First Ouchie

When I picked Ellery up from school on Thursday I was presented with an accident report that said she had fallen on the sidewalk trying to walk too fast. The teachers said she barely cried and got right back up. I am surprised this hasn't happened sooner - she literally tries to run now and gets her body leaning forward. I am sure this is just the first of many, unfortunately!

Another game of tag

I've been tagged again by Kristyn. This time it is about Nathan (who has recently asked why he hasn't been the subject of a blog). So this is for him.

1. Who is your man? Nathan Michael (N, as I like to call him)

2. How long have you been together? Celebrated our 3rd anniversary in May

3. How long dated? one year of dating and then a little less than a year of being engaged

4. How old is your man? 29

5. Who eats more? depends on the food (meat - Nathan, dessert - me)

6. Who said "I love you" first? N

7. Who is taller? N

8. Who sings better? N does for sure - I am trying to get him to try out for our Gathering Band at church but he won't even give it a thought

9. Who is smarter? Book smart - me, Common sense smart and a grammar genius - N

10. Whose temper is worse? Mine for sure.

11. Who does the laundry? I do most of the time but he isn't opposed to helping and is a great folder

12. Who takes out the garbage? N

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Depends on the way you are looking at the bed... when we are in it, I am on the right.

14. Who pays the bills? N

15. Who is better with the computer? This is a toss up.

16. Who mows the lawn? a neighbor

17. Who cooks dinner? I usually do but he is a good cook and does occasionally whip something up in the kitchen

18. Who drives when you are together? N

19. Who pays when you go out? N but it all comes from the same place

20. Who is most stubborn? Me again

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? I feel like I do this more often probably because I am in the wrong more often.

22. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine since they live about 5 minutes from us. But his parents are really good about coming to Houston for monthly visits.

23. Who kissed who first? You will have to get that story from Nathan.

24. Who asked who out? He did for pizza!

25. Who proposed? Definitely N - a very sweet proposal

26. Who is more sensitive? Me

27. Who has more friends? We both are blessed with good friends. I think he has always had a bigger group of friends though and I have my few close friends.

28. Who has more siblings? Equal. We both have sisters.

29. Who wears the pants in the family? He does, I am more into shorts and skirts these days....:)

So I am tagging Tiffany, Jill, and Tabaitha!

Back to life, back to reality

We just got home from one very fun, relaxing, and memorable vacation to Jamaica. We went with our friends the Meltons and Allens, who both have girls the same age as Ellery. Needless to say, Ellery is now wondering where her "sisters" are as well as why we can't go swimming right after breakfast or to the beach for lunch. I have about 200 pictures from the week, but here are just a few of the highlights:

our little beach girl

This was Ellery's 1st week of pigtails...it's like her hair grew overnight while we were vacationing

the three little musketeers Ellery, Madikate, and Ella

I think this might be my favorite place on earth!

Ellery and Nathan hanging out at the tree bar where the bartender whipped up fruit smoothies for the girls

Nathan and Ellery just lounging by the beach

Ellery's 1st view of the ocean

Ellery and MK: little beach bums

Girl talk

Ella is so used to Ellery giving her kisses that she automatically leans in for them

We laugh that Ellery is the "mother hen" of the group. This picture makes me laugh because it looks as if MK is saying, "Shhhh..don't tell on me Ellery!!"

No trip is complete without a little toddler wrestling

the girls on a night out... where were the little girls?...see next picture

Sweet ladies Irene and Hillary not only whipped us up an incredible breakfast each morning...they also babysat for us a couple of nights so that the adults could enjoy a dinner out.

Sand castle building

Our view!!

Ellery's 1st lesson in throwing rocks

On the way home...all three wearing their new Jamaica outfits

Walking out to the plane...after Nathan took this picture she starting running. A future pilot??

And my favorite picture of all...can we do it again next year??

Jamaica-mon here we come!

Today Ellery is 15 months old! It is hard to believe and I am giving thanks to the Lord for her life and the joy she brings to our family. I give Him praise for so many things including:
1. She is a happy girl most of the time. She loves to twirl, wave hi and bye to everyone, dance, play with friends and by herself, read, run errands with mom, and so much more.
2. She is my little helper! She loves to clean and throw things away.
3. She is healthy. I am so thankful for this. She has had some gastrointestinal issues the past few weeks and lost some weight but overall she is a healthy, growing girl.
4. She loves to say so many words including mama and dada. Mama is usually said a little louder and more demanding than dada but at least she says it!
5. She is a kisser! Not only does she blow kisses but she gives big, open mouthed ones as well.
6. She is slowly adjusting to life away from mom at school. We can now get through the hallway of school before she starts to cry. Hopefully soon we will get into the classroom!
7. She is getting smarter each day. I am amazed at what a little sponge she is. It's like she wakes up with a mission each day to accomplish. Today she put her puzzle together all by herself. She is also understanding so many of the things we say to her.
8. She knows how to say her prayers. She puts her hands together and prays with us at night.
9. She is starting to test her limits which can bring out her little temper. Just a sign she is getting older and more aware of her surroundings. Yes, I have to remember to be thankful for this at times.
10. She is our little girl! Sometimes I can't believe we have been entrusted to take care of such a precious gift!

It is so easy sometimes to get run down, frustrated, overwhelmed, and anxious as a mother and it is good to remind myself of how much I have to be thankful for. On that note of being thankful, we are heading out to Jamaica! I can already hear the waves crashing and the reggae music playing.

Boats and Backpacks

This past weekend we went to Austin and had a great time. Ellery has always liked the boat but this time she was obsessed. She would go outside and just stare longingly at the water and the boat and make "vroom" sounds until Poppy agreed to take her again and again. She didn't even mind the marshmallow-like life vest that we make her wear. Poppy drove Ellery through the canals where she went under bridges, pointed at turtles, and waved to all of the other boats and passengers. I even caught her humming. She adores the lake and I can't wait to get her on skis!
Nathan was able to go to the UT/TCU game and it is a good thing because he would have been downright ticked to have to watch the Aggies in their 3rd overtime and miss the 1st quarter of the UT game on television. He bought Ellery her new UT duds at the new UT co-op here in Houston. We really wanted to get her the cute 2T cheerleader outfit but when trying it on it caused a lot of tears and tantrums, so we passed. Maybe next year!
On a another note, Ellery seems to be adjusting well to her new school and friends, although pick-up time has been a little rough. All of the kids come out looking beat-down and exhausted. Most likely it is because they take a nap from 12:30-1:30 and this is hardly enough napping after a morning of playing on the playground, story time, lunch, and other toddler activities. I am assuming they have to wake them up, pack up pacifiers and loveys, and send them out the door to mom. I have started a not-so-healthy routine of having a Sonic milkshake waiting for her in the car. It seems to do the trick and perk her up. The teachers say she is doing well throughout the day and even sitting still during story time. I have my doubts! I even spied on her out on the playground since the school is less than 1 minute from our house. I parked across the street and watched her happily playing in the sandbox. Her new back pack came in the mail today and she knew just what to do with it. She seemed like such a big girl!





Striking a pose!

Daddy's Little Longhorn

Just Pictures

Where's Ellery? Not feeling up to par

Getting ready for an outing to the pool on Labor Day

Having fun climbing on dad

"Reading" books to the stuffed animals

Just realized mom was taking pictures

Too cool for school