Pin'd and Did: Outdoor #Tic-Tac-Toe

A few posts back I mentioned that we have been working on our backyard.  There has been A LOT of backyard shenanigans going on these days, and the transformation is well on its way.  It’s all been very exciting.

One of the projects that I have been looking forward to is the Tic-Tac-Toe.  Ella might be slightly too little for tic-tac-toe, but I just had to do it-- Besides, she does have a lot of big cousins. 

So, I’ve been brainstorming this idea for quite some time now.  I originally found the idea on Pinterest months ago.  Month-s.  After a few minor tweaks this is what I came up with:

And here is the how-to of it all:

Click on Image to Enlarge

The Perks of Playing Dress-Up, 1950's Style

Let me just start by saying, I <3 the 1950’s.  There’s just something really special about the era.  Think about it-- The simplicity, the way of living, the family life, the entertaining, the music, the clothes…  Oh man, the clothes.  Absolute perfection.  We’re talking the epitome of class and sophistication.

Now fast forward a few decades and here I am, preparing for my dear friend’s bridal shower-- A 1950’s throwback to entertaining (with all the bells and whistles, of course).  And there were two really wonderful things about this celebration:  My friend is getting married!  And, playing dress up with my daughter.

Wonderful thing number one:  Congratulations to the future Mrs. Roady!

Taylor  ··· I am so happy for you.  You are such a dear friend and you are going to be a wonderful wife.  Ten plus years of friendship with you has brought me a lot of joy, tons of memories, and even more laughs--  I know that together you and TC will share endless joy, make ever-lasting memories and create a home full of laughter.  I look forward to being apart of your special day and this very special time of celebration.  I wish you and TC all the happiness in the world.  Cheers to you two, soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs.  XoXo.

(TC, you’re one lucky guy.)

The Bride and Her Bridesmad

Wonderful thing number two:  In the process of preparing for the big celebration my Great Aunt had offered to lend me my Great-Grandmother's pearls.  It was such a special sentiment, I couldn’t refuse.  I brought the jewelry home, along with a couple hats (also my Great-Grandma’s), and played dress up all week while I tried to piece together the perfect outfit for the shower.  I of course let Ella join in on the fun and couldn't help but think...

I wonder if my Great-Grandma played dress up with her girls-- With this jewelry and these hats.  I bet, because that was the kind of lady she was:  A whole lot of fun with just the right amount of spunk.  What a special privilege it is that I get to recreate the same memories with my own daughter, using the same jewelry and the same hats.  Thank you Aunt Lupe for giving me this opportunity, really though, for giving me these memories-- You always know how to put a smile on my face... and Ella's.

<3 These Memories -- Grandma-Grandma-Grandma Dress Up

CHOC Update: Ella Gets Great News

I realize that in my lapse of blogging I have also failed to fill you in on the latest (and greatest) with Miss Ella and CHOC.  Fresh from an appointment yesterday, I have good news.  It’s actually pretty great news.

Before I deliver the details of the great news, let me rewind a little-- We were not supposed to visit CHOC again until the end of July for what would have been a routine 6-month check up.  When Ella started having some digestive issues our primary pediatrician decided it was best to let our friends at CHOC take a look into things.  After a couple appointments and a couple more tests, we got the news:

All is normal. Given the issues that we've been having, the main concern at the time was that her pancreas wasn’t working properly (something we have to be on the look for), BUT test results show that it is working just as it should.  Come to find out, all of the “issues” is just her tummy’s way of figuring out how to process all of the new foods and the different variety that she is eating.  Totally normal.  Thank you, God!

But there’s more…

On another positive note, Ella’s weight is finally at normal levels again.  In fact, great numbers-- She's back into the 70th-percentile (she had dropped into the low 20’s).  In the words of her nutritionist, “She is doing perfectly.  I couldn’t ask for better numbers.  She is growing beautifully.”  Yup, #ProudMommyMoment.

All in all, Daddy and I agree that this was the best appointment we have ever had.

Toddler Tumbling on My Heartstrings

So, Ella is walking.  Well, still learning to walk is probably a more appropriate way of phrasing it.  It is very exciting and quite cute… and extremely scary.  This toddler stuff is serious business.  And seriously frightening.  Example:

In a two-day period Miss Ella managed to scrape her face and knock a tooth loose.  All within two little tumbles.  My goodness.  Turns out though that scraped noses will heal (Aquaphor does wonders) and teeth will settle back in.  Oh, and busted lips will heal too.

After Tumble #1:  Face Meets Concrete

But what about broken hearts?  Mine, to be exact.  Sure Ella shed a few tears, for thirty seconds (I’m not even 100% convinced that the tears weren’t because Mommy made her come play inside after the tumble), but I still feel terrible every time I get a glimpse of her little scab.  I try to remind myself that this stuff is normal, I have a toddler.  But then it got me thinking...

Is this the beginning of letting go?  So soon?  I know this all sounds a wee-bit dramatic, but hear me out.

On one hand, my brain tells me-- These things are normal, they will happen (again), she will heal.  She must learn to fall and pick herself back up.  But, my <3 tells me (and maybe a bit of the overprotective Mommy in me)-- Just pick her up, carry her, protect her from ever falling again.  Protect her from getting hurt.

Do I listen to my head or my heart?  I think I know the answer, but can I accept it?

Both.  Protect her, but let her learn.  Hold her hand, but let her toddle and even tumble.  Let her find her own footing.  If she tumbles, help her get back up.  Give her an extra kiss or two.  Most importantly though, let her try again, and again, and again.  I think that's the right answer, but then...

The real answer to my question is:  It is isn’t it?  It’s the beginning of letting go.  Possibly the very first step.

Yikes.  How does this stuff happen so fast?  #TooBigTooFast