My Little Models

A lovely gal I went to high school with contacted me via Facebook a few weeks back. She's trying to get her photography business off the ground and asked if she could use Brady and Ella as models. That meant a few trips to the park in cute clothes and free photos for me. Umm...yes!

These are just a few of the pics from the first two shoots. We met at Harrison Hills Park and despite the monsoon that interrupted us, we got a lot of adorable photos. Ella was none too cooperative, as she cried for me any time I put her down. But Jess managed to snap her in calm moments and this is one of my faves:

The second time, Jess came to our house where we tried to do a Pirates theme for my brother. I'm loving the idea of a framed picture being a birthday gift :-) Cost efficient and adorable. Win.

We've been perusing Pinterest for ideas and while we haven't tackled everything we love (yet!), here are 2 Pinterest-inspired poses:

The balloons got away from us and the kids' reaction can only be described as RIDICULOUS. Never heard such screams from such small people. 

I thought the child would've been game for stuffing watermelon into her face, but in true Ella fashion she required that I was by her side for this, too. Fortunately, Jess cropped me out.

We have plans to get together again, hopefully at this quaint barn on a huge plot of land, and I can't wait! I hope the best for Jess's business and, in the meantime, surely don't mind reaping the rewards of amazing free pictures!

P.S. As I write this, I am in the process of putting together Ella's 1st year slide show. Terrible, terrible mother...

Our Very Little Princess

I keep telling myself I shouldn't be worrying about this, but it's not working: Ella has only gained 1 pound in the almost 4 months it's been since her last check-up. She's healthy. She eats (more than I do). She's drinking milk. All good things. But at his 1-year exam, Brady was 4 pounds heavier and 2 inches taller. I realize he's a boy and apparently they're just bigger. But Ella is so...tiny. The doctor actually said she has a good metabolism and will likely be tall and thin, so perhaps my 5'1 chub is just jealous?

Eating. Always.

At any rate, she's doing well at her whopping 17 pounds and 29 inches. She was pretty interested in Dr. Daly, too. She didn't scream when she saw him coming (unlike her brother who immediately begins losing his ever-loving mind the second he lays eyes on the man), and actually giggled when he checked her belly and neck. Little flirt.

Ella took a few independent steps at the babysitter's last week, so we forced her to walk at home so we didn't feel left out. Normally she's happy holding onto ONE of my fingers--it can only be one or she gets pissed, plops down on her bum and yells--but I coerced her with 2 things she can't resist: her dad and brother. She walked EIGHT steps to get to them! When we all clapped for her, she started clapping while standing and fell right over. She didn't even care. She's a bit of brute and I worry for Brady's safety once she's had enough of him grabbing things out of her hands or, like yesterday, bopping her right on the head because she was trying to eat his snack.

He's very particular about his toys; she is not.

We took our first family trip to Kennywood last Saturday. The weather was perfect and despite a rocky start to the morning (read: Brady woke up at 5:30 and was a terror), the entire day was lovely. Kiddieland was Brady's heaven; he's still talking about the Whipper Snapper:

Ella was a bit too young to ride much, but we went on the train, SS Kenny, and a few others all together. I can't wait until Ella is able to walk better, hence ride more, and Brady isn't afraid of the nice attendants who have to put him on the rides. I felt so bad for this huge guy who wanted to lift Brady into a helicopter; the kid FREAKED. So we found this awesome golf game that cost $40 for one ball and he happily whacked some balls around. One of his shots actually ricocheted off of a few things and landed right at the edge of the hole. The lady in charge allowed him to "tap it in" and to Brady, that was the prize. Thank God, too, because I did not want to lug a life-size penguin around all day.

 Oh and because Brady is a nutjob, we're cutting his hair at home now. Below is just a sneak peek at the fun. I had to stop taking pictures to hold him down, so you can imagine how that went over.

This one needs the trim, but I refuse. We're growing that mop-top out!

As summer approaches, we're getting our pool ready and preparing Brady for what will be the Summer He Stops Crapping His Pants, otherwise known as SHSCHP. He's happy enough to sit on the toilet (nude), but refuses to do his business there. The minute he's off the pot, he asks for privacy so he can "poop in his diaper." Awesome.

Brady and Ella have another friend: 10 days ago, on May 7th, our dear friends Jess and Ahren welcomed their first baby, Grant! He was a big boy, too: 8 pounds, 13 ounces! Mama had to have a c-section, but she was all smiles when I visited. I went to see Mr. Grant while he and Jess were still hanging out at Magee and, of course, I inhaled that baby scent and wanted another one immediately. I have to try and practice patience; I keep chanting "2-year-plan, 2-year-plan," but then Zach says if we got pregnant right now, it wouldn't be such a bad thing. He's not very good at handling my baby addiction...

Happy 1st Birthday, Ella Faith!!

Bittersweet. Exciting. Emotional. Fun. Those are the words that best describe Ella's first birthday for me.

Ella has taught me to never say never. Even to a tutu.

 Oblivious. Hungry. Those are the words that best describes the day for the birthday girl herself.

We planned Ella's princess-themed party at Kunkle Park on Sunday the 6th, and the weather, although iffy at first, turned out to be lovely. It was actually quite appropriate for Ella's personality: at first, the weather was windy, rainy, and difficult, but it slowly turned cooperative and beautiful. I can't think of a more perfect metaphor!

Ella was surrounded by family and friends as she held my hand and teetered around the park, smashed an entire cupcake into her face, and greeted everyone with her gap-toothed grin. We opted to open the gifts at home, and when we did, we were moved by the generosity of everyone: clothes, toys, money, more clothes--so wonderful! My parents chipped in and helped us buy her new bedroom furniture. It's off-white and looks so great in her lavender and lemon (purple and yellow!) room! I got an awesome tree decal off of Etsy and it's the perfect touch o' serenity for the little gal. Now it's just a matter of transitioning her into the new room. Wish us luck!

After a review of Ella's first year, I am beyond thankful she has begun sleeping like a normal human being.  She has been sleeping through the night (8pm - 6am) for a few months now, and she's been standing, poised to walk, for about as long. On Monday, she took her officially first steps, and yesterday she took a few more. It won't be long until we'll be chasing her all over the place. And unlike her brother, I don't think Ella will be content to sit and chill, so the beach in July should be interesting!

Her last monthly photo shoot. *SOB*

 The birthday girl eats every and anything (and in mass quantities--we actually have to remove her from the table so she doesn't overeat and vomit...), and has a few key words under her belt: Mom, ball, dog, and Brady. Since she spends the majority of her days with those people and things, I think it's fitting that those are her first words! She'll break out a "Hi!" and "Bye!" accompanied by a chubby fisted wave, and if she's particularly excited to see him, she'll exclaim, "DAD!" when Zach comes home. Prompted, she'll say a few more things (Pap, go, no-no, etc.), and every day she's doing something different. She points at the things she wants and insists, "Me-me-me-me!" with an open hand. She's a girl who knows what she wants! The 1-year doctor visit is this Friday; I'm excited to see how she's grown. She's a tiny thing, but she's getting tall and her feet are almost as long as mine. I can't wait for the day when we share (I steal) her shoes!

Yes, I took a close-up of the shoes.

While the girl is still anything but easy, she has certainly come a long way! From the baby who wouldn't let anyone--even her father--hold her without putting up a fight, to the toddler with the easy smile and big heart, Ella Faith Jankowski has made great strides in this first year. And I can't wait to see what the future holds for our little princess.

She gives the BEST snuggles!

I'm in the midst of putting together a slide show for Miss Thang, but I've yet to finish it. I knew if I waited until the slide show was ready to post about her birthday, there was a very real possibility that it wouldn't be until June. Hopefully the slide show will include some shots of Ella and Brady's very first Pirates game...which we are hoping to attend this weekend to celebrate Mother's Day. Nothing says, "You're a great mom" like watching a sub-par baseball team and spilling beer all over your children. Go Bucs!