Mini update

Yeah, we're climbing now. Mom is not so thrilled. Ella is a very determined little girl and was very proud of her new accomplishment.

Lots of pictures and updates

Now wearing size 9 months! I tried on the outfit thinking it would be huge on her. To my surprise, it fit perfectly! I can't believe my little baby is getting so big so fast!

Looking out the window at the rain (compliments of Gustav!). She is already trying to climb up on the hearth. Yikes!

Check out Ella's playroom (formally known as our living room!)

What can I say? She's the most beautiful little girl in the whole entire world!

I discovered she now likes to pose for the camera. As soon as Mommy brings out the camera and says "cheese!", she knows it's time to flash a smile. She instantly smiles with her mouth open and scrunches up her nose. That's the Ella pose!

Pulling up on the hearth

Ella now can WALK!! along the furniture while holding on.

Ella no longer plays IN the Jumperoo. Now she likes to play UNDER it!

Ella reading with her friends

She loves playing with Daddy's electronics, which makes Daddy very unhappy.

Snuggling with her buddy Jay

Ella reading her favorite book

What a mess!

Ella after her second hair cut

Playing with her new activity table

On the go!

Our days are quickly becoming more and more eventful and busy. Now that Miss Ella is on the go, she has her own agenda, and it doesn't involve sitting still and being quiet. She constantly getting around and exploring her environment. It is now a fun game (to her!) to crawl out of the living room and explore the kitchen and laundry room. We now have to put up barricades to keep her corraled. She has discovered the fireplace hearth, which makes Mommy and Daddy VERY nervous. Hopefully we can prevent any stitches in the future. She absolutely loves her new activity table where she can pull up and push lots of buttons and play music. No longer is it fun to just sit and play. She is constantly up and down and all over the place!

Ella survived her second hair cut. Unfortunately, it did not go as well as the first time. In order to stop the screaming, Mommy reluctantly had to bribe her with a strawberry flavored sucker! She licked away while the lady snipped.

Ella has officially moved out of the baby class into the crawlers class at daycare. Fortunately, she is already familiar with her new teachers and playmates since they are right next door to her old class. In the new class, she will have more room to get around and activities that are better suited for her. Mommy's little girl is getting so grown up!

lounging in the highchair

big girl pulling up in the pack 'n play

7 months old!!

Reading my favorite book (given to me by Aunt Jenn)

On the go!

Snuggled w/ Snuggle Bunny

Meeting my Cousin Gaylon for the 1st time

Daddy, what kind of hat is this??

I know, I know! I'm the world's worse mother for not updating the blog in several weeks. I've received numerous complaints about the lack of updates lately, especially since our little girl doesn't seem so little these days. Ella Grace is officially on the go and crawling! Nothing can stop her now! I will try to cover all of her new tricks.

She is not only crawling but also pulling up and even tries to stand on her own. She has legs of steel (or so she thinks)! As long as she doesn't see Mommy around, she is very content crawling around and playing independently with her toys. But once she sees Mommy, she is not happy unless she is being held. The pack 'n play has been very helpful!

Ella now has her own cell phone and remote control since she found Mommy and Daddy's so interesting. I'm sure she'll be making phone calls in no time!

Sometimes at night she cannot go to sleep without Mommy rubbing her back while she is laying in her bed. Like mother, like daughter!

Ella is continuing to become more and more vocal, sometimes too vocal. She is quick to let you know when she is not happy by screaching at the top of her lungs. I'm afraid this is the beginning of temper tantrums. Mommy was so excited when she started saying "mama" last week, but unfortunately, it was only a one time deal. She has great time making spitting sounds, even while eating, which can be a bit messy. It's even more fun when Mommy and Daddy do it back.

Ella is continuing to eat like a champ but remains petite for her age. Fruits and veggies, she eats it all! Except for the spring veggie medley. I can't say I blame her, though. Mommy needs to start getting back in the habit of cooking before Ella decides to ditch the baby food. Hopefully that won't be anytime soon.

What else can I say? Ella Grace is absolutely the most beautifully perfect and precious little girl there is! She never ceases to amaze us and we thank God every day for her.

Ella's First Trip to Indy

packing up for the trip

Trip to the zoo
Ella is reading her new zoo book

swimming at the pool

first hair cut

so beautiful!

playing w/ Daddy and Rocky

snuggling w/ Gramma

bed head!

We actually survived our first trip to Indy with Ella. Mommy and Daddy could not have been more nervous! The plane ride up there was a bit stressful since Ella refused to sleep and a bit unhappy. Fortunately, we made it there on time. However, our luggage was a different story. After several minutes of panic, we learned that the luggage would make it in on a later flight that night. Whew!! Mommy thought she'd be buying a whole new wardrobe in Indy. Adjusting to the new places and faces was a bit hard for the first few days. Gramma and Grampa were all ready with everything a little girl could possibly need to make her feel at home.

The puppy dogs, Rocky and Rosie were very excited to meet the newest member of the family. Mommy and Daddy were not so sure about all of the doggy kisses but eventually got over it. Rocky was especially protective of Ella. The moment Ella started crying, he would come running to check on her. If we did not stop her crying, he would get very concerned and start barking at us to help her.

While Mommy was busy helping Aunt Jen with last minute wedding plans, Ella played with Daddy and the rest of the family. He was a great help all week long. He didn't even get to go to the wedding since we didn't have anyone to watch Ella at the last minute. It all worked out, though. I think he was secretly relieved he didn't have to go to the wedding anyways!

Mommy and Daddy finally decided it was time for Ella's first hair cut. Have you even heard of a 6 month old getting hair cut?? Most kids do not get one until at least 2 years old! I wasn't quite sure if she would cooperate, but she actually did great! She sat there like a perfect angel watching a Baby Einstein video in a green race car chair. Of course Mommy video taped every second of it!

A trip to Indy would not be complete without a trip to the zoo. Lions, and tigers, and bears! Oh my! We were even able to pet sharks. The day was extremely hot, so we did not last long.

Happy 4th of July

I can't say that Ella's first 4th of July was overly exciting. Since we were leaving the next days for Indy, we decided to take it easy and just take of a few last minutes things for the trip. Who would have thought traveling with Ella would take so much prep time??! Maybe next year will be a little more fun or at least involve some fireworks.