Last minute trip to Folly Beach

Last week, Ella and I decided to meet my parents at Folly Beach near Charleston. It was our first road trip by ourselves. She slept almost the whole way there (5 hours)! Although, it was quite difficult when we stopped for gas and bathroom break, with a baby in one arm and a diaper bag and purse in the other! The beach and family time were well worth the drive though. We had perfect weather and a great time. We took a carriage ride in Charleston, played on the beach, ate some good seafood, celebrated Catherine's b-day, and Ella ate some sand! 

The family + Taylor Beck

It doesn't get any sweeter than that! 

One tired girl!

Ella update

I can't believe that my Ella is 9 months old!! Time flies. She is more fun everyday! It's amazing how much personality she has already. She has decided that she is a big girl now and doesn't like baby food. She prefers whatever we are eating and must eat if we're eating. She grunts until we give her a bite. She also gave up nursing and is now on formula. I was sad for about a day and then I realized it was freedom!! It was crazy how she hit 8 months and decided to do everything at once. Her newest accomplishments are crawling, pulling up, walking around things while holding on, standing by herself (for about 30 seconds), playing peek-a-boo, eating finger foods...I can now rock her and she will lay her head on my shoulder! She's never been a cuddly baby so I'm cherishing it! 

She loves bath time! She's a prune by the time she get out.

I know bath time is over when she starts sucking her thumb!

Showing off her new shoes that her NeNe (her grandma in Kentucky) made her
The poor cat is constantly being chased and layed on


she's making her "scrunchy" face where she puckers her nose and mouth up...too funny!

Strawberry Fields Forever

Kim, Amie, and I thought it would be fun to go strawberry picking at Washington Farms!  We failed to think about how much work it would be with a 8 month old and a 18 month old! My back is sore today from carrying Ella, my camera, and the strawberry bucket through the strawberry fields while bending over and picking strawberries =)  You truly do grow another set of arms when you become a mother! I shouldn't make it sound like all work, because it truly was a lot of fun. Ella was so cute eating the strawberries afterward. She shoved as many in her mouth as she could...she was afraid I'd take the bucket away! 

Loving the strawberries

Liam is all boy...playing in the dirt...eating rocks...eating rotten strawberries off the ground...you can see the dirt and strawberry juice mixture on his face...so funny! 

Liam thought Ella's strawberries look better!

You know it was a rough day when you fall asleep in the sitting position!

Our 1st Family Vacation

We just got back from our 1st family vacation to St. George Island, Fl. It was a blast! Although, I must say that we packed the kitchen sink. We borrowed an external baggage carrier b/c we couldn't fit everything in the car! We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies on their way to the beach. Grammy, Chris' mom, went with us and it was so nice to have a 3rd person to help watch Ella. Chris and I even got a date night and some alone time on the beach! Ella loved playing in the water and eating the sand. She definitely didn't mind getting dirty. She loved the seagulls too. We were thankful she was sooo good. She even took a couple naps on the beach in her little tent! She couldn't have been any better. 

Chris has always bragged about St. George (no other beach compares), so I finally got to see it. Boy, was I in for a treat! It is the best kept secret (I probably shouldn't be telling you about it;)  Absolutely beautiful! It has white sands, few people, a large national seashore, no hotels, and no commercialism. I can't wait to go back!!

She learned to play peekaboo in the mirrors

Sweet girl

Groovy chic!

Her first 2 teeth are here!

They are both very excited about the gold fish in our pond!
Having fun in the spring flowers!
Not so lady like when she eats
Her 1st easter...she got 6 easter baskets...a little much don't you think
5 generations! Ella is actually my great grandma's mothers namesake...we didn't know that until we already decided on her name...pretty cool!   
Ella with grandpa (my dad)
Ella and her uncles!