christmas...a little late

i realized that i never recorded anything about Christmas, so here we go. we enjoyed Christmas eve with tyson's family and then spent the night at my mama's. then after opening presents, eating breakfast and taking a morning nap we headed to reidsville for the annual family Christmas cookout, then we were off to our favorite place: the lake on the 26th. I think ella fully enjoyed her first christmas experience, here a few pictures to remember it by. (p.s. mama has not put up stockings since daddy died, so santa had to get a little creative)

getting geared up for christmas

she loves her daddy

ella was so helpful when we were putting up the lights

ella was getting ready for uncle eddie's good cookin'

she loved warming her feet by the fire

and cuddling with mimi

we always do a family pic in front of the tree in reidsville, normally we also get a group shot, but with so many people missing this year and having to head home early, we just did the individual family photos. tyson, unfortunately, was not able to make it to any of the out of town christmas festivities because he was studying for boards. booo! but not next year, because he passed and is a working man now :)

ella and her cousin emmy

ella and emmy, just chillin'

lilly's christmas present

haha, i just realized ella was still in her hugga bebe...oops! it was early

we had a great christmas 2010

ella's photo shoot

thank you katherine for taking such beautiful pictures of my precious baby girl, i love the simplicity. you did such a good job of capturing her sweet innocence.

6 month check up

we went yesterday to see our favorite pediatrician and ella decided to show him ALL of her new moves, dr. hanna said, 'wow, that is impressive, look at how strong she is, i wouldn't be surprised if she is walking soon"....excuse me...doooohh what? i'm glad he was impressed, because i just kept thinking, no, stop, slow down, you are growing too fast!! but apparently she does not care, because last night she decided to go from "downward facing dog" to sitting...all by herself. the nerve! i think tyson and i might have our hands full with this one. so without further ado,

ellanora's stats:

she smiles all the time, she babbles (dadadadada) and squeals, she rolls, she sits up (apparently on her own now), she does downward facing dog with the best of them, she sleeps on her stomach, she wants desperately to crawl, but really is happiest when standing-still with mama's help...thank goodness she still needs me:).

weight: 17lb 12oz (78%)

length:25 1/2 inches (30%),

head size: 16 3/4 inches (50%).

ella sleeps from 7pm to 7am and takes 2 naps/day. one at 9am and the other at 1pm. she takes 4 eight ounce bottles (7,11,3,7) and eats 2x/day (11&5). she has tried: squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, pears, apples, prunes, bananas, avocado (her favorite - just like her daddy), peas, green beans, rice, oatmeal, and parsnips.

we had a sleepover weekend with dear friends last weekend and sweet katherine took pictures of my baby girl for me. they turned out beautiful! as soon as i can figure out how to get those pics on the blog, i'll post them, until now just know they are fabulous!! thank you katherine.

happy 1/2 birthday ella

how quickly time slips away! i have always heard people talking about how fast time goes by, but until i became a parent, that statement was never fully appreciated. my baby girl has gone from this:

to this:

in just 6 very short months!

last night tyson and i were playing with ella on our bed tickling her and listening to her laugh. we were both amazed at how much joy this little person has brought to our lives. she reminded me of the love our heavenly Father has for us. ella has nothing to offer, she can do nothing for herself, we do everything for her and yet her glowing smile and sweet laughter, which lights up her entire face, brings us so much joy. how much more He has done for us and all He wants from us is to love Him and reflect His glory to others. what is the chief end of man? man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

thank you ella for teaching me such a simple yet profound truth. happy 1/2 birthday, your daddy and i love you so very much and pray that you would love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and that you would never know a day without Him. you are His not ours, but we sure are glad that He is letting us enjoy you!

all my love,

mama