Funny Mommy



All I was doing was fake coughing...she thought it was hilarious! She started fake coughing during breakfast, and I copied her and she laughed and laughed! Sorry I sound so creepy!

Standing UP!


There is a reason that these pictures are all from the back. Every time I tried to take the picture of her from the front she would get so excited to see me and the camera that she would smile and lose her balance. I'll keep working on it. She hasn't really pulled up on anything else yet, but the toy box seems to be just the right height and the "stuff" inside just the right motivation.

9 Months!


My friend Sarah said to me last night, referring to Ella "This is the age when it got fun". I couldn't agree more! I remember feeling at 2 months like I could do this (this being parenting), at 6 months that I could really enjoy doing this, and now at 9 months I feel like I could maybe even, some day, do this again! Don't worry, it won't be any time soon. My point is that this whole "mommy thing" just keeps getting better and better. Her smile brightens my whole day, her laugh makes me forget about every thing going on around me, her cries (few and far between) break my heart, and her cuddles (also few and far between) make me want to stop time.  

At 9 Months Ella
*Weighs 17 lbs 7 oz (28th %)!
* Is 26 Inches long (15th %)
* Wears size 3 diapers
* Has 2 teeth
* Wears 6-9 month clothes mostly. Some 9-12 month - especially PJ's
* Still takes 2 naps a day. 1.5 hours in AM 3-4 hours PM 
* Sleeps 12 hours at night
* Crawls
* Can do at least one step, going up
* Loves ALL books
* Can pretty much eat anything we eat as long as it is small chunks.
* Is still taking 4 bottles a day
* Wants to be on the go ALL the time!
* Makes funny faces. A scowl and monkey lips are among her current favorites
* Can "click" her tongue
* Is most ticklish around her neck. Anywhere else pretty much just annoys her!
* Loves to chase the animals
* Is SO MUCH FUN!




Stairs! (Well, One Anyway!)

Trying to Get a 9 Month Picture


They start to get better towards the end here! She is such a wiggle worm!

Dancing!



So you have to watch closely, but Ella is dancing! (Bouncing really). Not sure if she is just excited or if she actually knows dancing (probably the former), but it is cute either way! The "Lily" doll is playing "Ring Around the Rosie"

Feeding at the Pool + Tons of Distractions = A BIG Mess




So these pictures pretty much go without explanation, but here goes one anyway. Every mother has had a child who looked like this at one point or another after feeding. Usually babies look like this when they try to feed themselves. (yes that is food in her eyebrows) In this case I can only put some of the blame on Ella. We were at the pool having lunch, and there were just too many things going on around us. Every time I would get near her with the spoon she would turn her head and look at a person or try to see where a noise was coming from (it was a very busy day at the pool), and I would smear peas or blueberries all over her face. In addition to this mommy mayhem, Ella was a little tired and would rub her eyes/face and get her little hands full of sticky, yummy goodness and then she would immediately rub her head getting all the goo in her hair. I am sure people were very pleased that we went back in the pool after this feeding session. I did try to clean her off beforehand....

Special Visitor - Grandma Griffith




Tim's mom, Carol, came for a visit this past weekend. Ella had so much fun with playing and cuddling with Grandma Griffith. We went to the farmer's market on Saturday morning and to the RAC pool in the afternoon. We also went out for ice cream and pizza. Carol also took care of Ella while Tim and I worked on Friday. They got to spend some good time together. Carol also brought Ella some presents! A touch and feel book "Good Night, Good Morning", a really cute winter outfit, a new sippy cup, and a darling cupcake bib. So thoughtful and Ella had so much fun with the book and looked super cute in the bib! Thanks Grandma Griffith!

Police Car






When I picked Ella up from daycare yesterday GoGo had her in this police car and was pushing her around the driveway in it. Apparently they had been on a "walk" before that and Ella had stayed in the police car the whole time. She just loved it. She was even holding onto the key and steering wheel! So cute! I think we need to get one of these...maybe not a police car...maybe a Barbie car...I might be living vicariously just a little. While I have no interest in being in a police car a pink Barbie convertible I could get used to!

And the Red Balloon





Ella went to her first birthday party on Sunday. Her friend, Kinsley Stryker, turned 1 year old! I forgot my camera, but trust me Ella had tons of fun playing with all of Kinsley's birthday toys. Kinsley was even nice enough to let us take home one of her party balloons as a party favor. I see hours of fun in our future! Thanks Kinsley and happy birthday!

Teeth!

You can see my two teeth on the bottom!

Look What I Can Do!

Hi Mom!
Hey! What's in here?
These keys are fun!
What else can I find?

Crawling - Part 2



New Toy

Cuteness

A Few Random Photos

Getting Ready for the Pool!

My mom was putting sunscreen on Ella and I said don't worry about messing up her hair. Literally the second I said that my mom put sunscreen all over her head making her hair stick up everywhere! Good thing we brought a hat!