Kevin and Megan came for a visit, and after we were done shopping we went for a walk in the Lincoln Park Zoo. most of the animals weren't out for viewing, but the zoo was all lit up for Christmas. Yayy! there are some more pictures in the album.
it was cold and raining, so we had to bundle Ella in her winterized stroller. we had a lot of fun, but poor Ella fell asleep. she'll have to go back next year! 
Eating
After being spoiled by Safta Dalia, Ella wasn't really into eating solids (using this term loosely to describe mushy-mashed-up vegs and fruits). she would close her mouth tightly and not allow anything in. she liked playing with the bowls and when she got herself distracted and opened her mouth for a piece of bowl she sometimes got a spoonful of puree instead.
this turned out to be very frustrating, especially since she was such a good eater earlier. eventually we figured out that she likes bananas a lot, and gradually we're getting her to eat more and more!
December was the Israeli month in our building. The Naozim moved in at the beginning of the month, and Dod Assaf came to visit us for a few days. Being jetlagged, Assaf got to spend a lot of quality time with Ella at 6 in the morning :P
For some reason or other Ella finds this incredibly funny. [movie soon!]
The holidays
this is our very first family Christmas tree. in the last few years we hung up some lights and ornaments, but never had a real fake tree. this year we do! it's plastic so it doesn't need watering.
Hannukkah 2009 -- first candle with the Naozim, and Assaf. we had sufganyot and champagne. it's nice to have people to celebrate the hebrew holidays with.
Ella got a pink snow suit :)
it's nice and warm (though a little too big)
which reminds me to post her picture looking at her first snow, on thanksgiving weekend:
Ella had some fever this weekend, so we took her to the doctor. everything's fine, it's just a cold (or as the doctor said -- "we have lots of kids now with boogers and fever")
picture taken at the doctor's office, a couple of hours after Tylenol :P
