Ella with a Build-A-Bear animal (not her's) and Ella with her Abuelito Juan.

just a few more photos...from this weekend

 

didn't forget...

i have been busy since Ella's first birthday so i didn't have a chance to post anything until today.

Her birthday was wonderful. we were granted a sunny, warm March day after a series of gloomy ones. Family and Friends met us at Sunsets (in Woodbury) for brunch. This was the same place Jessica had given me a baby shower a little over a year before.

Ella was looking and acting wonderful. She is a social butterfly and always at her best when around others. we had brunch then spent some time opening Ella's gifts. Ella has had a lot of fun with those gifts. Clothes, toys, and a lovely little stuffed lamb. I think Ella's favorite item has been a bucket that she can carry around and fill or empty as she pleases.

After Brunch we came back home so Ella could wind down and nap. She was a bit under the weather and needed to rest. We didn't have her cake until after dinner. by that point Ella was running a slight fever and was fussing. She had some cake, and seemed to like it, but one could tell she was not up to it. Well, perhaps next year she won't be sick. she won't remember anyway.

Ella walks

Ella has finally found the confidence to walk. well, sort of. she is taking a couple of steps here and there on her own but she always ends by diving into us. i posted a short (i mean real short) video of her first steps (well, maybe the 4th or 5th try) on my web album titled All About Ella Aviv. check it out.

 

Good Values

 

this photo is totally set up for those of you who might wonder. the gun is a pellet gun for scaring off squirrels and the beer is beer, yum. Beth was in town for a week in between visits to Miami and since she was to miss Ella's birthday we captured this quality moment of the two of them together.