In The Mirror

There isn't much that we do during the day, the majority of our day is consumed with entertaining Ella. Although I have managed to take Ella on a few errands on my own. Up until now Ryan and I have gone everywhere together whenever we were taking Ella out. Things are a lot easier with two people than one, I feel lucky that we have both been there to witness our daughter awakening into a little person and also for day to day life which is so much easier when we can both be there to help each other (one will hold Ella while the other does chores, takes a shower, ect.) I feel pretty comfortable now with her on my own, which is good since it looks like I'll be on my own for my last month of maternity leave. Ryan had his second interview with Farmers Insurance today and was offered a job as an insurance agent. We are both very excited about it, this job will give him the challenge and opportunity that his jobs in the past have lacked. It also offers a more promising future career for him as well.
So when we are at home entertaining Ella we often will bring her in front of the mirror, she now recognizes herself and will smile at her reflection (the first two pictures below). Tonight she took it one step further and was talking with herself in the mirror :). Another activity she is liking more and more every day is sitting in her bumbo chair, we'll hold up toys for her to look at, she's almost at the point where she will actually grab onto them and hold them, but for now all she really will grab onto and hold is fabric (burp clothes, blankets, shirts) and of course my hair!

New world, so much to learn...

Every day (unless it's raining) the three of us take Puma for a walk. Recently the weather has been really nice, making the walks even more enjoyable. Regardless of the weather though I love the walks because I love to see the look on Ella's face as she closely studies her surroundings. It is amazingly refreshing to watch Ella experience the world. This is something I am really looking forward to as she get's older, to be able to teach and expose her to so many new things and experiences.

Getting ready for our daily walk. She looked so cute in her jacket and hat!

She definitely has a range of faces and emotions, here she's closely watching dad. We have yet to teach her to smile for the camera- but just wait....

We have been witnessing many firsts lately... She has just started sitting in her bumbo chair (the green seat in the picture) and in this picture she grabbed onto the monkey on her own and put it in her mouth! She also has started to make more voluntary eye contact with us...

Enjoying Life

When Ella was born I kept getting the question, "don't you just love being a mother?" While I most definitely loved my baby, parenthood was a bit of an adjustment for both of us, so my answer wasn't always the emphatic yes it is now! Since we've been back from our travels it has been so much fun being home with Ella, settling into a routine. She is changing and growing daily and Ryan and I are so in love with her and really having fun in our new rolls. It doesn't hurt either that Ella has become a pretty mellow, happy baby!

This is a sweater we received from my moms friend Hannah, and it is so cute. She's all bundled up and ready for our daily walk.

Ella is so talkative these days, I just had to capture a moment between she and Ryan where she was carrying on a full on conversation! Sooo cute! I'm also trying to take more photos these days :).

All of the sudden she started sitting on her feet. I love this shot :)

Her smile melts our hearts! We'll have to capture when she goes from a serious look to a smile that lights up her whole face when she looks at one of us- it's one of the great joys of parenthood that no one can possibly prepare you for :)