13 Months Old (written 3 weeks late)

Mommy did a BAD job this month and didn't write anything down. So, I'm writing this "from memory."

~ Daycare is kicking our butts right now because you are constantly sick.
~ When you are sick, you are still sweet and mostly content. We are really blessed at how well you act even when you aren't feeling well.
~ You are a social butterfly. You LOVE going out in public and can't wait to interact with people (and animals.)
~ You never meet a stranger and will let anyone hold you.
~ You can take around 5 steps on your own. You are apprehensive to try much farther. You would rather hang on to objects while "coasting" along.
~ You are slowly trying more and more finger foods.
~ You LOVE your milk. We have to be careful not to give you too much so you will eat your food.
~ We have noticed that you are getting a little more affectionate by giving hugs and cuddling. Sometimes you want a hug and then you are quickly moving along to the next activity.
~ You love swinging at the park and enjoy crawling on the bridge and other climbing things.
~ We transitioned you to your "big girl" car seat a few days after your birthday. You have done a GREAT job and seem to like facing forward.
~ Nana and Papa bought you a DVD player for the car, so that has entertained you really well :)
~ You love being outside. In fact, if you are fussy or not feeling well, we will walk outside. You will immediately stop crying and focus on your surroundings. In fact, while you were sick, there were many nights you would fall sleep outside while being rocked on the deck chair.
~ You love to explore. If you seem bored, we take you into another room and you love the change of "scenery" and have a blast exploring the new room. So far, it is still easy to entertain you!
~ You love your little wooden rocker. We have to watch you closely because sometimes you would rather stand on it instead of sit and rock.
~ You love your ball pit. Aunt Dee bought you bunches of balls to put inside the pit.

12 Month Stats:
Length- 30 inches (90th percentile)
Weight- 20.11 pounds (60th percentile)
Head Circumference- 17 1/2 inches (25th percentile)

Fall Fun!

Fall is in the air. And at times, it feels like winter, especially these past few days! Here are some pictures of our little pumpkin!








Tired from the pumpkin patch!

Halloween

Ella was sick on Halloween, so she was unable to go trick-or-treating. Fortunately her daycare hosted a Fall Festival the week before and she was able to get dressed up! They had food, games, a petting zoo, and inflatables. Here are some pictures of the Fall Festival.

Ella's First Birthday

We celebrated Ella's first birthday at the Pelham Park with family and friends. We were fortunate to have the entire family drive (and fly) in for the big day. Here are some pictures!

Backtracking a Month

We are WAY BEHIND in blogging. I blame it on business, sickness, and pure exhaustion. Ella is 13 months old, but I never blogged about when she turned a year old, so here goes...

~ This was the month of two more ear infections, so we were referred to see an ENT specialist.
~ You cut two more teeth...the ones on both sides of your two top teeth.
~ Some new words are no, uh-oh, bye-bye, hi, hey, Dingo (although it is unclear, we know you are referring to him).
~ You YELL when you don't get your way.
~ Putting more things in your mouth, even things on the floor! You finally enjoy eating puffs.
~ We have to keep Dingo out of the kitchen when you eat because you like to feed him.
~ When we pat your back, you sometimes pat our back too :)
~ You still aren't walking on your own, but will cruise while holding on to things.
~ Even though being in daycare is making you have many sicknesses you love your friends there.

Cowboys Cheerleader

Here is our favorite Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. She's the cutest of them all.

ALMOST a year old!

Well, this is Ella's last month before turning the big ONE. Time flies by...I know I say that often, but it really does. This past month has probably been my favorite!

~ You started daycare for the first time and you seem to really like it. All the workers rave about how you are a sweet, good girl who makes them laugh. The main comment I hear when I pick you up is how you entertained them with your MANY facial expressions.
~ You can hold your own bottle, although you don't always choose to.
~ You are still not wanting to try finger foods.
~ You do a better job eating your baby food in public and not as good while at home. You put up more of a fight at home...
~ Now that you are in daycare you will take a bottle anywhere without getting distracted.
~ You LOVE your daddy and get very excited when he comes home from work.
~ You have started being bashful/shy when meeting people for the first time (or if you haven't seen them in awhile). You put your head on our shoulder and hide your face from people.
~ You suck your toes more often this month.
~ A few times we have caught you crawling behind the couch. You start giggling and then pop your head up by the coffee table where I sit. You are very proud of yourself when you did this! But, because of safety, we have had to baracade your "entrance" so you don't get stuck back there.
~ You are walking really good while holding onto things.
~ You cut three more teeth. (Your two top teeth and bottom left.)
~ You got your second ear infection in the same ear as your first infection (the right one). Your pediatrician says you seem to have a slightly smaller ear canal in that ear.
~ You are much more cuddly now and we LOVE it! Maybe that's why this month is my favorite. You will let us hold you longer and you will give hugs and slobbery kisses.
~ You still love Dingo and want to cuddle him by laying next to him or sometimes on top of him.
~ You can crawl fast! Sometimes you will lift one leg up like you are walking while the other leg is crawling. It looks quite interesting and funny!