Fast Forward

Can't seem to stop going, going, going. Too much going. Lots of things happening... Ella's getting big and has lotsa tricks. I'm working more and more... and Brady's out of town again. Also, I'm trying to prepare for Ella's BIRTHDAY! Crazy, but true. She will be 1 on September 7th!

More photos here >

Sometimes you've just gotta let your hair down

Back to the Grind

We made it back late last night from our week-long respite from the DC heat and humidity. Montana was beautiful! I'll give the (almost) complete story soon. But for now, I need a rest while Ella's napping!

Here are some more photos >

Outta here!

We're off to Montana this afternoon and won't be back until next Wednesday. This weekend is my 10-year high school reunion, as well as the Huckleberry Festival in Trout Creek... and a great excuse to spend more time with family—away from this 100 + degree heat in DC. Have a wonderful week!

Retail Therapy

Ella's new shoes came today. They are CUTE!

In the Works

An accordian book documenting each month of Ella's first year... so far I've only completed a miniature version...

They're Everywhere!

While walking through a book store in Union Station, I glanced at a display for a pop-up book and swore it said Mega Breasts. Upon closer examination, I saw that it was called Mega BEASTS. Thank goodness!

Maybe it's time to think about weaning Ella...

Going Postal

We just got back from a visit to the Postal Museum, part of the Smithsonian... but right next door to Union Station. Very interesting, not at all crowded—and a beautiful building! Next time, I think I'll go without Ella :-)

Highlights include:
Package from the Unabomber (Montana's own!)
Original artwork for stamps
Mailboxes from around the world

The Games We Play

Salivating...
Carrying around a postcard. This girl loves paper!
Knit orange rattle thingamajig.
Playing "catch"

¡Cuidado!

I swear that I looked away for only a second... and Ella was already on the third stair. She's only been mildly interested in the stairs up to this point, and lost interest after climbing only one or two. But today, with my supervision, she made it 3/4 of the way to the top. I guess it's time for baby gates...

Sharing

It's been a while since I posted some of the cool stuff I have found online. So, here goes:

Moo StickerBooks
Really cool books of stickers - I'm working on my images now!

Cute Kid Shoes!
I just ordered Ella the Mini Betty in white - she has such tiny feet...

TOYS!!!!
I may have shared this already, but they have great stuff.

August !?!!?!

How can it be August already? Know what that means? Ella is almost 11 months old... and only one month away from her first birthday! That's just crazy. I was just looking through old photos and she was so little and awkward looking - and now she's so big and waaaay cuter.

Ella is still not walking (thank goodness!), but cruises around the furniture and climbs over everything (even people - actually mostly people). She likes to get into things she shouldn't and understands the word "no", but it makes her mad to hear it. Every time I say it, she looks for something to bite and growls. Not sure why...

I am still nursing Ella and hope to be done in the next month or so. I can tell that weaning is going to be a traumatic event, as Ella can't seem to get enough "boo", as she calls it. We've been feeding her lots of new and exciting foods, but nothing seems to replace good ol' milk. It doesn't help that she seems to be in a constant state of teething, which really pisses her off. The only cure: milk. At least she's still sleeping through the night (knock on wood!).

More later...