Nashville Zoo

We were absolutely out of our mind and went to the zoo on Labor Day. It was HOT, crowded and miserable! We learned our lesson, but to our credit, we had been trying to go for three days before that and just could not make it work. E did seem to enjoy it. She liked the meerkats and flamingos best. We will be going back once the weather stays cool!

Checking out the goats

Looking at the fish

Probably trying to figure out a way around the bars.

Observing the meerkats

I thought this guy was hilarious. He was just hanging out (literally) watching everyone watching him.

Tubes!

On August 17th, after many, many ear infections, Elliotte had tubes put in her ears. I was very excited for the procedure b/c I knew it would help her feel better. I imagined a fall and winter without an ear infection every two weeks and was on board immediately. Dr Viner at Baptist did the surgery. He's wonderful, and you get to avoid the craziness of Vandy and go to Baptist. I knew Dr. Viner from one of my former jobs, so he was an easy pick. Elliotte loved him too!

Our initial visit to Dr. Viner.

I think she was pleased she wasn't at the Peds office!

Surgery Day at Baptist Surgicare. She got a stuffed frog to distract her. E did really well, and after the anesthesia wore off, it was like nothing had ever happened! The surgery took about 7 minutes!

Riding in the wagon before surgery

Bright Future!

My future is so bright I need shades!

Elliotte 14 1/2 months

Elliotte 1 Year!!

In the blink of an eye, this 7#11oz bundle of joy turned into...

This precious, happy one year old!!

Happy Birthday on July 31st!

I completely dropped the ball in scheduling E's 12 month check up, so I won't have any stats until Sept...She did weigh 21#12oz a couple of weeks ago when she had an ear infection. She's long and thin.

At 12 months, Elliotte:

is taking several unassisted steps

still only has two teeth (on the bottom)

is never still, always on the go

recognizes people's names and looks at them

is getting tubes in her ears

LOVES mexican food

never refuses any food

is determined, stubborn, independent & curious (all traits she gets from yours truly)

goes by "stink" "poo" "lovie" "punkin" "sweet pea" "E" and who knows what else!

Elliotte is the most amazing blessing! I thank God for bringing her into our lives every day. It's amazing how I can't imagine life without her now. Experiencing life through her eyes is the most wonderful gift, and I can't imagine loving anything more! A smile from my baby instantly makes me happy. This first year has been so much fun that I can't wait for the years to come! We love you precious "stinky poo"!

Happy Birthday Elliotte! Family Party

Elliotte turned one year old on July 31st!! We celebrated with a Pug themed family party at my parents' house. I didn't want to do anything big since she's not going to remember it, so we had pug cake and ice cream. We had fruit too, but guess who forgot to get it out of the fridge?!

Elliotte did so well. She was a tiny bit overwhelmed with so many people in one place, but never cried. She had fun opening her presents and eating her 2nd smash cake. Elliotte's dress was extra special because it was the dress I wore for my 1st birthday. I was so excited we still had it and that it fit her. Many cousins have worn that dress too. She looked so cute in her "vintage" dress!

The pug table. All the pugs made it to the party!

The cake from Publix! I was so impressed!

She and her Pops are obsessed with each other!

Aunt Cinde, Leah and Grandmom

Family pic

Aunt DD and Uncle Will are E's family too!

Cousin Paige and Aunt Kim

Riding on her horsey from Nonna and Pops

Everyone was singing Happy Birthday to her

Time to eat cake!

Going in head first again

All finished! She went straight to the tub!

Grandmom

Uncle Kyle

Will, Abby, Eric, Aunt Janene and Uncle John

Nanny and Granddaddy

Aunt Claire finally made it to the party after having to travel from a family reunion in the boonies of KY!

Happy Birthday Elliotte! Friends Party

My baby is one year old!!! Last Tuesday, we had a few friends over for a small birthday party. Lu, Callie and Austin, and Curry and Neelley came over to help Elliotte celebrate her first birthday. We missed Eli, Montgomery and Leah! E had a great time smashing her cake and opening presents. We had spinach quiche, fruit and cinnamon rolls for lunch and cake for dessert, of course. This was kind of a trial run for her bigger family party that was on her real birthday.

New lion toy from mommy and daddy. She bounces up and down when the music comes on.

Curry, Neelley and Austin eating lunch. I didn't get Lu in a pic b/c she was doing the videoing.

The table

Sweet Callie brought E two of her balloons from her b'day party.

The cake from Publix.

Going in head first. She loved it!

Making some progress...

Getting full

The damage! She did pretty well for her first cake!

The "Furminator"

I am in Heaven!! I have found something to take care of all the shedding that comes from my dogs! I had seen The Furminator advertised, but it was always about $40. Well, I found it online through Amazon for $15 and bought it immediately! I used it for the first time tonight and am a true believer. Both the dogs were a little skeptical at first, but then they laid down and let me brush them like crazy. The brush removes the thick undercoat of fur. Both dogs look thinner and their coat feels great! If you have dogs that shed, get this brush!!

Too bad pug hair isn't in demand somewhere...

This is Hoover's hair after just one side! It was too dark when I got done to see all the hair. Just picture twice as much!

Elliotte 11 Months

I cannot believe I am writing the post before my baby's 1st Birthday! Where has the time gone?Elliotte can be summed up in one word...BUSY! She never sits still. She is going, going, going until I put her in the bed. I've had several moms tell me that she is way more active than most 11 month olds. Really? They aren't all this insane?! Mom has nicknamed her Scooter which is very fitting. Elliotte is so much fun and has a great personality. She is happy, determined, independent and fun.

At 11 months, Elliotte:
is off the bottle
is drinking whole milk, YAY!
is eating 3 meals & 2 snacks
is going to MDO 1 day and loving it
laughs when she sneezes
is taking 2 naps a day
recognizes the dogs' names (looks at Buster when you ask "Where's Bubba?")
loves to be "chased"
loves to play peek-a-boo
is getting one tooth on top
is in love with her Pops (my dad)

11 Months!

Loves her pugs, stuffed and real!

Hard to get these two to cooperate!

E and Montgomery "sharing" my keys at Austin's party.

Buddies at Austin's 1st B'day party. E, Austin, Montgomery

Chewing on the baby gate that once was a dog gate.

Even chews on the baby jail at my parent's house.

Holding her own bottle. Actually playing with it. That's when I realized I could take it away. And yes, she is laying on a pug pillow. She looks so big in this picture. :(