What can a 13 Month Old Understand??

One of the things I am loving most about being e's mom is seeing her learning new things everyday! I find myself so proud of the little accomplishments in learning that I see...maybe this is the teacher in me...or maybe all parents feel this way.

On Tuesday I picked up e's only girl cousin from school. The boys were in the car as well and I was trying to help my sister out as little bit had his 2 week check-up! NO one should have to go to the doc. with 4 children in tow. Okay, back to my story. E has a doll that we keep in the car for entertainment purposes. It has a cute little hat attached by a string. So when we got in our car yesterday... many hours later...I noticed that the hat was now unattached. I said, "e did you get this hat off?" Then in her cute little way she said AAAAADEEEE. She can say her cuz's name but I was just very curious if she really understood.

So last night I asked A who took the hat off (not that I care at all if the hat comes off) and she said she had on the way home from school. I was surprised that e was able to understand and answer me. Maybe she knows more that she lets on at times!

The Wheels on the bus....

This morning as I was changing e's diaper (trying anything to keep her still) I was singing "The wheels on the bus." So I sang the babies on the bus...you know go wah wah wah...all over town. Then we got to the mommies..you remember they go sh sh sh ...all over town. Then I got to the daddy's...and they just read read read and then I couldn't help but laugh! This old song proves quite true! I am sure there are exceptions..but can't you just picture this poor mommy trying to calm her baby on the crowded bus where she is making a scene..and the daddy is just calmly reading his paper. I don't think it's because he is trying to be rude or unhelpful....HE just DOESN'T HEAR IT...or maybe he does??? This song was def. written by a woman!

Sorry...maybe I am still a little stressed after waiting in line for 2 1/2 hours to vote yesterday..with e or over my night last night!

I have a confession!

Ella slept in her room at night for the first time last night..and she is almost 13months. This is something that I have struggled with for a long time. When she was born we had her in our room in a bassinet, when she out grew that we switched to a cradle, and then to a port-a-crib. I have had this fear...that she will smush her nose in the bumper, get a leg caught, the house catch on fire, or a burglar...and I can't get to her fast enough. So it just seemed safer, wiser, and I slept better with her close by. Every night we pray over her asking the Lord to surround her with his angels and watch over her throughout the night. I have to admit since losing Samuel...and then getting ella her safely...my biggest concern was SIDS! I have been terrified to walk into her room after 12+(Hopefully) hours to check on her! I ALWAYS made sure she went to sleep on her back...until I could no longer keep her on her back...and made she there were no blankets, toys or etc. in the crib. She has always napped in her room throughout the day and loves her big crib so this was not a new space for her! Kevin has been as weak on this issue as I have been. I'd have her in her bed sound asleep and when it got time for us to go to bed he'd say...let's just let her sleep in here...so off I'd go to move a sleeping child back to our room. Is that not sad or what! Needless to say last night was the night... and we both were so tired that we stuck to our guns and although I checked on her 3 times throughout the night she slept great and so did we. I think we'll try again tonight!

The Cutest Cow EVER!

We dressed ella up as a cow for Halloween. I totally get why parents enjoy dressing up their little kids..she was soooo cute as a little cow! We visited a few relatives and stopped by our neighbor's Halloween Party for a few minutes and then ella and I answered the door for trick-or-Treaters. She loved running to the door every time the doorbell rang and seeing the kids in costume. Finally at 8 I closed up shop and put her to bed. She was a worn out little cow but it was so much fun.

Sick!

It has been a rough well...almost 2 months at the gio house! Someone in our house has been sick since Sept. 4. I remember this date only because we were out of town for a friends wedding and ella got sick while there. Since then Kevin got a cold, I got bronchitis and cold induced asthma, ella had a mild cold, then ella got a stomach virus which lasted eight days and consisted of about 7-9 diarrhea diapers a day, which led to a horrible diaper rash, which then she took another cold just as the diarrhea ended.....(sorry for this run-on) then on Sunday she was diagnosed with pneumonia, and now Kevin and I are taking a cold...AGAIN! I can't tell you how ready I am for us to be well. I keep reminding myself that these are all minor illness that can be easily treated. I keep telling myself that there are many moms who would give anything for their child to just have diarrhea or a cold. Trying to keep perspective...as we all so ready to feel better! Thankfully we got a good report at the doctor today on ella and it seems the meds are helping her little lungs to fight the infection! Thank you Lord!

On a happier note my sis, Joy delivered her 4th baby early last Thursday. I was able to put ella to bed and head to the hospital in time for the delivery and even be back at home before Kev and ella woke up! Let me tell you she just popped that little guy out..I think she was only there about 3 hours before he arrived! He is so cute! Unfortunately we are staying away since we are all sick again. Hopefully soon Little Andrew can meet his cousin ella. I think she will be amazed at him and I know I am going to have to watch her every second since she LOVES her baby dolls. She may think Andrew is a new baby doll aunt joy bought her.

Birthday Pics Part 3

What is mommy doing?


Birthday's are SWEET!


This is so FUN!


I love my baby!

More B-day Pics (See Below)

My Girl!


Lots of Pink!


Ella's Cupcake!


The Birthday Girl!