Weekend at Nana's

Here is Ella sporting her new shoes that actually work!! I am so excited to have something that actually fits and doesn't have to be jammed on to her foot. I had heard of 'pedipeds' before, but my mom (Nana) sent us the website (www.pediped.com) and bought these (along with some others she can grow in to)! They are supposed to be really good for growing feet, and I am happy that they keep her little toes warmer, socks cleaner, and feet protected when she wants to walk around outside on these beautiful (spring-like) days!

This weekend we went to Ella’s Nana’s house! We had a great time and enjoyed being around lots of people (aunts, uncles, cousins, great-grandmothers, etc)! Nana is always so nice to treat us to wonderful meals and invite people over so that we don’t have to spend the entire weekend traveling to many different houses!
Since Nana (and Uncle Bradley of course) is a musician, one of the things that is sure to be around her house is music – which is one of Ella’s very favorite things! I forgot my camera this weekend – duh! – We did, however, take some videos of Ella dancing!

Look who's walkin'!

Here is Ella crusin' around the living room! It's SO amazing that we got that video of her taking her first few steps a little over a month ago, and now look at her!! All of these stages are so bitter sweet - I want her to be independent, but it just seems like she's growing SO fast!

Happy (Late) Valentine's Day!

OK so I started this last night, but got really tired, and our Internet was acting up...so here's the latest with the Conners...
Thursday evening we went to a Valentine's party at the library. So fun and SO cute for Ella...she ended up 'making' a heart box, a bag and a Valentine card. I didn't bring my camera, but she really enjoyed herself. Now that she is totally on foot (I have new videos to post of her walking around the living room!), she decided to walk up front when the lady was reading the story, and listen right beside her!
Friday evening, we loaded up the bike trailer and headed to Peebles to buy Ella some new shoes. We tried to have her fitted for them, but they are still really hard to get on, so the quest continues. Now that she is walking around so well, we want her at least to practice from time to time with shoes on her feet!
Then Saturday was our first night away from Ella!! We ended up having a blast!! I was a little nervous at first - I'll admit - but once we were leaving and I saw that Ella was very happy to be spending some time with her Grandma Debbie (as seen in the picture) and Grandpa Gale (and we later found out her great-grandparents as well)! We are very thankful to have them close by!
AND we also have to mention Ella's other grandmother - my mom - who was also SO thoughtful and had chocolate covered strawberries and wine delivered to our hotel room! We are so lucky to be blessed with SUCH wonderful families! We truly thank God for them!

Here's the fun stuff mom sent us! SO sweet (literally :-))

And here's us all glammed out! I bought a new dress, and jewelry and did my nails (even wore lipstick)! It was SO much fun to get dressed up and have a long, relaxing, fancy dinner (our reservations were for 7:30 and we didn't leave until 9:30)! I absolutely love every minute I spend with Ella (and would rather be with her than about anyone else!), but I also now see the importance of Adam and I spending a little time away to strengthen our marriage and in turn be better parents!

Spring Fever!

Ok so the Conner family very much enjoyed the beautiful weather this weekend! It was gorgeous and we realized how much fun we are going to have this spring and summer taking Ella out and about. After meeting for breakfast on Saturday, we went out and bought a bike trailer for her and you can see how much she enjoyed it!! She loves being outside and on the move so it was perfect for her!!

Another one of our favorite things to do with Ella (that she also really enjoys) is take her to the library. Several of the surrounding libraries have evening story times that we try to go to, and we make it a point to go with Ella's friend Mia (and her mom and dad of course) to the puppet show storytimes that they have once a month! The girls always have so much fun! They sing songs and do stories with the puppets, and then have snack time afterward. Ella has recently enjoyed staying for snack (with her now mouth full of teeth)! This was this past Thursday for the 'Valentine' themed evening. We plan on catching a few next week too!

As you can see - Ella is always up for anything - she loves being around all the other children too!

Definitely check out the video Adam posted earlier - it's our favorite ever!! And for some word on our job situation check out this web link to our local news:

http://www.whsv.com/home/headlines/39291797.html you can read the little article and click the video camera icon to see the news clip. Things may be looking up for us and the children who truly need the services provided by our Center.

Couldn't wait any longer to post this!

Julie finally let me post and I couldn't resist. This is my favorite video of Ella in the bathtub laughing hysterically during Christmas break!!!!!

Blog 2 of 2 (First Haircut)

So here's the long lock before...

During...

and after

The finished products

I had to do this in two posts because I could only add so many pictures at a time. I'm kind of glad though because this is sort of a big one – Ella got her FIRST HAIR CUT this week. We’ve been going back and forth about this for quite some time. As most of you know, Ella was born with gobs of hair – so much that the nurses in the hospital were excited and chatting about her amongst themselves – and because of that, it started to grow in sort of funny (with a really long piece in the back – kind of like an 80s mullet or rat tail). So last night we finally did it – and it does look really cute. Now it will all grow in at a little more of the same pace.

Blog 1 of 2 (Superbowl and First Snow)

Yay another blog – I must admit I’m getting a little obsessed over blogging – the joke around the Conner household now is ‘why don’t you go blog about it’…and those of you who know me well can totally picture me being this way (stop shaking your head, rolling your eyes and giggling Emily Tulli).
Thanks for all the e-mails and calls giving your support to our site. One of the things I failed to mention the last time is the wonderful network of friends and family we are blessed to have – we love you all!
Ok so here’s what’s been going on since last week:
First, we had a great weekend. Saturday we met up for our regular morning breakfast group (started by Laura) – we always have a very nice time chatting over coffee, pancakes, eggs and the array of yummies offered by Lynn’s buffet. Then Sunday, the same group of people came to our house for a pregame- Superbowl-playdate-party! (as seen in the picture with Adam above) The kids all had a wonderful time playing, trying really hard to share toys and eating sweat potato fries.
Ella had her 9 month doctor appointment today – and she is doing terrific! Thank goodness this visit was actually shot free. She weighs 18.5 lbs and is 28.25 inches long. She is growing so fast – it’s so bitter sweet. I have to stop here quickly and mention how much we love our pediatrician. He is kind, knowledgeable and wears Winnie-the-Pooh ties – and most importantly he is so patient with the list (yes literally I walk in there with a list) of questions posed by yours truly.
Also today – Ella got to see and play in her first snow! Her Nana (Fisk) bought her a very cute snowsuit and I was really hoping she would get a chance to use it at least one time this winter. It started snowing yesterday evening, and we took her out quickly – she really liked watching it snow from the door as well – because I didn’t know how long the snow was going to hang around. Then this morning (of course being the true teachers we are, we watched the news all morning waiting anxiously to see whether or not we would have to go in) we only got a 2 hour delay, but I was determined that we were going to play in the snow (again Emily, stop rolling your eyes and laughing). So needless to say the entire Conner family was out playing in the yard at 7am. Ella wasn’t too sure about snow, but she loves being outside so she was happy to be out and about.