Note to self: Buy suckers

So, (continued from yesterday), Grant’s party was very fun. The games were great, skiball, fishing, ring tossing — even at Ella’s age she got them enough to play some version of them. I especially like the fishing game where you throw your fishing line over a big painted wood board and whoever is “working” the booth attaches a prize you win. Funny.

What? Your dad has never had his face painted like a member from Kiss?

Dear Chicken: I hope you are not traumatized by the way a little girl named Ella handled you. She was just really excited to see you.

Birthday boy, AKA Spiderman, blows out his candles as Grandma puppy dog looks on.

We also did some shopping at the outlets on Sunday, in which I bought Ella five pairs of pajamas (Sara said I could ride with her to pajama addiction support group) a pair of boots and t-shirt for myself, and 3 cute winter dresses and tights for Ella, and maybe a few other things. It was very fun. I think we’re set for the winter. And I already know what I want Ella to wear for her 2-year photos. And I must say Children’s Place has such good deals!

In other news, Ella had her 18-month appointment yesterday. It was overall a very good visit to the doctor. We were put in a room with a basket of dinosaurs that Ella loved. We weren’t able to see our own doctor but our other doctor/nurse practitioner maybe? was so nice. Ella was really good for her. She did bawl when she got her immunizations, but who wouldn’t? Luckily when I got a little baggy of sweets from the neighbors’ birthday party I tucked it into my bag for an emergency. And this was that emergency. Ella stopped crying as soon as I gave her a cow shaped sucker. Although I think it was someone who does not have kids who decided a sucker with black in it was a good idea. Oh well, I was so happy she was distracted.

And here’s the lowdown: She’s in 75th percentile for height. She’s tall! 60 percentile for headsize and weight – weighing in at 24 pounds and 12 ounces. Pretty good!

Now in two weeks we have to go to the hematologist to get her blood screened again for her anemia. I better get some more suckers.

A little teaser

Ugh. I think I got a little caught up in fall eating habits and have stuffed myself silly today. I just topped off a day of bad eating with a big plate of mashed potatoes smothered in chicken and noodles. I think I may go into a carbohydrate-induced coma. As soon as Ella and Steve are done picking up piles of grass in the yard we’re going to go for a walk.

Anyway, what a fantastic weekend. My sister came up for her birthday, my best friend and her little boy came up and we celebrated nephew Grant’s birthday with an awesome party and went shopping on Sunday. What a good weekend.

The party was crazy. My brother and SIL throw good parties – and big (they had 600 at their wedding). There probably was 100 at this party. First of all, they have BIG families. Both of them. Then they are both very social and have many friends PLUS their neighborhood is one of those neighborhoods where everyone knows everyone and is friends. So, anyway … we had the annual hayride with my dad pulling us all on his trailer, they rented a petting zoo, there were carnival games, face painting …

Well, I’m being summoned for our walk, and I’m having problems posting photos, so more later.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my sister Emily! It was so fun to see you this weekend Em!

Where are all my fall clothes?

Fall is here. All of the sudden it seems. Wasn’t it just hot out? Anyway, what the heck did I wear last fall?

I tried to find some suitable cold weather outfit to wear today and I found nothin. It was either too worn out looking or I didn’t have the right thing to go with it or I need to be having a really skinny day to feel good in.

So, I optimistically wore open toed shoes and a short-sleeved shirt and just pretended it was still nice out. That didn’t really go well though and I’ve had to wear my big, itchy black work sweater all day. Ugh. Guess I have to face reality.

I am going shopping this weekend with my girlfriend, mom and sisters. But I have things to buy for Ella and a few gifts to buy. Hope I have time for it all. If not I think I’m going to have to pencil in a shopping trip for me soon too!

Anyway, I liked the comments some of you left about the crib thing and it brings up more questions – like Elizabeth said, how do you keep them staying in their big-girl or boy bed and not getting into things???? I know it won’t be that long before Ella’s in a bed herself. Part of me wants to remove at least one of the gates to the stairs to get her more used to them as well. We have her practice going up and down but still I wonder if she needs to learn to be around stairs without the gate. I’d love any input.

Today is Steve and I’s four year anniversary by the way. Happy Anniversary honey. Thanks for being such a good husband.

And we even have a date night planned – dinner and a movie. Yay Grandma for offering to babysit. Now, what the heck am I going to wear?