Little Red Riding Hood

Just in case you didn't think she had any personality...

 We have taught her to "show her teeth" so that we can brush her teeth more effectively--here she is modeling below her new trick.

 She turned 20 months today!

 She came home from church yesterday with her first painting.  She actually goes in the 2 year room--we're not sure why but she just likes it better and she loves doing what the big girls do.

 another "show us your teeth"

We are looking forward to the warm weather tomorrow--going to soak it in before the cold strikes again!

Rainy Days

We have had a stroke of bad weather the past several weeks--I know Ellie must get cabin fever.  Josh and I do get out of the house to go to work at least.  I let her run around the deck one afternoon, splashing in the small puddles.

 Ellie's like her mama in the fact that she does not like to be cold so we weren't out for too very long.

 She is growing up so quickly--just this past week she has really started talking and imitating so much, she can identify the colors yellow/green/blue/pink/brown...and I registered her for preschool next fall.  Puts a huge lump in my throat.

We have also had a week full of plumbing issues.  Very costly plumbing issues.  The first issue was on Wednesday and then last night our washer decided to stop draining.  I was on the phone with this poor lady from Lowe's--I just started laughing hysterically on the phone with her as I was trying to repair my washing machine with her suggestions, have a dog and 20 month old trailing behind me, and attempting to not burst into tears.  I'm sure she thought I was a crazy woman.  Being an adult is just not fun sometimes--but I'm just trying to keep the perspective that we are blessed to have the means to fix issues with our house and that most importantly that my family is here and safe and healthy.  

Isn't that what life is?  All about perspective?  

Church Pics

I told Josh this weekend that I just wanted ONE picture of Ellie looking at the camera and smiling.  She is so busy when we're outside exploring that it has proven impossible lately but I finally caught one after church yesterday!

 looking at the camera--and smiling!  Hooray!!

Cleveland Park

It was finally sunny yesterday after a week full of rain so after nap time we headed to Cleveland Park to play on the playground!

 She was a huge fan of sliding,

 checking out the big kids, 

 and pushing her car around in the grass!

Ellie is showing us that she is an outdoor lover!

Splashing!

The weather was so beautiful last weekend--we spent as much time outside as we could soaking it up before the rain and cold temps hit Greenville!

 Ellie got this water table for her birthday last year but we never pulled it out during the summer since she wasn't walking yet.  I think she will get lots of play time with it this year though!  

 I had to include the picture below so you could see her wild hair--it curls so much with the warmer weather!  (although it doesn't look curly here, just stringy)  I took her to get it cut last week and the stylist sent us home saying if she cut it she would have a mullet.  She said to come back in 6 months for a re-try!

Little Gym

Ellie was invited to Mary Hayes' birthday party at Little Gym last weekend.  Ellie had a great time playing and watching the big kids play!

Josh was at home helping move boxes for his parents so he missed out on the fun--therefore, I took hardly any pictures due to watching our little busy bee!  Ellie is on her favorite wedge mat in the picture above--can you tell she loves gym time?

Happy 2nd Birthday Mary Hayes!

2012

Our Year in Review:

January--

 Ellie was baptized

gave up her passy

 and turned 8 months!

February--

 celebrated her first Valentines

gave up her nap nanny (painful on all parties involved)

and turned 9 months

March--

 started rolling like crazy

taking a huge interest in her toys

made the "lion sound"

turned 10 months

April--

 finally started crawling

 first Easter

 strawberry picking

 11 months!

 Wildcat baseball

first Braves game--"I'm here to chop!"

May--

 Ellie turned ONE

my first Mother's Day

had a wonderful first birthday party!

June--

 turned 13 months

enjoyed a great week on Hilton Head...I cannot wait to see her on the beach this summer!!!

July--

 14 Months!

Fourth of July

August--

 Took a wonderful trip to Maine

15 Months

September--

 Took two trips to Sky Top--one was successful

 16 months

October--

 birthday parties

 17 months!

 first trip to Children's Museum

started walking with confidence

 lots of trips to the pumpkin patch

 Ellie was a little lamb for Halloween

first trip to the fair

November--

 18 months

Thanksgiving!

December--

 19 months!

and Ellie's 2nd Christmas

What a wonderful year--with so many sweet, precious memories.  Ever thankful for this blog that captures them all.  Here's to 2013 being even better than '12!