October « 2009 « Life With Ella

Archive for October, 2009

Greetings from the East Coast

Monday, October 12th, 2009

The weekend flew by and I had a great time. I was so happy to hear that Sunny and Ella were having a great time…going away every once in a while is a good thing. I love and missed you guys and can’t wait to see you tomorrow. Milo is a beautiful boy and it was fantastic getting to spend time with him and Jamie and getting to know Milo. Here are some pictures from my NY/NJ adventures…

On Saturday morning, Nikki B and I went to the batting cage. It was so much fun. I had some pretty good hits. I also tried pitching from the exact distance that they do in the major leagues. I pitched a few good ones.

Beautiful Milo on Saturday night. Adam came over for dinner and we spent some great time together.

Milo on Sunday morning relaxing.

Milo propped up in his pack and play holding court.

Tummy time!

This is Tess, our friends Jennie and David’s baby. I got to spend time with them today. She is a really sweet baby.

Bath time!

Here I am with beautiful Milo. Ella and Milo are going to have a lot of fun as soon as Milo is able to play.

Bed time for Milo. Goodnight sweet boy.

It was great being here. Love you mom, dad, AJ, Michael, Milo. It was great being here. I love you Sunny and Ella – can’t wait to see you tomorrow.

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Beautiful Saturday

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

Today was full of fun and goodness. Started off nice and easy after a wee hour shout out from Ella– calling out for me, rather “Sporticus” (character from the Icelandic kid show called “Lazytown.) Ella said she fell out of her bed, but all was well after staying with her a while.

It was a cool overcast day and thought a movie would be fun, Ella happily agreed and then asked if we could call Brickelle and ask her if she can come with us. Akilah was game and joined in — Ella and I were happy that Akilah and Brickelle were spontaneous! So off we went on the train to meet our friends and to see Toy Story 2 and 3D to boot!–It was such a sweet and clever movie–albeit a little nauseating with the 3D but after a while I got use to it. More importantly, the girls loved it –after the movies we went to Yerba Buena Park and walked home via Whole Foods as Ella said she was “starving” and wanted whole foods chicken and for me to make rice pilaf, broccoli and asparagus–I think Ella is going through a good growth spurt as she has had a big appetite today–makes this mommy very happy!

Tonight while putting Ella to bed–she was extra hyper and silly and happy–I said Ella it is really late and you need to quiet down and go to sleep–she said–“I can’t mommy, I am too excited about the next day!” That was something else as we didn’t even talk about what we planned to do tomorrow–this was just another pure statement from Ella that speaks of her joy of life–Talk about pearls of wisdom from this child and how much we can learn from her!

Love you Mama–Ella made you a present today and can’t wait to give it to you! Have fun and lots of love to everyone! Ella getting ready to go the movies, she picked her outfit out, the first time in ages no dress. I promise, I didn’t coerce her!

Ella happy to have her own seat on muni

good friends 3D style

more 3 D chic–assuming the position for the movie

what better way to end a movie day than to share ice cream with your good friend?

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Loving life with Ella and Missing Mama!

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

Mama took a red-eye last night to New York to visit with the family and to spend more time with Jamie and Milo. So this is my first blog attempt and let me tell you I am in awe of you Lauren on so many levels!-not only are you an amazing blogger, but doing this almost nightly even after long days at work and energetic nights at home and to do this with passion and creatively and gusto–is amazing! You’re amazing!

So on to today-It’s the first trip Lauren has taken without Ella and the first time Ella and I have spent days together alone. While Ella and I miss Mama so much, the time with Ella has been so beautiful and fun and loving. Today started out terrific, we got to school and the LL buddy’s where already in the classroom waiting for their little friends to take to the school’s assembly. It was so wonderful as Ella loves Cassi and so does Brickelle–the three of them are so sweet together.

When I picked Ella up at the end of the day–she was outside at the playground –she saw me coming and and came running and jumped up to hug and said “I knew you were coming to get me today, because Mama is in New Jersey.” Ella has been saying incredible things and clearly talking about this new experience not having Mama here 24/7–a few statement: “Mommy, can you believe it’s just the 2 of us” and Mommy, I miss Mama and love you too.” and “Mommy let’s go on the airplane and go to New Jersey”–and then right after that, “will you go swimming with me so I can show you how good I swim”–So this beautiful Ella continues to astound me with her emotional honesty and pure joy for life.

After school, We went to Becca’s work at Animal Care and Control. Becca was great, showing her usual patience and care by taking a lot of time showing Ella around. Ella wanted to see ‘ALL the Animals”– especially pet all the bunny rabbits! After spending a good hour at ACC, we went home to bathe, make brownies and rice pilaf together to take over to Stella and Juliet where we had a great dinner prepared by Helen, topped off by watching Kiki for the Friday Movie Night feature. By the way, the Yankees won game 2 in a walk off Home-run by Mark Teixeira–Happy for our New York family!

Ella and I send love and kisses to you and Papa and Grandma, Milo, AJ, Uncle Michael and all the beautiful family and friends in NY/NJ

So Mama we miss you so much and so happy you are having time to yourself and we love you so much–Good night or Good morning!

P.S. So Sorry–I have tried for over an hour to upload the pictures –not sure how this is going to show but tried–

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Fun in the morning

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

This morning Ella woke up in a great mood. She told me that she wanted two braids in her hair so I attempted to make 2 braid pig tails. It was a pretty good first attempt…Ella was happy.

Before I get into the braids, I just wanted to show this picture that I took last night when Ella was sleeping. The flash didn’t bother her and she didn’t wake up. When Ella saw this she said, “Oh, so I do close my eyes when I fall asleep.”

Here are the braids. Ella does a great job washing her hands at school in the morning.

Ella on the trampoline while friends Bella, Brickelle and Remy patiently wait.

Buddies!

The girls were really having a great time.

Have you ever had so much fun at 8:15?

Really sweet kids.

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Another week at Tutu school

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Every week I say to myself that I am just going to drop Ella off at ballet school and go take a walk or have some coffee, and every week I find myself amazed by Ella’s love of the class. Her enthusiasm and attempts at being graceful just grab my heart. I can’t help but smile from ear to ear during the entire class. I made another movie – pretty much the same as the last 3 weeks but different because I think Ella’s moves are getting a little better. Of course Ms. Alicia made a beautiful bun for Ella and when Ella greeted me on the school yard this afternoon, she looked so proud and excited and just loved her hairstyle. I think she also loves her special time with Ms. Alicia on Monday afternoons. Things are great – enjoy the movie.

Ms. Alicia’s fancy work.

Ella wanted to wear her gold skirt today.

Ella showing off her ballerina strength.

Presenting Tutu School week 4

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Playing, jumping, climbing

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Today was a beautiful day. We spent a lot of it outside. Ella rode her scooter over to the Java House and we had lunch with Kate. After lunch, we played around in the park and had a lot of fun being outside. Tonight we had dinner at Pasta P with Debby and Toby. Ella said that it was the best dinner ever. Ella says this a lot and we love her for it. She is such an enthusiastic kid and so much fun to be with.

Having fun in the elevator.

Tag…you’re it.

Cooperating with me while I try to get the perfect jumping picture.

I think these are pretty good.

Kate and Ella on the sandbox boat.

Mommy and Ella meeting at the top of the red thing.

My turn!

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Saturday in the park

Sunday, October 4th, 2009

Today we met Brickelle, her parents and younger brother Brooklyn at a park near our place. The weather was beautiful and we all had a great time. After the park we had lunch at Extreme Pizza. It was great to watch Ella and Brickelle running around, playing, laughing and being completely independent of us. They have a life totally separate from us at school and you could really tell from how they were playing today. In the early evening, I took Ella swimming. We spent most of the time in the deep end where Ella let go of me and was playing around under water. She is getting so confident in the water. She told me that she wanted to be on a swimming team and that she wanted to win a race.

Ella decided that she wanted to wear pants today…go figure.

Brickelle climbing the ropes.

Beautiful Brooklyn.

Soaring down the slide.

Brooklyn greeted Ella at the bottom of the slide.

Hanging out.

Jumping around on the concrete furniture.

Brickelle, Brooke and Ella playing “Red Light Green Light 1 2 3” with Sunny.

Taking turns on the scooter.

Look at these beautiful girls!

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Ella’s new bed

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009

Ella has graduated from her toddler bed to this beautiful “big girl” bed. The bed was a gift from grandma and papa and Ella loves it. Now we just have to fix up the rest of her room to a “big girl” room and we are all set. Ella said something about wanting a huge rainbow the wall above her bed. Here are 2 pictures of Ella while she was on the phone thanking grandma and papa.

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Swimming

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Here are some more great pictures of Ella during her lesson today. The teacher, Megan said that Ella was going to be a great swimmer and she is truly impressed that Ella remembers what she learned in the previous lesson. She spent 10 minutes in the shallow part of the pool and the other 20 minutes in the deeper part. Ella is starting to do her arms in a freestyle motion.Doing a great job in the pool.Playing around in the quad after swimming.