Play Date with Marlo in Los Angeles

My parents have been friends with Denise Hankins for almost twenty years. They met her in college thru Denise's sister Rachelle. Denise has a daughter named Marlo who is 4 months older than me. We had the pleasure of meeting up for two playdates while we were in L.A. We are a match made in playdate heaven! Marlo and I are about the same height, same weight and on the same wavelength as far as playing together. We enjoyed babbling together and competing for toys. Marlo is very good at sharing. We also enjoyed a nice dinner together. Our Moms laughed and joked at the possibility of us growing up and meeting up somewhere in Europe and knocking each other off the runway as teen models. Marlo let me borrow one of her spare Pack N Plays while I was in town and when we went to drop it off, it was a tearful goodbye for the both of us. I look forward to hopefully reuniting with her again over the holidays in Cleveland. Hugs and Kisses to my new friend Marlo!

Ella Goes To Hollywood!

Since we were in Southern California for business, my parents decided to take a week long vacation in Los Angeles (a.k.a. Tinseltown, The City of Angels). The first thing we did was hit the beach. The bottom picture is of me running along the Santa Monica Pier. And then, of course we had to hit Rodeo Drive and Robertson Boulevard for shopping! Mommy's favorite picture is of me running into Kitson Kids on Robertson (the one across from the Newsroom Cafe). They wouldn't let us take pictures inside the store, so that's me pointing inside to tell Mommy exactly what isle I wanted to go browse. 

One of the sights we took in included The Getty Villa in Malibu. I will include pictures from that day trip in my next blog entry. And we also dined at Nobu Miami. That was a lot of fun. I was able to indulge in edamame, california rolls, sticky rice and my new favorite: ice. I was also allowed to practice using chopsticks there. It was so fun! 

Torrey Pines State Park in San Diego

Ella Visits San Diego!

My Daddy had a business trip to San Diego, California this week. He thought it would be a great opportunity to take me on my very first plane ride. He was right! It was so much fun! I was so excited to go on the airplane that I couldn't wait. That's me trying to get on the plane just a little early. It was a 5 1/2 hour flight from BWI Airport. We took Southwest Airlines because of the flexibility in picking your own seat. Good thing Daddy selected that airline because I was able to have my very own seat for free. The flight went really well. My ears didn't hurt at all. Somehow Mom and Daddy found a way to keep me occupied and happy the entire time without the use of a DVD player or toys like some of the other toddlers. I was also able to take  a short nap. I slept only an hour because I was much too excited to sleep. 

Mom took me to the San Diego Zoo while Daddy was at his conference. We stayed for almost 6 hours the first day we were in San Diego. The second day we were there, we went to the Children's Museum--but it was closed. So, Mom decided on "plan B"--window shopping at the famed San Diego Seaport. I didn't have a lot of patience for that, so after about five minutes there--Mommy let me run around and play with rocks and sand.

We stayed at the W Hotel. Mom made me feel like a VIP. She made a nice snack for me every afternoon in between outtings and at night, she gave me a really nice bubble bath. Up next, Los Angeles. 

Labor Day Weekend in Cleveland

My family and I spent Labor Day weekend in Cleveland this year. We were especially excited about the weekend because we could visit with our cousins Paul and Elena who were in town from Italy. Paul had a very nice Art Exhibit on Saturday. The weather was absolutely perfect the entire weekend!

I was able to spend some good quality time with my Uncle Albert. He gave Mom Mom and Daddy a few breaks over the weekend by helping to look after me. You might think that would be easy, but I've been called The Energizer Bunny a lot lately. I am very curious and I really enjoy the outdoors and walking and running around. I really don't like to be confined or indoors all that much--unless there's a lot of other kids around. Speaking of other kids--I was lucky to spend time with my other cousins: Audrey, Quinn and Susan this weekend. It was a lot of fun. That's us on the driveway playing with chalk. Audrey is a lot of fun because she enjoys dancing as much as I do. She really likes Black Eyed Peas and Lady GaGa. 

My Grandmother broke out a "high chair" that was designed in the early 60s that she saved since my Uncle Albert and Daddy were babies. That's me sitting in Vintage Furniture. And that's Lexie underneath the kitchen table anxiously lurking around to find scraps of food. And finally, that huge doggie you see is Sherman. He's not only huge, but he's soft and cuddly. I think I might ask for a "Sherman" around Christmas or for my 2nd Birthday.  I just loved him. 

I'm Going to be a Big Sister!

I just found out that I'm going to be a Big Sister! There's a reason Mom Mom is getting a BIG belly! I don't know if it's going to be a little brother or a little sister for me yet. We won't find out until Columbus Day weekend. But, I'm pretty sure once I find out I'll be able to share the news with you! :) We're all very excited. The baby is due around Valentine's Day. 

I'm 15 Months Old

Hi Everyone!

    I'm 15 Months old today! My parents took me out for a "Soul Food Dinner" earlier in the month. "Mom Mom" [as I like to call my Mommy now] got such a kick out of watching me eat a chicken drumstick that she had to take a picture of me. I'm fast becoming a "big kid". I can run at a much faster speed than I was able to a month ago. And some of my hobbies include: Spending as much time outdoors as possible,  hunting for sticks and rocks (I find them truly fascinating), taking my doggie Lexie on walks, pushing my toy shopping cart and toy stroller, riding my Dora The Explorer scooter (that my friend Nora gave me for my birthday), going out to spend time dining with my parents and dancing! I LOVE to dance! I especially like House Music and Rock!

My favorite meal of the day is breakfast. I really enjoy scrambled eggs, sausage and potatoes. I am completely turned off by pureed baby foods and prefer to eat "real food". I can feed myself with my hands, but am really trying hard to learn to eat with my silverware. My favorite beverage is still whole milk, but Mommy tries to encourage me to drink water whenever possible. She can't trick me though. I don't like it and I don't like juice either. I am still practicing drinking from a Sippy Cup. But, I'd much rather turn the cup upside down and watch the liquid fall to the floor or the couch or the chair or on my clothes. I find that funny. I can say a few words that I fully understand their meanings: Hi, Mom Mom, Dad, Cat,  and Clock is my absolute favorite word. I'm trying to speak to everyone in full sentences, but I don't think most people understand my language yet. The thing that excites me the most right now are Exit signs. I love pointing them out every time I see one.