We moved to Houston!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, Houston, Texas!!! Yea! We are so excited about this new change in our life. It's been a crazy "over the top" past months for us. Our lives are starting to settle down, and return back to normal for us since the move. We have been so blessed - we sold our house in the worse market ever! Brian received a outstanding job offer in Houston, and we knew we needed this change for our new family - we decided "let's go for it"... We figured if we did not make this huge move in our forties, we would never will. We're glad we did!! The move 1/2 cross the country with a baby, 2 dogs & 1 cat went awesome!!! I was truly fearing the worse - I had 1 dog/1cat/1baby in my SUV pulling a u-haul. Yikes!!! They all did awesome - mommy had everything in order for our road trip!!! Brian had it easy - 1 dog on drugs in a 26' truck.. lol..

Okay... things will be getting back to normal soon which means I can get back into my blog, and keep it update to date with Ellie moments. Ellie has changed so much since she has turn one. I'm just living in the moment with my daughter. I'm just soaking up my daughter's every move & the joy that Ellie brings into my life daily. It's amazing!!!

We're moving...

We're moving!!! I promise to update with Easter pictures & our new chapter as soon as I can find the scan card cable to down load pics...

stay tune...

"Elton John style..."

I'm wwway behind on Ellie's milestones on the blog .... catch up time!! I purchased Ellie a grand piano at our neighborhood consignment sale, and Ellie spent her whole weekend playing the piano or "ON" the piano. These pictures are just adorable! She has been walking for about three weeks now. She took her first step's during the Superbowl half time show, dancing to the "The Who". The following weekend she took several more step's and during that week she turned it up a notch, and has been walking ever since. It's amazing to watch her grow and explore ... AND watch her mind tick....She is extremely smart! I'm adding another picture(s) of her eating with a spoon/fork for the 1st time. She plays in her cabinet of stuff,,,spoons, bowls & cups..etc. She pulls out a bowl & spoon and starts stirring away.. too cute! I was making her scrambled eggs the other day, and was stirring away in front of her cabinet. She stood there and studied me for a few minutes on my stirring action, then moved me out of her way to get into her stuff, she grabbed a bowl & spoon begun stirring away.. too funny!

This picture cracks me up, it just keeps coming into my mind ...

"SUPER STAR"

Our Monkey is coming alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's some fun photos of Ellie from these past weeks. I'm hoping to get a video very soon of Ellie taking her steps of walking. This morning, she took several steps, but I wasn't in arms reach of any camera or video...NOTHING!..lol~ go figure?

Ellie's Birthday Celebration continues...

We took Ellie to the Tennessee Aquarium for her birthday, which she loved!! She did not care for the penguins at all! She grab onto her mommy with her first glance at those HUGE birds!!

"Dancing those feet for fish watching"



"Looking for Nemo"



"I'm pushing my own scroller from now on"

"We had too much fun with the diver -- he was great with everyone" However, Ellie was not scared of him at all!! It's crazy sometimes trying to navigate through what may scare her with new experiences & faces, and then she does the opposite. I truly believe they can sense when someone is on they're level (positive & fun), loving, gentle & kind. However, they can sense the opposite.. Ellie is awesome child... I know I've said this "million times" we have been truly bless with a wonderful child. She has the "sweetest soul", and when she meets a new face, she does this shy thing with her hand over one eye, then she will gradually open up, then she will eventually come to you. "High-energy/Positive" folks.. you will be her best bud fairly quickly!! I really saw this for the first time at her Dr. appt. the other day. Her new doctor was outstanding with Ellie, and Ellie sense her kindest...

"HI" -- too much fun!

Ellie turning ONE!!!!

Every morning is so sweet to wake up to Ellie talking to herself in her crib, but this morning was extra special...I could not wait to give her birthday kisses!! As I gave her kisses I could only think of her birthmother and what she might had felt today (12 hrs ahead of us)... I could only imagine the pain she may felt, and not to be the one to give her special kisses this morning....so I could not stop giving her kisses from the both of us. I want Ellie to know how she was loved by her birthmother, and what a beautiful gift she gave us.."our precious daughter"....

Enjoy Ellie's special day...

Ellie loves balloons!!! So, we surrounded her with balloons, balloons, balloons!!
Awesome birthday smiles and giggles at 7am!!!

Yeah more balloons!

Ellie had a special treat for her birthday breakfast "blueberry pancakes"!!!
Yum Mommy!


Loving her balloons!! I hope they're still alive for her tomorrow for more fun!

"my sweetie turning one"
"I'm going to chew my way through my present with the only two teeth I have!!!
"My own computer" yay!!!! (I wish I could got her first reaction on a picture--she was smiling when I open the top cover to the computer....too cute).
Is that sweet or what???
Yes, I got my own computer at one!!!

"Summer clothes"
"summer P.J's...needed thoses"

"My own telephone too"

"Mommy painted my toes while I was sleeping --- in the dark! My mommy is super clever!
"Check out my birthday outfit for today's outing...too, too stinky cute!!!"

"I had my first hair cut today.....Well, let's say, it wasn't the highlight of my day. I don't care for new faces...
"I have bangs now"

"My birthday cake..

"she could not let go of her balloons to have some of her cake"
"yes, I'm over this cake thing"... "I think I rather have some fruits & vegs"
"bath time..my favorite time"

Sweet Ellie had a wonderful day. She crashed early this evening, and I don't think we will hear a peep tonight, and she MIGHT sleep-in late.. 8'ish! Oh, mommy & daddy would looovee that!