No!

If you're expecting or have children, chances are you probably receive weekly updates about your child's development from Baby Center. I found this weeks update pretty comical:

Whining and screaming: If your 15-month-old has started sounding like a hyena or worse, you're experiencing his intense desire to interact with you. Children thrive on their parents' attention, and a toddler this age will do just about anything to get yours. When he gets loud or whiny, kneel down to your child's level and tell him you're listening. If he keeps it up, calmly say, "I can't understand you when you talk like that. Please use your normal voice and I'll be happy to listen to what you're saying." Eventually, he'll get the message.

What I'd like to ask the editors is this: Have they really tried this approach and does it seriously work? I bet the answer is a big fat NO!

And speaking of that simple two letter word, Baby Center never warned us in ALL their weekly updates that toddlers Ella's age will actually USE the word no. What happened to it being all about the parents? And what about all our efforts to avoid saying no but rephrasing our intentions so they sound less like, well, no!, but more like refined and polished. Personally, we thought we were doing pretty good at it. Here's a couple of really good (or so we thought!) options to use instead of the no word: "That's mommy's, please put that down," or "Hot, hot! Stay away, be safe!" or "Mommy loves you sooo much so kindly step aware from the roaring fire," or "Look Ella! Your play phone is so much more interesting than daddy's blackberry!" Now, that all sounds all good and fine but seriously, admittedly, we might have used the no word one too many times. Case in point: Ella and Erika are coloring and enjoying some quiet playtime. Erika is drawing a tree (or sun or flower?) and Ella decisively and swiftly (with defiance of course - I think you all can get the picture) grabs the crayon out of her mother's hand and looks at the women who brought her into this world with a face that would make anyone surrender their crayon. A little taken aback, Erika asks Ella for the crayon back (didn't Ella like the picture mommy was drawing?) and Ella coveted the crayon even closer to her chest, looked her mother straight in the eyes, and say "No!" Now, you had to hear it to understand the effect of the little word. See, phenotically, it sounded for like "Noo-ah!" (note: draw out the no and end it with a sharp ah sound, it's really effective this way).

So Baby Center, we'll be waiting for your big weekly update about the use of "No-ah!" and will sure expect some expert yet tried but true advice!

Holiday Celebrations

Like every year, December unfortuntaley seems to fly by way too fast. In a blink of an eye, the presents are unwrapped, the decorations are put away, and the new year ball has dropped! Only because we enjoy Christmas so much is it so sad to see it pass. Plus, Ella seems to bring all the holiday magic back for all of us by stirring up childhood memories, reminding us why we love Christmas and family traditions. And while she was able to rip through a couple of presents (although her attention span didn't last the time it would take you to sing the first line of "Frosty the Snowman" before she found something else more interesting), we had several "Ah Ha" moments this season; truly family and friends are special gifts and loving someone as much as we love Ella is the greatest gift of them all. To us, she is truly amazing!

As for her motor developments, she's beginning to master her walking and has become more confident in her steps. Plus, we've learned that she really does understand what we're saying; just because she can't talk, doesn't mean she doesn't understand! For example, she follows simple directions like "help Mommy pick up the toys" or "Put the book on the table." Her vocubulary is really expanding, too. She can identify different objects by pointing to them when asked "Where is the banana?" or "Where is the chair?" It's so neat! Now of course, all this indepdent thought is coupled with independent behavior - some of it desired and well, some of not so desired but entertaining nonetheless. Tantrums? Yup. Exaggerated crys when she doesn't get what she wants? Yup. Obstinate? Yup. BUT....those are few and far between all the smiles, giggles, hugs, and kisses she showers with us everyday.

All else is going well with the Carlsons - Erika starts her internship this coming week with classes following the subsequent week. Plus, she finally launched www.bringfitness2you.com; a website in the making for several months now but something she is excited about getting started as an opportunity to teach in-home pilates classes.

Here are a few pics from our holiday week(s)!

Starting the Christmas season out right: Caroling at Wolf Trap. Brrr!


Enjoying a yearly tradition of Christmas Eve Guinesses at M&S


Getting ready for Christmas!


After Christmas Mass


Christmas Eve at the Buehrigs

Christmas morning: Ella LOVES her new baby doll




Ella consoles her baby (named Noelle!)

Ella loves her new chair set from Nani and Opa: Such a big girl!

Yes, even Cooper got a few wrapped treats from Santa

Opening presents is alot of work!

Celebrating Christmas Day in Williamsburg - Ella with Grandma and Aunt Monica

Lunch at Greenleaf

Ella with her cousins Peyton and Anne-Perry: Ella was in HEAVEN

We were spoiled! Oyster night at Chez Carlson: Tim and Rick go a shucking

Trying out her first pair of shoes from Grandma!


And....some pics from NYE at the Haykens...ringing in 2009!
We enjoyed a wonderful evening with the Hayken's and Wolff's and ate our way through 2009!

And...happy anniversary to Molly and Wolff!!!

Hello, this is 911

Ok. We are not making this up. What is the probability that the number combination of 9-1-1 is dialed by a one year old, and in that particular order? Oh, and on a locked blackberry of all things? With her quick like cat reflexes and superior dexterity, Ella grabs Tim's blackberry, disarms the security code, and makes the emergency call. What could have been the reason? Stinky diaper perhaps? Or because Cooper wouldn't share his dog food? Not enough morning kisses? Whatever the reason, all we hear on the phone as Ella holds it up to her head and smiles is "Hello, this is 911. What is your emergency?" CRAP! Panic by both of us. This can't be possible! Tim quickly grabs the phone and hangs up. Phew. Well, heed this warning all you 911 pranksters out there! 911 has caller ID! Not a mere 10 seconds later does the BlackBerry ring. Uh oh. Tim answers timidly (imagine what an adolescent boy would sound like calling a girl on the phone for the first time),
"Hello?"
Dispatch: Yes, this is 911 of Fairfax County. We just received a phone call from your home. Are you okay?

Tim: Oh yes! My daughter just dialed 911 by mistake.

Dispatch: Ok. So everyone is safe?

Tim: Yes, but Ella! Oh no! My daughter is swallowing dog food!

Dispatch: Sir, how old is your daugther?

Tim: She's one. Ella, nooooo!

Dispatch: Ok sir. Do you have everything under control?

Tim: Uh, yeah.

Dispatch: Very well, have a good day!

Would you like Alto, Soprano, or Cheerios?

Apparently Ella's got the groove. Not sure what her singing voice will sound like later on and given that fact that her mother can't carry a tune to save her life, she's got the odds against her. For now, however, she sounds so so sweet and we managed to catch her first sing along on video during breakfast. And to French nursery rhymes of all things! And one would think she's needs a seat belt for her sing-a-longs. Hold on tight, Ella!

Thanksgiving 2008

The holidays are officially here! Thanksgiving marked the beginning of the holiday cheer for us and we enjoyed Thursday night at the Buehrig's with the Carlson's and family friends. The food was some of the best yet and good times were had by all. It was also nice to take some time out from our busy schedules to enjoy family time and really reflect on all the wonderful things to be thankful for.

Ella's wondering where her turkey is.

Tim and his mom showing off their post turkey glow

Family Shot

Carving the 'ol Turkey

Erika and her look alike daughter - the resemblance is uncanny!

Family shot - Saturday night dinner

The 2 families

Ella is all smiles with her Aunt Monica!

Did You Know That Ducks Can Cry?

If I have to say "quack quack" one more time, you're really gonna see some tears

Although we were thoroughly entertained and thought that Ella was just too cute for words in her Halloween costume, she began to wear thin throughout the evening. Guess we can't blame her considering the costume probably added 5 pounds to her and definitely minimized her mobility and ability to snag toys and play with the other babies. Regardless, we all had fun getting together at Christi's and celebrating Ella's SECOND Halloween and SECOND Halloween as a duck! This year though, the costume fit a little better!

And two ducks are better than one! Ella and Ethan.

Do these slippers make my feet look big?

Monkeys and ducks and pigs and bees oh my!

Pre-evening stroll around the neighborhood


My have things changed! Ella when she was just a few weeks old and as a duck for the first time

Ella Bella

Now that Ella is on the move so much more, pictures don't always do her justice. We also wanted to share all the entertainment that we've been experiencing lately; she is turning into such the little girl. Watching her play really suggests that she's using her own imagination but mimicking what she sees in the world around her. For example, she picked up Erika's cell phone today and immediately placed it her ear and said "hi!". She also loves a gold bangle bracelet of Erika's which she'll place on her wrist and show it off. In fact, she'll restrict herself from crawling around just to keep the bangle on her tiny little wrist. It's pretty remarkable. Oh, and to see her give Cooper hugs! But did we mention hugs for mommy and daddy? Those just melt our hearts.

Here's a few clips of Ella......

Ruby Red:




Who Needs a Sippy Cup? Water from the faucet works just fine!





Oh, and when Ella doesn't get what she wants....here's a nice sequence of pictures:

Reaching the breaking point - notice how she's strategically placed herself on her tummy in preparation of the next move. Can't tell, but toys have been pushed out of the way. Very effective.

Breaking Point. Butt up in air and planting face into carpet really captures the moment nicely.

And not more than 2 minutes, all is forgotten and she's on to bigger and better things.....