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!

Ella is growing to be such a happy little girl! She brings such joy and laughter into our lives each and every day. She never ceases to amaze us with all that she does. It won't be long before Ella will be walking and running! She enjoys walking along all of the furniture and planning her next great escape. You can watch her look around and figure out the best way to get over, under, or around any and every barricade we set up in the living room. Daddy keeps threatening to put up a fence to keep her out of trouble. Mommy is not so sure she wants gates all over. We'll see!

Ella's appetite has practically doubled in the past few weeks. Hence, the increased rolls! She is still loving fruits and veggies of all kinds. She is a pro at shoveling in puffs by the handful. Soon we will be introducing meats. We'll see how that goes!

Ella loves to talk now. She still is not saying "dada," but "mama" is she needs to say to get lots of smiles and kisses. She especially likes to add her own opinions when Mommy and Daddy are having discussions. I can only imagine what's going on in that little mind of her's!

Mommy decided we needed to enjoy the beautiful weather outside, so we tried out the grass in the back yard. She wouldn't look at the camera because she was in such awe of everything around her. Maybe we need to get outdoors a little more often.

Trying to eat some leaves.

Toes in the grass.

Ella hated the grass! She was crying the entire time until I picked her up. This princess prefers her carpeted floor indoors!

Playing in the kitchen.

So true!!

little cowgirl

Nothing can keep this little girl from getting to the window! She had to climb over all of her toys to get up on the hearth. This is why we need a fence in the living room!

Once again, Ella is attempting to escape. Unfortunately, she ended up getting stuck, and Daddy had to move the couch in order to rescue her (while Mommy captured the moment with a photo!).

Our angel has a halo! Mommy likes to play ring toss on Ella's head.

Big girl drinking out of her cup after eating dinner.