Extra Pics from June

Memories keep coming...  

One of the things I never want to forget about this past year was all the dinner parties we hosted at our home. We loved having all the kids over - Ellie would eat well, and play well, and then of course, she would sleep well! 

 The usual mess of our living room! 

 Another picture from Father's Day of our gigantic icecream! 

 The hotel room from the Hilton in San Jose - Ellie's first experience standing at a window looking out at all the cars - she didn't know she was about to get a home where she could do the same thing. 

Rod and Ellie. 

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These next pictures are completely out of order... my mother came to visit yesterday, July 4. We took a trip on the light rail to pick her up which Ellie definitely enjoyed! We got to the airport early, and Ellie enjoyed going up and down the escalator while we waited...

And then she sat by the exit point where Nana would come from and ate food to kill the time... she started wondering if Nana was actually coming or not....

And then Nana arrived :) 

 And Ellie wouldn't let go! 

 For literally about 10 minutes

 

 We took the light rail to Downtown Campbell where they had some music playing, and shops open. We found some yummy lunch...

And stopped at the Frost Cupcake store - that won Cupcake Wars a year ago! 

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And now rewinding again

 :)

:) These are pics from the Tulare water park with Ellie and Jaden. 

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 :)

:)  

 This was our last dinner party -we had no furniture except our card table, piano bench, 

Our last dinner in Porterville - with Amy, Tanner, and Trevor at Dickeys..

 This is how we packed our clothes - it was crazy

 We were so blessed to have so much help moving into our San Jose home. And Kerstin, one of the teacher from my school's child, babysat Ellie - and Ellie fell in love with her! 

 Our view :) 

 Ellie's preschool! We were taking a tour and Ellie went straight into the classroom and sat down with the other children! 

 And played with them too! 

 What a blessing that Ellie will be able to go to the same school that I teach at. She will be in the building right across the street! 

 The Discovery Museum - Ellie really liked this pin wall - its huge! 

 Another pic from the icecream cookie social :) 

 More pics from Santa Cruz! 

 Ellie says "One day Ellie goes on those swings" 

 She found a friend with a squirt bottle at the park and decided to wash his hair - and the sweet boy didn't mind! 

 There was a theatre youth group meeting at the park, and Ellie decided to join them! 

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Cindi came and visited last Tuesday through Thursday. We are so glad that she got some special time with bonding! 

Icecream! 

:) 

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!!!!