18 months old

We had Ella Catherine's 18mo photos taken while we were visiting Nana and Pop in Macon. Neal Carpenter at inward studio took them (http://www.inwardstudio.com/) and we think he did a FANTASTIC job! Here are some of my favorites.

Daddy's visit/ Fun at the park

Ella Catherine's new favorite spot when I am cooking is on the counter. Sometimes she helps but most of the time she ends up finding something she isn't necessarily supposed to have to play with. This time she found mommy's phone.

Good times with Daddy! She would laugh and squeal when he leaned back and went higher and higher.

She is very much a lover of the park!

She LOVES to slide. She would climb up the stairs and slide down without any hesitation. She had so much fun at the park that when we were running to the car she stopped, said "no", turned around and started running back to the park. :) We had a fun time with Daddy and are very excited for him to move to Nashville.

Elmo Obsessed

I am not sure exactly how it happened, but Ella Catherine is CRAZY about Elmo. She will glance up a time or two at the TV when I am watching the news in the morning but we don't put in videos or turn on cartoons for her. If I watch TV it is usually after she goes to bed in the evenings. So, it isn't as if she is into Sesame Street. The only thing I can figure out is that both her daycare in Memphis and the one in Nashville have quite a few Elmo toys. As a going away gift her teachers at Roulhacs in Memphis gave her two litte Sesame street books and she has driven me crazy asking me to read, reread and reread them. My mistake was not bringing all of her books when we moved. So, I have been forced to read the same 5 over and over and over. She loves books and story time and for that I am grateful, but I know these 5 books by heart. I broke down yesterday and decided for my sanity we had to get more books. As we were looking at the books she spotted the Elmo section and began chanting Elmo, Elmo, Elmo. She was so excited I gave in and we now have 3 new Elmo books. She is so stinkin cute in that when she sees her Elmo toys and books the chanting begins...Elmo, Elmo,Elmo. Matt has orders to bring her Elmo doll and more books when he visits next. :)
More Pictures soon,
Amy

Going Away Party!

Some of our very best friends in Memphis got together and hosted a going away party for us. (thank you Sarah Ella, Roger, Emily, Adam, Katie and Ed!) Things were a little crazy before I left because everything happened so quickly. So, we decided having it after I was gone might be a better idea. This way I was able to relax and enjoy the festivities. The party was Friday night. So, I left work and Nashville a little early to get to the party on time. Unfortunately, there was a wreck on the interstate and I was about an hour late to my own party. It couldn't be avoided and of course everyone understood. The party was WONDERFUL! All our close friends came out to send us off in style. Sarah Ella had created a slide show that was very sweet. The food was amazing and of course the company was even better. We sure are going to miss everyone. We have always said that 3 things have kept us in Memphis this long: his family, our wonderful friends and my job. We will be back often to visit...so don't forget about us!!! Please continue to include us in invites for weekend activities. :) Here are a few pictures compliments of Sarah Ella (forgot my camera)

Ella Catherine and Matt catching up after 2 weeks apart. She was happy to see her daddy.

The Crew: Adam, Matt (aka Willie), Jeff, Matt, Gordon, Dominic and Roger. Just a few of Matt's good friends that attended the party.

The wives: Katie, Emily, Hallie, Amy and Sarah Ella. I should say official wives because many long term girlfriends also attended the party. :)

Although she looks like she was just caught doing something she wasn't supposed to be, Ella Catherine was actually very good at the party. She took a long nap in the car on the way to Memphis so we let her stay up WAY past her bedtime.

Thanks again to everyone!!! We love you guys.

Pictures as Promised

All Smiles!

Singing in Music City

Loving Nana

Nana bought Ella Catherine a new toy. A Basketball goal.

Hanging out with mom

Playing with mom. A poor substitute for Dad in the horse category.

Ella Catherine and Ms. Deborah at Today Care Child Care

1st week and all is well

Well week one in Nashville went well. Matt left Monday to hed back to Memphis but not before taking Ella Catherine to her new daycare. She did really well her first day. Her teachers were all praises when I picked her up. My mom came in town Monday afternoon to help me break Ella Catherine in slowly to her new daycare. I am VERY happy to report that I don't necessarily think it was necessary. She has done BEAUTIFULLY! She LOVES her new school and her new teachers Miss Deborah and Miss Donna. She has not cried at all when I dropped her off and Friday she actually wanted me to put her down so she could start playing. I very welcomed surprise. It definitely makes leaving her for work everyday easier.
As for work, my first week went well. I am still in orientation and following/shadowing people but everyone so far is very nice and I am learning a lot. Hopefully it won't be too long before I have the hand of things.
Mom is still in town and we decided to take Ella Catherine shopping today. Today was her first trip to the mall. I know, I know she is 16mo and I have never taken her to the mall before sounds crazy. I never wanted to take on that venture by myself. She did REALLY well today. We went to a restaurant called Aquarium for lunch. The restaurant has a huge aquarium that wraps around the dining area. Ella Catherine was so excited. She was pointing and squealing. I only wish we would have had a camera with us. Our camera is broken and we left mom's at the apartment. However, I promise that we will post some new pictures soon!(I've been hinting for a new camera for my birthday)

Nashville Living

Well we made it. A big THANK YOU to Matt's dad, Christopher, Michael and Will. They helped pack up the Uhaul July 3rd and then his dad helped us move July 4th and unpack everything with Matt. We really appreciate all their help. I have unpacked almost all the boxes and it has become apparent that I forgot a few things. Luckily it wasn't anything major and I can pick those up my next visit to Memphis. :)
Ella Catherine has adjusted well so far and we have had a very good family weekend. Keep us in your thoughts as she starts a new Daycare today and I start a new job.