Time to give back

My Mom and Dad, well mostly Mom, are always inviting us to dinner, so I wanted to fix dinner for them for a change. See here.

Ellie was helping me decide what to fix.I looked away for a moment and then when I turned around

Ellie was trying to sit in the pantry.

Ellie is changing so much. Just over the past week she has started several things. First of all, she is now officially walking everywhere. This is starting to become her preferred method of travel. Also, she has learned her first bit of sign language. I really wanted to teach her this, but it kinda fell off, except for "milk." Every time I would ask her if she wanted milk I would also show her the sign. I have been doing that pretty consistently through out her life. Today while I was cooking, I opened the fridge to get something out and then she started to mumble to get my attention, when I turned around to ask her what she needed, she was doing the sign for milk. She had seen her cup of milk in the fridge, and she wanted it. I was so excited, I kept asking her to show me the sign, and she kept doing it. It is nice that she can communicate better with us.

Dad, Mom, Nick, and Tyler came over about the same time that I finished dinner up. Ellie and Chloe were both so excited to see them. After dinner we had a nice visit with Chloe and Ellie serving up the entertainment. The next thing Ellie just started doing is patty cake. She loves to roll them up as seen above.I turned Ellie first year blogs into a book, she and Papaw are checking it out.

I am really not that pale, it must be the pink :(

About twenty minutes after they left to go home, Ellie crawled up on the couch and crashed. Now I just hope she sleeps tonight.

When the weather outside is frightful...

It sure was cold today. The last time I checked it was 10 degrees, I have no idea what the wind chill is, but it is just too cold. Today we slept in a little, I think Ellie and Shelby woke up ready for the day a little after 8:00. We lounged around and did nothing for most of the morning.

Then I got the three of us ready and headed out into the unbearable cold. Bob's cousin and his girlfriend invited us over to their house for a holiday gathering. We had a great dinner and we had fun hanging out with Jeanne and the rest of Bob's family. We did not stay as long as I would have normally because I did not want to be out in the cold to late.

It is hard to believe that the last weekend before Christmas is over. Only three shopping days left, here hoping that everyone is getting it done.

Ellie and Papaw hanging out

Ellie with her new baby (gift from Jeanne and Jerry)

Ellie showing off her new ability

Ellie and Aunt Sue

Day of Firsts

As Ellie and I woke up this morning, I thought that this would be a very long boring day, but to my surprise things turned around about noon. Ellie and I went to Kohls to look for me something to wear for Christmas, no luck (for some reason I am losing more weight, I can now fit back into my pre-pregnancy jeans that I hung onto thinking maybe some day). Then we went to Clarksville--what a mad house. We met up with Mom, Dad, and Nick plus Shelby and Sue for lunch. I really wanted to see The Tale of Desperaux and it just opened yesterday. So Shelby left with me and I took Ellie to the movie theater for the first time. Ellie did pretty good. She watched the movie for about the first 45 minutes. Then she started to get a little restless, but after a few minutes she fell fast asleep. She does not really like to fall asleep while someone holds her, so it was nice for her to be asleep in my arms. I did not want to get up and move when the movie was over.

After the movie we went to Target because I had more patience for that then Walmart the weekend before Christmas. We picked up a few things to kill some time before Church. Then we decided to go to church tonight instead of getting up early tomorrow. The service was pretty amazing (as almost every service there is). Ellie was pretty good, even thought she was occupied with the communion cups most of the time.

Then we came home (Shelby is spending the night) to make a ginger bread house. This is the first one for Ellie and me. Shelby had made one before, but she said that it did not go so well. The kit we bought made it quite simple. I was surprised at how easy it was. Ellie decorating her gingerbread man

Ellie testing the icing...it has her seal of approvalDecorating cookies for tomorrow

The finished product

Shew, now we are vegging on the couch getting ready for bed. We all are very exhausted, and tomorrow is promising to be just as busy. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Christmas Break...finally

The last two weeks have went by so slow at school. We have had so much going on (at school) and mix in an early dismissal plus a snow day, I thought Christmas Break would never get here. But I finished the last day and now I can relax and spend some time with my growing (much too quickly) baby.

Ellie and I went out to eat with Mom, Dad, and Nick last night. Then we ran a few errands, and headed home to sit down and relax.

Here are a few pictures of Ellie. She is really got this walking thing down. She really loves watching the different Christmas movies on TV.

Chloe and Ellie decided to pose for a picture

Snow Day

Yesterday because of the ice and little bit of snow, we had a snow day (what's one more day to make up--huh?). I have often expressed my feelings about snow so I will spare you my bitterness. But yesterday I was not really complaining... much. There was nothing on the roads in Clark County and southward. So after Ellie and I slept in, we got dress and bundled up for an afternoon of much needed Christmas shopping. We picked up Sue along the way and headed out to find that perfect gift for Sus and Bob's dad. We think we were pretty successful. We had a nice afternoon of shopping and lunch. Ellie is so good when we are out. Of course she wowed everyone with her smile and cheery disposition.

Also a little note, Ellie is walking. She is, however, one up on all of us. She has no need to walk when she knows that she can crawl must faster. But she is walking more and more each day. Plus she has two more teeth, and working on two more. So that makes...12 I think. WOW. She has a mouth full, no wonder she is always wanting to eat. She has to put them to good use.

Nap Time

Ellie slept in her bed for the first time in months. Yes I had to lay down with her until she fell asleep, but she did sleep in her bed. I did not take any pictures because I did not want to risk wakeing her up. One day closer to getting her into her bed at night time.

I hope everyone has a great week. (Especially those of us who only have five days of work/school left).

Back to her room

So Ellie hates her baby bed. When she was about six months old we finally moved her from a bassinet in our room to her crib in her room. We were pretty successful, and she slept fine in her bed for about six weeks. Then she got a head cold, and the power went out for a week, so she ended up back in our room, in our bed. That is where she has been ever since. (I know, probably not the best idea--however, I have learned that we are not the only parents with this problem). I think that I want her sleeping with us just as much as she wants to be there. So we have been trying to get her used to the idea of going back to her room in her bed. But Ellie is not "playing that game." She is terrified of her crib. Another reason she would not go back into her bed a few months ago, was because where she has gotten so tall we had to lower the bed to the bottom (she learned how to stack her blankets and such in a manner that could help her climb out). She did not like the fact of being caged in. It terrifies her. She won't even go near her bed. Bob and I agree that we would be pretty terrified to.

So Friday night while I was working on something, Bob and Ellie headed off to her room to play. A little while later, Bob asks if I could come in and help him. When I go into her room, I see this:

Ellie is bouncing on her bed with the biggest grin on her face. Bob had taken the front off and replaced it with the smaller rails. He was trying to tighten the rail and hold the mattress up at the same time. Not going so well with Ellie on top of it. Trying to get her out of the bed was a difficult (which is the complete opposite of before). She can climb in and out very easily, and even if she were to fall off, she is not that far off the ground. So after Bob finished tightening everything we could hold her back no longer.

She climbed on (and had to have Elmo with her) and had such a great time.Then Chloe decided that she wanted in on the fun. Ellie was not quite sure she wanted to share her bed. There is hope, however, we may get them both out of our bed by New Years. Here's hoping, I see a resolution in the making.

One Week

That is how long I have to get my students ready for the first school play at Scottsburg High School in several years. Disaster is the only thing that I can say about the facility that we are working with (Beth you would be absolutely outraged). Each light is on a different strand/cord and therefore each light must be plugged in and unplugged when the lights go down. Awful, that is an electrocution waiting to happen.

We had our dress rehearsal tonight, and things we not so good. The students are doing great, but everything that we have to work with (lights, sounds, stage, quiet to rehearse) The simple things I took for granted when I was at Charlestown as missing here. But everything will work out (please say a prayer at me).

A Cold Friday Night

Friday was so cold. I am so not ready for the winter. I hate the cold and the snow. Bob had been out of town all week so we were going to spend time together. We bundled Ellie up and heading out to eat.

We called Susan and Shawn to see if they wanted to go to eat with us.

Ellie and Aunt Sue

Shelby's Birthday Dinner

A few weeks ago we went with Sue and Shawn to Kansai to celebrate Shelby's 10th birthday. Kansai is kinda a tradition between our two families.

Dutman fixed some peas, especially for Ellie. She could not quit eating them

Similing Shelby

Light Up Charlestown

My husband has been locked away in his garage for several weeks creating the electrical service for the square. He and John Heal finally finished everything this week, just in time for the light up ceremony.

After we got home from shopping about noon, we took a long nap, the three...make that four of us. We finally got up around 4:30, and stopped by the funeral home to visit a dear friends father-in-law. After that we headed to the square to watch the lights come on.

Everything turned out really nice. Ellie loved watching all of the lights and music, and getting her picture taken with Santa.

Ellie and Papaw

Thanksgiving 2008

This Thanksgiving was very laid back. Normally we jump from house to house barely having time to taste our food. But this year Nanny had to work, and so dinner was pushed back to the evening.

We started the day at Bob and Janet's for a yummy lunch.

Janet and RyanAunt Sue and EllieEllie and Ryan
(she loves to play with phones--http://throughmemawseyes.blogspot.com/)

Then after lunch we were able to hang around and visit with Bob's parents. Then we headed to Nanny's to have dinner. Ellie had such a good time playing with everyone.

Ellie and Kasey

Ellie and Matt

After we left Nanny's we headed home to check over the ads and make a game plan for the morning. Ellie spent the night with Mom and Dad. We didn't realize how much we would miss her being gone. :(

We got up about 4:30 and headed toward Clarksville. There were so many people there. The lines were incredibly long. But I did get the one item that I really wanted to get. YAH! Everything for Ellie we ordered online and will be brought to our door within the next few days. Now that is the way to shop. You get the same deals, but do not have all the hassle.

I hope everyone had a super Thanksgiving.

Memaw's Blog

Mom has started a blog to follow Ellie's live, as well. I am sure that she will keep it more up-to-date then I will. So check it out.

http://throughmemawseyes.blogspot.com/

Happy 10th Shelby

Shelby's official birthday is not until the 30th, but she celebrated her 10th birthday in "star" fashion. She and her cousin (who turns 9) want to have a rock star party. They both invited all their friends and their cousin Joey Stamper was the DJ. The was a really good turn out, and it seemed like everyone was having a great time.

My cute rock star

Brett and Shelby

Daddy and Ellie

After watching the kids Karaoke, Ellie wanted to try it out for herself

Shower for Meg and Emily

I had the pleasure of giving one of my best friends Meghan a shower for her and her baby Emily. Emily should be arriving sometime Mid-January, so we decided to have the shower in November because of the craziness of December. Meg's aunt and I put together a really nice shower. There was about 40 people there, and she got a lot of great stuff. Now we can't wait until Miss Emily comes. I wanted to take Ellie, but she was not feeling well (she had gotten her shots that week and boy was she not happy).

Meg and her husband Josh

My Two Favorite Girls

Maranda kept Ellie while Bob and I went to the Sarah Palin rally at the

beginning of the month. Here is a picture that Melissa took.

WOW!

That is all I can say about my little baby turning ONE. This year has gone by so fast. She is growing and changing every day. Some of her new things are:

Words--bye, bye, bye; uh-oh; please; cheese; bobble

Actions--hugs everything (especially her babies); her favorite toys are her groovy girl dolls and her John Deere tractor; she has almost completely given up the bottle and gone to a sippy cup.

Since we celebrated her birthday a few weekends ago, we decided to take her out to a place that she has been a lot since she was born--Kansai. She shares her birthday with my Mom and Bob's Dad. She is a lucky girl. We were going out to eat with Sue and Shelby because this is a place that we all share together. We has a couple of extra seats at the table, so we invited Bob and Janet to come along with us (Mom is not a fan of Japanese).

Dutman, our favorite Chef

Today we went to the doctor for her one year check up. We have a 16lb, 27 in long toddler. She is perfectly healthy. Just a little on the petite side.

Big Girl

Today Mom and I decided to check out the latest victims of the economy--Value City and KMART in Clarksville. Both are going out of business and have everything on sale. I have been wanting to try and find Ellie a forward facing carseat because she is too long and too heavy for me to carry in the one she has had since birth.

We started out at KMART. Everything was on sale 10-20% off, not really any great deals. But we did find a really nice carseat. It was such a good deal, I was able to buy two (one for my car and one for Bob's truck). Plus Mom picked her up one. ***If anyone knows of someone who is selling a used carseat for infants 22-40 pounds let me know. I would like to have one to let people borrow if they are watching Ellie--because those seats are designed to NEVER leave the vehicle they are put in.

Then we stopped by Value City. There was nothing there. Everything had pretty much be picked over. I was very disappointed that I wasted my time.

We put the carseat in our vehicles tonight, and Ellie really loved the idea that she can now watch movies when she is in Mommy's car. Now I am glad that I sacrificed my sunroof to have the rear-entertainment. I am sure that Ellie will love it.

Happy Saturday!

Ellie's Pictures

One of my friends and a teacher that I work with has a photography business. I think that he has some of the best work available in this area. He has won many awards on his work nationally. Now that the commercial is done; Ellie had a photo session with him yesterday. You can check out a few of her pictures at the following site:

http://mrfoto.typepad.com/

Election 08

Here are the top 5 reasons why I am glad this election is FINALLY over.

5.) Televison ads: I am so sick of turning on the tv to see another ad for a political candidate. I want to hear what the candidate is going to do for me, not why the other candidate is so awful.

4.) Four years to educate students about their government: I teach three history classes filled with Freshman and Sophomores, and I am amazed at how much they don't care about their government. I am looking forward to teaching and enlightening four years of students who will get to vote in the next presidential election. I have enjoyed watching many students become interested and educated just over the course of the last few months. This prospect excites me.

3.) SNL-Policial jokes: I have enjoyed them while they lasted, but I am seriously ready for some new material.

2.) Inaccurate information about Obama will hopefully subside: Regardless of who I think would be the better candidate for President, I am tired of hearing untrue "facts" about Obama. He is a very good person. I have read two of his books, (both before he decided to run for President) and he is not the man a lot of the media is portraying him to be. As I said in number 3, I am glad SNL will move on, but my favorite skit is where the woman from the McCain rally keeps asking about inaccurate things she heard about Obama. No he is not a Muslin. And he is not Egyptian and will not change the White House to a pyramid, nor converts with terriers. Seriously, the sad thing is that this is not just a SNL skit, but it really happened. I think that McCain did handle it quite well though. That is why he is the maverick.

1.) The election will FINALLY be over. It seems like it has been going on for year...oh wait it has.

Hopefully, everyone has voted. Regardless of who you voted for, the main thing is that you voted.

God Bless America and our new President--whoever he may be.