Updates!

Ellie has been a busy girl lately! She has perfected crawling and pulling herself to standing. Yesterday she decided to show us that she can climb steps. She wanted her rattle that was sitting on the steps. So she went for it. Daddy stood behind her making sure she didn't fall. She didn't! She made it 5 steps up to get her rattle. (Yes, I know she is just wearing a diaper and T-shirt. It was hot!)
This morning when I got home for work, she was apparently very excited to see me. She stood up holding on to daddy's fingers and took about 6 steps forward to get to mommy! It's so nice to have someone so excited to see you!
Elliana continues to amaze me every single day with the progress she makes. Watching her grow and develop has been the greatest gift of all!

Memorial Day 2010

Fort Liberty

Ellie and mommy had another fun morning at Fort Liberty Playland. Elliana has taken a liking to the swing. She holds on and giggles the more mommy pushes her. With the weather being so nice (hot, but nice), she has really enjoyed getting out of the house and getting to play. And mommy doesn't mind getting out either!

Bubble Blowing and Pool Time

With the warm weather, Elliana is loving spending lots of time outside. Each of the last 2 days we have been to Fort Liberty Playland. Ellie loves the swings!
Today we set up Ellie's little pool in the backyard. She loved splashing mommy and daddy!
She also loves bubbles. Mommy blew her bubbles while she was in the pool. She kept poking them and trying to catch them. And the giggles! She sure did laugh a whole bunch. That little giggle is the sweetest sound ever!

Pool Party!

Today Elliana and Miles (our neighbor who is 8 days younger than Ellie) had a pool party! Once they both got used to the water they had a great time.
At first Ellie wasn't so keen on the whole thing (she is very clingy right now since she is teething).
But like a true gentleman, Miles tried to make her feel better.
Then they both had fun splashing and playing in the water (and trying to crawl out of the pool)!

Tales from the Crib

This is how we found Elliana this morning!
She had her 9 month check-up today. She was 17 pounds (17%) and 28 inches (63%). She did great and the doctor said she was doing wonderful!

9 Months

Friday Elliana turned 9 months old! I can't believe my baby girl is 3/4 of a year already. As you can tell, she didn't want to cooperate for her picture! Stubborn girl - wonder where she gets that?
Her little teeth are trying to come in, but they still haven't quite broken through yet. Crawling is definitely getting a lot better. She has realized she can get places a whole lot faster crawling rather than trying to roll. She is occasionally pulling herself up to standing. She can go from laying down to sitting up all by herself now. She has quite the vocabulary to include baba, mama, dada, gogie (which is doggie I think), and numnum. All of these words are associated with their appropriate real word (except baba which means she wants milk, just not from a bottle).
It is so amazing to watch her grow up! Can't wait to see what else she has in store for us!

Welcome home Grandma and Grandpa!

Grandma and Grandpa were welcomed home from their 18 day cruise by Elliana! She sure was glad to see them after so long. She went and played all day at their house. And she showed them her newly acquired skill...crawling! That's right, Ellie started crawling yesterday. She hasn't quite mastered it yet, but she can do it! And that's not all. She is about to have a tooth come in. Mommy isn't ready for all this at once.

Happy Mother's Day!

Sunday was my first Mother's Day. After mommy got home from work, we went to church and then to lunch. Daddy and Elliana took mommy to Bonefish grill. Delicious! On the way there, Ellie fell asleep in the car, and her bow fell down into her eyes. She slept through it though!
At dinner, we discovered that Ellie likes salmon. She ate a big piece of mommy's dinner and loved it. It was a great day spent with my beautiful little girl.
To my mom, thanks for being the best mom ever. I am the mother I am today because of you. Miss you! Can't wait for you to get back home so we can celebrate Mother's Day with you.
On another front, I believe Ellie has started teething. Not good! She is grumpy and has two little bumps in the front that weren't there yesterday. I am not ready for teeth! I love that gorgeous gummy smile. I guess she has to grow up sometime.

Standing and Eating Pasta

Elliana can stand up holding on to the couch now...
And she is part Italian...she fed herself pasta at dinner!

The Best Medicine

Sometimes there is no better medicine than cuddling on the couch with my sweet baby girl. I feel better already!

Play Time!

Almost Crawling

Elliana is almost crawling! At the suggestion of the early interventionist from Help Me Grow, we made a tunnel out of pillows so she won't roll. We waited so long for her to roll and now we don't want her to! She finally got the hang of it today and is scooting herself along the floor. She almost has the commando crawl down pat. The motivation: Daisy, Julius, Baby, and mommy at the other end. We almost have a mobile baby girl!
Mommy decided to give Ellie a sippy cup with milk just to see what would happen. After just a few tries, she figured it out! Such a smart little girl!
T-9 days until grandma and grandpa get home!