Peony Festival

Did you know the Arb had a Peony Festival? I didn't either.


Mom and Grandma took me there today and it was beautiful. So much to touch and see. I am sad the blooms don't last long but I am already looking forward to next year.

Jump-a-roo

I don't think my jumper has made the list yet.  I mean check this thing out - it makes noise, it rattles, it flashes and I even get to stand up.

Mom and dad like it because their arms get a break and I get exercise  I like it because it makes noise. . . . For  now, it is one of my favorite toys.

Happy Birthday to ME!!

OK so 7 months isn't exactly a celebrated birthday but I think it is pretty cool.  A lot has happened for me this last month.  I am sitting up without any real assistance.  If you hold my hands, I'll pull myself up to my feet.  I much more curious, using my hands independent of each other and my two lower teeth are displaying themselves proudly.  Most of all I like to taste things.  If I can pick it up, it is going in my mouth.  Hey -  taste is one of the senses - I want to make sure I am experiencing them all.

Books are cool!!!

Both Ann Marie and I love books and reading so we have tried to make them a part of Ellie's life.

Today Ann Marie was making Ellie's dinner and gave her a book to keep her busy.  We looked over after a few minutes and this was the scene.

We often wonder if hard-copy books will disappear in her lifetime but for now, she seems to enjoy the old-fashioned kind.  Hopefully a sign of things to come.

What is better than a big family????

Me and Baby Brendan snuggling

. . . a bigger family  :-)

Today I got to meet my newest cousin - Baby Brendan.  I suppose when he grows up we will just call him Brendan but for now I like the alliteration.

Brendan was born on March 28th to Mom's sister Rose (and of course Mike).

He is such a little peanut - so crazy to think that just 6 months ago, I was that small.  Mom and Dad kept looking back and forth saying "I can't believe it".

I can't wait for everyone to be big enough to play together - with the weather getting warmer, I am sure it will be soon.

Look what came from Amazon.com today

all those toys and she loves a box???

So with the addition of a baby comes two challenges to shopping (1) the need for more stuff - diapers, bibs, sippy cups you name it (2) less time and mobility - There is no more casually wandering in and out of stores. Taking time to think about purchases - coming back later if you don't find a better price somewhere.  Time is precious - we want to spend it together, not in stores.

So we have been doing a lot more shopping online. While we feel bad about not supporting local businesses, it is just so much more convenient. . . And it is not like buying a box of 200 pampers is the thing helping to keep the mom-and-pop businesses open.

All that to say that while we find our joy in being done with our shopping and with the family - Ellie finds hers in - well - the boxes.

A special gift

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Jess live in North Carolina but somehow they make time for me when the come to town.  They came by to see how I was doing and to bring me a special gift.

Jess is a VERY talented artist and she brought me this hand painted chair. . . check this out:

My own special chair - hand painted By Jess

I actually feel extra special because on this visit - it was a whole crew of Hrivnaks (do you call that a gaggle? a flock? ah no matter). . . Aunt Di, Uncle Scott and Aunt Liz came too - It was like a party!!!  Thank you all for making my Sunday so special.

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Jess

Aunt Diane

I only got a shot with Uncle Scott.  Aunt Lizzy has to come back

Happy St Patrick's Day

Not only is today special because it the lucky St Paddy's day but it's also Aunt Amber's birthday.  Ellie wanted to recognize her Aunt by sending a special shout out.  Happy Birthday Aunt Amber!

Skiing - Take 2

 A little while ago, I got to try on dad's ski boots.  That was great and all but I wanted a taste of the real thing.  Today I got my big shot.

In the morning I stayed in mountain-side day care and in the afternoon - Mom and Dad sprang me from the "joint".  Dad strapped me to his chest and away we went.  The chair ride up was fun. I have never been so high up but I think my favorite was the ride down the hill!!  Dad was careful but man we went fast.  I loved the wind in my face - I was laughing and swinging my legs the whole time.  Even when Dad and Cortny went so fast, they broke away from the pack!!!

Then it was beer and nachos at the Goldminer's Saloon.  I think I could really get into skiing.


I'll keep up with dryland training this summer - trying to strengthen my legs and core. . . .all with the goal of beating my old man down the mountain.

Until next year Alta!!!!

6 months old. .

This weekend marked Ellie's 3rd flight - this time to Utah.  We all got a chance to ski and spend time with family.   One of the other benefits is that Aunt Amber is a photographer. . . and I am not talking aobut a point and shoot camera kind - I am talking real photographer!!  Check out the shots she got:

Well needless to say, Ann Marie and I love the pictures.  If you want to see more of her work you can find her at http://schiavonephotography.blogspot.com/ or www.SchiavonePhotography.com

A weekend of firsts

Man, what a weekend. Ellie sat up for the first time and G-Pa sent his first successful picture through text. As a result of the cooperation of the triad (technology, Ellie and Grandpa) we are all able to witness the event.
Enjoy!!!

Crazy Hair

Karen. . . .you wanted crazy hair - well you got it. :-)

Take 2: Happy Sunday

I tried posting this in January...it didn't work and I thought I lost the note.  But I just found it!  Hence take 2.....



It's been awhile since I've posted anything.  Braden's been doing all the typing the last few months.  The holidays always bring "busy-ness" but it was especially true this year.  We were busy preparing for my return to work.  It was much harder giving Ellie over to babysitters than I would have imagined. We had many practice days in December getting everyone ready...mostly me.

A couple years ago, I was on a walk with one of my cousins debating the idea of adding kids to our marriages.  She knew someone who wrote all the pros and cons of his child.  Under the cons were the realistic chores of parenting.  But under the pros was the words "joy, joy, and joy".

I get it now. Ellie is a joyful person and brings happiness to every day with her smiling little self.

Happy Wintery Sunday!

PS.  The video was just a little clip from this morning's breakfast.

Ellie Giggles

Ellie's found laughter.  She has a wonderful Nanny/babysitter, Miss Sonia, that spends three days every week with her.  Miss Sonia makes Ellie laugh and laugh.  Thanks Miss Sonia.

Another big week!!!

Well, I turned 5 this week (months that is). To celebrate Mom, Grandma and I went back to California.  How lucky am I?? 

OK, the truth is that Mom had a business trip to CA and since I am still nursing, it was just easier to take me along. Grandma was nice enough to come to look after me whille Mom is at work.

It is the first time I have been seperated from Mom for more than a few hours. . . .I am sure happy when she comes home at night.  Here is a picture of us hanging out at the hotel after a long day at work.

Did somebody say skiing???

A sign of things to come???

Today I got to see my first big snowstorm.  In total there was about 8" in just 24 hours.  All that to say that Dad took the opportunity to teach me about skiing.  I even got to try on his boots!!

Turns out that Dad and his family did a ton of skiing growing up - I guess you could say it is in my blood.  Mom likes to say  the only condition of their marriage was that she learned to ski.  I think dad still would have gone through with it - but she swears not. . .

I like to think I am not under the same pressure since Dad is already "committed" but I guess it is possible he would disown me if I didn't learn ;-)

Well dad stands ready to teach me - perhaps next winter???  I've always said [black] diamonds are a girls best friend.

And then there was food!

Miss Ellie is having light bulb moments all the time now.  She's starting to show a greater range of emotions...happy, giggly, frustrated, scared, etc.  She's reaching and holding onto all sorts of things.  She's also catching onto rolling from back to tummy.  She loves to be looking and interacting with the world.  After going through, what I thought was a growth spurt, we realized she was just ready for more solids.  She needed the additional calories now that she's bigger and more active.  It's started with rice cereal and then graduated to carrots.  We're now feeding her solids at both lunch and dinner.  Every feeding starts would with a "what the heck is this!" kind of face and then quickly turns to acceptance, if not enjoyment, of the carrort/rice cereal mixture.  We're moving on to apples and sweet potato this upcoming week.

She's a full blow baby now!

Story-Time

Uncle JD read a story to Maddy and me today.  Don't remember what it was about but I can tell you that I enjoyed the attention.

What a difference 4 weeks makes. . .

. . . It could also have to do with the talent of the photographer.

Thanks for making me look so cute Aunt Amber - Daddy is fired!!

Christmas with Toccos

My great grandpa started a tradition in the family called the money jar.  All the grand-kids get a chance to take as much money from a change jar as possible in one fist full!  It is a lot of fun as everyone cheers us on and hey - who doesn't like money??

My first grab into the money jar

I didn't do that great this year because I have small hands but uncle Tony made sure I didn't go away with empty pockets.

Christmas isn't all about money and gifts, it is about family.  I got a chance to see Celcia again as well as meet a whole lot of Grandma Weitzel's side of the family.  A lot of fun and good reminder of what Christmas is all about.  Good lookin' family don't you think??