10 on the 10th: May Edition

Oops, I forgot to post yesterday!

All About Ella!!

1. How is it possible that in 16 days my baby will be one? This year has been so amazingly sweet, challenging, fun, and wonderful! I wouldn't rather do anything else than be Ella's mama.

2. Ella is so physically advanced. She crawled just before 6 months, pulled up a few weeks later, took steps at 8 1/2 months, and was full blown walking at 9 months. She has mastered walking downhill, uphill, on uneven surfaces, and even on the sand. Now she's working on running, and getting really good at it. Oh boy!

3. E's words so far: hi, dog, ball, duck, mama, dada, bye, pig, don't touch (sort of...it sounds like da ta), bottle, and she can roar like a dinosaur.

4. Our girl is not much of an eater. She drinks her bottles throughout the day and will take a few bites of what we are eating at meals, but hates baby food. I hope her appetite picks up as she gets older and more teeth to chew with. She's only got four right now.

5. Ella has a bold personality and a strong will. I pray that we can use these to enhance her strengths!

6. She ADORES her big brother Luke. And he adores her, unless she touches his stuff, which she does on an hourly basis. They've just recently started to play together, which results in them running all over the apartment chasing each other, screeching, and giggling! It's pretty great.

7. Ella is still waking up in the night. She will sleep all the way through the night about 25% of the time, but the rest of the time she is up once, sometime between 3 and 4 in the morning. She takes great naps in the day and will usually sleep in until about 7:30 (sometimes later), so I can't complain.

8. She is so friendly, when it's on her terms. She will gladly say hi to strangers walking by. But when someone approaches her and talks to her, she goes silent and stone-faced. Also, when we get to a place with a lot of people, she'll stand still and take it all in before she walks or talks. This can take up to 10 minutes! Once she's comfortable, watch out!

9. Her eyes are AMAZING. They're huge and beautiful and she already knows how to use them to get what she wants. I know I'm biased, but I think she's the most beautiful baby girl I've ever seen.

10. Ella's changed all of our lives this year. Our home is more vibrant, busy, happy, and complete with her in our lives. We love you so much, Miss Ella!