Ella and Reagan

We visited Houston for Reagan's 3rd birthday party. Ella and Reagan had lots of fun together. Reagan decided he wanted to be just like Ella sleep in her bed. Each had a Snuggle Bunny and a "You're My Little Love Bug" book. So sweet! Check out Reagan's blog for more pictures. www.taylorfamilyinfo.blogspot.com

Fall Days

The Great Escape

We had been using the car seat as a barricade and quickly learned to put the toy basket in the seat to prevent Ella from climbing over it.

Time is literally flying by as I sit here and try to think about what all has been happening around here lately. It's hard to believe it is already DECEMBER!! I blinked and Thanksgiving flew by, so now I am realizing that Christmas and Ella's birthday will be here in no time. Can you believe Ella is almost one??!! I know I can't! My baby girl is getting all grown up, and I'm not ready yet. But I guess what parent is ready?

Everyday Ella is getting closer and closer to walking on her own. She can stand without holding on to anything and take one step, but that second step gets a little tricky. On Thanksgiving she was able to take a few side steps before she fell. Apparently, walking side ways is easier than walking forward! She loves pushing her walker/car around the living room. In fact, she'll push anything that will move on the carpet.

She is slowly progressing to table food. She now enjoys eating the chunkier baby foods and finger foods like Cheerios. I guess I need to start brushing up on my cooking skills since she won't be wanting food from a jar anymore before too long. I doubt she will be content with a bowl of cereal for dinner like Gene and I do. Yikes! We are continuing to work on drinking out of the sippy cup. Right now it is more of a chew toy than anything.

Since we don't go back to the doctor until her 12 month check-up in January, I'm not sure exactly how tall and how much she weighs now. If I had to guess, she's probably closer to 20 pounds now. She is definitely outgrowing her 9 month clothes and moving on to 12 month sizes. She looks so grown up in her big girl outfits! We still have a bow to match everything. The "sprout" and bow are her trademarks! Unfortunately, she has figured out how to pull out some of the hair bows. The bow then either goes into her mouth or on the floor. Not fun having to retrace your steps at the mall to find a lost bow!

Ella loves to clap, whether it's because she's proud of something she did or just because she's happy. All you have to do is say "Yea Ella" or start singing "if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands." It is so sweet! She can also give high 5's. We are still working on blowing kisses and waving good-bye.

No real words yet other than "mama" and "dada." She is now saying "nananana", so we are trying to work on "Nana" for Gene's mom. She understands quite a bit of what you say. She knows who mama and dada and several favorite toys are. For instance, I can tell her to find Snuggle bunny, and she can go get her.

The temper tantrums are already starting and she's not even one yet! She is quickly learning what mama says she can and cannot do, much to her dissmay. She even knows she is doing something she is not supposed to because she will look back at you with a mischievious grin to see if you are paying attention. When I tell her "no," she puts her head down and starts crying.

Despite having the entire living room fenced off so that she can have plenty of room to play, she does not like to be confined. When she is tired of playing in there, she scream as soon as room step into that area. She needs time to roam freely around the house to do her own exploring. She has to be on the go almost at all times. She likes to be moving and doing as much as possible. It is fun watching her explore and learn about her surroundings.

Happy Halloween!

Cute as a bug!

I hate that Gene's eyes are closed in the picture because Ella is actually looking at the camera! She's always to busy looking at what going on around her.

All of the kids that went trick-or-treating.

For Ella's first Halloween, we dressed up our little Ladybug and met up with some church friends for the evening. We were not sure how Ella would react to the costume. Surprisingly, it did not bother her one bit, not even the head piece. It was absolutely adorable! She loved watching all of the other kids. We went on a hay ride around the neighborhood and had lots of fun. Maybe next year Ella will get some candy.

More October

Helping Aunt Kathy and Aunt Murch pack up to go back to San Antonio.

At the zoo.

Aunt Kathy demonstrating what an elephant sounds like.

At the zoo checking out the flamingos.

Watching the stinky rhinos eat some lunch.

That Aunt Kathy is so silly!

Hanging in the kitchen.

The princess eating her tutu.

Yea!!! Aunt Kathy is here!

Ella and Aunt Murch

Mommy and Ella

What a cute little Colts cheerleader! Love those blue eyes!

walking with baby

wore out after a long day at school

Ella in her school picture outfit. Mommy made sure she had just the right outfit with the perfect bow to match. Hopefully the pictures turned out good.

Cookie monster! She loves mini Nilla wafers.

Bunny has become a very special part of our life. Ella drags her around by her ear, always held in her right hand.

Gotta have Bunny and a plug!

Ella trying out her new car. Whoa! Hang on tight!

What a show off!

The month of October has definitely ended on a busy note around here. Gramma and Grampa Riley stopped in for a long weekend, followed by 4 days with Aunt Kathy and Aunt Murch. Wheww! We were the Roddy Bed 'N Breakfast for a week and a half.

First to stop in was Gramma and Grampa Riley. Ella took to them right away as though she remembered them from their last visit. The weekend was full of shopping for Ella, of course! How could we expect anything else when Gramma is around?! We were hoping to make it to the zoo, but Ella had other plans. Instead we had a lazy day (to recover from all of that shopping and garage saling!) due to Ella's new teeth coming in. Slowly but surely (and painfully) THREE new teeth are making their way in. Most babies almost have a full set by now! I guess it's time to start looking for a new toothbrush. As you can see, Grampa was sure to bring along a Colts cheerleader outfit for Ella. It fits perfectly, and she is now ready to cheer on her favorite team. She is already a cheerleader in the making. She loves doing back flips off Mommy's lap and handstands. She's so flexible that she can put both feet in her mouth at the same time. Gymnastics, here we come! Don't worry, Gramma. We will make time for ballet, too.

Aunt Kathy and Aunt Murch flew down to San Antonio to visit friends and made a side trip to Tyler for a few days. They were even able to stay an extra day since one of their friends had a little accident on her scooter. Those ladies are always getting into some sort of trouble! Ella was a little slower to warm up to her aunts, but by the end of week, she was having lots of fun as long as Mommy stayed out of sight. Ella is officially a mama's girl. Apparently, it's genetic. On top of dealing with new teeth, Ella had a second ear infection. With a little antibiotics, Motrin, and Orajel, she was a brand new baby and much more enjoyable to be around. We were finally able to make it to the zoo and see of the wild animals. I think Ella enjoyed the flamingos the most because she kept laughing at them. The weather was perfect! All in all, we had a great visit with everyone and can't wait to go home for Ella's first Christmas!

October

Hudson having a snack

Ella and Hudson playing together

Hudson watching Baby Einstein

Ella playing

Ella has adapted her crawl when she has on a dress so that she doesn't get caought up in it.

My little monkey!

Am I the only one that cannot believe that it is already October and that Ella is 9 months old??!! Where has the time gone? The older I get, the faster time flies! I recently set the screensaver on our computer to do a slide show of pictures saved on our computer. I have been able to see pictures of all sorts from over the years, all the way back to Jenn's baby shower for Reagan, the pre-Ella years, and Ella's first few months here. We have made many unforgettable memories with all of our friends and family. Thank you so much for being a huge part of our lives!

Ella had her 9 month check-up this morning. She is 17 lbs. and 12 oz and 28 inches long. That puts her in the 75th percentile for her height and 25-50th percentile for her weight, which is consistent with what's she been doing so far. Dr. Everett assures me she is far from being underweight and lots of jelly rolls to prove it! She almost got of there without any shots since she is up to date on her immunizations until 12 months, but then Mommy decided she needed a flu shot. As a nurse, I could not have been prouder of her. She didn't flench or even shed a tear. My baby is the best patient ever! She is now wearing 9 month sizes, so we have been doing some shopping lately. It's been a little hard knowing what to get because we are still between seasons. The night and evenings are cool, but it still gets up to the 80's during the day. The warm weather clothes are too small, and the cool weather clothes are too big.

Ella is quickly on her way to walking. She still enjoys walking along the furniture and gets frustrated that she can't stand up without holding onto something. Today I bought a push toy that she can use to help her learn to walk. By the time we got home, she was too exhausted to try it out, so we will have to see how it goes. I'm hoping I didn't just waste my money! She is much more verbal and interactive with anyone that cares to listen. And if you are not listening, she will be sure to get your attention. Just this week, she has finally started enjoying the attention she gets from strangers when we are out and about. She used to just glare at them and make a scowl face. I kept telling she needed to start being sweeter and smile are people. I guess she realized she could get further with a few cute smiles and babbles. She is starting to clap, or at least attempt to do so. When she gets excited, she claps by patting her right hand on her left left forearm. We are also working on high fives, waving, and blowing kisses.

Mr. Reagan will be very jealous to know that Ella had a playdate with another young man. Don't worry, Reagan, they are only friends! Hudson Layne came over to play while his mommy had a meeting in Dallas. I quickly learned what it would be like having two little ones instead of just one. Let's just say I'm in no hurry to have another just yet. He was the perfect little gentleman, and Ella enjoyed having a playmate. Sometimes they could care less what the other one was doing. Other times, they both had to be doing the exact same thing. Fortunately, no one was upset if a toy was stolen. Hudson would feel guilty about taking it and immediately try to give it back to Ella. They enjoyed a picnic on the carpet with cookies and puffs and playing outside in the yard. Hudson is welcome back anytime!