The Year in Review...

As written by Ella Kathleen Goodman...

Okay, so here's what went on this year:

I was born...

We spent a lot of time in- what mommy and daddy called- the "backyard". (Little did I know I would come to LOVE this place)...I was made to dress up like a peapod and go into town to ask people for food...

I started eating food with some weird plastic thing (thought I would hate it). Every time daddy would put the plastic thing near my mouth, he'd open his

(awesome trick)...I was Baptized Ella Kathleen Goodman at St. Andrew's Church... Mommy said I took to prayer very early...Turns out I love food from the plastic thing (especially carrots)...Went to Giant's Stadium for the very first time to see Uncle Tommy's team play... Impressive, but I felt that the unsportsmanlike behavior on the part of the other team was appalling...Then came Hanakuh where I began my love with wrapping paper...By Christmas I was hooked! I was opening OTHER people's gifts! I had to be stopped...Daddy took control... Mommy says with Daddy's new hairline, we look more alike than ever!I moved on to my love affair with Elmo. I just can't get enough! I got to see snow for the first time on Valentine's Day. Mommy and Daddy put me right to work! I shoveled all night!At this point, I felt like I was really growing up... I even started to like bath time!Oh yeah, I forgot to mention my cousin Uncle Gavin... He's always around. We go to a lot of parades and zoos together...At Easter, I went from my love of wrapping paper to my love of the fake grass the Easter Bunny puts in the bottom of your basket... It's preshredded so you don't have to do all the work- just enjoy!As the weather got warmer, I began going in the big outside tub- Mommy and Daddy called it a pool, I call it Super Terrific Happy Time!For Father's Day, Mommy and Daddy took me to see a huge outside bath tub! They called it the Hudson, I call it AWESOME!That brings us to now... I had a wonderul birthday filled with baby pools and Elmo balloons! It was perfect!Well, I guess that's all. It's been a pretty great year! I should mention that along the way, I've met some really special people... Like my Great Granpop...Uncle Tommy (big softie)...My Uncle Andrew and Aunt Shelby- they're fun! (Godparents #1)...Uncle Brendan and Aunt Kelly (Godparents #2)- they brought me...This guy! Here's a picture of me and my cousin visiting my Grampa. Gavin's cool- I'm glad he's my cuz!I also met Aunt Mo... She and Uncle Daniel are super comfortable! I fall asleep on them A LOT!Here's my MomMom and PopPop, they like to play, read to me, and they take LOTS of pictures because they love me so much

(plus, I'm pretty cute- everybody thinks so)...Here's my Grammy. Mommy says I light up when I see her! I do! She gives lots of love and kisses, sings me the Ella Bella Baby song, and we go shopping ALL the time! She taught me to wait until things go on sale because only suckers pay retail! And finally, here's my Mommy and Daddy! They love me no matter what! Mommy likes to sing me songs. When I'm upset or don't feel well, she just sings more! My Daddy likes to make me laugh. I can spit up on him, or make a stinky, and he just laughs harder! We have lots of fun together! I'm happy to say that year 1 was a huge success! Now that I'm on my feet, and nailing this walking thing, year 2 should be even more fun for everyone!

I'll keep you posted!

Thank Heaven for Ella Bella, Birthday Girl!

Thank heaven for little girls, for little girls get bigger every day!

Thank heaven for little girls, they grow up in the most delightful way!

Those little eyes so helpless and appealing!

One day will flash and send you crashin' thru the ceilin'!

Thank heaven for little girls, thank heaven for them all!

No matter where no matter who!

For without them, what would little boys do?

Thank heaven... Thank heaven...Thank heaven...

for little girls!

Happy Birthday, Ella Kathleen! We love you!

The Natural

It's the bottom of the ninth, with two babies on. Score is tied...

Ella Goodman stealing third! Will she make it?!?!?
She does!

Later, Ella went on to score the winning run

(it's a good thing the other team's babies can't crawl yet!

Though it did make for a very slow game...)

Ella never forgets to thank her adoring fans...

Without them, she'd just be another ball player...

Memorial Day Weekend...

This was pretty much the gist of Ella's Memorial Day weekend...Swimming...
Swimming... Ba Ba with Daddy...
more swimming...

Hope everyone had a nice weekend! Bring on Summer!

Ella and Gavin Take DC...

Ella and her cousin Uncle Gavin spent last weekend in Washington DC, where Uncle Daniel graduated from George Washington University with his Masters Degree.Immediately, they had to make all kinds of appearances. They christened the new Choo Choo on University Campus... When they arrived at the graduation, Aunt Mo gave Gavin directions to the podium...
As he was the guest speaker. He spoke about the many possibilities available to the graduates, and all that is ahead. He was eloquent.
Ella and Gavin could not be more proud of their Uncle Daniel! Congratulations!

Da Da Day...

Due to the fact that Ella's favorite word is Da Da, we're going to assume it translates (loosely) to Mommy- at least for Mother's Day.

So, Happy Da Da Day all you Mommy's out there!

Mutual of Westwood's Wild Kingdom

While hiking through the woods of west, we stumble upon the very rare Babyous Bearous and her companion Stuffedous Bearous.
In trying to approach the species, we appear to have angered the Babyous Bearous, so we find it safer to slowly back away, and leave her to continue her romp.
Babyous Bearous begins her daily hygiene routine of cleaning her Stuffedous counter part. Later, Bearous Stuffedous will return the favor.

We found them to be a friendly, happy breed. As long as they are allowed to frolic and play as they see fit. We feel very lucky for getting a glimpse into their very rare and interesting world...

Double the Grandmothers, Double the Fun...

Ella wants to say "Thank You" to Grammy and MomMom for a fun-filled weekend while Mommy and Daddy went camping!
She had the best time! We love you!

Zzzzzzzzz

nar·co·lep·sy[nahr-kuh-lep-see]
a condition characterized by frequent and uncontrollable periods of deep sleep.*


*Prior to this, Mommy came into the room to find Ella standing, yes standing, in her crib. Mommy then decided to drop the mattress. While Mommy was doing that, Ella sat on the floor and attempted to pull herself up using the changing table, and nearly pulled it down on top of herself. When the crib was deemed safe, Ella was put in for a nap. Mommy got in the shower. While in the shower, Mommy heard a loud BOOM, and ran into Ella's room to find that she had pulled down a lamp, and the baby monitor. Mommy went back to the shower to rinse the shampoo out of her hair. When she came out, this is what she found...