Growing Up Ella

I started this blog to document my life and our expanding family. My intent was to write in it several times a week, but that goal has already been pushed aside.

I was trying to write whenever Ella would go down for a nap, but within this last week or so she has decided to give up naps cold-turkey. I know that around age 3 some toddlers give-up naps all together, but Ella hasn't even reached 2 and-a-half yet. Well, technically she will by the end of October. So she is a little ahead of the curve so to speak.

I am fine with the fact that she has given up naps because there is a plus side to it. 1) She sleeps in a little longer some mornings (but not that much longer), and 2) She goes to bed earlier some nights.

Of course there is also a down-side to this Giving Up the Nap Cold-Turkey thing. She has been throwing more tantrums because she is tired and is more grouchy towards the end of the day. It's not like I can force her to take naps, though. I can put her in her little toddler bed and close her bedroom door, but she can hop right up and walk right out of there. I am sure the tantrums will smooth over once she gets adjusted to this new non-nap life of hers.

For the most part I can't complain about the tantrums because her sweet little-girl nature is just too adorable. I love watching her play make believe and she is so good at playing by herself. I think that is one of her favorite things to do. I always find her playing with her little stuffed animals set up around her or playing with her kitchen (one of her most favorite past-times). And she gives me these sideways looks sometimes that seem so adult for her, but I have to remind myself that she is growing up every day.