Life With Ella

Today, grandma and I took Ella a park in Leonia – the town my parents live in. The park has this huge structure with tunnels and slides and other fun stuff. Ella tried to get grandma to go into the tunnels and go on the tunnel slide, but grandma decided that it was something for one of Ella’s mommies to do. Since Sunny was home doing work, it was my job to go in the tunnel and go on the tunnel slide. It was a bit of a challenge but we did it!

Ella climbing through the little tunnel

Let me drive the bus!

Oy – this is the structure I was talking about. We climbed through the alligator, went across a shaky bridge, crawled through the blue, yellow, red and green tunnel, went up some steps and went down the tube slide.

Sunny and I took Ella to NY with the intention to go to the Museum of Natural History. When we got close, Ella saw the park and told us that she wanted to go there. We went to a playground in the park. Ella had a great time on the swings and slide and then wanted to try something new. There was a big sprinkler/spout of water in the park and Ella really wanted to get wet. We took off her shorts and t-shirt and let her run around in the water with her diaper and shoes. She had a blast. After the park, we met our friends Sarah and Pato for some coffee. Ella liked meeting them. At the end of the visit, she sang a lot of songs for them.

When we came home, Ella had some dinner and then grandma and papa gave her a bath. After the bath, Ella started getting ready for bed. We have had some issues with Ella waking up once in the night. The other night, we tried something new. We gave her a bottle and then let her run around and play. After about 45 minutes, we changed her diaper and she went to bed. That night, she slept through the night. We also taught Ella to say, “I will sleep through the night”. Then we all clap and say “Yay”. Tonight, Ella said, “I will sleep through the night” “YAY” and then she said “Papa will sleep through the night, grandma will sleep through the night, mama will sleep through the night, mommy will sleep through the night…” That all made sense to us since we were all in the room with her. Then she said, “Stella will sleep through the night, Juliet will sleep through the night, Helen will sleep through the night, Ronny will sleep through the night”. Did you hear that Arena family? You will all sleep through the night. YAY!

Sunny and I are going away for the night to Foxwoods Casino and Resort. We will have no responsibilities for 30 hours. I wonder what that will feel like. We’ll check back in on Wednesday.

Ella the hillbilly in her diaper and shoes

Running through Central Park almost naked

Smiling with grandma

Brushing teeth with papa. Ella is a tooth brushing addict

It was a really hot and beautiful day on Saturday so we went back up to the pool. We always have a good time there! After the pool, we went back to grandma and papa’s house and KK and Karen came over for dinner. Ella had a great time with all of us. She took out her doctor kit, listened to everyone’s hearts and gave us shots. We had Greek food for dinner and Ella really loves spinach. At one point she was crying out, “More spinach…spinach…spinach!” She is speaking so well now.

A sweet kiss at the pool

Dr. Ella giving Karen a shot

KK reading to Ella and Mommy

Love and laughter

The sun finally came out and we went swimming at papa’s club.  Ella really loves the kiddie pool.  We had a great day at the pool.  We drove into NY in the evening to have dinner with Jordin and Kevin.  It was a hot, balmy night.  First we went to a playground in the west village so Ella could swing on some swings and slide down the slide and then we had a great pasta dinner.  After dinner we went back to Jordin and Kevin’s house.  We ended the night with Tasti -D.  It was a great day and night.  We all had fun.

Ice cream with mommy at the pool.

Jordin helping Ella down the slide

Ella just told Kevin a very funny joke

This is just a shout out to Jamie and Michael in Japan.  Your beautiful Normyn is doing great.  It took her a few days to adjust to all of us, but now she is herself again.  She is playing with her toys – even her little cow.  Mom and I took her to the park today (the rain finally stopped).  She ran and ran in the tall wet grass and had a blast.  Love you guys – hope you’re having a great time.