One Small Step for Ella; One Big Tear for Mommy

Ella is pretty sassy and stubborn, I have no idea where she gets it.

She loves "cruising" around the house clinging to furniture and previously had no interest in walking around with parental assistance. Last night, Daddy got her going and she was loving it! Be still my heart, she is growing up too quickly.

12 Months

I can't believe my tiny love is a year old! This year has been so wonderful and challenging. I've Learned so much and altered most of my priorities. 

This little munchkin is my favorite tiny person and I love her so much! 

Typical photo these days! :) she is constantly on the move. 

Accessories

It is definitely sad that I'm occasionally jealous of this girl's accessories. This is what Ella wore to play group this morning; I wore a tan sweater, jeans, and brown leather boots. A little girl sweetly pointed out to me "You two are matching, but her boots are prettier". 

Get cuter - From the mouth of babes. 

Head Tilt

This is Ella's new favorite way to eat. She will take one bite, tilt her head, and open wide waiting for another bite. 

Adorable, but lunch takes roughly twice the time...

Crayons

Just pulled a batch of home-made crayons from the oven. Love my nephews and nieces - bring on the Christmas presents. 

Directions: 

1. Break crayons

2. Melt in mold

Snow!

Ella is very fascinated with the fluffy white snow this morning. 

Love that Hat!

My little girl isn't too keen on hats or bows, shoes or really very much additional adornments. 

But I love this hat! 

  

This one is pretty cute too! :) 

No Tower of Babble Here

Ella's stance on tower building is pretty clear. No.chance. Not.on.her.watch. 

These are the largest towers I've been able to build without her storming across the room with her one-woman wrecking crew. 

New Pets

Our street has its very own little clan of deer. Who apparently pride themselves on their ability to eat all our foliage. 

Our first buck sighting. (In our back yard right past our deck).

We had seven deer for lunch. We served lilac leaves. 

Yum! Leaves for breakfast (she is camped in the front yard). 

Yes, that deer just emerged from that tree. No, you shouldn't have trees on your property that are large enough to hide deer. 

Bloodwork

Ella had her 1 year bloodwork done in advance of her 12-month appointment (crazy we are already here!).

Ella has a strong dislike to anyone new touching her, so I was pretty nervous about how she would do with nurses being able to find a vein. All my mom friends told me they would only prick her finger, no inserted needles, I started to breathe easier. 

We arrived for our appointment and waited about 10 minutes. 

They called us back, pulled up her sleeve, whipped out a huge rubber band, tied up her arm and immediately begin looking for a good vein....

Ella actually did quite well and even stopped crying half way through. This little girl is a champ.

First Halloween

Our new neighbor had a street get together before trick-or-treating, this was a nice way to meet and re-meet our neighbors.

Ella went dressed as a pumpkin, thanks Gram for the sweet pumpkin coat! 

I also whipped together a Halloween tutu, what fun would a holiday be without sparkling tulle? 

We stayed at home to pass out candy, but only had 10 or so trick-or-treaters. Josh bought candy for 100.