4-30

Fairy Princess :)

4-29 - 14 Weeks!

She LOVES to pulling up her skirts and placing them in her mouth! 

Today was a very special day because Ellie was in super good spirits - not a peep in church this morning - she sucked her thumb the whole time - no pacifier needed! Bur the real reason it was so special to us is because she finally started to really focus on her daddy today - she smiled at him lots, "talked" to him a lot, and even let him hold her several times today for long stretches at a time WITHOUT crying! YEA!!!!!!!

 My sweet sweet husband brought me flowers tonight. He told me they would help me think about him throughout the week when he was at work... Wow did I miss him last week - guess I was missed too :) Best Daddy and Husband Ever!!!

4-28

Today was my last day  in Long Beach during this visit... and to make it special, Ellie actually allowed PopPop to hold her for quite awhile outside WITHOUT crying! In fact, she smiled at him - lots of times!

 We met up with Jeremiah in Valencia and decided to grab lunch at Elephant Bar. Jeremiah and I split a salad, but I couldn't decide what dressing to put on it - so the waiter brought out 5 different choices for me to try! After tasting each, I decided on the balsamic vinaigrette and Jeremiah decided on ranch... YUM!

 On the way home, Ellie decided that she desperately needed her diaper changed, so here we are pulled over on the 65 freeway - AKA:  MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, USA

4-27

 When propped up on a pillow, Ellie started to sit herself up today with little support from me!

 We went to Wood Ranch Barbecue tonight to further celebrate PopPop's birthday. We decided to bring Ellie's chair with us so she had a place to sit...worked well! 

We laughed when we realized the hostess put a child's menu and a package of crayons on our table! 

Ellie didn't understand what to do with the crayons yet...

4-26

 Ellie enjoyed playing with Billy, our Wells Fargo pony...Look at that smile! 

 She also enjoyed playing (and sleeping) with Horse

 Our cousin Bethany brought her two beautiful children over today and we had a wonderful time at a nearby park and enjoyed a yummy lunch together. Caleb, the oldest, was too shy for the picture, but Elias didn't seem to mind the camera :) He's only 3 1/2 months older than Ellie, and it is amazing to see all that he is doing! (and all that I have to look forward to with Ellie!) 

Nana and Mimi with Ellie! Such happiness - the smiles say it all! 

4-25 - PopPop's Birthday

So wonderful to be in town for PopPop's birthday! 

 Nana took off work early today and we went to our favorite little coffee and bagel shop in Long Beach - Grounds - for lunch!

 Ellie loves her new bouncer seat! Thank goodness, because while she sat in it, Nana and I baked a lemon buttermilk cake for PopPop!

 Happy Birthday PopPop! 

4-24

4-23 - More Firsts

Today Ellie experienced her very first earthquake! Only a 3.9, but it definitely jolted the house! 

And she slept right through it!

I also noticed that she grabbed a rattle from my hand all by herself today for the very first time...

And we introduced Ellie to her first solids - mashed potatoes! ... Just kidding :) But her face was quite amusing to me and my mom and dad. 

4-22 - 3 Months!

After church on Sunday, I went home with my mom and dad to spend the week in Long Beach! Ellie slept for the entire ride, even during our stay at In n Out! 

After

4-21

My parents came for another visit to see their granddaughter! 

 Nana knows exactly how to rock Ellie to sleep :) 

We went to dinner at Panera and Nana introduced Ellie to a fork!

Above, Ellie picked up her own napkin!

4-20

Today Ellie went back for another shot. While we waited for the yucky moment, Ellie remained entertained with her favorite rattle. She is now comfortably holding it on her own!

My friend Annie came to spend the day with me in Exeter (the town where our pediatrician's office is) and her daughter Annabelle enjoyed the play center available at the office :)

We ate lunch at a beautiful cafe where there were gorgeous flowers surrounding us!

And we enjoyed icecream at a cute shop across the street. Annabelle, at 11 months, is already crawling and starting to stand. It's amazing to see the differences that occur in just a few months! I'm also amazed that both girls looked at the camera for this picture!

I had to get this picture on the way home... This was the view from Annie's house... see, Porterville CAN be pretty!

Jeremiah put this adorable flower in Ellie's hand today, and she held onto it!