Ella is Walking!

Ella is officially walking! She's been walking really well holding on to our hand the last couple weeks, but got brave on Wednesday and let go to start walking on her own. She now wants to walk everywhere all the time!!!!

Choo-Choo

We got the opportunity to hang out with Aunt Shara & Liam a couple times last week and on one of our play dates, we went up to Zilker to ride the train. It was crazy because it was Spring Break, but luckily we got tickets and Ella loved the train ride so much! We had taken her once before when she was a lot younger (last summer sometime) and she wasn't all that impressed. This time, she just sat back and took it all in! I don't think I've ever seen her sit so still! She loved watching the other people, the birds, the dogs, and Liam! We had so much fun and will be visiting the train often!

Ella sitting back and enjoying the ride!

Aunt Shara, Liam, & Ella

Ella held on to those rocks the entire train ride :)

Ella talking

After the train ride, we walked over to the picnic tables and had a little lunch. Then, we went on a short walk around the park area before heading home.

Ella is pretty much walking by herself these day (still a bit unstead), but still likes to hold on to my hand, so Liam grabbed the other hand to help her along. It was too cute!

My Little Leprechaun

Ella & I went to the Children's Museum with Shara & Liam (the sweet 2 year old she nannies for) on St. Patrick's Day. We had a blast as you can tell from Ella face :)

She Said Yes!

My sister Shara recently got engaged (well over New Years) and is getting married in October She recently asked Ella to be one of her flower girls in a super cute way. Ella said yes!!!!

Checking out her present

Look what I got!

Aunt Shara helping Ella unroll her gift...

What does it say?

Yes!!! I'll be your flower girl!

We are so happy and can't wait for the wedding to get here!

Friends

Ella & Joy trying to get outside to play

Joy, Ella, & Olivia checking themselves out in the mirror

Looking good girls!

The Month of February

Ella has had a great 13th month and seems to be changing each week.

At the end of February, she took a couple steps at Gymboree by herself (with the help of the soft padded floor) and has since been getting a little braver each day. She can take between 10 and 20 steps on her own now, but prefers to be holding on to my finger as she walks along even though I'm barely helping her. She's getting better at letting go and standing on her own, but is still a bit timid about it all. Now that she realizes how fast she can get places by walking, she doesn't want to be carried much or in the stroller anymore. She just comes and grabs my finger and starts pulling me along. She has a mind of her own on where she wants to go and what she wants to do and gets super frustrated at me when I don't follow along :)

Ella is also getting more vocal and expressive. She loves to yell out to get our attention and is quite the ham. She loves to do things to make us laugh at her, like hide and pop out to surprise you, play peek-a-boo by covering her face, start clapping her hands and stomping her feet, play chase, and so many other things I can't think of at the moment.

She's likes to be tickled and throws her body back after our story at night to get her tummy and arms tickled. She just giggles and giggles!

Ella loves to go to the park and be outside more than anything, and is starting to be able to do more at the park which makes it more fun for her Daddy who takes her almost every day :)

Ella & Daddy playing at the park

Ella loves pulling up on everything!

Sweet angel baby

Ella playing at Gymboree

This was the day she took her first steps (March 1, 2011)

We went to dinner and Seinfeld with the Guinns and had so much fun!!!

A few shots of Ella being silly! She loves to make funny faces and stick out her tongue

Drinking from her big girl straw sippy cup...

most of the water comes back out after she pulls the cup away, but she loves drinking from it :)

Totally forgot about our Snow Day!

Last year, we also had a snow day and Ella was just a couple weeks old. This year, she got to go outside and "play" in the snow. She insisted on sitting in the snow and threw a fit when it was time to come in.

Ella on Snow Day 2010 (her 1st month of life)

Snow Day 2011

Daddy built Ella a snowman (his first snowman to ever build!)

Ella wanted to taste her snowball

My Little Valentine