Bananas...Take 2!

Take 2 on bananas...went a little better this time around...

She put it in her mouth a few times on her own this time around...then as you can see in the last picture it quickly became a paint brush...and then soon hit the floor...banana time was over! I then however took the other part of the banana and mashed it up really well and mixed it with some rice cereal...so look at that...she ate bananas that were NOT pureed! She did well with that...ate it right up!

Ella is CRAWLING now! She had gotten pretty good at scooting around on her belly and pushing herself backwards...on Sunday we had just gotten home from church and I took her out of her car seat and set her on the floor while I went and got lunch for her ready...while in the kitchen I grabbed the dog food and brought it out to the living room and set it on their plates....I started to walk away and I stopped and watched Ella pop up on her knees and start crawling! It was either the dog food or the dogs that enticed her! She either thought that the dogs food looked good or was just going after her dogs (she does love those dogs)! Today Josh and I had her in our bedroom on the floor and we sat apart and she crawled back and forth between us...she's not speedy...but she's getting the hang of it!

Ella had a fun game today that kept her amused for about 20 minutes...I had her sitting on my lap facing me (and I was just now getting a chance to look through the Sunday paper)...she grabbed one of the flyers out of the paper....and ripped a large piece off of it...and she held it in her hand...and kept trying to put it in MY mouth...so I pretended to take a bite out of it and made a big noise like I was getting ready to eat it...she laughed and laughed and laughed....she just thought that was the best game ever!

Ella is really enjoying her books right now....she actually likes to look at them instead of trying to eat them! :) She often will sit right in my lap and we'll read some books...as she turns the pages.

This was a cute story...I dropped Ella off at the sitters on Tuesday morning...and the kids just love Ella...they always yell ELLA when we walk in. I set her car seat down and this one little boy (probably right about 2 years old) comes running over. He brings his face down by hers and rests his head against hers...and then sits up and says, "ouch" and is pointing at Ella's hair...Beth and I start laughing...he was saying Ella's crazy hair got him! It was cute...Beth laughed and told him that Ella's hair didn't hurt him :)

It was once again...a normal week...work and taking care of a baby...day in and day out! Monday - I went to work and Josh picked Ella up...he decided he was going to keep her home with him on Tuesday as we had to share a car...the Jetta was due for a state inspection....so at 7:30am we all left the house to bring the Jetta to the dealership and Josh then brought me to work....at 6pm he picked me up and we started home as the Jetta wasn't done (once again had to replace the water pump)...and then Josh realized that he needed things out of it for work on Wednesday morning...so we had to go all the way home...get the spare keys...turn around and go all the way back to the dealership. Then once we got there...we couldn't find his car...it was left up on the lift...so thankfully there was someone there who was able to get the car down...Josh got his things and home we went....so this also meant that we had to share a car on Wednesday! So Wednesday morning...we all left the house at 6am :) Brought Josh to work...and Ella and I came home...she played for a bit before taking an early morning nap...she ended up sleeping about 8:30-10:30....up for a while...and then went back down for a good afternoon nap as well...after about an hour and a half I woke her up as I wanted her to sleep at night! So at 6:30pm we left the house to go get Josh from work...and then went back out to the dealership to pick up the Jetta. Thursday was work for both of us...an exciting life we lead :)

Ella is really getting to moving around...still doesn't "crawl"...but scoots all over....she's getting really good at laying down and getting into a sitting position...just about every morning she is now sitting up in crib trying to stand up. And of course when I lay her down for a nap...I go to check on her a few minutes later and there she is sitting up playing instead of sleeping :) I found her like this the other night....

Silly girl! I laid her down to go to sleep...and she moved herself into a sitting position apparently...and then when she got tired...she just flopped over and fell asleep...doesn't look comfortable to me! So I did straighten her out so she wasn't folded in half :)

She is liking her "puffs" a lot now...and does well eating them. The doctor had recommended putting solids into a mesh bag and letting her eat from that...we actually had gotten one at one of our baby showers...so I bought bananas today...and I cut one up and stuck a few pieces into that bag for her to try.....

Maybe not a fan??

We'll keep trying! :)

10 months old!

Can you believe it...Ella is 10 months old already!! Time sure has gone by fast! Friday I did take her to her eye exam (InfantSee) with Dr. Anderson...she did really well....never cried and smiled through almost the whole thing! Everything so far is normal...and she was advised for her next exam to be at 3 years old. After her eye exam we went to Target and had fun over there...they have turned into a "Super Target"...it was actually scheduled to open this Sunday (the grocery part) but they finished early...so it was open when I went on Friday morning. So that was our Friday...and we played for the rest of the afternoon. I had planned on doing my grocery shopping on Saturday...but when I got up it was pouring rain...so I opted to wait until Josh was up in the afternoon so I could go and not have to take Ella out in the rain...so that is what I did...then Saturday night came...and it was horrible thunderstorms. Now I'm not really a fan of thunderstorms as it is...but when I'm home by myself...I'm realllllly not a fan of them!

Poor little Ella is still struggling with this cold...it was actually worse Saturday and Sunday than what it had been at the beginning...so I am hoping she wakes up feeling a little better tomorrow.

Some new pictures from this weekend...

Catching Up...

The days go by so fast it seems!

Last weekend was busy...I actually worked Friday to cover someone who was out...so Ella went to the sitters all day. Saturday - Josh slept in the morning and then when he woke up we went to Target, Krogers, and TJ Maxx...and then Ella was done :) Sunday we went to church...Ella and I were in the nursery (I worked in there last Sunday)...we came home and had lunch and Ella went down for a nap...I ended up waking her up from her nap around 2:15 so her and I could leave to go to a baby shower....Ella's friends (Neko and Payton) were there as well...so they all played together! We got home around 6....played for a bit and then it was time for Ella to go to bed!

It's been much of the same this week...Working for Josh and I and Ella goes to the sitters. Yesterday she woke up with a "cold"....although I'm not really sure that is what it is....it could be teething...the symptoms seem to be identical...and if it is a cold...it's a very minor one...so makes me think it could be teething....but there hasn't been a tooth yet...so I'm just not sure! I do know that she had me up at 4:11am this morning...and she went right back to sleep...and I didn't!!!

Ella is working on her crawling...she has got going backwards down pat...and can actually move pretty quick...we're still working on going forwards! She will get up on her knees and rock back and forth and start to go forward but then her legs go straight out and she ends up on her tummy. Since her last video...she has been clapping at everything! She loooves to clap...actually last night at story time...she took her baby dolls hands and made them "clap" - quite cute!

Tonight at story time...Josh and I did it together....after reading...I was saying to her, "say mama"...and she would go mama mama....and keep babbling on....then Josh would say, "say dada"....and she would go dada dada....and keep on going...it was funny...she was good and going back and forth!

Tomorrow morning is Ella's first eye appointment....our office participates in InfantSee...a program that includes a FREE eye exam for any child under the age of 1. So tomorrow is Ella's appointment....we are going at 8:30am...Josh said...why so early?? But she is usually nice and happy in the morning...that's what I'm banking on at least! I'll let you know how it goes!

Let's see...

Saturday night Josh worked...so that means he got home around 7am on Sunday morning...we decided that we would go to the early service so Josh could go (which starts at 8:30am)...Sunday morning was also time change...so I had to wake Ella up at 7 (which she is ALWAYS up on her own by 6:30am)...so I woke her up and got her ready. We went to church and then we came home..Josh went to bed...Ella and I played for a while. Around 11:30, I put her down for a nap...and she slept and slept and slept! Finally at 2ish...she started to wake up. She got up...and we just played and played! We woke Josh up around 4...and decided to go out and run some errands (he had a few things he wanted to pick up)...and then we went to Sweet Frog! Ella was just about done by the end...she didn't end up going to bed until about 8.

Monday...I again had to wake Ella up at 7 to get ready...I get her up and get her changed and into her outfit for the day...and then I bring her out and strap her into her high chair to drink her bottle while I finish getting ready...

She's still looking a little sleepy! We use "elephant" to prop up her bottle. I pack the rest of her breakfast to eat at the sitters.

Tuesday....again I HAD to wake her up at 7!!!

Don't you know...Wednesday (the day I am off)...who's up at 6:30am??? Yes...little miss is up early on her own! I dragged myself out of bed and went and got her a bottle, we played, she ate breakfast....well she was being sooo cranky...I said...lets try putting you back to bed...I don't think you were ready to get up...so I put her back to bed around 7:45am...and she didn't make a peep until almost 10am...and when she woke up....she was soooo much happier! We played for about an hour, and then she got a bath and then some lunch, and then we got ready to go! Josh, Ella and I met my Mom, Dad, and Aunt BB for lunch at the Farm Basket! Which we all enjoyed...and then yes...another trip to Sweet Frog! :) I left as I had to go to a meeting for work...so Josh and Ella went and ran another errand before heading home...when I got home...they were both sitting on the floor...Ella was playing and Josh was watching "Curious George"...yes that's right...Josh was watching it...Ella didn't care that it was on...she was playing with her toys :) Buuut I did have to get this little video...Ella doesn't watch TV...the ONLY thing she will watch is the opening song to "Veggie Tales" - she doesn't care about anything else...just that song...she bounces and claps her hands...it's so cute!!!

Busy Week...

Lately the days seem to be flying by...

Monday - I worked and Josh had court..he surprised me by showing up at my work at lunch-time so we could go grab something quick to eat during my break...and then he said...well I might as well go get Ella...so he did...she got to spend the afternoon with her dad. He still had to work at night...so I got off at 5 and went right home where we switched and I took over "Ella Duty" while he headed to work :)

Tuesday - It was the same...I worked, Josh was at home sleeping...I picked Ella up at 5...and went home...and he got to see her for just a few minutes before he headed to work again.

Wednesday - It was play-date time! We went over to Neko's house (and Erin!). The 4 of us girls had fun! Neko is just about a month younger than Ella...it was fun to watch them interact with one another. We went out to lunch...and then Ella and I headed home. Josh was just getting up when we got home...so I left Ella with him while I ran out and did a few errands and hit up TJ Maxx....much easier to do by myself instead of just Ella and I. When I got home it was just about 4...and it was right around 65 out....so I decided to take Brinly for a walk. Bella was sleeping on the couch...so Brinly was the lucky one who got to come with me...it was kind of windy though...so she didn't love it...I had to carry her a few times as she stopped walking and just stood there.

Thursday - I worked. Josh picked Ella up...much of the same again!

Friday - Josh got moved to a day shift for training...so he was gone all day Friday. Ella and I (to break up our day) went to Target. I got Ella a few things for her "Easter Basket." Then we just came home and hung out for the rest of the day.

A few "new things"...Ella we have started on "Stage 3" foods...they are supposed to be a little thicker, etc....well she doesn't particularly like them :) Everything she has tried so far...she makes these awful faces and spits the food out. Yesterday it took her about 30 minutes to eat her breakfast...she finally did...just took some time! Ella has been so happy...she is always smiling and laughing and making the BEST faces...

See....such a HAM!!! She is so funny! Her favorite thing right now is standing...loves to stand (with us holding her body)....she even tries to pry my hands off of her and stand on her own (which she can't do!). She is coming close to crawling...she can now get up on her knees...and rocks back and forth...but doesn't go forward!

So that's been it for this week....everyone is healthy...we had the windows open yesterday to get some fresh air in and the "germy" air out! :)

Fun Weekend...

Ella went to the sitters Thursday and Friday (I worked Friday to fill in for someone). She had a great time...she does love to be around other kids...loves to watch them!

Josh and I decided we were going to do a "date day/night" on Saturday...so that meant Ella was going to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house! So we packed everything but the kitchen sink (or so it felt like!) and headed over to Smith Mountain Lake around noon. We got there and left Ella and the dogs with Grandma and Grandpa...and Josh and I headed to Roanoke to the shooting range....after we finished up there - Josh said, "Thank you for going shooting with me." My reply, "It was fun! Now if I wasn't very good at it - I might not find it as fun...but since I'm good...I enjoy it!" Yes - I was tooting my own horn :) Josh of course laughed and said sincerely that I was very good - I have a great shot and again out-shot the people on either side of us easily. Whats the best thing to do to follow up shooting....shopping! We went to TJ Maxx....a favorite of mine! Then went to Panera for dinner, and then went to the theater and watched, "Safe House." Not a chick flick...but it was still good. That was it - and then headed back to my parents house. We were given the report that Ella really hadn't been all that happy :( She was pretty grumpy and only smiled a handful of times.

Sunday morning - Ella woke up after sleeping all night long - and yay was happy as could be! She was full of smiles and laughing! Her new favorite thing is to stand...she loves to stand....she also really likes to "walk." I just keep my hands under her arms and let her take steps...she loves it! I really do think we are just going to skip the crawling stage and go right to walking!

That was our weekend!