Spring FEVER

Spring is here and our little girl LOVES the great outdoors!!!

Fun with Friends

The last weekend of March my friend Heather and her little boy, Owen, who is 17 months old came into town. Last year when he visited Ella Catherine was on house arrest after her RSV hospitalization. So, this was their first meeting. We decided to have a play date Saturday morning before nap times and Kristen and her 20 month old son, Jude, came as well. As usual, at first Ella Catherine clung close to my side and just took everything in. Although, she started walking Feb 29th, it has been a slow process and she is still a little wobbly. Owen and Jude not only walk but run and she was enthralled by that. The boys were something to watch. Having older toddlers around is always an eye opener for me as to what we can expect in the not so distant future.

Ella Catherine got some Balloons for her birthday from her Mimi. They were still in good condition and she was enjoying "playing" with them so I hadn't popped them yet. Well, her "play" and the boys "play" were completely different. Ella Catherine enjoyed carrying them around the house by the holder. The boys had a blast punching and kicking them. It wasn't long before Ella Catherine got in on the action. Matt got it all on video. I'll try to download some footage later.

The weather wasn't very nice, but we did take them outside to play with the dogs and get some energy out. I think the first meeting went well. As you can see from the photos below, Ella Catherine gave Owen a kiss when he was leaving. :) We hate that they live so far away.

Ella Catherine getting in on the action

Jude, Owen and Ella Catherine

Ella Catherine leaning in for the goodbye smooch. :)

Ella Catherine is 1!

I can not believe that Ella Catherine is already one. Where has the year gone? It has been a wonderful year and the last week has been no exception.
She actually started walking on Leap Day Feb 29th. I guess she decided she wanted to be walking by one and that was what she did. Her actual Birthday was March 5th. We celebrated by having our picture made with live bunnies and a lamb. I CAN NOT wait to see how they came out. I'll keep you posted! Then we had dinner with Nana and Pop and topped it off by eating ice cream for the first time. She was so funny! She didn't want to try it at first but when she did, she had a huge grin and would clap after each mouthful! She may look like Matt but her love of sweets is all me! :) Friday March 7th it snowed in Memphis. I think the final count was 4-6 inches. So, she got to see snow for the first time. It melted away the next day but not before we got her out in it for a photo op and play. She had NO part of playing. Not a fan of snow yet. The week ended with her birthday party with family and friends today. She had a BIG day and was one pooped little girl tonight. It was a busy week and the blog doesn't do it justice, but I am one pooped momma.

Fun in the snow with dad

Looks Pretty but I want no part of touching it!

Our Friend Gray Patterson was at the party!

Our Friend Beckham Alexander was at the Party!

Our Friend Madison was at the party and was the most skilled as she was the oldest one there!

All the kids playing

Smiles and Squeals

Ella Catherine was having a ball this afternoon after her nap. So, I just had to capture it, bed head and all!

Valentine's and Good Friends

Happy Valentine's Day from our little nanny goat!!! Had to include a picture of the back of the shirt because I thought it was too cute!

Me and Ella Catherine this morning. Matt snapped a photo as I was getting ready for work.

This past weekend we made a trip to Little Rock and finally met Kate Berry. Kate is the almost 7 month old daughter of Matt's college roommate/groomesman/good friend, Wade Berry and his wife Megan. She is precious! She looks just like her daddy too. So, Megan and I tried to get a photo of the 4. As you know with kids, it is hard to get them to look at the camera at the same time. I think Megan had better luck than me, but I decided to post the pictures anyway. Ella Catherine loved her and ended up giving her a big kiss. It was really cute, but poor Kate didn't know what was going on.

Kate and Ella Catherine looking just like their daddy's (Wade and Matt)

Little Fish

Saturday night during Ella Catherine's bath, she started putting her face down to the water. At first she was just trying to drink the water, but after a little while she started putting her face in the water. She came up a little startled but would grin REAL big and put her face back down. So, we decided it was time to start taking her to the YMCA's heated pool to get ready for summer. The water wasn't nearly as warm as the tub and in the beginning she wasn't so sure, but before long she was swimming with Matt and enjoying herself. She even hung from the side of the pool all by herself. She really is growing up way to fast!

This is WAY bigger than the tub!

Hanging out with dad in the pool.

Swimming with daddy. :)

Quack, Quack, Quack

Last week was the guys annual duck trip. My dad and brother, Matt, his dad and the newest edition to the trip, Jeff, all set out for northeast Tennessee to kill some ducks. And kill ducks they did. :)

Matt and Brian in the duck blind

And this is the icing on the cake, hands full of ducks! They enjoyed themselves immensely and managed to kill some ducks too. All the makings of a great trip. I can't tell you anything more than that they had fun and killed ducks, and to be honest I don't know that I want to know more. :)