Christmas 2011

I'm probably starting to sound like a broken record, but I can't help it: this entire holiday season has been infinitely better than last year's, especially Christmas, which was spent in a NICU that had enough monitors, bells and whistles that the floor could have very well played its own Christmas carols. That said, I really counted this Christmas as Ellie's first, which was awesome not only because she was home with us, but she also was old enough to be aware of what was going on around her.

Our Christmas celebrating began on the 23rd. We took Ellie to Reid Park Zoo to look at the Christmas lights display, which was so much more successful than the Howl-o-ween event/debacle in October. This was much more leisurely, as there was no forced route this time and we bought tickets ahead of time so we were able to breeze right in without waiting. It was quite chilly so all three of us bundled up, but the lights were beautiful!

For being as bundled up as she was, Ellie was a good sport about the whole thing, even if she did have a deer-in-the-headlights look the whole time. Next year we'll have to chase her around the zoo!

On Christmas Eve we went to mass at St. Joseph's church and I'm pretty sure Ellie was the best behaved child that evening, to include the loud eight-year-old three pews behind us. The mass itself was so-so and  since we were anxious to get home and have dinner, we didn't stick around for any pictures so I unfortunately don't have any of us in our Christmas finest. Oh well. After dinner and a bath, we got Ellie in her jammies and tucked in for the night.

I snuck downstairs in the middle of the night and got a picture of the tree after Santa visited!

On Christmas morning Ellie slept until seven and after playing in bed with Brian and I, we all went downstairs to check out what was under the tree.

Ellie helped Brian open the gate into the front room...

... and bee-lined it for the Christmas tree. She had been eyeing it for some time.

We took the Hanukkah approach this year, opening a few presents each day starting on Christmas, figuring this was the only year we could get away with it. Besides, Ellie would open one or two gifts and was more interested in the wrapping paper anyway.  Even with her birthday a few weeks ago, there was still a learning curve when it came to unwrapping presents. I have a feeling this will not be an issue next year. In fact, we didn't even have a chance to open anything before it was time for breakfast and a nap.

After a long morning nap, we got Ellie dressed and ready to open presents. First, she opened her stocking in which she found a ball, yogurt drops, a pair of socks and some leggings (which you'll see later and are completely so cute).

The yogurt drops did not go over as well as originally thought, earning an adamant shake of the head. Perhaps it was because Santa got the generic Target brand? Who knows.

This was the year of books and I couldn't have been more excited. Ellie got four Curious George books, one about two eels (one of whom is named "Ellie"), a book of moods, three books in the Nancy Shaw "Sheep" series from the Hefrons, and "Heads" by Matthew van Fleet that has lots of fun things to touch and flaps to pull (I think I'm having more fun reading it than Ellie). She also got a bead maze, a board puzzle with big knobs for her little hands, a set of Mega Blocks and (I think) the best of all, a rocking horse that sings a cute/annoying song about 'riding pretty ponies.' A little weird because it's a male voice singing the song and I usually don't associate men with "pretty," but who am I to be the gender stereotype police? Ellie rocks back and forth when the song plays, whether or not she's actually on the horse.

Brian was back to work this past week, but we've been getting back into a nice routine and Ellie is having fun with all her new toys.

My favorite recent picture? Ellie in her oh-so-fashionable new leggings.

Fall Ohio Trip Wrap-up

Ever since we got back to Tucson last Wednesday, the entire week since has been a blur of recuperating from a long travel day, unpacking, getting the house back in order, adjusting to a different time zone, getting some much-needed Christmas decorations up in this house, and, most importantly, getting ready for Brian's return home! Okay, you're probably thinking, I thought she said she was going to take the next couple of days to spend quality time with her family. Trust me, I am, but right now Ellie's down for a nap, Brian's out for a much needed hair cut, and I'm taking the opportunity to do a wrap-up post of pictures from our Ohio trip before it becomes a far-distant memory.

This visit to Ohio was another memorable one and while it's good to be back home, I am a little sad since we probably won't be back for that length of time in the foreseeable future. We didn't really go many places like we had in the summer, which I attribute mostly to crummy weather and a girl who really didn't like being bundled in her car seat. Still, we were able to spend lots of time with family, which really was the reason we made the trip.

This face cracks me up -- Ellie changed so much during our stay, and her cheeky personality really started to emerge during the course of those six weeks.

An outtake from our photo-shoot among the fall leaves.

The temperatures dropped pretty significantly in the weeks while we were in Ohio, but Ellie was prepared for any cold weather that came our way!

My dad loved to cuddle with Ellie before he left for work. I think they were watching the news when I took this picture. My mom said he was the same way with my siblings and I. 

Pure love, I tell you, pure love.

It must run in the family because my brother is so good with Ellie and the boys. He even let her pull on his beard and is a good sport when we hum "The Godfather" theme when he plays with Ellie. :)

My grandparents came over one Sunday to watch the Ohio State/Michigan game. Ellie was still enthralled with Great-Grandma's watch. I can't remember what they were laughing about, but I love this picture.

Ellie's crawling really improved and she always found a way to get under chairs, tables and anywhere she really wasn't supposed to be.

Christmas card photo meltdown (not to worry, she was quick to recover!).

There were a few nights where I was able to get out with my good friend Jackie. She and I go all the way back to grade school! This was the night we accidentally discovered a cute little winery called Paper Moon.

The obligatory cousin Christmas photo. They just happened to be color-coordinated and I absolutely adore the boys in Santa hats and Ellie in "I love Santa" jammies (which, by the way are getting plenty of wear right now).

The night before we flew home, I got some great pictures of Ellie with my parents -- this one is my favorite.

Such a silly, happy little girl!

He's HOME!

Santa must have heard what I wanted for Christmas this year because today Brian came home from his three-month deployment with the Navy! It took a couple of hours for Ellie to warm up to him, but before her bath I caught the two of them snuggling. If you don't hear from me in the next several days, rest easy with the knowledge that we're enjoying time being a family again -- just in time for Christmas. :)

Reason #853 Why I Love This Man

Watching him play the "stinky sock" game with Ellie on Skype from 3,000 miles away, and he even wrinkles his nose... what's not to love?

12-Month Well Check

Ellie had her 12-month well check this morning. Here are the stats:

Weight = 15 pounds, 12 ounces (5%)
Height = 27 inches (10%)
Head Circumference = 42.5 cm (10%)

I could have sworn she weighed more but at least our peanut is proportional! Ellie did not enjoy being examined, having her weight taken and especially her ears looked at, so we decided to forego getting shots and the dreaded heel-stick today. She continues to impress her pediatrician with her cognitive development considering her prematurity, and even waved good-bye as we left, eliciting an "aww" from the office.

Her First Birthday Party

After an exhausting few days of preparation, travel and settling in, we are back in Tucson and I'm finally getting around to writing about Ellie's first birthday party, which already feels like eons ago. It was another laid back day (I'm sensing a pattern here) and so nice that Ellie was able to celebrate with her cousins, aunt and uncles, grandparents and great-grandparents. And her mom, too. :)

Ellie showing off her birthday shirt.

We did things a little backwards for this first year -- presents first, then cake and ice cream since Ellie went right into the tub after inhaling having cake. Earlier in the day she opened a birthday package from her great aunt on Brian's side of the family with some books and videos, a toy cell phone, bear and a few other birthday goodies.

Ellie also got a book all about hugs from Mimi and Papa, a talking book from the Merzkes and some books and a Little People farm set from Brian and I.

The nursery rhyme book garnered quite the following.

Like most one-year-olds, Ellie didn't show much interest in unwrapping presents at first, but after we opened a few together, she started to get the hang of it.

Opening presents worked up quite an appetite, so Ellie was ready for some cake!

Or maybe just a nap.

Carrot cupcakes for our little cupcake.

Ellie was unfazed by all the attention and singing. I'm not sure if I should consider myself lucky or forewarned.  :)

At first, she was perplexed by the frosting.

However, once she had a little help...

... there was no stopping her!

After a quick bath, she was eager to play with her new toys.

Before long, bedtime had arrived and Ellie crashed for the night. And just like that, the first birthday celebrations were all over. Now we have Christmas with a one-year-old to look forward to!