| Ella Elizabeth walked for the first time on 04/27/2008 |
| We were in Kansas City at Aunt B's house and Ella was playing with Grandma on the couch. She got down, and walked six or seven steps all on her own, while Grandma, Papa, Aunt B and I were watching a movie. We paused the movie, I started crying with joy, finally found the camera - and of course Ella would not budge once I started trying to tape her!! I am so proud of her - just bummed that daddy was not there with us 
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen... 03/06/2008 |
ate her entire breakfast with a fork (without combing her hair at all!) and then climbed our staircase all by herself all the way upstairs! Whew! Mommy is tired 
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen learned how to use a sippy cup on 01/31/2008 |
She drank half a cup of juice today!!! Hooray!!! Maybe soon we can stop washing bottles for good 
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's first time standing was 10/27/2007 |
Ella stood for about 20 seconds on her own while G. Pa was helping her when we were in Mexico on vacation. Yeah Ella!!
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| Ella pulled herself up using the coffee table on 09/24/2007 |
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| Ella said Nana for the first time 09/17/2007 |
We were explaining to Ella that Nana and G. Pa were coming soon to see her and spend time with her. She wispered Nana, Nana and then on Tuesday morning when she woke up I asked her who was coming this week to see her. "Nana" she wispered. Nana is going to flip out when she hears this!!
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| Ella said "Mama" when I returned home from the store. 09/09/2007 |
I was out to the store and when I got home, Erik was in the family room with Ella. I yelled out "Hey you two!" and Ella yelled back "Mama!" She recognized that I had been gone and now I was back. I was thrilled!!
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| The first time Ella was babysat by someone other than family 08/28/2007 |
Mommy had a dentist appointment so Ella spent the morning with Jennifer, Hank and Eddie Griffin. Ella enjoyed herself very much, playing blocks with Hank and being read books by Eddie as she took over his crib. Two of the sweetest boys I know!! Ella loves her friends the Griffin boys - thanks for taking good care of my baby!!
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's favorite food(s) are most everything. (08/24/2007) |
But she really loves cheese! And ice cream. No big surprise there.
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| Ella leaned in to give Daddy kisses on 08/22/2007 |
She will do it now every time you ask - it is the best thing ever!! Open or closed mouth, drool or no drool, we don't care!!!
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's favorite toy(s) are her play car, her shakers from the Griffins, and anything she can sink her teeth into. Literally. (08/22/2007) |
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's favorite song is Twinkle, You are my sunshine, This little light of mine and My Girl by the Temptations. (08/22/2007) |
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's favorite book is Her braille books...The longest Noodle and Silly Squiggles. (08/22/2007) |
She also loves Goodnight Moon, The Going to Bed book and Knuffle Bunny.
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's name means technically...Young girl or beautiful fairy. We just like to think it means...sweet! (08/21/2007) |
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's first word was Papa (08/21/2007) |
(my dad) Hands down. She can say at least 4-5 words now, yet she always goes back to Papa. Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa ...this can go on for awhile at my house!
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| Ella leaned in to give mommy kisses on 08/21/2007 |
She has been doing this with her Grandma for some time now, but today was the day she decided it was time to stop leaving mommy out! It was the sweetest gesture of love and my heart melted all over the floor.
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's first hair cut was on 08/19/2007 |
Grandma cut a little off of her ever growing bangs after her bath on Sunday night. Mommy held her and she sat fairly still for us!
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's first time drinking from a bottle without help was 08/08/2007 |
We had just got home from Ephraim and I put her in her high chair and she drank an entire bottle all by herself. Then she proceeded to chuck it across the room. I am guessing she learned this little trick from her cousin Rylan. That was his calling card for a LONG time. Still might be, who knows?!
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's first time playing on the beach was 08/06/2007 |
We spent the morning we had to leave Ephraim at the beach and it was the first time Ella played in the sand and the water (Lake Michigan) without too much fear. Daddy and G.Pa helped her to be brave that day!!
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen said MaMa for the first time on 08/04/2007 |
I defer to Nana and Aunt Carole on this one, as we were out to dinner in Ephraim. She does say it quite often now when she is happy, mad, or indifferent. I suppose this will be the case until well into her teenage years!
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| The first time Ella said DiDi 07/27/2007 |
| Great Aunt DiDi watched Ella for the evening when we took Grandpa and Bettie to dinner. THANKS DiDi! I asked Ella later who babysat her and she said, "DiDi", clear as day. She is so totally a genius.
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's first trip to the zoo was on 07/13/2007 |
We went to the Toledo Zoo with Grandma, Papa, Becks, Rylan, Angie and Aiden. What a fun afternoon!! Our Zoo is awesome - rated in the top 10 in the country, I think.
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's first time swimming was 06/30/2007 |
Her first swimming lesson at the YMCA. Daddy was in the pool with her. She did pretty well considering it was so early in the morning!
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen found his/her eyes on 06/25/2007 |
This was the day Ella received her first pair of beautiful blue prosthetic eyes from our Ocularist, Greg Dootz. He is an amazing man with a true gift and a huge heart. We are thankful to call him not only our specialist...but also our friend!
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| Ella's first time on an airplane was 06/06/2007 |
We traveled to California to visit Nana and G.Pa. Her second airplane trip was to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for vacation in October 2007. She did wonderfully on all flights - even giggling during some bumpy turbulance. She does NOT share her mother's plight of motion sickness - thankfully!!!
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen said DaDa for the first time on 05/21/2007 |
Not sure about the date on this one either, except that is was way before she said Mama!!
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's first time sitting up unassisted was 02/25/2007 |
Not long after she decided to sleep through the night...she also decided it was time to sit up and play. No more laying down all the time!!
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's first time sleeping through the night was 02/15/2007 |
Right after Ella's surgery on her cyst (2/13/07), and right around her eight month birthday she finally decided to sleep through the night...sleeping through the night in her own crib did not come for two more months!
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's first tooth was on 11/26/2006 |
By Ella's fifth month birthday, she had her bottom two teeth...with many more to come!!! She is currently almost 14 months old (8/07) and boasts daily about her 17 tiny, cute teeth.
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's first vacation/trip was to Kansas City, MO. (11/20/2006) |
Erik and I drove 12 hours with Ella in her carseat to visit Brad, Becky and Rylan in KC right before Thanksgiving last year. She was 5 months old and did beautifully in the car. We were so thankful...and we had a great visit!
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| Ella Elizabeth Ibsen's first smile was on 09/06/2006 |
I don't remember the exact date, but right around three months or so, Ella smiled a legitimate smile while in her stroller, going through the mall parking lot. I am so glad we had the camera and took a picture of her sweet face! I wonder if that means she has inherited her Nana's special knack for shopping! Time will tell...
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Ella Elizabeth & Chase Gregory 
Last Updated: 10/03/2009