And last night she added that we need to get Ella Perkins a present too:)

Reese 12 month check-up

Weight: 20.13lbs

Height: 29.75”

Weight is a little under 50%, height is a little over 50%, and head is still a little big, for her big brain the doctor says:)

He still says not to worry about the hernia and he has many kids who don’t have teeth at 12 months, but most have them by their 15 month check-up.  The bad news is it is likely that she will get 4 at once.  He says she looks perfect!

Austin at 12 months: 23 lbs 6ozs and 30.25”

Ella at 12 months: 19.25 lbs and 29.75”

Both perfect as well:)

I had a talk with a few girlfriends today, and we were discussing how lucky we are to have healthy kids.  It is something that is very easy to take for granted, but know we shouldn’t.  I am thankful everyday to have these three crazy, wonderful and healthy kids!

The big ball

As a reward for doing such a great job as ring bearer and flower girl at my brother’s wedding, we got the kids this huge ball they had been eyeing.  They climb in and can be rolled around.  Ella still isn’t too sure of it, but Austin has a blast, and so do the neighbors.

  

The person that enjoys it the most might be Jeff!

Reese’s 1st Birthday Party

No words needed, her smiles say it all!  Thank you so much to our wonderful family and friends for all your love this past year, we couldn’t have done it without you!!