These Days

We had a play date with Ella's Gymboree friend, Madelyn, and her brother, Gabriel.  We went to the Descanso Gardens again for story time followed by some running around in the gardens and a nice lunch.  I feel like their mom and I barely got to talk and catch up, we were so busy with the four kids and making sure everyone's needs are met.  Despite the hot weather, we had a great time and Ella 

She loves finding "walking sticks" and almost threw a tantrum when I told her to put this pussy willow stick back before heading home.  Thankfully, saying bye-bye to things still works like a charm when I need her to leave things.

Ella was a champ during the long lunch (due to having to wait a while for the food and feeding Gavin).  A bottle of sparkling water helped maintain her patience.  She loves the fizzy water!

Over a year after fracturing her femur, we went for another follow-up with Ella's orthopedist.  Everything checked out and it looks like the fracture didn't affect her growth plate like we thought it may have.  She didn't enjoy having to walk up and down the hall for the doctor (she screamed bloody murder), but she did enjoy the day out she got with us after.  She loved having lunch with us, followed by Pinkberry.  I think that made the trauma of the doctor's visit go away.

Rocking shades with Daddy.

After our lunch, Adam took Ella home while I had a very much needed spa day with my girl friend, Denise.  The massage treatment was heavenly.  Then we picked up some cupcakes before heading home to our babies.  It was perfect.

From Confexion, the winner of Cupcake Wars.

Our house feels so full these days with the antics of a toddler and the noises of a newborn.  Despite being a neat freak, I have come to embrace the chaos of having young children and finding beauty in the mess they make.  Case in point: Ella's playroom is a perpetual catastrophe zone, even when I try to keep everything organized.  But sometimes you just pick your battles.  I do love that we painted a chalkboard wall for her to go crazy on.

She loves drawing lines and circles.  Auntie Ashley likes to create seasonal murals for her to add to.

We often get so distracted with Ella that we have to make a conscious effort to have that quiet alone time with Gavin.  Usually, after Ella goes to bed, I get my one-on-one time with my little boy.  We've fallen into a nice routine with him, and he's growing so quickly as he adjusts to life with us.

Starting to enjoy bath time.  We are ever-so-grateful for that foam bath thing we got.   Works like a charm with both our kids.