What's up ladies, what's up bloggers? It's Ella's daddy here. Robin has always asked that I post a little bit so here I am. We've got a lot to get to so let's jump right in.

We may be making some headway on our sleeping problem. As Robin mentioned, we put the crib back together earlier this week and have made the commitment to leave her in the crib no matter what. We are sleeping better knowing that she is safe and she is just going to have to cry herself to sleep...no matter how long it takes. We took a baby step last night as she didn't cry near as much as the past 2 nights...so she got more sleep...baby steps. I also went to a book store and read several chapters in different books that dealt with toddlers sleeping habits/problems. No need to buy the book people...especially when you only need one chapter, am I right or what...just a little heads up. The basis is to put her down, assure her and leave. If she continues to cry, come back in 2 minutes. Assure her again and leave. If crying continues, come back in 5 minutes and reassure her again...then leave. If crying persists, come back every 10 minute intervals to reassure...and at some point this will aleve her anxiety and should fall asleep....we'll see.

We are also making progress on plans for Ella's birthday party. We have reservations at a community clubhouse that also has a playground (thank you David and Shawn!!). Now Robin and I have to agree on a theme, colors, etc. I want more Blues Clues, she's thinking more Dora. I think Dora is more appropriate for next year and Blues Clues will be less appropriate next year and as she gets older.

Finally, for you viewing pleasure, we have a video of Ella dancing. She loves music and dancing. Many times on the drive home our heads are bobbing and I can also get her to raise the roof. I'm happy to report she likes rock n' roll and likes it loud...just like her daddy. I am head over heels for my Ella and so happy to be her daddy...oh yeah, and I love my Robin too.

It's been a pleasure typing to you and hope you enjoyed my post.

Vacation 2009

During our adoption we had the pleasure of meeting Ella's foster sister's family. Our family is so blessed to have met them and we will always make an effort to keep in touch. We made a promise to meet up again over the coming years so that our girls can continue to have a special relationship. Well I'm happy to announce we made those plans sooner rather than later. We have booked a beach house in Florida for July. I can't tell you how exicted we are to see their family again.

You can read Amanda's post here.

A couple of things

First Ella came home today with her first ouch report. Evidently she got bit at school and has the mark to show for it. However Sara picked her up from school and they didn't/wouldn't tell her who bit her.

Second it is 9:30 and Mike and I just finished putting Ella's crib back together. That is right! I can't take her in my bed anymore. So tonight she will be in her room probably not sleeping but none the least she is in her room.

Ella has made it clear...

she wants to sleep in our bed! Last Thursday night Mike put Ella down in her bed and left her crying after 1 hour. All of the sudden the baby monitor goes quiet. I told Mike to go check on her because I heard footsteps in our bedroom. By the time he gets up there Ella is already laying down in our bed ready to go to sleep. Ella can't even climb up on our couch but she was bound and determined to climb up on our bed which has stairs for the dog it is so high. Mike said "night, night" and she went to bed.

That was the only night she went down peacefully in our bed. Getting her to sleep and staying asleep is still a challenge. Tonight marks one month now that she has been fighting sleep. So pray we figure something out soon.

Bedtime Battles & Big Girl Bed

First let me say I hesitate to post this because unless you have a child who doesn't like to sleep or nap you cannot understand how sensitive of a subject this is. So for the last 2 weeks we have had a bedtime battle every night not to mention the naptime battles that have been going on since she got home. One night last weel Ella cried in her crib nonstop from 8:00-2:30 and slept from 2:30 until 5:00 and then started crying all over. I kid you not. This child WILL NOT cry her self to sleep anymore. So for the last week she slept in our bed so she wasn't winning the battle every night when we would go get her after 3-4 hours of crying and putting her in our bed. Needless to say the past week hasn't been pleasant for several reasons. First reason is we have a queen size bed so with Mike, myself and Chloe (our 60 lb boxer) it was already tight before Ella. Second Ella has come down with a cold as of this past Thursday so she has been up half the night coughing. Third she is all over the place during the night and will kick or hit you during the night. Mike even went to sleep in the guest bedroom a few nights because he couldn't take it anymore.

This past week we decided to go ahead and convert Ella's crib to a double bed and try reading to her in her bed and pray she falls asleep while doing so. Last night was our first try in the big girl bed. Mike read to her and got her to fall asleep and low and beholds she woke at 11:00. She stayed in her bed and cried until 1:00 when she figured out she could get out of her bed. So next thing we know it gets quiet and we hear pitter patter coming down the hall to our room. I have to admit we were quite amused. Now that she was in our room she thought she had won and we were going to just put her in our bed and we all go to sleep. NOT. I pick her up and she cried the whole way back to her room. I put her in her bed and laid there with her. She was sleeping in her bed no matter what, so I decided to sleep in there with her. The whole night she kept checking to see if I was still there and if I moved she would wake up to make sure I wasn't leaving. Long story short Ella stayed in her big girl bed all night.

Ella also hasn't been taking a nap in her crib for who knows how long now. However today she did take her nap in the big girl bed BY HERSELF. I may be speaking too soon but the big girl bed is looking like a really good decision right now. She is asleep in the bed right now. So cross your fingers and pray she stays there all night by herself.

So below are a few pictures of Ella's new room.

****Edited ***** She woke up at 8:45 and we are going on 45 minutes already trying to get her back to sleep. So maybe I spoke too soon on the bed.

Ella looking for her sister.

I don't think I shared this video with all of my blog followers. I emailed this video of Ella to Amanda and she posted it. So go check out Ella looking for Gabi HERE.

Beard or No Beard

Mike started growing a beard the week of Christmas and was suppose to shave it when he went back to work on January 5th. Some random agent of his said it looked good and so he has decided to keep it until the spring. His excuse for not shaving is he has "sensitive skin". So if you are not on facebook and would like to weigh in please leave a comment and let me know which you prefer? Yes the pictures have very different lighting and one may have been airbrushed or touched up but that all was on purpose to sway your decision.

A whole lot of nothing

Warning: These pictures were taken with my IPhone so the quality isn't the best

Below is Daddy and Ella driving @ Beef O'Bradys Friday night.

Ella was having a great time and so was Mike.

This is a picture Mike took at the grocery store and saved as my screen saver.

Poor thing. Don't you feel sorry for her??

New Year's eve was pretty boring around our house. Ella woke up around 11:00 when the fireworks started around here and none of us went to be until after the fireworks ended at 1:00. Chloe was absolutely terrified of the fireworks. I think for 4th of July we will need to ask the vet for some Valium (spelling correct??)