A Family Affair

Alternate title would definitely be: Cake, Cake, Cake....Ella loves cake!

Party #1

Uncle Packie came early, bearing gifts for both girls. So sweet!

Papa helping Ella out with the first bite of her first of three birthday cakes

Lily loved helping everyone get a bite.

She loved her cake, but was also willing to share.

Everyone dipping in.

Party #2
Grandma helping Ella walk.

Uncle Moks being silly

Lily being silly

She is about to really enjoy some cake!

Ella had a very special birthday weekend filled with visits from everyone she loves. We also found out this weekend how much this child loves sweets! She could not get enough cake and ice cream. I will have to say I couldn't blame her because those cakes were delicious!

A Celebration of Labor Day

Ella's 1st Birthday just happened to fall on Labor Day weekend this year. I remember going to visit Dr. Thorton a year ago the Tuesday following Labor Day and she was in shock she hadn't gotten a call over the weekend to deliver me. I went into labor the very next day...after two trips to the mall for some major walking and a very spicy lunch :) Now here we are a year later with a silly little peanut. At her year check-up she measured in the 10th percentile for weight and the 20th for height. Yes, she is tiny. However, that doesn't stop her from being a total dare-devil. She tries to climb everything and is not scared of anything (the total opposite of her sister). She actually is very different from her sister in many ways, which makes seeing them grow up together so much fun. I am so looking forward to watching her grow up even more over these next few months.

Goodness Gracious Mavros, Where has the Time Gone?

all images courtesy of Summer Knobloch Photography
(thanks Summer!)

"Goodness Gracious Magros, Baby Ella, No-No! " This is what I hear from Lily when Baby Ella is getting herself into trouble...a combination of Lilian Grace Mavros and Goodness Gracious Sakes, which is a common O'Rourke expression. Wait...what? Ella getting into trouble? But she's just a baby! Sadly, no, she isn't a little baby anymore--she is going to be 1 year old this Friday, and I can't believe it. My sweet little peanut, although still a peanut in size, is growing up so fast. I am so thankful that I was able to stay home this past year and watch her grow everyday, but I really can't believe how fast it has gone.