New Blog Address

Our blog is moving! (We've run out of space on this current one!)

The new address is:

www.podczaszys.blogspot.com

We added an 's' to podczaszy......

Walking, New Shoes & BIRTHDAY PARTY :)

Well, this is it. The last blog post of Ellie's first year. On Ellie's Birthday! 

 Ellie is now a toddler :) 

God provided me with a wonderful birthday present to give her today. Lori, Ellie's babysitter, wasn't feeling very good this morning, and instead of me staying home with Ellie, my principal allowed her to come to work with me - the social science department at my school worked on something outside of our classrooms today, and Ellie joined us as we worked in the computer lab together. This meant that I got to spend the entire day with my baby girl on her birthday!!! 

Ellie received her very first babydoll - it's Baby Cinderella! The crazy part is that on Friday, Ellie had played with her first babydoll at a friend's house. On the way down to Long Beach that evening, I told Jeremiah that I hoped someone might get her a doll for her birthday, otherwise I was determined to get one for her. Then, when we arrived at my parent's home, my mother handed me a gift from her co-worker - and it was a babydoll! Couldn't believe it! 

We had a delightful skype conversation last week with my mom and dad. For the very first time, Ellie really seemed to understand that she was having a conversation with the people on the iphone screen! 

Standing all by herself :) 

Ellie has been enjoying sharing all of her food with Clara! She's now mastered getting her snacks out of her snack jar by herself ! 

Ellie's first strawberry :) 

Walking with Nana :) 

And PopPop :) 

Getting her first pair of shoes! 

She could hardly walk in them when she first had them on - it was really funny to watch... 

Birthday Party day! My princess is all dressed up! 

The party was supposed to be at her Great Grandma's home, but unfortunately, she got sick. Thankfully, Jeremiah's Aunt Judy and Uncle Jeff opened up their beautiful home, and since it was 75 degrees outside (yes, in January), everyone enjoyed the afternoon outside! 

We got a cake from The Great Dane Bakery in Los Alamitos - best cakes ever. The girl who put Ellie's cupcake together was wonderful - I asked if she could please put a lot of icing on it - and she absolutely did. Below are pictures and video footage of the hysterical moment when Ellie tasted her first sweet treat :) 

When the guests first arrived, our birthday host was fast asleep! 

Definitely enjoyed the roast beef sandwich... 

And the turkey wrap! 

The kids enjoyed playing ball... 

Cake Time!

She grabbed the cupcake by the icing first, turned it upsidedown, took a bite out of the cake, and then smashed the icing all over her shirt! 

YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMY

I'd say she liked it... 

Definitely liked it! 

Presents! 

Done with Presents! (Well, Ellie was done... she was a bit sleepy...) 

Mason took over opening Ellie's gifts after Ellie left with Daddy! 

Her new best friend! Two Disney characters in one week! Lucky girl! Ariel is my favorite, and The Little Mermaid ride was the first Disney ride that Ellie ever went on... 

She got her first big-girl plates! 

When we got home from our wonderful time in Long Beach, Ellie decided to help me unpack by climbing into the suitcase! 

Such a silly girl! 

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Wow, what a wonderful year it's been! Can I believe that a whole year has gone by? Well, yes & no. I feel blessed to have been able to spend so much time with Ellie since she has been born. I haven't missed a beat, and I have enjoyed every single moment of her life. There hasn't been a day that I haven't smiled and thanked God for my beautiful daughter - my miracle baby that God has allowed Jeremiah and I to raise.

I will be printing out this blog into book form so that Ellie will always have the memories of her first amazing year with us. We pray that she continues to be a shining light to all - and that she always allows God to direct her path in life. 

We love you baby Ellie!!!!