The Weekend Update

So we've made it through the weekend tending to Ella & her chicken pox. Jay left yesterday afternoon, and Ella & I hung out the remainder of the day/night. I think the chicken pox are making her more sleepy (although not at night!) She's taken really long naps twice a day starting about the time we realized she had the chicken pox. I hope the long naps are helping to heal those spots! I can't believe how many she has now! Going to bed at night has been tricky these past few days though, not fun!!

Saturday morning I started my quest to bake a test cake #1 for Ella's birthday. I wasn't planning to make it myself, however, we're having trouble finding someone to make it (landing on Memorial Day weekend & tons of Graduation parties plus the Farmington Bakery quoted me over $100. Are they crazy?!) Anyway, so I decided I could tackle this cake myself. I mean, really, I love to bake, so it couldn't be too bad right? Well, baking the cake was no problem. The problem comes when it's time to ice the cake. For the test cake #1 I just bought frosting b/c I didn't want to mess around with making my own (nor did I have time!) Well, I ran out of white frosting & I tinted too much of it pink, so I already had an issue. Oh well. It's just a tester right? Icing a smooth looking cake is not easy! I brushed up on all the tricks & nuances of icing online but that still didn't seem to help. I think it's all about practice makes perfect, and I don't have much time left to practice before the big day! So, although I'm proud to say I have accomplished the cake you'll see in a minute, I give it maybe a D. I haven't tasted it yet though so maybe it could get a few bonus points on taste. I also decided to skip all the minnie mouse fondant cutout work for another day - which is why the bottom tier is plain. And because I ran out of white icing, the polka dots (that's what they're supposed to be anyway) on the top tier were supposed to be white, but ended up being pink.

The pox photos

Ella has been doing pretty well with the chicken pox (so far) and here are a few more pictures from this morning showing her lovely spots.

Chicken Pox

Ella has the chicken pox. Yes, you read that correctly. Our 11 month old who doesn't attend daycare, has somehow managed to pick up the pox! I talked to the nurses this morning and they just want us to keep an eye on her behavior and appetite. I guess she can continue to get new spots for up to 6 more days (jeez!) and she's contagious until all of the red bumps have scabbed over. For anyone who cares (and because I didn't know this) the pox start out as red bumps that look like an insect bite, then they turn to blister-like bumps, and then the blisters turn to scabs. I just hope everything is cleared up before her upcoming (and much anticipated) birthday celebrations! Should be...

I'm really hoping we don't have a crabby baby this weekend. Jay is planning to be out of town and so it'll just be me handling Ella & the chicken pox. I'll have to update again later with how she's doing.

Mother's Day 2010 (my first mother's day)

Insanity

Insanity has arrived. Let me explain.

1. Ella has had her first accident. Saturday morning, she lost her balance while hanging out on our bed & bumped her eye against the bedframe. See below. Ouch! Sunday morning her eye had developed an official "shiner." She's lookin' kind of bad ass. :)

2. On top of her sore eye, life with Ella has been so busy & stressful this past week. For whatever reason (I keep saying teething, but who really knows!) she has been extremely crabby & "attached" since last Friday. I mean, it's to the point where today I couldn't even go to the bathroom without her having a complete meltdown. I think I'm starting to go insane!! I've had a few phone calls with the dr's office and they don't think she has an ear infection and they think it's all related to teething. Ugh. There is a top tooth that has appeared to be ready to pop through at any moment (and I've been saying this I think for almost two weeks!) What's the deal! Let's go already!

3. Insanity. Have you heard of it? You might know that Jay & I love the P90X workout program, which recently has been all over TV (even QVC!). Anyway, we had great success with that program, and just completed a round of "Classic" last week. The company that produces/markets/etc. P90X has a new program out called, simply, Insanity. For real. This workout program is no joke. I am proud to say that I am 5 days into the 60 day program, and I'm sure I've dropped more sweat than anyone - ever. All I can describe it as is insane, so the title is appropriate. I'm looking forward to seeing how this program unfolds & if it's similar to P90X, I hope to see some results - summer is on the way, and I've gotta get ready! I'll have to provide an update or two as the 60 day countdown continues.

So the above sums up the insanity portion of this post.

Here are a few new pictures (really random ones) of Ella. I can't believe this Sunday we will be calling her an 11 month old. What?!

Ella, earlier today showing what remains of the shiner

Ella last weekend, chillin' out at home

This is Ella's latest move - looks to me like she's practicing her downward dog yoga pose!

p.s. I've been wanting to add this post since Saturday, but life stuff keeps happening!

Newest "talents"

A few updates on Ella:

- Her third tooth (top/side/right) made its debut on the 10th. I think there's another top tooth on the way. She's got all the symptoms - runny nose, tons of poopy diapers, and chews on anything she can find!

- Ella has 2 new talents as you will see on the videos!

Random catching up

Here are few recent pictures of Ella that I've been meaning to share!





Blue eyes! Who would have thought!



Ella checking out her new carseat.

Playing 3.28.10

Easter 2010

We had a great trip to Worthington for Easter. Ella had a good time seeing everyone, and it was nice to get out of town for a few days, even if it was hectic! Here are a few Easter pictures. . .

Easter morning 2010

Ella (10 months) with Chase (2 years) Chase was so excited to see Ella and was fascinated by everything she did (and ate). If Ella was eating carrots, Chase wanted to eat carrots, if Ella was eating bananas....it was pretty cute.

With Grandma Deb & Randy

With Great Grandma Alice. Ella really loves her! And this visit I really started to notice that a few of Ella's features, most definitely her eyes, are from Great Grandma Alice and Grandma Deb. All 3 have the same hue of blue. :)