Changes

Wyatt has finally gone up on all fours! He is making his way towards crawling, at last. The therapist says she thinks he will be crawling within the month which is a miracle. She is fantastic person; patient and kind and very enthusiastic which is good for a mother in her sleep deprived state. His hypotona will probably not help in the "who gets picked first for the team" slot, but who cares right? We'll find his niche and go for it full throttle.
Titus is honing his climbing skills. Thus far he has made it to the top of the toilet, the inside of the dishwasher, the couch arm, etc. Like his sister and father before him, he will climb dizzying heights without a trace of fear and a giggle on descent... Or so I imagine it. Titus is a cantankerous little fellow with a full-face smile always full of mischief and pondering his next move. Lots o' fun!
Ella is now a woman. So it seems anyway! Her vocabulary grows at an alarming rate as does her wit. I still relish her quirks that don't seem to be passing yet, thank goodness. She has a "thing" for making all inanimate objects animate by asking you to "make them." In Ella speak this means make it talk to her. So, translated into real life scenarios means her tangles have to ask her why she wants them brushed out, her toothbrush wants to know where she was the night before when Mommy forgot to brush her teeth, and her green beans want to go to the party in her belly. Most of the time I don't mind entertaining her, though sometimes I just want to brush her hair without attempting to dig out a new accent from my limited repertoire. Her imagination thrills me and I look forward to seeing where it will take her.
This is Ella in her "Turtle Suit," AKA last years swim wear...

My babies turned one!!!! I can't believe we've made it to a year. It's been a blur... a blurry sort of blur.. "Arrrgggg!" As Mr. Crabs might say... But I've loved it, them, their funny personalities and quirks, late nights, no nights, and on and on... They had a great birthday thanks to a great nap sent from heaven. If you click on a picture to the right, it will take you to the photo albums from which the pictures came.
Ella did great for the most part, up until I pulled the camera out and attempted to take pics of just the boys. This did not go over well! She would strategically time a streak in front of the camera at the moment we'd snap the picture. This took skill I was not aware she had...
The boys seemed nonchalant and aloof through out the whole evening, as only 1 year olds can be when all eyes are upon them. After they opened their gifts and were surrounded by toys, they chose to play with balloons. So it goes!
 
 
 
 

Ella's 4th B-Day!

 
 
 
 
Ella's birthday went well. She had a great time counting up to the day, yet for some reason the morning of she didn't remember! She climbed into bed with us at five half asleep and talked sleepily of what we were going to do that day. I reminded her of course by saying, "Happy Birthday Ella!!! Your party is today!" She replied, "Oh thanks Mom! What a nice thing to say to me!"
She asked for a "BIG cake with sprinkles and an ice cream cone on top." I attempted to fulfill her request using organics which made for a questionable cake flavor. It's amazing how much a little trans-fat helps the flavor of a cake! She didn't seem to mind though.
We've recently attempted to both stop supporting China and not teach our kids that consumerism is a good thing by buying used or homemade gifts. We were so blessed to have found a dollhouse with all pieces (thanks Grandma Robin), a Leap Frog shopping cart (thanks Mimi Cheryl), and many other items. We had a few guests (our home is small!) who did still manage to spoil Ella, but I'll let them get away with it... :)
One of Ella's favorite gifts was a make-up kit from Great Grandma Kay. One of the pictures posted is an after shot of Nora and Ella doing each other's makeup. I think one had more fun the other...

Chow Time

Dinner, AKA chaos, sometimes ends in laughter... Though mostly in screams when I'm not fast enough in getting everyone out of their highchairs. Thank you Titus for making Wyatt laugh, and thank you Wyatt for having tickly toes!