Television

So we did it. After over 2 years without cable or satellite, we now have cable. We received an offer in the mail -- for $20 less a month than what we pay now for internet and phone we could get internet, phone AND cable.

I'm still not sure how I feel about it. It's nice to have it (I missed Food TV!), but already it is a distraction (Mitch missed ESPN). I was also surprised by how overwhelming it was to sit down that first night and flip through channels -- there was almost too much to choose from. I'm also finding we stay up later to finish a show or movie. That's fine for the summer, but when you get up at 5 AM during the school year...not OK.

I now have to also think about Ella and TV watching. We've just been watching Baby Signing Times and Veggie Tales, but now we have lots of cartoons available. So my new project is to screen shows and make sure that if she's watching, it's at least somewhat educational!

Growing!

We went to the doctor last week for Ella's 1 year appointment. Our 7 lb, 6 oz; 18.5 inch, blue-eyed baby girl is now a 21 lb, 1 oz; 31.5 inch, hazel-eyed 1 year old! She also got 2 shots and a TB test with minimal tears. She had stopped crying by the time the nurse left the room. She apparently got her Dad's pain tolerance -- whenever she bumps her head or does other bodily harm, she cries (I think just for effect)and refuses to be comforted. She will actually walk away from us if we try to hug her! Mommy needs a bandage and cream for a paper cut!

Kwik E Mart

I am not a Simpsons fan. I do not like the Simpsons. In my home, on a shelf, however, sits 8 seasons of The Simpsons on DVD because it is not MY home but OUR home and the other part of OUR loves the Simpsons.

So today we trekked to the other side of the earth (Henderson) to visit one of the few 7-11s converted in to Kwik E Marts (apparently the 7-11 in Simpson-world). It is fun, however, to see someone you love be able to walk in to a real-life version of a beloved cartoon. Kind of like Disney, I suppose!

Rain

It rained today (and yesterday). I know that's not news for most of you, but for us, that's significant. We haven't had rain since April. We're down to 80 degrees, but the humidity has been over 30% and for those of us used to single digits...it's like soup out there!

A Gift Only A Grandma would Give

When my sisters and I were very young, our maternal grandparents gave us a gigantic stuffed rabbit. It was yellow and we named it Harvey after the famous pooka. We loved that thing and I'm pretty sure we beat it to death jumping from the couch on to it!

My mom is following in her mother's footsteps. We were at the Disney Outlet and came upon a gigantic stuffed Winnie the Pooh that was deemed as "a gift that grandmas buy" so she bought it. I tried to get Ella to sit in front of him.... right.

Felix and Violet

These two furry members of our family get very little press time on this blog. I have had Violet since 2002 and she is 5 years old and we got Felix in 2004 in Flagstaff and he is 3 years old. They are friends, but still cats who do their own thing. The other day, however, I found them like this in the rocker. Too cute!

1st Word

We officially have a first word for Ella.... "hi". She says it to me every morning when I go to get her out of her bed. She still isn't very good at doing it on command, but we're working on it!

The Gift

It arrived today. There has been much hype about it for a good week or so now here. It was more anticipated in our house than the new Harry Potter book... and it is finally here on the same day! And it was well worth the hype! I have to admit I had no idea what it was before I opened the box. I'm just glad it wasn't wax b/c the mailman left it out on my patio in 110 degree weather!

The note says that it is to be Ella's to hug and cuddle and love to pieces... but mommy is going to have a hard time turning it over!

The pictures don't do it justice -- it is absolutely gorgeous!!

My deepest heart felt appreciation to Christopher, Noah, and Benjamin who gave up their wife and mommy for a few weeks while she lovingly put together this quilt for Ella.

And I would call, but I can't stop crying and your phone number is on my cell phone, which is in Texas at a DCI competition so it won't let anyone be distrubed by answering the silly phone!

Thanks, Stephanie and guys! I'll get photos of Ella with it when she wakes up!

(Felix approves. He's sleeping on it already.... I've moved it twice and he follows it around.)

The Shark Reef

We took Ella to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay today. I thought she'd enjoy watching the fish and she certainly did! (Sorry about the bad scan job -- I'm not very good with the scanner!)




A Golden Aigator from Taiwan

Watching the fishies


Oohing over the jelly fish!

More Birthday Pictures!

Ella's candle (we burn it each year until she is 21)




Eating the cake


The cakes before eating.

A birthday dinner of steak and asparagus.

Sarah at the Circus

Ella's First Swim!

Meme Meme Meme Meme-8 of Me

I have been tagged with a meme. Never been tagged before -- thanks, Erin for making me feel important in the world of blogs. I'm trying really hard to find 8 "new" things about me for those who know me well!

The Rules: “Each person posts the rules before their list, then they list 8 things about themselves. At the end of the post, that person tags and links to 8 other people and then visits those peoples’ sites and comments letting them know that they have been tagged, and to come read the post, so they know what they have to do.”

1. I was the president of my sorority in college. Being "Greek" was one of the best things I did in college. I will encourage my daughters to be "Greek" as well, even if it's not in the same sorority as me.

2. I have traveled (more than once) to Syria, Jordan, Israel, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Lebanon, & Ireland (only been here once). My advice: go while you can putting any misconceptions you have aside and be amazed by what you experience! My two favorite places on this earth are Damascus and Istanbul. I would really, really love to live in either city some day.

3. I like Harry Potter. I grew up in the "Halloween is evil" era (I think it still goes on today?) and I get it and the reasons behind it. But the Potter series is one of the most well-written, creative pieces of literature available today. I'm not convinced it's appropriate for a 7 year old, but I still love Harry.

4. I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. I have degrees in religion, music and law and am working on a teaching license and I am still confused.

5. I am a self-taught avid knitter since 2004. I love to knit, I just don't have the time or money to spend on doing it as much as I'd like to. I am currently working on a knitted nativity.

6. Speaking of which... I collect nativities. I must have about 15 of them. The more creative they are, the better (one is a miniature tea set)! I like to get a new nativity each Christmas (either as a gift or bought for myself).

7. I love all things Jewish and, lucky me, married a Jew (who became a Christian about 10 years ago). We celebrate most Jewish holidays in our home, but with a Christian twist. Thanks to my mother-in-law I've become a pretty decent Jewish cook.

8. I feel very fortunate to be the oldest of three girls only three years apart (total). I know that was very hard on my mother when we were young, but I appreciate to no end the bond and closeness I share with my sisters today (even though we still drive each other crazy at times).

I do not have 8 people to tag because I don't have 8 blogs I read! But I do tag Beth, Karin, Steph, Rachel...and that's all I got!

Just us girls....

Ella and I took Daddy to the airport this evening for his flight to San Antonio, Texas for a band conference. It's just us for the next 4 days. I've stocked up on chick flicks, ice cream & Magic Shell and liver (I love it, he doesn't)!

Party on!

Happy 1st Birthday, Ella!

Ella Grace turns 1 year old today. It's hard to believe it has already been a year. We don't go to the doctor until next week for her growth stats, but she lots of other fun 1 year milestones:

Ella has 2 teeth fully in and 5 teeth working their way up! She loves, loves, loves to brush her teeth!


Ella is walking 100% of the time, even though she's not so sure she appreciates the shoes we put on her feet!

Ella loves other kids and will give any kid a welcome hug and kiss (even if she doesn't know them)!

Ella is also signing (although I've tried to pictures of it, I can't!). She can tell us if she wants to eat, when she wants "more", and when she wants milk. She will give you something if you ask for it, and always puts things back where she finds them. She also likes to bring you toys one at a time and then takes them back to where she found them. It's quite amusing.


Today we played on the playground outside and then went to the mall to play. Tonight Mommy and Daddy are celebrating with ribeyes & sword fish for dinner. Then cake and ice cream with family and Ella's favorite friend, Alison Keyser, and her parents.

The past year has been amazing and we're looking forward to this next year of toddlerhood!

Fore!

Yesterday while Mommy was out shopping, Daddy got out his golf clubs for putting practice with Ella. I'm not sure how much putting got done, but they both had a good time!

Hanging with Aunt Linda

A few days ago Aunt Linda put Ella on the couch between Linda and Sarah, who was reading a book. Ella was intrigued by the buttons on Linda's shirt. It was so sweet to see them together -- I took over 60 photos! Ella really loves Aunt Linda -- I think it's the innocence they both have.