A trip to Seattle Children's Museum

Makin' music.

Building.

Ella and Lauren working together.

The girls and their daddies.

Ella LOVES George!

Tell me how you really feel.

Tonight while I was making dinner, Ella said, "Mommy look—I drew a mad face." And that's exactly what she had done. I was amazed... and then ran for the camera :-)

I had NO idea.

Apparently, Where the Wild Things Are has been made into a movie, one that was directed by Spike Jonze no less. Who knew?

Check out the trailer here.

Victoria.

We're back from Victoria. Our stay was short and sweet, but we'll try to fit in everything we missed next time (without Ella). Below are a few highlights of our trip.

In front of the legislative buildings.

Ella enjoying Miniature World.

In front of the Empress Hotel.

Having fun at Beacon Hill Park.

Bundled up—it was windy!

Going incognito.

Peek-a-boo at Bastion Square

Grouchy faces.

Everything that's going on in my life summarized in one measly paragraph.

It snowed again yesterday. Unexpectedly. Violently. We survived. We also bought a new fridge, which is much nicer than the old fridge. Also making the news: we booked a few nights at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria for this weekend. I've never been to Canada (despite growing up in Montana, which is basically just southern Canada). I can't wait! And lastly, I was asked out for coffee today by a creepy man who actually got out of his car to approach me... while I was buckling Ella in her car seat. On the way home from the library's story hour. Uh. No. Gross.

That's what SHE said.

So the toilet training hasn't exactly been a success, but we're getting there. At least Ella is trying from time to time. Yesterday, she did succeed in letting me know it was time to pee and actually went on the toilet. Small steps, or so I keep telling myself.

But every time we go into the bathroom to try, I am reminded of something Ella said earlier this week. After I moved the toilet paper roll out of her reach (as Ella would wipe continuously if she could—just for fun), Ella says, "Mommy, put that poop towel back!"

At least we can find some humor in our situation. :-)

two and a half.

It's official. Ella is 2 1/2. We went to her checkup today and all is well. Same old, same old. She's now 35 3/4 inches tall and 31 pounds... just right, if you ask me. I talked to the doctor about our toilet training woes, and she just said to give it time. Doesn't she know I don't have the patience for this? But, as we were leaving the doctor did tell Ella to start trying to use the toilet. I'm not sure if it made any impression on her, as Ella was more focused on the sticker that was promised to her at the end of the appointment. By the way, she chose a Little Mermaid sticker—big surprise.

Also today, I received my package of training pants for Little Miss Ella. I just want her to know that she's not off of the hook. I am still serious about this. And, wouldn't you know it, I just so happened to order the most environmentally-friendly trainers I could find (outside of cloth). Leave it to those crafty Swedes to come up with yet another line of products I can't do without :-)

Showing off her new dress...

spring training

We're getting serious here. Our attempts at toilet training (potty is NOT a word we use in this house) Ella have failed—miserably. We know she's ready and has been for quite some time. Ella is just incredibly independent and stubborn. If it isn't her idea, it isn't happening. This process has been frustrating. We've had some bright spots—a few weeks going in the toilet almost a year ago, and a random tries here and there since. But these days, Ella is adamantly against using the toilet and is content just to mess her pants indefinitely. Brady and I are not happy about that. Not happy at all.

So... we've made our deal a little sweeter. In the past, Ella has been bribed with books, stickers, money for her piggy bank, and big girl underwear. But now, you'd think she's having a birthday each time she goes on the toilet. In addition to getting stickers and money for her bank, Ella now gets M+M's, and she gets to watch TV—something we've decided to take away from her during this process and instead use it as an incentive. The results have been mixed. Some days, she'll try. Other days, she wants nothing to do with it. But she's watching a lot less TV/movies (she only gets movies back if she starts going every day), and spending much more time playing and reading. At least something good is coming of this.

On Tuesday, we'll be taking Ella in for her 2 1/2 year checkup. I'm hoping the Dr. will offer a few insights, because if this doesn't start working soon, I'm going to make Ella start changing her own diapers.

weekend cuteness.

ella lookin' cute in braids!
dancin'.
nice hat.
ella + mama