PJ Day and Teddy Bear Parade

On Tuesday of this week, Ella got to wear her jammies to school, and they also had a Teddy Bear Parade! They always have such cute little events at school that the parents can go to. She and I had decorated a "float" for the teddy bear to ride in. (AKA a shoe box :) ) She loved decorating it! As I was pulling out the colored paper, stickers and glitter glue pens, she said "This is going to be so much fun!"

Cooper and I went and joined in the festivities with Ella. Here are some pictures!

Digging into Literature with Ella

Now that Ella is at an age where she can sit and quietly listen for longer periods of time, I thought it was time we started getting into some "real" books for her at bedtime. Our first chapter book that I chose was Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. I figured this was a great place to start, as she already was familiar with the characters from the movie that came out last Christmas! So, we went to the library and picked it up-and boy was she excited! Every night Daddy or I read a chapter, or part of a chapter depending on the length. I wasn't sure how she would like reading the book, as this is our first book that has very few pictures in it, but she loves it! She is the one that asks to read it each night. She climbs into bed, grabs the book off her nightstand, and turns quickly to the page we left off on.

I am so glad that she loves it so much! I know she is listening too, because she sits very quietly all snuggled up with her "blankie", and every once in a while poses a question that requires the answer "I don't know, we need to read on to find out!" :)

We've just about finished up the book, and we are ready to choose something new! I am thinking another one by E.B. White, like Stuart Little or something.

If you have a preschooler, I encourage you to pass on the "fluff" books and read something a little deeper with them! You will probably be amazed at how much they actually do understand! It is such a great opportunity to present them with great literature that strengthens their vocabulary and their imagination!

Awesome Story

I don't usually post links to other people's posts, but I just read this awesome story (Click Here to Read) on my friend Katie's Blog. It's the best, and I just had to share! A must read...

Enjoy!

Girls (and a lil' guy) Day Out and a Fun Weekend

This past Saturday, in the midst of "Snow Apocolypse 2008", me and Cooper headed out with Leah, my Mom, Kelly and two other of Leah's bridesmaids-Tiffany and Stephanie- to go DRESS SHOPPING!! (Ella and Daddy had a date day, and went to a movie.) It was a blast watching Leah try on wedding gowns (and yes, she found 'the one'!), having lunch at some place other than McDonald's or Chick-Fil-A, and then going and trying on brides-BABES dresses-yes, you read that right ;) I tell you what, after being cooped up in the house for a week, this day was just what I needed! SO much fun!



Before I had left the house that morning to go dress shopping, we had decided to stay down in Alpharetta with my parents overnight, since Reid has to be at church at Butt-Crack-O'Clock on Sundays, and the weather was being unpredictable. Of course, then they cancelled church anyway, but we decided to go ahead and stay over anyway. It was fun-even Chris (Leah's fiance) stayed over in the basement. In the morning we had a big yummy breakfast, and then we just hung out all day. That night we celebrated Chris' birthday at Champps for some dinner and a cookie cake.

Here is a picture of a couple of sillies from that night :)




It was a fun weekend :) I posted lots of pictures on our website in the January section! Link is to the right.

A Sickie, Some Snow and a Couple O'Cuties

Sorry I have been MIA! Ella has been down for the count with Strep Throat (poor baby) since Saturday night-which means today was the first day we left the house since Monday, which also means my brain has turned to mush. ;) This morning my sweet husband stayed home with the kids for an hour before work while I went to the gym. He knows just what a need after being couped up! :) Ella is feeling much better now, after 48 hours of antibiotics, and was cleared to start back to her normal activities today. Here is a picture of her the other day watching a movie on our bed. :) You have to admit-there's nothing like a good pair of shoes to make you feel better!


Today was Ella and Cooper's FIRST Georgia SNOW!!!! Ella was SO excited when she looked out the window and saw it snowing! It started around 5:00 p.m., and here it is still snowing! The grass has about 1/2 inch so far, and it is starting to collect on the streets. Of course, we bundled right up and headed on out to snap some pictures. Here are a few pics! It's the best I could do holding a bundled up baby. :)






And finally-saving the best for last-here are a couple o'cuties :)

3 Month Portraits

Here are Cooper's 3 month portraits for your viewing enjoyment! :) We got them taken at Portrait Innovations. The one with the sky background we didn't actually buy, but I thought it was too cute and funny not to include in this post. :)

3 Months Old!

My baby boy is 3 months old! (ok, officially on the 11th) I can't even believe it. He is a growing boy with lots of cute rolls, and he has officially doubled his birth weight! Go Cooper!

At 3 months, he is smiling all the time, he laughs at silly Mommy, laughs when you tickle him, talks a lot, loves to play with his toys-he is even starting to grab them! He is not rolling yet, but can lift his head up really well when he is on his tummy. He isn't hating his car seat as much anymore, but it is still a bit of a struggle. The lights and sound car mobile that Papa and Yaya got him for Christmas has helped a lot in that department!

He is sleeping a total of 12 hours at night-waking up after 9 or 10 hours to eat, then going back down-woohoo! :) Ahhhh, glorious sleep! He is starting to get on a little bit of a predictable schedule because of this. He goes down to bed between
7:30 and 8:00, waking up between 7:30 and 8:00 the next morning. Up for about 2 hours, then back down for an hour nap. Up for 2 more hours, then back down for a 2-3 hour nap.(This is SOOOO awesome, because it is the same time that Ella takes a nap!) Up again for another 2 hours, and then back down for a smaller nap that usually lasts about 1/2 hour-45 minutes. This nap gets him through so he can make it to bedtime! So, we are getting there!

He is such a happy baby and we love having him in our family! :) We love you Cooper, baby!