7 Months Old

Dear Ella,

I never realized how much I wanted you until I found out you were growing in my belly.  I have so many dreams for you.  They started out small, just like you.  As you grow, my dreams for you grow.  Let's start at the beginning... my very first dream for you was for you to be healthy and safe inside me. When it was time for you to enter the world.. I hope you'll never understand how incredibly terrified I was when your heart rate dropped during delivery.  I knew you were in the best care.  Then I was even more terrified to find out you had to go to the NICU.  I even cried... the only time.  I couldn't believe it, you weren't early or anything!  Again, I had to remind myself that you were with great people who knew what they were doing.  I prayed though.  In fact, I prayed for you every night when you were growing in my belly and I still do every night while you sleep.  I pray for you to be ok, healthy, happy, safe, and that nothing bad happens to you.  So far my dreams and prayers have come true!

Now, that you are 7 months old, I dream of you getting big and doing things little girls do... walk, talk, run, sing, pick flowers, chase puppies, play dress-up, color... I can't wait to do these things with you!

In just a few short years you'll be off to school... and then I'm sure you will meet a boy and then get your heart broken or break someone's heart...  college.. marriage.. babies... It makes me so full of joy to think you prospering in life.  I know you will because you are smart, beautiful, sweet, kind, and even stubborn - unfortunately you get that from me :)   In fact.. your more than a quarter German and more than a quarter Irish...lucky for you this combination has made you more beautiful than either mommy or daddy ever thought possible.

I'm getting ahead of myself though.  I don't want to think about what your life will be like in 5, 10, 20 years.. I want to think about today and now!  You learn new things every day and I'm thankful I get to see this happen!  For instance, today (6/29/12) was the first time you put your hand/fingers in your food and then ate the food off!  You'd never done that before.. just squeezed the food!  Amazing!

Anyway.. I have so many thoughts in my head about you and for you that I think from time-to-time I will write to you for both our benefits...

Love you forever and always,
mommy

p.s. daddy loves you too.. but not as much as mommy :)

I just can't do it

Ella is getting big.  Too big.  She's too old now.  I don't want her to get any bigger.  It kinda hurts me to realize how big she is. She will be 7 months on Friday.  Michael and I have been bickering for over 2 weeks now about something.  And that something is a car seat.  He wants to put her new car seat in my car and I do not want her in it!  We are looking at this from two different views.. Michael is excited about her getting big, therefore a new car seat is welcome.  I on the other hand am excited about her getting big but a new car seat makes it real!  Dang car seats keep getting to me! So we have this car seat sitting at the top of our stairs.. for 2 weeks now.. and I just can't put it in the car.  I think I won't have a choice soon though because Michael doesn't want it at the top of the stairs anymore.  Anyone else have this issue?

Workin on it!

Habits are hard to break.. bad habits are even worse...

I have had this one bad habit for a long time off and on of course..

I'm almost ashamed to admit it.. but I bite my nails.  I did it when I was little...
then at like 6th grade I stopped!  I grew my nails out so long, my sister forced me to cut them. 

Then in high school I started again... and then when I was getting married in college.. I stopped!

After the wedding I moved back to Cedar Rapids and began driving to Cedar Falls about 4 times a week.. therefore.. I started again..

When I found out I was pregnant with miss Ella.. I stopped and my nails grew long again!

After she was born.. it was a lot of work to take care of her.. so they stayed at a decent length.

Once she wasn't quite so much work.. probably at like 8 weeks.. I started again...

There are at least 2 common denominators here... 1- big events got me to stop and 2- I start driving more when I start biting more.

You see.. I don't bite my nails because I'm nervous, I do it because I'm bored........... so when I drive and I have a hand free.. I bite.  When I'm holding Ella while she's sleeping... I bite.  When I'm reading a book and I have a hand free.. I bite.

 I cannot seem to stop.  But I'm trying to because its disgusting!  Yet.. I'm not being able to.  I have all my friends and family yell at me to stop if they see me do it because I don't even realize I'm doing it! It is quite frustrating! 

However... I think I have found a new weapon to defeat this bad habit... I recently found my Greek worry beads!  If you've ever been to Greece.. I'm sure you'd recognize these because they were EVERYWHERE when I went and they entertain me so well.

So.. while I'm driving or reading a book or doing something that only takes one hand.. I'm going to have my worry beads in the other... they are fun to use and seem to have been working the past couple days...

So sorry to have to inform you of my yucky bad habit that I've been fighting most my life... don't worry though.. I will win this war!

Bedtime Routine

Since Ella was about 3 or 4 months old .. wow that wasn't that long ago yet it seems like forever .. we started a bedtime routine that we have stuck to pretty well... since several people I know have recently had a baby .. recent as in like past 3months.. they've been asking me how I get Ella to sleep every night.  You see.. I have an AMAZING baby!  She generally goes to sleep around 8pm and sleeps until 630-7am!  And she has for a few months.  Meaning.. I get sleep :) 
Anyway.. I decided I'd share how we do this bedtime thing at our house.

Most nights at around 730pm I give baby girl a bath.  Note: Daddy has never given her a bath.. I think hes scared haha!  She loves bath time and loves being in the big tub!  I don't know how she moves around so much in the tub since she doesn't crawl yet...

Next we dry off while in the bathroom looking in the mirror..

Then we lay her on the changing table to put a diaper on her; note: she is screaming usually..

Next daddy comes in and gets her in some pjs and rocks with her and plays with her while I'm 'closing the house'.. I shut the blinds, curtains, turn lights off, get bottle ready, and get her blankie..

Then I come in and 'close up her room'.. turn on little lamp. shut blinds, turn on ceiling fan, and her other fan..

Next I take baby girl from daddy at about 750pm and we rock and I usually say something like "Dear Lord, thank you for our wonderful day with so and so.  Please have tomorrow be a good day, and make sure I don't get sick, and please have me sleep good tonight in my crib.  Thank you. Love Ella. Amen."

Then we read three book: Goodnight Moon, llama llama nighty-night, and Good Night.

Next I sing her threeish songs.. I have a horrible voice but oh well.. we do 2 versions of "You are my sunshine".. the original way and then I replace sunshine with Ella for the second time... then "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and finally I sing the 4 lines in our favorite book Love You Forever "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be"...

Finally at 8pm I tell her I love her and give her a bottle out on the couch for a little more cuddle time and shes generally asleep within 20minutes and we put her in her crib.

Now I know I know.. I shouldn't do the bottle and I should let her fall asleep on her own.. but darnit.. it is one of my favorite times of the day!  She's fallen asleep on her own in the crib before.  If she's not asleep by the time she eats 4oz or by like 830 845 then I put her in the crib and see if she will.
One day I'll stop.. but how long is she gonna be this little for?

Good luck with bedtime!!

Some new food!

 Ella tried peas yesterday... it is the one food she has tried that she refused to finish!  I couldn't believe it!  Ok ok I can believe.. but I was still surprised.. thinking maybe it was the texture?

Here she is right after I got her to eat like 4 bites...

 I turn around after setting the bowl on her tray (in case she wanted to try it again on her own).. when I turn back this is the only sign of the peas.. can you see it?

 And there is the bowl.. a good 6 feet away.. shes got a good arm.. and now look at her!  about to smile!  She's kind of a punk.. but in a totally cute adorable way!

Keep watch for the recipe for the peas!  Oh I'm not done trying to get her to eat them!

Miss Ella

Yesterday..

Ella and I were on our way to her sitters and I look back at her and what do I see..

a big girl!  She was sitting in her car seat with a cup of juice in her hand looking out the window!  I couldn't believe it.  It hit me right then.. she's  growing up.  I actually called daddy and told him right then (which is rare since he doesn't normally answer) he answered though!  And he said "well she is a big girl!" 

... it reminded me of this one time.  I was at the post office buying my grandma some 'religious looking' stamps for christmas, so musta been around dec 23rd.  Ella wouldve been like 3 weeks old.  So I'm standing in line and one girl at the counter had a baby with her.  A boy and he was in his car seat, and he was grabbing and playing with some toys that were hooked to the carrier.  I remember thinking... wow I can't imagine Ella that old and able to do that.. at the same time thinking.. oh my gosh I can't wait for Ella to do that!  Now not only can she grab the toys and pull them off her carrier but she can hold her own cup of juice and look out the window!

I wish I couldve taken a picture because it was just one of those moments I want to remember forever.. I didn't though because I was driving :( 

I literally almost teared up when I saw here.  And I know, I know.. she really isn't that big and blah blah blah.. but no one can really imagine that reality hitting you until it does and it is at the most random times.

It didn't hit me when we had to put her in size 4!!!! diapers on Monday... it didn't hit me when she started to stand with very little support (holding on to furniture for a few seconds).. but when I saw her in that car seat yesterday.. it was like bam!  she is no longer a little baby girl newborn.. she is a big girl!  an infant!  a baby! who is almost 7 months old! she is growing up right before my eyes.. and I'm so worried that I'll miss it. 

She is working so very hard on crawling too!  I thought.. what the heck!  shes not old enough to crawl!  Yet every time someone from our family or a friend sees her and realizes she sits up on her own with no issue.. they go.. "oh i bet she is crawling all over the place" and then we say nope.  It's like people are amazed that she can sit so well but not crawl... give it time people!  I'm in no hurry to watch her grow up that quick.. however.. it has made me realize that Michael and I really really need to get on this baby proofing thing.. and figure out a way to keep the floor clear of the never ending white dog hair!

see her new trick though?  

 

long week

What a week! With michaels family from Texas here and my grandma here from Spencer... We haven't had a chance to slow down! All the while miss ella seems to still have some cold bug or something... Doctor said may be allergies.  Seriously? Already? Isn't she too young for that! I don't have pictures unfortunately but let's recap.
Thursday - dinner with his fam at cranky hanks.. delicious but ella was also cranky..
Friday - dinner with my fam. Ella was really good. However refused bed and screamed for almost an hour due to over tiredness.
Saturday - out with my dad grandma sister and niece. Went to Walmart menards. Hyvee. Wendys. Starbucks. Then I think dinner with them also. Yes. Papa murphys.
Sunday - fathers day :) Michael had to work but we went to my dads and my sister dad and us went to menards again. And other places. Then fam dinner with Mikes fam at his parents. Mexican. Delicious. However they don't have ac. So HOT. Ella and I had to leave early since she couldn't cool down :(
Monday - while I worked 10-2 mike and ella went to lunch with his fam at hyvee. Then his nephew ella and him went to Walmart. I got home and after a couple hours went back to my dads and my sister dad grandma brother in law and new nephew went to Walmart to finally buy patio furniture. They only had 2/3 that dad wanted. Ella was way hot again. Went home and was good. Today - stayed home until 615! Then met dad sister niece grandma at home depot. Bought more patio furniture. Then dads to eat and put stuff together...

So since Thursday ... Ella went to bed on time twice!

Here's hoping to a slower rest of week!

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Ready for a new read?

Game of Thrones!

 

Book Series Title: A Song of Ice and Fire

Book One: Game of Thrones

Author: George R. R. Martin

Genre: Fantasy

Apparently I'm all about the fantasy lately!  I don't know if its the thought of being in another world with crazy magic and crazy creatures or if its the idea of being in another time... such as with this book.  Not only are we in a completely different world.. with its own map.. but its in a time when you travel on horseback and fight with swords for a throne thats in a giant stone castle where people actually live.  There are ladies and sirs or in this book 'sers' that I'm sure where gorgeous clothes.  

This book and I'm assuming the series as well is great.  It is slightly different in the writing.. meaning.. each chapter is written from one person's perspective.  It can get irritating because I want to know what happens with that person.. but I have to wait to find out!  I already have my favorite people and stories.  

In case you didn't know.. there is a show on hbo based on the books.  I watched both seasons and is the reason I am reading it.  Forewarning.. if you've seen the show.. the characters are a tad younger in the book or so it seems.

Great great great writing though and an amazing story!  

Want to read more?

lhttp://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Game_of_Thrones

http://georgerrmartin.com/

Yummy Avocado for Baby!

Avocado Avocado Avocado

While we are having miss Ella baby try new foods.. we thought we'd throw in some avocado!

(man that is a hard word for my to type for some reason)

It is super easy and super healthy!  It contains iron. vitamin e, vitamin a, vitamin c, calcium, and a little protein and fiber!  It is best when it is fresh and it makes it more delicious.

Here's how I made it:

 First- cut the 'cado in half and use a knife to get the pit out and then use a spoon to slide out the good stuff!

 Second- put in a bowl and use a fork to mash it up (it should be soft enough that you don't need to blend it)... I added a little water to make it thinner.

 Third- separate into servings

Fourth: put in bowl and enjoy!

 She seemed to enjoy it

 But of course had to have a closer look...

...and think about it for a few minutes...

...then ask for more by sticking out her tongue!

I can't wait to give her more!  Hope this is easy enough for anyone to make!  And hey its a start to guacamole also... one day I'll make it!

Love Letters: Days 46-57

 

Sick of shots and ickyness

Guess what!

Ella and I both have colds yet again...which is why I've been neglecting this.. so sorry.

Check us out last night cuddling on the couch while she was supposed to be sleeping :)

On a brighter note Ella had her 6month check up today!!

Yay!! Ella is 28 weeks today and I can't believe it!

The doctor said she is 20lb .5oz (95%) and just under 28in (96%)!  I quote "she's a big girl" haha thanks doc!

She did great at the doctors and loved to play with the paper thats on the exam table... 

then she got her immunizations.. 3 shots and one oral.  Loved the oral one but not so much the others.

Thank goodness daddy was there because mommy doubts she woulda been able to hold down babys legs to do the shots.. :(  man did she scream and scream and scream.. took about 5 minutes to get her to calm down!  And of course she bled again...but she did get 2 pretty cool bandaids! 

 

This one is a shiny metalic silver

This one is yellow with animals on it I think..

Poor baby.. luckily she was happy as can be once we left.

Hopefully our colds will be gone soon! 

Sweet Potatoes!

Ella is loving her some sweet potatoes.  I've been making her 'solid' food myself and it is going great!  It's fun to do and quicker than I thought!

She really likes apple puree but is really enjoying this new taste and texture! 

Here's how I do it:

First: Buy a sweet potato... I bought organic and I only used half at first

Second: wash, peel, and dice it

Third: Bring water to boil.  I did about 3/4 cup water for half a sweet potato.  Add the chunks and boil for about 10ish minutes.

Fourth: Let cool.  Have all or most of the steam gone from sight.. but still warm to hot.

Fifth: Blend into puree or mash into puree.

Sixth: Feed to baby!

Warning: You will be finding sweet potato on the baby for the rest of the day.. no matter how good you think you cleaned the baby off!  I couldn't believe where I kept finding orange marks on her!

Enjoy feeding your baby!

The Belly :)

Progression of The Belly In Pictures

By: Ella Grace Finley