Imagination...

Oh Boy!

Almost 2 months since I blogged here. Sorry!! Will fill you in on what's been happening here :)

Ellie is potty trained...whoohoo! She figured it out over a weekend...so that was awesome! That was back in August...so now she's been a full month...almost 2 months trained we're doing great. Not really any issues...gets up in the middle of the night to tell us she has to go...so other than interrupted sleep a few nights a week, we're good :)

My business is going well. It's been busy..so that's part of the reason why this blog has been neglected. Life just gets more and more demanding sometimes, and I'm still trying to figure out how to balance it all. M is doing great...started a new job...and then started another new job :) I think he found the right fit this time...even if he still has to make that big commute. Fortunately, he gets to work from home 2 days a week...so we're looking forward to that :)

I'm already thinking about and planning in my head for Ellie's 3rd birthday party. I can't believe I just wrote that. 3 years old soon. Where does it go? She's really into the Disney Princesses and all the Fairies...so guess where we're going again?? That's right....another Disney trip is planned for next year. Couldn't pass up a good deal :)

Our days are filled with lots of conversations now...she makes full sentences...tells us about her emotions..demands I play with her...loves hugs and being tickled...and lots of "I love you's"...which is the best thing ever. She counts to 20..with help...and is learning her letters. We'll be searching for preschools this fall...and have to sign up in Feb...so that's a top priority right now. I can't believe this time next year I'll be by myself for a few hours during the week. Wow...think of all that I'll get done!! :) I hope :)

I missed a WHOLE MONTH?

Whoa...ok...apologies all around. I missed ALL of July. Well...I had a good excuse. Ellie & I were gone for 12 days...so that was like half of the month...and the rest of the month was spent trying to prepare for those 12 days :)

So..what have we been doing with our days? Not much...mostly the same ol same ol. Get up...eat breakfast...watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...hit the gym on Wed/Thurs/Fri...and then the grocery store on Tuesdays. Ellie did do gymnastics for 3 weeks..even though we paid for 6...doesn't help we were gone a lot. I think she enjoyed it...but me on the other hand...I didn't so much. Too many "stage" moms...and pushy kids. I seriously need to get a thicker skin towards people like that...because I'm sure it won't be the last of it. I am looking forward to her dance class starting next month. I know she enjoys that...and I do too :) What else? Well...I've been busy preparing for a busy month. I have 4 shoots scheduled this month...so fingers crossed I get my nose to the grindstone on editing. I have a 9 month old, 2- 3month olds and a newborn. :)

We do have a big change coming up on the 15th. M will be starting his new job...so we're extremely excited about that...and he'll be SO much closer to home!! Yippppeee!! That makes for a very happy Ellie & Mommy when we get to see more of Daddy!!

We're planning a quick getaway next week...and then it's work work work for us both.

Not much else going on...pretty boring...probably why it's taken me so long to post on here!! :)

Hope you all are having a great summer!!

Oh my goodness....

Is it really June 16th? And I haven't posted anything on here since then? My apologies!! I wish I had a really good reason...but I got nothing. Just life. Been busy with some newborn shoots...and chasing the girl around. It seems like I do the same thing every week...so it just keeps flying by faster and faster.

Here's a few things we've been doing since I last wrote. Visiting family...renovated the back yard...so we now have grass...yes...grass in our little square of the world....and I guess that's about it. We're heading to visit family this weekend...and then we're taking a little trip with some friends next weekend. And then it's already the 4th of July...holy moly! And then Ellie & I are taking an almost 2 week vacay back home to see my family...and stay with Grammie C on her farm. Fingers crossed we'll get to see lots of farm animals...maybe a kitty or 2..and of course...hoping to see some of the best girlfriends a gal could ever have...my Love Hall lovelies :) And then by the time we get back...it's almost August! It's insane how quickly the summer fills up and it's not even technically "summer" yet. Whew...I'm tired just thinking about it :)

What's Ellie up to these days? Well...she still talks all day long...only now the words are bigger and she asks more questions. Here's a snipet of one of our conversations today... Ellie- "I'm a puppy" Me- "Oh hi there puppy...you're such a good little doggie" Ellie- "I'm not a dog, I'm a puppy". LOL...she had me in stitches....what a funny kid :)

Disney...

We had a fabulous time!! Lots of great weather...came back tanned all of us..even with using sunscreen. Tired...need a another vacation from our vacation...but we have so many great memories!! Here's just a sampling...

Helping other moms...

A few weeks ago I was thinking back to when Ellie was first born...and how overwhelming everything seemed. I was desperate for advice from anyone..and seriously needed to interact with other moms. It was around 3 months after she was born that I really started to feel like I was getting the hang of things. I finally decided to suck it up...and venture out to go to my local breastfeeding support group. I had been wanting to go...but I never felt comfortable going...and certainly didn't feel like I could nurse in public. I was going for specific advice about how women got comfortable nursing in public. I had a trip coming up...just Ellie & I..and I obviously was going to need to feed her on the plane. The women in the group were so incredibly supportive and they gave me a ton of advice. I learned that what I needed to do was start practicing in public. Sounds silly...but it worked. I got myself a nursing cover from Bebe au Lait...and it was awesome! I felt like I was covered completely and I felt like Ellie was suffocating under there. She got used to it...and I got used to relaxing while we were out. I finally felt liberated!! We didn't have to race back to the car every time I needed to feed her if we were out and about running errands. I could just pull out the cover, and slip it on..and boom...we were in business :)

So now..2 years later...how am I giving back to other moms? I'm part of an Ambassador program with Bebe au Lait. Their product changed my life...and no doubt there are other soon to be moms out there who are looking for the same thing. I'm no expert on parenting...but I am an expert on what my experience was like. I think the best way to help someone is to share your story and what you struggled with and how you changed it for the better. So let me know if you have any questions about their products, or want more information :)

It's my b-day!

And there's no need to cry about it! :) I have so much to be thankful for...two loving families...mine & M's..that love me & support me no matter what....the bestest husband I could EVER ask for...who knows me better than I know myself somedays...a daughter who makes me laugh like no one else can....a home to live in...my own small business that's starting to sprout....and friends that despite how long its been since we talked....can pick up right where we left off. Life is very good. I am so incredibly blessed. So here's to another fabulous year! Happy Birthday to me :)

Whew...

Well...she's a 30lber now! We had her 2 year check up last week...and she looks great. She's 34 1/2 inches tall...so we're creeping in on that 3 feet pretty quickly. She's already in 3T jeans...they're just a touch too long...but her 2T jeans are looking short already. The nurse practitioner was beyond impressed at her language abilities...as we were talking Ellie looked over and said, "oh...there's a sheep on the wall"...wow. that's a big sentence for a little girl! Anywhoo...nothing but good things to say about her and they told us to keep doing what we're doing...and to keep reading to her :) I think she'll go for that. Every night..."read stories?"...yup...we'll read that book I have memorized once again :) We love it and wouldn't change it for anything.

Other news...getting some work done on my business front...so that's keeping me from blogging lately...and keeping me from posting my 365 pics on time. But I promise...I'll get better :) I have a maternity photo shoot next weekend that fingers crossed will go well outside in the elements. Freakish cold blast this week...so hopefully by next week we'll be good to go.

Not too much else going on...we're dog sitting tonight cuz our good friends had their first baby tonight!! They had a boy...and we're so so happy for them!! Don't get me started on how cute and squishy that baby looked...makes my uterus hurt just thinking about it ;) LOL...ok...I'll end on that note!! :)

Happy 2nd Birthday Ellie!

She's 2 years old. I can't believe it. Where did it go? Amazing to think back to the day she was born. We were a hot mess. And M didn't know if Eleanor & I were going to be ok. He was left standing by himself in the recovery room while I was whisked off for an emergency c-section. That was the most terrifying moment of my life. But look at us now. 2 years later...and we have a 2 year old. She's so smart...and comes up with the funniest stuff every day. I see myself in her more and more...even though everyone still says she looks just like M. I think she has some of my personalities...and it's funny to see them in a little person. She gets frustrated...but she's learning to take a deep breath...and try again. :)

Oh my Elliecakes...I love you SO much...and am so blessed to have you in my life. Happy 2nd Birthday angel girl!!

Love Mommy.

YIkes!

It's almost been a month since I last posted over here!! I knew that would happen...I'd get all busy with my 365 blog...and forget about posting here too. Well...I'm back :)

We had a great 2nd birthday party this past weekend. It was all about Minnie Mouse. Here's a few pictures from the day...

We had a great time with family and got lots of great new toys to destroy the house with :)

23 months old....

How in the world did I get a 23 month old? Can I even say that? When people ask how old she is...I just say she'll be 2 next month. Much easier than still counting in months. We could go by weeks...she's 101 weeks..LOL...I only know that because I still get emails from some company that tells me how many weeks old she is. Weird!

Anywhoo...we're busy planning for our Disney trip...and if you've been following the 365 blog...you'll see the finished bathroom project. I have been totally consumed by that...and have had minimal computer time...so that's my excuse for where I've been. It's now officially finished...and we're enjoying it!

Her vocabulary is growing each day. Today we went to a birthday party for a lil' guy that's exactly one month older than her...and on our way there...we stopped for a gift bag and tissue paper. She was in the backseat talking away about the gift we got him..bubbies (bubbles)..and how we had a card and she said we got a bag. I told her we got tissue paper too...and she starts repeating that...and then the whole way there...it's all about the tissue paper :) Too funny!! Guess now is the time that I need to watch what I say more than ever!!

Ok...so my baby is 23 months...and she's growing like a weed. She's wearing 3T clothes already...and her 2T jeans are starting to get a little short. Seriously...anyone have an potions that stop small children from growing?? If so...send me some ASAP :)

Future dancer...

Gotta share this recent video we got of her. We were over at our friend's house for the SuperBowl...and this child was running on pure adrenaline :)

I wanna hold your hand....

This is her new thing this week. Anyone who has a toddler...or had one in say the past 5 years...knows all about Laurie Berkner. She's awesome. She's like the Toddler Whisperer. Eleanor hears her singing and life stands still until the song is over. It's amazing. We have one of her albums...and listen to it all the time in the car. But recently we heard another one of her songs, called "My Family"...and the girl goes NUTS. She likes to dance around and asks to hold our hands since we're "family." It melts my heart everytime she does it. She knows some of the words to it too. It's the cutest thing ever. I know..I say that about EVERYTHING...but it really is too cute :)

What to do...what to do...

The time has come. She's growing up too quickly. Last week she tried twice to crawl out of her bed. Not in a "oh my gosh... scary...like almost falling out?" way...but she threw her leg up over the edge of the crib and said "out...out." We'll be shopping for another option soon. Mulling over our choices...buy the conversion kit for our crib....buy a toddler bed....or buy a big ol' twin bed. Choices choices. With our bathroom renovation...and Disney trip...the budget is looking a little low for purchasing the twin bed and everything that has to go with it. The conversion kit...and toddler bed are looking like great choices. But the decision making has ended there. Yes...we plan on having other children...so Eleanor would need to be moved into another bed eventually...so why not just get a toddler bed and be done with it. Well...there's the space issue...as in, we.have.none in this house. Her room is already her room and the guest room. Can we really squeeze in another piece of furniture in there? Why don't we just take down the crib? Well...good question...but again...where in the world are we gonna store that sucker? Plus we hope to be using it again at some point...so why hassle with taking it apart. Ughh....this shouldn't be this difficult really. Ok...time to make a decision. It's go time. Ok....here's the decision.....toddler bed it is. It seems like the most logical of choices. Right? Right.

Good...decision made.

I think.......

22 months old

I'm a few days late. I know. Oh well. Happy 22nd month Birthday Ellie!!

Busy planning for her party...definitely switched to a Minnie Mouse theme. I've been working away on her invitations...and going to be sewing her something special to wear the day of her party :) We already have her birthday present...that sucker has been taking up space in our room since before Christmas...so it'll be nice to be able to get into my closet without having to climb Mt. Everest :) We're gonna keep it low key this year. Last year felt like we needed to do things up big since it was her first birthday. This year...just relaxing day with family :)

In other news....we have accepted an offer to renovate our only full bathroom! Whooohoo!! I can't wait to get this done. We've been saying it for years now...well...ok...not THAT many years...we've only known each other for going on 6 years...haha..so anyway....we hope to get that project underway soon. I'll be sure to take before and after...although I'm not sure I want my hideous bathroom being viewed by all of the internet...but ok...I'll do anything for my fans :) LOL We're not doing anything too expensive or over the top...but a full gut..new tub...new tile...new fixtures...new vanity...new paint even. Have I said that I can't wait for this to be done?

Only problem is that it will probably take about 2 weeks. No...don't worry...those of you who read this and are around us in real life don't have to worry about us not bathing for 2 weeks. We have our local gym..which I go to everyday anyway...so might as well shower there :) As for Eleanor...we still use the little tub we've had in her since she was born...so we can set that up downstairs...or heck...she might still fit in the kitchen sink. I will most DEFINITELY get pictures of that ;)

Ok...enough of my dribble for the night!!

My baby is 22 months old...and getting bigger and more mature everyday. I love you Ellie!!

We're going to Disney...again :)

I know...some of you already heard on my other blog...but I had to post it here too of course :)

We can't wait to go!! I've already been through my drawers...planning what to wear/take. I hit Gymboree today and used my Gymbucks to purchase some cute spring stuff for E. I also hit their sister store Crazy 8 and scored some good deals. I think she's set now :)

We got some snow last night...but not enough to cause any real problems so that's good. Starting my thought process on what to do for her second birthday party. I know I said Dora all the way before...but now she's so into Minnie Mouse...even more than she already was...so I'm torn. I'll have to sit down and think about which invitations would be easier to make...and which cake would take the less effort :) I'll be making the cake...gotta go with the family tradition right Mom?? My mom is super talented..and always made our birthday cakes...and my sister was blessed with the same talent. We'll see if I have it in me :)

We got a little potty!

Just purchased it today. She's sat on it twice now...with no results. But it's a start right? She's very interested in it..and says "pee pee" when she sits on it. I've let her sit on the big potty a few times..but she usually just wants down right away. So we..well...I figured we should just get one and start practicing right now. No sense in waiting :) Can't hurt to introduce it to her now...and get her comfortable with it. I know this will be a long process...and I'm probably punishing myself for starting it before she's even 2...but what I can say. I'm a glutton for punishment :)

Happy Friday! If you haven't checked it out yet...my 365 blog will be featuring Ellie's Friday Fashions on a weekly basis. A close up look into her closet :) LOL

Finally...the 2 year molars are in...or is it out?

This girl has been cutting these suckers FOREVER!! Finally...this past week/weekend I took a look in there...and sure enough...I can see the white parts coming through. Thank goodness. She has been a mess for oh...the last year or so because of them.

We're back in the groove here. So nice to have the decorations put away...our house back together...and back to the gym this morning. It felt good to be back in our routine...and she had a blast playing at the gym nursery today. Always good when she's smiley when I go in to pick her up.

If you're following my 365 project...you'll see today I posted a picture of my biggest accomplishment so far this year. Filing my paperwork to start my photography business. Yay!! Small victory :) Now I have to actually remember to put it in the mail tomorrow. LOL. So that's one thing started on my list of hopes for 2011. Not too bad :)

Happy New Year!!

The New Year starts off with a bang...and a new blog for me. No...I'm not going anywhere...and this blog is here to stay. I have added another..yes...another blog to my family. I'm challenging myself to Project 365. Some of you may have heard about this before. It's a picture a day, and I'll be posting it over here: Parsons365

I've sort of done this before. When Eleanor was born I took a picture everyday...so I figure I can handle this :) And...you're all here to help hold me accountable. So go check it out...and sign up as a follower...that way I feel the pressure to post :)

Anywhoo...it's been a lazy...Christmas clean up kinda day here. We got the tree taken down..the blow up penguins are tucked inside the closet...and the ornaments all put away until later this year :) I'm pretty proud of myself for getting it done today. Now I can focus on more important things...like my list of hopes for 2011. Hope you're all having a great year so far!!

ETA: A Picture for ya...from Christmas morning :) Opening Santa gifts