HO HO HOme for the HOlidays...

Ella enjoyed some small town fun alongside her cousin Gavin at Westwood's annual Home for the Holidays celebrations. As Gavin dared Ella to put his whole fist in her mouth, Ella simply laughed at such an easy challenge, and told him she couldn't possibly entertain such a thing- note that neither father is intervening- a taste of things to come?

Ella could not wait for the big man to make an appearence as Gavin began to whisper all the magical things Santa does in her ear...
Now that she knows about the naughty and nice lists, the chimney thing, and the reindeer, Ella can't sleep a wink...


and mommy and daddy's nights are neither silent nor Holy...


Happy Christmahannakwanzica everybody!!! We look forward to blog '07....

Let's Go Big Red!

Ella had her first trip to Giants stadium this past weekend to watch Uncle Tommy coach the Westwood Cardinals football team to victory- NJSIAA State Champs 2006!!!

Ella proved to be a true fan when she started talkin' smack as she was making her way through the crowd of people waiting at the concession stands. Any time she saw green and gold she was like a maniac- yelling about their defense, and how her Uncle Tommy could kick any one of their coach's butts!













It's probably easy to talk trash when you're strapped to Daddy's chest...

















Daddy had to put the pacifier in Ella's mouth as the game got interesting, and Ella disagreed with some of the ref's calls... The rest of the game was more pleasent, as it was very difficult for Ella to take the pacifier out with her mittens on.

Carrot Top

When Ella made the choice to go from regular Simi to soy, mommy was very proud of her early decision to make vegetarianism her lifestyle of choice, and now, as she begins her journey into fruits and vegetables, it's clear that she has made the right decision...

She actually demonstrates for mommy and daddy how finger lickin' good these carrots really are...



...and yes, she's saving the rest for later:)

Gobble Gobble Gobble....

Ella spent her Thanksgiving morning watching the parade with Grammie in her new exersaucer... She loved the dancing, the costumes, the balloons, and especially singing and dancing sensations, The Red Hot Mamas!










While Gavin was thinking Turkey...

















Ella was thinking how can I pull this table cloth off and put it in my mouth?














Eventually, the tryp-to-phan (–noun Biochemistry an essential amino acid, (C8H6N)CH2CH(NH2)COOH, colorless, crystalline, and aromatic, released from proteins by tryptic digestion and a precursor of serotonin- Basically, the stuff in turkey that makes you sleepy) took effect, and Ella "rested her eyes" for about an hour. Just long enough to gear up for some coffee and pumpkin pie! Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all a good night...

















Thanks for the pic's Auntie Kelly:)

St. Ella

Here's another picture of Ella as she gets ready to go to church for her Christening. Mommy and Daddy could not be more proud!

God Bless Ella Kathleen

Ella had her Christening on Sunday, followed by her Naming Ceremony at our house.
She did such a great job! When the Priest annointed her with oil on her chest, she attempted to grab his finger and put it in her mouth... This was after trying to eat her Christening gown. She then proceeded to put her hands in the stream of Holy water as it was being poured onto her head during Baptism.
Like mother, like daughter. What's church without a little riff raff?

Ella was very lucky to have two sets of Godparents: Kelly and Brendan, and Andrew and Shelby. Thanks, guys! Now Ella has two mommies and two daddies- try explaining that on the playground...





Seriously, though. Ella did manage to master prayer by the time the service was over, and she takes it very seriously...

Here's Ella looking to get a little wine with her peas as she participates in her Naming Ceremony... Ella, you're just too young- maybe next year!

God Bless America

In support of the Democrats, as well as in honor of Veterans Day, Ella insisted on the American flag Band Aids when she got her shots this week... FYI- she weighs 15 pounds and she is 25 1/2 inches long, but she's 100% baby love...

Yummy Yummy Yummy I've Got Love in My Tummy...

No captions necessary...

One of those nights...

Ella got a new chair for watching Big Comfie Couch, Big Big World, Football, and other programs. We noticed, though, that Ella wanted to bring it with her in the car when we went to see Uncle Tommy's Football games, and we were curious as to what she might be doing. Turns out she was tailgating in the parking lot. Later, we found her passed out on the couch! We have no idea how she got her jammies on, and neither does she... Ever have one of those nights?

Keep Your Head Up...

Ella has done a wonderful job keeping her head up so far... She does "Tummy Time" (note: hands in mouth), and spends time in the Exersucer (note: hands in mouth). She has also discovered the wonderful world of oral fixation...

Aunts and Uncles and Aunts and Uncles...

If you did not make the cut this time, please make yourself more available when the camera comes out- Remember, Ella loves all of her Aunts and Uncles equally- Try again next time:)

Pretty Ella

Just a smile to make you smile...

Rubber Duckie I'm Totally Fond of You...

Ella has begun to really enjoy toys. She play with them, and (mostly) puts them in her mouth. Her favorite is this rubber duckie toy with all kinds of strange plastic tubes coming out of it, and a very unusual pink zebra head growing out of a blanket- it's nice to know she can appreciate the abstract nature of her toys at such a young age. She's a friggin' genius:)

The Great Pumpkin

Here are some photos of Ella, Mommy, and Daddy picking pumpkins at Demerest Farms. You'll notice that Ella looks a little upset, and we noticed too... It wasn't until we got home that she admitted to us that she was kind of expecting the Great Pumpkin to be there. We later found her waiting up in her cradle with her blankie and her thumb in her mouth- maybe we should cut back on the Charlie Brown a little bit.

Give Peas a Chance

This is what you get when your mom's a vegetarian... Ella has learned a very valuable lesson very early in life- it certainly is not easy being green.

Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down...

When Mommy told Ella that they wouldn't be going shopping because of the rain, Ella went right to her hats, grabbed the one with the biggest brim, and put on her most pitiful face in hopes that they'd go to the mall... And they did!
How could anyone say no to this face?

Rub A Dub Dub Part Deux

Ella has not lost her love of the bath tub in her old age... She actually insists that we use an entire bottle of shampoo every time we wash her hair! What else should we expect from "The Boss"? I strongly recommend buying stock in Aveeno baby shampoo, by the way:)

Fly Eagles Fly!

Let's hope the Eagles have a better day this Sunday than they did last Sunday- or they'll have Ella to answer to!!! E-A-G-L-E-S- EAGLES!!!!!

Still the Boss...

I have to say that going out to eat with Ella is a little embarassing- you would think that with two families invloved in the restaurant business that she would be a little less demanding... She actually pounds her hands on the table when she asks for her Simi to be made with luke warm water!!! In this photo, she's laughing as the waitress runs to the kitchen crying... Grammie seems to think it's funny too!

Ella Loves Jachee...

Ella loves her daddy because when she's sad (note the lip)... He gives her kisses...
And then it's all better...