13 Months






So I have been trying to decide what to do about Ellasen's monthly picture now that she is over a year. At first I thought that I would quit taking the monthly picture, but because I have lost so many "baby" things recently I thought maybe I would continue the tradition. Ella may have a different plan though...she is getting a little too mobile to sit for very long. I think I will still try to get a picture each month and continue to enjoy this documentation as long as I can. I will spare everyone the "What Ellasen Is Doing Now" list though for 18 months and 2 years. Unless there is some major development I will just take the picture and hopefully we will see another "Watch Me Grow" segment next November. Who knows, maybe we will take her senior pictures someday right here in this chair!

SBS Christmas Party

My Bible study had a Christmas party the other night and Ellasen and Tim and I all went. We had a great time! Thanks for the pic Kristen!

Ugly Sweater Party






Our friends Chris and Vicki had their annual Ugly Sweater Party last Friday and the Griffiths were there with bells on...literally. Tim's ugly sweater (a woman's sweater in festive Kelly green) actually had jingle bells on it along with white embroidered reindeer whose antlers have formed a heart. Mine had glitter puff paint and Ellasen's was slightly over decorated! We had a great time!

Festival of Trees






We went to go see Santa today at the Festival of Trees. Ella was not impressed, but we managed to get somewhat of a good photo.

Thanksgiving

I am sad to say that I forgot my camera on Thanksgiving, but I did snap a few photos of our precious girl before we left the house.





Our fabulous host actually took a photo of us and sent it to me! Ellasen's smile was so cute I had to post it!

12 Months!





Well here we are...12 months, 1 year, a toddler....
Let me start by saying this little girl is loved, and not just by her mom and dad either. Just check out the posts below! We had a ton of friends come to her birthday party on Sunday and even though we told people not to do so a lot of people brought her gifts. We also got a ton of gifts for her in the mail from our family members who couldn't be here to help us celebrate. We are all so lucky to have such caring friends and family.
Ellasen is pure joy! She is funny, I mean really funny! She makes funny faces and does funny things. She makes us laugh several times a day. She is cuddly, really cuddly. She lays her head down on our shoulders when we pick her up, and she loves to take a few minutes when she wakes up in the mornings and from naps and just cuddle. She is smart, really smart. She says a ton of words, she knows exactly what she wants and doesn't, she loves to put things inside other things and take them out again, she loves to be read to and listen to music. She is everything we could have hoped for in  a daughter and more. We feel really lucky to be her parents and very fortunate that God chose her for us!
Having a 1 year old feels a little bittersweet, sort of like all the other milestones have felt. She amazes us  and makes us joyful and thankful, but every day she gets a little more independent and a little more curious about the world around her. I find myself having a little trouble letting go. I find myself want to hang on to her just a little longer than she wants to hang onto me. I guess that is the story of motherhood....and I bet it gets harder and harder. And here we go, jumping into toddlerhood with both feet. Lucky us...

At 12 months Ellasen
*Wears size three diapers
* Wears size 9-12 month clothes
* Wears 12 month sleepers
* Drinks 3 bottles a day (14 oz total)
* Eats breakfast, lunch and dinner with mom and dad
* Plays independently with her toys
* Pulls up on everything
* Walks around all of the furniture
* Is super curious
* Gets nervous with a lot of attention on her
* Takes a while to warm up to people
* Never stops talking when it is just mom and dad around
*Says at least 20 words! Some even at the right times!
* Weighs 18.5 lbs (12th percentile)
* Is 27 inches long (6th percentile)

Loves
* Strawberries
* Yogurt
* Pasta
* To laugh
* To dance
* To flip (do gymnastics)
* Books

Dislikes
* New people
* Being held when she wants to get down
* Peaches
* Oranges
* Nectarines

Happy Birthday Ellasen! Cake!






Happy Birthday Ellasen! Presents Part 2!





                     Lots of fun gifts from Grandma Griffith!




  A great book and and tutu dress from Grandma and Grandpa Sasso

                      And another one from Mommy and Daddy





   A great book, sleeper and gift card from Aunt Jan and Uncle Steve!



  A fountain for the bathtub and an animal book from Erica and Melissa Hornsby!
                       New shoes from Danielle and Steve!


       Playing with the music table from Grandpa Griffith

Happy Birthday Ellasen! Presents!


    From Aunt Di and Uncle David - an underwater puzzle!

   From Emily, Brooke and Rachele - a winter hat and mittens!
   One from Mommy and Daddy


 From Chris and Victoria - a gear train - super cute!

   From Grandpa Griffith - a music table!

 Also from Grandpa Griffith - a shape sorter!
       One from Mommy and Daddy!


  Uncle Craig- a Minnie Mouse outfit and Christmas Sleeper - precious!