Boy or Girl

I'm counting the days... not that that will make my baby come any sooner... haha.. but I will say I'm super excited to meet this little baby. Since we wait to find out the gender till birth... I have lots of fun washing and folding, boy AND girl clothes. It's fun seeing a drawer full of cute small jammies... I'm surprised Ella hasn't discovered this whole new wardrobe for her babies. I'm not sure how much our sweet 25 month old understands about what is about to unfold, thought tonight as we were putting together the crib in her room, she said it was for the baby, when I asked her where the baby was she pointed to my belly! That was pretty cool!! Hurry up March!

Trying New Foods

I have had soo much fun watching Ella try new foods. So far she hasn't met one she didn't like!!

As she has been introduced to different food I have started letting her have tastes of our food. I won't be making different food for each member of the family so i figure... start them early :)

Yesterday I was making an egg casserole for Phil and myself, it had lots of yummy veggies so I saved some of the veggies out and scrambled it with a yolk for Ella. She LOVED it!! Peppers, onion, spinach and all!!

she also loves black beans

'more please'

Also I have been making smoothies for myself for breakfast and given Ella little tastes... today i decided to make her one of her very own!! It was a big hit!!

Baby smoothie

-half banana

-frozen blueberries

-flax meal

-baby pear juice

-jar of baby applesauce

-baby pro-biotic

-frozen cube of sweet potato

blend and serve :)

I am going to have fun trying lots of different versions and flavors.... and see how healthy I can get!

(I was going to make all my baby food, but then was given tons of jar baby food, so I haven't really made much of my own... but I thought this would be a good way to use the baby food especially once she doesn't want it in such a smooth texture... I'll just add it to smoothies and other things for added nutrition)

Getting Dirty

I know the dirt on her leg and toes is nothing compared to what's to come, but it is the first time I've let her crawl around on the ground. Her bath water was grey...

I can't believe how fast she is growing up, I love every minute of it... even 'Ella, don't eat the rocks' ... that won't be the last time I say that too!!

Sleep....

I am soo excited that Ella has been sleeping somewhat consistently from about 8:30pm to 7:45am! She wakes up in such a smiley mood and most mornings Phil gets up and brings Ella back to our bed to eat 'breakfast' and cuddle... I just LOVE the mornings when we all cuddle together after a good nights sleep...

I also love the routine we have somewhat established with putting her to bed and praying with her and hugs and kisses... I hope one day it brings back fond memories for her.

Phil is just the cutest dad ever! Most nights after Ella has gone to bed I find him in her room just watching her....most of the time I join him... hmmm.. we're in lovc....

*disclaimer* I know everyone has different opinions on sleep... I'm ok with that...

Family

We have both just enjoyed being parents. We love it! I am amazed at how fast the time is flying. Ella is learning new things every day. Phil is so in love with Ella it makes my heart melt... sometimes I have to say I'm a bit jealous... but I'm so happy that he adores her so much.

I have started a park day for some of my girlfriend's and me to have some fun together. We are reading a book together, Shepherding a Child's Heart. Even though Ella is not even 4 months old yet, Phil and I are wanting to soak up as much positive information on how to raise Ella to know what it means to love Jesus, and also for us to learn how to teach her that.

Today when I was cleaning up and doing laundry I was noticing how Ella sat in her cute purple 'bumbo' just watching my every move... sometimes it's overwhelming to think that God has placed us in charge of this innocent little life.

On Mother's Day we dedicated Ella, basically, in front of our church, friends, and family, committed ourselves to raise Ella in a Christian home.

I love that Phil and I, even before Ella was born, have set some goals for our family, something to strive for. We have always watched our friend's and family around us and talked about ways that we want things to be in our house... now I know every child and family is different, but we believe that there are some core things we can do... which brings me back to the book that my friend's and I are reading through together. It is a wonderful guide. I'm sure I'll read it many times over throughout my years of parenting, but it's so nice to have another Biblical perspective, and bounce ideas off friends.

Please keep us in your prays as we strive to raise Ella to be a woman after God's own heart.

Life is Changing...

Life just took a big turn! Our beautiful daughter, Ella Jade, arrived on January 27th, at 11:45pm weighing 9lbs 1 oz. and 21 in. long. It has been so much fun having her in our lives. Phil is an AMAZING dad. I just love watching him with her. Love is in the air...