Baby Palmer

It's (almost) the most wonderful time of the year!!!

2010-11-14T13:30:00.000-08:00

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year. I love it all – the decorating, the baking, the present buying, the music.. the list goes on and on. One of my most favorite “tasks” of the holiday season is getting our Christmas cards done. I love finding/taking the PERFECT picture, finding the perfect design and waiting to hear what people think of it once they get them in the mail!

Shutterfly has always been my “go-to” site for ordering Christmas cards from. Our last year’s card was so different and well received I couldn’t wait to see what they had in store for 2010!

This year has been a year full of changes for our family: the main one is that I had gastric bypass surgery and have lost over 100lbs. This year, for the first time since Ellery was born almost 4 years ago, we’ll be using a family picture on our card. I’ve been thrilled with the choices available from Shutterfly as I eagerly anticipate the reaction to this year’s card!

I don’t want to spoil the surprise and show you which card we’ll be using this year, but why don’t you take a look at the links below to cards, as well as some of my favorite products – which, by the way, make great gifts for the grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc on your list!

Cards: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards

Calendars (GREAT for the grandparents): ttp://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/wall-calendars

Ornaments: (a gorgeous way to display a cute picture):

http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/pewter-ornament

The Week You turned 3 - THE day!!!!

2010-01-14T17:11:00.001-08:00

Today's the day!!!!
Ellery is 3 today - where does time go???
This was my baby 3 years ago today:

Today you went to preschool with cupcakes for the whole class.....you wore your birthday girl shirt, cupcake socks and abby bows....you were THRILLED.

After your nap I got you up and you were telling me ALL about it...and asked if I made you the cupcakes . . . I said yes. You said "thank you mommy" and gave me a huge hug and said "this is the best birthday ever"

OMG

Happy birthday sweet girl....I love you more than you can imagine.

xoxo

mommy

The Week You Turned 3 - Day 3

2010-01-13T11:37:00.000-08:00

Today is day 3 – tomorrow is the big day – THE birthday. 3 years old. My oh my how time flies. Mommy is feeling especially nostalgic and emotional this week. Daddy just rolls his eyes at Mommy LOL.

Your quirks at age 3 – this is a fun one. . I think that in some way I am responsible for the quirks that you possess, but who knows. The things you insist on doing and the way certain things have to be done make me laugh.

You MUST be tucked in a certain way in your crib every night. Daddy usually puts you in and you have to then put your knees up while lying on your back; Daddy then gives you your giraffe friends (Argyle and Genevieve) and you tuck one under each arm (after Daddy puts the wrong one under each arm and you yell “HEY!” and switch them back), your taggie blankie must be laid out on top of you after Henrietta is placed on your tummy. Those are the musts, oftentimes you’ll add other friends to the mix, but those are the core ones. You also insist on 2 binkies at bedtime – one to hold and one to use.

After you brush your teeth at night you have to lock and then unlock the bathroom door twice (OCD much – wonder when I should worry about these behaviors)

Every night when we get home the first thing that happens is that your shoes and socks must come off – you are SO like me in that way – Mommy would rather be barefoot than anything else.

You prefer your food to be cut up into smaller pieces that you can get with a fork and you HATE having your hands dirty (this is Daddy’s influence, and I think it’s wearing off).

The Week you Turned 3 - Day 2

2010-01-12T12:20:00.000-08:00

Day 2 of Ellery’s birthday week

Today (like all other Tuesdays and Thursdays) is a school day for you. You absolutely adore school. You go from 8:30-11:30 at the Learning Garden Preschool in Billerica. Mrs. McFeeley is your teacher and your bffs are Anya and Riley. Apparently the 3 of you are like the three musketeers.

For today’s entry on the week you turned 3 – I’m going to document you at (almost) 3:

At almost 3 years old you have definite favorites. You know what you like and what you don’t like and aren’t shy about telling us.

You love your My Little Pony toys for sure, I think those would be your favorite. You love to read and be read to and are starting to like to “read” to anyone who will listen.

Your favorite stuffed “friends” are your stuffed Mr. Tivo, Argyle the Giraffe, Genevieve the Giraffe and Henrietta the Hippo

You love Phineas and Ferb, the Backyardigans and Olivia the Pig on Television and all of the shows on the Disney Channel! You love a show called Meteor and the Mighty Monster Trucks as well!

Your favorite books are: “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, “Bear Snores On”, “Guess How Much I Love You”, “The Grouchy Ladybug”, “Llama, Llama Red Pajama”, as well as all of the “If you give” books (i.e. If you Give a Pig a Party etc.)

You like to play with play doh and color and LOVE matchbox cars and hot wheels.

You have an imagination that rivals any I’ve ever come across and are always playing “pretend” – whether you’re a fairy, or a ballerina, or having conversations with your “bee friends” or pretending you’re a ladybug – this is one of my favorite things about you.

You’re not the biggest fan of dolls, and dislike most vegetables. You love to snack and would graze all day if we let you. You like goldfish (mix ups), craisins, pretzels, raisins, crackers, and fruit snacks. Applesauce, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, pears and peaches are some of your favorites and you’re not a fan of any melons or cherries or citrus, although you’re okay with a bite or 2 of grapefruit. Daddy and I can get you to eat corn, green beans (canned only), carrots (now that we call them reindeer food), and peas occasionally. But then you LOVE foods that shock me - super hot salsa, tacos, soups etc.

You LOVE your crib and your binkies. :)

You still nap up to 3 hours a day and go down at night between 7:30 and 8:00.

We’re working on potty training and some days are better than others.

The Week You Turned 3 - Day 1

2010-01-11T05:49:00.000-08:00

Well this is it folks - the week she turns 3 - How is it possible that my baby is going to be 3??!!

I stole this idea from another scrapbooker's blog - but since I am not home with Miss Ellery all day I have to modify it.

The idea was to document EVERYTHING that happened during the week (or so) before a child’s birthday – what time they woke up, what they had for breakfast, and so on and so forth

So, I’m doing a VERSION of this, clearly mine’s going to be different.

Ellery, you turn 3 in 3 days – and are the light of our lives – although sometimes you drive us batty – you are headstrong and stubborn like, ahem, your daddy, and creative and energetic like mommy.

You burst with empathy and love for others – you’ve never met a stranger, and everyone is your friend. I hope that this is something that you carry with you for the rest of your life.

Sometimes you seem so grown up and mature, (as mature as you can be at almost 3), and fiercely independent and then other times, when you’ve hurt yourself or are feeling unsure and a little lost – you show signs of needing Mommy and Daddy’s comforting embrace, and a whisper of “it’s okay baby”.

I knew my life would change when I became a mother; I am just not sure if I knew how totally and completely it would change. Three years ago this week we were preparing for your arrival, and having NO idea that everything was going to be turned upside down!!

You, my little angel, my sweet princess, have given us so much in 3 short years. I know that you’ll continue to give those around you so much love and joy and laughter.

Happy 3rd birthday week little monkey, Mommy & Daddy love you very much.

xoxo – 01/11/10

From the Funny Ellery Files

2009-11-20T05:44:00.000-08:00

Hello faithful blog readers (ummm no one. . . echo. . echo. .echo)

I just HAD to share our funny little monkey's latest

Last night on the way home we were listening to Christmas carols (yes. . i know. . i love it. .shoot me) and Ellery determined her favorite song is. . .. .

"Fleece Nady Dog"

HAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAHA

2 other gems from last night:

I asked her. . who comes on christmas . . her answer. .."santa claus!!" "and his mother"

She's very into jokes now too. . her popsicles have riddles on them and we read them to her and she laughs hysterically. . even though she doesn't get it

so we get home and she says "mommy how does the reindeer cross the street"....the answer to her joke "PICKLES"

Pictures Pictures Pictures

2009-07-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

The pictures are all out of order and messed up LOL but i'll try to add where they're from!

we took ellery to Hampton Beach

Posing for Mommy

Over the weekend at Nanny & Nonno's pool - bathing suit #2 for the day!

Juice box like a big girl!

WHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At the playground a few weeks ago

4th of July at Nanny & Nonno's

Strawberry picking

4th of July

modeling her funky flamingo glasses from Bermuda

First ice cream truck treat

Father's Day

Ice cream truck again

At Auntie Kerrin's

Attitude!!!

Since I haven't posted in like a million years

2009-07-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

I thought I would check in with some stuff and definately some pictures!!!

We're having a fun , busy summer. Lots of swimming on the weekends, we've gone to the beach and seen friends a whole bunch :)

Ellery is pretty much a fish - she swims with floaties in the pool, deep end and all. . . we're currently working on her JUMPING in as opposed to walking in. She has to be bribed to get out. LOL so that's good. . . she's just like I was!!!

She's still doing tinkles on the potty - not telling us she has to go but sitting and going when we put her on. .at this point, I'll take it!!!

Pee Pee on the Potty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

At 9:40 this morning, Miss Ellery went tinkles on the potty!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big accomplishment in our house. . we've been fighting the potty fight for a while now. . .

I wanted to make sure that I got the date/time down!!!

YAY Ellery (hopefully this means we're on our way!!)

Some new pics to share!

2009-05-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

Summer in April

2009-04-27T06:28:00.001-07:00

It was a gorgeous weekend in Massachusetts - a little too hot for my taste. . but I shouldn't complain!

We got to take Ellery to the aquarium yesterday for the first time - it was a fabulous day. We had so much fun looking at all the fish and then after a trip to the gift shop (Daddy is a sucker for Miss Ellery LOL) we headed to Quincy Market to have lunch and walk around.

I didn't want to come home!!!!

(I noticed when uploading these I'm missing quite a few - I'll have another post with more shots!)

Ahhhh the Terrible 2s

2009-04-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

We're in the throes of the terrible 2's at our house - anyone want a child?? she's pretty cute!!! (see below)

I don't know what's going on but I would LOVE to know where my sweet little princess went. I see glimpses of her but there's a lot of time outs and redirecting and unpleasantness. UGH

She still is such a trooper though - she's has her entire routine and schedule turned upside down with my mom being unable to care for her - and she's still smiling!!! She loves taking the train with Daddy and she loves playing with the other kids at daycare :) Thank goodness!! That makes the rest of it much easier to take!!!

Her newest thing is "it's nice to meet you ________", complete with handshakes. LOL The other day it was "it's so nice to meet you mommy". Silly girl!!! And she must be introducing herself to people because the other day I caught her saying "hi, me ellery"

OH! and I'm not sure where she learned it but she can sing "Rockabye Baby" now. when she hurts herself or wants to cuddle she'll come over and ask for it to be sung to her, rest her head on my shoulder and just hang out. I secretly love it :)

I did get her on video singing it too. . I'll have to have John upload it so I can post it here :)

Today's the day

2009-03-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

Ellery headed off to daycare with Daddy for the first time this morning!!! We were so worried how she would do. . . . she's never been in a formal daycare setting before and I was SURE there would be tears or SOMETHING.

I have been proven wrong. John called me this morning after drop off to report it went fabulously - she could have cared LOL.

She's unbelievably adaptable. In fact John called at lunch and the person he spoke with told him that she's had a great day - they were SO impressed by her vocabulary and her ability to verbalize her wants/needs (HA!!!). She's been playing and doing crafts (apparently there was flower pot painting today!!) and she made a new little boy friend - Alan. The teachers were sure she'd been in some kind of formalized daycare setting and were just so impressed with how well she acclimated to the environment.

Clearly Mommy and Daddy are the ones with change issues. Not the 2 year old.

So - here we are again!

2009-03-09T05:53:00.000-07:00

I've heard some grumbling about the old blog not being updated - well. . for all you rabid Ellery fans. .here we go :)

I was such a good blogger when she was smaller. . . mostly because she was more interesting to others :) I mean, how many times can a Mommy say how cute and smart their child is??! hehehee

anyway - Miss Ellery is BOTH of those things - cute and smart :) and has some big changes coming up - the biggest is her foray into daycare. My mom (her primary caregiver while Mommy and Daddy work hard for the money) is having another pretty big surgery. The last time it was SO much easier. . in the sense that I didn't have a baby LOL. Anyway - we've arranged for Ellery to attend back up daycare across the street from Daddy's office. I'm not thrilled, it's CERTAINLY not ideal - but I"m looking on the positive side - she LOVES other kids . . and now she'll get some exposure to the setting before she goes to preschool in the fall.

Yep. .that's right.. PRESCHOOL!!!! OHMIGOD. my baby's going to school. HOW is that possible.

whew. She'll be going 2 days/week from 8:30-11:30 at the Tiny Tikes Preschool down the street from my parents house. I think it'll be good for her :) and my parents :)

Also we're starting gymnastics on Saturday mornings . ..that starts in April. Busy busy busy.

She's SO smart. . I know. . I know. . . . every parent thinks that their kid is smart - but seriously. . she is :)

I think it just takes me by surprise sometimes. She knows SO much - she was watching the birdies out the window this weekend and I said "Ellery what do birds say" (i knew she knows this one) "tweet tweet" was the response....I said "what do birdies do" "fly. . fly fly. . . " and then "where do birdies live" and she said "nests". I almost fell over -how the HECK does she know that birds live in nests??!!

:)

OH! She also knows her name - when you ask her name she says "Ellery Rose Palmer" :) hehe

Recent pics:

Walk down Memory lane in pictures

2009-01-14T04:29:00.000-08:00

These are all out of order, but I'm sure you get the point.

My baby is 2 today!!!!

2009-01-14T04:19:00.000-08:00

At this exact time 2 years ago (7:19 a.m.) I was 59 minutes away from giving birth to our beautiful, precious baby girl.

I knew my life was going to be forever different, I just had no idea HOW different it truly would be.

Ellery is the light of our lives, and it's hard to believe that 2 years have gone by. In many ways it seems like she's been here forever, much longer than 2 years. And in many ways, it seems all too short.

Mommy seems to be having a really tough time with 2 for some reason. Possibly because in the last 2 weeks (seemingly overnight actually) she's gone from being a baby to really being a little girl. She's speaking in (relatively) full sentences and definately has a mind of her own. Of course, I'm thrilled that she's so bright and happy and full of life, but part of me is in mourning for my baby. :(

We have our 2 year well check at the pediatrician tomorrow afternoon - so I'll be sure to record her stats after that. I know she's . . well. . . substantial LOL

I'm going to do a walk down memory lane via picture post next. . .but I wanted to get some of my thoughts down.

YAY!!!! We have Pee pee in the potty (where it belongs)

2009-01-08T06:06:00.000-08:00

YAY!!! Last night before her tubby I put Ellery on the potty and told her she couldn't go in the tub until she went pee pee. (yes.. i'm not above bribery)

I'm so excited!!!!!

And as a side note, my baby is going to be 2 on Wednesday. I just cannot believe it. :(

I'll surely be updating with our Christmas pictures and all later. It's been crazy busy around here!!!

Busy busy busy. . .

2008-12-15T08:50:00.001-08:00

Story of my life it seems. Anyway, time is just whipping right by me - Ellery was 23 months old yesterday :(

I'm not quite ready to call my little princess baby a 2 year old yet. It seems so OLD.

She is talking like you wouldn't believe - well - if you know me you MIGHT believe it!!! She knows ALL 26 letters of the alphabet by site (has trouble with a few of them!!! LOL), knows many colors (blue, green, red, pink, yellow, purple), knows shapes (circle, square, heart). I know. . I know. . I'm bragging - but I can't help it. . honestly!!!! LOL

As she starts talking in complete sentences more often than not John and I are laughing. She is SO funny. . unintentionally of course :) This weekend she was struggling to sit up on the couch and John and I helped her. . .little miss Ellery then says "Thank you guys". LOL where did THAT come from??!! :)

She's OBSESSED with the Grinch. One of my favorite Christmas specials is 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'. I decided to see if she'd like it. . .I was worried the Grinch might scare her. NOPE. We watch it every.single. night. and when the picture of the cat in the hat that starts it shows on the screen I swear it's like Christmas morning. . her face just LIGHTS up with such joy. How can I deny my munchkin "Mo Grinch" (ellery-ease for more grinch) LOL.

Anyway - I'll update tomorrow with TONS of pics. . we've had a lot going on as I know everyone has :)

It's the busiest time of the year. . I swear!

2008-11-25T06:56:00.000-08:00

Is that really an excuse to not document my child's life??!!

probably not. . but I'm taking any opportunity I can to make up an excuse.

SO - what's going on in the wild, wonderful world of Ellery? Not much. . same old same old :)

The little princess continues on her quest to become the most precocious child around! Her vocabulary is OUT OF CONTROL - I actually can't keep track anymore of her new words and stuff she says. . . . . I know this week she's come up with some new ones, including shovel, Abby (Abby Caddaby from Sesame Street), okay, yeah, etc etc etc. She continues to prefer the use of the word RIGHT (said very emphatically) as opposed to "yes". She loves her letters and (mommy brag ahead) knows all 26 letters by sight - she sometimes confuses B and D. . but hey. . they look alike in lowercase form :)

She knows all her body parts (including elbow and back. . which seem odd LOL), and she knows quite the repertoire of animal noises. .. including monkey, horse, etc. Although if you ask her what frogs and bunnies do "Hop, hop, hop" is the reply. . . which actions of course!!!

She is truly the light of our lives and we're so thankful for her everyday. Even the ones when she's testing us and trying our patience.

Some recent pics:

Major weekend picture overload :)

2008-11-10T10:48:00.000-08:00

We had a great and busy weekend!!!! Saturday we had Ellery's Christmas pictures taken at Sears, did a quick outfit change *yep. . i'm crazy* and went and sat with Santa. I know. . . i know. . it's not even Thanksgiving yet. . but I have this thing about lines .. .I dislike them! And I dislike even more standing in said line with my wiggly, impatient 22 month old! Thus, we saw the big guy.

Yesterday we just hung around for a lot of the day then we had a Chuck E Cheese birthday party to go to . I was NOT looking forward to it. .but Ellery had an UNBELIEVABLE time - so it was all worth it :)

Now I'm about to upload a TON of pictures - I am FULLY aware they'll upload all crazy b/c blogger is like that - thus. . ..I apologize in advance :) I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's what :)

Happy Haunting!!!

2008-11-03T05:09:00.000-08:00

We had a great Halloween adventure on Friday!!! Ellery was VERY excited to get out and trick or treat. I didn't want us to be the first ones out, so we waited at Nanny and Nonno's until the first people came to their door. However, Ellery pitched a FIT when she couldn't run right out the door with them. So off we went!!! My parents neighbors always get the biggest kick out of her - they have all known me since I was 2 - so it's fun to take my little monkey around to see everyone.

Once we put on the ladybug costume she kept saying "Fly. . fly . . fly" and flapping her "wings". . . SO CUTE!!!!

She was SO polite - said "TREAT" each time and then "thank you!" in her cute little Ellery way :) It was a gorgeous night as well so it was fun to be out and about. As always Ellery is in LOVE with other kids and got the biggest kick out of seeing them!

This was before we made the ladybug transformation!
all set to go. . .mommy. . stop taking pictures!!!

ugh. . if i let you take another one THEN can we go??

inside my neighbor's house :)

waiting semi-patiently for someone to come to the door

TREAT??!!

trying to get IN my parents neighbor's house LOL

CHEESE!!!

hello??? is anyone home??

i think she was trying to take several pieces!!! this was the house that called her a BOY. . . whatever LOL

The Pumpkin Patch (or UMPKIN as Miss Ellery says)

2008-10-14T04:48:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we decided to head up to Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury for our yearly jaunt. This is Ellery's third trip - although John says one doesn't count because it was in utero LOL. I disagree!

It was a perfect fall day and Ellery had a great time checking out all the pumpkins, "talking" to other kids and eating donuts....really who could ask for a better day??!!

The one downer was that the person we asked to take a picture of the 3 of us clearly didn't know how to operate a digital camera. . as there was no picture when we got home. bummer.

My Baby girl is 21 months old today

2008-10-14T04:39:00.000-07:00

Inching closer and closer to 2 :(

I know. . I know. . I say it every single month - but I still can't believe it!!!!

I have lots and lots of pictures to share from our weekend etc. so I will do that in another post :)

Anyway - Ellery's vocabulary is out of control - I definately have to get some of her words on video because I love the way she says some of them :) like PUMPKIN - that's my new favorite. . it's pretty much "umpkin" lol

She's such a little lovebug too - she loves to cuddle and give kisses and "loves" (on her terms of course - wonder where she gets that.. . DADDY LOL)

Her new thing this past weekend was waking up and YELLING "mommy mommy mommy mommy"

good times. :)

Yeah - I'm bad at this :)

2008-10-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

I forget to update .. . LOL

I know. . i'm bad

anyway - not a ton going on. the usual stuff. . . . Ellery's vocabulary continues to grow at a rate that just astounds me LOL

She's got a little cold which John brought home for us (thanks Daddy) . . . mostly just a stuffy/runny nose. . not stopping her too much LOL

She LOVES her little people soo much - especially the animals. . she LOVES lining them all up (see photo) and having them look out the window and walk around the big window sill in our place!

she walks up and down the stairs (mostly) like a big girl now (also see picture) which scares me :( and makes me a little sad :(

my mom got a new kitten so Ellery is over the moon in LOVE. .

we went to the Children's Museum 2 weeks ago - which was fun. . but overwhelming for Ellery I think. ..

This weekend I think we're going to visit the Pumpkin Patch also - so look for those pics:)

anyway - I wanted to post mostly to put some updated pics on here :)

so here you go!!

20 Months Old!

2008-09-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Ellery was 20 months old yesterday - I'm not sure exactly when my little princess went from being a baby to a little girl. . but it happened..... :( It makes me so sad. LOL

Anyway - let's see. . at 20 months:

She goes to bed between 7 and 7:30.. .
We wake her in the morning to go to my parents at about 6:15/6:30
Eating well - will try pretty much anything and is getting SO much better with the veggies (we're not only eating canned green beans now LOL)

her word list:
mommy (mama, mom etc.)
daddy
kitty
book
ball
it's
a (the combination of it's a book or it's a ball comes often)
puppy
nana/nanny
hi
bye
bye bye
1, 2, 3
cold (she says it's too cold a lot. . not sure why)
oh no (said very tragically LOL)
uh oh
wow
in
up
cheese
please
thank you

i KNOW she says more than that. . it's just so hard to remember them all LOL LOL

she knows where all of the following are:
head
ears
eyes
nose
teeth
tongue
back
fingers
toes
knee
elbow

knows some animal sounds:
meow (OWWWWWWWWW)
moo (OOOOOOOOOOO)
quack (ack ack ack)
sheep (baa baa)

she's so funny - i love to hear her talk and do all her animal noises etc. . but i'll ask her to do things and occasionally she'll look at me like "lady. . . . give it a rest - i'm not a trained monkey" ROFL ROFL

anyway - here are some recent pics - the ones with the piggie tails are from yesterday (20 months)

We hit the beach today!!!

2008-09-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

Ellery's never been to the beach - so John and I decided that we'd take her today!!!! We always go up to Hampton Beach!

We have a whole bunch of traditions in regards to the beach and I'm VERY particular about everything LOL:

We leave the house by 9am - CHECK (well . . 9:15)
We have an indepth discussion about which exit off the highway to take and normally choose the wrong one - CHECK
We park in the SAME parking lot - off the street that's the first left after McDonald's - CHECK
We have the same lunch - Yummy Sabo's subs - CHECK
We end the afternoon with Blink's Fried Doe (spelled wrong ROFL) and Lemonade - CHECK

SO - this was Ellery's first trip - I expected her to be somewhat timid with the ocean. .. but boy was I wrong. She marched right in like she was walking into a teeny tiny puddle!!!! lol that baby has NO fear. We had a great time. . the waves were HUGE and John had Ellery out with him jumping the waves (in his arms) - I was being ABUSED by the waves over and over. .LOL but i loved it!!!

Ellery wasn't quite sure what to make of the saltwater taste ROFL and she definately did not like that weird feeling of the sand rushing out from under your feet as the waves go back out....I happen to very much dislike that as well LOL LOL

All in all it was a fabulously fun family day at Hampton :)

A Pox Upon Our House!!!

2008-08-29T04:31:00.000-07:00

Sounds good - very . . Shakespeare. Anyway - we (by we I mean Ellery) have the pox (by pox I mean the chicken variety).

How on EARTH the child got chicken pox is beyond me. Dr. C said they're either chicken pox or some kind of virus - if she got more then they're probably pox. Well. . . she got more between Wednesday (when she saw Dr. C) and yesterday. SO. . the pox it is.

Now of course I have mommy guilt coursing fast and furious through me. You see, John and I chose (with ME as the driving force of course) for Ellery NOT to receive the chicken pox vaccination. It didn't make sense to me to give her a vaccine for something like chicken pox when she was getting SO much other stuff injected in her (at her 12 or 15 month appointment. . can't remember which). PLUS it needs to be boostered at LEAST once and many kids who've had the shot get the pox anyway - AT any rate - John and I decided that if she didn't somehow contract them before going to school she could get it then. Well. . . guess I got what I wanted LOL.

Clearly I don't like her being sick - but I am kind of glad she's got it LOL Especially since it's not slowing her down or bothering her in the least!

She seems to have a very mild case - she only has about 8-10 spots . . .

anyone want to come over for a playdate?

hehe

Our day at the farm!

2008-08-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to Parlee Farms with Laura, Eamonn and Michael! It was a beautiful day and we had a great time!!

We got there at 10am which turned out to be good - less crowded and it was getting really HOT by the time we left.

Ellery and Michael had a lot of fun checking out the animals at Annie's Animal Barns - they had goats, chickens, bunnies and sheep to look at, touch and feed. Ellery got VERY into it (as the pictures will show!!!)

After that we took a walk over to their pick your own flower fields - which was VERY neat (we'd never been to Parlee but Laura has!). We got a bucket and shears and got to make our own bouquets. I got a beautiful bunch of Zinnias for like $4.00!!! Can't beat that!

Once we were done with that we went into the farm store and bought some blueberries and kettle corn. . YUM!!!!

Next year I think we'll have to pick our own blueberries - I think Ellery will get a kick out of that.

I can't wait to go back in the fall for apples, pumpkins etc.!!!

Here are the pics!

Body part-a-palooza (and my 200th post)

2008-08-14T16:54:00.000-07:00

After I had Ellery a wonderful friend sent us a selection of Karen Katz books. If you've never heard of her (like me) you HAVE to check her out. Anyway - Ellery LOVES them. Her current favorite is Toes, Ears, and Nose. It has all kinds of flaps that cover body parts.

ANYWAY - it goes something like this "Inside my gloves i have.." (lift the flap) FINGERS"

SO the other day we were reading and I noticed Ellery was touching the appropriate parts when it said....I thought it was a fluke.....so I "quizzed" her.

Well she now knows where her:

ears
eyes
mouth
tummy
back
toes
nose
teeth
tongue

are!!

she does have a problem with the last 2 - she just opens her mouth ROFL

she also said "oh no" today for the first time and yesterday busted out with "it's a book"

And it's Monday again!!!

2008-08-11T07:50:00.000-07:00

HOW does that happen??! I mean seriously - LOL

Anyway - wanted to post a quick little update with some Ellery info and new pics (of course)

Ellery's Words to date:

hi
bye
Mom (mommy, mamma etc)
Daddy
Nana
kitty
book
me
okay
uh oh
ummmm
wow
cheese
yeah
no (!!!!)ball
potty

she's also stringing words together. . .I adore the way she says "ball" it's so cute. . so I find them in books and point and say "what's that" yesterday I did it and she said "it's a ball"

:)

not sure if she's in the midst of a growth spurt (lord above ROFL) because she's sleeping an awful lot. . . we shall see i guess.

here are some recent pics:

First Phrase

2008-07-29T05:55:00.000-07:00

Ellery said her first phrase this morning! The phrase she chose to use to break her self-imposed silence???

"bye bye peepee".

lovely.

I take her in the bathroom with me sometimes and when I do I make a big production of flushing the toilet and waving bye bye to the pee pee - I figure it might help down the road with potty training.

So this morning she was in there with my mom and said it. . ."bye bye peepee"

:)

AND today was the first time she actually talked on the phone with me :) SO cute!!!

Weekly Update

2008-07-28T04:53:00.000-07:00

Yes - I'm trying to be better - only because I think I am going to start forgetting stuff so I want to get it all recorded.

Our sweet little monkey had a great week that started out kinda icky. Last Monday on the way to my parents she threw up a little - John thought she had gagged herself with her fingers - but she threw up 2 more times at my parents. After a 3 hour nap she woke up and apparently was cured. So strange!

All 4 of her eye teeth (I think those are them. . the pointy ones) are coming in - UGH - poor baby - for some reason these teeth have been even harder for her than her molars - which makes NO sense to me at all because they're pointy and the molars are flat. Once these 4 come in we'll be done with teething until her 2 year molars come in.

We've started (at John's suggestion) showing Ellery how to clean up her toys. Normally I would just pick them all up after she went to bed, but John said the other day that he feels like she's old enough to do it herself and we should teach her (turns out he's right - shhhhh don't tell him I said that). Obviously she doesn't understand "Ellery pick up your toys" but if we get down on the floor and "help" her she does a pretty great job (before she loses interest of course LOL).

Her talking is picking up too. .. . this weekend I heard "cheese" which is a new one for us! I should be keeping better track .. . but here's at least a partial list:

hi (hieee)
bye (byeie)
kitty
book
me
okay
cheese (apparently)
yeah
no (likes this one a LOT)
ball (balloons AND balls are the same you know :) )

so that's pretty much it from us. . . 2 weeks ago we had some AMAZING pictures taken in the Boston Public Garden and i'm hoping I'll have the online gallery to share here soon :)

18 months old!!!

2008-07-17T05:35:00.000-07:00

On Monday Ellery had her 18 month "birthday". I cannot believe it. I feel like she was just born and put in my arms yesterday - a helpless squalling little pterodactyl (did I spell that right?). Now she's this beautiful, funny, smart, AMAZING little girl. (insert sniffles here)

Let's see. . we went to the pediatrician on Monday. My not-so-little girl is 28lbs 2oz and 33 inches tall - in the 90s for both percentile wise. YIKES! I asked Dr. Stephens if it was a concern and she said if she wasn't proportional (i.e. she was in the 90th for weight but the 20th for height or something THEN they would worry - but she's fine).

I asked about her talking - Dr. Stephens said they like to hear at least 6 words. . so we're good there too. . . Ellery "talked" through the entire appointment and Dr. Stephens said that I shouldn't be worried - all the words are in there. . they just haven't come out yet ;)

She still has the patches of eczema on her legs and NOTHING is helping them - so Dr. Stephens said we should just leave them alone and she'll probably grow out of them - they don't bother her so it's not necessary to see a dermatologist or anything.

All in all it was a great appointment. Ellery got her MMR finally and her last Dtap shot - first time she's had shots in her arms not her legs . . poor monkey cried and cried and cried.. :(

We also took the bumpers out of her crib - she was starting to step on them and I didn't want them ruined - her crib looks so empty :(

Anyway - here are some random pics :

Fourth of July - overdue of course

2008-07-17T05:11:00.001-07:00

We had a pretty good Fourth of July - the weather here in MA was kind of touch and go - in the morning it was cool and rainy. ..

There's a Fourth of July tradition in my family started (by accident) by my dad when I was small. He used to take me to the parade in Chelmsford every fourth of july. He mentioned that he'd like to take Ellery. . and then mentioned that John should come also - it used to be a Daddy/daughter thing - now it would be a Daddy/daughter/Nonno thing. Makes me smile just to think of it.

So - we dressed Ellery up in the shirt Nonno brought her home from Washington, jeans, socks, sneakers and a jacket and off they went. Ellery had a great time except when the muskets were shot (several times. . right in front of her). She made friends with a doggie that was at the parade as well.

By the time they got home from the parade the weather was clear and warming up. We were off to Kristen and Kirk's for the bbq. Ellery wanted in the pool immediately and that's where she spent the majority of the day!!!! She had a blast!!! We weren't even in the car for a minute and she was passed out asleep in the backseat LOL.

I'm sure the pictures will upload in a strange order. . so here you go!

Updates all around!

2008-07-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

So - Ellery's almost 18 months old and is starting to do so much more!

she's newly obsessed with Mr. PotatoHead (Auntie Kerrin brought her home one from Disney and Auntie Michelle and Uncle Shawn (LOL) brought her more parts recently)

She loves to pretend. .. mostly pushing her little people plane around making "bbbbrrrr" noises (think engine LOL)

Last night (07/01/2008) she counted to 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I almost fell over. We were in the kitchen cleaning up from dinner . . she was in her highchair - I broke a banana into a few pieces and she didn't want it so she was handing it back to John and all of a sudden "Oooooooooneeee, twoooooooooooooooooo, threeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" (think very drawn out and not sounding exactly like the numbers LOL)

I heard her but didn't say anything, lest john think i was crazy. . then he looks at me, eyes as big as saucers "um, she just counted to 3"

ROFL

:)

A weekend update

2008-06-16T05:04:00.000-07:00

Let's see what has been going on at Casa Palmer . . .

Ellery spent the weekend with Papa and Mimi (John's parents). We all (my parents etc) had an out of town wedding to attend so Papa and Mimi volunteered for Ellery duty :). They all had a great time - we dropped her off at the baseball field for Liam's game and they had a party to go to that day also - Ellery had a blast :)

Yesterday before we picked her up she got to see all her aunts and uncles and cousins (including her newest cousins Bryanna and Jayden - Jeff and Michelle's little twin angels) so that was good :).

She was pretty out of sorts yesterday though - I think that she just didn't quite "get" what was going on all weekend LOL - Mommy and Daddy were away, she was not sleeping in either of her cribs, etc.

OH! and i'm not sure if i mentioned this already but her new "thing" is SCREAMING bloody murder while i wash and rinse the shampoo out of her hair. Good times. Hopefully this is a quick phase because she seriously screams hysterically.

Yesterday, of course, was Father's Day - unfortunately we spent most of it in the car traveling back from the wedding, picking Ellery up etc. I felt badly that John didn't exactly have "fun" but I guess it can't be helped!!!

Here are the pics from the weekend - the ones of her in the dress were taken Saturday - her 17 month "birthday" (sniffle)

Enjoy!!!

Pics, Pics and MORE pics

2008-06-05T16:40:00.000-07:00

Another long overdue update post

2008-06-05T16:33:00.000-07:00

I swear I'll be a better blogger!!! (yeah right.)

Anyway - Ellery will be 17 months old next week and is such a delight (most of the time - LOL)

our troubles of late are mostly her "testing" - knowing she's doing something that's a "no no" and doing it anyway - while looking at us like "i know i'm not supposed to be doing this. . but . .i'm going to anyway so THERE". We're also dealing with some biting and hitting - which i'm NOT loving and i haven't figured out A. where she "learned" it and B. how to effectively stop it. SO - those are the current battles we're waging.

We have been having SUCH fun now that the weather is warm - Ellery just LOVES blowing bubbles and with her SUPER huge wand that Nanny bought her she can wave it around and do it all by herself :)

Over Memorial Day weekend we played outside a ton and also got to go to the zoo with Tabitha, Tom and Max - that was so fun! The kids had a great time looking at all the animals.

Ellery is still over the moon in love with Belle - and I *think* after 17 months Belle just might be getting used to the "newcomer" **eyeroll**

The little monkey's vocabulary is expanding too. . she says a bunch of stuff but nothing really regularly except a few.

She has said:

Mama (and variations - Mom etc)
Dada
Nana
Belle
kitty
pretty
book
key
tivo (!!!)
monkey
hi
okay
uh oh

she's also said "things" - the other day i KNOW she said "what are you doing" while john was at the computer - obviously it wasn't as clear as if you or I had said it. . but you could just TELL that's what she meant :)

She's also able to use a spoon correctly and we're working on a fork - she feeds herself oatmeal, applesauce and yogurt with the spoon - pretty neatly too!!!

I'm going to do a separate picture post because I have a TON

a better update - and funny baby!!!

2008-05-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

So - maybe now I'll actually have a second to update -

Ellery's doing well after last week's horrific bout with some kind of virus. LAST Wednesday afternoon my mom called me to tell me that she was throwing up. . long story short she had some sort of virus - couldn't keep a thing down. . . was so sad and listless and had a fever of about 101.5. Sunday she was doing better but not 100% and now she's back to her old self. . thank goodness!!!

It made me realize what an amazingly good natured child she normally is!!!

Let's see what else - she finds everything FUNNY these days. . she's always chuckling and laughing at random things.

LOVES commercials - especially for (and this is ODD) medicine and Toyotas ROFL - strange.

My mom actually just called to tell me the FUNNIEST story about Ellery and I wanted to share it here :)

my mom was folding laundry and ellery put it all nice and neat in the basket

then my mom said. . .go put your bibs away in your room

so ellery gets this push toy (it's like a mail thing with envelopes and slots) and opens the little door on the bottom, puts her bibs in. . and off she goes

granted she went to the kitchen. . not her room

but still ROFL

Long overdue update

2008-05-13T18:28:00.000-07:00

okay i typed out a long post and uploaded pics and blogger ate it. . so. . ill just leave you with new pics instead :(

and sat 05/10 was piggie day at our house :) it only took almost 16 months to get enough hair for little antennae :)

15 month appointment UPDATE

2008-04-17T16:04:00.000-07:00

We had Ellery's 15 month well baby check this afternoon. Dr. S is really thrilled with Ellery - she said that she likes to see babies have about 4 words by now. . Ellery has double that and then some ;)

she's also already strung 2 words together. . .every morning she says "hi nana" to my mom and yesterday we heard her say "hi daddy" to John.

She's 25lbs 8oz and 32-something inches long!!! That's the 85th percentile for weight and the 96th for height/length - not really sure where those tall genes are coming from!!!

Dr. S said that she has great muscle tone and straight legs for a toddler and was pretty impressed with how well Ellery walked for her. . she said that not all toddlers can "pivot" as well as she can being a new walker and all. She said "how long has she been walking this well" John and I kinda looked at each other and said. . . .umm almost since she started walking. . . We had a week or two of the unsteady gait but then it was all systems go!! she also said that Ellery has very impressive fine motor skills for her age :)

All in all it was a good visit - we chatted about Ellery receiving the MMR shot - we're pushing it to 18months and I still haven't decided if she'll have it then. . we might wait till 2. She addressed my concern about Ellery's hips and her "toe in" (she has a slight turn in when she stands sometimes - i had to wear corrective shoes as a child so I wanted to ask about it). She said they wouldn't even consider orthopedics till she was about 3 IF it was a real problem at all.

We had to go upstairs to the lab for a blood draw - Ellery was SO brave and didn't cry at all - until they were putting the band aid on - delayed reaction!!! :)

I'll edit later with a pic from today :)

ETA: here's the promised pic from today:

15 month update!!!

2008-04-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

How is it possible (i know. . i say it every month) that she's already 15 months old??!!

The time is just FLYING by!!!! We have a well baby check on Thursday so I don't know her current stats but here's the list that they post on my babycenter board so I'll use that as a means of updating:

Babys Name: Ellery Rose

Baby's DOB: 1/14/2007

Birth Weight/length: 7lbs 2oz 20 inches

Current weight/length: not sure will know on Thursday

Current weight/length percentiles (if known):

Head Circumference:

Size clothes: mostly 12-18

Size and brand of diapers: Huggies size 4

Transitioned to cows milk (or other)? Yup - 100% on milk

Drinking bottles? no more

Drinking from sippy cups? all day

Any food allergies? none that we know of

Health problems or concerns? nothing

Sleeping through the night? of course ;)

Walking? Yup - since about 13 months - now she's trying to RUN

How many words? she doesn't have a ton of "words" but she babbles a lot - most people wouldn't understand a lot of what she says but she does say: hi, nana, (also together - hi nana), kitty, belle (or some variation of). .probably more

How many teeth? 8 - working on her molars now

Using a pacifier? nap and bedtime only

Using a spoon/fork? she knows how to use a spoon.

Temper Tantrums? occasionally :)

Enjoys books? more like obsessed with them. .loves to "read" to herself or be read to

Can roll a ball, scribble with a crayon, or any other "milestones" or comments? rolls and kicks a ball, scribbles with crayons (we got our first ones over the weekend), knows where her tummy, nose, head and ears are :)

It's always a learning experience (an update :) )

2008-04-09T06:18:00.000-07:00

This whole motherhood thing is ALWAYS a learning experience - LOL just when I think I've got it figured out and we're good. . BAM!!! Some wrench is thrown in the works. With Ellery teething and TRYING to get those molars to come through we've had a lot of ups and downs. . .she's crabby, running a fever, she refuses dinner etc. The latest "down" is her afternoon nap.

She doesn't want to take one. While I know some babies give up the 2 nap cycle after they're a year old. . but quite frankly, she needs it. She's exhausted and by the time we get home she's crabby as all heck. argh

Let's see what else is going on. . . she's pointing a ton more and saying "what's that" (well . .that's what I *think* she's saying :) )

She did the coolest thing the other day. . she was wearing a shirt with a big cupcake on it and I said "show mommy the cupcake" and the pointed right to it!!!!

Last night I said "where's Ellery's tummy?" and she pointed again (lower this time)!!!!

it's SOOO cute :) :) :)

she's learning SO much so fast.....!!!

Park Picture overload!!!

2008-03-25T05:15:00.000-07:00

John, Ellery and I went to the park again yesterday. John got some great shots that I wanted to share!!!

And just like that. ..

2008-03-25T05:11:00.000-07:00

no more bottles for Baby Ellery :(

She's been pretty much exclusively on the cup for a while now. . .except for her dinner time milk - Mommy was selfishly holding on to that last bottle - Ellery is always so GO GO GO GO that I don't really get a lot of cuddles from her. She's independent and strong willed . . which is WONDERFUL - but I treasured that 15 or so minutes that she'd lay in my arms and drink her bottle.

SO - I've been resisting giving it up - it is definately NOT her. . it's me - lol. Saturday night we went out to dinner with Tabitha, Tom and Max and we got home right around bedtime - and she had milk out of a cup at dinner. Then on Sunday we were out and about and were at my in laws until right about her bedtime. She had her milk in her cup.

Yesterday I said to John - I don't see the point in giving her the bottle anymore - she's not looking for it. . she's drinking from the cup fine. . . I have to not be selfish about this.

So. . just like that. . . buh bye bottles. She had her last bottle on Friday night, March 21, 2008

Happy Easter!!!

2008-03-23T17:35:00.000-07:00

We had a great day today!! Ellery checked out all the goodies the bunny left her this morning!! She loved her special little people set, and flap book, elmo book, bubble tumbler and new binkies!!

Then it was off to the clubhouse at my Aunt's condo community for Easter with my family! Ellery had a great time playing with her big cousins - and they're SO good with her. . they're all so patient and play with her. We had an egg hunt for the kids as well and thanks to Auntie Kristen Ellery had some age appropriate (i.e. NOT candy) gifts to hunt for. . a ball, a book, bubbles, a bunny and some bath toys (all Bs :) ). Ellery wasn't so much into the "hunting" . . . also please note in the picture below Ellery is trying to steal eggs out of Briana's basket. .lol

Ellery was spoiled by the bunny that hopped by Nanny and Nonno's house :) lots of clothes and books and a little people toy :)

Then it was off to Papa and Mimi's for dessert and another basket. .. this time it was a sand bucket and shovel and there was a little people egg - notice a theme. .and some candy :)

it was a great (but exhausting) day.

Ellery's new chair

2008-03-20T17:16:00.000-07:00

Updates - 14 months

2008-03-17T05:12:00.001-07:00

I can hardly believe that my little monkey is 14 months old now!!!!! But she is - or she was on Friday at any rate!!!

SO - updates:

Weight/Length - not sure on this one - we have our 15 month appointment next month

Sleeping - still taking 2 naps in the daytime and going to bed at 7pm and sleeping through the night :)

Eating - Drinks her milk out of her cup at breakfast and lunch - still gets a bottle at dinner time (Mommy's reluctant to give it up yet). She doesn't get a lot of milk throughout the day in the sippy so I try to get a good amount in her via the bottle at night. Anyway - that will probably be going away soon too. As far as eating foods goes - she's a champ - loves pretty much everything she's tried - had shrimp for the first time over the weekend and loved it!!!!

Talking - still "talking" up a storm - loves to chat with Belle - most likely because Belle doesn't talk back LOL. Actual words include, "Mama", "Dada", "Kitty", some form of "Belle" (i think), "Nana", "hi", "duck" and I think that's it

Still LOVES her books - will bring them over one by one for you to read. Her favorite still seems to be goodnight moon or her little Sesame street ones. . but she pretty much loves them all!

Here's a cute pic:

First Trip to the Park!!!

2008-03-17T05:07:00.000-07:00

We took Ellery for her first trip to the park on Sunday (03/16/2008). It was VERY windy and kind of cold but it was great to get out (cabin fever anyone??!!) and Ellery really enjoyed the swing and the slide.

Fashion Show!!!

2008-03-17T05:04:00.000-07:00

Ellery and Mommy spent one night last week trying on all her summer dresses. She was a VERY cooperative model!!!

New Pictures!!!

2008-03-13T04:50:00.000-07:00

Once again - Mommy's a bad blogger

2008-03-10T17:23:00.000-07:00

SOMEONE (who apparently reads but doesn't comment) pointed out that it's been a while since I've updated the blog.

SO - here I am :)

We've had a major medical crisis with my mom ongoing so I haven't been as good about updating as I should.

ANYway - Ellery's now almost 14 months old and is just an absolute utter joy. She's SO happy all the time (or most of the time!)

she does have a stubborn streak and quite the temper (um hello Daddy LOL).

It's pretty much been the same old same old here. . . although she is pretty much walking everywhere now - she hardly crawls at all . . and tonight she pretty much RAN across the living room.

She looks less and less like a baby everyday and more like a little girl - which kind of breaks mommy's heart a little. . .

Ellery seems to be adjusting to the springing ahead that daylight savings time brought. . if only Mommy was doing so well. I DO have new pictures to post but I'll have to do that tomorrow :)

Pictures!!!

2008-02-19T04:56:00.000-08:00

Yes. . I'm a horrible mommy - it's been a long while since my last update but before I do that I wanted to share pictures from Valentine's Day - Mommy gave Ellery a cupcake LOL

and I mean, who DOESN'T love cupcakes??!!

And she's off!!!

2008-02-05T06:20:00.000-08:00

As of yesterday Ellery is officially walking!!! She took a few steps right before Christmas but then decided it was too much work apparently.

Yesterday when I got to my mom's after work she said that Ellery had been really walking for part of the day!!

YAY!! she's finally got it :) :)

and she's mastered the stairs at my parent's as well!

Poor Ellery :(

2008-02-04T04:33:00.000-08:00

On Thursday morning when John called me after dropping Miss Ellery off he said that she was coughing a little . . we figured it was due to the extra saliva from teething (she's getting her molars).

Friday morning she woke up screaming at about 12:30 - she did settle back down to sleep but still - that's NOT like her. Friday she was a little fussy and then by Saturday morning it was like someone turned the faucet on her nose. . .her nose was running EVERYWHERE. She was still coughing occasionally - but nothing too bad

Saturday night she slept okay but coughed on and off through the night. When we got up on Sunday morning she was coughing really badly and was crying when she coughed and her chest sounded all rattly :(

We took her into the pediatrician yesterday (thank the lord for Sunday sick visits at our Ped's office!) and Dr. A said she had bronchitis :(

poor little baby girl. So she's on Amoxicillin for 10 days and hopefully that will clear everything up. I feel so badly for her - although you would hardly know she's sick. . she's still laughing, happy as ever - and playing like usual!! :)

Ellery's 12 month appointment

2008-01-17T16:53:00.000-08:00

Ellery had her 12 month appointment today.

She weighs 22lbs 12oz and is 31.1 inches long. Which puts her in the 77th percentile for her weight and the 96.62 percentile for her length. . .not sure exactly where she's getting that length from!!!!

Dr. S is extremely happy with everything and says that she looks perfect!

We talked about transitioning her to whole milk (for the next couple of days we'll do half and half and if there's no adverse effects we can transition her to milk completely). Dr. S would like to see her off the bottle by 15 months, so next week we'll start using the sippy one bottle at a time. She doesn't think it's a big deal that Ellery can't really get the hang of a regular sippy - she needs one with a straw.

Ellery had the rest of her flu shot, her third HepB shot and her last Prevnar shot. She was NOT a happy camper :(

We talked about the chicken pox vaccine (we'll be holding off for this one) and MMR (she'll get it at 18 months instead of 15 months).

So. . that's about it. All is well in Ellery-ville :)

Happy First Birthday to our Baby!!!

2008-01-14T07:33:00.001-08:00

How is it possible that she's gone from THIS:

To this??!!

1 year - 365 days - I cannot believe that it's been a year. 365 days ago our lives were changed forever.
All weekend I've been reliving my whole labor and delivery experience and all that went with it, it feels like it was just yesterday we were bringing this helpless little baby home and now look at her! She's so funny and engaging, she has this amazing little personality - so happy and smiley all the time. Such a far cry from those first 2 or so months - months that seemed endless at the time.

I look back now and it's hard to believe just how difficult it was; I guess what they say is true - you always forget the "not so good" stuff and just focus on the happy stuff.

Ellery is a true joy and blessing in our lives. I know that she has changed me in so many different ways - I am more patient than I ever thought possible, I'm more capable than I knew before, and I now know the love a mother has for her child. It's true what they say, "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

Happy Party Day!!!

2008-01-13T06:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Ellery's first birthday party!!!! :)

we had a great time . . . it was stressful, busy and overwhelming but still fun :) :)

SNOW!!!

2008-01-02T05:17:00.000-08:00

John wanted to take Ellery outside yesterday afternoon - it was snowing HUGE fluffy flakes :) :)

She really didn't seem to mind it at all actually. . and of COURSE we took pictures!!!

Christmas Day

2007-12-31T11:35:00.000-08:00

I don't have a TON of pictures - mostly just Ellery staring at her presents LOL. Santa came and Ellery checked out her stocking (he brought her a toothbrush. . YAY!) and then opened her other presents from the big guy (and Mommy and Daddy)

Then we were off to my parents - it was VERY overwhelming for her - LOTS of presents and LOTS of fun!

She's a VERY lucky little girl to have so many people who love her
Checking out her "big" present (best 35.00 I have ever spent!!):
At Nanny and Nonno's:

Christmas Eve

2007-12-31T11:30:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful (quiet) Christmas Eve. We met my parents at church for 4:30 mass. Ellery LOVED the music and danced through quite a bit of church - she was SO good through mass also - got a little itchy and it was SO crowded - but all in all it was a beautiful mass - i LOVE church at Christmas!

We went back to my parents and just ate for the rest of the night LOL

Here are pics from Christmas Eve:

All tuckered out at Nanny and Nonno's

ooh Santa came!!

A Christmas "miracle"

2007-12-23T15:41:00.000-08:00

We have first steps!!!! Today Ellery took her first step. . . just one (well just one 2 separate times) but it's still a step (literally :) :) :) )

Pictures!!!

2007-12-17T05:56:00.000-08:00

The girls :) (minus ellery who was napping)

the guys :)

I call this one: "why it takes 2+ hours to open presents" LOL

one million bubas :) hehe

I'm a bad mommy!!

2007-12-17T05:50:00.000-08:00

Considering I haven't updated since Thanksgiving and it's a week away from Christmas!!!

Ooops....not that there are a lot of people reading anyway. . let's be honest here.

So. . what has Ellery been up to?

Mischief mostly. rofl. . we now refer to her as H.E. - as in "Hurricane Ellery" LOL. Really though the child is SUCH a joy - that we overlook the H.E. tendencies (mostly :) )

She turned 11 months old Friday - hard to believe that she's been here for that long. Sometimes it seems like she was so tiny and helpless yesterday and then sometimes it seems like she's been here forever and I can't believe it's ONLY been 11 months.

She's not walking yet and I'm okay with that - everyone keeps asking and I've taken to just saying "she'll walk when she's ready".

On the other side of things - she's talking up a STORM - she says Mama clear as day now (and actually FOR me :) ), Dada, Nana (usually Na na na na na na LOL), Kitty, pretty, hi, huh (where did she get that one??!! rofl), so I guess that's why she's not walking. .she's too busy chatting (like mother like daughter??!! LOL)

She's like a bird - as soon as I turn her light on in the morning (or when she wakes up on the weekend) she's talking. . blah blah blah blah. . and she doesn't stop until bedtime LOL I love it ;)

We had Christmas with John's Family on Saturday - since there are so many of us it's just easier to do it the week before. . then no one has to run around like a crazy person on actual Christmas :)

And tomorrow is my 28th birthday :)

I'm going to do another post with just pictures from Christmas at my in laws so you can see that as well :)

oh! and we took the pics for Ellery's birthday invites. I'll share them after the invite is done and they go out :)

Ellery's first Thanksgiving..

2007-11-24T18:25:00.001-08:00

Ellery's first turkey day was definately a fun one!! We went to John's parents first and spent time there. .and then spent the bulk of the day with my parents. . here are the pics . . as you can see Ellery definately enjoyed the Thanksgiving food :)

YAY for new teeth

2007-11-16T07:06:00.000-08:00

My mom just called - Ellery got her 3rd tooth today!!!

at her last pediatrician appointment the doctor told us that she would get her top eye teeth next probably from the looks of it. . so we've been putting orajel on there and stuff

guess where the tooth is .....................bottom right. . . this kid's probably been thinking "what is WRONG with these people and this orajel stuff"

10 month pics

2007-11-15T04:19:00.000-08:00

She wasn't exactly what I would call cooperative last night LOL

10 months old!!

2007-11-14T10:17:00.000-08:00

Oh my - as of today we're in the double digits :( Our little baby is growing up WAY too fast.

she's cruising everywhere now. . and she is letting go for a few seconds at a time. . she's going to be walking soon. .

it just seems like it went by in the blink of an eye. .I was bringing her home yesterday .. and today. . she's got SUCH a little personality, she's so fun and engaging. . always happy. . .oh my.. now i'm getting teary!!!

Our first illness

2007-11-13T06:39:00.000-08:00

(well I'm excluding the reflux and an ear infection that she supposedly had that didn't seem to bother her LOL)

Ellery woke up at about 2am on Saturday morning SCREAMING bloody murder. Now - this is NOT Ellery style behavior AT ALL!!! She hasn't woken up in the middle of the night since she started sleeping through all that time ago!!!

She settled back down and was fine until her usual wake up time of 6:30ish - John got her up and I knew right away she had a cold. .

poor little monkey girl. .she was SO snotty and stuffy :(. I was after her with tissues for the majority of Saturday - which she did NOT like at all!!! We went out and ran errands. .to Target and the mall which was good to get her out. . but she turned into the kid I swore I'd never have. . you know the one with snot all over her face ROFL ROFL ah well!! such is life. It's not worth making her hysterical over a little snot ROFL. We bought one of those Triaminic vapor fans for her room - best 5.00 I have ever spent. It releases cherry menthol vapor and totally helped her breathe.

We called the pediatrician on Saturday night - only because I wanted to make sure we were doing everything possible. We elevated the head of her crib, used the vapor fan and some baby vick's vaporub. That's pretty much it! She didn't have a fever at all which is a blessing and honestly even though she felt crummy, she was still in pretty good humor (as always).

She does, however, now scream bloody murder when she even SEES the blue nose sucker thing. I only used it twice with a little bit of saline to help break up the crusties. . .and although it helped it was so traumatic for her that it wasn't worth it at all!!

So - I was home yesterday due to Veteran's Day so it was a Mommy and Ellery day. She is thankfully much better and it sounds like the cold in her nose is breaking up. Thank goodness!!!

I am pleased that she made it pretty much to 10 months old without an illness!! We're VERY lucky!!!

(how is she almost 10 months old??!! how did THAT happen??)

Halloween FUN :) :)

2007-11-01T04:23:00.000-07:00

We had a lot of fun last night dressing Ellery up and taking her to see all my parent's neighbors. Like any good diva, we had multiple changes throughout the day :) lest people get bored :)

This was her "during the day outfit":

MONKEY SUIT!!!! :)
This is what the monkey THOUGHT of the zookeeper :)

Jammie Time!!!
All tuckered out after a busy night!!!

Happy Haunting!!!

2007-10-31T04:39:00.000-07:00

It's my little pumpkin's first Halloween!! YAY!

Our plan is to get her all dressed up in her costume and head out around my parent's neighborhood to trick or treat - okay or show off the baby . . since she doesn't need the candy LOL

I'll be sure to post pictures tomorrow of our adventures!!

random ellery pics :)

2007-10-24T17:19:00.001-07:00

please note the superman shield on her pants. ..the whole outfit has them :)

woo hoo!! stonehill college class of 2029 :) :) :)

Allergy Update!!

2007-10-23T05:03:00.000-07:00

Well Ellery is NOT allergic to anything that they tested her for. . YAY!!!!!

BUT .. she is apparently slightly anemic. :(

Dr. S said that it is very common for babies this age, which is why they test for it to begin with.....

so. . for the next 3 months she needs to have Iron drops once a day and then at her 12 month appointment they will retest her blood and see if it's gotten better.

BLAH

9 Month well baby check up info and stats

2007-10-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

We just got home from Ellery's 9 month well baby check

here's the stats to start with:

20lbs even
29 inches long

Dr. Stephens said that she looks just perfect. .. ..she's probably going to be walking soon (yeah we knew that one) due to her extremely good balance (she stood for a minute by herself at the doctors)

she's getting her eye teeth at the top - i think it's the eye teeth. . the fangy looking ones???!! which is what happened to me too (although I actually got those before the bottom ones LOL)

so that's pretty much about it.....

she did have to have 2 shots - her last in the hep B series and she got her first dose of flu vaccine as well. .. and she hardly cried at all!!

she'll have the flu vaccine booster at her 1 year appointment and i was relieved to hear that Dr. Stephens doesn't administer the MMR vaccine until 15 months rather than 12 :)

She does have to have some lab work - she's having the 9 month lead screen (i think this is a state requirement) and then they're allergy testing her. . so she'll have the RAST test for milk, soy and one other thing. The wait time at the lab was 45 minutes today and since it was already 4pm I decided not to wait. . my parents said they would take her tomorrow.

All in all it was a great appointment :) :)

9 MONTHS??!!!

2007-10-14T06:07:00.001-07:00

Ellery is 9 months old today!!!! I can hardly believe how fast this year is FLYING by. We're having her portraits taken today at JC Penney... hopefully they'll come out good!!

Here is her milestone chart:
Baby's DOB: January 14, 2007

Birth Weight/length: 7lbs 2oz, 20 inches

Current weight/length: TBD we have an appointment on Thursday!

Current weight/length percentiles (if known): S

ize clothes: she wears mostly gymboree stuff and is fine in the 6-12 month size

Size and brand of diapers: Huggies Snug and Dry Size 3

How many ounces formula/breastmilk? 4 – 6oz bottles per day

How much solids? 3 meals a day – with some table foods mixed in – bananas, bread, etc.

Any food allergies? knock on wood, no

Health concerns? nope

Sleeping through the night? Yup!! She’s such a good sleeper – down by 7:15pm and up at about 6 during the week, 6:30ish on weekends

Sitting up? Oh yeah. . forever practically

Crawling? Like a freakin’ speed demon!!!

Cruising or walking? Crusing all over the place :)

Talking? Yup – says kitty, hi, nana, mama, dada (not consistently LOL)

Teething (how many teeth?) just her 2 bottom ones she’s had forever

any other "milestones"? just the cruising. . she’s starting to get brave and take her hands off things and try to stand by herself. .. boo hoo where’s my baby??!!!

and some pictures from yesterday at the pumpkin patch:

Mid Week Update

2007-10-11T05:42:00.000-07:00

SO - here's a mid week update for all you voracious readers (ahem. .. anyone out there. . .echo echo echo)

Anyway - all is well with little Miss Ellery - she's quite the daredevil and has yet to figure out that she SHOULDN'T be diving headfirst off the couch. . . . she's going to give mommy a heart attack!!!

She is however crusing all over the place - I think those first steps will be coming sooner rather than later!!!

She continues to expand her culinary horizons - yesterday she was introduced to the wonder of grilled cheese!!! YUM!!! She's had canteloupe, honeydew, toast, bananas, strawberries, potatoes, carrots (not a huge fan), pot roast, turkey, and chicken . ..she doesn't seem to like meat all that much though and I hear that's relatively normal for this age. .we'll keep trying.

We're having her 9 month pictures taken on Sunday. . how is it possible that she's 9 months old already??!! :(

sniff

I'll be sure to update with those pictures!!!

Some new Ellery pics

2007-09-30T17:19:00.000-07:00

We "borrowed" my parent's neighbor's yard today to take some fall pics of Ellery - obviously not the first one. .that was from Sat.

Scary scary stuff!

2007-09-26T04:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday when I got to my parent's house to pick Ellery up after work my mom said "something happened today" and I immediately started panicking.

Turns out that my mom gave Ellery a "cookie" today (one of those biter biscuits) - now this is completely normal . . she has them all the time and does really well chewing them etc. Well now that she has more teeth she bites them - and big pieces come with those bites - do you see where this is going??

1 big chunk got lodged in her throat. She was eating it sitting in her Exersaucer so it's not like she was crawling all around etc. My mom said she made a funny noise and she could tell that something wasn't right......my mom had to dig around in her throat and get it out!!! Nanny saved Ellery's life yesterday!!!

SO - I hugged both my mom and my little baby a little tighter yesterday . . . so scary!! Thank goodness Nanny has a cool head and went right into action. . .I just can't imagine :(

OH! and today is John's 28th birthday!!! Ellery would like to wish her Daddy a Happy Birthday!!!! :) :) *she told me .. I swear it*

8 months old!!

2007-09-16T16:38:00.001-07:00

Ellery was 8 months old on Friday - I think I say it every month but I just can't believe how FAST time is passing!!!! 8 months old - she's going to be a year old before I know it!!!

Milestones:

weight/length/percentiles: NO clue - we don't have another doctor's appointment until next month - her 9 month well baby check.

Clothing sizes - it's so strange - she can fit into 3-6 gymboree, 6-12 Gymboree somewhat fits - but it's HUGE in the waist. .. a lot of her cotton jammies are 6-9 months and they are huge at the top but her little toes are right at the end LOL I think i'll be buying more 2 piece jammie sets :)

sleeping: same as usual - bedtime is about 7:30 now . . she doesnt always go right to sleep but she's still IN her crib at that time

teeth: still just those 2 on the bottom - nothing else going on it seems

smiling: of course!!!

laughing out loud: she is laughing out loud so much more and she's SO ticklish. . i love her absolutely adorable little giggle.

crawling: Like a speed demon . . she is ALL over the place . .it's so hard to keep her contained!!

pulling up/walking: she pulls up on EVERYTHING and i'm sure it's not going to be long before the cruising and walking starts :).

eating: 6oz every 4 hours (24 oz daily) . . . she also eats solids like a champ. . 3 meals of solids. . stage 2 and stage 3 - she is having a little trouble with the chewing. .but we're getting there. . we just keep trying...

other: babbling and using lots of vowels and consonant sounds - still saying Dada and occasionally I hear that Mama comes out occasionally - I've never heard it though LOL
we moved her out of the baby tub this week and she's taking baths in the big girl tub
we're looking at convertible car seats and hope to get one soon so that we can stop lugging the infant seat around - it's SO heavy!!!!
we found a great sippy she can use - it's a Nuby with a straw. amazingly the kiddo can drink from a straw. . i figured she'd be able to since it's the tipping back of the cup that she has a problem with

WOW...been a while since I've been here!

2007-09-06T16:30:00.000-07:00

the poop hit the fan about internet usage at work...so I'm hardly ever here to update!

update 1: Ellery is doing GREAT without the meds and our days of her as a patient at the Children's Hospital Pediatric GI clinic are OVER!!! YAY

update 2: she's a crawling crazy baby....she's ALL over the place...and she's pulling up on things and i'm sure cruising and then walking will be coming shortly!!!

as I type this i just looked on the monitor and she's standing at the side of her crib, binkie in mouth, looking out over the side.....crazy kiddo!!!!

so that's really about it...I wish I had more.....

i'll be sure to update again with some pics!!

Big day today!!!

2007-08-27T06:03:00.000-07:00

Today is Ellery's first day with no reflux meds!!!! I'm incredibly nervous - I so badly want her to be off of the medication and I just hope it works!

We've been reducing the number of times a day she gets it for the last 3 weeks and today is the day to go "med-less"

If you could spare a good thought for all to go well we'd appreciate it!

Oh! and on Friday afternoon Ellery pulled up to standing while holding onto her Bumbo seat!!! what the heck!!??!! she's not even 8 months old!!!

Milestones R Us

2007-08-14T09:55:00.000-07:00

Apparently our house (or my mom's lol) is milestones r us lately!!!

Friday Ellery said her first word . .of course it was Dada!! That's okay. . . .lol it was actually on the way home from the GI doctor ROFL and we called Daddy right away and he heard her and got a little choked up :) :) awww

Then I just got a call from my mom. . . Ellery Monkey is crawling. . .now all weekend she's been up on all fours and rocking back and forth and sort of scooting and hopping forward....today she's actually hand/knee crawling!!!!!!!!

oh my word - watch out Belle

LOL

Oh and today Ellery is 7 months old.....

new pics:

GI update

2007-08-12T16:52:00.000-07:00

We went to see Dr. M at Children's on Friday afternoon. Ellery is 18lbs 1oz and 26.5 inches (by their measurement. . it's so hard to get an accurate length LOL)

Anyway. . we saw Dr. M and he seems really pleased with Ellery's progress. He's surprised that she's able to hold yogurt down but not regular formula.

At any rate - starting tomorrow we're decreasing Ellery's meds from 3x per day to 2x per day; after a week we'll go to 1x per day. . then stop entirely. If it works and she's able to stay off the meds we don't have to ever go back to Children's :) YAY!!! If we need to put her back on the meds he wants to see her again.

Fingers crossed that it works out :)

Ellery overload!!!

2007-08-06T07:39:00.001-07:00

We had a mini photoshoot yesterday morning in our bedroom. . . and those are some of the cutest ones. . .. some are blurry but she's still cute!!!

We had a busy busy weekend - Saturday was Zoe's 5th birthday party. . it was a Curious George Pool party and the perfect day for it!! SO HOT!!! Ellery just loves swimming. . .we don't even bother with the float anymore. . she'd rather be held and dipped through the water. She especially loves it when Mommy or Daddy holds her under her armpits and floats her along on her belly. She kicks up a storm and just smiles and laughs!!!

Yesterday we had a BBQ at my parent's house - Ellery was in a GREAT mood all day (per usual) and swam and was passed all around then had a good long nap in her room and came out for more swimming, a bottle (al fresco LOL), gerber puffs, a sippy of water and more being passed around. She was asleep before we were out of my parent's street LOL

I can't believe she's going to be 7 months old next week

This child amazes me!!!

2007-07-30T06:41:00.000-07:00

I know. .I know. .I'm sure every parent feels like this - but Ellery simply amazes me.

now that she's getting older I LOVE watching her discover things.

She's sitting up completely on her own - we're still working on her GETTING into a sitting position by herself but she's getting there ROFL. The other night we were reading Goodnight, Moon and when we were done she wanted to play with the book. She was trying to open the book and turn the pages. She was SO intent on it. . .it was SO cute to watch!! Things like that are why I'm amazed when I watch her - she knew that the book opened and was so certain she could do it herself. . . and she did!

She has a stubborn streak a mile wide (she gets that from Daddy - hehe) and just the sweetest disposition on earth! I LOVE making her laugh and hearing her sweet little baby giggle - she gets such a kick out things and Mommy, Daddy, Nanny and Nonno are pretty happy to do some VERY silly things - all to get that baby giggle!! Such a completely happy and content baby - must be all that love <3

Speaking of love - Belle is Ellery's newest love - or . . continued love/fascination/obsession. We've graduated to hugging Belle now. I'll have to upload the pics tonight of this. It's pretty funny to watch, as Belle just has this look on her face like .. HALP!

Ellery also crawled backwards on Friday afternoon! Of course she only did it once and hasn't done it again - but it will come soon enough - Belle better find a good (high) hiding spot :)

Yesterday we went to my parents and swam. Man does she LOVE the pool - which I am so so happy about!!!

Eating wise - she's pretty darn good LOL - she has LOVED everything we've tried - which is pretty extensive. . .. all the yellows and oranges (fruits AND veggies) and peas and green beans!! We're now onto mixes (i.e. apples and cherries etc.). We're also trying some Yo Baby (hehe) organic yogurt - I'm interested to see what she thinks of that!! She also is really liking those Gerber puffy snacks - she can't quite pick them up herself but knows that if Mommy's holding them they're headed for her mouth - she looks like a baby bird waiting for food. We've tried both the sweet potato ones and the banana ones and she seems to like both - maybe the banana ones a little tiny bit more LOL. It's funny to watch her try to crunch them with only her 2 bottom teeth - plus they dissolve pretty quickly.

Anyway - it's quiet on our front - except for all the Ellery related milestones and stuff!!

*pictures to come later *

Miss Ellery's 6 month portraits

2007-07-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

to see them go to
http://www.smilesbywire.com and enter the following:

Customer Name: Amanda Palmer
Access Code: LTP60301041018JCP

Let me know what you think. . I'm happy with how they came out. . but there are 2 I don't like at all!!

6 months old!!!!

2007-07-15T17:22:00.000-07:00

how the heck did THIS happen??!!! my baby is 6 months old already!! boo hoo!!!

these are pics from yesterday - we had her professional portraits taken as well but those won't be online for about 10 days!

milestones:

weight/length/percentiles: TBD - we have a pediatrician appointment tomorrow

sleeping: through the night and 2-3 naps throughout the day

teeth: she woke up yesterday with a snotty nose and a cough...and her tooth FINALLY poked through!!!! you can even see it much more today!

smiling: of course!!!

laughing out loud: yes. . not consistantly but certain things really get her giggling

rolling over: both ways now...she's like a pinball ball (?) in her crib sometimes ROFL

eating: 6oz every 4 hours (24 oz daily) plus 1.5 Tablespoons of cereal with 3 feedings. She has a fruit in the morning, veggies at lunch. .and both at "dinner". Her 3pm bottle is her "snack" bottle and will probably go away in a few months.

other: she sits up independantly...can't get to a sitting position by herself yet...but is getting there......can hold our hands and go from sitting to standing. . .said "moo" and just talks non stop...such a happy baby all the time.......reflux seems to be under control....has a tubby every night before bed......loves all her toys and loves to play. we introduced her to a sippy cup yesterday and she seemed to like it. she doesn't know quite what it's for yet..but she'll get it!

Cutest baby contest!!

2007-07-12T06:07:00.000-07:00

Hello blog readers - Ellery's been entered into a cutest baby photo contest...

if you're so inclined. . see below and please vote:

If you would like your family and friends to go directly to your baby's posting in the contest to view the photo and place a vote, please have them visit our homepage at http://www.photowow.com and click on the "Photo contests" link. On that page, they can enter your Entrant #46649 to vote on your baby.

we thank you :)

Mommy's a Bad Blogger

2007-07-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

and it makes me sad. . .boo hoo!!! (hate to reuse an old pic but I don't have many of her crying ROFL)

Anyway. . I haven't blogged in a while. Miss Ellery's been keeping us pretty busy. She's SUCH a good baby. . I have no complaints at all . . beyond the fact that it is taking FOREVER for her teeth to come in. . . some days are just so hard for her. .. she does really well all through the day . .but at nighttime it seems like her tolerance to pain is much lower so they hurt. :( We use the good old "sore toofie" cocktail of Baby Orajel and Tylenol!!

Ellery's doing amazing on solid foods - she just loves them! She's tried and likes ALL of the orange and yellow fruits and veggies and we've moved on to some Stage 2 foods - different combos and such - she seems to like the consistancy of the Stage 2 foods much better - they're less watery :)

We have her 6 month well baby check on July 16 - how is it possible that my baby is almost 6 months old??!!! Now Mommy's crying :(

Here are some pics (including 4th of July pics - which we spent at Laura and Eamonn's)

Seems like she's doing more everyday!!!

2007-06-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

I always seem to have something else to update about :)

Ellery's been a master at rolling tummy to back for a while now.. .she wakes herself up and won't go to sleep on her back - good times LOL

Today - less than an hour ago actually - my mom called me to tell me that she's finally gotten the hang of back to tummy rolling!!!

YAY ellery *and thank goodness!!!*

Weekend Recap

2007-06-18T04:14:00.000-07:00

This weekend had it's ups and downs. Friday morning I took Ellery to the GI doctor. . .by their scale she's 16lbs 8oz. - growing like a weed :) Dr. M upped her Zantac and told me that I could go ahead and put her back on regular formula. YAY! *or so I thought*

Saturday morning John got up with Ellery and forgot to give her the good start instead of the hypoallergenic formula. No problem. At her 11am feeding I gave her applesauce and a bottle with Good Start. She ate it fine. . all seemed okay. We went to my parents (where by the way Ellery tried out the pool. . as you'll see in a moment she did NOT like it ROFL - it's freezing cold right now!!!). At my parents we had to give her her 3pm bottle - no good start b/c we forgot it so we just gave her the hypo. formula. She wouldn't drink it.. she wouldn't eat her cereal. .nothing. All of a sudden she just started puking everywhere......she seemed fine afterwards.

7pm rolls around and I'm worried b/c now she's missed a feeding - we mix 2 scoops hypo formula to 1 scoop regular and begin the feeding. This time she keeps it down for about 20 minutes :(. I called the pediatrician who told us to switch back to the hypo 100% and call Dr. M today. argh. She was fine all day yesterday though for father's day.

We had a very nice day - John got to sleep in - and I made cinnamon rolls for him. Ellery gave him a mousepad with her picture on it.. . I gave him the radio remote for his Ipod and Belle gave him a bottle of fancy BBQ sauce from Williams Sonoma. The rest of the day was spent at my parents with my family.

Here are some pics from our weekend:

5 months old already!!!

2007-06-14T04:32:00.000-07:00

Where does the time go????? I cannot believe our little munchkin is already 5 months old.....

here's this month's info:

let's see . . .at 5 months:

weight/length/percentiles: TBD - we have a GI appointment tomorrow. . at her last pedi visit which was at about 4.5 months she was 15lbs 12oz and 26 inches long putting her in the 80th percentile for weight and the 90th for length!!!

sleeping: through the night and 2-3 naps throughout the day

teeth: still working on the bottom two - her gums are all swollen and she's in pain a lot from them. . . she bites bites bites. . . Infant Tylenol and Baby oragel help as do teethers in the fridge and a washcloth with an ice cube. She seems to run a low grade fever with them as well.

smiling: of course!!!

laughing out loud: yes. . not consistantly but certain things really get her giggling

rolling over: she rolls ALL over the crib (tummy to back) but is like a turtle once she gets on her back .. .rofl. .makes bedtime a bear lately LOL . she's been falling asleep on her side and falling onto her tummy though.

eating: 6oz every 4 hours (24 oz daily) plus 2 Tablespoons of cereal with 2 feedings and 1 Tablespoon with the other 2 feedings. We've started fruits and veggies at her 11am and 7pm feeding - she's tried carrots, sweet potatoes, squash and pears. She's really seemed to like them all - though i would say carrots are her LEAST favorite.

other: scoots all around her crib at night, holding her head and trunk up amazingly well when on the floor, grabs for everything!!! if we put her in a "tripod" sitting position she'll stay up for a good minute or so.....can hold our hands and go from sitting to standing. . ."talks" all the time. .. screams as well. . she's really found her voice!!! loves her feet . .she loves kicking them (especially the right leg) and loves pulling them up to her mouth when she's on her back LOL, she's so happy all the time. . even when she wakes up. Loves her jumparoo and her exersaucer, LOVES belle so much - always smiles and laughs when she sees her walking by .. . much more interested in belle than belle is in her ROFL

Solids update (sans pictures)

2007-06-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do a quick update about Miss Ellery and the solid foods. We started Saturday night by giving her some carrots....there were a lot of shivers and gagging. .I think it must have been the texture. Anyway. . even though she was gagging she was still eating so dumb Mommy kept shoveling it in. . .yeah.. she gagged again and SPEWED carrots everywhere . . .LOL. . Thankfully she hasn't done that since!!!

Carrots were Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (we had to use up the jars ROFL)

Yesterday we started sweet potatoes. . . .she LOVES those. .gobbled them right up!

I have some cute pics to share of the carrot incident (before spewing :) ) but I'm at work. . and they're at home.

All in all, things are going really well - our only challenge is her rolling - she rolls from tummy to back but not the other way. When she goes down for her naps or at night she's rolling onto her back and fussing because she doesn't know how to sleep that way. . . i'm considering duct tape ROFL :)

TONS of new pictures

2007-05-30T10:31:00.001-07:00

We sold our first generation digital rebel and bought a new Canon Powershot S3IS. . YAY!!! so . . here are some pics from over the weekend. . . .

Ellery's 4 month well baby check

2007-05-30T09:29:00.001-07:00

was this morning!!! Here's the scoop:

let's see. . she's 15lbs 12oz (80th %tile) and 26 inches long (90th %tile). ...i think her length must all be in her torso b/c all her pants are too big LOL

she had 4 shots today :( and we got the go ahead to start orange and yellow fruits and veggies :)

overall her pediatrician says she looks AMAZING (brag brag LOL). . .she's got great head/trunk control and posture....

she felt around and said the tooth on the bottom right is probably coming up very soon. .she said it's right there ;D

yay!

Playtime at the Palmers

2007-05-21T06:38:00.000-07:00

One Year Ago Today

2007-05-18T04:17:00.000-07:00

I got this:
and now I have THIS:

WOW. I can't believe what a difference a year makes. When those 2 lines appeared on that test I knew my life was going to change, I just had no clue how much. I was prepared for the changes (or so I thought). How was I to know that in a year I would be SO different, that I would literally walk in front of a train for that little blue eyed munchkin. I had no idea that I was going to be so wholly transformed and consumed by a type of love that I had never experienced before.

1 whole year. So much has changed - and I wouldn't change a thing!

Happy 4 months old (pics)

2007-05-15T04:40:00.000-07:00

All taken yesterday @ 4 months:

how i find my monkey every morning:

4 months old - SO BIG!!!
Yummy blankie!!

Mother's Day pics

2007-05-15T04:39:00.000-07:00

Ellery and Mommy on my first mother's day:
Daddy and Nonno playing with the baby :)

(blogger limits the number of pics you can post in each post...blah)

Pictures from Sat.

2007-05-15T04:37:00.000-07:00

Ellery and her friend Patrick:

Belle would never go NEAR a cat condo!!
G-L-A-M-OR-OUS
before the party - she looked like one giant ruffle!!