Twenty-Five Weeks Old

It's been 125 days since Ella has been born and she continues to amaze us everyday! We got home from California just about a week ago. Ella was a champ throughout the whole vacation - plane rides included!! She continues to receive ooh and ahhs everywhere we go - especially when she's riding shotgun in the MetroWrap.

Ella picked up a lot from the twins. She is rolling from belly to her back more and more on her own and is on the verge of rolling from her back to belly too! She is a fierce kicker as we can hear her banging her feet down on the mattress when she wakes up. With the leg kicking she is now noticing her feet. They haven't quite made their way into her mouth, but they are fun to play with. Carol, her physical therapist, is very impressed with her reaching skills and she even showed a transfer skill (passing a ring from her right hand to her left hand) today too. We are now working on sitting and reaching without the support of the Bumbo chair. One way we practice is by having her knock down Tupperware containers we stack in front of her. This makes her reach as well as strengthen her torso.

Physically Ella seems to be growing longer each day. She has grown out of her 0-3 months clothes as well as most of her 3 months outfits. So we are now in 3-6 months and some small 6 months clothing. Ella's hair is beginning to fill in a little more finally. However, my mom said I had very little hair until I was about year old (and then DJ cut off what little hair I had)!!

Just before we left CA Ella, Mom, and I drove down to Monterey (about an hour from DJ) to visit the Pratts. Chris and Todd were college roommates and in ROTC together. Todd was also Chris' bestman. Chris is still in the Army but going to school in Monterey. Although I didn't get a chance to see Chris, we had a great afternoon spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and three kiddos - Riley (5), Nathan (4), and Ronan (2). Jen took us to a wonderful restaurant named Hog's Breath in Carmel - boy was it yummy!!!

Now that we are home we are getting back into a routine which I'm hoping will transfer to Ella's naps and sleeping habits. All I will say is that somehow this girl is happy no matter if she gets tons of sleep or very little - thank goodness!!!

We made the most of our Columbus Day weekend. We started the weekend by visiting with my Aunt Marilyn, Uncle Jon (my dad's brother), and cousin, Matthew. They drove in from New Fairfield, CT with Arvee (their RV - that's my uncle for you!). We met up at the Anchor Bar Friday night where we polished off 100 wings and a large pizza. And then hung out again on Saturday for a picnic dinner. It was so great seeing and hanging out with all of them - especially since they were able to see Ella for the first time!!

On Sunday we took Ella on her first hike to the Eternal Flame. I felt as though I was pregnant again with Ella in the MobyWrap making sure I walked very carefully, using Todd's help to step up and down over rocks. It was an absolutely gorgeous fall weekend!!

Then on Monday, we packed a picnic lunch and drove to Letchworth State Park. We picnicked and then walked from the middle falls up to the upper falls back down to the middle falls and up to the Glen Iris Inn and back to the Middle Falls.

Now it's time to get back into the swing of things!! Keep checking back as it may take me a few days to post all of the pictures from CA. Speaking of photos - I'm trying out Snapfish (easier and cheaper to order from BUT you will have to sign in). To see the captions during the slideshow you may need to click on the speech bubble next to the word 'share' below the picture in slideshow mode. Enoy!