the one without any shots

Yesterday I took baby girl to her nine month appointment, also know as "the one without any shots." Yippie! We were so happy about this. It was also our first appointment sans Daddy and the whole time I was in a fit of nostalgia. I was fortunate enough to have the Mr. accompany me to every appointment during my pregnancy and after. We also were able to have many, many, many ultrasounds due to a low-lying placenta and a very thorough doctor. This meant we got to see baby girl over eight times before actually meeting her in the flesh. I feel the nostalgia coming on just thinking about it...

Anyway, back to the appointment at hand. It was the first time baby girl was allowed to play with the toys (and a large amount of hand wipes before and after). She seemed to enjoy herself...

trying her hardest to take the truck in with her...

Our usual nurse checked us in and greeted little Elle with a booming "There's my little princess!" I love that the same few people have watched her (and I) grow. Her pediatrician informed me she would be leaving to relocate in June and I simply replied, we're coming with you. I adore her and am a little sentimental. She needs to be with me through pregnancy number two; therefore, we're coming with you.

The Stats: my little angel is officially off the charts in height, 31+ inches and weighs 21 pounds. That puts her in the 25th percentile in weight for her height. She's long but small. She's cute and I love her.

The woman behind the desk asked me her name before we left, after I replied Elle, she shot back, Well of course it is, she's perfect. Not exactly sure what that meant, but I couldn't agree more. 

I am one proud mama of such an amazing outrageously tall little girl. Love, love, love her to pieces.

rain, rain, go away

I have not been liking these extremely wet days we've been having. It's officially spring and there is much to do involving parks, sunshine, flowers and play, but Ellie Bear and I have been confined to our less than lively home for the past few days. 

Driving in the rain in California is about as safe as driving blind-folded through a field of landmines. I went out to the store yesterday and witnessed two accidents (count 'em two) just during the fifteen minute trip there. Seriously. I honestly have no clue why Californians cannot drive in the rain but they simply cannot. It is terrifying and I refuse to put our lives at risk because some people think driving eighty on the freeway is still acceptable when you can't see the vehicle in front of you. Okay, rant over.

Because little Elle has had many, many hours to explore our home these past few days, she has discovered how to open absolutely everything. I made sure to "rubber-up" every single corner in this place, but have yet to do all of the cabinet locks in the living room. So, little miss can now open our media cabinets (which Shawn and I both hate opening because it is a struggle every time, yet she does this with ease) and proceeds to pull out every video game and dvd we own. 

Catchin' my little girl in action...

"Uh oh, Mama caught me..."

"Better try to butter her up..."

"I'm coming over Mama..."

"Can I have a hug?"

"She won't be able to resist this face..."

"Gets her every time."

As much fun as it is running all over the house after this one, I sure do miss our sunshine play. So rain, rain, go away...so very, very far away.

she's a little dancin' fool

St. Patrick's Day was a beautiful day. During the day we had gorgeous sunshine, lunch with the girls, yummy food and tons of laughter.

 During the evening we had snuggle time, comfy jammies,  yummy food and tons of laughter.

 It was a very nice day indeed.

Today, we had planned on going to my godson's little league game, but the recent finicky California weather caused it to be rained out. Bummer. I was really looking forward to going and Shawn had me feeling even worse when he described the anguish he'd experience when his little league games got canceled; so, change of plans it was! 

Bowling, arcade, and cheeseburgers made for a perfect rainy day...

sittin' in front of our lane

Elle and Neeks

air hockey lover like her mama

playin' skeet ball with Daddy

And some Dance Dance Revolution to end our outing...

We had such a fun time having Nieko hang with us. He is so good with Elle and even spent his winnings, a.k.a tickets, on a cute little pink heart ring for her. So sweet. I could just picture having a little boy to call my own later in life. Until then, I'll just enjoy everyone else's.

she wears many hats

Literally. This weekend baby and I hung out at the preschool while Shawn helped with the church's spring cleaning. Without all the other little kiddos normally there to entertain us, we got bored fast playing house...

being a big girl at the table...

and feeding her baby doll.

That was about the extent of what she could play with that didn't have a million hazardous pieces for her tiny mouth to swallow.

And then we found the dress-up bin...

 

 

We had a fantastic time.

She seemed to enjoy herself as a flower, fairy, butterfly, etc., but as soon as I threw the veil on her she was quite angry. I can't say this didn't make me smile a lil' on the inside. 

She can be my little girl forever; I am in no hurry to marry her off just yet.

life at eight months

Baby Elle,

Your mommy is absolutely exhausted, but it's that time for your monthly stats so I won't disappoint...

You can finally join the rest of us with teeth! You have the cutest mismatched bottom teeth I have ever seen. I'm not gonna lie, they can hurt Mama at times, but don't you worry. I promise I won't wean you just yet. 

You are growing like a weed.

You are busy like a bee (thus Mama's exhaustion); so busy in fact our baby-proofing went a little overboard. It looks like we're housing a mental patient, e.g., rubber all over the walls, furniture etc. Our psychotic home decor is well worth your safety.

Your a jumping, splashing, screaming maniac.

You have an obsession with baby wipes. Forget your pricey Fisher Price gadgets, you'll take a Kirkland wipe over them any day.

"The Itsy Bitsy Spider" & "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" are your favorite "normal" songs, but you still prefer Mama's own renditions of nursery rhymes sang to the tune of Christmas carols. Sounds strange, but you love 'em.

You are almost in the cruising stage of babyhood. You can stand for about two seconds by yourself without toppling over. I know you are so anxious to start walking. Soon enough baby, soon enough.

You laugh at the sight of your bathtub.

You are weary of men. You love all of your aunties but it takes you a bit to warm up to the men in your life. Of course, this does not include Daddy.

You take two naps and sleep through the night, still in our bed and still need to brake that habit.

You are trusting. So much in fact, you try your hardest to leap off of our bed (arms in flight like Superman) on a regular basis. Luckily Mama is quick like a cat or you probably wouldn't be trying so hard. I guess this shows you're virtually accident free!

You have Mama's puffy top lip.

You have your daddy's eyes.

And...

You are our perfect lil' eight-month-old.

why so serious?

We took a short stroll to our neighborhood park for some sunshine play today, and despite the look on her face, I believe Elle quite enjoyed herself. I don't know why she insists on looking like the grumpiest grump baby out in public now. Shawn insists it is because her blue eyes (which she got from him) are so sensitive to the sun, she can't help but snarl. I guess us green-eyed folk don't have that problem.

She really is such a happy baby, it's too funny that this is the face the camera gets from her now...  

I am loving these swings

can't get enough of them

 

I hope this fun never ends

hooray for climbing

I love this

this tunnel is thrilling

I never want to leave

she really did love the grass though

I suppose we could have done this at home

 

we're almost ready to leave

one last signature look...

and there's my happy girl!

I guess all I had to say was "last photo." (Sorry baby, Mama will try to calm down with the photos, but I truly believe you will thank me later.)

I adore this park and cannot wait until she is a little older to enjoy all it has to offer. Maybe then Cranky-Pants McGee will be in a (more obvious) happy mood.

love is patient...

so it doesn't mind when it takes you a week to write about it right?

Last Saturday, I celebrated my one year anniversary with the man whom I share my life. He is amazing. We are in love.

We dined at our usual place for special celebrations i.e., Benihana, also the home of our first date which made it aptly appropriate. 

The seating arrangement was a little interesting with a pair of twenty-something (going on twelve) intoxicated men to our right and a seventy-something (going on sixteen; the dress was extremely short and extremely pink) straight across from us. 

Scallops, lobster, fillet mignon (which is french for 'dainty fillet', isn't that cute?) and heaps of fried rice filled our tummies. Heaven.

I'm a very traditional girl in a lot of ways (says the girl with an eight-month-old discussing her one year anniversary, eek) and was adamant about exchanging a traditional gift. Paper was the inspiration and as usual the hubby did not disappoint. 

Here's where I embarrassingly proclaim my love for gossip mags that sadly have been missin' out on my business since baby's arrival. But fear not ole' friends, I now have a brand new subscription to US Weekly and even more fuel for the "baby-fever" fire those celebrity babies so love to ignite.

Even sweeter, I received my own little book of adorableness. I'm not sure how else to describe it. It was a fill-in-the-blank book about our love and it had me laughing and crying, and that's when you know it's a good one.

Not sure how my (attempt at an) origami heart held up to those gems, but he showed enthusiasm nonetheless. (Don't worry they had tickets inside.)

Here's to love and many more years of it...

before we painted the town red

And here's to baby sprouting her first lil' chomper...

Boy do I love her and that one-toothed smile.