Winner at a losing game

I have tried and tried to upload videos to my blog, but for some reason it will never allow me to. We have taken some cute ones the last couple of weeks since Elle has really started walking and talking more, but for now I will just have to post them on facebook, but hopefully one of these days I can figure out the glitch I am facing with the blog.

Last week I signed Elle and I up for a summer Bible Study at Watermark, where we do our play group, and I was really excited about it. Unfortunately, it starts at 10 AM, and that is a terrible time for us because Elle usually goes down for her morning nap around 9 or 9:30 AM. I was contemplating waking her up by 6 AM so that she could get a nap from 8 - 9:45 AM, but in the end that seemed a bit ridiculous. So, I think until she is down to one nap in the afternoons, which will hopefully be sometime this fall, we are going to have to forgo our Bible Study plans.

I was able to go out last night and enjoy a Mom's Night Out with some of my friends and had a great time! It is so nice to have friends that are going through the same things that I am going through as a (new) wife and mother. And speaking of motherhood, Kellie and I found out last weekend that one of our really good girlfriends from college is pregnant! Jen and her husband Dustin have been trying to have a baby for over two years and she called us on Saturday to let us know that she is 6 weeks pregnant! We could not be more excited for her! I am so excited to be planning Kellie's baby shower in August and to have another one on the way. It has certainly given me a bit of baby fever, but for now, I will just love on my sweet girl :)

13 months

Elle turned 13 months old yesterday and I have not had much time to sit down and write her monthly post. She had a great time this afternoon playing with all of her friends at play group. All of the babies are getting so big! It is just precious to watch them all play together and interact so much. One of the little boys who is close to Elle's age is walking really well now, so Elle kept grabbing on to his back and hitching a ride - it was hilarious!

Elle, here is what you are up to at 13 months!

You have officially started walking and think it is just the neatest thing! You still walk around with your hands out in front of you as though you're afraid you might fall at any moment, but you're getting more comfortable every day.

You now know how to say "eye", "nana", and "Elle". You love to say "HI" when I come in to get you up from a nap. It is really sweet!

You love to give kisses and "be sweet" (when you put your head down on someones cheek).

You know how to make the sounds of a lion, donkey, and sheep. Your favorite is definitely the donkey though and a lot of times when we ask you what your name is, you make the hee-haw sound. Ha Ha!

You are learning to point to the eyes, nose, and mouth. You are also especially obsessed with BELLY BUTTONS!

You are still a good eater and a good sleeper. You have been off the bottle for a month now and you did very well with the transition. Your Daddy and I are so proud!

You love, love to swim! You would stay out in the baby pool in the backyard for hours if I would let you.

You went from 2 teeth to 6 teeth in a matter of a week. You are also working on two more! Wheew!

Elle Adelaide, you are the love of our lives! You are such a fun little girl and have a very sweet spirit.

Hoof, Claw & Beak

Or in Elle's case, Hand, Foot & Mouth. The day after playgroup last week, one of the Mom's sent all of us an email letting us know that her son had come down with Hand, Foot & Mouth disease and had had a 104 degree fever all night. One of the other little girls had also had a high fever and now it looks like it is Elle's turn. She hasn't had any fever, but she does have the tell-tale bumps/rash that tend to accompany the virus.

I called the doctor this morning when she woke up with little blister like bumps on her feet, hands and face, and the nurse said it did sound like she had come down with the virus. So, we have just been trying to take it easy today. I noticed after feeding her lunch that she also has the bumps in her mouth, which I was really hoping she wasn't going to get, because it is one of the more painful parts of the virus, but it looks like she does. The nurse said to give her some Maalox and Benadryl, so we are going to run to the drug store when she gets up from her nap.

Other than that, nothing too exciting has been going on around here. Elle still isn't showing much interest in taking more than a few steps at a time, but that is okay with us. I know that once she gets really mobile my life will get even more crazy.

Elle did finally pop another tooth through and it looks like one more should make an appearance any day now. So, on top of a runny nose and several teeth coming through, she now has a rash and sores to deal with. Poor baby!

She is certainly loving the pool though and is quite the dare devil in the water. She loves to splash around and do her signature "free willy" move as I like to call it. I know I say this about every age, but 12 months has been so much fun! She is really starting to understand what you're saying to her and respond. She also has a new smile that she likes to give us that shows her bottom teeth and squishes up her little nose - too cute!

First Ever Birthday

(I'm posting this a day early because I'm afraid that I may be too busy tomorrow to remember to do it.)

My sweet Elle Adelaide,

It is hard to believe that it has been a year since I held you in my arms for the first time. The moment I heard your small, sweet cry, my life was changed forever. You filled up a place in my heart that I didn't even know existed. You have made me feel so much love and happiness that I find myself writing down all of my thoughts so that I will always, always remember this special year that we have spent together. I have known since I was a little girl that I wanted to be a Mommy and I have loved spending every minute of the last year being yours.

I have always dreamed of taking my sweet baby to the library to read books, to the zoo to see the animals, to the pumpkin patch for cute pictures, to the park to play, for walks in the stroller, and to the pool to swim. Every time we did these things together I would say a prayer of thanks to God for letting me share it with you. What a true blessing you are!

Your sweet smile and little laugh melt my heart every day. Though the first few weeks of being a new Mom had it's rocky moments, I wouldn't trade them for the world. I am so proud of how far we have come and the bond we have made. You are becoming so independent and your personality is really starting to come out. I know we will have so many more great days together and get to explore more things this next year as you grow from a baby into a toddler.

Thank you, Jesus for my sweet baby girl!

Elle, at 12 months old, here is what you are up to.

You are very verbal and talk and talk all day long. Your favorite things to say are "dada", "mama", and "hi".

You are at the stage where you love to throw everything on the floor and say "uh oh!" You throw all of your pacifiers out of your crib after every nap and I have to move your bed to get to them at least twice a day. We have also lost a couple of paci's on our walks lately because apparently you throw them out when I'm not looking. We lost your heart pacifier that you have had since you were born... I'm devastated!

(Noah made us go "search" for it on one of our walks last week and this is what we found. I may or may not have cried.)


You still only have two bottom teeth. I am thinking you are going to have to ask for your two other front teeth again this Christmas!

But don't think that only having two teeth slows your eating down any, because it certainly does not! Sometimes I have no idea where all the food goes. You will eat almost anything we put in front of you. Your absolute favorite things at the moment are grilled cheese sandwiches, pears, blackberries and yogurt bites. I recently introduced you to some veggie sticks that are basically cheetos for kids. You looooove them!


You are still on formula because your Daddy doesn't want to switch you to whole milk until after you have been in for you 12 month check-up with Dr. Hubbard. You go in on the 19th and unfortunately have to get some shots this time :(


Your favorite thing to do these days is to push your baby stroller around and toddle after it. You can really get going and would probably run if it weren't for all the dern furniture you are always running into.

You took your first steps last week and since then have become more mobile. You are still very hesitant to take any steps unless it is your idea, but you continue to get better each day.

I gave you another hair cut the other day and accidently cut it a little too short. It made you look a little bit like a boy and I can't even dress you up with a bow anymore because you aren't having ANY of that. It goes in your hair and then you immediately pull it out and stick it in your mouth. Sheesh.

You know how to wave "hi" and "bye-bye" and also ROAR like a lion - it is too cute!

You love to open all drawers and cabinets now, so your Daddy had to put baby locks on most of the cabinets in the kitchen. You seem to know exactly which ones you can still open though and will always make a bee line for those.

You are getting less timid and really enjoy playing with the other babies (and Moms) at play group. You have also done much better in the church nursery and we are so glad.

You are a bundle of joy and really just like to have all the attention on you! You are so sweet and have started giving a few hugs even. You love to lay your forehead down on my cheek when you want to show me some baby love. Your Daddy and I have loved every minute of having you as our daughter. We can't wait to watch you grow even more!

We love you sweet girl. Happy FIRST EVER Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Noah!

In honor of your 28 years of life, here are 28 reasons why I love you.

1. Because you are so fun-loving and are always up for anything.

2. Because you have always had a special way of making me feel like the perfect girl for you.

3. You're so smart and you know about a lot of things that I know nothing about.

4. You're awesome with directions and I can always count on you to get me where I need to go.

5. You are really funny and keep me laughing all the time.

6. You are incredibly insightful. You have been through a lot in your life, but you haven't allowed yourself to become jaded. I admire you for that more than you will ever know.

7. You are so good at finding joy in the small things. You always remind me that life will go on.

8. You are enthusiastic about everything you do. You do all things with intention and strive to do everything to the best of your ability.

9. Because you love sports and want to watch them all the time!

10. Because you are the best husband I could ever ask for. You make me feel so loved every day.

11. Because you're so sensitive. I love that you cry during sappy movies or when you hear a good country song.

12. Because you're an AGGIE and you bleed maroon!

13. Because even though you don't love to, you take me to the symphony, ballet, and opera because you know I just love it.

14. You are so generous and always have been. I especially love that you let me drive your Lexus!

15. Because you are such a Mama's Boy and you would do anything for her!

16. Because you are the best Dad a girl could ask for. You are so sweet with our daughter and it makes me so happy to watch the two of you together.


17. Because you love to be outdoors, whether it is to fish, hunt, grill, camp, hike, run, or spend a day at the lake.

18. Because you love country music and would listen to it 24 hours a day if you could. I love that you know all the words to every single song that comes on the radio. Too cute!

19. Because you are not a picky eater. This comes in really handy for a girl who doesn't know how to cook anything other than a grilled cheese or ....

20. You are such a devoted friend and have stayed in touch with almost all of your junior high, high school, and college friends.


21. You never, ever hold a grudge and are very easy to apologize to. You always want to be friends and make up.

22. You always help out with the chores like unloading the dishwasher because you know I hate to do it.

23. Because you hate to read, refuse to ever take medicine, never want to get rid of anything, and do things like grow out a mustache just because it's fun. It is what makes you, you and I love you for that.


(and I know after seeing this picture, you're thinking to yourself, Man, I look good with a 'stache! I should totally grow one out again, don't you think? ... No, no I don't.)

24. Because you think a nice, cold beer with cure most anything.


25. Because you love to travel and experience new things. I love that you have been to so many places that I haven't and you can tell me about them all.


26. You know just what to say when I am stressed or sad or have just had a tough day. You are so good at putting things into perspective. What a wonderful trait to possess.

27. Because when you talk in your sleep (which is often), you say things like "propeller swinging club, get the heck out of my kitchen."

28. Because you are a Godly leader of our family. You remind me to take things to God that I think I can handle on my own. You encourage me to dive deeper into my relationship with the Lord. Elle and I are so lucky to have you as the man in our lives.

Happy 28th Birthday, Love!

Happy Mother's Day

Mom,

Thank you for everything you have done for me during the last 26 years that you have been my mother. You planted so much imagination, hope, love, and laughter into my life and continue to do so still. You have been the role model that I look to as I raise my own daughter. Thank you for your endless love and support. I love you!

LOL

For those of you who may not know, LOL stands for Laugh Out Loud. And this next post will surely make you do just that.

I have read this blog for several years now. Ashley was my pledge trainer in Phi Lamb my Freshman year at Tech. She is a wife and mother of three now and I truly admire her. I read this post several years ago and immediately sent it to Kellie and Noah because I thought it was soo funny. I came across it again today and it made me laugh so hard again that I wanted to share it with all of you. I know that one day my life will probably be that crazy and I hope that I can look back on it with a good laugh, just as Ashley did.

Too cute.

A reminder

At the beginning of the new year, Noah and I dedicated 2010 to be our year of simple pleasures. We wanted to remember to take the time to "stop and smell the roses" if you will. With 7 months of parenthood under our belt and a few rough patches here and there, we realized how important it would be to be reminded of our love for each other and our daughter. We vowed to sit under the stars, sing out loud to the radio with the windows down, laugh until our stomachs hurt, and tell each other how much we appreciate everything that the other one does.

Today was just one of those days that perfectly fit our plan of simple pleasures. Noah got up at 6:00 AM as he usually does to get ready to go to work. He has a three day weekend to look forward to and an overnight golfing trip with his buddies on Saturday to celebrate his 28th birthday. Elle and I got up right after he left the house and had some breakfast. I made myself some toast and hot tea and we sat in her playroom while she played with her toys and I read a few pages of a good book.

Elle took a nice, long morning nap and I ran on the treadmill and showered. We drove up and picked Noah up for a late lunch and sat outside on the patio of a little restaurant close to Noah's work. Elle was in the best mood and kept laughing and smiling at everyone who walked by. Several people stopped and commented on what a cute little girl she was. It made my heart smile!

We dropped Noah back off at work and ran a few errands and then headed back home for Elle to take another nap. While she snoozed I was able to lay out and read a magazine, which is one of my favorite things to do. When Elle got up we had a snack and headed outside to swing. Elle loves to swing and had the best time talking and laughing. We played some more outside and then came in to start dinner. Noah got home shortly after dinner was ready and we enjoyed some good family time at the dinner table. We took a short walk around our neighborhood and then Noah gave Elle a bath and I did the dinner dishes.

I read Elle her favorite books and put her down to bed. This truly is the year of simple pleasures and I am so thankful for my beautiful family. I am blessed beyond words.

Then and Now

It's a BOY!

On Saturday night all of the family got together for the big gender reveal of Baby Davis. All along I had thought that Kellie was having a boy, but the closer the time came to find out, I kept switching back and forth. Once I saw Kellie on Saturday at the restaurant, she was very giddy and commenting on how cute Elle's dress was... and I totally ended up guessing that she was having a girl... WRONG! Baby Davis is a BOY!

We could not be more excited for Kellie and Justin. I know that they are thrilled to have a sweet baby boy on the way and the rest of us are really looking forward to experiencing a NEPHEW and GRANDSON. Hurry up and get here sweet BABY!

This week has been pretty uneventful around the Stavlo house - if you call a sick, cranky, whiny baby uneventful. The moment we got home from the restaurant on Saturday evening, I could tell that Elle was once again coming down with a cold. Sure enough, it is in full swing now, and we are back to a lot of fussying, crying, whining, and boogie wiping. I am really, really hoping that I don't catch it this time, but it is hard not to kiss my sweet girl when I know she isn't feeling well.

Noah had the day off on Monday, so we took Elle to the Dallas zoo. It wasn't exactly the experience I had hoped for (due to the above mentioned illness), but we had a good time anyway. I am soo glad Noah was able to go with us though, because I am not sure I would have survived alone. We didn't get to see the entire zoo this time, so we will definitely have to go back when little miss is feeling better. We did ride the monorail though, which was awesome! It is a 20 minute ride that takes you around the outside of the zoo and you get to see a lot of animals that you can't see otherwise. It was soo beautiful and definitely worth the trip!

Elle and I went over to walk at White Rock Lake this afternoon and although Elle was quite the little beast while we were there, I had a good time. It reminded me of last summer when I used to take Elle over there in hopes that she would fall asleep in her stroller and I would get to enjoy a few moments of quiet. I had a complete meltdown once when Kellie and I went because Elle would not stop crying and I was soo embarrassed and sure that everyone thought I was the worst mother ever. Elle fussed pretty much the entire time today as well, but after almost a year of motherhood, I was quite unfazed. Thank goodness!

In closing, I wanted to let you know that a little birdie told me that Kellie has started her own blog and I am hopeful that it will be making an appearance soon. Woot Woot!