Two already?

The last two years of our lives have FLOWN by.  I totally get why parents of older children tell us over and over to enjoy this stage because it will all pass by in the blink of an eye.  We are certainly trying our darndest to soak up every minute we can!  I have to say, this stage is my favorite.  Although I say that about every stage she goes through!  I think I am enjoying this age so much because she is growing and developing by leaps and bounds each day.  She is learning so much and talking more and more it is just FLAT OUT fun!

Last week we took her in for her two year check up.  She is right on track weighing in at 29 pounds.  She was also 34 inches tall!  She had grown three inches in six months!  That surprised us!  Overall she had a great check up and looked great!  They were excited to hear her speech development and felt that she was "off the charts" developmentally (Yes, that would be me bragging on my child!).  Of course she also won them over with her charming (and very friendly) personality.  In fact, she was so friendly we had to have the "stranger danger" talk.  We also discussed potty training, which I am hoping to start in full force while I am home for the holidays over break.

Speaking of language, Ella Ruth has said some pretty funny things lately.  Here is a list:
1.  Last week she told Preston, "Daddy has a big nose."  This is particularly funny because I tell Preston this at least once a week (with love in my heart of course, it is a joke we have between us).
2.  This weekend on a car ride my dad was talking.  She told him, "Be quiet Dubba D, shhh!"
3.  She is IN LOVE with her cousin Ruby and talks about her all day.  Yesterday she told me, "I want Ruby.  She tickle me!"  I am not sure why, but she wants to have a serious tickle fight when she sees her.
4.  When we went to see Santa she was "SKERD" of him but she did manage to shout out "Toys.  Choo choo!" When he asked what she wanted.

Speaking of, for Ella Ruth's official birthday we went to see old Santa.  Some of my wonderful in-laws joined in on the fun.  My parents were there too!  We had a great time and Ella Ruth enjoyed the extra attention she got!

Pancakes and Pajamas

Ella Ruth turned TWO a few weeks ago over the Thanksgiving holiday!  To celebrate we hosted a Pancakes and PJ party for our family and ER's sweet, sweet friends.  We had a ball celebrating and I think she did too.  Besides celebrating my beautiful little girl, I enjoyed planning the party as well.  We were very excited to host our first official gathering at our new house.  It meant a lot to us to have our family and friends filling our home!

Her precious cake!

Kiddie Table

Beverage station complete with mimosas ("Mommy drinks")!

The food table with all our breakfast favorites!  The pancake bar was on the other side of the kitchen! 

Guest Book (If you give a Pig a Pancake) and Party Favors (aprons and letter cookie cutters)

Our pancake eating machine!  

Disney on Ice

We are a Disney loving family. That is no secret. Heck, we even have a Disney themed tree this year! With that being said it was no surprise that we just had to get tickets when Disney on Ice came to town.

This afternoon we went and had the best time! Ella Ruth's favorites were Mickey and Minnie of course! She also really liked Ariel and Flounder!

I have to say, although it was a little cheesy I was impressed! The show was really neat! It kept my two year old entertained for two hours so that is saying something! I hope we can make it a family tradition every year!

First Hair Cut

With family pictures/2 year pictures upon us we bit the bullet and went ahead with Ella Ruth's first hair cut.  As much as I wanted to wait until after her 2nd birthday her bangs were getting out of control.  Because she isn't the biggest fan of bows or hair ties, keeping it out of her face was getting harder and harder.

My mom and I took her to Peek a Doo, a children's salon near Southpoint.  It was such a cool place perfect for little kids.  They even had a DVD playing to keep her occupied!  I wish my salon was that fancy!  She did awesome and sat so still while they cut her hair.  Afterwards we celebrated with a lollipop and some play time at their train table.  Nana even bought Ella Ruth her first hair product!  Oh my...

Before... 

After...

Taking it all in!

Color Me Rad

A few months ago my best friend Gwen invited me to do a 5K with her, Color Me Rad.  It is a very fun race where every kilometer you either get doused in color powder or sprayed with color liquid.  Needless to say I was a bit skeptical considering I haven't ran a 5K in three years!  On race day I was worried I wouldn't finish but I DID!  Gwen and her roommate (both very in shape and super runners) stayed with me the whole time and motivated me to keep going.  We only slowed down to get our color on!  It was a ton of fun and I am so proud of myself for accomplishing this goal.  Our town has a Reindeer Run each December!  I just may have to do it too!

Kitchen Updates

When we first moved into our home we made a promise to ourselves that we would do the following projects before Ella Ruth's birthday party.

1. Paint the inside of the house (including every room, ceiling, build in cabinets and bathroom cabinets, doors, and trim).
2. Replace all lighting and fans.
3. Get new countertops, sink, and back splash.

Our first two goals were accomplished quickly.  Within the first two months of owning our home we were able to check those off.  They went especially fast with the help of a hired paint crew and electrician!

Our next goal of a kitchen re do took some time.  To begin with we had a very difficult time choosing a surface for our countertops.  We knew what we wanted to but wanted to make sure we were getting the best deal before we committed.  I had my heart set on two things, subway tile backsplash and a farm house sink.  Luckily after some compromise we were able to make those dreams come true!

Granite Transformations put in our countertops and sink.  I love that the countertops have the look of solid surface (my surface of choice) without the high price!  They also have a lifetime guarantee, are heat resistant, super easy to clean, and are scratch resistant too! They also had a beautiful sink I loved as well!

Preston and his uncle Mike installed our backsplash.  It looks beautiful and I couldn't be happier!  I am especially happy knowing my hubby helped install it!  They did a great job!

I feel a kitchen is the center of a home.  Our floor plan is very open and it is the first thing you see when  entering our house from the back door (the door we use every day).  This is also my favorite room in the house because I enjoy cooking so I wanted it to be special.  I am so please with how everything turned out.  Check out our before, during, and after pictures!

State Fair

It is no secret fall is our family's favorite season.  My personal favorite part of fall (besides the fun birthday we get to celebrate now) is the State Fair.  Every October it rolls in like an old friend.  I look forward to going each and every year!  This year we were super excited to take Ella Ruth.  As a toddler we hoped she would enjoy it more than she did last year.  We couldn't have been happier to see her joy!  She loved every minute!  From the rides to the pig races she had a ball!  We did too watching her!  It has been so much fun experiencing things like this with her. I feel like I get to be a kid again!  It is awesome!