Hiking

Last weekend we spontaneously went to Oak Mountain State Park for a few hours. It is less than 10 minutes from our house! We weren't sure how Ella would do since she was recovering from an ear infection, but we were willing to take the risk. She LOVED it! Vinny used the Jeep Carrier to hold Ella and she enjoyed facing out and watching everything. She loved seeing people on the trail we hiked and got REALLY excited when she saw a dog!!! We hiked down to Peavine Falls and back, which was about a mile. Then we headed to the petting farm in the park. Ella stayed in her stroller and watched all the animals. She was very calm...I think she was fascinated by all the different animals she had never seen before. Here are some pictures from our day trip!

10 Months Old

Today Ella is TEN months old. This month went by very quickly! Here's what Ella has been up to this month:

~You love to play peek-a-boo.
~You still like the same toys, along with Panda Bear that your Aunt Barbara bought you and the musical table we bought you.
~You enjoy climbing all over mommy, daddy, and even Dingo when we are laying on the floor. We are your personal jungle gym!
~You love books and they can entertain you for a little bit longer now.
~You are officially done with the swing. The past several months you would only go in it maybe once a day for a little while after you woke up in the morning, but this month we have put it away.
~You are VERY observant to fine details in everything.
~You started clapping you hands all by yourself.
~You had your first temper tantrum. It was a bit dramatic because you threw you hands over your face and down to the ground. Then looked up at us, gave us a huge pouty lip, and threw yourself down again. It was a bit comical...
~You have begun to torment Dingo and most of the time he could care less about you. We used to have to watch Dingo around you (we still do) but lately we have had to get onto YOU for annoying Dingo. You love him!
~You also love every other type of animal. You squeal in delight when you see a dog. You were introduced to your first pet bird this month and you were very intrigued by it. You wanted to touch it so badly and didn't understand why it had to be in a cage. You definitely didn't get your animal lover feelings from your mommy!! :)
~You took your first trip on the airplane to Pennsylvania and New Jersey. You did GREAT on the plane and so many people commented about how wonderful you were. All the family up north doted on you and you were incredible at the wedding.
~At the beginning of the month you were wearing 9-12 month clothing. Now you are mostly wearing 12 month size.
~I don't think I've ever mentioned your gag reflex on the blog, but you have it bad. If you cry for too long you will automatically make yourself throw up, so we can't have you cry yourself to sleep. Also, you are very particular about the texture of food and will not eat anything that is in solid form (othere than Stage 2 baby food). You will gag or throw up. The doctor said you will eventually grow out of it, but that it may be a frustrating process. It seems you will be a picky eater! We are hoping that going to daycare will help because you will watch other kids eating "real" food and want to mimic them.
~You are still not interested in the sippy cup...

End of the month stats (You didn't have your 9 month check-up until 2 days before turning 10 months):
Length: 29 inches (95th percentile)
Weight: 19 pounds 12 ounces (50th percentile)
Head Circumference: 17 and 1/4 inches (35th percentile)


It was so hard trying to keep you still for your 10 month portrait.

Obviously you didn't last too long.

Tormenting Dingo.

Watching Dingo play outside.

Playing with the dishwasher.

Big Milestone Month ~ 9 Months

I'm a little late in posting this...Ella turned 9 months on July 6th. This month, by far, has been the biggest month for Ella. She experienced many "firsts."

~ Sat up by yourself a week after turning 8 months.
~ Less than a week later you started crawling.
~ Less than a week after that you started pulling up on anything you could reach up and pull on.
~ You cut your first tooth.
~ You had your first big sickness, which landed you in the emergency room at the Children's Hospital. You were diagnosed with coxsackie, which is "hand, foot, mouth syndrome." Your temperature went up to 103, you had little red spots on your body, and you had ulcers in your throat and mouth. You were miserable and the sickness lasted a week. We had to alternate Tylenol and Motrin every 3 hours. While at the hospital we were able to get your new weight of 18.7 pounds...you sure did grow!
~ You are saying "mama" and "dada" all the time and are now saying it in reference to the correct people :)
~ You dislike having your diaper changed or putting clothes on or off. You used to LOVE the changing table.
~ You are starting to have a little separation anxiety with mommy. It mainly happens at home when I am in a different room than you. You have no problem being dropped off at the church nursery, so that's good.
~ You have somewhat of a temper...this may be a sign of things to come!
~ You love magazines, especially when you rip them up! Haha!
~ You like to play with your shadow on the carpet when the sunlight come in.
~ You now have realized that their's a bow in your hair! Sometimes you will yank it out and throw it on the floor.
~ You love playing with door stoppers.
~ Your favorite toys are: Tickle Me Elmo, stacking rings, glow worm, toothbrush, empty water bottles, toys that make music or noise, and toys that are interactive.
~ People always remark about your blue eyes and facial expressions. The two "ella faces" are: the bottom pout lip and when you pucker up both lips.
~ You are wearing 9-12 month size clothes.
~ You take just two naps per day and they are normally short...anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour and a half.

Cat & Dog Theology

Our small group at church is reading the book Cat & Dog Theology by Bob Sjogren and Gerald Robison and let me just say it is amazing and convicting. The authors basically use the analogies that "Cats" say,"You pet me, you feed me, you shelter me, you love me, I must be God." Whereas a "Dog" says, "You pet me, you feed me, you shelter me, you love me, YOU must be God." Throughout the book they challenge you to rethink your relationship with God and how we exist to show God glory. It is not about us (although we all think this at times), but is about delighting in the God who delights in us.

Cat theology is not necessarily incorrect, but incomplete. They are so focused on how they can be blessed by God rather than how to use those blessings for God's glory. In one part of the book, it talks about how we see this incompleteness in our church. Take, for example, Daniel in the lions' den. What lesson do we learn from it? God will take care of us in times of trouble. This lesson is not incorrect, but it is incomplete. Why? It only focuses on what God is doing for us - His desire to bless us. What has been left out is the reason why God blesses us! You remember the story. The king finds out who the bad guys are, and he takes Daniel out of the lions' den and throws the bad guys in. He then writes a memo from his desk and sends it to all the kings of the earth saying, "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel" (Daniel 6:26). What's happening here? You've got a Gentile king who is making God famous to all the other Gentile kings around the world.

We have to see beyond the blessings and look into the reasons behind them! Romans 11:36 sums it up: "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen."

A difference between a "Cat" and a "Dog" is what they are focusing on. A cat focuses on themselves. A dog focuses on giving God glory.

We all want God's blessings. There's nothing wrong with that! So many times I thank God for all the blessings He has given me, but I forget that I need to pass them on and be a blessing to others. The blessings I receive should GIVE GOD GLORY! If I hoard God's blessings to myself then I have the "cat" mentality that it is all about me. I should be making God famous...

This book is VERY good!

Mother's Day

This Mother's Day was very special because it was my first Mother's Day with Ella and we dedicated Ella at church. We dedicated Ella at our church...Westwood Baptist Church. Here are the commitments we made as parents:

1. To recoginze Ella as a special gift of God and give thanks to Him for His blessing.

2. To commit ourselves to providing a home built on the foundation of Jesus Christ in order to rear Ella in the nurture, love, and admonition of the Lord.

3. To commit ourselves to guide, instruct, and teach Ella by our words and example in a positive, godly, Christ-honoring way.

4. To commit ourselves to be faithful and regular in our church involvement as well as use the many ministries of the church to teach Ella godly living to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have chosen Ella's "life verse." When she is older she can change it if she wants to:

"For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."
2 Corinthians 4:6

We chose this verse because the name Ella means "bright light." Our prayer is that Ella Michelle Chiaramonte will radiate Jesus' love to those around her. That she will be His vessel and "bright light" in this dark world.

Ella was so funny during the church service because she was kicking her legs, playing with her dress, and being goofy while on stage. It was pretty entertaining, but at least she didn't cry!

After the service we had almost 40 people at our house for a celebration lunch. Everything went great! We had tables and chairs in our backyard and lots of food. Most of our family was able to attend...it truly was a blessed day!

Look at that sweet little face!

My first Mother's Day with Ella.

On stage while Ella shows off her kicking ability!

Our Little Ladybug

Look at this CUTIE! She is making a funny face in this picture, but I love it. Plus, I love her outfit!

The Art of Juggling

Sometimes the stress of life can creep up on me and then BAM...I feel overwhelmed. The two craziest times of the year (for a teacher) are August/September and then April/May (the beginning and end of the school year). It was already a bit stressful prior to having a kid, but now that I have Ella, it is more difficult "juggling" everything. I am still learning how to prioritize what is important and what can wait until tomorrow, or the next day, or next...

To say it bluntly: being a mom is hard. But at the same time it is VERY rewarding!

I am contemplating on taking a day off to get my "to do" list conquered.

On an exciting note, we are getting Ella dedicated on Mother's Day and I am so thrilled about it. Last year on Mother's Day I was pregnant and watched as babies in our church were dedicated. Since that day I have desired to have Ella dedicated on Mother's Day. I can't wait!

I need to put this verse throughout the house!!!

"Your father knows what you need before you ask him. So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today's trouble is enough for today." (Matthew 6:8b, 31-34)