Ella's Birthday Meltdown

Happy First Birthday, Ella Marie!
(a bit belated)

Oh, the days pass by so quickly! I am just getting around to posting Ella's 1st birthday pictures. As you may have seen on my Facebook post, the pictures did not do so well...in fact I believe I said that my normally content and happy child turned into a "crying puddle of fit throwing fury". I think that this is an accurate assessment. About 4 minutes into the session Ella was over having her picture taken. She was a happy-go-lucky kid while waiting, but as soon as there was soft lighting and pink and white tulle set up, she was a total DIVA! Here are a couple of the smiling shots that we were able to snap quickly between breakdowns...

Ella and her Daddy...

Ella in her serious, Mom get me out of here look....


A little collage of "propped pictures" that Ella found silly.....check out her goofy grin in the top left picture, love it!

While she looks happy, she was trying to take off towards me to help save her. Its now an "action shot"...

The 1st picture we took when she was willing to pose.
I figured that about 15 minutes into the pictures that it wasnt worth getting frustrated over and said that we were done. Deep breath in, take a tylenol, get a margarita...

Little Swimmers

As the temperature climbs into the 90's its time to seek refuge in the pool. Last year we tried to take Ella swimming in the neighborhood pool, but she HATED it! She would scream the second her tiny little toes hit the water. I had a bit of apprehension for this swimming season. I bought Ella a super cute bathing suit, which I wasnt quite sure would ever see water, new baby sunblock and little swimmer diapers (which she can finally fit into this summer!).
This past Wednesday my mommy group met at a friends house and we had a birthday celebration with all my favorite mommies, their cute babies and strawberry cupcakes. We suited up all the kids and headed outside for the pool. At first, I just let her sit on my lap while I put my feet in the water and sprinkled water onto her tiny baby tootsies. THEN...I put her feet in the water to test it out. THEN she sat on the first step getting her little booty wet. THEN...I got in with her and she LOVED it!!!! Hooray! Success!! No crying, no death clench, no total meltdown. In fact, all the babies loved the pool. Not one of them cried the whole time. We must be stellar mommies.
I also packed this blow up turtle floatie that I bought at Target. It took about 15 minutes and a couple bouts of vertigo, but I got it blown up (thanks, Holly!). All the babies took turns in the float and were so happy. Some of the other mommies have the pictures, so I will post them when I get them. We had cupcakes. Well, the mommies had cupcakes. Ella was not into her birthday dessert. In fact, she spit it out. She entertained the icing for a moment or two but was not thrilled by the strawberry cake. She is more of a squash and harvest veggie kind of girl.


Here is the turtle float! And a handsome husband.
Ella and I had a great birthday celebration! Thanks to all my wonderful mommy friends for such a fun birthday party! Ella's one year appointment isn't until next week and her party isn't until June 19th, so I will have more pictures and updates then.
These are some pictures from the neighborhood pool that Jeff and I took the other day...we just adore this little girl. xoxo