Look Who's Talking!

I knew when I was pregnant that I would never be the mom who kept a comprehensive baby book with every milestone, etc., recorded. I tried scapbooking once, and nearly went crazy. I just do not have the patience for it. However, I think this blog has saved me because it has become my own way of preserving memories of Ella!

My mom was amazing in that she kept lists of the words I was saying at every month... I haven't been nearly that good, but I figured I might as well write down something! So here is the list -- it is primarily for her mommy... sorry if it's not in line with our normal posts :)

Ella, at 14 months, can say...

- Duck (her first word!)

- Puffs

- Mama

- Dada (she often yells "Dad!!" right at Brian, like she is giving an order. Cracks me up.)

- Dog

- Emma

- Banana ("nana")

- Bath

- Ball

- Bubble

- All done

- No (shakes her head too!)

- Baby

- Night-night ("Ni-ni")

- Bye-bye

- Bread ("Bled")

- Cheese ("zzz")

- Shoes

And I'm sure I'm forgetting some! Nana and Grammy, let me know :)

Ella can also sign:

- Milk

- All done

- Please

- Thank you

- Again (so cute when she does this one! very deliberate!)

- More

- Sleep

- Dada

- Water

- Eat

All Smiles

Ella is such a goofball, and I love it. I would pretty much describe her as independent, strong-willed, and goofy! This past weekend, she was all smiles. And here are some (okay, lots) of pics to prove it...

This is her "cheese" face - and she says "cheese!" (Sounds more like "zzzz")

Smiling on her bike.

Heading down the sidewalk.

Pleeeease - take me outside on the bike! (We eventually had to hide it, or else risk a complete meltdown if we didn't take her outside NOW!)

Eating ice cream at the Dairy Godmother. Yum!

Walking back from church, Ella was being so cute that we had to stop and get some photos. Of course, it turned into a full photo shoot...

I told you - she's a goofball!

More smiles.

Now everyone is smiling!

Again, goofy girl!

Ella Lives the Life...

Out to lunch with three of her favorite things -- Grammy, Poppa and ice cream!

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Ella lives the life! Today Grammy took her to the zoo with her buddy Riley and her Mommy and Mimi!

Grandmas and Granddaughters.

Ella and Riley checking out the monkeys.

Kiss! (Seriously, how cute!!)

Buds.

Yummy ice cream sandwich!

Can't. Eat. Anymore.

With Grammy.

Off for a stroll.

Looking at the animals (or the camera).

Grammy shows Ella the animals. Thanks for a great day Grammy!

Desert Daze

This past week Mommy had a conference in Arizona! So Daddy and I got to travel with her and hang out in sunny Scottsdale. It was beautiful and I got to wear all my new warm weather gear!

Mommy came to visit us at the pool during breaks from the conference.

We ate lunch by the pool. So fun!

I played with duckie in the pool!

With Daddy :)

The resort had so many fun places to play.

But mostly I just enjoyed goofing around with Mommy and Daddy!

Good lookin'!

We also went to Sedona for the day! The scenery was amazing, but during the hikes they strapped me to their backs so I didn't have a very good view...

A supposed family photo - but look how squished I look!

Taking in the scenery.

Silly!

Mom wouldn't let me touch these... I don't know why!

Beautiful, huh?

I could see for miles....

Little girl abandoned in the desert.

So, I know the scenery is great and all, but can I please have your sunglasses?

Please?

Okay, I'm not asking nicely anymore!!

I love the desert!

Blowing kisses to the desert.

It's been fun!