I had the best day with you today

I can't seem to get the Taylor Swift lyrics to 'Best Day' out of my head. Basically, it's a song to her mother that regardless of the crummy circumstance of her day she 'had the best day with her today'. I feel like we had the 'best day' tonight. Elli is back to our Elli! It's been a while since I posted so I have lots and lots and lots to write about. Back to tonight - Elli just laughed and laughed. There is nothing I love more than to make her giggle. She has the sweetest throw her head back, open mouth squeal. I love it!!

Ok...where to start?? How about some super fun news: OWEN IS ONE!!! We celebrated Owen's birthday a couple of weeks ago and he looked adorable and did AWESOME with his cake. He was napping when the majority of us arrived at his house so when he came down from his nap and saw us all in his living room I'm not sure he knew what to think. Regardless, he got a ton of fun toys and he was a total champ when it came cake time!

After the big party...we had a big clean up!! :)

On Friday we had a super fun play date with my adorably pregnant friend Amanda. I took my camera to take pictures so I could post pictures but alas no pictures were taken. Amanda watches her nephew on Fridays - Cameron and Elli seemed to get along great. Cameron didn't even seem to mind that Elli ate TWO bowls of his animal crackers. Amanda - I promise I feed her!!! I feel so blessed that I have such good friends to go through these life stages with. I'm so excited for Amanda. I used to think that nothing is better than being an aunt...than I realized that being a mommy is even better. I have a feeling Amanda will be able to relate to my resolution in a couple of months.

Fits - throwing fits seems to be Elli's new favorite past time. She will be crawling, eating, in my arms, whatever, and all the sudden she just throws her head down and melts down. It's very dramatic and really quite naughty and I don't know what in the world I am supposed to do about it. Any suggestions...please post a comment!!!!

Mickey and Minnie - she loves these little stuffed toys (the best part about them is that they were on clearance). One is usually traveling with her at all times. Don't get me wrong, the mice can never replace, nor hold a candle to her bug blanket. My biggest fear is no longer spiders...it's that we might somehow lose or misplace her bug blanket! She loves this thing with a passion. It literally travels with her everywhere. It's always in her car seat and then always in her crib. Elli always cracks a smile when we give it to her (even if she's in the midst of one of her aforementioned fits). Grandma Marilyn - thank you so much for blanket. I don't know what we would do without it!!

Elli is getting better at sharing. :)

She loves to feed herself. I gave her the spoon just to pacify her while I was getting her breakfast ready and what do you know...she knew just what to do with it. Sometimes I don't give her enough credit I guess. She would love to feed herself all of the time, but it's a little messy and very time consuming.

I mentioned that Elli is back to her old self. Last week was a scary time for us as Elli had her first real case of sickness. She's had a cold or two, but nothing compared to the fever and yuckiness she had last week. Elli was just not herself - really fussy, super clingy, waking up in the middle of the night and unable to get back to sleep and the #1 indication: she stopped crawling around and jabbering over the weekend. I was thinking maybe she was teething...nope! She had some sort of viral infection that left her completely lethargic and out of it on Monday night. I took her temp and it said 103.2, so I panicked and then took it about 15 more times in a five minute period. She was really around 102...which was just enough to make me cry when our pediatrician (who was on call) called me back. I had this instant feeling of guilt - I should have taken her temperature earlier, I should have called the doctor earlier, I should have stayed home with her (even though Grandma Lee Ann was here and she probably enjoyed her way more than she would have me), etc., etc., etc. I took Elli to the doctor on Tuesday morning and she checked out okay - nothing obvious. They did a flu swab which basically means they stick a super long Q-tip up your babies nose and shove it so far up there that it touches the back of her head. Ok, I exaggerate but I HATE seeing Elli in pain AND her nose bled. Afterward, Elli looked at me with a look that said, "What in the world did you just let them do to me??" And then she burst out crying. I would have too! Okay, so everything came back clear and they told me it was probably just a viral thing. So then on Wednesday night I noticed that Elli had a rash on her neck which made me realize she basically had a rash all over her upper body. Again, I called the pediatrician on call (HEY, TWO TIMES IN OVER NINE MONTHS IS NOT TOO BAD, RIGHT??) and she told me to take her to MedCheck or the ER...just to be sure. I am pretty sure the doctor who saw us doubles for a mall Santa Clause during the holidays. He was an older man with a big voice, glasses and a mustache. Elli was so captured by every move he made. He told us it was nothing to worry about and the rash finally went away later the next day.

On Saturday we went for a walk while we were waiting for my parents to drop by our house. We were having so much fun. Greg dared me to sprint to a sign on Pendleton Pike so I did that and it made Elli laugh. I took advantage of her laugh and performed some legendary high knees and jogging in place. That's when my right foot landed 1/2 off and 1/2 on the sidewalk and I completely rolled it, felt and heard a pop, it swelled up to the size of a fist and then I felt like I was going to either get sick or faint. Long story short, some amazingly nice people stopped as I was laying on the sidewalk of a major road and drove me the 30 seconds back to our house, we made some new friends at the ER and I feel blessed that I'm just bruised and sore. Crazy timing as we are heading to Vegas on Thursday. I think this might be God's way of telling me to slow down and focus on the things that really matter - like making Greg and Elli laugh! :)

Elli's first grass encounter (at least the first where she actually knew she was sitting up on her own). Isn't she adorable!?!?

Elli loves Aunt Katie and Uncle Syd's new house...especially their soft carpet and stairs! :)

9 Month Appointment

Elli's BIG TIME now!

Greg gave her the Wii Rock Band drumsticks and she loved the noise they made.

Elli's 9 month appointment was this afternoon. I was looking forward to it to learn her weight...plus, no shots this time! Elli was awesome the entire time we were there. She was super laid back when the doctor came in and then started warming up and talking to the doctor throughout. Elli is doing great. She's right around 50th percentile in everything except (you guessed it) her weight. Elli weighed in at 15 lbs 5 oz. I had flashbacks of last June...going to the scale expecting a certain number when ultimately a smaller number pops up. She's not even on the chart anymore for her current weight, but the doctor wasn't at all concerned (praise God!!). I am amazed at how this girl eats ALL the time!! She's getting such a little belly, but apparently it doesn't effect the number on the scale. She's a banana, right!?!?


A few memories to capture from the week

• Today was the first time that I walked into her room in the morning and she was standing in her crib ready to greet me. It kind of weirded me out as I wasn't expecting to see her smiling face until I peeked into the crib. She absolutely loves to pull herself up and stand. She's also really big on 'standing' on her knees. Elli can stand a second or two on her own but she's still really wobbly.



• Mamaw and Papaw Nicholson came down to spend the day with Elli on Wednesday. It was so thoughtful of them just to take the day off and come. Greg and I really appreciated it, but ultimately it was Elli who had the most fun. When I got home on Wednesday night Elli was talking up a storm, smiling, laughing, crawling and having a ton of fun. It was probably one of the best moods I've ever seen her in. I don't know what they did, but Elli fell asleep during her last feeding and then didn't make another peep until we woke her up the next morning! Usually, she has to settle herself down a bit before she turns in for the night. I think she and Mamaw must have played really hard!!!!! I don't think Elli was spoiled at all through the day. :) Thank you, Mamaw and Papaw, for coming to visit! Elli loves you SO much!!



• Last weekend was Uncle Chris's birthday (happy 30th!!!!!!), so we enjoyed a lot of time with my side of the family. My mom came down on Thursday because I had a dentist appointment on Friday morning and Elli's 9 month appointment was originally scheduled for that day as well. I'll admit it...I'm a super huge wimp when it comes to Elli in any pain, so pre-meditated pain...even the good-for-you-kind (a.k.a. shots/vaccinations) make me super sad. I was thinking that Elli had to get shots at her appointment, but then realized that we are all set until she's a year old. I had recruited my mom to join me since I'm such a wimp. Anyway, Elli's appointment had to be rescheduled so mom, Elli, dad and I had a fun afternoon of shopping. And, boy did we shop! I am such a sucker for baby girl clothes (and SALES!!)! Grandpa Kevin took over the Elli watch and every time I turned around he was giving my mom a new toy to put in her cart that Elli had to have. No, her grandparents don't spoil her at all! :) Saturday we went to eat and shop at Clay Terrace for Chris' birthday and it was such a beautiful day. I can't wait for the weather to warm up so we can take walks and get out more. We are going to Vegas in a couple of weeks and I'm really looking forward to the warmer weather. On that note, if anyone has any baby air travel advice/tips I'd love to hear them!! Elli is a total trooper so I'm hoping she doesn't hate the plane ride or the weird time change. Good thing is we'll have a lot of help from some of Elli's favorite people - we are going with Syd, Katie, mom and dad. Below is one of the toys mom got for Elli for her birthday (which is three months away!!). It's her new favorite for sure!




• Quick comment on a pretty recent development. Elli's always liked kids, but lately it's really turning into something. She wants to be with Owen a lot more I've noticed. If someone is holding Owen she wants them to hold her too. On Saturday, if Owen was passed around she wanted to be wherever he was. On Thursday morning when I dropped Elli off at Ehrin's she immediately crawled right to the chair that Ehrin, Grace and Owen were sitting in. Elli's hero is Grace, there's no doubt about it so I was surprised when Ehrin put her in the chair with them that Elli immediately tried to hug on Owen. Owen was not so thrilled - he played the part of the cooler, older boy cousin when Elli was trying to love on him. She's also been doing that during our Bible Study with her new boyfriend, Daniel (who is the cutest little pumpkin ever!!). She is very interested in whoever has him.





• After Elli's appointment today she and I went to return some things and I was stopped by no less than 6 people commenting on what a pretty baby she was, she has such pretty eyes and how good she was being. She likes to be out and about and seems to really like stroller rides so we had a ton of fun. Of course, I was totally soaking in the compliments too. I think she's pretty terrific, but I know I'm a bit biased. I hate to brag about it as you can tell by this website!!!!

• Elli's new love: Gerber Graduates Cheetoh looking puffs (she's eating one in the picture below). She's crazy about them and crunches through them like she has a tooth or two (which she still doesn't). She's also tried the yogurt snacks and loves Cheerios. Today she tried string cheese and was definitely digging that too. No doubt about this girl's appetite...she loves to eat!!

On a separate note, Greg has been really sick with the flu these last couple of days so please keep him in your prayers. I don't remember the last time he felt so miserable.

Pictures!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT SARA AND MAMAW!!!

(sorry we're a little late!)

I am in total Aunt and Mommy heaven here!

Papaw was blowing in Elli's ear cracking her up. This is one of my favorite pictures ever!

Oreos are good!

Oreo mustache!!

I love this picture of Addie. Isn't she ADORABLE!?!

Day of Firsts!!!

Elli is officially crawling! I asked Ehrin today if she was crawling and she wouldn't give me a straight answer so as soon as I got home I sat a couple of feet from Elli and she crawled right over to me! I could seriously feel my heart swell. Already I can tell our lives have changed and I'm sure she will only get quicker and quicker in the coming days. Time to baby proof!

A little shout out to cousin Grace here...thanks for all your help teaching Elli how to crawl. We couldn't have done it without you!! Elli loves you SO MUCH!!!

The funny thing is that Elli's favorite thing to do right now is not to crawl, but to walk. She loves to hold on to someone's hands and walk. She just laughs and talks the whole time she's 'walking'. She especially loves to run. Elli gets very mad whenever you stop walking her. It's not pretty. I wish I could figure out a way to download videos on here because I'd love to show how she HIGH steps when she's walking.

We had another first today...Elli had her very own Oreo. I grabbed a cookie for a pre-dinner snack and gave Elli a bite of the filling (that's true love...sharing my Oreo filling). She loved it. When Greg and I were eating dinner I gave Elli some puffs and shared some french fry (Penn Station french fries are the best and very healthy for an almost 9 month old to munch on). Then I told Greg about Elli's deep love for the Oreo filling and teased them both by giving her an entire cookie. Let's just say, Elli was in baby heaven and her clothes were a complete mess (and Greg was about to have a cow but ultimately enjoyed the show). I know I have a flashing neon light over my head saying "BAD MOMMY! BAD MOMMY!" I'm sure Gerber would not recommend Oreo cookies to those Elli's age but you only live once...right!?!? I have some awesome pictures but I can't get them to upload...I'll try again tomorrow...stay tuned.

Last week I LEFT ON A JET PLANE...and Elli didn't even realize I was gone. It was my first time really leaving her. I traveled to CA on a quick 48 hour business trip. I didn't see her for two full days. Luckily, the trip was super quick and busy so I didn't really get too much of a chance to miss Greg and Elli. The trip was at the same time as some things for Greg so my awesome mom came to stay for a couple days to help. I can't decide who had more fun while I was gone - Elli or mom. When Elli woke up on Friday I don't think she knew who she wanted - she was torn between loving on me and then loving on mom.

We were playing in Elli's room that day - Elli and I on the floor and mom in the rocking chair. Mom said something and Elli looked up at her. I was at such an angle that all I saw was Elli's profile looking up. She was completely absorbed looking and listening to mom and it struck me at that moment how much I look up to my grandparents. Greg and I are so blessed to have the grandparents we do and Elli's grandparents are pretty terrific too. We've learned from and been loved by amazing men and women and I am so grateful to have mine and Greg's parents and grandparents who are such amazing Christian people...who love the Lord completely and truly showcase that they love us and that Jesus loves us. I don't think there was ever a time that Grandpa said goodbye without saying "I love you and Jesus loves you" and there was usually a "darlin'" said either before or after the statement. More than anything I want Elli to know that I love her and Jesus loves her.

Aunt Sara's birthday was Saturday...Happy Birthday Aunt Sara! We celebrated the day along with a late celebration for Mamaw Sally whose birthday was the weekend before. Seriously, I don't know how Addie gets cuter every time we see her. It doesn't seem possible, but she truly does. Addie shared some of her new toys with Elli this weekend...thanks Addie! We definitely don't see Addie as much as we want to! Happy Birthday Aunt Sara and Mamaw!! We had so much fun hanging out with you this weekend.

Welcome Daniel!

Check out Elli's new boyfriend!

Daniel Kauffman is beautiful!!!

Elli and I had a fantastic girls day today. She has such a personality and loves to talk, laugh and especially clap for herself. She's start pulling herself up (I've become a jungle gym) and has mastered going from belly to sitting up again. She gets in crawl position but no crawling yet. It's amazing to watch her manuever where she wants to go...somehow she always gets there.

Her new love: puffies! She loves the little puffs that dissolve in your mouth. Elli especially likes to feed herself. She's mastering the use of all her fingers and I've seen her fine motor skills really improve even over the last two weeks.

Her new hate: her changing table / getting her diaper changed. I don't know why or how this change occurred but she hates to get her diaper changed. At least 50% of all diaper changes involve her having a cow and rolling all over so it's almost impossible to get her changed without there being a situation (i.e. pee all over everywhere).

Her are some pictures of Elli helping me 'work' on my computer today and of her on the way to visit Daniel. You can tell she was excited to meet her new boyfriend! :)

Breakfast for Dinner!

Greg and I really need to go to the grocery store. We were struggling for dinner ideas so I suggested my very favorite - breakfast for dinner! I made us pancakes and potatoes. Elli had already eaten but she ended up joining us. Our pediatrician said it was good for Elli to join us at the table for dinner...that she did. She fed herself pancakes and loved them. Elli is such a big girl...it's so funny to see her think through getting the food from her tray to her mouth.

Many Happy Birthdays and Elli's First Official Play Date

I know it's been a while since our last post but in my defense I have tried three separate times to post over the last weeks and each time the entry stuck because I tried uploading videos. We have some great videos of Elli but I have learned my lesson and will stick to just pictures this time.

We've been very busy lately celebrating birthdays (Grandma Lee Ann, Aunt Ehrin and Addie) and just having fun. Elli LOVES to clap and say YAY (or her version of YAY anyway). It's funny because she seems to especially love clapping for herself. She loves to sing, talk, laugh, play and is so full of smiles. She's started kissing too...it's very open mouthed and slobbery but of course we love it.

Rather than me write three thousand pages about all that we've been doing and enjoying lately I'll try to let our pictures do the talking.


The weather got a bit nicer a couple of Friday's ago so Elli and I ventured out for a quick (really, really quick) walk. I bundled her up and she seemed to enjoy it, but I decided it was still too cold. We can't wait for warmer weather to go for walks every day!


Aunt Ehrin's 30th birthday and Grandma Lee Ann's 50 something birthday was celebrated by going up north to the Essenhaus Inn and Restaurant. We had such a fun family time and we found out that Elli loves to swim. We went to the pool late on Saturday night destined to fail (time to eat, time to sleep, grouchy time) and she had a blast. When she wasn't trying to drink the entire pool she was laughing at Grace. The next day we went down to watch dad and Grace swim and decided to take off her pajamas and throw Elli in. Again, she loved every minute of it.


Elli's first official play date happened on Friday morning when Tegegn Ponsler. Tegegn was so much fun and it was fun to talk mommy talk with Sarah.



Happy 1st Birthday Addie! Addie is so adorable and such a sweet little girl. I think Elli tried to out-gibber Addie at times today and she did love playing with Addie's new toys. Addie did excellent with her own personal cake...definitely the best I've seen.







Elli's favorite foods right now: squash, pear sauce, cake and ice cream so she was in heaven!

Elli clapping:


This was the first time Elli was pushing the buttons herself. :)