Happy New Year

As I begin this new year, I, like everyone else, have set some resolutions and aspirations for myself that will probably be forgotten as quickly as the years before. This year however, I have vowed not to set limited goals of specific weight loss or vague goals of "be a better person". This year I am going to be specific.

First, I commit to continue being a great parent to Ella, to help her grow and watch her flourish. To learn as much from her as I will teach her. This year we will begin swim classes and a bit of daycare.

Second, I commit to being more patient and understanding in my marriage. To continue to support Ron in his professional goals and continue to encourage his career aspirations. Those are easy. I will work at being supportive of golf and not look at it as competition for his time. I have been free to do anything, I can concede to Ron's golf habit. I will see it as a means of relaxation for Ron, a break in his hard work.

Third, I commit to learning a new activity. I have enjoyed golf and though I am limited to going when I'm not with Ella, I will set aside a couple hours a week to practice. This year I will learn to play well enough to play a round and not completely embarrass myself. :) (keep your fingers crossed)

Finally, I commit to being healthy. To get my body to where it needs to be. Be it 5, 10, 15, or 50 pounds, I will work at eating healthier and exercising until I feel I am back to feeling great. I will join Weight Watchers this week and begin the journey.

I look back on this past year and so many changes. The birth of our daughter, the love of our life and the move to Hawaii have been the biggest changes for us. 2006 was a wonderful year and a sad year. Ella has brought us joy, like nothing else, but the move to Hawaii meant saying goodbye to our family and friends. Starting fresh is difficult, but it is what helps define us. I look forward to a year of changes, a year of new friendships and new activities, and a year of prosperity, physically, emotionally and spiritually (financially too :) ). I wish everyone the best in 2007. May it be all that we strive for it to be and more! Happy New Year!

Hanging in the Crib

So Ella is on the move and is getting stronger every day. She greets us in the morning hanging onto the side of her crib, one hand holding her for support, the other grabbing at anything she can reach...the mosquito net, her mobile... She is so proud of herself too. It's nice to see that she is accomplishing this set of milestones and is becoming so much more active. Gone is the snuggly baby. Now, she just uses us as leverage to get around or if we're sitting on the couch, we become jungle gyms for her. She's so much fun! Each stage she gets more so and we can't possibly believe she could get any better...then she learns something new and we love her even more (if that's even possible)! I've been posting a lot of videos because they sum up Ella's day and it's much easier than typing. Besides, I know a lot of people read this to see Ella so here she is!

Toy Box

Ella has so many toys, I've had to find something to put them all in. Today, I was playing around with her and put her in her toy box with all her toys. She was in heaven! She played and threw her toys for a good half hour. I was able to get some laundry and cleaning done. Ella is on the move now so it's hard to get anything done. She scoots every where and is even starting to get her knees up under her. She can't quite crawl, but she's so close. She can sit herself up, roll around, spin, and pull herself up. It's changing our routine because she needs a lot more supervision, but I am so proud of her! She greets us in the morning standing in her crib, chewing on the railing or playing with her mobile. She's quite vocal too so we don't get much sleep after 6:30am. Hope these videos are still working for you.

Erin - I can't wait! 11 days! I'm looking up all the fun stuff we can do!

Beach Girl

Today, after a lazy morning we headed into Pearl Harbor to do a bit of shopping and hit the beach on base. Ella really doesn't like waves coming towards her, even though these ones were so tiny, she was only getting her feet wet. I guess the big wave the other day traumatized her! We'll work on it.....

More Christmas

Hope these videos are working for you.....

Merry Christmas!

What a new joy Christmas is with Ella. Even though I shopped and wrapped all her gifts, I was so excited to watch her rip up paper and discover her presents, especially because we've been pulling her away from the tree until today. She was ripping paper and looking at us a little confused as we weren't taking it away from her. Santa was good to all of us. Ella, of course was spoiled: lots of clothes from Grandma and Granddad; a bracelet from Grandpa; pajamas and books from Mommy and Daddy; toys, toys and more toys from Santa.

We took a gazillion photos! She got about half way through her gifts and was overwhelmed. We ended up opening the rest as she was quite content with the first few toys. A play cell phone from Maddison seems to have taken the cake and once Ella had her hands on it, was not about to put it aside for anything else! It's proved to hours of mindless entertainment and the stacking blocks and cups have been a hit with her as well. Good job, Santa.

I hope everyone else was blessed as much as we were. What a fun first Christmas...it'll only get better!

Christmas Eve

Today, like no other Christmas eve, Ella, her Grandpa and I had a nice drive around the island and stopped at a few beaches. (Ron has thrown out his back and has been pretty immobile since Friday.) How beautiful it is here! Ella is fascinated with the ocean. The sound of the waves crashing on the North Shore was amazing...until we got too close. Ella and I were out with our toes in the sand watching the waves break when the surf came right up to my knees and up to her waist. She was so not happy having salt water splash up her nose but I was quick to pull her up and she clung to me. The water was kind of scary for her and she wasn't sure about the whole beach thing. (Check out her cute surfer tankini!)

Tonight, as Ron slept, Dad and I made Dahl for dinner and tried to capture a Christmassy picture of Ella in front of the tree. Nice try, Mommy. There are too many bows, ribbons and shinny bulbs for me to grab at! Here are a couple of ones that we were able to get. That's right Ella, one more sleep and Santa will have been here!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I have been a very good girl this, my first year. So good that I sometimes worry my parents about all the naughty things I must be gearing up for as a toddler or worse still, a teenager. I will do my best not to give Mommy too many gray hairs and help Daddy keep his sanity.

It's been a big year for me and I am working hard on all my milestones. Crawling has been a little difficult, so I hope you don't mind if I just skip it all together and begin to walk in the next couple of months. Seeing as I can Pat-a-cake, wave, sit-up, eat some table food and I try my best to talk, I figure it would be okay for me to concentrate on bigger and better things.

I don't fuss or cry unless I'm hungry or tired, and then only because I'm still training my parents on being parents. You can understand, I'm sure. They try hard but sometimes need a little guidance, don't we all.

This year, as I continue to grow and develop, I would like some toys that help me build my motor skills. Blocks and stacking sets would be really nice, and I always love anything I can put in my mouth. Books are my favorite and seeing as I grow so quickly, some clothes could really help Mommy and Daddy's bank accounts.

Thank you and Merry Christmas, Santa!

Love Baby Ella.

p.s. Mommy wants diamond earrings for Christmas...can you tell Daddy for me. :)

Life's a Beach

I love this hat! Thank you Auntie Stephanie & Uncle Matthew!

The onsie is for sun-protection, not at all my cutest beach outfit!

Today we all packed up and headed down to Ko Olina, a resort area that has some beautiful man-made lagoons so it is protected from sharks...not that many people seem to worry about that, but we do. :) Anyway, it's close enough to the house and very quiet. Ella has some floating things (like a walker but for water) and after the initial shock of cold water, loved being in the ocean. Best part...no diapers just a cute bikini! So about the cold water...it was freezing! I thought it was supposed to be warm??? It was okay after a little bit, but still wayyyyy colder than I heard it was!
Here are some pics from our day at the beach.

Grandpa is on his way for Christmas! He'll be here tonight for the holiday. YEAH!!!!

It's Beginning to Feel A Lot Like....

Well, summer actually. I can't even get used to the idea of 80 degrees and sunny every day. Ron's been golfing almost, no, every day and I haven't been able to go as they don't allow babies or any kids under 7 on the golf course. I guess the few hours of day care I'm going to put Ella in will be my golfing time. Before Ron went today I drew the line and made him do some chores outside first. Come on, lets be fair! I cook, clean, and take care of Ella 24/7. Yes he goes to work (most days he's off at noon, some days he doesn't go in at all) and then he golfs. Tomorrow he has the day off so I am making him spend it with us at the beach...we've been here 6 weeks and I have yet to spend anytime at the beach. Yes, I'm pulling the neglected wife card...or as people in Hawaii like to call it, the "golf widow". I think I'll be leaving Ella with Ron at least once a week so I can go work on my swing at the driving range...though to be honest, it was a lot more fun when we both got to go together. Here's Ella on our front porch watching Daddy wash Mommy's car. I have taken over the Honda as "mine" because it makes Ron keep it clean, and I remind him he does have his motorcycle...though his beloved motorcycle can't carry his golf clubs....ah, isn't life funny sometimes ;) Ella quickly realized it's much easier to keep an eye on things if you can actually see. It's so bright here, sunglasses are a must and Ella no longer fusses with hers!