Ella and her daddy after a hard day at work.

Just Jack and Ella. Jack is the son of another teacher at the school.

Just Ella.

Ella in her adorable overalls!

Meet our New Nephew...

....Isaiah Michael Aiuto! Monique and Vito welcomed little Isaiah last Wednesday--Lovely family, don't you think?

Isaiah awake! What an adorable face!

Apparently Ella has something in common with all people over the age of 70--she loves prunes! Ciao, Isaiah! I love you already!

Ella's sitting up pretty well on her own, but it never hurts to have a little cushion for those unexpected "Timbers!"

Ella's hard at work in her ExerSaucer!

Ella is 6 1/2 months old!

Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes...

Ella and Phil are very tired because we just returned from a four week trip to good ol' Michigan. There we saw many a relative, shopped till we dropped, ate at our favorite restaurants (well, Ella's favorite place to eat is always open and always with her!), and spent time with friends. It seems as though Ella has made leaps and bounds in the time we have been gone. She's now rolling all over the place, sitting up on her own, blowing raspberries with her lips, grabbing anything within her reach, and so much more! Check out the pics below to see some of the people she met and the things she is doing.

Ella and her Grandpa Tim during their first meeting--family resemblence, anyone? Ella loved it when Grandpa would help her "walk" and she can't wait to spend more time together next summer when she'll be walking all over the place!

Ella met her Poppy Bob for the first time while in Michigan. They had a lot of fun playing together in the mornings while Phil and I got ready to go out for the day.

Ella also visited with her Moma Donna, Grandpa Lee, and Nonni Linda, all of whom she met for the first time in Sicily.

You can't see it right now, but just under her bottom lip is Ella's first pearly white, precisely where her Nonni predicted it would make the scene!

Ella made some new baby friends, including Ellis, my friend Melissa's little girl.

Ella is also eating cereals, fruits, and vegetables. She especially loves sweet potatoes!

Ella is 5 months old and Mr. Froggy just keeps on shrinking and shrinking and.....

"I'm adorable, don't you think?"

Ella and Phil get ready for bed by reading a story together.

Ella and her favorite "chew toy".

Ella's getting pumped up for her trip to see Santa Claus at the base tree lighting ceremony.

Ella and her first visit with Babbo Natale (Santa Claus). She seems more interested in looking at his boots than telling him what she wants for Christmas!

We can't take credit for this awesome shot, but just thought you might like to see what our little volcano (am I Le Petit Prince?) is up to. This picture was taken from the front yard of a teacher who lives near Acireale this morning.

I'm just chillin'. What's up witchu?

What a pig! Can you believe that Ella demanded all of this Thanksgiving food, then refused to eat any of it? I guess some 4-month-olds just can't handle their turkey!

Ella smiles

Can you spot the Ella Bear?

Just chilling with Daddy in our undies!

Ella is 4 months old!!

The Andre famiglia, minus Oscar.

Ella and her Steiff bear, Otto, from the Culvers.

Mohawk Mama!

Currier the sweetpea, Ella the pumpkin, Ethan the bat, and Jadeyn the tootsie roll on Halloween. Clearly, the pumpkin is not amused and is not going to make it in the world of dressing babies up in costumes for their mothers' entertainment!

A way overdue 3 month shot with Mr. Froggy and saggy drawers!

Daughter and Dog unite, but Ella's only interested in eating her dress.

Things became crazy as Currier insisted on taking his pants off (ala Hugh Hefner) and Jadeyn stole the show. Meanwhile, Ella was putting the moves on little Currier!

The Halloween Photo Shoot coming at ya! In this issue, a behind-the-scenes look at what really went down when the babies were allowed to roam free!

Ella and her buddies, Currier in the middle and Jadeyn on the right. Ella used to have the same onesie, but unfortunately it was sacrificed to the poopie gods!

Ella fast alseep after a feeding on her Boppy. Don't worry, I was sitting right next to her the whole time!

Splish splash, I was taking a bath! Ella having her nightly tub time with her daddy.

Oops! The rest of that joke was supposed to be......Q: Why are pirates so mean? A: Because they arrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Q: Why are pirates so mean?

Stacey Sechrist, Aja, and Ella in the Greek Theatre.

Ella's quite the traveler as she explores the 3rd Century BC Greek Theatre in Taormina, Italy.

Thank goodness for this Indian Summer so I can still wear all my cute little dresses. (Thanks, Sharon!)

Is it cool if I take the car out tonight, Mommy?

I'm a little roly poly!