Two-year Appointment

Way back when her hat and car seat swallowed her up!

She's a big busy girl now!

Ella had her two-year Dr. appointment last week. Dr. says she looks great. Growing like a champ. She weighs 27lb (55%), she's 35 inches long (79%). They say that if you double the height of a 2-year old that is their estimated height as an adult. If that holds true, she'll be 5' 10" as an adult. Seems about right to us...she'll have to get used to buying "tall" pants and gigantic shoes with the genes she's got. :)

She wasn't a fan of being weighed or measured at this appointment. They tried to have her use the big girl stand up scale but that wasn't gonna happen, even after her bear and I showed her how. So to the baby scale she went, kicking and screaming ensued (not quite sure why).

She was very polite and showed the Dr. all of her animal friends that she had brought along to play. She thought it was pretty funny when he looked in the monkey's ears, but not so funny when we wanted to look in hers. :) We don't have to go back for a check up (with her at least) until she's 3 years old...that seems like such a long time between visits since up until now it's been at least every 6 months. Our baby girl is so grown up!

"Ella Go Outside"

This little red wheel-barrow used to be mine when I was little. My aunt and uncle restored it for Ella for her 1st birthday. It looks amazing, it was totally rusted out in the bottom and was quite used and abused. Ella must have it each time we play in the yard. She collects all of her treasures in it...dirt, sticks, flowers, balls, tools...all the essentials a girl could need!

"Go outside" is a daily request from our little nature lover. She's in her own little world, exploring all there is to explore when she's outside. Can't wait for warmer/drier weather so we can be out there more!

Ella's collection of treasures for the day!

Ripping apart a daffodil

Grilled Cheese Bus

We took Ella to the Grilled Cheese Grill. It's a food cart of sorts...it's on SE 28th and Ankeny. They make all sorts of grilled cheese sandwiches, but the best part is you get to eat on a double decker bus. Of course Miss Ella LOVED it, two of her favorite things, grilled cheese and buses together...she couldn't have been happier!

"Cheese!"

Just say no to worms

Ella is not a fan of worms or bugs. We try to tell her that they are good for the yard and garden but she wants nothing to do with them. Jason found a worm the other day and showed it to her and tried to get her to touch it....NOT happening. Even "baby" worms, the tiny little guys are a no go. She's a down and dirty rough and tumble girl otherwise, but slimy bugs and worms just aren't her thing!

Ugly Tree GONE

There was a "special" ornamental tree in our backyard when we moved in, and Jason and I both hated it! (Sorry if you have one in your yard! It's just not our thing). Removing it was last weekend's project. We've been working hard to get our backyard re-landscaped I guess you could say. Basically getting it shaped up so it's family friendly, with lots of space to play, "easy" to maintain, has garden space, has plants and shrubs that aren't dead, ugly or going to poke a kid in the eye, has a patio and room to just hang out.

It's a work in progress for sure. We couldn't have done any of what's been done so far without the help of our awesome family!!! You all have been great about giving us ideas, seeds, plants, not to mention blood, sweat, and hours upon hours of labor! We owe you all a BBQ once the sun comes out and the mud pile disappears!

John showing off his chainsaw skills!

Watching the action outside!
Helping carry the tree to the truck to be hauled away. What a strong little helper!

"Here ya go Papa, this goes in the truck too"

Train Day, With the Zoo in the Middle

Making friends with the goose as we wait for the train

First MAX ride, she was in awe! Her smile got even bigger when she knew we were going through a tunnel.

Ella is SO in love with trains. Any time she hears a train she wants to see it, and then of course wants to ride it. We thought the girl would love nothing more than to ride MAX to the zoo and then ride the zoo train for her special 2nd birthday treat.

On our way to park and catch MAX downtown she saw a streetcar and said, "Ella ride choo-choo.....someday!" Jason and I both busted up laughing. That is the answer that we always give her when she asks if she can ride the choo-choo. She'd never said "someday" before and it was pretty ironic that it was the day that she actually got to ride the train, and multiple times at that.

It was a rain free, but chilly day at the zoo. We had a fun visit and got to see a lot of Ella's favorite animals including the elephants and zebras. She LOVED the MAX and zoo train rides. What a perfect way to spend a 2nd birthday!

Headed home, but that was part of the fun!

A Thomas the Train gift to celebrate a train filled day!

Happy 2nd Birthday

Is it time yet? Are my guests here?

So I'm a little behind on posting things, but better late than never as they say. Ella's 2nd birthday was a couple weekends ago. We had a party for her at our house. She is one loved girl, she was showered with hugs, kisses and thoughtful gifts. She knew the party was for her, and hammed it up at all the appropriate moments! :)

It's so hard to believe that she is 2 already! People aren't kidding when they say if you blink their childhood will be gone and they'll be off to college. Here are a few pictures of our sweet girl's party.

She was so funny as everyone sang happy birthday to her, she just looked around and grinned ear to ear!

Licking off her candles, all 2 of them!

A little less messy than last year!

Playing with her new bowling set