Punkinmania!

Saturday, we woke up to SNOW! And cold. But, Saturday was also Punkinmania across the lake, so we cut the tags off of Ella's new winter coat, found the hats and mittens and were off! Ella did not like her coat, hat or mittens at all. The only smiles we could crack from her were when we were observing the petting zoo. Otherwise, she was all business, and some tears. We picked out a pumpkin for Ella and a pumpkin for Bearclaw and were off. Hopefully, next year's Punkinmania will involve more mania and less shivering!

This is the closest we could get to a smile. I think the bunny hat is too much for her ego.

Seriously Dad, just pick one and let's go!

Later in the day, we went to our ultrasound, which is completely not relaxing with a toddler. But, I'll save the details of that for another post - this one's all about Ella. But perhaps Ella was feeling a little out shined by her new sibling. Sunday, we were running errands which included a trip to Archivers for Mommy and Stride Rite to get Ella new shoes. We were at Archivers. I was looking around at all of the wonderous products while Loran and Ella entertained themselves. I look up from the aisle I'm in and see Ella walking by, unassisted. Loran had her walking all over the store and she was just laughing like a maniac. It was so cute and she was so proud of herself. It made the next investment in walking shoes from Stride Rite a little easier to swallow. $$ Still shoes that are six inches long shouldn't be that expensive! They're dang cute though.

Later that night, we played a game we'd played in PT. When we did it with the therapist, I was on one side of the room with some toys and there was a bucket on the couch for Ella to deposit the toys after she'd gotten them from me. Mary would then have Ella walk holding on to the jump rope back and forth. Ella loved this! So, Loran and I modified it. I gave her a toy, she'd walk across the room to give it to Loran. But, she surprised us both and didn't need to stop and lean on us once she got to us, she just turned around and kept going! Our house is pretty small, so there's not a great span of room to roam before she runs into furniture, but she's definitely trying to maneuver - as of last night. We'll see what today brings. She did have a restless night, which I've read happens when they're learning to walk. eeeeee!!!! :) :)