Recommended Toys...Ages 0-12 Months

These are the toys Ella has loved throughout her first year...


First, the BEST $50 we ever spent was on the Baby Einstein Exersaucer by Graco (we still put her in this while we are showering).









Sassy Big and Small Chime Balls

Sassy Look Photo Book







Freddy the Firefly (by Lamaze)











 Winkel Teether (by Manhattan Baby)









 Sensory Balls

Little Tikes Wide Tracker Activity Walker (don't waste money on an expensive one- she loved this!)





Basically anything she can push and/or sit on, but especially these...

Little Tikes My First Cozy Coupe Walker Ride On

Disney Princess Ride-On









She LOVES this, and much prefers it over her stroller now...
Step 2 Whisper Ride Buggy (she has the pink one, but I can't find it online)

All Melissa & Doug Puzzles with the big knobs

Little Tikes Swing

Stacking Cups

Bright Starts Links

Fisher Price Rock-a-Stack

Learning Curve Keys (it had to be these ones- she didn't like the fancier ones or more bulky ones)

Little Ladybug Finger Puppet Book

Baby Einstein First Words book

Three other things she loves, but I can't find pictures of are her plastic Superstar Microphone from the $2.50 bin at Target that magnifies your voice when you speak into it, and the wooden maracas and shaker with bells on it from a music set I found at Michaels.

Kids are all different so you never know what your baby will like no matter how many other people love it, but I will say the one thing I wish we did not buy is the Playskool Ball Popper...

So many people told me to get this...she does like it, but it's definitely not her favorite, and she wouldn't miss it if it was gone- we only play with it about once every 2 weeks. It is SO obnoxious and loud, as well as impractical because the balls fly everywhere so you spend the time chasing the stupid balls all over the house. Not to mention, when you have older kids over that can figure out how to push the button themselves, it's NEVER ENDING. There is no music adjustment so it just goes on and on and on very loudly.

Introducing...Ella's Wishlist!

If you look to the right, you'll see a new addition...a link to Ella's Wishlist.  I  know, I should have done this BEFORE her birthday since almost everyone asked for ideas of what to get her, and I kept saying, "I don't know", but at least it's here in time for Christmas!

Sometimes I have things on the list twice because I'd find it at a different website and just add it again...not because she needs two of anything!

Hopefully, this will be helpful, and at the very least, be one location where I can keep a list of everything I want to buy her since whenever I see something cute for her, I promptly forget. ;)

ONE Year Old!

We made it!  I can't keep a basil plant alive to save my life, but we turned a 4 pound preemie into a 21 pound happy healthy little girl!

We had her 1 year well visit this morning, and once again, the doctor was very happy with her progress.  He said she is very advanced on gross motor skills, but we need to work on her talking a bit more by reading to her and telling her what everything is.  He said he is happy that she is very social and has excellent eye contact.  He noted that toe walking is VERY common at this age, and they consider it normal, BUT if she's still doing it at her next appointment (15 months), we have to make an appointment with an ortho.

She got 4 shots today. :(  Hep A, Hep B, MMR and Varivax (chickpox).  She also got pricked in both big toes because our ped does a full CBC screening.  The toe pricking didn't bother her in the least.  She screamed during the vaccines, but once we got home, she was in the BEST mood...maybe I need to stick needles in her thighs more often. ;)

She weighs 21.12 pounds (about 50th percentile)
She is 30 inches (about 65th percentile, but 85th percentile if you go by her adjusted age, which the doctor does...we think she's even taller- we're going to try and measure her again tonight a different way)
I never remember her head circumference, but it's 44th percentile I think.

She has made amazing strides in the last month.  The more she accomplishes, the happier she gets.  One year old Ella facts:

• She crawls at lightening speed, cruises everywhere, pulls herself up on anything and walks 5 or 6 steps at time...sometimes she even walks across the room (yet STILL cannot get herself up to a standing position on her own without pulling up on something);
• She waves hi and bye all the time, shakes her head "no", claps less frequently and recently started pointing...she'll touch fingers with you, and we say, "Wonder Twin powers ACTIVATE!" which she thinks is really funny;
• She loves having babbling conversations and says "dada" and "mom" for more (we think);
• She is so happy and doesn't really have meltdowns (our photographers said she is the first baby they've ever photographed that didn't cry at all or have a major meltdown during the whole photo session!), but she does get upset when she doesn't get her way;
• She is still very independent and will go to anyone...she will cry when we leave sometimes, but she gets over it in about 3 seconds;
• She has become much more affectionate and loves to crawl all over us, jump on us, run to us and even sit in our laps;
• She still loves Rylee, and we are trying to teach her "gentle", but there has been a lot of hair pulling in the process;
• She loves balls, puzzles and baby sized chairs;
• She still is not very into tv;
• She still naps about 9:30am-11am and 3pm-430pm;
• She gets three 8 oz. bottles a day (7am, 2pm, 730pm);
• She eats table food at 8:30am, 12pm and 5pm- she loves meat and vegetables...she's not huge on carbs and fruit...I wish I had her diet;
• She wears a size 3 diaper and 12 month or 12-18 month in clothes.

This will probably be the last monthly update, but I can't wait for what the next year will bring!

Birthday Weekend

We couldn't let her actual birthday day pass without taking her out to dinner, so we went with grandma and grandpa to Red Robin, which we decided is Ella's favorite restaurant since she likes the hamburger meat there (ok, we also chose it because it's close by and has super fast service...we had tons of party prep to get back to!).

Grandma brought balloons for her...she wasn't quite sure what to do with them.


Family photo- Attempt #1...

Family photo- Attempt #2

Her birthday party was Saturday morning. I have to say, I think it turned out wonderfully. I worked REALLY hard (for the past FIVE months!), and it was super stressful getting it together in the morning, but I was so happy with how it turned out!

Sadly, I took only two pictures on my camera! :( The professional pictures should come in about 2 weeks, so I'll do an official birthday post then, but here is a little sample...




On Sunday, we went to our neighborhood pumpkin patch and little fair (I swear, I LOVE our development!)...they had bounce houses, games, prizes, music, a big pumpkin patch, lots of food (including a Wienerschnitzel truck!)...all for free!

Dear Ella...

To My Precious Baby Girl,

You are one year old today.  One year.  It has been one year since you surprised us and came 6 weeks and 2 days early.  One year since our lives were changed forever.  One year since we started living again.  This, without a doubt, has been the best year of our entire lives.

I wish I could put into words how much we love you.  How much you mean to us.  How special you are.  I can't.  There are no words.   But there are a million reasons why...

I love your laugh.  A sweet little giggle that you save for just the right moments.

I love how you love animals.  How the mere site of Rylee can send you into a burst of giggles.

I love that no matter how you feel or how you slept, you always have a big smile for us when you wake up.

I love how just looking into your closet at all your clothes makes you happy.

I love how excited you get when you accomplish something new.

I love your independence and fearlessness.

I love your little feet.

I love that you shake your head 'no' because you know you shouldn't do it, but you do it anyway.

I love how you kiss by opening your mouth wide open and sticking out your tongue.

I love that your personality comes out a little more every day.

I love that you are turning into a little comedian.

I love that you make me excited to get up everyday just because I get to see you.

I love the way you make me feel.

I love that you've brought so much happiness to this family.

I love that every day brings something new.  We love watching you grow, change, learn.  We love being your parents and cannot wait for what the years to come have store for us.  You are truly a blessing.

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY ELLA ROSE!

An Eating Weekend

It all started on Thursday with girls' night at Taco Rosa...and about 7 pounds of chips and two cadillac margaritas (which are SUPER strong and pretty cheap!).

On Friday my mommy group had an event at Bloomingdales...there was music, shopping and Sprinkles cupcakes!  Of course I had to have Julie and Olivia come down- I mean come on, it's a shopping event. ;)

The girls chilled in their strollers...

Ella checked out Olivia's shoes...

Then she apparently spotted a cute outfit...

Some of Ella's other friends were there too, including Logan...


Saturday night was date night with Jen and Allen...sans kids...whoop whoop! I was ECSTATIC because I found out that the people who owned our very favorite restaurant, Oysters, which closed in June, also own two other restaurants, including Lumberyard in Laguna Beach. AND Lumberyard just happens to have our favorite Oysters appetizer, kung pao calamari. AND they had my favorite entree from Oysters, sea bass with edamame and mashed potatoes! We really loved the restaurant and bar area so we will be going back soon and often.

On Sunday, Sarah, Joey and Logan came over to watch football. And more eating! Since Logan can't push himself in the walker, Ella decided to show him how it's done...



On Sunday night, Gary, Ella and I went to Bloomingdales, and we decided to get some noodles to go from Anqi, which is from the owners of Crustacean. I've wanted to try it since it went in, and it did not disappoint. Oh how I love their garlic noodles. They are just as good as I remember from Crustacean. We also got the chicken wok noodles, but nothing compares to the garlic noodles!  I pretty much need to stop eating now. Permanently.

I almost forgot...Ella is almost walking now!!!  Gary and I sit across from each other, and she'll walk back and forth between us...until she gets sick of it or tips over.  She has even been holding onto something and then just walked 3 or 4 steps towards the middle of the room!  I'm seriously so surprised she's doing this because she STILL hasn't even gotten herself up to a standing position without holding onto something.  It's really so cute because she gets so excited and proud of herself. 

Guess What?

Ella took THREE steps today...for the nanny. :(

Alex and I tried to recreate it, but Ella wasn't having it...she would only take one step before sitting.

I'm actually very surprised she would take three steps because the kid doesn't even stand independently for more than 2 seconds and has never got herself up to a standing position without holding onto something.  I thought all kids could stand very well independently before they took steps?

People keep asking me if I think she'll walk before her birthday party...I keep saying "NO WAY."  But who knows!

Sneak Peek...

Our awesome photographer sent us a little sneak peek of some of the photos, and they are just beyond adorable!

First, before you praise my artistic genius, I totally copied the idea from an invitation I found forever ago...this was my inspiration (I don't want to post it too big since I don't know where I got it and can't give credit to the photographer)...

Courtesy of Lori Anderson Photography...

Anniversary Weekend

Gary has a million good qualities, but romance is not one of them.  He does not plan things.  Ever.  That is why I was SHOCKED when he surprised me with a couple's massage and dinner at The Montage!  That's right...my favorite hotel in the world.  The place we got engaged and had our engagement photos.  It was a perfect day.

It started with some relaxation at The Montage spa (ok, it started with me going to court, but I'm blocking that part out).  I'd never been to their spa before, and it's absolutely divine.  Like, I will be going back ASAP.  I'm in love with that place.  Perfect place for a girls' spa day (or weekend!).

We got a couple's massage and then hung out at the spa pool, which is amazing- it overlooks the ocean and is separate from the main pool.  We then went into our separate lounges and did the steam room, sauna and jacuzzi.  Since they knew it was our anniversary, they loaded us up with champagne!

After spa-ing (is that a word?), we went to The Studio for dinner.

I was so happy to go back because we went there for dinner the night we got engaged, and I was so excited that I literally had one bite of my meal- I have no idea what the food tasted like.

This was the view from our table (I mean, is this for real?  Why can't I just move in?)...



I purposely left my camera on my lap so that I would for once remember to take pictures of the food, but even with a huge camera on my lap, I STILL forgot to take pictures of all but 2 courses!

The table when we sat down...


After you order, they bring you an amuse bouche, compliments of the chef. It was delicious. Snap peas with crispy Serrano ham and a mint puree. So good.

Next was Caesar salad...


They bring you 3 types of rolls...sourdough, rosemary with olives and brioche- the brioche was so buttery and delicious!

Gary and I both ordered the New York steak with pommes puree and the most amazing short rib ragu. OMG. The ragu was short ribs with swiss chard and carrots, and I could have eaten an entire bowl of it. I'm so mad that I forgot a photo of the main course!!

We didn't order dessert, but they brought us a little celebratory tasty anyway- it was a dark chocolate mousse with some sort of pound cake center.


And to end the meal, they brought us a little plate of bite-sized treats and two bags of candy with cute Studio ribbon!


We didn't get any good pictures of ourselves...this was our waiter's attempt at a photo, but he didn't even get the ocean in the background!

Definitely one of the best gifts I've ever received!

We had Ella's birthday photo shoot and family photos on Sunday...yes, that's right, despite a summer of unusually low temperatures, our OUTDOOR family photos fell on what felt like the hottest day of summer (although it's freakin' fall!). I was SO upset when I found out it would be in the 90's. I couldn't cancel because it was our photographer's only available day until 2011.

We first did an indoor photo shoot with a white background, a naked baby and a cake- I got the idea months and months ago from an invitation I found online. I haven't seen the photos yet, but the shoot was AWESOME. I was crying I was laughing so hard. Ella wore the birthday hat I made her, and she had cake (well frosting really since she didn't eat the cake part) for the first time. She was VERY hesitant at first, but once I put a little frosting on her tongue, it was all over. She was taking frosting by the handful and shoving it in her mouth! If she doesn't throw up tonight, I'll be surprised. The photographer showed me one of the shots, and it was so unbelievably adorable. I can't wait to get the proofs!

We then did some family shots in our neighborhood...it was so ridiculously hot. Not to mention that I was in a JACKET and black pants, Gary was in jeans and a long sleeve shirt, and Ella was in a corduroy dress. Not good. Ella started to get so red that we had to take most of the shots with her naked! Oh well. Hopefully there is one good one in there, and at least a halfway decent one of her in the red dress for our Christmas card.

5 Years Ago Today...

I married the greatest guy and I know...


And threw the most fun party I've ever been to...


Three of those five years were rough.  Really rough.  I remember the day we found out that our first pregnancy was no longer viable.  Just one week after we saw our beautiful baby's little heart beating away, we had another ultrasound, but this time there was no flicker on the screen.  It was like slow motion.  "The heartbeat is gone, I'm sorry."  So many thoughts.  What do you mean it's gone?  It was just there.  Look again.  There is less than 10% chance of miscarriage after seeing the heartbeat.  We MUST be in the 90%.  This cannot be happening to us after what we've been through.  Look again.

I was not going to cry.  I refused to cry.  I would be strong.  Gary squeezed my hand tightly.  I looked up at him as tears streamed down his face.  I knew it then.  We were in this together.  We hurt together.  We cry together.  We laugh together.  We could get through this...together.

And we did.

I'm so glad we did.

Because together we made this...