ELLA JAMES & HADLEY JULIETTE: Newport Aquarium Trip

On Ella's 8 month day we went to the Newport Aquarium with James' parents. We started off the morning around 9, hopped in the car and started our short 2 hour trip to our destination. Not long after we started our journey miss Ella was out!

A short 36 minutes later she was up again. I was surprised as I thought she would sleep the whole way. And yes it was exactly 36 minutes. I have always been a time person. I look at the clock all the time. She was down for the count at 9:17 and up again at 9:53.

About an hour later we stopped at Cracker Barrel to eat some brunch. First stop were the rocking chairs with Daddy while we waited for our table.

Ella was so talkative the whole time we were there. She was enjoying herself people watching as always and telling us stories. There is so much stuff to see in the Cracker Barrel she didn't know where to start. At brunch she got to try: french toast, cinnamon apples, oranges, gravy, grits, and a little bit of scrambled egg. After a smorgousboard like that she wanted nothing to do with her "baby food!"

After we were done eating Ella did a little window shopping with Papaw. She had to grab EVERY stuffed animal she saw and put it in her mouth and give it lovins. She just loves soft things and wanted to leave her mark. Good think there is no "You slobber on it, you buy it" rule.

Last stop was back to the rocking chairs. This time we found ones just the right size for Ella.

Then off to the car again we went but not without a little something sweet from the store. No, not Ella! Lollipop sticks! Here is Ella double fisting both my favorite, rootbeer, and Mamaw's favorite, cinnamon.

Tasty treats!

Yum!

At noon we rolled into the parking garage of the Aquarium. We had made it all smiles. Now the fun began. Ella absolutely loved everything she saw. She watched the people and the fish both. She was whipping around and holding onto daddy tight as we started through. We saw all sorts of fish that she tried to catch through the glass. She even got to touch a starfish, horseshoe crab, a lorikeet (not by the bird's choice) and a turtle! When we were in the tunnels her face was priceless and you could tell she was in complete wonder and awe at the huge creatures swimming all around her. The humongous spidercrabs she was not a fan of. She pulled away and clung on tight to Papaw when he showed her them :) She also loved the jellyfish and especially the interactive wall game where she watched kids jump to touch the jellyfish on the screen. She even grabbed one herself.

At one point on our trip she was ready to walk. James put her down and held her hands and she took off so fast I thought he was making her do it but he said he was just following her lead! As soon as she figures out this balance game the show is over...or just beginning. We went through the rainforest, and frog bog, saw snakes and crocodiles, birds, otters, sharks and all sorts of creatures. We had a blast together. It will be a memory that I will remind her of when she is older. I am so glad we have pictures and video that captured her innocence and wonderment.

On the way home we were able to stop at Big Boy for some grub where Ella ate almost all my mashed potatoes! More importantly we were able to see Amber!