What a Big Girl!

I have been meaning to write this post for a while, but I haven't' been able to because our computer has been on the fritz. This has been a big summer for our little one, who is slowly but surely making the transition from being a baby to being a "big girl."

In May, Ella started going to daycare at Vanderbilt, just a few blocks from Brad's school. It has been such a blessing. One drawback for her was that they don't allow 2 year olds to have pacis at Vanderbilt. So, on her first day, we prepared her, "No pacis at Vanderbilt." We decided to go cold turkey, and that evening we put all of her pacis into a box, and took them out to the mailbox where the mail carrier would come to "take the pacis to the babies." That night, we questioned our decision while for 2 hours (from midnight-2) Ella cried, "I want my paci." But, after that night, we were done! What a relief. But even now, if you ask Ella what makes her happy she will say without hesitation, "my blankie and my paci."

Ella also made the leap of potty training this summer. She still has the occasional accident, and is working on giving up Pull-ups at nap time and nighttime, but we're making progress. She loves to wear big girl underwear, and often reminds us, "Diapers are for babies."

The last big leap that we made this summer is moving Ella from her crib to a big girl bed. She wasn't climbing out at night, but when she was in her bed for time outs, she would throw her legs over the side. We knew it was time. So, we got a great bed on Craigslist and put it in her room. She loves being able to climb in and out herself, and thankfully still stays in bed until we come and get her when she wakes up. She loves to bring 2 stuffed animals to bed with her (only 1 for nap time she tells us), and loves to "switch" them each night. Here are some pictures of Ella in her big girl bed.

Ella is such a joy, and we are really enjoying being parents to her. She is learning all of her letters and numbers, is very interested in reading and amazes us each day with new things that she is learning. She has also started trying to interject herself into all of our conversations. "You talking about cousin Andy, or another Andy." And is very insightful. Last week, Brad was talking animatedly to get a point across and she said, "You mad at mommy, daddy?" It made us laugh. Her favorite thing to do is hang out at the park. We are thankful for the blessing that she is, and look forward to the years ahead.