Merry Christmas!!

In her new rain jacket

With her new cowgirl boots from Auntie Juju

After drinking some blueberry juice!

Christmas was amazing! We spent two days of hanging out with our families. Ella had a lot of fun this year because she really realized that some of the presents were for her. She got so many things. She is such a spoiled girl!!! She got cowgirl boots, books, a shopping cart full of plastic food, babies, clothes, shoes, a play vacuum, legos, etc...

I got lots of nice things as well. Charley got me a new camera which I love! Works nicely for my blogging pics.

Charley had the whole week off, but it seems like we were so busy trying to get things done that we barely got to spend time together. On Monday our washer went out, so Charley and his Dad spent the whole day getting a new one. I guess I didn't realize how quickly washers go out. We only had our other one for about 4 years. Such a boring but necessary purchase.

We're less than two weeks away from Ella's birthday. I'm not looking forward to those terrible twos...

Happy Ella

Merry Christmas!!!

"Cheeeeeeeese!!!!!"

With "uncle" Pat and "aunt" Melissa

Well, I did it! I ended up getting a 91.7 in my Microbiology class! That's the first time I've ever gotten straight A's. ;) Or shall I say all A's? So happy to not have to think about homework or studying for a while.

I am getting really excited for Christmas! Charley took that whole week off. I have to work on Christmas and both days after that. So we will have Monday-Wednesday off together! I am happy to get some much needed family time. It is going to be so fun to watch Ella this Christmas. Last year she couldn't even open her presents by herself. This year she will probably rip them open in seconds. I will be sure to get those moments on video!

Tomorrow Ella and I are going to Grandma's to make some Christmas cookies. Yum!

Only about 3 1/2 more weeks until Ella's 2nd birthday. Then my new little nephew will be arriving around then as well. Can't wait to hold a newborn... And then give him back when he starts crying!!! Ha ha.

It's Cold!

Dork

Yikes, the weather sure changed quickly! We officially have winter weather! My car was covered with ice this morning. Makes it feel more like the holidays.

Today was my last day of Microbiology! I kind of can't believe it is over. I won't have any homework or studying to do for quite some time.

Work is going pretty good. I think I've finally got the hang of it. The tips are amazing! Our family's new schedule is kind of crazy. Seems like only one of us is home at a time with Ella. Charley is always working late and it seems like I am at work the days he gets off on time.

Ella had quite a rough week last week. On Tuesday I accidentally shut her finger in the car door. She had stuck it in the front of the passenger door while I had the door open. As soon as I shut it I saw her standing there and it took her a couple seconds to realize what had happened. I quickly opened the door and she screamed for about 10 minutes. The poor baby! Then on Thursday night she flew off the couch and onto the floor slamming into the coffee table on the way down. She busted the inside of her lip open. There was blood streaming out of both sides of her mouth. It didn't seem to bother her much, but Charley took her to the doctor the next day to have it looked at. It turned out to be just a really bad scrape and thankfully has been healing on its own. On Sunday Ella had a fever and wasn't eating much. She didn't seem to come down with any real symptoms, so I'm guessing it has come and gone already.

Her newest favorite thing to do is play ring-around-the-rosie. She loves to say "ashes, ashes, ashes, ashes, ashes" over and over and then drop to her knees.

What a Wonderful Thanksgiving

Ella "cheesin" next to our Christmas tree
Sleeping with my sister's dog on Thanksgiving

Sweeping for Grandma

She got in trouble with Dad...

Wearing the new apron Grandma Wanda made her.

We had a rough start last week. Ella had a minor cold which of course turned into an ear infection. I was wondering why she kept waking up in the middle of the night screaming. She even managed to tell her auntie "ear hurt". I couldn't believe it! The doctor said she needed to go on antibiotics since she was having symptoms along with the infection. I was bummed because she is on that stuff far too often. She also got her flu shot while we were there and that made her mad! But all it took was one of those sugar free suckers to cheer her up.

Thanksgiving was amazing. We just spent the entire day with our families. First we ate at Charley's parents and visited with his family. Then we went to my parent's and had a fun night with them. I love getting to eat two Thanksgiving meals. So yummy! Charley is on call this week for work and was called out about 30 minutes right before both meals. Thank goodness both times he walked in the door just as we were sitting down to eat.

Lately I have been really trying to be grateful for what I have and to not dwell on the things that I don't have. The biggest and most important thing I am thankful for is my family. My life would be nothing without them. They are always there for me and I couldn't imagine ever being away from them again. My husband takes such good care of me and Ella. He works so hard to provide us a warm home . He has also supported me throughout my schooling journey which has taken MUCH longer than expected. He has been supporting me ever since we got married. My daughter is a blessing. I don't even know where to begin with her... I look at her and can't believe that she is mine. I am so thankful for having her in my life.

On Friday we took Ella to a gem and mineral shop. She about died when she saw all the rocks! She has a fascination with them and loves to pack them around in different containers. We got a little bag full of rocks and she has been playing with them ever since that day.

Tonight is officially my first night on my own at work and making tips... I am very nervous. I really want this job to work out because it is a great way for me to work part-time and still make decent money. My shifts are 4-9 four days a week. So it works out great with Ella because we are together all day and then Charley gets her at night. I hope I can keep up!

Last week I picked up my application to the nursing program. It was such an amazing moment. I can't believe I get to apply in two months!!! By May I should know where I stand on the waiting list. I am beyond excited...

My Life is so Busy Now!

Ella saying "CHEESE!!!" as I take the picture... At least it gets her to smile!

Well I ended up going back to work. I am training to be a waitress part-time at a local restaurant. Let me tell you, it is so much harder than it looks! I'm really trying to get it down before I am on my own next week. Lord help me!

I am finishing up my last few weeks of school. I can't wait to be done with that and just focus on being with my baby girl and working. I never knew how much of a luxury it is to be able to be a stay-at-home mom until I was able to do it for 7 months. I just feel blessed that I was able to do it for as long as I did.

Ella is doing amazing. We just can't get enough of that girl. She is creeping up on her second birthday. It's only about five weeks away.

I am excited to spend Thanksgiving with my family. Seems like the holidays are really the only time we all get together as sad as it sounds! I can't wait to eat two dinners... One at the Peper's and one at the Monroe's. Yum!

Here We Go Again

This is what happens when I let her pick out her outfit...

This is how she fell asleep last night! She doesn't want to miss a second of play time!

I taught her to say "cheese" when I take her picture. Now she looks at me and smiles real big as she yells "cheeeeeeeeeeeese!!!"

I am just about a week away from my next test. On to another 2 weeks of nothing but studying. Ugh, I can't wait for this semester to finally be over. I just finished my one and only paper that I had to write for lab and it feels great to get that done.

Charley didn't have to work much this past weekend because of all the rain. It was so important to have him home so that we could spend time as a family. We don't get to do that much anymore. I'm hoping that changes real soon!

Ella had her biggest fall to date on Tuesday. She was going down the cement stairs at Auntie's house and tripped. Her nose, forehead and left knuckles were all skinned up the poor little thing! I think she has trouble walking in her rain boots. Especially when she's got them on the wrong feet.

Ella is less than 2 months away from turning 2. We are already talking about her birthday parties and trying to get things in order for them.

The newest phrase she is saying non-stop is "looka that..." She will say "looka that water", or "looka that shirt". So cute.

We have yet to be successful with the potty. She just doesn't know when she needs to go yet. We bought her a potty book that teaches her all about going potty. Didn't seem to help much. Maybe in time she will get it? I hope?

Ella's Second Halloween

This is one of her new games. She loves to line up the lids of the pens.

Well, we had a great Halloween. We stuffed ourselves with pizza, pumpkin pie, and candy. Ella was all dressed up in her pumpkin costume. She only trick or treated at one house with Grandpa. She just hung out with us while the bigger kids went.

I can't believe November is here. It won't be long until Thanksgiving is here. I can't wait for the turkey.

Guess we don't have much to report from last week. Maybe this week will be a little more exciting. ; )

Just Another Week

Dad and Ella carved the big pumpkin together.
Checking to see if it's hot.

Helping Dad clean out the guts.

Playing the rock game. She takes the rocks from the bucket and puts them in the chair. Then back to the bucket and so on. Great opportunity to study!

Wearing Mom's high heels.

I survived my Micro test last week, but came down with a nasty cold the day after. I'm sure it had to do with the all the stress that comes along with any big test. My teacher still hasn't posted the grades yet. I am dying to find out what I got! I'm glad my Dad is out of town this week since I've been unable to exercise all week! I have another test tomorrow as well, so I've been studying for about two weeks straight. I am so glad I am not working!

Speaking of work, I was approved for the unemployment extension which allows me 13 more weeks of checks. I am very blessed since the right job has not come along just yet. I am hoping it shows its face just as I finish up my class in early December.

Yesterday I took Ella to the Boo at the Zoo to watch the animals eat their jack-o-lanterns. She enjoyed running around the zoo in her pumpkin costume and visiting all the animals. We saw the monkeys swinging from rope and rope and Ella yelled "weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!"

Here are some new words that Ella has been saying:

"Where Dada?"

"What's that?"

"Dada home"

"jacket"

Guess I should get back to studying... : (