Playtime with Daddy

This makes me happy.  

Hanging out watching George

Curious George is a new fave around our house. 

I love these little monkeys girls.

My little cutie

Not only does the child LOVE to eat Cuties, she insists on peeling them herself.  When she is finished peeling, she gathers the pieces and places the small pieces inside of the large.  I am impressed.

Halfy Birthday Party

 Adam's homemade pizza  (I am so upset I don't have a picture of Adam and Ellie.  I need to get better at getting photos of everyone.)

 Of course Abby got a present from N & P, too.

 Abby picked out these bracelets for Ellie.  She loves them!

 Halfy birthday to me!

Ellie is six months!

What Ellie has been  up to this past month:

• Takes a bottle!

• Eats oatmeal
• Clasps her hands together
• sits up with support
• grabs objects
• passes objects from one hand to another
• holder her arms straight out at her sides like an airplane when excited
• Entire face lights up when she smiles
• Recognizes family members
• Bonded with Daddy, is THRILLED when she sees him
• sleeps less during the day
• loves toys, especially dolls and rattles
• kicks and splashes when in the tub
• Loves to stand
• Says, "Dadadada"
• Pants like a puppy when she gets excited

Christmas day

Christmas day was super relaxed and enjoyable.  The family arrived at noon and we ate our Christmas dinner, exchanged gifts, and had dessert.  I loved that it was a nice warm, sunny day, too! 

 Someone was ready for Christmas dinner. 

The menu:

Turkey

Sausage cranberry stuffing

corn casserole

Angel biscuits

cheesy potatoes

Brussels sprouts with balsamic and cranberries

Buche de Noel

I feel horrible that there are no pictures of Ellie Christmas day.  She napped most of the day, and when she woke up to open our gifts our camera had cracked.

Christmas Morning

Adam and I woke up at 5:45 and set up for Christmas morning.  Adam lit the candles and started our fire, while Ellie had her breakfast, and I popped our French toast casserole in the oven (which made the house smell delicious while we opened our gifts).  We woke Abby up a little after six, and enjoyed listening to the Christmas story, presents, and our picnic breakfast by the fire and tree. 

First Christmas! 

 Not as easy as it looks.

Abby's big gift.  Her "mycycle"

I LOVE Ellie in this picture!

The first of many Christmases together.

Oh, Abby!  Where did you go?

Ellie's big gift was her puppy.  She loves it.

along with her glow worm

My favorite gift was my elephant charm for my Pandora bracelet.  I love to get sentimental gifts, and how perfect to get this elephant charm for Ellie's first Christmas?! 

When Abby received a gift she would say, "Oh, for me?  Thank you, Mommy."  I have the most polite two year old.