Pictures...

...speak a thousand words.

Grandma Karen and the little hippy girl.

Having fun on the swings!


Ah...just the way I like her.


Two of a kind.


Cutest swim-shoes ever.


"Wading pools RULE."

Enjoying a leisurely ride.


Walking...!

"That's All Folks!"

And now, finally, some video of Ella giving us kisses...and walking!

Men's Health - Outtakes!

So, I got an email today from the Men's Health photographer, Justin, with a link to all of the 237 photos that we took on the day of the photoshoot - there are some AWESOME ones, but mainly they are me in various states of running with bizarre expressions on my face. Here are some of the highlights:

One of the first shots taken - just getting into the groove.

Justin was stood on a bench while taking this one.


Doing a Jig...?

Graffiti.

Action Jackson! I look intense as HELL.

I like this one cuz I look CRAZY slim.

For this one, Justin was lying on the ground and I had to virtually jump over him after he shot.

On a bench...again.

The sky is getting blacker as the storm rolls in...

Awesome side shot...check out those calves...

...and quads/hamstrings! :)

Not sure why I included this one...it just looks cool :)

Concentrating...

...harder...

"I crush you, little ant, beneath my large shoe!"

This is the coolest picture ever taken of me...EVER.

The second coolest picture taken of me....EVER.

Running away from the rapidly approaching storm...!


Resting after 2.5 hours of RUNNING...in circles.


And finally...the picture that was chosen for the article:

WHEW! Amazing how professional photographers can make even the worst of train wrecks look good, eh? Thanks again Justin!

Beach Day!

Today, after I got home from work, we took Ella to the beach for a bit of sun and fun. The temperature was a perfect 75 degrees F, twas a beautiful evening - so off we went to meet some of the Terry Animal Hospital crew at James' family's cabana. We got there around 6 and hit the beach with the babe. James et al arrived around 7.... once they did, I got the BBQ started for them and we left due to Ella's bedtime crankiness. We took her in the shower (in preparation for bathing her on our cruise!), and off she went to snoooooooooze. I am now set to follow her. Enjoy the photos!

I like big butts and I cannot lie.

Ella playing with her newest friend Emily (Josh and Jan's daughter)!


Now...on to the beach!


Momma and Ella


Poppa and Ella


Standing!


Touching the water


Family photo outside the cabana


James (and Patricia assisting) attempting to start the BBQ. After 20 minutes, I stepped in and took control and had those coals flaming red in no time. *Patting myself on the back*

Hyundai Santa Fe

Yes, well the inevitable has happened - the time had come to say goodbye to my sporty little Mazda that I loved so well (the lease was up) and move on to an old-man car (i.e. a baby-mobile). I settled on a 2007 Santa Fe. Picked her up yesterday. This lease won't be expiring, as I bought the car...so, she'll be with me for a while. We are still in the getting-to-know-you phase, but so far so good. Attached, you may see her in all of her glory (she will probably never be this clean again!). And, of course, a picture of Ella, for what would this space be without one of those?

My newest baby.

My cutest baby.

Belly-Off!

Well, my article in Men's Health Magazine has finally hit the stands (the September issue) - and here it is!

Ella's 1-Year Doctor's Appointment

Today we took Ella in for her 1-year check up - she is now 22 lbs, and 28.25" long. That's the abridged version of the visit. The longer version involves a blood test (routine stuff, apparently) where they pricked her finger and milked blood from her while she screamed like a baboon in heat. Then, after she was examined by the doctor (more screaming, of course), she had to get 2 shots - they told us that they would sting. I think by "sting" they meant "searing pain" because I have never seen her get so hysterical since she has been alive. Not even her birth compared to this - she started with a silent scream while her face turned redder than a lobster, this then moved on to shrieks so piercing that you'd swear someone just drove a knife into your back, and finally we had racking sobbing the entire trip home. My poor little munchkin fell asleep in the car with about 5 minutes to home, and was then moved to her crib where she slept for an hour or so. Upon waking, she has been cranky as hell all day...didn't stop her from inhaling all of her food though...she just went to sleep (it's now 7:45pm), and I managed it in about 30 minutes without even having to walk her. Twas quite a sad experience, I have to say...but on a more positive note, she doesn't have to go back for any more shots for 3 months!!! And back to a less positive note, I did something to my right shoulder at the gym today, and I currently am unable to turn my head in either direction without shooting pain travelling down my neck. Cool, huh? I thought so.

Here's some pics of Ella because she is beautiful and I am not.

Ella and Elmo sitting in a tree...

Ella LOVES her new chair, courtesy of Aimee, Rob and Alexa!


Ella and Nanny Ridin' Dirrty


Rollin'

Ella's First Birthday Party!

Today we had Ella's 1st B-day shindig! It was quite a LONG day, starting with an attempt at an 11 mile run with Keith this morning. When I say attempt, I mean we ran about 9.8 miles, and then the 98% humidity forced us to stop and walk if we wanted to continue to live rather than drown in the surrounding saturated air. Yes, it was stupid. No, we shouldn't have even attempted the run. But next week will seem that much easier for having done it. That's what I tell myself anyway. So, anyway, left the house at 7:30 am, got home around 10:30 am. Had a shower, got all of the stuff together for the party and shlepped it over to the venue. Mom, Mel, Dad and Nanny (who's actual birthday is today as well! Happy Birthday Nanny!) all met me
there, and we all got the room together and decorated (Angela had to stay home because Ella decided she needed a nap at 11:20 am!). Angela and Ella turned up around 12:45pm, and the guests began arriving around 1 pm. The weather was miserable - huge thunderstorms rocked the area (thank god we didn't decide on a BBQ for the birthday bash!), so a few people travelling from far and wide (i.e. cousins Bonnie and Hy from NJ and Susan and Dave from Rockland County) got caught in traffic, but all made it in the end. It was a great time, really nice food (Moe's Mexican...MMMMMM!), and delightful cupcakes for dessert (see photos!), made by Angela (she put together the mix and did some of the baking), myself (some baking and applied the frosting) and Melissa (decorated each cupcake painstakingly!). DAMN they were good. After everyone left, the arduous task of clean-up duty fell to dad and myself...and then I had to cram everything into my car to transport home. Once that was complete, I had to then get everything out of the car and into the house. Finally, I had to get everything in the fridge which needed to be cold, and put together all of Ella's new toys so she could play with them ASAP, throw all of the garbage out, and make dinner. It is now 10:20pm, and I am wiped. Here are some lovely photos from the day, courtesy of Marty and Melissa. I really need a shower.

The aforementioned cupcake tower...

...and the cake!

Mel, Ella and Me

Dad, Mel...and Me.


Mel and Dan

The Spar Family

The weirdest my eyes have EVER looked.


Dan and Alexa

Mel, Cousin Bonnie, Mom and Auntie Hannah

Ella laughing (for a change) with Nanny!


Dan and Mom

The coolest frame EVER, courtesy of Mel and Dan

Me and m'little 'un making our weirdo grumpy faces.

Lauren, Me and Ella (I wonder what exactly she wanted from me...?)

YAY!

Bonus Photos: Ella's Class Photos, taken just last week. She is, as always, a smiling ray of sunshine on an otherwise cloudy day...just look at the huge ear-to-ear grin on her!!




I am sure, as more people send them, I will be posting any new or different photos of the party in the next few days. Until then......I am spent.