Much More Than Nana

Today Ella and I were with some other moms with babies about Ella's age, around 16 months. One mom was feeding her girl a banana and when Ella walked over and said "nana" the other moms were amazed.

Now I didn't want to brag too much, but Ella knows A LOT more words than just "nana."

Here is a small sample of her big vocabulary:

Facial features like eye, nose, mouth, ear, chin, cheek, etc.
Body parts like leg, arm, elbow, knee, belly and even shoulder
All the farm animals (and their noises) plus others like dog, cat, bear, and bird
Most jungle animals, elephant, hippo, she even knows a zebra when she sees one

Ella knows up, cold, hot, book, shirt, pants, shoes, socks, bean, apple, pear, peach, raisin, grape, noodle, diaper, cream, lotion, milk, bottle, cup, wall, light, pillow, blanket, nap, water-water-water (always three times) c'mon, all done . . .
and many more.

Plus her latest favorite wassat (what's that?)

When I write them out like this I start to see just how much Ella talks. And then I'M amazed.

But I don't want to brag. :-)

Baby Steps

Everyone knows that baby steps are small, and halting; but there is also this indescribable sweetness to them as well. Though she hasn't yet completely mastered the art of walking, Ella no longer has to have complete concentration to walk, and is no longer struggling to stay upright as she did only two or three weeks ago. And I'm sure that she probably already has a hint of the stride she will have for the rest of her life.

I know that we're all ever-changing works in progress; but it has never been shown to me so clearly before as with her learning to walk and talk. I'm overjoyed that Ella's walking, but I know the days when I'll hear the thump-thump-thump of her crawling from whatever room she's in to whatever room I'm in are numbered, and I'm going to miss them. Part of me always wants to run for the video camera to try and capture that moment forever, but the other part of me just wants to be totally in that moment, soaking it up completely.

Goats Have Weird Eyes

Back in August we took Ella to the County Fair. She had lots of fun riding the merry-go-round. She liked the animals . . . as long as they didn't get too close. Or baaaaa too loudly.




Fashion Note: Check out her "farmer overalls."

You can see more pictures of Ella at the fair here.

The Jig Is Up

Explorations in juvenile delinquency...

Fast Asleep, Slow Awake

Zzzzzzzz



Hi!

[Editor's note]
This is not how Ella usually looks when she first wakes up from her nap . . .

More High Chair Fun

Things a First-time Parent Does Only Once

- Let the baby hold a glass jar of baby food.

- Change a diaper without a pad underneath . . . at someone else's house.

- After playing in the sand, take her shoes off in the house.

- Let her play with Daddy's glasses, because it's so darn cute.

Fun with Noodles

Ella sure loves noodles.

Can you spot the noodle in her hair? (a la "Where's Waldo?")

Swimmin Wimmen

Taking a late-summer dip at our friend Chris' birthday party, Our Heroine discovers that your fingers make neat little splashy noises when you hit the surface of the water.



After the swim, Ella examines her daddy for cavities, indicating an early interest in a dental career.

Baby Steps

Today Ella took her official all-on-her-own first steps!

No coaxing with outstretched arms as she still tries to hold onto your hand.
No need for a "c'mon honey, come to mama. You can do it."
No bribing her with the car keys held way up high.

She stepped away from the recliner and out into the middle of the room. Step-step-step-step-sit
Did I mention she did it ALL ON HER OWN?!!

And what enticed her to take this bold new move? Her Baby Miss Piggy doll, of course.

Yah Ella!

Laptop Dissection

Here is Ella, mere moments before she pried the "Enter" key off our laptop.

We should have seen it coming.

Ella and the Dino Museum

Ella-sized




Spine, anyone?

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Hey, Daddy, what was that part about the peanuts and the Cracker Jack? Does that apply to babies?

The Cutest Toy in the Box

Ella loves sitting in baskets and boxes. She will even try to get into a basket that is way too small for her little bottom. It's the getting out she usually needs help with.

Happy Birthday Papa!

A day late . . . but just as heartfelt.