Sprinkled Feet

Ella loves playing in the pantry at Babci and Granddad's house. She finds the bottles of soda and rolls them around on the floor.

On one occasion when we were visiting this weekend she decided to play in the pantry while mommy and daddy ate lunch. She was playing and chatting and giggling, having a big time. When we finished eating we went to pull her out of the pantry -- only to find a hysterical site. Ella had somehow gotten hold of a container of sprinkles and dumped them all on the floor. There's no telling how many she ate. We laughed until we almost wet ourselves.



Daddy vacuumed it up and we continued to giggle as we gave her a more appropriate toy.

Hours later when we removed her shoes we found tie-dyed socks. Red and green sprinkles had fallen into her shoes -- melted to her socks and made for a rainbow colored sock surprise. Thank God for Shout!

"Sometimes Mommies Go Crazy!"

In my non-mom years whenever I saw a mother in distress I always tried to help. I guess somewhere along the way I paid it forward because just recently two wonderful strangers came to my rescue.

It had been a bad week -- life changing decisions on the main burner for Daddy and me. I had done some odds and ends around the house, fed Ella lunch after her nap, strapped her in the stroller and headed for the grocery store around the corner. We only had to pick up a few things so I chucked my purchases in the stroller's bottom storage bin. We were almost finished and Ella was being an angel. She was looking around, smiling and playing with her stroller toys. I was a bit distracted -- thinking too much when we reached our final purchase: spaghetti sauce.

I grabbed one jar and put it in the stroller -- pulled the second one off the shelf and then everything went into slow motion. The glass jar slipped out of my hand and hit the tile floor with a loud explosion of flying glass and red sauce. A sliver of glass flew up at me and slashed open my hand. Fortunately, Ella was facing away from the destruction and was not affected. In fact I don't even think she realized something had happened. I stood there like a deer in headlights.

What had just happened? I'll tell you what! I had become the clean-up on aisle five.

The stock-man walked by and I caught his attention. "Could you please bring something to clean up this mess? The jar just slipped out of my hand," I said helplessly. He looked at the problem and said he'd be right back. Meantime my hand is really bleeding -- in fact blood is dripping off me and onto the floor -- making for two puddles of a big red mess.

I checked on Ella -- she was fine. Oblivous to her dumbfounded mother.

About this time another mom and her two children rolled up behind us. The daughter, maybe five, asked," what is that?" The mother explained a jar had broken and to stay away from the glass. She then smiled at me, reassuringly and said, "I'm just glad it's not me this time." I responded with a tiny giggle -- sounding more like a five year old who had just peed her pants than a grown woman and mother. It was just a smashed jar of spaghetti sauce! I told myself to get a grip.

Then another mom rolled up -- still no stock boy. Now I've bundled my hand in the tail of my t-shirt but the blood is oozing through the fabric. I didn't dare yet check to see if I needed stitches. Mom number two's little boy runs up to the splattered sauce and yells, "Oooh gross!" I feel like mom of the year. Then the mom says authoritatively, "Get over it, Justin it's just spaghetti sauce. Sometimes mommies just go crazy!" Something inside me felt like part of a sisterhood. A group whose members have on more than one occasion come unhinged for no apparent reason. I still felt helpless -- standing there with my bloody hand protecting fellow shoppers from a dangerous 3 by 4 foot section of the aisle covered in sauce, glass and blood.

The two moms went about their business, Ella (beginning to act like her true self) started to pull the bags of pretzels off the shelf next to her. With one hand I pulled the bags away from her, put them back on the shelf and started to maneuver around the mess with one hand and a bin full of groceries. About that time the stock boy showed up with a broom and a big bag of kitty litter to soak up the sauce. I thanked him and apologized for making the mess.

I then, chuckling to myself a bit because I had just made it through my first shopping incident, headed over to the medicine aisle, grabbed a box of bandaids, ripped them open and wrapped up my mutilated hand. Of course I bought the box, unlike those sickos who open deodorant in stores, take off the protective shield, slather it on and them return it to the shelf.

Helllloooo -- we know it's been used! If you don't already you should check for removed shields when buying deodorant just like you check for cracks in a dozen eggs.

My t-shirt has a little stain and fortunately I did not needs stitches. But that incident will always stand as a reminder -- every mom has been there and there is comfort in knowing every mom goes a little crazy sometimes -- and it's completely allowed.

Link to One Year Pictures

Ella's One Year Pictures

(click the link above)

You'll have to enter my first and last name in order to gain access. If you don't know it that probably means I don't know you and you shouldn't be looking at my child, freak.

No seriously -- if you're one of my blogging buddies, and you really want to see the pics, just shoot me an e-mail.

As Promised -- LeAnne's Baby

Ella's new friend, Steele Brice was born on January 11th. He weighed 7lbs. 14oz and was 20 inches long. Everyone's doing great!

A New Tradition

My dear friend Gerin gave me a beautiful idea. She takes a picture of her daughter, Abby every year in a special dress that has been passed down through the generations in her family.

I decided to do the same with Ella.

Aunt Barbara graciously gave me the dress Daddy's late, great Gradmom wore to our wedding. I envision Ella wearing it to a high school graduation or for senior pictures. It's nothing fancy but it's sentimental value is priceless.

I snapped a few pictures of her wearing it, or being draped in it. As we are likely to move as Ella grows up I decided to keep the setting constant by seating her in one of our teak rockers. It's the one that bears her little teeth marks from when she was cutting her first teeth. I've threatened Daddy's life if he ever thinks of sanding off the marks and coating over them with teak oil.

Over the years she'll grow into the dress and the chair -- and I intend to have a document of this beautiful new tradition.

13 Months!

Punkin' Pie turned 13 months on Saturday. Also on Saturday -- she took her first solo steps at the park, with Daddy. I'm convinced they have a deal. If she shares all of the major milestones with him while I'm at work she gets a sports car when she turns 16, or something like that.

She still hasn't shown off her new moves when I'm around. Although she's getting more and more confident. She'll walk holding just one hand and she's standing on her own for longer periods of time. She's also saying "Hi!" a lot more. All of the neighbors think it's the cutest thing -- and I agree.

Other words, or the beginnings of words are starting. The other night when she started fingering the button on my shirt I said, "Button -- bu -- bu -- button!" She repeated "Buh-buh". We were pretty impressed.

Ella is also trying to feed herself. This is fun when Mommy's in the mood for a nasty mess all over the high chair, walls, floor and baby. But how else is she going to learn, right? So I sit back and coach her and try not to freak out when a chunk of sweet potato goes whizzing past my head.

She's also started clapping and pointing more. I'm glad for the pointing, although someday we'll have to teach her it's rude. I read somewhere the earlier they start pointing the broader their vocabulary will be. The article went on to say most babies start pointing at 9 months! Thank God she's mastered it by 13. So she'll be somewhere between Earl and Dr. Frasier Crane. Darn I won't get one of those Honor Student bumper stickers. (read sarcasm)

And as for the walking -- it's the new question everyone asks. Between 5 and 10 months people always asked, "is she teething?" But usually Ella answered before I could by flashing the row of pearly whites she started cutting at three months! Now it's, "Is she walking yet?"

Until just the other day I was really bothered by my answer, "No, not yet". But my gynecologist told me the longer a baby crawls the better reader they'll be. She said her daughter didn't walk until 16 months and she's a voracious reader. My friend Briana, mother to Annabel and our #2 Godson, Henry, said she was told the same thing. Now when someone asks -- I'll say, "No, but she's going to love the Bronte sisters!" Then I'll know if they're an Earl or a Frasier.

Tiny Bubbles

Last night I had an (as Oprah would call it) Aha moment. Why not play with bubbles during bath time. Duh??? I don't know why this didn't occur to me earlier -- Mommy brain I guess.

It's finally a bit chilly here in SoCal so we don't play outside after dinner anymore. And it's been awfully windy so bubbles outside swiftly drift away. I tried blowing bubbles in the house but it makes a goopy mess on the floors, furniture and baby. Finally -- aha! Bubbles in the bathtub. Genius!!

I love blowing bubbles and Ella really enjoyed watching them fall all around her. They drift forever in the bathroom. When they land in the water they don't pop right away so she was able to lift a few of them onto her tiny hands before they burst. What a sweet moment!!

I remember my Granny blowing bubbles for me in the bathtub when I was a little girl. But she was really talented -- she could use regular soap and her two hands to blow extraordinary bubbles. It's funny how so many of these cherished memories seem to be stowed away in the back corners of your mind until you have a child. I'm glad Ella helped me remember.

Look Ma...No Pants!

Tuesday we finally got to J.C. Penney for Ella's 1 year pictures. Okay so she's almost 13 months -- I don't want to hear crap from anybody.

Daddy had a small heart attack when he saw how much we spent. But the photographer did a great job and they are special pictures so I, usually the more frugal one, bought more than I usually do. If you're picking up on a twinge of guilt that's just because I am feeling a little guilty. But Daddy doesn't hesitate to drop down some serious coin on Bronco parts -- so I'm working on letting it go.

She wore an adorable little red dress with this cute little onesie underneath. When the proofs are e-mailed to me I'll try to link all of you to them. We have come a long way in one year. Her first several trips to the studio were a nightmare to say the least. This time she, although still hesitant to smile for the pros, was pretty cooperative. And the super nice thing -- no line. We didn't have an appointment so I was prepared with a sack full of toys, snacks and sippy cups but we were the only ones there! Sweet!!

She conked out for about three hours after her photo shoot. After dinner she, refusing to remain in that silly dress, crawled around the house in her special little onesie. She's fond of playing under the sofa table. Her new thing is putting weebles, shoes, etc. into her nesting cubes and carrying them around. She's also started pushing her little people/leap frog buses around her room. Lately it seems she's advancing leaps and bounds every day.

Picky Girl

For those of you who think Ella is always happy and always smiling -- I give you picky girl.

Okay so I'm attempting a play on words here but you'll forgive me. Ella is a picky eater and she was primarily upset because she didn't like the food I offered her for dinner the other night. So most of her pureed or tenderized something ended up mushed on her fingers, smeared in her hair and stuck up her nose. As of late bath time has become more complex -- digging for lost foods.

It's hard to keep a straight face ~ for both of us.

The Cantrells

Okay, so I was mistaken in my earlier blog. Davis Floyd Cantrell weighed 11 pounds 8 ounces, not 9 ounces. I got that from my other friend, LeAnne who was on a heavy dose of pain killers following her c-section on the same day. Most people wouldn't care about that little bitty ounce but as a journalist accuracy is pretty important to me -- and I'm sure it made a big difference to Heidi.

As promised here's a picture of their adorable little family, Paul - with Annie, Heidi and Davis.

Too Much Elmo? Never!

Miss Ella-bean racked-up on Elmo for her birthday and Christmas. The furry red monster still seems to be her fave. The only other television she ever seems interested in is Thomas the Train and Wheel of Fortune. I think that's pretty good.

Anyway -- I had to snap this shot this morning. She was sitting in her Elmo chair, with "Elmo Knows Your Name" Elmo, watching Elmo on Sesame Street. She was happy and completely still for about 10 minutes. Washing dishes without someone yanking at my pants -- completely worth Elmo overload.

Yesterday we had another big first. Ella climbed up in the big chair that sits in front of our big front window. She grunted, pushed and pulled her way up all on her own. When she reached the decorative wooden ducks on the window ledge behind the chair (probably the inspiration for her climb) she turned and smiled at me as if she'd just reached the peak of Mt. Everest.

In other news -- Ella has -- and will have -- some new little people in her circle of friends. My pals from Cheyenne, Rob and Carey are expecting baby number two this summer. I have no doubt Greta will make a superb big sis!

And yesterday, two of my dearest girlfriends (from way back in elementary and middle school) gave birth to bouncing baby boys. They both delivered yesterday morning via c-section. LeAnne, Jonathan and big sister Maddie welcomed Steele who weighed in at just over 7 pounds. And Heidi, Paul and big sister Annie (a four legged big sis) welcomed Davis who tipped the scales at a whopping 11 lbs. 9 oz. You should know Heidi is a first-time mom and she's very thin. Her poor internal organs! Where did they go?

Everyone is happy and healthy!! I'll post pictures when I get them.

LeAnne (left) and Heidi (right) at one of my baby showers in August of 2005.

Back in Redondo

Things are still hectic but slowly getting back to normal. To those of you who thougt I'd fallen off the face of the earth (RM) I'm still kicking -- just a little slow on the keyboard tapping.

Here she is sitting in one of our dresser drawers as I was trying to get organized in the new year!

This is Ella's blog so I'll only briefly whine for myself, mostly as an explanation for ignoring the Blog. I came down with strep throat shortly after arriving in Atlanta. So needless to say, I was a sick puppy for quite a few days. Anyway, we're all on the mend now. Of course -- Ella and daddy came down with colds and sniffles. In fact, Miss Ella still has a cough and has been running a low grade fever for four days now. The doctor says she has a virus. She's also cutting her molers so we're having great fun. Why is it every time a child cuts teeth they usually run a low grade fever and most experience parents say it's teeth but doctors refuse to agree. Whatever it is we're alternating motrin and tylenol on a three hour cycle.

As for the little peanut -- she's making great strides, even though the doctor thinks she's too skinny, should be speaking more and isn't eating enough. For crying out loud, it's southern california, I thought they'd be jumping for joy at any human who's thin. Anyway, she's not walking yet but she's only holding onto us with one hand now when she cruises around upright. And she's still climbing onto anything she can reach.

She's also playing hide and seek now. It's so freakin' funny to see her crawl behind something and sit perfectly still while I pretend I can't find her.

She stood up on her own for the first time in Atlanta. And she'll stand on her own for a few seconds at a time. She's saying hi! I think that's officially her first word. Cute huh? She also said bye the other day. She still loves dancing and is incorporating some new moves and she puts them in motion whenever she hears music.

She's begun clapping her hands whenever she's happy or whenever she sees anyone else applauding. Last night as we watched the State of the State she was applauding right along with the Legislators as our Governor stood on crutches. I was beaming!

About her big feet...the saga continues.
She's now wearing a size 5 shoe. Which means mommy has to go buy all new shoes. She's busting out of the 4's quite literally.

She took her first shower last night with daddy and as you can see -- she absolutely loved it. But the bath is still her favorite. The problem is she's outgrowing the kitchen sink and we have shower doors. Can you say future backaches for mommy? I too may soon be on the motrin/tylonel treatment.

Favorite Holiday Moments

Daddy giving Ella a special gift, "How The Grinch Stole Christmas". Her first Dr. Seuss and a favorite of his as a child.

Babci, Granddad and Grams surprising us at the airport when we arrived in Atlanta.

Watching Ella watch the snowglobe at Babci and Granddad's house.

Celebrating One Year with our Ella-bella

Touring the "Island of Lights" at Lake Lanier with mommy's family...

And having our picture made with Santa!

Introducing Ella to her Great-great Uncle Troy and Great-great Aunt Gay...

Posing Ella for the traditional "baby in the stocking photo". This special stocking was hand-made by Babci for Ella.

But perhaps our absolute favorite -- watching Ella watch with unbelievable joy as the Atlanta Rockettes performed at the Atlanta Athletic Club's holiday party. Just look at that face!

Fun With Cousins

While we were in Atlanta, following Ella's big party, we visited with lots of Family and Friends. But it was of utmost importance to us that Ella spend as much time as possible with her cousins. They have only met her once, at four months when we were home for her Baptism, and if your recall, she slept the whole time.

So here's a little recap of our most fun with the cousins.

When we first arrived, the cousins from Daddy's side of the family came to Babci and Granddad's house to welcome Miss Ella. Emma, Zach, Alex and Ella played with cars and dolls and anything else they could find. But when Alex and Zach put Ella on the rocky horse Granddad bought Alex when she was just a baby, our hearts melted. I remember when Alex was Ella's age and seems like just yesterday!


Then of course the swing was great fun. It's colder in Georgia than it is in SoCal but Ella laughed away as her cousins pushed her as high as she could go, despite the chilly wind whipping her little face.

Then, we visited Mommy's family and cousin Trey gave Ella a ride in his car! What great fun!! They a few days later, before having their photos taken together at JC Penney, they shared a bath together. It was funny because they equally love baths and I could tell they were looking at one another as if to say, "hey, this is my tub, move over!"

They also shared a room for the couple of night's we spent with Uncle David and Aunt Leshia. We were a little worried about how they'd sleep together, but in the morning they looked happy to see one another.

At Uncle Rob and Aunt Stephanie's Emma and Ella played together, mostly nicely. They're only 8 weeks apart so there was some competition over toys but there was not biting or hair pulling, yet. As long as we're talking abut toys and not boys we'll be okay.

They made quite the adorable pair when they were dressed alike for Christmas Eve Mass.

Ella Turns One!!

Okay, so it's been some time since I've blogged. Sorry to those of you who frequent this happy little page for updates in our daughter's world!

At any rate, I'm going to attempt to blog backwards, keeping things in order as they happened over the last month or so. Here goes.

Ella's Birthday Party!

We decided to celebrate on the 17th instead of the 20th mostly because five days before Christmas is a hectic time and because her true Birthday fell on a Wednesday, making things more complicated for already stressed out parents of the invited little guests.

We celebrated back home in Georgia. We rented out a private room at a great place called Monkey Joes in Duluth, our home town. It's an indoor play-place with dozens of those big inflatables like you see in front lawns at some birthday parties. Our party had four of them all to themselves, about a dozen or so kids. We played for about an hour and a half and then ate cake and pizza. Ella had a tremendous time smushing into her cake and then wiping her goopy little hands all over mommy and then shaking off excess icing on daddy. At least it was a yummy Publix cake. And Publix is great because they give you a free cake for the birthday girl/boy so you pay for the cake you serve the guests and the one that gets destroyed belongs to the special child alone.

And yes, the red food coloring did come out of my white sweater!!