the Latest on Ella {15 months}

Ella's 15 month Well Baby visit height - 30 inches tall (25%) weight - 18 lbs. 6 oz. (3%)

• Ella is mainly wearing size 12 month clothing, although some 9 months still fit her. She wears a size 4 shoes and still in size 4 diapers even though I'm pretty sure a size 3 would fit her better.
• she has 4 molars coming in and 2 just broke through!
• she is mostly sleeping through night. She's been sick for a while and obviously teething so we've had a lot of sleepless nights lately. Her naps are synced with Lincoln's so I usually get an hour (hopefully two hours) to myself.
• she's been really picky with food lately and it's also hit or miss with things she'll eat but since she's been feeling better her appetite started coming back. Right now her favorites are: avocado, baby bell cheese, blueberries, hard boiled eggs and beans (I'm not complaining)!
• Ella is such a silly girl; she has the cutest giggle and scariest laugh.
• little Ella is always giving kisses... I mean ALWAYS.
• she is such a cuddle bug, especially with me, all  the time...
• she already loves accessories. She's always bring me shoes, hats, jewelry, grocery bags, Tupperware containers for me to put on her.
• and what a talker! She says well over 20 words, some of which include [in the sweetest little voice] : dop (stop), more, Elmo, animal, "boo" (book), water, please, "ah-yoo" (I love you), "ah-no" (I don't know), "all goh" (all gone) with both hands out... you definitely need to be her mom or dad to understand her though!
• she folds her arms the second I sit her down in her high chair to eat and she always says "amen"
• Ella copies every single thing Lincoln does, which is some times cute and usually terrible.
• she loves books so much. They entertain her for hours and I always find her asleep next to a book.
• we've got another dancer in the house. She just flaps her arms around and if we're in the car she's bobbing her whole upper body to the music.
• she's got the cutest little bounce to her step as she swings her arms back and forth with her belly and tushy out. (my mom and grandma say I had the same walk)!

and now for an Ella photo bomb!

(warning: this may be an overload for some of you, but I just can't get enough of this cuteness)

 

 

 

We love you, beautiful girl. You brighten up our days with that gorgeous smile.   

the Latest on Lincoln {2 years}

 

Lincoln's 24 month well baby visit height - 36.5" tall (95%) weight - 26.5 pounds (40%) Well, my Lincoln is long and lean. According to the doctor, he'll probably grow to be around 6 feet tall (I guess they just double their height at age 2 - we'll see just how accurate this is in about 19 years).  

• Lincoln is still in mostly size 18-24 mo clothes.
• he just grew out of his size 7 shoes.
• he hasn't been using a pacifier since May. (He used to call it "ta-ta" for some reason).
• Still sleeping though the night! 
• his 2 year molars just came in. 
• He's a very social little guy. He always looks forward to going to nursery at church every Sunday and the nursery at the place I work out at so that he can "tay" (play).
• He still loves animals so much! and right now his favorites are dinosaurs! (He always wants to watch the cartoon Dinosaur Train. He'll sing the opening song to me, "ah-twain...ah-twain...")
• he says prayer with us and he always includes himself, "Ging-kin" (Lincoln) ha ha
• Lincoln still loves music and he's added some new dance moves to the mix.
• He has become a much better eater (still super picky, but better than it used to be!) His favorites usually include: chocolate sandwiches (a.k.a. Nutella on bread), yogurt, oatmeal, bananas, chicken (depending on how its prepared), broccoli, apples...keep in mind all of these are hit-or-miss, I guess it depends on his mood. but his all time favorite without a doubt is PIZZA! If he sees the box, he right away will start chanting "Pita! Pita! Pita!"
• Lincoln is such a sweet big brother to Ella. He's always sharing with her or trading toys with her if he wants what she has.
• He sings the ABC's but only repeating the letter 'A' and the way he counts "tooh, twee, nie, tah-teen" (two, three, nine, thirteen)
• Right now we're learning colors and every color he sees is automatically yellow!
• he learned how to climb in and out of his crib! and he is doing really well sleeping in his new toddler bed.
• in stead of saying 'yes' or 'yeah' to things, he always says 'okay.' he'll ask for a banana in his own dialect and I'll confirm, "you want a banana?" and he'll reply "okay..."
• He recently started calling Chris and I, Mom and Dad, he really is growing up way too fast!

      The absolute sweetest thing is when he tells us "ay yah yoo" translation: I love you.  

I just found these pics of him taken back in April or May



his big scary smile!



he read the word shoe. He also recognizes the word zebra!



this is where he prefers to sit

...and like this

it was a long week without daddy



feeding himself yogurt

These are more recent pictures...




coloring for our FHE activity



look!



helping out with the car





what a strong little guy




he learned how to climb in...




...and out of his crib!




big boy in his toddler bed!

he LOVES cars!



eating his favorite food...PIZZA!

someone grew out of their pj's. His feet are so big I had to cut them to fit! LOL

...and that is Mr.Bear! He sleeps with him ever night :)  

the Latest on Ella {12 months}

 

Ella's 12 month Well Baby visit height - 28 inches tall (15%) weight - 16 pounds 4 ounces ( < 3%) Today we went in for the usual one year check up. Ella has always been so easy to take to the doctor's even with all the vaccines they give her. I'm trying not to worry too much, but... the doctor said that she had a little heart murmur. I guess that can be pretty common in babys and Chris said he even had one when he was young that just went away on it's own. She also said she was still worried about her anemia and her growth pattern. Ella's weight and height levels have slowed down quiet a bit. She definitely is a petite little girl, but my mom's side and Chris' mom's side of the family are both pretty small, so I'm trying not to worry too much yet. We do have to take Ella in to the lab to have some more blood work done just to see how her iron levels are and to see if there might be a thyroid problem. Besides all that, our little Ella is growing smarter each day!*   *UPDATE - good news:  Ella's test results came back normal! YAY! So, I'm sure genetics is playing a large part in her being so tiny. not so good news:  Her iron levels are extremely low even with me giving her an iron supplement everyday. (the doctor said that can also be a reason for her heart murmur and low growth rate.) She's being put on a much higher dosage of iron and she has to drink 1-2 cans of Pediasure a day, then we're back to the doctors again to see if her weight and iron levels have improved.   

• My little big girl is still wearing size 6 month clothes! Although 9 month clothes do seem to fit best.
• her hair is growing! YAY! It's a very light, golden brown color and she's got the cutest little curls! I was able to put in a little clip for the first time!
• She has 8 teeth! (4 on top, 4 on bottom) and she's showing signs of more teething!
• Right now she wakes up only once or twice a night! (huge improvement) and she actually sleeps better in her own crib, but her crib is still in our room.
• She is starting to nap closer to the time her brother naps which is great for me!
• Ella still loves all kinds of food! (Which is another reason why it's so odd that she hasn't gained much weight).
• She is the best cuddler ever! (when she wants to be)
• Ella also gives the greatest wide open mouth kisses.
• She's climbing on everything - the couch, ottoman, even the table!
• She's a very social girl and smiles at everyone.
• She's always playing with cars and GI Joes. I did just buy her her first baby doll that she constantly kisses and takes everywhere with her.
• She's a great dancer!
• She waves and says "haa" (hi)
• She says uh-oh, please, down, baby, mama, dada (of course she has her own version of saying these but I understand her)
• Some other new words: "na-na" (banana) "by" (bite) "wahwah" (water)
• Did I mention she's a screamer. She is loud, VERY loud!
• She also throws the BIGGEST fits when she doesn't get her way. Chris and I are already dreading her teenage years! 

 

photo time!



Ella loves eating berries!

I think she was 9 months old in this picture

She is always throwing down my boxes and climbing into the shelf!

she climbs up on everything all by herself!

bed time stories with Daddy and Lincoln



She found daddy's dog tags

They're best buds!

Family Home Evening activity... I found crayon chunks in her poop! LOL

Loving the FHE brownies before bed!

My messy eaters after they're cute photo shoot

She loves bananas and our little friend Charlene from church