ellery talks!

we had fallen so in love with ellery's little "hoo's." each time she let out those coos, it melted our hearts.

well, e was ready to move onto bigger things! the first day of kristi's visit (march 2nd), ellery decided to make some more noise! this time, she gave her "ahhh's" a try. we caught it on video the next morning, as she woke up very excited to tell daddy all about her dreams! (sorry the quality isn't the greatest since the room was dark).

then, later that week, baby girl was telling me all kinds of things! she was cracking me up :) i love her crazy facial expression around 1:30 in that video. and then the little burp at the end...priceless.

kristi comes to visit

ellery was very excited for yet another visitor! this time, it was from kristi, who i have known since high school. kristi and i were both alpha chi's at miami, lived together sophomore year, and she was my maid of honor. it was so fun to introduce ellery to her!

kristi came all the way from lawrence, kansas, and she also travelled in the middle of a snow storm to get here. which is a big deal since kristi normally gets a little sick on flights. thankfully, she made it here safe & sound - and not sick! - and ellery & i braved driving in the middle of all the snow to get her.

during kristi's visit, we had a good mix of relaxing at home with e and showing her around milwaukee. we ordered balistreri's, our fav pizza. we shopped and ate lunch in the third ward. we met up with kristi's sister & friends, who were also visiting, at milwaukee's infamous safe house (come visit, we'll take you there!). we had a game night. went to church and grabbed lunch at alterra, all before her plane took off on sunday. i think kristi got a good glimpse of our life and friends here in wisconsin.

but ellery especially loved her visit! kristi showered e in gifts (she still loves her taggy ball & dress!) and lots of playtime. ellery even started "talking" while kristi was here! (video to come). on behalf of ellery, "thank you so very much for visiting kristi! come back & play with me again soon!! :)

shopping in the third ward

appetizers at the safe house

ellery checking out the "butt cam" at the safe house :)

lunch at alterra

big couch, little girl

just practicing how to sit up :)

our little fashionista

ellery was looking too cute in her little outfit this day to not take a few pics. plus she wanted to show off the headband her mama made her :) i love these little boots, but she's quickly growing out of the, so we're trying to have her wear them as much as possible!

i have hands!

ellery has recently made a big discovery: she has hands! and not only can they bat at toys, but they taste delicious too! she has had quite the time staring at them, moving them, and of course, eating them!

i took this little video on one of the first days she started reaching for her toys on her play mat. she especially likes that little bird, since it has that ring she can hold onto. since i took this video, she has gotten much more intentional with her hand movements, though she more so swipes & bats at things to get them into her grasp. such a funny little girl. enjoy the video!

snugglin' swaddle baby

every monday & thursday i watch two little girls after school for a few hours. lately, when it's time to pick them up, ellery has been fast asleep. the school is literally right across the street, but i still bring ellery along instead of popping out for a few minutes, just incase she were to wake up. with this unpredictable wisconsin weather, it's hard to know what it's going to be like out there! so i normally put a hat on her head, throw a blanket over her, and carry her in her swaddling sleep sack. the great thing is she normally stays asleep when we get back home & i either put her in her crib or swing. i think she looks like a little eskimo baby :) love you my little chubby cheek eskimo ella belle!

3 month photo shoot out-takes

we had a hard time deciding which picture to use for e's 3-month update. now that she's smiling & making so many expressions, we got several cute ones. here's a peak at some that didn't make the cut, but are stinkin' adorable anyway :)