Eliana - the 1 year old

Okay, I know this is another birthday post, but the big 1 is important, right? Plus, she's just too cute not to share her photos. And I also needed to update you on her growth stats. Those deserve a whole post, right? :)

First, here are "just a few" of the photos we had taken at Sears for her birthday last week. We brought along a little "smash cake" so we could get some photos of her with that - they turned out adorable! I'm so glad we did that. We also had some traditional photos done of her in her dress, and while those are very cute, I just love how her personality comes out in the cake photos!
Second, Ellie had her 1 year check-up today. She is doing FANTASTIC in all her developmental milestones. She's crawling everywhere and even taking a couple of steps here and there. She pulls herself to a stand in her crib, and even says a few words: dope (combination of no, don't and stop), mama, dada, beh (ball). She's discovered the power buttons on the Wii, TV, printer, DVD player, mommy's alarm clock, and the volume controls on her most obnoxious toys. And although she doesn't hand out kisses very often to her parents, she doesn't seem to mind giving her new baby dolls kisses all the time! She's cutting 1 - possibly 2 - more teeth. And on top of that, the poor girl had to get 5 separate shots, and 1 blood draw done today. Thankfully we found that a Supergirl sticker, 2 suckers, and one very messy mama was the trick to get her to calm down!

Ellie's growth stats:
Weight: 21 lbs, 8 oz - 48th%
Height: 31.1 inches - 97%
Head: 49 cm - 100% (Was there any doubt?)

Great Falls Icebreaker Race

Every year on the last Sunday in April, there is a race called the Great Falls Icebreaker that is held in our city. It is a family event and is open to everyone. You can participate in the 1 mile race, the 3 mile, or the 5 mile. Last year, Nick ran the 5 mile and enjoyed it enough to go on to compete in several other races since. This was my first year running the race (Ellie was born only days before the race last year, so I wasn't able to go). We both chose to do the 3 mile race this year and were pretty pleased with our results.

About 20 minutes before the start of the race.

Nick finished in 30:01. He placed 35th out of 45 in his age category (25-29). Keep in mind, he was pushing Ellie in the jogging stroller the whole way, and had to weave around crowds of people. Even so, he did amazing! Way to go, honey!

I finished in 38:26, and for me, I thought that was pretty good. I placed 52nd out of 76 in my age category (25-29). Just a quick shout out to Val, my running partner (and Nick's former dental assistant), for running with me - we made a great team and pushed each other just the right amount! Thank you!

Val & I with less than 1/4 mile to go!

Crossing the finish line.

As always seems to be the case in Montana, the weather was a bit sketchy on race day - particularly for the people that ran the 5 mile race. A mixture of rain, snow, and sleet is how the 5 milers got to start their race. Thankfully, it cleared up for a bit by the time we started the 3 mile race, although it was still quite cold (37 degrees). Mile 1 during our race was sunny and clear. Mile 2 was windy and overcast. Mile 3, it cleared up again. The sleet started again after the race was finished, so really, we got lucky. But Ellie didn't seem to mind - she stayed quite warm and content in the jogging stroller, and even managed to take a little snooze!

We're finished! Daddy let Ellie wear his medal.

Happy 1st Birthday, Eliana!

Our little girl is 1 year old!!! It was a beautiful day. Ellie slept in that morning, perhaps knowing it was going to be an exhausting day of fun. She then spent the morning playing with her grandparents. I had decided that this year I wanted to try baking and decorating a cake in the shape of a butterfly for my little girl's birthday (I figured if it didn't work out, then this was the year to do it because she wouldn't care anyway). So I had baked the cake the day before, and then during her morning nap, the grandmas and I tried our skills at decorating it. For our first cake, I think it turned out pretty good!

After nap, Ellie's grandparents and her daddy took her for a stroller ride to the park. Then it was home for lunch and more time and attention from her grandparents! After another short nap, Ellie opened her presents (there were lots!) and then, of course, cake! We then wound the evening down by getting cleaned up and going out to one of our favorite restaurants for dinner. We had a beautiful and fun day! Happy First Birthday, Eliana!

No shortage of attention!

To celebrate the big birthday this year, Eliana had 4 guests come to visit and show her attention. Grandma Vicky and Grandpa Dave arrived on Saturday afternoon and had a few days to spoil her rotten before Grandma Bev and Grandpa Daryl arrived on Tuesday night. Ellie then had 2 full days with all 4 "playmates"! Grandma Vicky & Grandpa Dave started the drive back to MN on Friday morning, but Ellie was still spoiled with attention by her Grandma Bev & Grandpa Daryl for 2 more days!

Grandma Bev took Ellie shopping for new shoes - she received her first pair of Adidas tennis shoes and her first pair of Keens! Ellie enjoyed feeding Grandpa Daryl some of her food at a restaurant. And both Grandma Bev & Grandpa Daryl enjoyed taking her out for a car ride in her Crazy Coupe. On Friday, we all decided to go for a swim at the gym - it was a great time and I'd have to say Ellie won the title for splash champion!

It was a great first birthday week filled with lots of love and attention. We couldn't have had a better week and feel very blessed that all 4 grandparents were able to join us in celebrating the event. We love you!

Let the birthday festivities begin!

Grandpa Dave and Grandma Vicky arrived on Saturday afternoon to help us celebrate Eliana's first birthday and this little girl has been in heaven ever since! We have been very lucky that spring has arrived right along with them and we have been enjoying lots of time outdoors in this beautiful weather. Bubbles and picnics on the deck, stroller rides in the state park, trips to the park to swing, and rides in the driveway in Ellie's new Crazy Coupe Car have all been on the agenda the last few days.

Ellie has been showered with attention since her grandparents have arrived. She has enjoyed riding on Grandpa's shoulders and getting rides in the stroller and swing. She's also loved being chased by grandma throughout the house, and getting LOTS of hugs and kisses! Last night, Nick and I were able to go out for a date night and the grandparents were only too happy to stay home to babysit. :) We know Ellie has been in heaven, but we're pretty sure her grandparents have been just as happy these last few days!

And now it's time to rest a bit to get ready for Grandma Bev and Grandpa Daryl to arrive tonight!

Easter Weekend

Easter weekend in the Marcus household consisted of a relaxing weekend of family time. We took a short roadtrip to Fort Benton on Saturday, enjoyed some lunch in a diner there, and then spent the evening with friends. After church on Sunday (where she received TONS of attention and comments on her Easter dress), we decided to go out for brunch at one of our favorite restaurants. Ellie did great and enjoyed the buffet (she usually does as it means she can pick and choose what she feels like eating!). The afternoon was spent enjoying her Easter basket goodies, and showing off her new crawling and walking skills to her aunts and uncles, grandma and grandpa via Skype. Yep - that's right! We now have a kid who can both crawl and walk! She picked both skills up in one weekend, though is still a bit slow-moving and needs some motivation to try either skill. :) But she's doing great and Nick and I are realizing that we're going to need to step up the babyproofing!