It's starting

My little girl is becoming such a big girl right before my eyes! We went to Target looking for a baby gift and wound up on the isle where the big girl panties are. I actually did not notice them at all. Elle started saying "Dora Dora Dora" and I looked over and saw Dora panties. Elle's pediatrician had told me to get some undies and try letting her wear them when we are that house. I decided to pick up a pack of them.
I am going to start this week and am not expecting much! E is not a fan of sitting on her potty with her clothes on let alone going potty in it. We will see how it goes. She sure looks cute in them though. I just have to convince her to wear them under clothes instead of over them. She loves to put them on over her pants :)

I heart Elmo!

We went to see Sesame Street Live this morning. What a treat it was! Elle has been talking about going to see Elmo for days now. She was so excited to know today was THE DAY! When we asked her who she was going to see this morning, she first said "Miles" with a huge smile on her face and then Elmo. Yes, her bff Miles was there too, so she was extra excited about our plans this morning.
We got to Nokia theater about half an hour early. We met up with Miles and he and Elle around like wild things. They had a blast and were so happy to see each other, as always. We did not have seats with Miles and his mommy and daddy, so we went off to our separate sections and got situated. The show was a huge success with Elle. She boogied and sang along LOUDLY with the characters. She made us so proud! She really enjoys life. It is so neat to sit back and watch as her parents.

2 year stats

My baby is two and oh how fast it has flown by. It is funny to think back about my thoughts on motherhood before Elle was here. If you would have told me I would only have one child who was two years old at the age of 30, I would have thought you were insane! I used to think 30 sounded so old! Ha..not anymore!
We went to the pediatrician Friday to get some lovely shots and find out my girls stats. I love that part of the visit. It has been awhile since we have had her height measured so I was most looking forward to that. She did really well until it was shot time. Hate that! Poor baby held her breath, which is the norm when it comes to shots. Carrie, our favorite nurse, brought her two suckers and Dora stickers to cheer her up. It worked :)

Two year stats:
31 lbs. (90th %tile)
38 inches long (holy cow...your mom is only 5'1 Elle Marie!!) waaaaaay off the charts
head circumference 25th %tile

Looks like we have a tall girl on our hands which makes me excited for E. I would have always liked to be a little taller!

Love me some good news!

Talked with Bonnie and we got the most amazing new today! Sweet Emery's tumor has shrunk by 80%!!!!! What a huge blessing and relief for her precious mommy and daddy! They have been through so much and deserved a pick me up! God is so so good! That little girl is beyond a fighter! I love her more than she will probably ever know and can not wait to give her hugs and kisses!!
Here it is in Bonnie's words:
Finally an update! CT showed the tumor is 80% smaller!! The MRI showed that the portion of the tumor going into the spine is significantly smaller and the pressure on the spinal cord is minimal. The doctors debated what to do next. Surgery is still not considered safe due to the portion in the spinal column. Since the tumor has responded so well to the chemotherapy, Emery will have at least one more round.



What a tough girl! Staying still during her CT scan








What a big smile! So happy!

From party decor to room decor

I just love Etsy! I found some precious party poms and handmade pinwheels on their website. I picked colors that I thought would work in Elle's room. It is so hard to find inexpensive, unique decor and I am not the crafty type, so I can't just whip out a cute art project! I thought these added a cute touch to the room and Elle enjoys saying "so coot!"

"Happy day to Elle!"

Waking up to mommy singing


View from Elle's room. Lot's of snow!







That is Elle's rendition of "Happy Birthday" Today is officially her 2nd birthday. I had several outings planned for today but we woke up to lots of snow and I am sure the roads are not that great. So, we will be heading to our neighborhood Starbucks ( a treat for mommy and Elle) and picking up a "cookie" and chocolate milk for the little lady!
I love you my sweet sweet Elle! You are a little pistil these days but that makes me love you even more. You are lots like your momma, though it pains me to say that since it is the temper tantrums and strong will where we resemble :) You are my heart and have brought so much happiness to daddy and I's life. I can't wait to see what this year brings for you little miss! LOVE YOU XXOOOOOXXXOOOXXOO

Here we go again!

Monday we began work on our 3rd remodel. It really has not hit me that we will be moving AGAIN! Counting the homes we have bought and remodeled and the houses we rent while renovating...we have lived in 4 houses in Elle's two short years of life and will add our fifth with this one! I am secretly (not a secret anymore!) hoping that we can pre-sale this baby before we move in but that might be asking too much :) So, we will, more than likely, be in the house sometime in May and I will do what I know how to do best these days...show a house!
We should be finished with the remodel in 2 - 2 1/2 months. If you have random boxes lying around, you know where to bring them :)

I didn't make it to the house to take pictures before the workers got started tearing out the sheet rock in the ceiling. Lot's of insulation on the floors.




Front exterior


Entry


Living room


bedroom


kitchen


bathroom


bedroom


bedroom


Another shot of living room


Dining room


Back exterior

Phrase of the day

Lately, Elle has been saying random things that have nothing to do with what we are doing or how she is acting (in this case!) Today we were at Babies R' Us looking for a baby gift and she kept saying "I'm so sowee mommy! Soooooo sowee" I told her she had no reason to be sorry and that she was being a good girl and such a big help to me. She just kept saying it over and over. Funny how when I want her to say it to someone it doesn't happen!


Being silly after a morning of running errands

Talented Friend

Take a look at this precious dress my friend Courtney embroidered for E's second birthday gift. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Here is her website.
http://www.treehousecreationsonline.com/

Please check it out...I have purchased so many sweet things from her for baby gifts.

Lazy days

We have had some really cruddy weather lately. It is not much fun for an active 2 year old to have to stay indoors for days at time. Luckily Gigi is here and she helped us stay occupied. Yesterday we made cookies and E was a big help. Her afternoon snack was licking the mixers! We also took lots of rides in her new wagon from Pa and Grandma, cooked in her kitchen using her new play doh, watched videos, and played dress up with her dolls. Gigi has lost her voice due to laryngitis so when she and E would play together, E would whisper back to her. CUTE!













Elle is finally getting over RSV but is still on breathing treatments for a few more days. She is has gotten much better at letting us give them to her. At first, it was quite a struggle. Lots of kicking and screaming :)

"They say it's your birthday!"

We celebrated Elle's 2nd birthday yesterday with lots of family and friends. We are so blessed to have so many people around us that love our little girl. I set up little stations for our little guests. We had bowling, soccer, bean bag toss, puzzles, a slide, "cooking" in the kitchen, and bubbles. The slide was definitely the favorite! It was so fun to just let the kids run wild and crazy and let the parents socialize. Elle seemed to have a ball and loved having "Happy Birthday" sung to her. She dosen't like attention or anything :)


Here are some things you are doing/saying these days:
"hold you mommy"
"sit mommy/daddy"
"I cook you some coffee?"
"nookie nookie"- this is what she calls milk HILARIOUS!
Elle: "Charley?" Me: "Where is Charley baby?" Elle "he in heaven, I miss him" -melts my heart!
"I go upstairs/downstairs mommy"
Those are just the things I hear most during the day
Elle:"me poop" Me: "you did?" Elle: "no poop! no poop!"

Since you are telling me when you need to poop I think we will start trying to get you to sit on your potty. I have a feeling this is going to take a while and frankly, I dread it!
You still love your crib and have never tried to climb out. I plan on you staying there for a while. I am not ready to have you come in our room whenever you please :)
You love school but have started screaming when I drop you off. You stop shortly after I leave.
You are very particular with what people wear around you. You despise jackets and sunglasses. You always tell me "no jacket mommy no jacket Elle" I have to convince you that I am really cold and need it. I have to do the same when I put sunglasses on in the car. You are now convinced I HAVE to have them to see :)
You are very stubborn and strong willed. You get away with A LOT because I am not a fan of the huge fits you through. I need to get better at setting boundaries for you little Missy!
You LOVE LOVE LOVE to read books. I can find you in your room a lot of times during the day, reciting the stories. So precious! We read many at night before bed and it never fails that you ask for "more read".
You can count to 15...smarty britches.
You sing your ABC's
You love to dance and ask for music the minute we get in the car.

I love you sweet baby girl! I CAN NOT believe you are going to be two on Thursday. You have been such a fun baby and now toddler. You make me laugh daily! You make me see the world in a way that is so fresh and wonderful. Your daddy and I love you more than you will probably ever know. It hurts sometimes :)






Breakfast with Gigi the day before the big party












Elle and Ally chasing after Aidan before the party got under way




Gigi and Aunt Susan




Grandma and Poppy