Hennigers!!

Ella had a special visit from Great Granny today. Oh how we loved it!! Granny was especially taken by Ella's profile, so I had to include this one.... Granny Franny has the most wonderful spirit. I hope to be just like her someday. I'd be lucky to have half as much spunk and humor!

Cousin Sarah and I had fun bonding as Mommies. Sarah is such a baby person, and loved to snuggle with Ella. It was great fun to catch up.

Grandma introducing a new toy from Aunt Fran.

Sarah and Ella...

Aunt Fran and Ella....

We had the hardest time getting Granny to look at the camera because she couldn't keep her eyes off of Ella!

Thank you so much to the Hennigers for making the long drive to Portland from the Tri-cities! They drove 4 hours here and 4 hours back, just for 3 hours with us this afternoon. We love them!!

Splashy Splash

Just some cute bath time pictures to share. Ella takes after her mommy and loves a good bath.

Welcome Baby Hazel!

Alyssa and I made a very special visit to meet Erin and Erik's little baby Hazel. She is a DOLL, and Erin and Erik seemed very relaxed and at peace to have her out in the world. Congratulations!!!!

Happy Happy Birthday Jason!!!

It was Jason's birthday on April 7th. Happy 33 years to my amazing, outstanding husband!! We celebrated with friends at a happy hour at Oba (delicious margaritas and coconut prawns!), and then continued on to the Rogue Brewery where you get a FREE yard of beer, and a t-shirt on your birthday. That enormous beer that Jason successfully drank is a yard. Ella came to the happy hour with us at first, and then took off with Carolyn as we made our way to the Rogue. When we picked her up, of course they were snuggled and asleep. :)

working woman

We've been having fun with friends, as usual.....and here are some of them. :)
Mr. Macklin and Ella
Jaime and Ella....

Paul and Ella....sorry, I don't know how to rotate that picture....

I (Amy) went back to work this week temporarily at my old job, and today was day one. It was a very successful day! I felt like a superstar. I slept pretty well the night before since Ella slept 10 hours straight (bless her little heart!) And got myself dressed, ready, and out the door to work on time. Jaime and Lana helped out this morning, and Lana brought her downtown on my lunch so I could see her and nurse her. Lana really has gone above and beyond to make this a successful week for me, and for Ella.

It was really fun to be at work today and be dressed up, not have spit up on my shoulder, wear high heels, have my hair styled, focus on a task with my full attention, eat when I wanted to eat, drive in a car by myself....it's the little things. :) My old job at work is much easier than being a stay at home mom, that's for sure. BUT, I wouldn't trade it and I'm thankful I have the option of being a mom as a career. Being home with Ella is very meaningful work, even though it's got it's own challenges. I missed her today. And her smile when she saw me after a few hours was priceless! Plus, being at work means that I can't be available for mid afternoon impromptu happy hours with friends - this was Amber and I on an impulse one day.

So all in all, day one was a success. Jason and I partnered together really well to get everything done with both of us working full time this week. I can't imagine doing this without him. For the record - still madly in love with that man. :)

As the World Turns...

We all turn big corners in our lives. Between work and new additions, our lives have definitely taken big turns over the past few months. Even though it has been hard, we wouldn't have taken a different path. We love being parents and the deeper partnership the path through 2010 has caused us to have. Neither of us really know how we would make it without the special way the other is made.

Ella is taking big turns as well! In fact, just last Sunday she made one of the bigger turns or should I say rolls of her life. Yep! She rolled over!

Actually rolled over twice back to back! We weren't even trying to make her roll. We just laid her down and next time we look she was almost over.

Hard to believe. Our little girl is growing up so fast! In fact, this successful turn has caused another turn, she can no longer been seen in public without her stylish shades...

Ok..Maybe not, but they are really cute. This is to all of the turns we encounter in life. May you all take them in stride! And after a long day you can always take a nap!

A roadtrip

Jason, Ella, and I headed out on our first family road trip a little over a week ago. The destination....Whidbey Island!! Our dear friends Heather and Christina were up there relaxing and celebrating Heather's 40th birthday, so we suprised them and joined the party! My worry was that Ella was going to be fussy on the drive up and back, but she did great. She slept most of the way, and only cried a bit. Just take a look at our car trunk.....PACKED for a quick trip. Life isn't quite as simple as it used to be. :)

And it was also Ella's first Ferry ride. I happen to LOVE a ferry ride, and was pleased to see that she did too.

Here is Christina with Ella.....






And Heather....

We made a quick stop in Seattle to see Melissa and Jaden!! Melissa is my dear friend who I met in 7th grade....we played Volleyball together and carpooled home. She and her hubby Joey live in Spain and this was my first time introducing Ella to her new playmate Jaden...they were quick friends, and then took naps together.

Nana and Papa came out for their second visit recently too. It was great to have them!! Ella was full of smiles.

And this one I just had to throw in becuase it makes me laugh so hard. :) Here's Jason, bouncing on the ball with Ella. He looks dazed, and man....we LIVED on that ball for sooo many weeks it seems. It's Ella's happy place. And just peek at the state of the house in the background. HA! This, my friends, is recent Lacey Life. :)