Ellie's Big Day

I know, I know a little late....but better than never. Ellie turned two this past July, I have already posted her Birthday photo shoot that we had done at Thanksgiving Point (which I love so much). I had to go out of town on Ellie's actual birthday, so we decided to have our immediate family over the weekend following her birthday. My awesome sister took the photos for me (Aren't sisters the best) and we had a little celebration.

Here we are, she was a little nervous in front of the camera--hence the hands in her mouth. We had just taken away her binky

All three of us

Ohh a smile from our grumpy girl :)

The proud parents of a two year old

I had decided to make two cakes for her birthday, one chocolate and one vanilla (to cover my bases). I had started with the chocolate and everything was going great until it came time to get the cake out of the pan to cool. Half of it stuck in the pan! I happened to be talking to my sister-in-law Erica, I was slightly freaking out because how can you have people over for cake with no cake. She called in a Elmo cupcake for us from our FAVORITE vegan bakery, City Cakes.

Ellie is a crazy little dare devil and insanely active. We decided to get her a bike for her big day, what girl wouldn't want a pink bike! These bikes are so cool, they do not have any pedals. The child sits on the seat and both legs can touch the ground and they learn how to push and balance. This eliminates the need for training wheels with the next bike. Little did we know that even after Justin lowered the seat all the way, let out a little air from the tires, she still couldn't touch the ground. Now that it is November she can touch the tip of her toes on the ground, and starting to enjoy her bike now :)

This is still her favorite way to "ride" her bike

Grandma and Grandpa Bagley got her a little pool for outside which she thoroughly enjoyed it all summer long

Quick update

Since I have have been terrible these past few months, here is a quick update with what's happening with us.

When we purchased our 1920's bungalow, we knew it needed some work. This is one project I had been dying to have completed. A new driveway! Who knew new concrete could be so exciting. Ellie loved watching the equipment doing what it does best--working. 

It has been a miserably hot summer, to escape the heat we have been doing a little hiking a Brighton. Ellie (with minimual help) did a mile and a half hike. What a little trooper.

Ellie has a couple loves in her life. Elmo, fruit snacks,  and swinging. Here she is!

My sis Melissa and I participated in the MS Tour this summer. Melissa did all the work of rasing the money, I was there for "Moral support". I made a smiggen more than half way, Melissa finished the whole thing. Go sister!

We bought Ellie her own potty chair awhile ago, so we are spending more and more time in the bathroom. This is just one of the many suprises I have walked in on.

Ellie loves the water, so I signed us up for a Mom and tot guppie swim class at Murray Rec. She was not cooperating with me trying to get her photo. But she really loved the class and we signed up again for the Fall session.

We finally got rid of her rear faceing car seat, now she is a big girl in her special forward facing seat. She is most impressed with the semi trucks so far.

We found out on Ellies 2nd Birthday that we are expecting our second baby. We are supper excited (And a little nervous) and find out the gender next week.

This is part of her morning routine with Daddy. She wakes up and he will go and get her from her crib, turn on her cartoon and bring in her already prepared breakfast. It's so cute. Can you say spoiled :)

I just thought this photo was so funny. The huge rats nest on the back of her head, her diaper haning on by her hips, and her Crocs to top it off. Hilarious!

Slide

She recently discovered these little cars on the front of the grocery carts. She loves them. If you try to get a normal cart, and she see's one of these...you will have a gigantic tatntrum on your hands.

Justin did the Snowbird hill climb again this year. He was hoping to break the 1 hr mark, but missed it by 3 minutes. He place 33rd overall (Out of over 200) and 4th in his age group.

Sweletering heat + girl who loves water

I thought this photo was so sweet. This was taken last weekend. She had been sick for a few days, so nap time has been very important. Normally she takes a 2 hr nap, she was going on 3 hrs so I went to go check on her. She was softly snoring and looked so cozy, I couldn't bring myself to wake her.

Ellie turns TWO!!!

My baby girl turned two in July, I can  hardly believe it. She is such and big girl and so independent. Since I love FotoFly so much, of course that's where we had to go for her Birthday shoot. They have now teamed up with Thanksgiving Point, the pictures were taken in the garden. She was grumpy to put it lightly, we had taken away her binkie a few days before--so she was a little sensitive. Enjoy!!!

Food Allergies--Oh My!

Poor Miss Ellie had a allergic reaction to milk on Thursday. She loves Buddy Fruit, they are these organic fruit puree pouches that you drink from. I was at the store and noticed they now sell them in a 4 pack. I grabbed the Mango, and didn't think twice about it. I didn't know they made a smoothly version that contained milk. Justin had sent one with her to Kristi's for a snack. I was running a little late to pick her up, once I arrived Kristi ran out to grab me. I went inside and Ellie's face was completely red and swollen, and she was drooling. I gave her some Benadryl, waited to see if it took effect, gave more. I called her pediatrician and told them what happened, they said if she got worse or if she was struggling to breathe to use her Epi-pen and take her to the emergency room immediately. The Benadryl was starting to work, so I decided to go home. Once we arrived home, I noticed that she was developing a rash on her legs and arms. I have never seen this type of reaction with her before. I packed her up and we went to Primary Children's hospital. We were lucky that we got right in. I told them what happened, and that it was milk that was consumed. They educated me that if she is showing two or more symptoms (hives, swelling, throwing up, rash, etc) that the Epi-pen should be used. Since she can not tell me, they determined that her throat was tightening and that is why she was drooling so much. They gave her a epi shot, which almost immediately took away the rash and swelling in her face. Followed by two steroid IV's. She was such a trooper, she only shed a few tears. She was more upset when I took my phone away for the doctors to check her out. They decided to keep her overnight for observation. I didn't know, since she had consumed the milk, it would be in her system for a few days. Once the medication starts to wear off, you can have a full reaction again. This can continue for a few days after exposure. She had to sleep with a breathing monitor taped to her foot all night. For whatever reason, this really upset her. It was a rough night, but thank goodness no additional reaction and we were discharged in the morning. She is still on  a couple steroids but she is pretty much her old self. I tried to get a few photos to document the event but she wasn't having it (I don't blame her).

She was trying to find the Cheerios. Her poor hand is wrapped to keep her IV in, she was wearing these tabs on her chest to monitor her breathing, and the 3 wire contraption is to her toe for her heart rate.

Got the baggie

Tracy Aviary

I thought this was so cute. She is picking dandelions and blowing the seeds :)

Sunday afternoon we were deciding what to do with ourselves. Tracy Aviary was recently remolded, and Ellie loves birds, so we thought it was a win-win situation. Ellie could have cared less about the birds. She was captivated by the gravel and wood chip walking paths.

She decided to take over pushing her stroller, and fill the bottom mesh storage bin with rocks.

Our awesome Daddy

All that running and throwing rock sure makes me thirsty

She took a little interest in these flamingos, but of course she had to get around the guard rail for a up close encounter.

Quick update

My work schedule has been crazy busy lately, two UTA's for April. It was a little difficult trying to make time for some family fun, but I think we made it happen.

Playing in the dirt while Mom and Dad did a little yard work

Watching the water fountain outside Tracey Aviary

Feeding the ducks

Running away from the ducks

We went to the Children's Museum at the Gateway

She had so much fun playing in the water

We made Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes, she licked off her first beater

I re-dipped it for her 3x's :)

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, we ate homemade black bean and sweet potato tamales. Delicious!!!