To Daddy

I love you Daddy! You are the best Daddy in the whole wide world!
Love, Hugs, and Kisses
Boo boo

Happy Father's Day!

This father's day is decidedly less eventful than the last one. It is, however, just as enjoyable in a different kind of way.

Today we're mostly just decompressing from yesterday's party. Fun was had by all, and Ellie did really well. She received many gifts from those present and even some who weren't - thanks to you all. The attendees included: Nanny and Grandpa, Grammy and Poppy, Uncle Bill, AK, Becky and Johnathan and Payton, and Gretchen and Jason. The food, as was the company, was good and plentiful and we were even able to get most of the grilling done before the rain came.

I think Tuesday we'll have a small celebration - just the three of us - and that should be just as enjoyable as our larger gathering yesterday, but in a different kind of way.

-ED

Let her eat cake

Mini AK? Translation: Trouble.

In our continuing effort to look for ways to socialize Ellie, we went to our first baby story time at the library. Oddly, there were no stories involved today but that may have been a factor of a substitute instructor being present. There was, however, singing and "dancing" followed by playtime. We were only there for about thirty minutes since the building had to be evacuated for some unknown reason. Ellie seemed to enjoy our time there, and she was not the least bit shy about mingling with others (unlike her parents). Instead she was acting just like Aunt Katie: getting in other babies' faces and taking other babies' toys (read: not wanting to share; something AK is famous for). She even got into a little tug-o-war with one of the baby girls (Kelly?). No one got hurt and there were no hard feelings. We'll definitely go back and we'll probably even include another branch in our adventures.

-ED

Party!!!

Tomorrow we will host a small gathering of family and friends in order to celebrate Ellie's first birthday. Nothing extravagant - just grilling some hamburgers and hotdogs (if the weather cooperates), served with some side items and, of course, cake. Ellie gets her own cake. It should be a real hoot to watch her dig into the cake. I will certainly post pictures once I have them.

-ED

Yum

The other night, Ellie enjoyed her first taste of spaghetti and meatballs. And, as this picture reveals, I have failed to mention before now that her two front teeth are coming in quite nicely.

-ED

You're so vain

I think starting with her first bath, EM and I have talked to Ellie about "the baby in the mirror" as we'd hold her up in front of the bathroom mirror so that she could look at herself. Over time she's grown to recognize herself as the baby in the mirror and she's always enjoyed looking at herself in that setting. Well, in the last few weeks as her awareness of things has really started to blossom, she's more and more interested in her image. For example, we have a collage of Ellie pictures and, of course, this blog. So whenever we're near the collage or the computer, we ask Ellie "where's the baby?" Instantly (if not sooner), her eyes light up, she gets a big smile and she points at her image (be it on the computer or in the frame). It so fun to watch. It is a form of vanity, I guess. And I guess that isn't really a thing to be celebrated, but in this case I'm sure you all understand.

-ED