Ellie's first christmas, take 2.

So... I was in a stupor last night while posting to what I thought was Ellie's blog.  Instead I posted to David and my blog.  Instead of reposting it on here (because it has like 8 videos), here's the link:

http://www.getthelowedown.blogspot.com/

Enjoy :)

Ellie's first day in the snow!

SNOW!

We are enjoying a week full of late starts and snow days here in Seattle :) In fact, it's now really officially christmas break! We got word that Seattle Schools is going to be closed tomorrow as well, hot dog! It snowed last weekend, and we were planning on taking Ellie out but she napped the afternoon away. So even though today technically marked the second snow of her life, today was her first outing in it.

We invite you to see her first encounters with this mysteriously fluffy yet chilly substance.

First, we have touch:

The second sensory experience, (Ellie's fav, unless it's baby food) taste:

And now, sight:

We bought her this big snowsuit for our christmas time in Spokane from the consignment store next to our apt for $9, woohoo! Just in time to give it a try here. We're set to leave with David's parents from Yelm next Monday-- in Spokane, there is currently almost 2 feet of snow.

And one last word from Ellie:

December Videos

Here's a collection of videos from the last few weeks!

This first one is of Ellie munching on a water bottle- there's a great view of her front top teeth that are coming in. They are making her sorta whiney. I'd whine too if I had 2 giant teeth cutting through my gums.

Ellie likes to munch on lots of different things. Including, most recently, David's hair.

She's also trying some new solid foods. But, she's sadly decided to boycott all solids as of the last few days :( We'll try again in a week.

We also tried some fresh green bean puree- she wasn't too keen on those either (as you can see from her expression). The color looks like something out of ghost busters.

Ellie is really working hard to lift her bottom up in the air to get her ready to crawl. Each time she gets higher up!

Here's some things Ellie likes to do for fun these days:

1) Sing along while mom plays piano:

2) Looking in the mirror at herself:

3) Rolling into things.

Ellie has also been doing some fun imitation of sounds and large motor movements:

And here's some photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/amyelowe/1208

Thanksgiving Part 2

Here are a ton of Thanksgiving photos (thanks, Mom!)

http://picasaweb.google.com/amyelowe/Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Part 1

Ellie did so great on the plane ride (both ways).

On the way down to CA, we were able to bring Ellie on board in her carseat. She slept the whole way! And on the way up, she slept stretched out over our legs and played in our laps.

We spent our time down there with my family mostly eating and hanging out- it was very relaxing! And the weather was really nice too. Ellie basically just rolled the whole time. Ellie has a fascination with shiny objects, much like my older brother Nick. This is Nick (and I bet he really appreciates this photo):

Anyway, Nick has a google phone, and here's Ellie's pursuit of it:

She was so determined!

Her other favorite toy she discovered while on vacation was a plastic waterbottle. She's teething right now (her top 2 teeth are just coming in) and so I think she liked the cold water in it and how hard it was.

We are also able to see our friends -the Cole's who are now living in San Diego came up and visited us, and also my best friend from high school Erin came up. We got to meet her husband Dave, too for the first time!

Here's all the pics I have for now- more to come!

http://picasaweb.google.com/amyelowe/1108

We've won the baby lotto!

Our friend Laura summed up life with Ellie perfectly-- We won the baby lotto. Ellie has just been amazing-- she sleeps well, is really adaptable to going different places (and sleeping in different places), and just has a super sweet disposition. We are really thankful for her.

And some wonderful other news....WOOHOO!! I'm (Amy) employed!

"Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:9-11

I have felt the reality of this scripture before, and am feeling it again. I just got hired on to be a part of a team working on a grant studying the effects of different types of professional development at the UW in the Early Childhood Special Ed dept. This new job is absolutely perfect-- I am really amazed and grateful at God's provision. In a time where it's really hard to even find work, I just got hired on for a job that's seriously EXACTLY what I would have designed for myself for the "perfect" job for this season of my life. And the job opportunity came earlier than we needed it financially, so I never really had to go job searching or looking into child care options... I got a lead from a past co-worker for a grant, and I thought I was just going in for a meeting to discuss possibilities- but by the end of only about 30 minutes, I was signing up for payroll! The job is part-time, at-home analyzing and "coding" video data, working with 2 people who I already know from graduate school and like, the pay is great, and the job will be lasting for basically the next 2 years. AMAZING! I'm so glad I get to be a stay-at-home mom AND work part-time during naps and in the evening. Getting this job has made me think a lot about God's goodness-- and ask questions about what makes God good... and it made me realize I was looking at the question the wrong way. God is good and so he gives us what we need-- not, God is good because he gives me what I need. Because what about the people that don't get what they need? (and I know that question is way more complex....) It's also made me aware more of praying for people's employment- that employment isn't always about paying the bills, but can be about having purpose and doing things for other people.

Well, back to the baby :) Here's some photos from this month so far- including Ellie's first trip to an all-you-can-eat sushi place (for my birthday) and my first major sewing project (thanks, Laura for your help). There's also Ellie's make-shift christmas stocking, courtesy of Target's dollar section and a little felt from Pacific Fabrics for her "E", until I finish cross-stitching hers.

http://picasaweb.google.com/amyelowe/1108

Ellie's 2 bottom teeth are coming in-- here's a second attempt at showing you all them:

Here's one of super strong Ellie practicing her standing:

And her latest rolling over front to back & back to front:

And finally a cute little game she likes to play! It's cool- first signs of large motor imitation!!

Happy Halloween!

For Halloween we joined up with Alli and Aurelia to go trick-or-treating at U-Village.

Ellie was a kitten and Aurelia was a lamb. The girls were all smiles!

They're almost holding hands :) so sweet...

The girls got quite a lot of yummy chocolates... no one can resist a baby, not to mention 2 babies both dressed up like baby animals. They're unstoppable!

Family Photo :)