Life With Ella

Ella did a fantastic job today. She only had one accident (it was pee not poop!) We spent the day painting, playing with stickers, watching Dora, Diego etc… Sunny left the house in the morning to work out and I left in the afternoon to go get a massage. I think Ella has really enjoyed lock down. She has both of her mommies around all day and night, she has been wearing a sun dress every second of every day, she has all these new art supplies, gets to have jelly beans every time she pees or poops – how could life be bad? At around 4:30 we went over to the Arena/Kim household and played over there. Ella made her only poop of the day at their house. It’s so great to have so much potty training support and friendship over there. Juliet is doing amazing potty training too, and Stella is an expert. Tomorrow we are going to venture out into the world with big girl underwear on for a few hours at a time and see what happens. Stay tuned…

Here is a Dora playground that Ella constructed this morning.

Ella gets this serious look when she is painting.

Ella and Juliet had a blast in the bouncy house tonight. Stella decided to stay away from the madness.

Having a great time together.

We keep reminding Ella that there will be no more diapers on Friday and she keeps saying, “OK – no more diapers”. We’ll see what happens tomorrow morning. We did our regular day today – My Gym, lunch at Crossroads Cafe, walking home, etc. Mommy came home and we played in the hallway – Ella is getting really good at kicking the ball and catching the ball. We went to Acme tonight for the last diaper supper. Ella fell asleep at the table because she didn’t take a nap today. For those of you who love Ella in pig tails, you’ll enjoy these pictures. Wish us luck tomorrow.

Here is a very happy Ella running down the hallway.

Ella in the elevator. I somehow got her to leave the house without a sun dress!

On the street after My Gym.

Having lunch at Crossroads Cafe.

Fooling around with mommy on the way to Acme. Ella changed into a sun dress for dinner.

This is mommy writing …

Today was a beautiful Monday, Ella and I went to the Contemporary Jewish Museum. Even before we walked in, it was a joy as Ella loved playing around the front of the building, showing proudly her jumping off short stairs, touching the stones in the shallow fountain or talking about the beautiful multi-colored flowers. When we walked in the museum, we were told we had to check our diaper bag, the women who took the bag, said to Ella, “what is your name beautiful girl”, Ella said her name clear and strong, Ella returned the question to the women, “my name is Mrs Rosen” and then she asked Ella if she knew what Shabbas was, I took it further and asked Ella if she remembered how we light the shabbas candles and without hesitation, Ella showed Mrs. Rosen waving her hands around and then placing them over her eyes–Mrs Rosen was in awe as we continue to be with this beautiful Ella! The rest of the museum visit went on like this with joy and amazement –Ella identifying menorahs, shabbas candles, dreidels-then at Ella’s request—“Let’s eat in the cafe, and take the bus and go home”–so that is what we did–Peanut butter and jelly and hummus–Monday Monday—YOU CAN TRUST THAT DAY!

Thank you mommy for the beautiful recollection of today.

Here is Ella in front of the museum. Check out her outfit!

Ella is so much more confident with jumping.

Enjoying a chocolate cream puff.

When I came home from work today, Ella told me all about her day and she told me that she really loved the purple chairs at the museum.

This is what I call a fantastic fake smile.

Looks like a great lunch!

Ella looks like such a big girl to me in this picture.

Ella must have been in heaven putting her hands in the water.

We started out today walking to the Ferry Building with Becca and Tucker to meet AJ and Uncle Michael. After a great lunch at Taylors, we walked Uncle Michael back to his hotel (he was going back on the road) and took AJ home with us. We hung around the house, rested and eventually met up with Helen, Ron, Stella and Juliet. We took the huge bubble wand out to the Zen Garden and had a bubble festival. Later on, we went to dinner at Acme. It has been so great having AJ here. We will miss you! Ella is completely in love with AJ (who can blame her). It’s so sweet to watch Ella with AJ. She says things like, “I want to go play with YOU AJ” or “Where is AJ? Do you want to come with me?” It’s not coming out her as cute as it really is, but it’s so cute.

Ella in her new red fairy dress.

Mommy, Becca, Ella and Tucker walking down the Embarcadero.

Helping Tucker quench his thirst.

Ella and AJ resting after a long day of walking.

Bubble mavens!

Here are the sweetest buddies.

AJ teaching a class on bubble making.

Ella gave me her blankies and brought me a pillow when she saw that I was about to lay down.

Crazy Ella with her crazy outfit at Acme.

Beautiful Ella and AJ.

Such beautiful pure love.

AJ came to town today. We told Ella that AJ was coming last week and then reminded her last night (Thursday night). This morning when she woke up she said, “OK – I’m ready to go with you to pick up AJ from the airport”. I let her know that she wasn’t coming in for a few hours so we decided to take a little walk. Ella told us that she wanted to wear her ballet stuff to the airport so mommy helped Ella pick out a ballet outfit that she wore for the entire day. We picked up AJ at around 12:30 and Ella was so excited. She became very shy and quiet and it was so sweet. She snapped out of it after a few minutes. After Ella’s nap, mommy came home and then Stella, Juliet and Helen visited. They are so much fun together. Tonight, mommy, Ella, AJ and I went to dinner at Nama and then hung out at the house. Ella is in heaven having AJ here. We are so happy too.

Here is Ella reading a book in the Zen garden this morning.

Ella pushing her car on our walk.

Ella trying to figure out a way to climb this wall.

Having some fun in the hallway.

Dancing with AJ.

AJ trying to sneak her way into Ella’s tunnel.

I have been hiding the sun dress that AJ gave Ella because I didn’t think that Ella would agree to wear a sweatshirt over the wings. Today was a pretty warm day so I decided to pull the dress out again. Ella was so happy. Ella had a terrific day – we went to music and then we had dinner at Acme. Here are some special shots from tonight.Here is Ella telling me that she DID smile in the picture that I took before this one. It was too fake to even put in.Flying outside of music class.Here is Ella doing her favorite sport…hanging at Acme.

Today mommy took Ella to the SFMOMA to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit. They took the bus and Ella was really excited. Ella wore a sweatshirt and a sun dress and sweatpants, and when they got to the museum, she took off her sweatshirt. Mommy said that they had a great time and you can tell from the pictures. Tonight the Kim/Arena clan came over for dinner. Mommy cooked a delicious dinner and after dinner Helen brought over water color paint and paper. All seven of us painted together. It was really sweet and fun. Ella was so into painting – she painted 3 pictures. She was incredibly focused. Tonight during Ella’s bath, she was kind of squirming around and I asked her if she needed to poop. She told me that she had to make a little poop so I took her out of the bath and put her on the toilet with her little Dora seat on top of the toilet seat. She made her first poop in the toilet tonight! Maybe the potty training thing won’t be so bad after all…we’ll see.

Here is Ella waiting for the bus – notice the sweatshirt.

Ella walking over the bridge at the museum. Notice the sweatshirt is gone.

This is a really cool photo.

Checking out a projection on the wall.

Here is Ella reading in the museum gift shop. She’s been really into the alphabet lately.

Checking out a huge projection of a fish tank on the wall.

Ella playing with her new birdie.

Here are some pictures from our watercolor party.

Our beautiful artists.