Brrrrrrr!!!!!

It's getting way to cold out there!  It seems like its a lot colder this time of the year, than in years past.  I was watching the weather forecast last night...-11 degrees.  Brrrr!  We ran around going to appointments today...and it currently says 5 degrees.  Oh lovely.  Arizona is sounding pretty good right now....Adam and Melissa, do you have room this Christmas?  Because I think I've had it with this cold weather!:)

I can't believe Ellie is one!  It seems like over night she's turned into a toddler, and its so bittersweet!  Some days, especially when she wakes up on the wrong side of the crib, I wish that I could take it all back and deal w/the cuddly newborn stage all over again.  But, I love watching her learn new things.  It amazes me every day at how smart this little ones really are.  The other day Neil and I were shopping for some warmer clothes for Ellie.  A random woman at the store came up to us to tell us how cute she was, and proceeded to ask how old she was.  When we told her she was one, she said..."oh great....is she talking yet?"  or reply...."no".  "Well, she obviously says mama and dada, right?"  Our reply....."no".   The look on this ladies face was ridiculous....then she went on to ask..."is she crawling?"  Wow.  Just because my child isn't talking doesn't mean she's mentally/physically disabled!  I mean, she just barely turned one!  If it was her 2nd or 3rd birthday, then I'd be concerned....so lay off woman!

Speaking of....I don't know where this little girl is getting all of her height from!  Every check up I keep expecting her to just start shrinking.  But nope, she just keeps on growing!  She's starting to loose some weight because of all the walking she's doing, (she's even started running a little bit, although she's not very good at it.:) so I expected that she wouldn't weigh as much as she has been the past few times.  She weighed 21.5 lbs and measured 31.5 inches tall (97th%, the highest so far).  She still has a big noggin on though...its in the 97th% too...

Neil is finishing up school already!  This is his last week of classes, and then finals next.  I can't believe it!  We've currently sent in one application, but plan on sending in a few more.  These applications are incredible though....at least 50 pages, no joke.  So, we're hoping to hear back from the Lakewood Department soon; once school starts up again, we'll be able to fill out the Boise application.  In the meantime, I think we're going to look at other states as well.  We'll see what happens. We're just hoping we're preparing enough that he'll be able to get a job shortly after he graduates. 

Our little family has been sick the last...almost 4 weeks.  Its been so much fun!:)  Neil brought something home from work/school, and he was sick for about 10 days, then Ellie got the cold...after which she developed tonsillitis.  Of course,  I couldn't be left out of the loop...and I've been dealing with a sore throat, cold for about 10 days now as well.  Which, really, doesn't sound too bad....except for the fact that the heart medication I'm on doesn't allow me to take medications for colds or allergies.  Anyone have any alternative recommendations for treating cold symptoms?  Its pretty miserable without the aid of drugs....:)

Well, Cami was able to snap a few photos from Ellie's birthday party, so enjoy.