Beach Trip 2012

We just got home from a wonderful weekend at the beach.  We met up with the Woods for a weekend of beach, pool, and playground.  The kids had a blast!

Ben loved playing with the beach toys.  He wasn't very interested in the ocean, but he liked building sand castles and filling up the dump trucks with sand.  We went to a different beach on the second day that had some tidal pools and he liked swimming in the "little ocean" water.

Hannah liked looking for shells.  She found 4 special shells to bring home.  She LOVED splashing in the waves and would beg the grown-ups to take her out in the ocean.  She has become our little fish.

Ellie loved everything about the beach.  She loved splashing in the tidal pools, playing in the sand, eating the sand, and stealing Mommy's chair.

Here are a few more sweet pictures from our trip:

Happy First Birthday Ellie!

My dearest Ellie,

If you would have asked me a year ago how I was feeling about finally getting to meet you, I would have said that I was scared to death.  I was scared about adding another child to our family.  Before you came into our life, everyday was crazy and exhausting and wonderful all at the same time, (not much has changed) but I didn’t know how to make that work with another baby.  In my mind Ben was still a baby and that would mean having 2 babies in the house at the same time.  However from the moment you came into the world, I knew everything was going to okay.  The overwhelming amount of love I felt for you when I saw your beautiful face still brings tears to my eyes.  I started thanking God for blessing our family with you, and I have done that every single day since. 

This year has been so much fun.  Not only have Daddy and I gotten to see you grow and have so many “firsts”, but your brother and sister have gotten to experience that too.  You are the light of Hannah’s life.  I know in the years to come you will continue to look up to her and follow her around and do just about anything to be like her.  I know there will come a day when Hannah is just a bit too cool to hang with her baby sister, but you need to know that she loves you more than you will ever know.  She loves to take care of you and always makes sure that you have everything and anything that you need. 

Your brother Ben has a funny way of showing you how much he loves you.  He can get a tad jealous at times, and try to tackle you, smush you, or trap you, but I think he just wants you to pay him as much attention as you do to Hannah.  Every morning this summer, as soon as he hears you on the monitor, he runs into your room to play with you.  It is special Ellie and Ben time (you are still in your crib so he can’t smush you), and you talk and laugh with each other.  I especially love it because it gives me about 15 extra minutes of sleep.  You love to play in his room with his trains and cars.  Lately he has started sharing with you, and I know as you continue to get older and can play with him more you two will be the best of friends. 

You have really stated to show your personality lately.  The laid back baby that we’ve seen for the past 11 months has decided it’s time to start exploring.  We often find you half way up the stairs looking back at us and laughing.  You LOVE to climb.  You are always trying to climb in or out of the bathtub.  Today at lunch you were attempting to climb out of your highchair.  I think you are going to be an adventurous little girl.  Your most favorite thing to do right now is eat.  You love everything and anything we try to feed you.  You love feeding yourself, and you know how to sign and tell us you want more.  I’ve never seen you do the sign for “all done” because I think you would eat forever if we would let you.  You are standing up by yourself.  You love to clap when you stand up because you are so proud!  It always makes us all laugh.  You took 3 steps to Nana one night last week, but haven’t attempted walking again.  You will push the little green car or your baby stroller around the house and cul-de-sac, but as soon as we take it away you sit down and refuse to walk until we give it back.   You have even started pitching little fits when you don’t get what you want.  You like to throw yourself on the ground and slam your fists down and scream (not cry).  You are a feisty little thing!

I can’t believe we are already celebrating your first birthday.  You are so special to us, and we are so glad that God’s plan for our family was more amazing than we ever dreamed.  We love you more than you will ever know Ellie bear bug.  Happy first birthday!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy