Bambi, the 8 Month Old Genius, and my dirty House

Last weekend John went deer hunting with our friend Steven Owens. I didn't realize just how expensive those hunting licenses are, so I told John he better come back with some deer meat if the license cost THAT much. This was John's first time to deer hunt (can you picture John shooting Bambi?). It was about 20 degrees the first morning they went; they had ice on their rifles; at one point John looked over at Steven and he had ice on his eye brow. Doesn't really sound like fun to me. Don't know if it was beginners luck or what, but they somehow shot and killed 2 deer! One had 2 spikes and the other had 7 antlers. John had the pleasure of cleaning both of them. And boy did he come home with some deer meat! We will be having a big deer cookout very soon! John apparently didn't take any pictures, so unfortunately, no pictures of blood and guts. Steven, send me some pictures!

On a lighter note, Ella will be 9 months old this Sunday. It is really hard to believe. It seems like just yesterday she was a newborn. It is amazing how quickly she is learning things and picking up on things. Last weekend she expressed her first thought and sentence to me. John had been out of town for about 2 days and Ella just looked up at me and said, "Dada, Bye Bye" and then looked down at her hand and was waving. Then the next morning I said, "Ella, where is Dada?". She said, "Bye bye" while waving! Her ever so large vocabulary consists of Dada, Momma, Bye Bye, Uh-Oh (she likes to throw things down and say this one a LOT), and Up (to be picked up). And just last night we asked if she wanted some water and she said, "Wa, Wa" (we think). Genius at 8 months old! I guess every parent thinks that of their own child....

She is just about standing up without holding on to anything, which I fear means she might be walking soon. Have we even baby proofed since she started crawling several months ago? Nope. We just keep our living room barricaded with furniture and toys. I have heard our life will really change once she is walking (if it can change any more than it already did when she was born..I am very afraid!). I definitely miss the days when I could just sit her down somewhere, leave the room, and know she would still be in the same place when I came back. Now I will leave the room for about 10 seconds, come back, and she's missing. Can be quite scary sometimes! Luckily our dogs, Brinkley and Anne Marie help keep a good watch on her because she is into EVERYTHING. She likes to point out any dirt, pine straw or dust bunny on my floor. She'll just point to it, pick at it and look at me, like she's saying, "you know, I could put this in my mouth if I wanted...you really should vacuum more often". Thanks Ella, I know.

With the start back of work and John's school, we haven't really had time to use the camera much, so no new pictures to add. But here's my favorite old video of a duet John and Ella did when Ella was 5 months old.

Laundry, Lounging, & The Pursuit of Happyness

Our exciting New Years Eve consisted of....

Laundry

Lounging

and we also watched the movie the Pursuit of Happyness!

Bye bye 2007!

Ella's New Years Song & Dance

Babe in Toyland

So what if I never did get any decorations up on our Christmas tree. At least it had lights on it. Well, it did have 5 ornaments that Ella made at daycare.

We went to the farm for a couple of days until Christmas eve, then spent Christmas day at my mom's house.

We definitely need a bigger house after Christmas. Ella got way too many toys. Most of which make way too much noise and will probably get the batteries permantely taken out of them. Why do these baby toys have to have the most annoying songs that stick in your head? Ella slept a total of 30 minutes on Christmas day (normally is at least a total of 4 hours). She got her first guitar, a couple of baby dolls, a blow up bed/chair for Momma T's house, and just toys galore.

John surprised me with horse riding lessons for Christmas (this includes babysitting he'll do so I can go!). John must have been bad this year b/c all he got was clothes. Well, Ella did get him some new slippers (he had the same pair since 7th grade!).

Ella's first Guitar from Bailey's Brothers

It came with an Ella size bailey's brother's T shirt

Ella & Cousin Hayden

Napping on her new princess bed

Hayden taking a swing (he's a little big)

Uncle Curtis taking a ride (he's a little big)

Ella enjoyed hanging out with Jody (Alli's boyfriend)

Aunt Cookie (Alli) & Ella & Gloworm

At the farm we took Ella for a stroll to the old homestead where John and I got engaged; it was a bit chilly that day.

McDonalds n Strokes

Last week John and I had our second hot date since Ella was born (yes, that is 2 dates in 8 months). We went to Sips n Strokes and painted angels (and ate McDonalds and drank a bottle of wine...doesn't get much more romantic than that). If you've never been, they walk you step by step on how to paint a picture that you get to take home. This was the first time that John has been, so of course his angel looked quite different than everyone else's. Everyone kept coming over and oohing and aahhing at his picture (and trying to flirt with him I might say!). They even took a picture of john with his picture to show the owner!

Can you tell which one was mine and which one was John's?

What a crazy, busy weekend. Between Christmas parties, visiting Santa, John's 32nd birthday, and finally getting our Christmas tree (no, still not decorated), we are exhausted! Oh yea, and john is in the middle of exams (only one semester left, yahoo!).

Here are some pictures from this weekend....

Santa & Cookies at the Bailey's House

No smiles, but no tears either!

Checking Twice.

She liked his soft fur cuffs.

John was so happy to see Santa!

The Upton's Christmas Party Got hair cuts?

Natalie & Madelyn

Nope, not decorated. But, at least we have one now!

Ella & Blake Sitting in a tree...

This weekend Ella went to play with Madelyn and Blake while Natalie and I made some ever so lovely Christmas gifts.

Madelyn is about 5 weeks younger than Ella, and they are already the best of friends. Ella was showing Madelyn some tricks she learned at daycare...like taking Madelyn's toys away from her.

I think Ella might be smitten for Madelyn's big brother Blake....

Not an Auburn Fan

Tonight I asked Ella what she thought of Auburn, and here was her response.....