The Zoo

November 4, 2006

We had a fantastic time, on Saturday Rosie and I took Ellie to the NC Zoo for the first time. The weather was perfect, it was in the mid-50s and sunny! What a wonderful day! I think that her favorite animals were the monkeys, they seemed to get her attention the best! Here are some photos from our trip!! After seeing the real bison and elk we took a quick break to play with the bronze bison statue.
Here is Rosie in front of the bears. They look a lot more cuddly when they are at a distance, on TV, or a stuffed animal.
Look Ellie, the birds are your favorite color... pink flamingos!
Ellie hanging out in the giant gord. There was a great play area for kids that was a giant gardem. There was a giant praying mantis, giant bumble bees, and a giant rope spiderweb to climb on! What fun!!

Ellie and I stop to pose on the bronze chimpanzee, everyone smile!!

The Zoo Here are Ellie and I, if you look closely (or enlarge the picture) you can see the elephants in the backgroung over my shoulder. We had such a great day!!
Ellie and Rosie stop to pose in front of the "Sahara".

Ellie and the sea lions at the under ground viewing deck.
"Ellie you are right, the monkeys are funny looking with their red butts!!"

Happy HalloweenHere we are, eagerly waiting for the trick-or-treaters!

Here I am as the perfect 1950s housewife/ stepford wife, now don't I look happy to clean? Scary, isn't it? Maybe I missed my calling in life?

Here is my little cowgirl, cow in tow, and cattle dog by her side!

Here is Ellie on the front steps, I have to say, the best looking cowbabygirl I have ever seen!

Hey, look at my half-gallon hat!

Ellie the cowbabygirl and Schatzie the shark, they don't go together but they are both adorable!!

Ellie and Bella
Saturday, October 28, 2006Bella, a 16 week old King Charles Spaniel and the newest addition to Michael and Jessica's home, and Ellie meet for the first time and seem to hit it off pretty well. It was all hugs and kisses from both of them. We look forward to watching the both of them grow up! Congrats Mike and Jess on your new bundle of joy!!

Look at this... Jer, Bill, and Ellie all have the same eyes. I guess there is no doubt about it... she really is a Lysse!

The Lexington Bar-B-Que Festival
Saturday, October 21, 2006Mom, Dad, and Margie were visiting for Ellie's Birthday and the BBQ Festival just happened to land on the same weekend so we all decided to give it a go. Not only was it their first time and Ellie's but I had never been either. It was huge and they got to try real Lexington BBQ. They liked it so much they drove back two days later and picked up some for dinner and extra to take home.
Ellie Iand I in front of tall of theArtsy Piggies in Lexington. Lexington, NC is known for their BBQ (if you couldn't guess because there is an annual BBQ Festival there that is nationally recognized) and they have these painted pigs all over town. They bring them to one central location for the festival.
Margie and Ellie stop on the side to take a break and enjoy an apple while posing for a picture.

My Baby's First Year

It is hard to believe that Ellie is already one year, rarely is there a time when you actually notice the changes in a year. It is usually "Oh, your hair was a lot shorter last year" or "I can't believe that this time last year I was driving that beat up old car". But as I reflect on the past year there have been so many milestones and firsts. A smile, sitting up, a laugh or a babble, first food, first steps, first doctor visits or first day to school, and even hugs and kisses. Each one of them huge in their own rite. To Bill and I they are monumental! At our doctor's visit yesterday she measured in at 30.5" and 21 lbs 10 ozs. That is ten inches taller and almost three times what she was when she was born... WOW! She has changed so much, not just physically but she is now turning into a little person. She has determination, attitude, a good sense of humor, and mood swings (aagh, I can't wait until puberty!). To say she has a mind of her own is an understatement but it is bittersweet. It makes me want to pull my hair out some days but I know the independence is a part of growing up and will make her a better person. Now don't get me wrong I cherish that minute when she will let me hold her for her nighttime bottle before she has to get up and run around and so it on her own.
I think back to what I was thinking the first time I held her and how I felt when I first met her, I thought my heart would explode. It was more than anything I ever knew. I told her, "Little girl, I love you and I will always will but there will be times when I won't like you and you won't like me and that is ok because I will always love you!" Now I sit down and reflect on my feelings today and relize that I didn't know anything then because now I love her a million times more today then I did yesterday! I tear up at the though of anything in this great big world hurting her. I wish I could build a bubble around her to keep her safe from anything from cuts and bruises to sickness to heartache. I know I can't but it doesn't make me want to any less! A love like this truely is amazing and I wouldn't trade it for the world! I hope this next year brings just as much joy, happiness, and laughter as the last!

Ellie's First Birthday

We had a fantastic time and Ellie ended up having an entire long birthday weekend celebration, it started on Thursday with some presents and a trip to the cafateria followed by her first ice cream cone and ended on Sunday a sugar high and a fun party! It was great to have almost all of the family around to share in the festivities!

Happy Bitrhday to me...


Mmmm.... cake! And it is all mine!!

The Pumpkin Patch
We went to the farmer's market this weekend to get some apples and pick out our pumpkin and here are some pictures we took....It looks like Ellie found a pumpkin and it is the perfect size for her!!

Ellie enjoying her apple, Bill, and myself in the pumpkin house.

Look, Ellie is a beautiful flower!!

Park Time after SchoolEllie loves swinging!!
Sliding boards are sooo much fun! She just giggles and giggles!
Hey look... its Ellie in a tube!

The Taste of the Carolinas Wine Festival
Saturday, October 7, 2006

Deb, Ellie, and I had a great time at the wine fesival on Saturday at the farmer's market. The weather left a lot to be desired, it was a cool 55-60 degrees but at least the rain held off while we were there. We got to try a bunch of wine and there were about fifteen vineyards. There were a bunch that I didn't like but there were a few I did. The music they had was really good but it was too cold to just hang out and listen. Ellie had fun looking at all of the people and flirting. I don't think that the cold bothered her as much as it did Deb and I. Oh well, I think we might try again spring!

Visit to the Ice Cream Shop After dinner the other night we all stopped at Bruster's Ice Cream Shop for a little dessert before it gets too cold this fall!

JDRF Walk - September 30, 2006

Dawn, Kristle, Ellie, and myself had a great time at our walk this past Saturday! The weather was wonderful... a cool fall morning. Ellie was fantastic the entire time!! She just fought sleep, there was way too much going on to sleep, and ate Cheerios (or the bagel she split with Dawn). I sure look forward to next year's walk, the big difference is that I will be pulling a wagon with Ellie in it and Kristle will have the stroller!!

Hangin' at homeEllie is really having fun now really getting into stuff as you can see. She is going after Schatzie and now plays tug-o-war with her. I don't know how much the dog likes it but at least she puts up with it!! What a good sport!

Ellie StewI hope that this makes up for no Labor Day photo! A big pot of Ellie Stew with a teething cookie on top.... Mmm... Mmm... Good!!

Ellie... the artist

Bill was traveling this past weekend and Ellie and I got to spend some great one on one time together (with a little help from the dog). We like to get into things that Bill would normally have a nervous breakdown about like making a mess. Eating with our hands and painting are two great examples! Well, we did some finger painting this weekend and had a great time! The only proof left that we did anything was the photos and the painting itself... what an artist!!

Fall is on its way...

I have to say that I am excited for the fall and all the things that it brings... back to school, bithdays, anniversaries, Haolloween, leaves changing, and cooler temperatures which means... new clothes to dress up Ellie. So far here is my favorite... a navy blue polo skirt, pink long sleeved polo shirt, pink and brown argyle socks, brown mary-jane shoes, topped off with a pink bow in her hair. How cute, I almost whish I had put her pearls on her for the photo! I have to say, she was a hit at school. All of the teachers loved her, but can you blame them??

Rosie & Scott's Wedding
September 9, 2006

Let me start out by saying that I am so sorry for such a laps in entries but I have a very good excuse... our other camera broke and we had to get a new one and then figure out how to use it. Anyway, here I am and now we are up and running again!!
Ellie, Deb, and I went to Atlanta the other weekend for Rosie's wedding and we made a great girl's weekend out of it! We hit the outlets in Gafney, SC on the way down and did some damage... what fun and a great break in the drive!! Well, we made it there in one piece and Donna was able to join us at the hotel for the weekend. By the way Donna, Ellie wanted me to thank you again or the glow worm and the donna-doll, she said that she loves them!!
Here are some pictures from the Big Day... I wish I had more to share but unfortunatly it is hard to be a photographer while you have a baby in tow! Here are Rosie and Scott at the alter, it really was a beautiful ceremony. I just wish that Ellie would have napped through the entire thing!
Here we are at the reception: Lisa, MB, Leanna, and Bethany. It was so great to see so many people I haven't seen in years!
Here are Ellie's "fill-in" grandparents, Nelly and Jim. I don't know who had more fun, Ellie running around, or Jim running after Ellie!!
Horray, the Phi Mu babies finally meet. Here Ellie and I are with Angie and her daughter Evie. It almost looks like they are having their own baby conversation!
Congratulations Rosie, I wish you and Scott a lifetime full of love, joy, and understanding!!