Weekend Update

I can't believe how the days get away from me. This weekend is an exception. My girlfriend, Katie, got me onto MySpace, which I whittled away on for hours until I found that most anyone I know or went to school with is on Facebook. Anyway, it's a mindless, time-consuming addiction once you get onto them.

Ella has learned to climb. I was cleaning out our pantry and as I was distracted, I look over to see Ella climbing the step stool I was just using. She's getting very good at copying what we are doing. It just takes one time and she's ready to do it herself.


Friday I went out with Katie and some girls Ron works with. It was a fun night out with the girls for dinner and Margaritas. We ended up in a Karaoke bar after, but we didn't stay very long... I hate karaoke! Katie and I left as the drama got a bit out of control. Yes, I'm no longer into drama and can't be bothered to be around it either. But it gave Katie and I a good laugh on the way home.

We didn't do much this weekend, we had swim class on Saturday and I worked at the hospital in the mornings. This afternoon we went to the pool and relaxed a bit with Katie. Have I mentioned how much I love this island living! It's beautiful everyday and I can go to the pool or beach any day I want. I could live here forever!

Our Little Vampire

Most days, Ron is home from work just in time to get Ella out of her crib from her afternoon nap. Once she's up and talking to herself, he'll bust into her room and she'll shriek in delight as he takes her out of her crib. She is all snuggles and kisses for him and I got some cute photos of them this afternoon. The three of us were just hanging out on the bed talking about our day... here's Ella's Dracula move, she'll look at you closely, smile and then go for the neck. It's really just a big hug and a drooly kiss to the shoulder...

Swim Class

Well, my flu must have been of the 24-hour kind because by Thursday night I felt almost back to normal and Friday I was fine. Ella hasn't gotten sick after her little bout of a cold last week so we are all doing great. Ella and I had swim classes this morning and I went to work at the hospital too.

More news on the job front, it looks like I might be starting work at Weight Watchers. One of the girls had mentioned they were looking for receptionists at the meetings, so I gave her my resume and she is going to call me about setting up training. I have a choice of waiting 4 weeks and starting at the local one, where I attend meetings anyway, or starting in the next couple of weeks and doing my training in Pearl City (it's only 10 miles away but we are spoiled with island life).

Anyway, it might only be one night a week but it's $$ and I get my membership for free. Ron joked that I needed to get a job and now he's worried I'll work too much. Men! I hardly consider 2 hours one night a week and 2 hours on Saturday and Sunday work. It must have something to do with his golf time! :)


Here are little swim class movie clips Ron took today:

Ooh, Poor Mommy

I have come down with the flu. Yuck! Ella's temperature from last week has gone away, she's gotten her appetite back and the only thing left is a bit of a cough on occasion. Last night my whole body started to tingle, like they describe in restless leg syndrome and I thought I may be lacking iron. In the middle of the night I woke up in a cold sweat and I was freezing; my body felt like I had been hit by a Mack truck. Ron came home from work today before lunch and gave me some much needed rest. I've been laid out on the couch watching Ella play, hoping that the aches and chills are the worst of it. Keep your fingers crossed it doesn't hit my stomach or break out in a fever. I'm staying away from Ella as much as I can, no lovin' for her today, but seeing as she might be the carrier of this bug, I think I can not kiss her for at least one day. :)

This is a bummer as I had some quality girl time scheduled for this weekend...tonight was dessert at Chili's with Amanda, and Margaritas with Katie and some other girls sometime this weekend. I'm also not going into the hospital as the flu can be very dangerous to newborns. Looks like the couch is calling my name. How can it be 80 degrees out and I'm shivering like it's 30??

The First Haircut

Before:

It's official. Ella's had her first haircut tonight after her bath. And yes, I did it. It was a spur of the moment, grab the scissors and do it before I change my mind haircut. It made me sad at first but it's cute. Ella's hair is long in the back and on the top, but the middle is just starting to fill in; sort of the reverse of middle-aged balding men. Lately, every time we put a barrette or an elastic in it, she finds it, pulls it out and chews on it. Her hair was so long in the back that she would often chew on her hair too. So tonight I trimmed the back and made it short so it blends in with the middle hair that's just growing in. I left the top alone as I really don't know what I'm doing. I think it turned out cute, Ron's still not so sure.

After:

Ella's First Cold

Ella has had a temperature this last week and yesterday after swim class, started with a runny nose and a cough. Her appetite hasn't been all that great this week but she's eating her fruit and drinking her milk and juice so there's no need to take her to the doctor yet. We'll just wait and see how she does this week. 13 months with no colds or sickness, not bad.

We were supposed to start swim classes on Friday. Ella and I showed up and found out it was canceled for low enrollment. We got put into Saturday classes and we all went yesterday morning before I went to work. It was a lot of fun for Ella. It's mostly just games with the babies, but there are techniques to help the babies get used to water. Ella loved it, and was so excited to be with other babies. Afterwards, Ron got her dressed while I changed into my scrubs and they dropped me off at the hospital. Next week I'll get Ron to take a couple of photos to post. (I thought it too dorky to bring a camera but yesterday, most of the other waiting parents were snapping away.)

Funny Ella

Here are some funny pics of Ella from the last couple of days...

More Easter Pics

Happy Easter

I'm going to work this morning but when I get back at 11:30, we're going to go have brunch at Denny's or a local pancake house. I just feel the need for some greasy American breakfast. We have some treats for Ella for Easter and some gifts from her grand parents. It rained overnight so by the time we get back from brunch the backyard should be dry. We'll "hide" some eggs and let Ella gather her goodies. Hopefully we'll have some more pics later. Here are her Easter portraits in her Easter dress (Thank you Grandma!)

Tracey's Travels

This is a little depressing but it's motivation to save $$$$! I haven't been to half the places I said I would go by 30... a new decade starts here! Lookout world, I've got a husband who loves to travel and we've got Ella in tow. Only 10%???

Backyard

Today was my first day at work (last week I was training). It was so great, I had 4 babies and the 2 hours flew by. This afternoon, I planted some sunflower seeds by our fence. It was a dirt patch and gets sun all day so hopefully we see some 6 foot sunflowers this summer. Ron mowed the lawn so Ella and I played out there this afternoon. It's been a pretty quiet day so far.

Wedding Dress Photos

Here is Ella in my wedding dress. We had the first one taken when she was one month old. Victor did a beautiful job with them. On her first birthday I took her down to get some more. My how she has grown. Aren't they gorgeous! I will be doing this every year, to have something to celebrate her growth, and look back on...

Portrait Crazy

I picked up Ella's portraits from her birthday (thank you Great-Grandpa!). I know, way too many portraits but Walmart is a great place to get them done... Ron thinks I've gone mad but here you go.

p.s. I've sent some of these in the mail... lucky you! You may be getting a gazillion Ella photos :)

Ella's Birthday Dress from Grandpa...

Grown Ups

Today, Ella and I spent the day playing outside in the backyard. After picking up some roses and patio cushions I decided to clean up and make our back patio pretty. Ella played around in the grass but didn't try to eat any for the first time!
My girlfriend, Katie, and her husband, Eric came over for dinner tonight and we grilled out. We would have sat outside with the new patio cushions but the plastic patio table is very unstable and even the smallest bump sent our drinks flying. And well, there's just no good reason to waste good drinks. :)
Ella went to bed before we sat down for dinner so the 4 of us had a nice dinner and chatted for hours. It's so nice to feel like a grown up again; to socialize with other adults and not talk or be with kids. I love Ella to death but a little alcohol and some adult conversation is a wonderful break from the everyday. We'll be doing this again soon...

My day:

Good -
Ella slept in until 9 and I had to go in and get her. She was quietly sucking her thumb and looking out the window.

Bad -
Went grocery shopping and forgot my list and the shelves were bare.

Good -
Ella took a 3 hour nap this afternoon.

Bad -
She refuses to eat anything but fruit and will spit everything else out of her mouth.

Good -
I got the house cleaned up yesterday and it's still clean.

Bad -
Ella ate the corners of one of her books until she threw up all over the carpet. Now the living room stinks like vomit.

Good -
Ella is down for the night.