Uh-Oh...

Headed to Roswell...she's already a heavy packer!

Uh-oh, uh-oh...This is Ella's new word.  We headed to Roswell last Wednesday night to explore job opportunities in the Atlanta area.  Brent had chance to meet with some prospective employers and attend the SSPD meeting in Atlanta while we were there so it was a very productive weekend.  Thursday night we were invited to join one of the pediatric dentists and his wife for dinner.  We had a wonderful time punctuated by wonderful conversation--we were out with them to nearly 11:00 p.m. which surprised all of us!  They were great company and we really enjoyed our time with them.

When we got home, of course, between the 5 dogs (our 2, my brother's 1, and mom's 2)  barking, shaking their collars, and being loud in general...Ella woke back up.  My mom was kind enough to rock her back asleep for us because, quite frankly, we were exhausted!  I only saw my mom briefly because she was tending to Ella, but she quickly asked me if Ella says "uh-oh".  I told her no and that her only real words seem to be "buh-bye" and an occasional "mamma" and "dada".  And of course..ba-ba for bottle (she's still totally into her bottle...ugh).  Most everything else she communicates to us with "bah, bah, bah's"...like you would imagine a little sheep would do.  But, no "uh-oh" yet.

Turns out Nana taught her "uh-oh" while we were out and Ella LOVES this word.   My mom said she kept saying it to Ella throughout the night and Ella just started saying it too.   Everything is an "uh-oh" now-- Drop the toy..."uh-oh", drop the bottle.... "uh-oh", drop the book... "uh-oh", the dogs bark... "uh-oh", etc.  It's seriously cute.  I love the sound of her voice when she says real words.  It's the greatest sound in the world.

Ella enjoyed her time at Nana's and Mommy and Daddy enjoyed all of the help.  With all the stress we've been under lately, on top of me operating at less than 100% from being pregnant...we've been tuckered out.   Luckily, my mom pretty much stepped in as Ella's caretaker this weekend and we got a much needed break and lots of time to discuss and talk through where we are going from here.  Sunday before we left, my mom took Ella to Target.  When she got home, Brent went out to the car to help her get Ella and the bags out.  He said when he got to the car seat, Ella was sitting there tightly and proudly hugging 3 new Sesame Street character stuffed animals...Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Murray (none of us know who he is) with the biggest smile he had ever seen.  My mom said she walked by them in the toy section and Ella got really excited and reached for them.  Ella adores Sesame Street so my mom bought one of each character they had!  She was so proud of her new "characters" and insisted on holding and hugging all three the rest of the afternoon and on the car ride back.  So sweet!!  When we left, Nana was EXHAUSTED, but that only proves how much fun Ella had.  We were certainly appreciative of all her help!

All in all it was a wonderful weekend.  We are feeling a combination of excitement, nerves, anticipation, and sadness to leave Savannah.  We continue to pray that we end up exactly where we are meant to be!  In the meantime, we are enjoying being back home and spending lots of time with Ella the Uh-Oh Queen and her Sesame Street character crew!