Two and a Half

Two weeks ago Ella turned 2 1/2. Here's some catching up...(Today happens to be my 31 1/2 birthday but this isn't about me)

The 2-year old ride continues to get more and more exciting every day. This week Ella decided to be potty trained. We're on day 6 of underpants and we've only had one accident all week. That wasn't so bad. Really.

Today we got Ella's big bed. I imagine this won't be nearly as easy. Sleeping has always been Ella's biggest weakness. We'll keep you all posted on her transition. Or we won't because we'll all be too tired to even remember how to open the computer. She picked out her mattress and her orange sheets and her colorful blanket and she even has a pillow. Wish us luck.

Ella got her first decent haircut last week. We shared an appointment. We both did a great job of sitting still in the big spinny chair. Ella got a sucker and waited until it was over to flap her wings under her smock. It was real fun!

We're extra proud of you this week, Ella. You did a miraculous job getting rid of the diapers. Wow. It just seems that every time we hold our breath for a big bumpy change you come through with some seriously smooth moves.

And speaking of milestones...Green Beans the fish is 6 months old this month. 6 months later somehow we still haven't been through the parental rite of passage of the toilet bowl fish funeral. Now that's miraculous. Way to go big guy!

Love: Two Ways

Recently Ella has been a totally huggable, snuggable, lover. She loves to give unexpected hugs and announces that she loves you at the most wonderfully odd times. It is just wonderful to be around Ella during this phase and to be the recipient of all this love. Here's two funny "love stories" from the week.

1. Kelly says, "I love Ella, and Daddy, and Dewey." I say, "I love Mommy, and Ella, and Dewey." Looking at Mommy, Ella says, "Mommy loves Daddy, Dewey, Ella...and...Cucumbers."

2. At dinner the other night Ella was distractable and not eating much. We asked her to get it together, focus, and eat and she just wasn't having it. She was talking and whining and altogether not on her best behavior. Just as we got to the last warning before table removal, Ella started going back and forth between us saying, "I love you! I love you! I love you!"

That's tough. How do you punish a kid for that? She didn't eat much dinner that night and she certainly didn't get any dessert!

Ella--We love you too!

FahLucas

A while back, our neighbor's washable, wettable all-plastic baby doll was spotted cavorting in the sprinkler and flying down the Slip-N-Slide... while Ella's own not-all-plastic baby dolls (poor Inside Toys!) missed all of the fun. So, after several not-so-subtle hints ("I weally, weally NEED a plastic baby, Mommy."), Ella made her first quest to Toys R Us today.

We beelined for the doll aisle and sat down in front to pick the Very Best All-Plastic Baby- a fat one with pink shorts and a smoochy mouth. I figured her name would be Plastic Baby (which would fit in with Ella's other friends, Elephant and Baby), but asked anyway- "Ella, what is this baby's name?"

Ella thought a minute, patted her little all-plastic face, smiled, and said proudly, "Her name is FahLucas."

(Mommy note: I'm a bit jealous she took our girl name...but I have to say FahLucas is a nice addition to the baby pool.)

Happy Father's Day!

Guest Blog from Kelly:
Happy Father's Day, Zach!

Overheard in the car on the way home from Ella's babysitter's house...

Ella: Where did you live when you were a big girl?
Kelly: I lived at Grammie and Poppy's house.
E: Why did you?
K: Because kids live with their moms and dads until they are grownups, and then they can move out.
E: Why did you?
K: Because I wanted to live with Daddy.
E: I want to live with Daddy too.
K: You do live with Daddy. We all live together.
E: I want to live with daddy when I am a grownup.
K: You might want to have your own house.
E: No. I will live with Daddy.
K: Why?
E: I really love Daddy.
(Me too :). )