Thursday, August 28, 2008

Battle of the Sleep

We're having some sleep issues at our house this week. I've been spoiled I guess with a child that usually goes to sleep easily and takes naps easily (give or take a few odd occasions). Well we took away the pacifier last week and it didn't seem to be that big of a deal and she forget about it after a couple of days. This week though Ellie has mastered getting out of her crib. I'm not even worried about her climbing out because she can do it under 5 seconds and is pretty safe about it. (The advantages of having a climbing child). But after repeated attempts to put her back in her crib - I moved the mattress to the floor. Unfortunately this then means that I have to shut the door and listen to her cry and pound on the door for a while before she gives up and goes to sleep. I snapped this picture last night after she had given up and fallen asleep.



The problem with this sleep arrangement is that she then wakes up in the middle of the night pounding and crying at her door to get out. I don't think she is quite ready for the toddler bed conversion that we have already but Rob isn't so sure about the tent crib idea. So any other ideas out there? I need my sleep and so does Ellie!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Fun Filled Week

I am so ready for this heat to be over here even though I know we still have another good month of it to go!

We've been keeping busy this week although I did not remember to bring my camera to anything! Monday we went swimming at Val Vista Lakes pool with my cousins Jessica and Steffani and Steffani's girls. Ellie wasn't as interested in the pool as she was with the the little playground next to the pool in the sand. Thankfully it was in a shaded area so it wasn't too hot.

Tuesday night we were given tickets to the Dbacks game and went with the Dent's (friends in our ward) to the game. Their little Kodi and Ellie are only a day apart. I loved listening to their son Brady's cheering at the game and seeing how much he loved it. I think Ellie and Kodi had more fine climbing (and getting stuck) in the chairs. It was a fun night out.

Thursday we went with our friends Christina and Elaya out to the Phoenix Children's Museum. This Museum just opened up in June. My honest opinion is that it is over-priced especially considering that half of the exhibits are not even open yet! The girls still had a good time and it was nice to play in an air-conditioned place at least. We made little hats for them in the art center and then explored the different areas that were open. The favorite part was the under 3 section where they had stairs to climb and slides and a small kitchen play area, balls, and lots of books! Thanks to Christina for taking pictures for me!





Today we continued our fun with a birthday party for my cousin's children Alyssa and Haylee (I'm sorry Stef if I spelled their names wrong!). A turned one and H turned 3. There were lots of little ones around and lots of fun presents. I realized today that my daughter doesn't really understand the concept of sharing and her and Alyssa fought over a few toys. We'll have to work on that one!

Friday, August 15, 2008

18 Months

I can't believe that Ellie is 18 months old today. And on Sunday she will be in nursery! She did a trial run last week and had my friend Brenda (the nursery leader) hold her the whole time. So I'm hoping she'll get better! But at least she let us leave her in there . . .that was a start.

Eliza had her 18 month check up today where we learned that she is in the 75-100% percent for HEIGHT and 25% for weight. Tall and skinny. I forget that she is tall because a few of the little girls we spend a lot of time with have a few inches on her and make her appear short. I'm hoping for her sake that she keeps the height as she grows older since I always wanted to make it past 5'3!

She got a couple of shots today that of course made her cry but as soon as the nurse opened the door of the room - Ellie was telling everyone "see ya" and waving through her tears. All the nurses loved that she was crying but still doing those things at the same time! I think she just wanted to get out of there.

She only gets a pacifier at night and naps but 18 months was my maximum on that one. Any ideas for getting rid of it? Should I just go cold turkey or gradually get rid of it?

And just for fun - I wanted to post a picture from this time last year when she was only 6 months old compared to now! I sure miss that chubbiness!

6 Months

18 Months

Monday, August 11, 2008

Nantucket Weekend GIVEAWAY!!!!

Nantucket Weekend GIVEAWAY!!!!

I have Grosgrain in my google reader and love seeing the clothes she MAKES for her daughter. I only wish I was that talented of a seamstress! The best thing is - she makes these clothes and GIVES them away. I'm hoping to win one of these days! (She was also featured on the Design Mom blog this week).

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Dad's Wedding

We took a really quick trip up to Utah this weekend to witness the wedding of my dad to Debbie in the Mt. Timpanogas temple on 8/08/08. It was a little bittersweet for me remembering my mom especially but the spirit was very strong in the temple and I was reminded of the importance of the temple and sealings and very much felt at peace. But I am very happy for my dad and looking forward to getting to know Debbie even more (from what we can already tell - she is going to fit in great in the family).

My dad and Debbie


It was also great to have the chance to visit with my brothers (all of them except for Kevin who is on his mission) and quite a few of my aunts, uncles, cousins and of course my grandparents. There was a nice low key barbecue after the wedding at one of Debbie's sisters house with fabulous food and a playground for the kids to play on. Ellie loved it - especially since there were lots of uncles and cousins to help her out. And one of my best friend's from when I first moved to Arizona Jen even stopped by to see me so that was fun too - even though we really didn't get a long visit since there was so much going on!

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Jeepers

Ellie and I both fought colds on and off this last week but we made it to our playgroup on Thursday at Jeepers Indoor Amusement Park with our friends Amy and Christina and their girls. This place had a lot of little rides for us to go on with the girls. One of them went super fast (I was surprised at how fast it went for being indoors and for little girls) and another one was just way too many tight circles for me and made me a little nauseated. Ellie just wanted to run around but I think we got our money's worth out of it anyway and it was nice to be indoors doing something fun versus the hot outdoors!


I think both of us were a little bored with this circling airplane ride

This was the super fast mini coaster that Ellie laughed through

Trying to get three 17-18 month olds to stay in one place and look at the camera doesn't work very well

Posing in front of the big rhino