Holy Skype!

We just got a package in the mail...a new webcam! I don't really know how to use it yet, but it's opened & loaded onto the computer. I've signed up on Skype too so we can talk to other people & they can see us on our webcam. We thought it might come in handy since we are not near a lot of our family--This way they can watch Ellen grow up! If you sign up, my username is "kyra.parks". Let me know if you are on there & we can try talking online with the webcam!

Back to School

I can't believe it's time already! Usually this is one of my favorite times of the year--the school supplies, getting the classroom ready--I love it! This year, though, I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I am excited about the new school year & all that goes along with it. On the other hand, I am going to have to leave my sweet baby!!! At least she will be home hanging with her favorite man, Daddy.

In anticipation of the start of the school year, Ellen came up to Hull-Jackson with me the other day to get things started. Our custodial staff is great & they clean the entire classroom and our offices but that means we have to pack up EVERYTHING...so, each year it is like starting from scratch setting everything up. Ellen & I got most of the furniture where it belongs & we've started getting out all of the materials. I think I got most of the Sensorial area set up & a good start on Math & Language. I took today off to go to the dentist (oh joy!) but we'll be back up there tomorrow trying to make some more progress.

Here's some photos of Ellen hanging out & the classroom in progress:

Pizza Perfect

As a Yankee transplant here in Nashville, I've realized over the last few years that I am a total pizza snob. This NY/NJ girl at heart just won't eat any old pizza! Luckily, we have found somewhere local that lives up to my standards--Pizza Perfect! We love this place! Not only is the pizza fabulous, they also have a strategically-placed game room that allows the kids to play while mom & dad get to hang out, drink beer and eat pizza. What more could you ask for?!?!? And now they have laser tag too--it just gets better & better! So, we went to meet our trusty Pizza Perfect buddies, Marja & Rianne, for Ellen's first time. She'll be eating pizza before you know it!

I need more quarters!!!

Mom's first beer (since September 2008) :)

On a side note, we started trying to get Ellen more on a schedule today. I realized I am going back to work before I know it! Only a couple of weeks! We'll see how it goes...Stay tuned for more updates on our attempt to get into a routine!

A little gift

Our friends, Katy & Jason, started this great little business, ArtVenture, last summer. Jason is an artist & for $30, he will walk you through creating a painting step by step. You bring the refreshments & he supplies the rest! Katy takes care of all the rest--organizing, scheduling, assisting Jason, etc. As a non-artist, I can tell you they are lots of fun!!!! Check out their site here. Anyway, I haven't been to one since I got pregnant, but Barbara invited me to one last week so Ellen & I headed over to Harpeth Knoll for her first art party. I ended up deciding not to paint but it was still fun (Evening can be Ellen's fussy time & I figured since all of those other moms were out of the house for a girls night out, the last thing they wanted to deal with was a crying baby!). We hung out for about an hour & a half & enjoyed watching everyone paint. It was fun to be on the other side of the canvas (without any wine:) listening to everyone & watching their paintings come alive. I can't wait to go back again & create a new masterpiece!

So, the real reason for this post is that when I arrived at Katy's, Barbara had a little gift for me. Here it is:

A beautiful necklace with Ellen's name on it! Barbara makes all kinds of lovely, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. She truly is "Tallent"ed! (Her last name is Tallent--ha ha!) She made Katy's jewelry for our wedding and also created an earring & necklace set for hostess gifts for our baby shower. She made a different set for each hostess all in pearls since that is Ellen's birthstone. They were beautiful & all unique to each person. The girls loved them! I want to thank her deeply for my necklace--I haven't taken it off since I got it:) If you want to contact her about her work, e-mail her here.

Say Cheese!

I caught a couple of smiles today...

Rocky Top

Thanks to Katy for the UT gear--we thought we'd try it out a little bit early in anticipation of football season :)

Go Vols!

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

One of the first questions people usually ask me about Ellen is "Who does she look like?" For a little while, I would answer with my standard answer--"She looks like a baby!" That was until I saw these baby photos:

I don't think there's any denying--she looks just like her daddy's baby pictures. She's changed a bit as she gets"older" so maybe there's some hope of finding me in there somewhere! At least for now, she has my toes!!!!

Nana, Part II

Nana came back to visit this week! Randy & Emily were in town so they loaded Nana up in the car and made the trip to Nashville just to meet little Ellen--we appreciate you making the trip! Again, it was wonderful to spend time with family. We really enjoyed seeing everyone & only wish it could have been for longer! Hopefully it our next visit will be sooner rather than later...Emily--congratulations on graduation!!!

Emily also brought her new puppy, Veronica--aka "Ronnie." Doesn't she look strikingly similar to another adorable puppy we know?!?!?!? (maybe a little less neurotic though :)

P.S. Randy--if you e-mail me some of the photos of Emily & Ellen, I will post them too. I didn't get any of them together. I will also send you some of these. Thanks!

Sweetness

No words necessary...

One Month & More...

Ellen celebrated her first month in this world last week! Here are a few photos:

Here's a couple of Ellen with the dog:
Ellen looks pretty comfy...
but I'm not too sure what Guinness thinks about it!

Ellen also had her first trip to the mall. We had some things to return to Carter's, but first we had to stop by Bass Pro Shop (Daddy's favorite store!). While we were there, we found this adorable hat (It says "My First Fishing Hat" on the front.):
It's still a bit big on her, but it will be perfect for next summer & her first fishing trip! One-year-olds can go fishing, right?

Nana comes to visit!

Nana came to visit today! Marcella, Yvonne & Nana made the trip from Knoxville to come meet our little angel. She is Nana's first great-grandchild--a very exciting occasion! We had a lovely day hanging out & sharing Ellen with family. Thank you all for taking time out of your day to come spend time with us & for all the lovely gifts. Ellen is a truly blessed little girl! Kyra, JP, Ellen & Nana

The whole crew

Ellen was cracking up at Nana all day long! No one else has ever made her smile like this :)

I love my Nana!

A Daddy & Ellen photo


Yvonne, Marcella & Ellen

Crazy face!

Thank you to Yvonne & Marcella for bringing Nana. Hopefully we'll see you all again soon!!!! (Maybe next week:)