October 2015

Stardate: [-27] 03020.00

Its been a traveling month Ella – not for you but for everyone around you.  You did so well this month having an ever changing group of people staying with you and  people coming and going even more then usual!  Yaya and I went to Italy for close to 2 weeks – your Mommy and you waved us off and you were so confused that you weren’t in the car too – nothing makes you happier then when everyone is all together.   And while we were gone your Mother kept telling you that we were in Italy.  One afternoon you packed a bag – walked to the front door and when your mother asked where you were going – you said ‘Italy’.  Everyday you surprise us with a new word or comment that lets us know you understand everything we are saying!

While we were gone your Nana and Grandpop came from Florida to watch you – they bought you books and took you to the library and Coyote Point and all sorts of wonderful day trips!  It was good for you to see them in person after all those video conference calls!

A couple of weeks later your Mommy left for 4 days to take her students on a trip to Catalina Island.  It was the first time you’d been separated and you both were so brave and strong.  I’m pretty sure rainbows and fireworks exploded over SFO when you reunited Friday evening! 
Your Daddy did a great job holding down the fort and being your best dad ever – working at home somedays so you could drop in for a visit.  Laughing with you at dinner and giving you long fun baths and reading/singing to you for hours (you do not like to go to sleep) until you finally nod off to dreamland.  You and I did an adventure a day – to the beach and to the library and to swimming to keep you busy and occupied.  You were a fabulous cooking buddy – washing vegetables at the sink and mixing things in bowls – you love doing ‘real’ things.

Ella TV started this month – we’ve got one big bump to work through – we have to figure out how to explain to you when the cellphone is taking the video vs when it is showing it to you.  You get a bit frustrated and mad wanting to 'see' Ella TV versus 'recording' Ella TV.  Other generations haven’t had this problem – the video camera would take your picture and the TV would show it – it was easy to know when you were being recorded or when you were watching.  You are not so lucky –so hopefully soon the concept of ‘recording’ vs ‘watching’ will be clearer.  Here are your first three film clips:

Ella Radio goes on in the car.  In addition to the classic favorites ‘Wheels on the Bus’ ‘ABC’  ‘Row Row your Boat’  ‘Twinkle Twinkle’ and ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’ you now keep asking for ‘How Much is that Doggy in the Window’ ‘Down in the Jungle’ “10 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed’ and your new disco dancing ‘Shake Shake Shake Senora’.  You sit in your car seat and sing – and you sit on the piano stool hitting the keys and singing.  We can’t figure out the words yet but the tune is very sweet.

Ella Library continues to grow.  The Highlight Magazine that comes every month from your PopPop is still a favorite.  You love the books your Nana bought you and because its almost Halloween – you are very focused on Pumpkins!  The monster stuff is NO FUN – but the pumpkins are cool.  You like Library story hour – but honestly?  The kids are more fascinating then the books.  And the interactive media station – well that’s all I have to say about that.  Split/dual headphones are the best!  And Yaya bought a new dollhouse - complete with a rabbit family and a real light switch to light up the room.  Oh you do LOVE that dollhouse!

Other new ‘firsts’ –

You want every dinner to include everyone holding hands and saying grace together – your part is to do the ‘AMEN’.  One night – unfortunately after you were eating spaghetti with your hands – you reminded us we hadn’t said grace by repeating over and over again ‘AMEN'.  Your Daddy finally figured out what you wanted and we all had to hold hands – your sticky icky spaghetti hands -and say grace.  Amen indeed Ella - Amen.

You like the Joyful Noise Children's service at church.  This month you extend your hand to share the peace with anyone near.  You hold your stone over your head and on your heart to share the things you want to change and you can pass the collection basket on your side of the church.  You dance to the songs - when you are not distracted by the bows on the shoes of the girl next to you.Your parents say you are not quite ready to give out the stones or take up the wine and bread yet – too many opportunities for disaster I think.

You introduce yourself by putting your hand on your chest and saying ‘Ella’.  And you love to name everyone in the room – Mommy/Julia; Daddy/Matt; Gigi/Patt (although you physically patted Gigi and are a bit vague on the verb vs the noun) and YaYa .  You love hearing and repeating people’s names.

And THE DOGS – you are crazy wondrously buddies with Beaker and Roxie and Ollie – you love to watch them puppy wrestle and sometimes join in the ‘pull toy’ game.  Nothing makes you giggle more then watching them play chase and tear through the house trying to catch them.  You  ‘Rock Rock Going Downtown’ and when you are upside down call them over to kiss your face – giggling and giggling.

New things are coming - your   teeshirt "I'm the Best Big Sister" makes everyone laugh when this conversation is repeated:

What's in Mommy's tummy?  Ella answers 'Baby'!

What's in Daddy's tummy?  Ella answers 'Beer'!

You are a happy happy soul Ella exploring the world and naming it this month.  You teach me new joys everyday.

Ella -pictures by your talented Grand Marie