Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Posted with Blogsy
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Friends Make the Season Bright
I love Christmas time (as I previously stated in my last entry)!! And one of the things I love the most is spending time with friends and family! Well- our families get to see us in 6 days, and we just spent a wonderful& relaxing Friday afternoon eating Christmas cookies and playing with our great friends! Our Minneapolis friends have made our Christmas season bright!
When I first moved to Minneapolis I thought "how am I ever going to meet some friends?" I had such wonderful friends in Chicago- but with everyone's fellowships in different areas we were all scattered to different parts of the country! The first few weeks were loong and lonely, but with the help of Ella & an online mom's group.....success was had! I met four of the most wonderful, supportive, creative, thoughtful and helpful mom's in Minneapolis! L, S, A & C! They have truly made the past 6 months and my transition here very easy & natural- in fact it will be extremely hard to say goodbye to them! We do meal exchanges, afternoon play dates at each others home where we share our favorite foods & talented cooking skills, we go to Sealife at the Mall of America (an aquarium), we work out together at Lifetime, we take our babies to music classes and we love a good girls night out (complete with wine of course)! But most importantly we experience everything motherhood has to offer with each other- the good, the bad, and the nasty (smells)! They have helped me through some dark times and always bring a smile to mine & Ella's faces! I love what talents, creativity & vibe each of them brings to our "group." I am thankful for all of them!!
Oh- and did I mention their adorable & lovely babies?! I love their little ones and so does Ella! They are full of spunk, smiles, drool and energy! They crawl around & pull on each other & play very well together! I feel like I've seen each of them "grow" over the months as some have started talking, walking & sitting up on their own! Each of them has their own special personality, which is so amazing to continually see grow & change. They are Ella's bestest friends and bring joy to my heart! They make our days so FUN!
On another note we had our first real snow here in Minneapolis. 8+ inches and possibly more tonight. We decided to take Ella out in it after her nap, after all she has a snow suit & snow boots! At first she was not really impressed but after a tasting, feelings & sitting in the snow- I think she decided she liked it! Mommy & Daddy however--are less than impressed because all this snow means bad traffic, bad roads & bad traveling! But it is really pretty!
Ella turned 10 months this past week! 10 whole months we've gotten to experience the energizing joy that is Ella! We apparently celebrated with ice cream, as Ella decided that she was going to share mommy & daddy's Salted Caramel Yogurt! Pretty sure she ate like 1/4 of the container! Loving ice cream like her mommy! She talks more everyday, but she speaks "Ella" language right now. Aside from Da-da & Ba-ba I can't make anything out! We continue to work on Ma-ma...but we just aren't there yet! She's still into everything and really enjoys playing with other kids! She's learning to share and always offers her gooey/drooly food to people, such a thoughtful little one! She love Elmo...if we are fussy, tired, cranky or sad--- put on an Elmo video & snap = happy Ella jumping & dancing! It's great! We are attending "Sesame Street Live" in January here with our mom friends & kiddos! It should be very entertaining!
So that's been our past week! Lots of fun with our wonderful friends- lots of fun in the snow and always lots of fun playing!! Tis the Season to be Jolly!! Enjoy your friends and family!!
When I first moved to Minneapolis I thought "how am I ever going to meet some friends?" I had such wonderful friends in Chicago- but with everyone's fellowships in different areas we were all scattered to different parts of the country! The first few weeks were loong and lonely, but with the help of Ella & an online mom's group.....success was had! I met four of the most wonderful, supportive, creative, thoughtful and helpful mom's in Minneapolis! L, S, A & C! They have truly made the past 6 months and my transition here very easy & natural- in fact it will be extremely hard to say goodbye to them! We do meal exchanges, afternoon play dates at each others home where we share our favorite foods & talented cooking skills, we go to Sealife at the Mall of America (an aquarium), we work out together at Lifetime, we take our babies to music classes and we love a good girls night out (complete with wine of course)! But most importantly we experience everything motherhood has to offer with each other- the good, the bad, and the nasty (smells)! They have helped me through some dark times and always bring a smile to mine & Ella's faces! I love what talents, creativity & vibe each of them brings to our "group." I am thankful for all of them!!
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| Cute mommas & their cute babies @ Sea Life |
Oh- and did I mention their adorable & lovely babies?! I love their little ones and so does Ella! They are full of spunk, smiles, drool and energy! They crawl around & pull on each other & play very well together! I feel like I've seen each of them "grow" over the months as some have started talking, walking & sitting up on their own! Each of them has their own special personality, which is so amazing to continually see grow & change. They are Ella's bestest friends and bring joy to my heart! They make our days so FUN!
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| Playtime silliness! |
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| Loving some yummy bread! |
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| Such a sweet snuggled he is! |
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| Best friends at music class |
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| Super Baby with her super curly hair! |
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| Another super baby! |
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| Growing into a man- trying to watch TV |
On another note we had our first real snow here in Minneapolis. 8+ inches and possibly more tonight. We decided to take Ella out in it after her nap, after all she has a snow suit & snow boots! At first she was not really impressed but after a tasting, feelings & sitting in the snow- I think she decided she liked it! Mommy & Daddy however--are less than impressed because all this snow means bad traffic, bad roads & bad traveling! But it is really pretty!
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| I can barely move mom |
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| What is this stuff? |
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| Yummy- it's nice and cold |
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| Ok people- I like it! |
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| Ella & Daddy walking out in the snow for the first time |
Ella turned 10 months this past week! 10 whole months we've gotten to experience the energizing joy that is Ella! We apparently celebrated with ice cream, as Ella decided that she was going to share mommy & daddy's Salted Caramel Yogurt! Pretty sure she ate like 1/4 of the container! Loving ice cream like her mommy! She talks more everyday, but she speaks "Ella" language right now. Aside from Da-da & Ba-ba I can't make anything out! We continue to work on Ma-ma...but we just aren't there yet! She's still into everything and really enjoys playing with other kids! She's learning to share and always offers her gooey/drooly food to people, such a thoughtful little one! She love Elmo...if we are fussy, tired, cranky or sad--- put on an Elmo video & snap = happy Ella jumping & dancing! It's great! We are attending "Sesame Street Live" in January here with our mom friends & kiddos! It should be very entertaining!
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| I think I'll eat this! Looks tasty! |
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| I like edamame like mommy too! |
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| I've got style people |
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| Bright & Sunny in Minneapolis (this was before the snow storm) |
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| Hey everybody- I'm 10 months! |
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| Happy Girl |
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| Want some waffle? It's really good! |
So that's been our past week! Lots of fun with our wonderful friends- lots of fun in the snow and always lots of fun playing!! Tis the Season to be Jolly!! Enjoy your friends and family!!
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Tis the Season....
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| First Thanksgiving smiles |
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| We wrote a letter to Santa at Macy's |
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| Ella had a looooong list Santa |
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| I DO love Santa |
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| Yes- I do have a different outfit for everyday in December |
Ella is into everything these days, but she is so full of JOY! She laughs, she smiles, she's ticklish, she crawls around and plays with everything. She loves playing with other kiddos and thinks she is a "big girl" at the gym when she's allowed to play in the kids area. She loves to help me cook in the kitchen and is a great eater (like her daddy). Bath time is her favorite time- she's splash's and kicks, plays with her bath toys and laughs at everything. We had her 9 months appointment and she is right on track! She weighs 18lbs and is 27.5 inches tall- averaging in the 35-40%. Her head full of brains is still in the 55% :) Makes her daddy proud. Everyday is a fun adventure with Ella- her daddy and I just love her to pieces.
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| Who would give shots to this sweet face? |
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| I love me some oranges |
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| I'll find just the right spice for dinner mommy |
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| You want how many cups? |
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| Have you seen my oranges? |
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| I love apples too! |
We are blessed beyond words to call Ella Lillian Kirkland our daughter- I can't believe she will be 10 months old this week! The year has flown by too quickly (and not quickly enough at some moments)! The joy she brings to everyone is contagious!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Thankful
As the holiday season approaches people often reflect on the things they are thankful for over the years. My family has a lot to be thankful for this year & every year! Good health, good jobs, plenty of food & clothes, fun vacations, and wonderful friends & family....we are extremely lucky!! God has blessed us with so much. But I admit- it will be harder this year to be thankful for so much when my dad won't be around to celebrate the holidays or any day with us anymore. I am thankful for the time I had with my dad, thankful for our last conversations, thankful he got to meet his granddaughter and thankful for his love.
I'm also very thankful for Miss Ella Lillian Kirkland. She has turned our world inside out and upside down, but brings such joy to our lives! I couldn't imagine life without her! She makes us laugh daily (if not hourly), her smile melts your heart, and her jabbering is too cute! She is into everything and busy-busy-busy!! She is growing up so fast! We had our 9 month check up today (a little late) and she is still in the 30% for height & weight- 18# & 27.5 inches, and still has a 50% head full of brains! She loves to say "Dada" and loves to shake her booty & jump up & down!! She climbs up on anything & everything and crawls at the speed of light! She loved her trip to Oklahoma & visiting with family! We spent the past week doing fun family things since her dad was working part time. She loves her Dada! We even went to see Santa! And she didn't cry- I couldn't believe it.... she smiled & acted like an angel! She must know she'll get more presents this way! Hahaha!
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| Vacation in Mexico! |
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| Loving on his grand baby |
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| Family photo |
I'm also very thankful for Miss Ella Lillian Kirkland. She has turned our world inside out and upside down, but brings such joy to our lives! I couldn't imagine life without her! She makes us laugh daily (if not hourly), her smile melts your heart, and her jabbering is too cute! She is into everything and busy-busy-busy!! She is growing up so fast! We had our 9 month check up today (a little late) and she is still in the 30% for height & weight- 18# & 27.5 inches, and still has a 50% head full of brains! She loves to say "Dada" and loves to shake her booty & jump up & down!! She climbs up on anything & everything and crawls at the speed of light! She loved her trip to Oklahoma & visiting with family! We spent the past week doing fun family things since her dad was working part time. She loves her Dada! We even went to see Santa! And she didn't cry- I couldn't believe it.... she smiled & acted like an angel! She must know she'll get more presents this way! Hahaha!
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| This happens pretty much on a daily basis |
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| Oh mom- you are silly! |
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| I will not sit still for your pictures! |
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| What? I'm going to read these magazines..... |
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| I'm on the NICE list :) |
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| Oh Santa- I'm been really good!!!! |
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| She is SO full of laughter & joy! |
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| Little baby in a BIG city! |
I am also thankful for my wonderful husband!! He has worked SO hard to provide for us over the years, and get us back to Oklahoma near family!! He has sacrificed a lot for us! He is a wonderful Dada to Ella and loves to play with her! He loves evening bath-times with her! He is a GREAT husband! He always helps with with anything & everything that needs to be done! He is the most loving, kind, hard working, selfless man I know! I am the luckiest lady out there to have met him!
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| Kisses!! |
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| Ella's "roar" face that lasted for about 2 weeks! |
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| Mommy & Dada sandwich! |
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| Happy Baby!! |
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| Happy Family!! |
I am very thankful for everyone in my life!! My mom, my sister, my grandparents, my in-laws, and my friends!! I am surrounded by amazing, loving people!! It has been a long year since last Thanksgiving, with lots of ups & downs- bumps & turns..... but in the end I am very thankful for all that I have!
Thank you for being a part of our lives! Happy Thanksgiving!!!
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