Christmas Extravaganza

Technically, 2008 was Ella Kate's second Christmas with us. But, considering she was two weeks old last year, we celebrated as if it was her first.

We had a busy, busy Christmas and Ella Kate and I didn't leave the house for three days! We all had colds, viruses and various tummy bugs, but we still Christmased merrily.

Since Richard needed to work, our families came to celebrate with us. Nina and Titi Coco spent Christmas Eve with us and woke up to see what all Santa brought. Poppi, Gigi & Sara came for lunch on Christmas Day and stayed for two nights.

Ella Kate received so many great gifts from Santa, family and friends. It's too much to mention, but she's certainly spoiled and I'm wondering where on Earth we're going to put her toys.

Here's a quick picture overload of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:

Merry Christmas!

As I type, we hear sleighbells and hoofsteps on the roof. Santa is busily making deliveries and I'm so excited to see Ella Kate's reaction to the excitement in the morning. This moment is part of what makes being a parent so wonderful.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

XOXO,
Richard, Allison & Ella Kate

Santa Came Early!

This morning our family received the best Christmas gift we could have ever imagined. Dad's recent tests indicate that his cancer is in remission!

He's still starting chemo in January, but at this point, chemo is a stong offense, rather than a defense. :)

After the ups and downs of this year - this is our Christmas Miracle.

Or Festivus Miracle, if you're more into poles. If so, feel free to use our blog to post your official Airing of Grievances. Feats Of Strength to follow...

Hallelujah! Thank you, God!

A+A+A+A= MBA (almost!)

My over-achieving husband once again is proving he can do anything. ALL A's AGAIN THIS SEMESTER! We're all so proud of him. Only one and a half semesters to go until graduation. :D

As my mom always not-so-gently points out to me - his accomplishments in graduate school mean more than mine did. It's taken a while, but now I'll admit that it's true. All I had to focus on was school and teaching a few classes/managing a handful of work-study undergrads.

Richard is a full-time employee AND a full-time student at a top 10 MBA business school. In his spare time, he's an adoring father and a wonderful husband. He has so many balls in the air and still manages to excel at everything.

Ella Kate has a great role model - but will have large shoes to fill. Even with her big feet!

Party Girl!

Ella Kate welcomed a houseful of friends and family to her first birthday party. She had such a great time playing with her friends - and her new toys! Here are a few pictures of the day. I have tons of pictures of our friends, but didn't want to post them without parent permissions. I'll send them out to our party guests soon!

Happy First Birthday, Ella Kate!

I am beyond amazed that a full year has passed since Ella Kate joined our life. I cannot remember what life was like without our beautiful little lamb. She keeps us on our toes, but we're always entertained.

We love you, baby girl! I'm so proud of the wonderful little lady you already are, and can't wait to watch you grow into a caring, loving big girl.

XOXO,
Mommy and Daddy

My Last Week of Infancy, By Ella Kate

Tomorrow I will be one year old. Apparently it's a big deal, because Mom has been stressing about it and wanting to hold me a lot. I tried telling her nicely that I'm not into that --- but had to resort to screaming to convince her to put. me. down.

One year ago tonight, I remember Mommy screaming and telling Daddy that he better decide that he wants to adopt any future children. Especially when the nurses turned off her epidural. I'm surprised I wasn't born deaf.

Mom and Dad have packed lots of adventures into the past week!

Last night we went to ride the Pink Pig at the mall. I know it sounds silly, and it is. It's an Atlanta holiday tradition of riding a pig roller coaster around a tent. I LOVED IT!




Mom got the camera out first thing this morning. She wouldn't even let me eat breakfast in peace. She's trying to capture my last moment as an infant. Age is just a number, Mommy!


For some reason, Mommy really wanted me to wear a cupcake birthday dress to school. I quickly told her, "no way!" If I couldn't crawl in it, I wasn't wearing it. I won the battle. This is pre-meltdown, but you can tell I'm not happy.



Today Mom and Dad surprised me with a birthday party at school! We had cupcakes and wore silly hats.

Me and my friends waiting for our cupcakes.


Everyone else was neat and proper with their cupcakes. What fun is that?


I love to throw balls for Piper and Penelope --- this is me in action. Mommy's teaching me to step into the throw for more power!

Ella Kate Joined the "Upwardly Mobile" Crowd

A week and a half before her first birthday -- she's walking! She's still wobbly and falls down when her legs start moving too fast, but she's found another way to get from place to place.

I think we've created a monster. She'll take seven or eight steps, stop, clap for herself, then keep going. She hasn't yet figured out that she can walk farther than just from toy to toy, and I'm okay with that for now. ;)

I'm so proud of our little lady. And so very sad at the same time...

Aloha Titi Ica

Josette (Titi Ica) has officially left Hawaii for a voluntary six-month assignment to Kabul, Afghanistan. When she returns, she'll start working for a prestigious government agency in Washington D.C. We'll be so glad to have her semi-near by.

We had lots of fun during her visit, although Ella Kate's curiosity wore her down quickly. Titi Ica isn't used to kids who ignore the word no and who are on-the-go 14 hours a day.

Titi Ica preparing the Pullen Girls' Gingerbread House


The complete gingerbread house. It was like a candy wonderland. I'd love to visit.


Titi Coco with Ella Kate --- and Julian the giraffe.


Coco, Ella Kate and Ica - in full effect and loving life.

A Week At Poppi & Gigi's House

Ella Kate and I headed to Alabama for nine days over Thanksgiving. We had an absolutely wonderful time and had many, many adventures. She met Santa Claus and had pictures taken with him, took trips to the Decatur Wal-Mart, went to two family Thanksgiving get-togethers, drove to Birmingham for Moseley's birthday party, visited with Aunt Kari, Aunt Paige and Will, Iron Bowl celebrations, and she was the guest of honor at Poppi's office Thanksgiving lunch!

A few pictures from our visit.

Moseley's birthday party. Ella Kate had almost hit her threshold. We had already lost a shoe and had a mini-meltdown. Notice the vodka in the background? I was just about to put a splash in her bottle to put her to sleep.


The birthday boy!


In Gigi's kitchen waiting to go to Poppi's office lunch. She was the hit of the meal and kept everyone entertained.


Pointing at Barkley. She adores Bark Bark and talked to him all week long.


Playing shy at the Lowery-family Thanksgiving. It was the only time she's ever snuggled on my legs. I'll admit that I liked the attention!

Visiting Poppi and Gigi

EK is putting on a show this week. From the minute we arrived in Decatur, she has talked to, loved and kissed her grandparents nonstop.

The first morning, Ella Kate crawled over to Gigi, asked to be picked up, kissed her face and said her version of I love you. I wouldn't have believed it had I not heard it myself. Needless to say, I've never gotten a un-requested I love you from her.

She's started talking in short sentences:
I need it.
See it?
Hi there!
I love you.
What's that?
Hey Bark Bark Woof Woof! (Her name for Barkley the dog)

And, she's saying their names with no problem. You haven't seen such happy Poppis and Gigis. :)

Wordless Wednesday

Political Ramblings: The Auto Industry Needs A Visit From Dave Ramsey

The heads of Detroit's "Big Three" automakers flew to Washington DC demanding a piece of the taxpayer bailout pie. They cried about how many jobs will be lost, how they've cut back operations, how their companies' failures will throw the economy in an even more steep spiral.

How did they get there? In a private jet. GM's guy alone paid $20,000 on the DC trip.

Seriously? That is what you call "cutting back?" What about a first class ticket for roughly $900?

They need a good kick in the financial pants. I'd be glad to help them workout a budget. I'm sure Dave Ramsey would have them in the black in no time. But, they might have to sacrifice, which is obviously out of their comfort zone.

If I were there, gentlemen, you would get NO bailout money. In fact, I would charge you for wasting my time and being such morons.

Roll Tide!

This is not our video, we actually found it on YouTube. My sincere thanks to whoever posted it!

This was the final seconds of OT in the Bama/LSU game. I get chills everytime I watch it. I was at home, trying not to wake up EK, screaming "get your hands up!" to the referee - just like the guy in the video. The crowd reaction is beyond priceless.



ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Refrigerator Art

Who would have guessed an 11-month-old can be such an artist? I know that she loves fingerpainting the table with her squash, but I'm so glad her teachers are putting her artistic inclinations to good use.

Last day of being 10 months old

And she took her first two steps today! I think she's still a few weeks from full-on walking, but she's definitely on her way.

After I missed photos of her first steps, I chased her around all day with a camera. Here are a few highlights of an otherwise normal day.

She is adopting a favorite "toy" of the day and carrying it around everywhere. Today it was the baby monitor.


She knows that she's not *supposed* to have pacifiers anymore, so she's showing me that she has TWO of them.


Dinner time is always an adventure. She thinks Daddy is hilarious in these pictures.



On to month 11!