Birthday Girl

We had a great 1st Birthday for Tessa. The sun finally came out after weeks of rain and all the kids got top play on the front lawn. Aunt Kirsten came in town to help celebrate and represent the Ellis clan since Omi and Grandpa were out of town. Grams and Poppa Tim couldn't make it either but we were thinking of them (and Uncle Keith - get well soon). Bobby and Kirsten helped Tessa "smear" her cake every where. I ended yp taking her upstair into our shower and hosing her down. Unfortunately I didn't get all of the icing out of her hair (hence the mohawk pictures).

She partied like a Rock Star and suffered the consequences. After we put her down for bed-time she woke up around 9:30pm with a belly ache and needed some soothing. And the next morning she had a fever and was very cranky. But she's a trooper and after her 2nd nap she was back to her normal self.

I still cannot beleive that I have a 1-yr old. She is so amazing and of course I think she's a genius. Ever since she had the tubes put in her ears, she has really started talking. She says her name now, and tries to repeat what we say. My favorite is "Wow". It sounds dead on and neither of us use that word, so it must be something she picked up in daycare.

My little Kraut

Tessa said her first German word this week. She said "Hatzi" - which means Achoo. IN Germany, when someone sneezes you say "Hatzi mein Schatzi" (usually reserved for children or people you are close to as "Schatzi" means Sweety). We have always used that term everytime someone sneezes. When Tessa first started smiling, it was a guaranteed smile-getter. As she got older everytime she or someone else sneezed she would always look at you smiling, knowing you were going to say it. It's only fitting that it's her first German word.

She can also say Oma (which is Grandma in German); that's what she calls my mom.

I can't beleive she will be 1 on Monday. It has just gone by so fast.

More............

I finally downloaded the video of Tessa signing more and attempting to blow kisses. She's much better at blowing kisses now. I can't beleive she's going to be 1 in a week.

Cats and Dogs

Tessa is totally obsessed with the cats and the dogs. Our oldest cat, Marmi, is great with her and tolerates all the fur and tail pulls with no objection. When Marmi is over it, she just walks away. Gretchen, our kitten is less tolerant and prefers Tessa at a distance. Dixie, our hound-mix, seems to have the same attitude that Gretchen has. She'll sniff Tessa a couple of times but prefers her from afar. Sassafrass on the other hand LOVES Tessa becasue she smells funky, tastes like food and leaves food behind.

The funny think is that I have noticed Tessa "meowing" and "barking". When she see's and hears the cats meowing she tries to meow back. And I must say, she has a good meow sound. Her barking on the other hand is a little more monkey-esc, but still really cute. Of course, we think she's an absolute genius.

Mother's Day and Attitude

I had a GREAT first Mother's Day. Tessa got me a sweet card that almost made me cry and a new Waffle Iron. Mike got me a new refrigerator.......SWEET! We've been saving up for one. It's the LG French Door with bottom drawer. I am an LG product whore, I can't help it.

In other Tessa news Ihave noticed two things about her. She has definitely become more attached and affectionate with Mike and I. She will cry if she sees one of leave the room and when we are playing around she always has to stop by and give us a hug. I have also noticed that she has definitely developed an attitude. She starts full on crying when you tell her 'no'. And if you try to take something away from her that she really wants, she holds on really tight to the point that she is shaking and has the funniest "don't mess with me" face. Hopefully it is just a phase and not a sign of things to come.

Again, thank you Mike and Tessa for making me a Mom. It's truly the best gift ever.

T Update

Tessa is doing great. She has totally bounced back from the surgery. I have noticed that her hearing has improved. She definitely jumps around a lot more when there are loud, strange noises. Hopefully with her new ability to hear better it will be easier for her to learn all these new words.

I love my little bug so much and I thank her every day for making me a mommy.

Tubes and all

Tessa had tubes put in her ears yesterday and did GREAT. She was such a trooper. We had to be at the hospital at 6:00am and she couldn't eat or have formula after midnight. She could have clear liquids up to two hours before surgey. She woke up at 1:30am Monday morning and I gave her some water and juice. As you can imagine she was a little hungry Monday morning.

Once we got into the pre-op room, Omi and I tried to entertain her as much as possible. We did a lot of singing, which she enjoys and it kept her calm. She loves it when Omi sings "The Wheels on the Bus" and "Backe Backe Kuchen" (German version of Patty Cake). I did cry when they took her back, but less than 15 mins later the Doctor was back and said everything went great and about 5 mins later we heard her crying back down the hallway. It all went very quick.

We were back at the house by 8:30am and after she finally got some breakfast she was back to her normal self, chasing the cats around the house and playing with her ball.

****Developmental Update********
She can now "say" more in sign language and blow kisses. It's very cute and as soon as I can capture it on video I will post it.