Happy 1st Birthday, Ellie! and Jon leaves for China

In my haste to catch up I realized I skipped right over Ellie's first birthday. We decided to keep it low-key after celebrating in North Carolina with Jay's birthday so we asked Nana, Pop-pop, and the aunts and uncles who go to church with us to join us for dessert after lunch on Sunday, her actual birthday. (Donna invited us all over for lunch so that's why we just did dessert). Inspired from Corinne and Daniel's wedding, I bought ice cream sundae treats and everyone made their own sundae. Plus Ellie loves ice cream! She cried when we were singing but I think it was because she was tired (she had skipped her nap) and she stopped as soon as Jon gave her some ice cream.
Now Ellie is one! Here are some fun things about her: She weighs in at almost 20 pounds, has very light hair and appears bald (she basically is bald, realistically), she loves cheese, yogurt, and ice cream (diary all the way!), and crawls, climbs, and cruises all around. Her favorite toys are the Little People Bus and her riding toy. Ellie seems like she might be a bit sensitive as she cries when I tell her no, especially when she is tired. She also seems to be a people person and has never been trouble in nursery or when I leave her with Grandpa and Grandma or a babysitter.

Now jumping back to this week. Since Jon is in China Ellie and I have been very flexible with our schedule. On Tuesday Ellie and I stayed home in the morning since I had piano lessons to teach in the afternoon. She ended up taking a two and a half hour nap which would have been nice to know while I was hanging around trying to figure out what to do with the day.

When Ellie woke up we ate lunch and then I went to Kelly's house to enjoy the gorgeous day. Kelly broke out their water table and Ellie and Clark splashed around. Kelly and I were a bit lazy and didn't put the legs on the table (we said it was so that the kids could enjoy it more) so Ellie was sitting in the middle of it. They also played with the riding toys and Ellie climbed into Clark's red car for a while. At 2:30 I headed out.

Three pictures from lunch at Grandma's house on Monday:

I decided that Ellie should nap at Grandpa and Grandma's house while I taught lessons since we had evening plans. I went over to their house early and set up the pack'n'play and hung out with them. I am helping Grandpa go through the pictures on his memory card to print them off through Shutterfly and I had the opportunity to browse through some old gems from five and six years ago (some from Kelly and Josh when they were just dating, that kind of stuff). Ellie went down for a nap and I left to teach two lessons then came back. Grandma invited me to stay for dinner since Jon is out of town. She made spaghetti and Ellie ate some along with applesauce. Ellie now crawls up to the highchair and bangs on it when she wants to sit there. She knows it's her seat. She needs to be careful, though, because soon she will have to share it with Maya!
At 6:00 Ellie and I left to drive to Exton to meet up with Katie and Wyeth. Katie had invited us to join her and some other people from church (Montgomerys, Baskins, Lamberts, etc) at a free concert listening to Entrain in a park. It was a lot of fun! Ellie seemed engaged by the concert, sitting and watching and clapping her hands periodically. When she became distracted by a soccer ball brought by someone sitting nearby I let her play with it and the next thing I know she's sitting on top of it just hanging out. I don't know how she perched on top of it but people around her where just cracking up. She even clapped and waved like she knew she was cute.

Pleased with herself

Following the concert were fireworks but Katie and I left since the kids were tired (it was 8:45). Ellie fell asleep as we were pulling into Geigertown and I transfered her to the crib.
Wednesday morning we stayed home so that Ellie could get some solid naps in. After her morning nap we went to Deb Saints and I did some quilting on her machine. Ellie didn't have much patience so progress was very slow. I was back home by 3:00 since I had a lesson come at 3:10. During the lesson Ellie would crawl quickly to the bench, pull herself to standing, then try to reach the keys but I or the piano bench was in the way. A few times I put her back at her toys but she would chuckle and come back. What a stinker! The mom of my student played with her on the floor, which really helped (she wanted to, I think). After the lesson Ellie went right down for a nap.
Ellie slept for an hour then we ate a quick dinner and headed towards Reading to make some returns. We stopped by T.J. Maxx, Target, and Babies R Us. Ellie was a champ and we came home and went to bed. She's a fun shopping companion!

Ellieisms:
When Ellie wants something she points at it. When she's done with it she hands it back to me. If I'm not there to take it from her, she drops it on the floor. Around her highchair is disgusting.

My computer is not allowing me to download pictures from my camera so the cell phone pics will have to do for now!

Corinne's Wedding Week

I am so far behind on this blog that I am just going to skip around focusing on highlights from the past month or so and then start up from today. It's the only realistic choice for me.

Ellie has been growing up! Over the past few weeks she has started crawling at a startling fast pace and now walks around when holding onto the couch or her walker. While I was absent we missed a few birthdays, two of which were Jay's and Ellie's. I'll have to post some pictures of them from the past year sometime.
On August 10th Jon, Ellie and I headed down to North Carolina at noon. Ellie did an awesome job in the car, staying awake and content for the first 8 hours of the drive. We hit a bit of traffic and stopped for both lunch and dinner ending our trip at the beach house eleven and a half hours. A long trip but worth it for Corinne's Wedding Week.

The older girl cousins (just minus Maya)

Sunday and Monday were spent relaxing on the beach and working on our tans. I realize Mom was super busy working on preparations but I definitely enjoyed the first days of rest! Ellie changed her mind about sand (she couldn't stand it when we were at the beach in July) and happily crawled around and played in it. The water was a lot warmer than in Jersey in July and she would crawl right up to it and splash around. Jon always volunteered to stay back at the house while Ellie napped so I had extra time enjoying the beach.
Monday evening we celebrated Jay and Ellie's birthdays with a Choo-choos and Tu-tus theme. Jay turned two and Ellie was due to turn one in six days. Dr. and Dr. Iya were a bit confused until Katelyn graciously explained that we were having a birthday party (oops, forgot to mention that to them when they joined the party). I made tu-tus for all the girls and birthday shirts for Ellie and Jay. Jonathan and Jon grilled burgers and hot dogs while I made macaroni and cheese and baked beans and Carly put together a green salad and something else. Carly made an ice cream cake for Jay and I made a bib cake with a "smash cake" for Ellie. Ellie wasn't a fan of the cake and tried pushing it off the tray. Emy was begging for the cake so we switched places and allowed Emy to have an early birthday tribute since she's turning one on September 5. We opened gifts after Cake and Ellie received some clothes, sandals from next summer (a signature gift from Katelyn), sunglasses, and the traditional rocking chair from Mimi and Pops. Overall Ellie had a very pleasant birthday celebration.

Birthday girl with Daddy

Birthday boy

With her cake

gifts!

Pleased with his PJ pants

Jay is a bit obsessed with blue trains so he loved his Thomas blanket.

Our little family.

Wednesday Jon was in charge of Ellie while I helped set up for the reception and then we went to the chapel for the wedding rehearsal. Jon also put Ellie in the backpack and helped hang lanterns on the porch. The rehearsal dinner was delicious and Corinne gave me a beautiful pearl necklace for my maid of honor gift. Jon said Ellie behaved wonderfully and he was confident for taking care of her on the wedding day.
Following the rehearsal dinner the guys went out while the girls stayed in. Dorothy Bradshaw was working on the flower arrangements and we helped out by de-thorning roses. We hung around until the guys came back and shared with us about their bachelor party experiences then we went to bed in preparation for the big day.
On Thursday, Corinne and Daniel's wedding day (!!!), it was raining. Fortunately the wedding was inside but we did want to get pictures outside. In the morning I tried to keep Corinne feeling like a bride by bringing her some breakfast. Jon was on Ellie duty so I showered and hung out with Corinne while we prepared. Corinne's friend Cassia did her hair and makeup. Cassia threw my hair up quickly (about five minutes!) and we headed off to the church. Rabo (Daniel's best man) made sure Daniel remained in his room while Corinne made her departure. We arrived at the church in time to touch up our makeup, put on Corinne's dress, and take pictures outside. Daniel texted when he was close by but we weren't ready so I asked him to wait around the corner. Once Corinne was hidden he was allowed to come and get his pictures done.
The wedding ceremony was wonderful! Calla and Kelsey walked carefully down the isle and Haley stood frozen at the beginning until they closed the doors in preparation for the bride. It was adorable! Corinne was a gorgeous bride and she and Daniel looked spectacular. Following the wedding we took pictures at the church (the rain cleared up so we took them outside) and then the bride, groom, and myself went with the photographer to a park for more pictures.

Ready to head down the isle!

Feeling silly!

 Pictures from the park:

The receptions was also a lot of fun. Ellie played nicely on the floor while we ate dinner and Jon tended to her during toasts and put her to sleep during the open microphone. The dancing was a lot of fun, so much that Grandpa and Grandma even joined in. At 9:45 I went upstairs and packed Corinne's bag and helped her change before we sent them off at 10:00.

 

The Ice Cream Bar

Plain Vanilla Jon

Friday we spent quite a bit of time cleaning up after the wedding and tried to spend some time on the beach but we scared off by the flies that bit. It was rainy and gross so we spent the majority of the day inside. I packed up the room in the evening so that we could leave at 7:00 Saturday morning for home.
Dad made pancakes for us for breakfast (Dad's the best!) and we were on the road by 7:15. We arrived home around 6:00 and Jon unpacked the car while I fed Ellie. Jon had a soccer game at 8:15 for EFC - the final game of the season. I stayed home with Ellie who was exhausted and asleep by 8:00. I wish I had done all the laundry and finished unpacking but I instead relaxed in bed and enjoyed not sitting in a car.

Since I am so far behind I am going to just skip to this past weekend.
Friday evening Jon helped Peter with an electrical job while Ellie and I went to a TupperWare party at Ginner Saint's house. Katie and Kelsey brought Wyeth and William so Ellie had some friends to hang out with. She did a great job staying happy even with the late hour and even showed off for the adults by rolling around the floor and making funny poses. It was so weird! I had never seen her act that way before.
Saturday morning Jon left for a business trip to China. Carly and the kids had driven in from Chicago for Corinne and Daniel's Elverson reception. I spent the afternoon and evening in Elverson and even helped set up the Community Center while Ellie slept. After worrying for Dad's life as he clamored around the eaves hanging the decorative balls, I headed home with Ellie at 11:30.
Sunday I had to get to church without Jon. Jon usually makes breakfast and gets Ellie ready for me. Yes, husband of the year, in my book. I was ten minutes late for church (oops) but we made it. Following first service I took Ellie to Mom's to put her down for a nap before the reception. She took an hour to fall asleep and I helped Corinne get ready and put on her dress. I had to wake Ellie up so we could make it to the reception on time at 1:00.
Mom threw a fun party! The food was delicious, the weather was gorgeous: everyone had a wonderful time. Corinne and Daniel wore their wedding garb and Ellie and I wore ours. Dad had arranged for an open coffee bar from Twin Valley Coffee (iced Tottys all around!). Corinne and Daniel greeted all the guests as they arrived and Dad prayed and started the lunch at 1:30. When everyone was finishing eating the happy couple did their second first dance and cut the cake. Corinne smashed cake in Daniel's face and he took it like a loving husband. We had upbeat music and dessert following it all and some kids danced while the rest of the guests mingled. It was a beautiful day and a great way to finish up their wedding celebration! (Well, for us since we won't be going to Jos for the Nigeria reception).
Monday morning I went over to Mom's house to spend time with Carly and the kids before they drove back to Chicago. Jay is very attentive to Ellie and at one point ran to block her from crawling out the front door hollering "baby, baby!" until someone came to his aid.
After the Brusts left I took Ellie home and she napped before my evening piano lesson. Mom called and invited me over for dinner since it was Caleb's last meal in Elverson before leaving for Covenant. Dad grilled steaks and Mom made baked potatoes and sauteed vegetables. It was all so delicious! We hung around until 8:15 when we said goodbye to Caleb and went home since Ellie was tired.

My camera is in the car so I'll have to post the more recent pictures tomorrow. If I'm feeling ambitious maybe I'll backtrack and cover last week's events.

Elliesisms: 

Ellie was playing near the dishwasher and was doing something naughty so Daniel told her no. Ellie burst into tears. Mimi predicted she might be a bit oversensitive like her mother...

Ellie climbs into her stroller now when she is sitting nearby and wants a ride. 

Ellie's favorite foods: hot dogs, yogurt, ice cream, and peaches.