Rough day today

A couple of days ago Ella started cutting her second tooth and has a been a little fussy. Well, today she slept on and off until noon. When she finally woke up she had a fever of 100.6 and an attitude to match, poor thing. After some Tylenol she perked up enough to laugh at the dogs as they wrestled in the living room. All four of us had a great walk, and then Ella and I had a happy bath, and then some dinner, and then... drum roll

It all fell apart. She played naked like she always does but quickly burst into tears. She cried while I dressed her, had part of a bottle, and fell asleep. Twenty minutes later she was SCREECHING! When I went in the room she threw up and continued to screech. We walked, rocked, paced, and still she screeched. She dozed off, I put her down, went outside to feed the dogs and this time she started screaming. I picked her up and fed the dogs with her on my shoulder, screaming and half asleep. After dumping food in the dog dishes I swung her to my hip, she opened her eyes, looked at the dogs, and broke into a HUGE grin. Next time Bailey and Jake can comfort her. She's now peacefully asleep.

My new mantra is "Rob will be home soon, Rob will be home soon!"

Dive Station Palau

Rob as Dive Supervisor (He's signing "down." We learned that a few weeks ago.)

Rob "jumping off" to work

A ride on the basket (Are those fish in there?)

Dredging through sand and silt

My sexy husband...

Rob, on the advice of one of his friends in Palau, decided to grow a mustache. With friends like these who needs enemies? I think he's since shaved it off. If not, I could always stop shaving. Wouldn't we be an attractive pair at the airport next Friday?

Ella's Day

1) She practiced blowing a raspberry. Tuesday I left her in the car with her great grandmother while I ran into the store. While I was gone she discovered she could watch herself in the mirror and blow raspberries at the same time. She found this VERY amusing and would burst into laughter after each one.

2) She made a liar out of me. I tried to show her grandfather that she could sit up on her own but she kept falling over. She got more and more frustrated each time I corrected her balance. When I put her on her back she began happily rolling across the floor (still only in one direction) sometimes taking the blanket with her. Given the opportunity she would have wrapped herself up like a burrito.

3) She discovered the water pouring from the tub faucet. Quite some time was spent trying to wrap her hands around the stream. She eventually just settled for splashing vigorously, getting water all over me, herself and the floor.

4) She noticed the shadows her mobile throws on the wall of her crib. I left her naked in her crib with her mobile on. When I came back she had turned herself sideways and was repeatedly trying to kick at the shadows as they moved across the crib wall.

5) She began a new sound. She started saying "maa, maa, maa" repeatedly (no, it doesn't mean anything). It's such nice change from the screeching and shrieking she's been doing the last few weeks.

Looking for book suggestions

I'm looking for children's book suggestions that are appropriate for children of Ella's age and a little older. Right now it seems to be all about cadence. She loves Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish . I just ordered Hola Jalapeno on the advice of Ike and Amy. Can anyone think of any others?

It was a big day

Not only did Ella cut her first tooth today but she sat up on her own. We went to Baby Sign tonight and I carried the Bumbo so she would have a way to sit up without me supporting her. While we waited for class to start I sat her up unsupported, between my legs. She stayed that way for almost 20 minutes. She swayed a little and almost fell over once but she balanced on her own almost the whole time. We never used the Bumbo. She smiled at the other kids and rolled around on the floor (in only one direction.) Our instructor took a picture and then I tried to get one of the tow of us.

Ella's cutting a tooth, Ella's cutting a tooth!!!!!

We were rolling across the floor a few minutes ago, of course, in only one direction. I looked in her mouth, easy to do with her perpetual grin. I saw a tooth!!!! When I run my finger along her lower gum I can feel it's sharp little edge. No wonder she's been sleeping even less than usual the last few nights.

Oh, to sleep with such abandon...

I put Ella in her crib for a few minutes with a couple of her more entertaining toys while I made a bottle. When I left the room she was lying lengthwise, face up, and wide awake. Five minutes later she had repositioned herself and was sound asleep. She didn't even notice the camera flash. If only I could fall asleep so deeply, so quickly.

Umm Umm Socks!

Ella has become enamored with her feet and often tries to eat her toes. This evening she was wearing socks and was unable to reach her toes but apparently the socks were quite tasty.

Jumperoooo!

Yesterday I bought a Jumperoo for Ella. The first time I put her in it she looked at me like I was an idiot. The second time she played with the toys and continued to look at me like I was an idiot. This morning I started bouncing her myself and she actually LAUGHED and then looked at me like I was an idiot. This afternoon I put her in it and within a few minutes she was bouncing, grinning, and no longer looking at me like I was an idiot. She loves it! I'm so glad I made the investment!!

Thanks Jim!

Ella's great uncle (How do you like that title Jim?) put this together for some of Rob's side of the family. It was so fun I thought I'd post it! It's also nice to see that I'm not the only one with an Ella obsession.

The last few days Ella (I'm leaving off the Bella since it's 3am and PLAYTIME!) has become quite adept at rolling across the floor but only towards her left. She rolls until she hits the wall, a piece of furniture, or a dog. She then begins to whine until I flip her in the other direction so she can begin anew. I've also had to raise the height on her Exersaucer for the second time since Rob's departure. This morning she started to spin herself around in it and she now reaches for all the toys. It is amazing to me how quickly she's changing.

Cold Water Tail

A few days ago I took the dogs to the beach and by the next day Bailey had a raging case of Cold Water Tail. Her tail is no longer a coffee table clearing weapon. She's had her poor tail almost between her legs for the last few days (as seen above) and when she wags it moves only a few inches in either direction. It's made for a very mellow dog. Now, if only this would only happen to Jake!

Ella's New Sound

My very vocal child has been practicing new sounds. Unfortunately her newest is a screech that she varies in pitch and volume. It sounds a bit like fussing but it's not. She things it's the best thing ever and has this proud expression after she makes it. It's something she does while watching her mobile, playing with her Exersauser's phone, pressing buttons on her turtle, and just about any time it strikes her fancy. I'm thinking of investing in some high quality ear plugs.

Great Grandma Betty

Rob's Grandmother seems to be having a wonderful time with her first great grandchild. Ella seems to love her. Tonight I wasn't good enough but apparently Betty was because she was able to quiet Ella when I couldn't. There's something to be said for grandmothers!

Baby Sign

Last night Ella and I started Sign2Me classes. I was so excited that I was able to register on the 1st day of class, Tuesday the 6th. When I got there I realized that it was the 4th class. They started Tuesday, Febuary 6th, not March 6th. Isn't sleep deprivation a funny thing? The instructor was sick last week so we've only missed 3 of the 6 classes but she let us join and is going to do some makeup sessions with us. There were other children ranging from about 8-18 months. Ella was the youngest but by no means the smallest. I would imagine some of the parents were wondering about my daughter's "developmental delays" since she was larger than some of the children who were walking.

Ella spent the first hour quietly sitting very close to me just watching the other children. During the last 15 minutes an 8 month old came up and kept touching Ella's face. Ella quickly reciprocated and from that point on all bets were off. She began to screech, coo, and try to catch the eye of anyone who looked her way. She wouldn't stop smiling.

It seems that babies start recognizing signs at 6 months and by 1 year can communicate some basic ones. Last night we learned all sorts of useful words. We learned diaper, change, cat, dog, duck, bird, horse, dog, fish, wake up, please, milk, juice, more, hurts, up, down and a quite a few more that escape me at the moment.

For those of you interested there is a show PBS offers called Signing Time. You can check it out!

I know you've seen the hat already

Ella's changing daily. She's decided that she's more interested in feeding the dogs her babyfood than in eating it herself. She puts her hand in her mouth following a bite then pulls it out covered in food which she presents to the closest dog for licks. Gross!!!!! This sometimes causes her to break out in giggles. I've given up on washing her hands. It's a losing battle.

Great grandma's here! Rob's grandmother, Betty, arrived yesterday and Ella's starting to warm up to her. It's so nice to have the company.

Ella's day at the beach.

We had a big day today. We spent the morning on the beach and saw an endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal. She (I'm guessing) decided to come to shore for a nap in the middle of the swim area so the lifeguards roped off the area for a few hours to accommodate her. Unfortunately I forgot my camera so was unable to take any photos but the lifeguard says she's a regular so maybe next time.

Ella and I spent most of the time under a portable shade structure with Ella wearing a diaper, hat and lots of sunscreen. She had a ball. She watched the kids and rolled around on her towel. Maybe next time we'll put her feet in the water.

When we returned Ella's great-grandmother and great-uncle were waiting at the house. It's so nice having Betty stay with us.

I hope the flashing isn't a glimpse of things to come!

Ella Minnow Peeeeeas

We tried peas for the first time 2 days ago and Ella seems to find them delightful. So delightful that, if I run out of them before she's done, she starts to whine until I get more from the jar. So delightful that she grabs the spoon and tries to shove it into her mouth, frequently missing. So delightful that she sucks her finger coated peas in excitement. I'm not sure which one of us enjoys the peas more, Ella eating or me watching.

"Ella Minnow Pea" is actually a great book and since Ella loves peas so much the title seemed appropriate.

Now, how does this thing work?

Like this? Maybe?

Maybe not?

I think I've got it!

Ah ha! There's "Sex in the City"!

Whatcha lookin' at? Dad's gone, I can do what I want!