Prima Ballerina

Ella loves her tutu and "ballet dancing shoes." Here she is practicing her dance moves.

Introducing our new baby....

The so-so news first. My ultrasound was so early (17w 5d) that they couldn't get the proper view of the upper lip (to check for a cleft) or the aortic valve (to check for a healthy heart). Because of that we have to go back in 4 weeks for another ultrasound to make sure that everything is indeed developing correctly. I'm not too concerned. I really think that because the baby is so little they just couldn't get what they needed. Apparently about 20 to 25% of all ultrasounds get redone for a better look. We did talk worst case scenarios with the doctor. I would rather be prepared with the info in advance than have it sprung on me in 4 weeks, but we will know more then.

Now, onto the GOOD news!!!!!



















I am pleased to introduce Brenna! We are still discussing middle names, but more than likely it will be Brenna Corinne--Anne, Nicole and Joy are also on the list.

Ella has been insisting for almost the entire time that it was a sister, but had very recently (as in the past couple of days) changed her mind. I had thought it was a boy the entire time. When they told us it was a girl, Ella started crying! LOL! Once we reminded her how much fun all of our friends who are sisters have together she came around. I think all of us felt a little bit of disappointment because we had talked about it being a boy so much. I am thrilled Ella will have a sister, but a bit disappointed I might not ever have a boy. I think I would have been thrilled if it was a boy, but a bit disappointed that Ella wouldn't have a sister. LOL!!! I am now really excited that Ella is going to have a sister.

We decided to go ahead with the 3D. Because we did it this time, they will do a second one for us next time without charging us. So hopefully we will have even better pictures in four weeks. She doesn't have much fat right now so the pictures look a bit alien.

Here's the face:




Here's her face and body:


Here is her 2D profile:

She kept opening and closing her mouth like she was yawning. It was so cute!

And here are her "parts" in 3D and 2D:

A New Room

While Ella and I were in Texas this past week, Scott was hard at work at home! We returned to find that Ella had a brand new princess room!!! When we moved into our house, Ella's room was painted a nice rust color. However, the color scheme didn't go very well with her pink and white bedroom.

This week (as a complete surprise) Scott not only worked full-time, but he also spent his evenings and late nights turning Ella's room into a beautiful princess room. We came home to find this wonderful surprise waiting for us!


Ella is thrilled with the room as you can see.

Below are the details of the wall with the windows:






Here is a picture of Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)above Ella's headboard:


Here is Snow White above Ella's closet door:


Here is the wall opposite her windows, and the light switch (now the rose switch to Ella):




To fully understand what a completely awesome gift this is, there are a few things you should know. Scott HATES to paint!!! I am so shocked that he did this because I know he hates to paint. LOL. He also did this entirely by himself. He had no help from me picking out the colors or the princess theme. He also bought new mini-blinds to replace the ones that were bent, and he bought new valances for the window. He looked in about 5 different stores to find a valance that perfectly matched the lampshade Ella has had in her room since she was a newborn! Oh, and he broke his toe moving the furniture back into the room. OUCH!!!

I cried when I saw the room. I am so impressed that he did all of this as a complete surprise while we were gone. Plus, it means that I didn't have to do it. Ella loves her room. She wanted to touch all the princesses. She kept turning on and off her rose light over and over. She even laid her head on the wall at one point and said, "Thank you for painting my pretty room, Daddy." She also keeps repeating over and over, "Wow! This is neat!"

Mr. Potato Head Gets a Manicure (picture only)

Riding in the car

We have been on quite a few roadtrips lately. In the beginning of October, Scott, Ella and I went to Virginia or the weekend. At the end of October, Ella and I went to Texas. Ella travels so well in the car. It is almost like traveling with an adult she does so well. On our trip to Virginia I snapped several pictures of her riding contendly in her car seat.

Working with Daddy

Ella loves to sit in Scott's lap while he is working. Here are a few pictures I snapped of the two of them one afternoon.

Wheezer is stupid!

Ella walked up to me the other day and informed me, "Wheezer is stupid." Wheezer is Scott's mom. I was appalled. I said to Ella, "Wheezer is NOT stupid. We don't say those things. It is rude. I do not want you to be rude like that." Ella replied, "I'm not rude. Wheezer said it when we were watching Lion King."

I talked to Sandra later that night and asked her, "Did you watch The Lion King this weekend?"
The reply was a hesitant, "Yes."
"Did you have trouble getting it started?"
The reply was a confused, "Yes."
"Did you say you were stupid?"
Sandra laughed and said, "I will admit to this one, but everything else is a lie!"

Hmmmm, I wonder what else was said this past weekend? LOL

I think we all learned a very important lesson. Ella will sell you up the river and tell you everything she knows, so BE CAREFUL what you say. She has big ears and an even BIGGER mouth.

A spanking? OK!

The conversation went like this:

J: Ella, do not jump on the furniture!
E: YES!!!! I DO jump on the furniture!
J: If you jump on the furniture you are going to get a spanking.
E: OK. (bounce, bounce, bounce)

ARGH!!!! Child, that is supposed to deter you!!! She did get the spanking, and she did not jump again. I guess she needed to see if I really meant it or not.

Ella came up with a boy's name

We have been discussing boys names quite a bit lately. We haven't found one that we absolutely love, so we keep on talking about new names. Ella informed us that if we have a boy that she wants to name him "Cowboy." Yes, we laughed very hard!

The second part of this story involved Scott's cousin Lucy and her little boy Galen. Lucy and Aaron gave Galen a list of girl's names to choose from when his sister was born. He chose Zoe. When they asked what her middle name was going to be he immediately responded, "Pineneedle."

In honor of both names that our toddlers came up with, Scott and I are now affectionately calling our baby Cowboy Pineneedle. I'm sure if we find out in November that we are having a boy we will continue to call him Cowboy until we come up with an actual name.