Happy Third Birthday Gracie!

Our little Gracie is Three! Sure, it was amazing when Ella turned three, but when Gracie, the baby (even if only by a month) of the family turns three, it just, I don't know, it just feels so grown up. I'd post a video of us singing Happy Birthday, but thanks to Skype we were able to do it real-time. Below are pictures of us Skyping with the Cuenys to say Happy Birthday to Gracie.

Ella- this will be so archaic to you when you are older and reading this, but for us, this is how we get to see all your cousins these days!

Perfect Saturday

Hmmmm... just what might make a perfect Saturday? For me, it is waking up leisurely (thank you Wes), and having a low-key day. Today was one of those days. Ella started Ballet today too which was an extra treat. That was on schedule, but there was no stress involved so it still fit into my low-key day. Ella is taking classes at Albemarle Ballet Theatre. I volunteered there last semester so I know her teacher and that made it all the better. I was curious how Ella would do, and a little bit of me wondered if she would even go to the class. This is a classic dance studio so there are rules to be followed: pink leotard, pink tights, ballet shoes only and hair up. A big contrast to The Little Gym where anything goes. You also cannot wear your dance clothes to and from class, but must at least have a cover-up on. So we get there and Wes gets Ella dressed and when the other little girls arrive and go into the studio I asked Ella if she was ready; without a second thought she was off. This is Ella's first class experience outside of her school and I was really happy to see how much she enjoyed it.

My perfect day continued with a visit from Robbie, Barry and Alex. I have to say, I am lucky to have in-laws that are okay with ordering pizza and hanging out on the sofa for a bit. Robbie even put Ella down for her nap. Thank you! Thank you also for the presents for Ella- she brought the hat to bed tonight. Here are a couple pictures from our day:

Wes, Alex and Ella playing Guitar Hero.

Ella Opening Barry's Birthday presents for him.

Slacker, Slacker, Slacker...

Okay, perhaps that is a bit harsh, but as I was logging in today I realized I hadn't posted since, well, about three weeks ago. So, a bit of a catch-up:

Sleeping: Ella is back to sleeping through the night. Many thanks to everyone who called and offered support and suggestions. And Judy- thank you so much for your post. I have directed a couple friends to your wise wise words. You should consider a new career here in consulting sleep deprived, tired, frustrated mothers.

Christmas: We had a great Christmas with Bill and Rhonda here. Lots of playing, eating, drinking and just a really good time. We also visited my Dad and Nancy's in Rock Hall. We made it in time to see my Aunt Margo and Uncle Jeff (visiting from California) along with their daughter Heather. Heather is a professional dancer (currently finishing up college in London!) so Ella dressed for her appropriately and Heather was kind enough to teach her a few moves.

New Year's: Wes and I went out for dinner while Ella and Grandma had fun. Thank you Grandma! If you look closely in the second picture, that is Robbie sleeping with Ella. It was also our sixth anniversary so it was a great night. Unfortunately it was followed by me being sick in bed for three days so that brought a quick end to our holiday.

And finally, a picture of Ella as she was leaving for school today. I had her clothes from this summer out to get her bathing suits for our trip in February and Ella grabbed this dress and has a fit if she can't wear it. I forgot to hide it when she was sleeping last night so here it is again... My only saving grace is, 1.) I wrangled a shirt underneath the dress and, 2.) she absolutely had to wear her new favorite boots. So off she went with a note to her teacher to please add leg warmers if they went outside. And of course her duck hat and scarf. So really, this is a Karen/Robbie outfit if I ever saw one!

Sleep Update

Last night Ella came to our room only once. Yea! She was so upset when she had to go back to her room and tried to run away but she was crying so much she just fell to the ground. Quite dramatic. So let's all hope tonight is at least the same.

Calling Grandma Judy

Judy, we need your help. I am failing miserably at this sleep thing. I would like it noted, for the record, that we had a good sleep situation going for a while. It is just all out broken. Now that Ella can get out of her bed, she takes full advantage of it. We had been letting her sleep on a cot in our room for a while when she woke up in the middle of the night. With the arrival of her new bed yesterday, we committed ourselves to walking her back to her room all night if it was needed. Well, it was needed and now I'm exhausted and barely thinking straight. At one point I woke up to Ella standing by our bed but when I started to get up she darted back to her bed, and just stood there, as if mocking me. I fell asleep on her floor, in the hall, and on the sofa. She fell asleep with that crazy kid radar that knows when you are slinking out of their room.

In all the spare time I had last night, I began composing a letter to apply to be on The Super Nanny but then I realized one child and two parents would hardly bring in the ratings for them. So I did what I really do well, I complained to Polly who pointed out you always know what to do. So here I am begging you, pleading really with red eyes and bed head that I can't get rid of because I'm too tired to stand in the shower. Really- this is worse than a newborn. Sure you are up all night with them also, but at (usually) dependable increments. Or maybe time has blurred reality, or maybe I'm just so tired and close to tears that I don't know what I am talking about but I desperately need your help. Any suggestions?

New Class

Ella moved up to the Three/Four class today and as you can see picked her own outfit for the occasion. I was nervous but she was excited. As is usually the case, it didn't phase her at all. There was no crying at drop-off and when I picked her up she was full of stories of her day and artwork to share. My favorite was her Christmas wish. Her teachers asked her what she wanted and she answered a baby and a new doctor's kit. Funny she realizes she has many doctor's kits, hence needing a "new" one but the seven plus babies we have didn't register with her.

Happy Third Birthday Sweetheart

Ella, weren't you just crawling? Weren't you just snuggling in the crook of you Daddy's neck? I thought just yesterday I was watching you sleep in your bassinet. Not so. You are a big girl now, big enough to have your own bed, big enough to dress yourself, big enough to write your name (your version of your name of course). I still watch you sleep for a bit every night and kiss your sweet face before saying goodnight. And although today you told me, in no uncertain terms, that you are a big girl now, you will always be my baby.

Of all the memories of the year leading up to your third birthday, I want you to remember our song the most, "For Baby" sung by Peter, Paul, and Mary:

I'll walk in the rain by your side
I'll cling to the warmth of your tiny hand
I'll do anything to help you understand
I'll love you more than anybody can

And the wind will whisper your name to me
Little birds will sing along in time
The leaves will bow down as you walk by
And morning bells will chime

I'll be there when you're feeling down
To kiss away the tears if you cry
And I'll share with you all the happiness I've found
A reflection of the love in your eyes

And I'll sing you the songs of the rainbow
Whisper of the joy that is mine
The leaves will bow down when you walk by
And morning bells will chime