Friday Favorites



Do you see what I see?

The constant hand-gnawing and drool clued us in.

So many pictures. So many memories to record.  So many changes.  Our little boo is already five months old/twenty-one weeks old.  Growing like a weed, we have gone from measuring Ella's feedings in "ml's" to "whole bottles full."  She sits.  She tries to escape from all bouncers, carseats, and cribs.  She is constantly sharing her thoughts with us in her gurgly Chewbaca language.  She loves her feet, the song "Let it Go" from Frozen, and watching people brush their teeth.  Oh, and she has TEETH!  Two tiny chompers in the bottom middle that totally caught us by surprise.  I can hear her future teachers already: "Mrs. Granados, I'm sorry to tell you this, but Ella... well, she bit a classmate today."  Below are some of my favorite pictures from the last week or so. 

Whenever I put Ella in her carseat, I squeal, "We're going on a trippy!" and she gets so excited, regardless of whether we're going to do laundry or see Nana.  She even gets excited to go to the doctor, and rarely cries during any of those trips.  Best errand buddy ever.

Still her favorite part of the day.  



We have hours and hours of fun together.  I love being this special girl's mom.  She is constantly making me smile... laugh... cheering me up if I'm down.  And, of course, she has come to love the camera.  Just look at what a little showoff she is!  Until it gets to the one on the bottom left, and then she's sooo over it.  

Foot-obsessed.  

Sometimes, I look at her and think, "There is no way that huge child is my baby Ella!"  Being the overly-emotional person that I am, I cry about it regularly.  Above, she's taking a nap next to me while I worked on homework.  Oh, that potbelly...! :')

This week, I finally had to start strapping Ella into her bouncer, swing, etc. (don't worry, I always kept a close eye on her when leaving her unstrapped) because she has gotten to the point of sitting up and trying to pull herself out.  She was not too amused with her restraints.  

Your Daddy

Dear Ella, you have a daddy who adores you.  The evening before we found out you were sent to us, your daddy drove through the rain after a long day of work to a Walgreens in Frankfort, Kentucky.  Bought two pregnancy tests for mommy at home, who was practically pacing the floors in nervous anticipation.  Daddy told me to use one the second he got home, but I couldn't.  Daddy told me to use one when he left for work the next morning, but I couldn't then either.  (Understand that I loved you already, baby girl, and I couldn't bear to see a negative sign on the test.)  Finally I worked up the courage, took the test, and sent your daddy a picture of the result with tears of joy in my eyes.  Completely taken off guard, he ran to the bathroom to see my text.  When he read it, he says that he got warm and red in the face.  When he read it, he says you made him the happiest man in this world. 

Ella, you have a daddy who would do anything for you.  During my pregnancy, all I had to do was say, "Ella wants ______," and your daddy would go out to get me whatever I had said "you" wanted -- 3:00 PM or 3:00 AM, it didn't matter.  I have seen him change your diapers with looks of absolute terror on his face, but he pushes through (using close to a whole package of wipes every time) because he would do anything for you.  Your Daddy spent hours and hours meandering the aisles of Babies R Us with mommy, painting your nursery, and putting together your crib and dresser.  Daddy works tirelessly for you Monday-Friday, and even on the weekends he doesn't get a break, but rather helps mommy with the cleaning, grocery shopping, and tending to you.  He is exhausted more often than not, but he goes on for you, little girl.  That man would do anything for you; he will always fight for you.

Ella, you have a daddy who is a role model for you.  He is this way because of his daddy, your Abuelito, who was a role model for him.  Abuelito passed down a legacy of strong, noble fatherhood to daddy, giving him the best character, work ethic, and faith in God.  I want you to have his perseverance, love for family, fearlessness, selflessness, and unshakeable sense of right and wrong.  I have seen daddy do a U-turn to give a homeless person food to eat.  I have seen him serve others without a thought towards his own needs.  I have seen him read from Scripture with his voice full of emotion, knowing what encouragement and inspiration he finds there.  With tears in his eyes, I have listened as he speaks of his family far away and of how much he loves and misses them.  This is a man, Ella, whose footsteps you should follow in.

Lastly, darling Ella, you have a daddy who is like the man you need to look for as your husband.  Many men will come your way and try to open your heart, but keep it locked until you find that one man who possess all of daddy's qualities I just mentioned.  I tell you from experience, that man is worth waiting for.  Daddy will help you guard your heart on your journey; trust him and never push him away.   

I love you, baby girl.  Take my words to heart.
Mommy

Friday Favorites

I would like to start off by saying the following: You know you're a mom when you're happy to have someone spit up on you.  After feeding about thirty minutes ago, Ella had a pretty big spitup all over me.  I was thrilled simply because I was swimming in it, yet none got on her outfit.  It's the little things....  Anyway, here are my favorite pictures from the week. 



That outfit, though!  I can't get over it.  Granted, it came off after about an hour when I realized that the tutu style, although utterly adorable, was not conducive to changing poopy diapers.  This dress will be reserved for church, doctor's appointments, trips to see family, etc.  Trust me, I learned this lesson the hard way.  RIP, cute and ruffly chevron romper. 

Yes, this is how my child sleeps.  She is not the cuddly, hold-me-close type of sleeper.  She is the I-must-not-have-my-arms-or-legs-covered-by-even-a-centimeter-of-fabric type of sleeper.

I was getting ready to change her diaper and she brook out into the hugest stretch.  This is a habit with Ella; she's done it since day one.  Which I guess partially accounts for all the movement I felt while pregnant. 

This is I guess what you could call a non-favorite.  I think she's getting too big for the infant insert in her bouncer.  *tear*  The first step is admitting it.... at least I'm out of the denial stage.  





Panera, Pizza, and Animated Movies

1. He asked if I wanted to rent Frozen from Redbox. 
2. Aware of my need for affirmation, he tells me routinely that I'm a great mom. 
3. He always tries to remember which towel to use after showering. 
4. When he gets home from a long day of work, he is quick to watch Ella and let me take a walk or run errands. 
5. If I make even the most subtle hint about something I need or want, he will drop everything -- completely putting aside his own needs and wants -- to get it for me.
6. He speaks well of me to others; doesn't put me down.
7. He is quick to apologize. 
8. He says he likes the slightly rotund, just-had-a-baby look. 
9. He eats Panera and pizza for my sake.
10. He never plays NBA 2K 12 for longer than thirty minutes. 

Being married for barely a little over a year and having a newborn is hard, but during the hard times I remind myself of all the ways I know he loves me.