Tonight we had a farewell dinner at my Dad's. It was nice to sit in and relax. Tomorrow we head back to the US and onto Washington for a couple of days. Here's Ella with her new Baby Einstein book from my Dad's friend, Marilyn. It's been a nice visit up here and the weather has been comfortable with a nice breeze... it feels like fall and I love it! Up before the sun tomorrow... bien nuit, Toronto.
Amina is so small, I can't believe how big Ella is now. I always think of Ella as such a little baby, but now that I see Amina, I realize Ella is getting to be such a little personality. It was a wonderful night and a great visit. I didn't get any pictures but here's one of all of us from Sunday at Ella's Christening.
Today was Ella's Christening at the All Saint's Anglican Church in King City. The church is part of Ella's maternal great-grandfather's family history. Some members of the family donated land and helped co-found the church and settled in the area around it, known as Richmond Hill. The history is long and rich, and it was an honor to have Ella become a part of it. The Reverend was wonderful and performed a beautiful ceremony. Ella was so good! She sat quietly in her dress, well, eating it actually but didn't fuss at all.
We all went to brunch and got a chance to visit with my Aunt Susan, my brother, my cousin, her husband and new baby, Amina, as well as my Grandfather and family friend, Michelle. It was such a lovely day. The congregation was very welcoming and we enjoyed the service. Tomorrow is a day at the spa and then spending some time with Ella's great-grandfather.
We left Philadelphia this morning at 4:45am...we only had about 3-4 hours of sleep last night and we're exhausted!! It was really sad to say goodbye to Karen, Robert and Maddison. We'll be seeing them in Hawaii soon enough, and we'll go see Karen and Maddison in Korea when they make a visit to see Robert. It's always bittersweet to see my girlfriends...at one point it's always goodbye.
Ella is sleeping according to her schedule and seems to be totally unscathed at the miles she's stuck in her car seat. Ron slept a bit while I drove and eventually finished the last 4 hours as I was too tired. We made really good time and arrived in Niagara Falls around 1:30. 
I'm so exhausted I'm just going to hit the pillow, dirty feet and all.
An angel indeed!!! 
Ron and I found a cute little coffee shop down from Karen's with wireless internet so we came down for some coffee (and I get to get a blog in...take a seat, it's a long one!). We left Saturday morning at 3am for Roanoke, VA and arrived around 11am. We stayed the night at Ron's family, Aunt Gloria and Uncle James (here with Ella) and made a quick visit to Shirley, Denise and Gene. We really enjoyed the visit and it was wonderful to finally meet them.
We left Roanoke on Sunday morning at around 9:30 drove up here to Philadelphia. We got into Pennsylvania and decided to avoid the interstates (as they were all tolls and Ron is great at saving money). :) It was soooo beautiful! We drove through Gettysburg and took rural highways all the way to Philly. We went through gorgeous Amish county and saw a few horse and buggies on the highways. It didn't take us any longer and we arrived at Karen and Robert's at 5:30. 
I just want everyone to note, I drove the WHOLE way and didn't feel sleepy or bored at all! I'm great at driving to a holiday...not so great driving home from one. I'm building my drive hours so Ron can't complain on the way back. :) 
Yesterday, she loved the photographer and giggled and laughed even when he wasn't doing anything! I was in shock! Maddison was a little shy and so we didn't get a portrait of her and Ella together. (Maddison is 2 and I think she's feeling a little overlooked with a baby in the house. She looks as if she is wondering why everyone has to hold and pay attention to Ella.) She has been so good with Ella and is being very nurturing to "Baby El". 
Last night we gave them a bath and Ella loved it. She is totally in love with Maddison! She follows Maddison with her eyes and has the biggest grin on her face. When Maddison plays with her, Ella just starts giggling and shrieking with joy. Ooh! I love babies! Hopefully I can get another chance to blog before we head to Niagara Falls on Friday.
I'm not sure if I'll get any blogs in while we're away but with all the pictures we're bound to take, I'll try to get a post in as much as I can. Ron and Ella are in bed and I need to finish packing and hit the pillow. Ron's plan is to leave by 3am so that we're in Roanoke, VA around noon or shortly after. By Sunday, we'll be in Philadelphia, Friday in Niagara Falls, and Saturday in Toronto for 5 days. I can't wait!!!!! Good thing Ron is doing the driving tomorrow, I'm too excited to sleep.
Note to doctors and vets: when it comes to babies and pets, extra doses are necessary! Giving Ella medicine is about as easy as getting a cat to swallow a pill! It takes a lot of skill to get it down and not have her spit it out til it drips down her chin. And how do cats manage to eat the food you disguise the pill in but spit out the pill? This is my cat, Abu, I got in college. Now he lives with my brother in Toronto. Isn't he cute!!!
We haven't posted because there hasn't been any news. I am sooooo missing home and wish we could sell the stupid house so we could visit the west coast. I hope that I get to see everyone in Vancouver and Victoria before we leave for Hawaii but it doesn't look likely and that makes me very sad. :(
It really is amazingly beautiful and I miss it! I'm hoping Ron feels bad enough to let me buy us plane tickets to Vancouver. Keep your fingers crossed :)
Ella and I went to the pediatrician today. They wanted to check out her high temperature. We saw the newest doctor to the practice, fresh out of med school, I think he was like 12! I'm kidding! He was great and diagnosed Ella's UTI (urinary tract infection) which often goes un-noticed because there aren't any clear signs. Her ears and sinuses were fine so he decided to take a urine sample "just to be safe". Sure enough, it's a UTI and she's on anti-biotics. We go back to the doctor when we get back from Canada for another urine test. They need to make sure her UTI (which is very common) isn't a "structural" problem, meaning a problem with her kidneys. 
Tonight we gave her sweet potatoes for dinner. Yummy! Ella isn't quite sure what to do with food. She makes faces, looks stunned and generally spits it out. We'll keep up with the sweet potatoes for the next few days and see how she adjusts. Nice thing about her Bumbo is that it can be hosed down and cleaned, no seams or cracks to get food lodged in.
Tonight I gave Ella some rice cereal with a spoon. It all started because I made dinner for the boys (Daddy, Uncle Joey and Granddad) and we were all eating while Ella sat in her Bumbo and watched. I really began to feel bad as she sat mesmerized at my plate and drooled excessively as I ate pasta. I got the feeling that she was thinking, "I see y'all eating...where's my dinner?" So solid food it was. Though I wouldn't exactly call it "solid"; it was more watery than anything. She ate most of it and did very well with the spoon, not making much of a mess at all until she was bored and started to spit it back at me. Enough food for tonight. I am going out tomorrow to get her some veggies to try this week. So fun!!
Ella and I did a bit of shopping at Old Navy before heading home. All these clearance summer sales are perfect as we'll be wearing summer clothes for the next three years! Look at how good she is, posing for the camera. Lately her tongue is constantly sticking out, it might be part of her teething but it's so funny to watch her. Look at her cute little booties she got from Suzanne. I'm glad they finally fit her and she can wear them with all her pretty sun dresses.
Well, here's another picture of a pretty sun dress. I love little girls! I have to put myself in check though and remember that if I insist on dressing her up, she might hate all the girlie stuff when she gets old enough to talk back. Her newest thing is posing for the camera. When she sees us pull it out she smiles and clasps her hands together. A real little model, this one!
It's been so hot here, that I haven't even the energy to get out of the house. Yesterday, Ella, Ron and I laid around and enjoyed the air conditioning. We napped in the afternoon and woke up to a good home-cooked meal. Uncle Joey and Ron even cleaned up! I think I am so spoiled here! In the evening, I did strap Ella in her carrier and we walked to the end of the cul-du-sac...but the humidity was unbearable and we were only outside for 10 minutes. Yuck Georgia Summers!
We have a Baby Bjorn baby carrier Grandpa got for Ella and she loves it. Ron carries her around all over the house in it! It makes her feel like a big girl as she can look out at everyone and freely move her arms and legs. Because she's also teething she loves to chew on the front of it and drool all over the front (hence the drool cloth) :) It was so hot outside today, we put a hat and sunscreen on Ella when Ron took her outside for a short walk. She likes her carrier so much, she actually falls asleep in it.
We left Ella with Ron and Granddad, while Grandma and I went to a movie. "The Devil Wears Prada" was a cute, chick flick. Then we went to Babies R Us and spent all the gift cards on summer clothes for Hawaii that happen to be on sale now. Great deals on all the end of season stuff we can wear all year round in Hawaii. Fun Fun!
For three days Georgia has a tax-free promotion, so anything you buy isn't taxed. Dawn, Ella and I went shopping at Walmart, Babies R Us and Old Navy. I used all my diaper coupons and bought a stash of diapers to ship to Hawaii with our clothes in September. Of course, we went a little crazy...nothing we didn't need of course :) I've been debating getting a high chair for Ella, we really don't need another piece of furniture. I found a booster seat that attaches to a regular chair and takes up no space. I brought it home and it's crap! Considering it was less than $20 I shouldn't have really expected much, so I'm returning it tomorrow. We've also been looking at jogging strollers for Ron and a bicycle trailer for Ella. He loves to go running and it would be great in Hawaii as Ella gets bigger, he can take her with him. With the bicycle trailer, we could attach her to our bikes and go out all together. Babies and kids are such expensive little people! So much fun stuff to buy but it all takes up so much space!! Going back to Babies R Us tomorrow to see about the high chair and return the booster seat. Ah, more shopping, I guess it really can't be helped :)
It is sooooo crazy hot here. I know the whole east coast is going through a heat wave but this is ridiculous! The heat index is like 107 degrees. Ella and I stayed in all day, I can't handle this kind of weather...you know being from Canada and all :)
It's been so hot that I let Ella lounge around in her birthday suit while I gave her a bottle. We ended up having a bath as she peed on her waterproof mat, five minutes after I took the diaper off and while she was having a bottle. What a big girl she is, holding her bottle all by herself!
Today, Ella and I met up with Nolan and Amy and went to my favorite place for lunch. Moe's, it's soooooo good! Nolan and Ella are getting better and better each day. Ella was talking and flirting with Nolan and was fascinated with him. Nolan didn't say much to Ella, he must have been stunned by her beauty! :) You can really see their personalities now that they are out of that newborn phase. Each week that goes by, each milestone they accomplish makes them more and more fun. I don't have any pics of Nolan and Ella today because I forgot my camera at the house. It's too bad because they were both in such a good moods and then took their naps while we shopped. 
Ella had a bit of a moment at Moe's but she was hungry and once her belly was full she was great! I took these pics yesterday...whoo hoo books!!!
I'm trying to wean Ella off her swing. She sleeps all night in her crib, but during the day she will only nap in her swing. If you put her in her crib she may sleep for 20 minutes and then wakes up screaming. It's as if she knows it's daytime and she needs to be out of "bed". Once we pack up her swing in September, it's going to be a shock to her. So I've decided to give her a morning nap in her swing, and then let her take her afternoon nap on our bed. She likes to snuggle up with her blanket and sometimes I find her playing like this... she's too funny. She'll have her thumb in her mouth and the blanket all up over her head. 
When I call out her name, she flings off the blanket and has a huge smile on her face. Once she falls asleep, I take the blanket away, heaven forbid she suffocate herself.
