Our shopping excursion

Yesterday Ellie and I went with my sister Bethany to Babies R Us to get a stroller for Molly. I think somehow Ellie knew we were going that afternoon to do one of her favorite things! She LOVES to shop! (wonder where she got that from!?). She was so happy all day and very excited to go with me and "Aunt B". Now, Ellie is a pretty good rider, most of the time, but we didn't go until after 5 so I was worried she would act up since it was close to supper time for her. So, me being the prepared mommy I am, made sure to pack plenty of snacks to keep her occupied. First there were goldfish! This child LOVES to eat and LOVES her goldfish! So, most of the way up there she was snacking away on her goldfish. She was so sweet to even try to share with Aunt B. However, her idea of sharing is to put it in her mouth first THEN give it to you! I can't imagine why Aunt B declined everytime Ellie offered!?
Once we arrived at Babies R Us we all got out of the car. Apparently Ellie was afraid of running out of food because she had goldfish stashed into every nook and crany imaginable! They were in her cup holder, behind her seat, in her cup, I mean EVERYWHERE!! Silly girl! We go into the store and she is in heaven!! All the clothes, toys, and neccesities imaginable for a little one! Now, I have never let her do this before, but she wouldn't ride in the Cart the right way so I let her sit (or stand!?) in the big part of the cart. Uh oh! I may have started something with that move! She was loving it!! She figured out if she crouched down we could see her so she spent the rest of the time playing peek-a-boo!
After shopping we decided to go eat at Truietts, which is basically like Chick-fil-A, only more of a sit down restaurant style. Now, as I mentioned earlier, this child LOVES to eat! And she is just like her mommy when it comes to chickfila!! We both could eat there everyday and never get tired of it! I mean really, I eat it everyday I am at work, they know me there. They know my order and they now know to give me extra ketchup. But that's another story, is there rehab for chickfila??
Truietts has a train that goes around the room all the time. She was very entertained by the train. Her big eyes followed it around and around and around! And if it stopped, "uh oh", "uh oh", "uh uh oh!!!".
After dinner we headed home. It was getting to be Ellie's bedtime so I felt certain she would fall asleep onthe ride home. NO WAY! Her Aunt B got to experience "operation stay awake". She was babbling, laughing, singing, dancing, anything to keep her awake. "doo bi doo bi doo bi doo" that's what she says alot and this is what she repeated over and over again to stay awake. I wonder what "doo bi doo bi doo bi doo" means??
Daddy wasn't home when we got here so of course she stayed awake to see him! Let me tell you, this child is a daddys girl!! She lights up when he walks in a room. I could be a little jealous, and at times I am, but I don't mind. I was a daddys girl too and I know the special bond that is there that noone can replace. So I love watching them interact and play with each other. It brings tears to my eyes many times! so they talked, and played and she was REALLY tired but not giving in! So she snuggled with us for a little bit and then went on to bed, WAY past her bedtime!! But that's ok!! Because these days don't happen often!:-)

Where did the year go?

Where have I been this past year? My sweet little baby girl is now 1 year old and growing more and more everyday. It seems like she went from a baby to a big girl overnight! Seriously, I know I have been here with her for every milestone of her life thus far. I know I saw her first smile, heard that first laugh, saw her roll over for the first time, crawl for the first time, I remember seeing that first tooth pop through, but as i try to remember those moments it is as if I was a mere bystander, just watching from a distance. I didn't stop and soak up those moments, take a mental picture so I'd never forget that feeling of joy.
Everyone told me, enjoy it, it goes by so fast. Boy, that was an understatment. I feel like I was just at the hospital giving birth to my
miracle baby, now I'm watching her walk, try to run from me, laugh hysterically at anything and everything her daddy does!
My sweet baby girl, you have no idea how you have changed my life. You are my world and I pray you will grow up never doubting how much your daddy and I love you! I pray you always feel the love the surrounds you, because man alive, YOU ARE LOVED!
As we celebrate your first year of life, this is what you are up to right now. You are spoiled rotten by your Lovie and Aunt B, they adore every little thing you do and think it's just the cutest thing in the world, (of course, so do I!!). You are very curious about anything around you, always staring at anything (or anyone!?) new. This can be a bit embarrassing at restaurants when you are completely turned around in your highchair staring at someone at another table! Thank goodness you are so darn cute, because most people don't mind it! You love your paci at bedtime, in fact, we keep at least two in your crib at all times and you will often go down for the night and see another paci and decide you want to switch them out, and do it again, and again, and again!! Lately in the morning when we come to get you all pacis will be on the floor along with all you stuffed animals that sleep with you (all 6, yes 6!!), and you will have your bed covered in books you have pulled out of the basket beside your bed. You love your swing Lovie gave you for your first birthday. You laugh and laugh and laugh while swinging away! And of course, you still love watching FiFi and the flowertots! You've been watching it at lovie's house since you were 4 weeks old and you still act like you've never sewn it before when you hear that music play!
My sweet Ellie Grace, you have brought more smiles, laughter, and tears of joy to your daddy and me in this past year than we ever knew was possible!! We look forward to many more years to come! Love you doodle bug!